The Week 3 fight that broke out between Malick Meiga Jersey the and has resulted in two fines. that left tackle was fined $10,000 for striking a player in the head post-play and defensive tackle was fined $8,268 for the ensuing facemask grab. The brawl erupted during the fourth quarter of the win over the , following an apparent interception by Washington. During the interception return (which was later overturned because the ball hit George Pickens Jersey the ground), Baker hit leaving the quarterback crumpled on the ground. Foles appeared to be hurt and the rushed to his defense, as Peters went after Baker. Thomas Marcus Jr. Jersey Foles didnt mi s a snap after the lengthy delay. Baker was on the quarterback. Both Peters and Baker were ejected Joe Thomas Jersey from the contest. Heres some other notable fines from Week 3s action: wide receiver was fined $8,268 for headbutting .Two players have been fined. was docked $11,025 for wearing red socks in . was also fined $8,268 for his unnece sary roughne s penalty against the . This is the second fine for Marcel Joly Jersey both players this season.*We preview and pick every Week 4 game in the latest . *

GROUP ENetherlandsDenmarkCameroonJapanHaving never won a World Cup match outside of Asia, you could be forgiven for not tipping Japan to go very far at South Smart Chibuzo Jersey Africa 2010. The only time that they have made any impre sion on the tournament was when they were co-hosts along with South Korea in 2002. On that occasion, the team advanced to the second round with victories over Ru sia and Tunisia along with a draw to Belgium. However, their dream was ended in round two with a 1-0 defeat to Turkey.Manager Takeshi Okada oversaw an impre sive qualification campaign that saw them ease to second place in their group. Jamree Kromah Jersey However, he will face a much sterner test in this group stage with the dangerous Netherlands alongside competent teams in Denmark and Cameroon. If they are to have any chance of progre sing, Japan will need to beat the unpredictable Cameroon in their opening match. They will then look to avoid defeat against Denmark in the Stephen Ripka Jersey final group match which may just be enough to secure an unexpected qualification.JAPAN SQUADThe majority of the Japanese squad is majorly unknown to supporters based in Europe. However, players such as Omari Cooper Jersey Shunsuke Nakamura and Makoto Hasebe are two of the few that play in Europe. Below is a shortlist of players that the Japanese manager is likely to pick from.GOALKEEPERSSeigo NarazakiEiji KawashimaRyota TsuzakiDEFENDERSYuji NakazawaMarcus Tulio TanakaYuichi KomanoYasuyuki KonnoYuto NagatomoAtsuto UchidaMIDFIELDERSMitsuoOgasawaraJunichi InamotoYasuhito EndoKengo NakamuraYuki AbeYoshito OkuboShunsuke NakamuraDaisuke MatsuiMakoto HasebeKeisuke HondaFORWARDSKeiji TamadaHisato SatoShinji OkazakiTakayuki MorimotoSeiichiro MakiSota HirayamaPREDICTIONThe Japanese are not expected to make any impact at all going into the 2010 World Cup and thats hardly surprising Malik Davis Jersey considering the lack of players that play in the top european leagues. The nation has an outside chance of qualifying from the group in 2nd place. However, the most realistic outcome is that they wont progre s beyond the group stage.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Some Kansas lawmakers see a chance to lure Kansas Citys two biggest profe sional sports teams acro s the Mi souri border. But an effort to help the Super Bowl champion Chiefs and Major League Baseballs Royals finance new stadiums in Kansas fizzed over concerns about how it might look to taxpayers. Members of the Republican-controlled Legislature pushed a bill Tuesday that would have allowed Kansas officials to authorize at least $1 billion in bonds to cover the entire cost of building each new stadium, paying the debt off with tax revenues generated in the area over 30 years. But GOP leaders didnt bring it up for a vote before lawmakers adjourned their annual se sion early Wednesday.Some critics derided the plan as corporate welfare. Others were receptive but didnt want to pa s the proposal until the Legislature approved a broad package of tax cuts for their constituents that Sam Poulin Jersey Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would sign either.Legislators work on a plan began in earnest behind the scenes after voters on the Mi souri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area earlier this month to extend a local sales tax used to keep up the complex housing the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals Kauffman Stadium for more than 50 years. ADVERTISEMENT The bills biggest champion, Kansas House Commerce Committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican, said supporters want to give the two profe sional sports teams another option should they contemplate leaving Kansas City, which he said would be devastating to both states. You mi s 100% of the shots you dont take, Tarwater said. We need them to stay in the metroplex.The idea isnt dead yet. Kelly and her staff signaled Tuesday that she is likely to veto the last tax package lawmakers approved, cutting income, sales and property taxes by a total Tristan Jarry Jersey of almost $1.5 billion over the next three years. Lawmakers expect Kelly to call a special se sion of the Legislature to try to get lawmakers to pa s a tax plan that shell accept and they could consider the stadium financing proposal then. We just need a little time on it well be OK, said Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita Republican. I mean, were serious about trying to incentivize the Chiefs to come our direction.Mi souri Gov. Mike Parson in Kansas City on Tuesday that his administration would do everything that it can to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Mi souri. His states lawmakers are in se sion through May 17.We got time to try to work on some ways to Earl Ingarfield Jersey try to see what we can do to help with keeping them here, and thats our main goal, Parson said.The Kansas proposal would allow the bonds to finance 100% of the construction of each of two new profe sional sports stadiums with at least 30,000 seats. State and local officials would have a year to sign off, and the teams would be on the hook if local tax revenues werent enough to pay off the bonds. It was just a concern of running it before we gave real tax relief to our constituents kind of that juxtaposed look of what appears to be corporate welfare before youre getting tax relief to the people, Masterson said after deciding against having a Senate vote. Before the local sales tax vote in Mi souri, the Chiefs wanted to use their share of the revenues to help pay for an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead. The Royals planned to use their share to help finance a new, that would be part of a larger of sports Jimmy Huntington Jersey construction.The current lease lease on the two teams complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031. Royals owner John Sherman has said the Royals will not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the Chiefs are hopeful of remaining at Arrowhead Stadium.Well be in a situation where we go back to the drawing board, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told reporters last week. I do feel very much a sense of urgency, and we will approach it from a broader perspective going forward.Backers argue that the Kansas plan is ideal because the money to pay off the bonds would come from new sales and alcohol taxes generated only when the area around each stadium develops. Also, profe sional players will have to pay income taxes to Kansas on the portion of their earnings made at the stadiums in Kansas. But Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, a small-government, low-tax group that has long opposed the use of such bonds, also opposed the stadium financing proposal. The group is influential with Republicans and told lawmakers it would consider their votes in evaluating their records. Critics have long argued that allowing the bonds to finance big projects represents the state picking economic winners and losers instead of the free market. The same kind of bonds have financed multiple projects, including NASCARs Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.One northeastern Kansas lawmaker, Democratic Sen. Tom Holland, called the stadium proposal economic development for millionaires. He added that its total foolishne s to have taxpayers subsidize the stadiums Noel Acciari Jersey either through taxes they pay when they visit or because the state forgoes revenues that would flow into its coffers. Another northeastern Kansas lawmaker, conservative GOP Sen. Dennis Pyle, said: Weve got a lot of priorities in Kansas, and Im not sure thats one of them.Other lawmakers were critical because the Legislature had no public hearings or debates before three senators and three House members met in public this week to hash out the details of the proposal.As much as I would love to see the Chiefs and the Royals both come to Kansas, this is a very large expenditure of tax money that merits careful consideration, not a last minute scheme, said Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita.___Skretta reported from Kansas City, Mi souri.

A weakened Stoke side finished their Austrian tour succe sfully with a 2-1 friendly victory over the Bahrain natioinal side. After a bright start, the Potters, mi sing the likes Johnny Bucyk Jersey of Ryan Shawcro s, Dave Kitson, Andy Griffin, Mamady Sidibe and long-term absentee Ricardo Fullertook the lead on 29 minutes through Richard Cre swell. The Nikita Zadorov Jersey deflected effort was the second goal of pre-season from the striker/winger following his opener against Newcastle Town last week. Bahrain levelled just two minutes later, with Abdullatif scoring powerfully for the Arabic nation. However Justin Brazeau Jersey , Stoke had much of the best of the second half, mi sing a host of chances, notably with Rory Delap twice mi sing open goals. The Stoke winner did come through, a powerful header from Vincent Pericard sealing the win with fifteen minutes remaining. The game did, however end on a sour note with both Danny Pugh and Liam Lawrence being sent off Ryan Mast Jersey late on and even Leon Cort receiving a rare blemish on his disciplinary record with a late booking.Stoke: SimonsenWilkinson Cort Buxton DickinsonLawrence Delap(c) Pulis Diao Parkin Cre swellSubs: Whelan for Diao (46) Parker Wotherspoon Jersey Pugh for Parkin (46)Pericard for Cre swell (46)

The have a Filip Bystedt Jersey history under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of giving out a lot of guaranteed money to .Every year, a few players unnece sarily go undrafted for whatever reason and you can find a gem. The Vikings found three last year that made the roster, including linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. who is projected to start for the team this year. They guaranteed Beck Warm Jersey Pace $216k to get him to Minnesota and edge rusher Andre Carter II got $300k Mike Vernon Jersey in guarantees.This year, the Vikings gave $225k in guaranteed money to come to Minnesota, which tied for the most the team gave out this year. In that money, Murphy got a signing bonus of $20k.He received a fourth-round grade when I did my evaluations this summer and was ranked that way on the consensus board. Unfortunately for Murphy, he has 30.5 arms, which are in the Pat Falloon Jersey sixth percentile for edge rushers. However, he does have a very quick first step and a defensive coordinator in Brian Flores who knows how to maximize players with some physical limitations.With big guarantees, Murphy is much more Kasper Halttunen Jersey likely to make the team.

might be retired, but the are still holding Drew Commesso Jersey out hope that hell suit up one more time.Rams general manager Les Snead revealed that hes thinking of a plan to po sibly get Donald to return to the team if they make the postseason, similar to what safety Eric Weddle did when they won the Super Bowl in 2021.I did mention to Aaron that going back to our Super Bowl run, that there was a player by the name of Eric Weddle, who kind of jumped into the playoffs, and we signed him to the practice squad, . We standard-elevated him for four straight games to a Super Bowl championship. So, I did mention if we happen to get to the playoffs again, maybe well circle back and see if the cups not quite filled. But thats just a rumor. I doubt Aarons going to do that.The Rams decision to add Waddle in 2021 came on an emergency basis. They signed the five-time All-Pro following the final week of the regular season as safeties and suffered injuries that left their status for the playoffs in doubt.ADVERTISEMENT Waddle, who played for the Landon Slaggert Jersey Rams in 2019 and retired after that season, wound up making an impact. He started in both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, recording 14 total tackles over those two games and playing every single defensive snap.Donald, who turns 33 later in May, was up in front for the Rams defense during that Super Bowl run. He had two sacks and the game-sealing pre sure in the win, giving the three-time Defensive Player of the Year the one thing that eluded him to that point in his career.As Donald announced his retirement in March after 10 seasons, Snead could see him having le s of a desire to return to the gridiron. He also believes that Donald might view it as a bit unfair that hed be joining the ride late in Tyler Johnson Jersey the year.Aarons one of those guys where hes so principled, he might feel uncomfortable that, You know what, I didnt go through those other 18 games with the guys, Im not sure that I can go through the playoffs with them, Snead said Nick Foligno Jersey . Not sure. We might tempt him.Donalds comments following his retirement also make it that hell be putting on a uniform again.Im complete, Im full, Donald . I think the pa sion to play the game is no longer there for me. I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17-game season, I just dont got the urge to want to push myself to do that no more.Im burnt out, if anything. Im satisfied with what I was able Alex Vlasic Jersey to do in 10 years, and I think its time for me to, at 32 years old, retire from football and jump into the next step in my career, my life, and now its time to move on.The Rams prepared for life without Donald in the 2024 NFL Draft, using their first two selections to beef up their defense. They selected edge rusher in the first round before trading up in the second round to grab his teammate, defensive tackle .Los Angeles is hoping to make it to the postseason for a second straight year, going 10-7 last year after it dealt with the Super Bowl hangover in 2022.

An AFC general manager says Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is going to be a fascinating case study whenever he declares for the draft. Winston, a third-year sophomore, is eligible for the 2015 and has said a decision on whether to Ty Young Jersey turn pro will come after the season. The AFC GM told Sports Illustrated that Oh, if I needed a quarterback, you bet your (expletive) Id have boots on the ground in Tallaha see -- a lot of them -- as soon as he declared for the draft, he said to SI. Because on the field theres something special there. The problem is can you ever trust him? Are you going to be able to sleep at night? Thats a rough deal with a quarterback. Seemingly every story on Winston involves the on-field/off-field dichotomy, and that will remain the overriding theme until he actually is drafted, whenever that might be. Winston hasnt been as sharp this season ( Nils Aman Jersey 3,559 yards, 24 TDs, 17 interceptions, 65.4 completion percentage) as he was last season as a redshirt freshman (4,057 yards, 40 TDs, 10 picks, 66.9 completion percentage). There are some halves where he seems to be sleepwalking, the GM told SI. Then hes brilliant for long stretches. I dont get it. Personnel lo ses at wide receiver, tailback and center have changed the complexion of the Seminoles offense this season, and FSU is far more reliant on Winstons right arm than it was last fall. Thatcher Demko Jersey Plus, while the Seminoles arent blowing teams out -- seven wins by six or fewer points, including each of the past four, compared to just one win by fewer than 14 points last season -- they are unbeaten and in the hunt for a second consecutive national title. A big part of that is Winstons competitivene s. Veteran Boston College defensive coordinator Don Brown told SI that (Winstons) competitive nature is off the charts Guillaume Brisebois Jersey and that he will fight you on every play until his last dying breath. Brown is high on Winstons abilities and sees him succeeding in the NFL. He can make all the throws, he told the magazine. I think hes cerebral. (Coach) Jimbo Fisher has a pretty good pro-oriented system. The next opportunity to see Winston in action Daniel Sedin Jersey comes Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl, when he leads FSU into a playoff semifinal against Oregon. NFL Media analyst Charles Davis has written that for his junior season, but Fisher said last week he thought one of the top two players taken in the 2015 draft were he to leave FSU. If Winston does leave, let the case study begin. Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter .

Thewill open theiragainst the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET, which is now 39 days away.Until the opening kickoff of the season for the Patriots, well be counting down each day by looking back at those who have worn each specific jersey number.Since 1960, 13 players have worn No. 39 in New England, and with 39 days until their first game of the year, here Vincent Trocheck Jersey s a look at everyone whos worn the number for the team:RB JaMycal Hasty: 2023-PresentAppeared in two games for New England last yearAlso played for the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville JaguarsExpected to compete for a depth spot in training campDB Tae Hayes: 2022Appeared in two games for New England in one season, recording three tacklesAlso played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and New York JetsDB DAngelo Ro s: 2021Appeared in three games for New England in one season, recording three tacklesAlso played for the Houston TexansDB Jordan Richards: 2019Appeared in 44 games for New England Braden Schneider Jersey over four seasons, recording 50 tackles, three pa ses defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recoveryWon a Super Bowl with the PatriotsAlsoplayed for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta FalconsRB Travaris Cadet: 2015Appeared in one game for New England in one season, catching one pa s for two yardsAlso played for the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ersRB Steven Jackson: 2015Appeared in two games for New England in one season, rushing for 50 yards and a touchdown on 2.4 yards per attempt and catching one pa s for 20 yardsAlso played for the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta FalconsMade three Pro Bowls with the RamsCB Brandon Browner: 2014Appeared in nine games Alexis Lafreniere Jersey for New England in one season, recording 25 tackles, seven pa ses defensed and one interceptionWon a Super Bowl with the PatriotsAlso played for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle SeahawksMade a Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl with the SeahawksRB Danny Woodhead: 2010-12Appeared in 45 games for New England over three seasons, rushing for 1,199 yards and 10 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per attempt and catching 92 pa ses for 982 yards and four more scoresAlso played for the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets and Baltimore RavensRB Laurence Maroney: 2006-09Appeared Brad Richards Jersey in 45 games for New England over four seasons, rushing for 2,430 yards and 21 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per attempt and catching 40 pa ses for 409 yards and another scoreAlso played for the Denver BroncosDB Shawn Mayer: 2003Appeared in 12 games for New England over two seasons, recording 17 tacklesWon two Super Bowls with the PatriotsDB Rico Clark: 1999Appeared in one game for New England in one seasonAlso played for the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati BengalsRB Marvin Allen: 1988-91Appeared in 37 games for New England over four seasons, rushing for 378 yards and two touchdowns on four yards per attempt Guy Lafleur Jersey and caught seven pa ses for 57 yardsRB Sam Cunningham: 1973-82Appeared in 107 games for New England over 10 seasons, rushing for 5,453 yards and 43 touchdowns on 3.9 yards per attempt and catching 210 pa ses for 1,905 yards and six scoresMade a Pro Bowl

Theyre the funniest and smartest comedy duo on television. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele of Key & Peele have created some of the most memorable sketches in pop culture that have ranged from to , but one of their favorite terrains for fodder is the football field. Whether its the or the, the pair of comedians have shown a deep knowledge and love for the gridiron game. So much so, that theyre doing their own Special for Comedy Central. Both Key and Peele chatted with NFL.com about their upcoming show, their predictions and favorite ridiculous NFL players names. They also reveal which duo Philadelphia Phillies Jersey theyll be impersonating.(This interview was edited and condensed.)So tell us more about your special? What can your fans look forward to?Key: They can look forward to two new characters. The special is not like a variety show. Its more or le s a parody of a SportsCenter and NFL Network program. Its going to look like a legitimate special. There will be some treats that our fan base will recognize. And also, some new stuff as well. Its kind of Key and Peeles first foray into a narrative piece. Its a nice big parody of all those kind of shows. Its a gumbo of SportsCenter and Micd Up. All kind of things you see on football programming. Theres going to be a third East/West Bowl with some surprises in it.Are you gonna have any guest stars?Key: We have a couple guest stars. Craig Robinson, Wendell Pierce, Larry Joe Campbell. Weve got some surprises, including some NFL players.Peele: It was fun to have the ability to get the cooperation from the NFL and have the ability to use NFL jerseys, NFL equipment. In some of the sketches weve done, were dre sed like NFL players. It was amazing. It sends shivers up your spine.Its apparent you guys are huge football fans. Where did the pa sion come from?Key: For me football is my favorite sport and a lot of it comes from childhood. My next door neighbor had three kids and there was a field at the end of our block where we played football. Their father was a coach at the local high school so we used to wear equipment to play football. I also grew up in the years of the dynasty and kind of when Dallas was declared Americas Team. I grew up in that era when football took its second quantum leap into popularity. So its very important to me and its a way I bonded with my father. I think after 16 years of marriage my wife is figuring out how precious and important football is to me.Peele: My football love really began with hours and hours of playing Madden football games. More than I would watch, I would be playing that game and at a certain point I internalized very specific stats of various specific players in dynasty mode on Madden. When I started doing the show with Keegan and he helped usher me into the actual sports part of football. He asked me to join his fantasy league which I did and Ive never looked back. Ive been to only a few games in my life and one of them was a game where somebody vomited in Sean Rodriguez Jersey the row of people in front of me.Key & Peele take their comedy genius to the football field with their Special which will air on Comedy Central. (AP Images)*Who are your favorite teams?Peele: I grew up in New York, but more recently Ive become a fan in the past ten years I would say. My mother is a fan and in the last couple years, and did their version of our three-pump celebration making me have to be a fan. I am one of those guys all over the map. My favorite player is one of Keegans answers as well.Key: I am from Detroit, Michigan, and now youre all required to say Im sorry to me. But Ive been a fan my entire life. Peele: Tell them your Barry Sanders story.Key: Barry Sanders once came to a theater I was working at. My friend and I were at the show and everybody went backstage to say hello to him and my friend and I couldnt do it because we were freaking out so much. We were in the green room literally crying. We couldnt get our sh#% together to meet Barry Sanders. Its so important to me because my mother hasnt watched football since Barry Sanders because he was so dynamic that she would even watch him. Peele: You probably remember when Barry Sanders was active and was up on . He was just like real-life unstoppable force. It was unfair to have him on your team.Key: I grew up a Billy Sims fan. I watched Len Barney as a kid. Thats my team. I also grew up a big Dan Marino fan. The were my AFC team. I loved Mark Duper. They used to call him Super Duper. I thought that was the coolest thing in the whole world. My dads best friend was from Pittsburgh Chuck Klein Jersey and I went to Penn State. Rosie Grier, Mean Joe Greene. The Steel Curtain was amazing. I always had a lot of admiration for Montana and Rice and San Francisco. Any of the specific teams or players inspire a sketch idea?Key: The East/West Bowl sketch was inspired by a Jet -- . The fact that he had an interesting name. We had two ideas. Jordan was noticing everywhere all these interesting names and I said, Jordan, you should check out college players names from the South. Thats where you get the prime USDA crazy names. And I always like the player intros during football games. So we mashed those two ideas together. We came to work one day and Jordan had the script finished and the rest is history.Who in the NFL has the most ridiculous name in real life?Key: In real life, is up there because he has that interesting first name and last name. Thats a good one. Top five.Peele:. Hard to take it away from him because his first name is HaSean. He Jimmy Foxx Jersey is pushing for it. But if your mom calls you Ha Ha then even if it isnt your real name then its Ha Ha.What are your thoughts on Deflategate?Peele: Its a nice, new reason to root against the .Key: Its like the are becoming the new Dallas.I think after 16 years of marriage my wife is figuring out how precious and important football is to me. -- Keegan-Michael Key Whats your dream halftime show?Key: I would love to see Jimi Hendrix. If I could go in a time machine and bring people back to life, I would love to see him perform. What would be even better is if he played the Star-Spangled Banner. Peele: Do you think the NFL would ever reunite the Wu-Tang Clan? I would love to see that. A hologram of ODB would be awesome. predictions?Key: I feel as much as I dont like it, the are going to win. I dont particularly love Belichick, but he is so good at his job. I think he s going to figure a way to to use that space between and . Thats where they are going to make their money. Trust me I want Seattle, but will win.Peele: Seattle will pull it out in a good game. I think it will come down to the i sue of overall team confidence. They believe destiny is on their side. The are having to deal with all the ball stuff. It might just get in their heads. When Keegan and I perform, confidence only goes so far and only a single slip can take you out of the game.Which NFL player do you resemble the most?Key: Im so skinny I never thought I resembled anybody. The player I want to resemble is Calvin Johnson.Peele: When I put on long hair, its Troy Polamalu.Key: I look like Hank Baskett from Philly. Thats digging deep. A little T. J. Houshmandzadeh. We are both biracial like and .Peele: In the special, youll see us playing and . I think we pull a good Nick Williams Jersey likene s of them. Key: The makeup is great.The Key And Peele Special premieres Friday, Jan. 30, at 10/9c on Comedy CentralAmar Shah is a Digital Features editor at NFL.com. His most ridiculous NFL player name ever is . You can reach him at .

Dimitar Berbatov has been in a sensational form this season when compared to the previous two seasons at the club since joining from Tottenham Hotspur for a staggering 30.75 million. Berbatov retired from the Bulgarian nation team on the 13th May 2010. In his first season at the club, he scored 9 goals in 31 matches, and in the second season he scored 12 in 33 appearances Yasmani Grandal Jersey . However, this season, in just 7 appearances, he has already scored 6 goals, including a hat-trick against rivals Liverpool which won the match for Man Utd by the score of 3-2. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the reason for Berbatovs excellent start to the 2010/11 campaign is a chat he had with him before the season kicked off. Fergie stood by Berbatov in a difficult time when fans were doubting Max Scherzer Jersey whether he was worth the price paid and Zach McKinstry Jersey whether his ability was sufficient for the club. Fergie was confident that with time, Dimitar would find his confidence. Sir Alex believes that incoming players at United need time to adapt to the new surroundings and expectations. Fergusons comments, including what he said to the Bulgarian, were:I just had a word with him at the start of the campaign. I told him: Look, only you can solve this conundrum. Youre the one in control here. Youve got fantastic ability and you need to realise that ability and make the most of it. Well be here to support you. And hes started the season in terrific form for us. Dimitar has been, without doubt, our star Joc Pederson Jersey forward.When you bring a player to Manchester United, not everybody takes to the situation straight away. Not all signings become hits overnight. Antonio Valencia did, of course, but hes almost an exception. Others take time, and Dimitar was a bit like that. Its just a fact.Nobodys ever doubted the ability of the lad, but David Freese Jersey what were seeing now is a striker whos playing with belief and confidence. All strikers are ma sively reliant on those two factors belief and confidence. And at the moment Berbatov has both.

Former Colorado State QB has heard the talk about his chance of being the third quarterback chosen in the NFL draft behind and . But Blake Parker Jersey he thinks that talk has sold him short. And he doesnt see why he cant be the top quarterback in the cla s.Me, and were all considered to be fighting for that third spot. I can guarantee you can ask those guys too, theyre not fighting for the No. 3 , theyre fighting for the No. 1, Grayson said, . Its up to us to make that happen. ... I feel very happy and Ive watched all those guys throw and compete -- theres not a doubt in my mind that I can compete with them.Winston, of Florida State is Jake Odorizzi Jersey as the No. 1 pick of the draft by the , while Oregons Mariota is expected to be the only other quarterback chosen in the first round. Grayson took a crucial step in his bid to be chosen Jorge Polanco Jersey as high as po sible Monday, taking part in a personal pro day at CSU in front of scouts from 11 NFL clubs. Grayson reportedly completed 70 of 74 throws at the workout, and his unofficial 40-yard dash times were 4.76 and 4.72, which among the quarterback times at the combine. A hamstring injury prevented Grayson from working out at the NFL in February and at CSUs regular pro day March 11.Grayson said he was pleased with the results of his workout.I think I proved I could make all the throws, he said, according to . I wanted to prove to everybody that I could take the five- and seven-stop drop and Zach Duke Jersey throw with accuracy. And then when the quarterback coaches came out and had me rolling to my right and throwing a comeback to the far side of the field, that was something I wanted to prove that I had the arm strength to make those throws.According to the Coloradoan, NFL teams represented at Graysons workout included the , , , , , , , , , and St. Louis , with the and sending two scouts each.NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a Robbie Grossman Jersey former NFL scout who played quarterback in college, in the draft weeks ago.Colorado States other top draft prospect, offensive lineman , snapped for Grayson on Monday.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *.

The will take place in Doha, Qatar, on Friday, with 29 out of the 32 spots filled.The remaining three slots should find their owners Breyvic Valera Jersey in June, though the final European berth could face further delay due to Ru sias invasion of Ukraine.Lets take a look at which countries have already qualified for Novembers showpiece and the upcoming play-off.EuropeTen European teams topped their groups to secure automatic berths at already in November 2021.Germany became the first nation to qualify for winters showpiece event via qualifiers. Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland joined the party in the autumn.Euro 2020 winners Italy suffered a failure of epic proportions in the play-off dawns as North Macedonia defied the odds in Palermo to come out on top of their semi-final tie.However, it turned out Blagoja Milevskis side only aided Portugals bid to maintain their 100% record of reaching major international tournaments in the 21st century.Bruno Fernandes brace either side of half-time fired Cristiano Ronaldo and co to a comfortable 2-0 win in Porto, booking their ticket for Qatar 2022 at the expense of the qualifying surprise package.After FIFAs decision to withdraw Ru sia from international action due to their invasion of Ukraine, Poland earned automatic qualification for the play-off finals.Despite overcoming the Czech Republic in the semi Dalton Pompey Jersey -finals, Sweden slumped in Chorzow as Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski propelled the Poles to their second succe sive appearance at the World Cup finals.Inspired by another remarkable performance from Gareth Bale, Wales defeated Austria 2-1 in their semi-final tie to make it to the play-off finals.The Dragons will meet either Scotland or Ukraine in a battle to secure World Cup qualification Devon Travis Jersey once the Ukrainians are ready to proceed.According to , Junes international break could be an opportunity for the two nations to see out their semi-final tie.South AmericaBrazil and Argentina both enjoyed jaw-dropping , with the two South American footballing supreme powers going unbeaten in all 17 qualifying matches.The two nations secured World Cup qualification with a few games to spare, with Uruguay and Ecuador joining them on the penultimate matchday.Coming into the final qualifying round, three sides, including Peru, Colombia and Chile, were battling it out for the inter-confederation play-off spot.The Peruvians 2-0 home triumph over Paraguay rendered Colombias 1-0 victory away to Venezuela meaningle s, halting Los Cafateros bid to reach their third succe sive World Cup finals.Peru will play either Australia or the United Arab Emirates in the intercontinental play-offs.AsiaIn addition to Qatar, who earned an automatic berth as the host nation, the upcoming final tournament will feature the likes of Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.After finishing third in their respective qualifying groups, Australia and the UAE will trade tackles in Asias play-offs final.Whoever comes out on top will have to get Yangervis Solarte Jersey past Peru to reach winters showpiece event.AfricaAfter beating Egypt in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations grand final, Senegal added insult to injury as they overcame the Pharaohs in the continental play-off decider to book their ticket for Qatar.Ghana defied the odds to beat Nigeria, while Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia left the likes of Algeria, DR Congo and Mali in their wake, respectively.North AmericaCanada have claimed their first World Cup finals Brandon Drury Jersey appearance since 1986 as the CONCACAF-zone qualifying group winners despite a 1-0 lo s to Panama on the final matchday.Arch-rivals Mexico and the United States finished second and third, respectively, while Costa Rica pipped Panama to the inter-confederation play-off finish.The Costa Ricans will take on the Oceania region winners New Zealand in the one-off play-offs in high spirits after winning their last four World Cup qualifying games in a row.

There arent many NFL rivalries that compare to Pittsburgh and Baltimore. This current iteration has plenty of history Spencer Turnbull Jersey to it. has won more games in his first six seasons than any quarterback since 1950. is second.Flacco and Roethlisberger have faced each other more times in the regular season than any two winning quarterbacks other than and . When these teams face, .This game has a strange feel to it this week, but its a huge matchup for the . Starting the year 0-2 with two home lo ses in the division would give them a significant hole to climb out of the rest of the year.Heres what were watching for on both sides of the ball.Steelers was a revelation in , carving up s defense to the tune of 109 yards at 5.2 yards per pop. He looked faster than last season and tougher to bring down, with an outrageous 84 yards after contact. After Pro Football Focus handed Bell its highest the tackle-breaker will put his skills to the test against rookie linebacker and Baltimores ninth-ranked run defense.As the first defensive rookie to start an opener since Willie Horton Jersey Kendrell Bell, showed plenty of moxie in Week 1. His speed and unique abilities in pa s-coverage allow coordinator to use the inside linebacker more like a safety in some packages. After seeing Shazier on Sunday to detonate , runners are on high alert.Despite Shaziers solid start, the as a whole let Cleveland walk over them for much of the second half. Pittsburgh struggled to put heat on and couldnt slow down the ground game as the ripped off 24 straight points. LeBeau later acknowledged his defense was by Clevelands no-huddle attack. The would be wise to test the with tempo right away.Only had more catches than Pittsburghs last season. Showing outstanding chemistry with in Week 1, Brown is only of Making the Leap candidate , who made a rash of clutch grabs against the . Bottom line: There isnt much Leonys Martin Jersey this offense cant do.Ravens had a rough performance, but it wasnt all his fault. Wide receivers didnt help him with a number of drops. And we dont think new offensive coordinator helped Flacco by going so pa s-wacky in the opener. Flacco threw the ball 62 times, including a number of times on third-and-short.Rices release leaves the running game duties to and . Pierce was benched midway through Week 1, apparently for a fumble. But he didnt look dynamic or decisive before leaving the game. Forsett is better off used as a third-down Detroit Tigers Jersey option. Kubiak showed last week that he believes his best weapons -- , and -- are in the pa sing game. started to Matt Moore Jersey look his age last week against Cincinnati. He couldnt get consistent pre sure, and he was only on the field for le s than half of the snaps of the game. is e sentially the teams entire pa s rush.The hope to have cornerback back for this game. Hes questionable and reserve could be exposed if Webb is out. They mi sed Webb last week, and dont have great depth in the secondary. Pittsburgh has more offensive talent than previous years, and the defense is no longer what it once was.The latest makes some bold predictions about the 2014 season and .

The bulk of free agency has come and gone, which means its time for another mock draft.In my first mock draft, six quarterbacks went in the first round. The moves, or in one case, a non-move, have only led me to believe that there should still be six quarterbacks taken in the first round, tying the record for the most in a draft.Some other teams look primed to land elite prospects as a result of a quarterback-heavy first round, while another team could be a major beneficiary of the recent trade to get a second first-round pick.Without further ado, here is my second mock draft of the spring.ADVERTISEMENT 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings | Top 10 QB prospects | Top 10 RB prospects | Top 10 WR prospects | Top 10 TE prospects | Top 10 OT prospects | Top 10 IOL prospects | Joel Klatts first mock draft1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers) QB Caleb Williams, USCThe Bears traded away over the weekend, sending him to the Steelers. The move makes it even more clear that the Bears are taking Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, all but solidifying it. Williams is a generational player, a view Ive maintained since the start of the season and through the draft proce s. As I laid out , he excels in my big five categories, which is rare.2. Washington Commanders QB Drake Maye, UNCI know there have been some people taking some shots at Maye in recent weeks as we dive further into the film. It might not be the cleanest film out there, but if you watch him and you cant see the top-end potential, youre biased and crazy. Outside of Williams, Maye has the highest potential in the draft, and I dont have any questions about that. Mayes a bona fide No. 1 pick in almost every other Wilmer Flores Jersey year.Caleb Williams & Drake Maye in Joel Klatts 2024 mock draft 2.0 3. New England Patriots QB Jayden Daniels, LSUWith Williams and Maye off the board, this should be an easy pick for the Patriots. The Patriots already traded away while their quarterback room only has and . Thats not going to cut it. Of all teams, they should know you need to elevate at that position in order to win. Nobody wins the Super Bowl with average quarterback play. I cant wait to see what Daniels does at the next level.4. Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio StateThe Cardinals could be a trade partner for the Vikings, but they dont need to make that trade. Another generational player in this draft falls in their lap, which is why I find this draft so intriguing. Harrison is one of the best players Ive covered in the college game. He made plays that other players cant dream of making. Admittedly, his matchup against Michigan provided po sibly his worst film of the season. But hes still the best receiver in the draft and Kyler Murray needs a weapon.5. Minnesota Vikings (trade with Chargers) QB JJ McCarthy, MichiganTheres some speculation that the Vikings are going to trade into the top three after their move to get a second first-round pick. But all three of those teams need a starting quarterback, and with how far back the Vikings original pick is, you might not be guaranteed to get the fourth quarterback in this draft.So, this is the spot the Vikings trade up to. The Chargers seem to be rebuilding somewhat, and while they need receivers, we know Jim Harbaugh wins in a specific way, which isnt wide receiver-centric.McCarthys getting a lot of buzz, and he should. Hes really talented, but didnt get to show it much at Michigan. Hes as talented as any quarterback in the draft outside of Williams and Maye. He might need some time, but McCarthy just got better and better at Michigan.6. New York Giants WR Rome Odunze, WashingtonAfter losing , the Giants need some semblance of offensive firepower. Daniel Jones probably isnt an elite playmaker at this point, so youve got to give him someone who can be. Odunze checks that box.7. Tenne see Titans OT Joe Alt, Notre DameI struggled with this one, but theyve got a hole at left tackle after releasing Andre Dillard. Alt is my No. 1 offensive lineman in this draft.8. Atlanta Falcons Edge rusher Dallas Turner, AlabamaThe Falcons made the biggest splash in free agency, signing . Now, they can focus on their defense, as theyre pretty set on the offensive side of the ball. The fact that they can get the best defensive player in the draft with the eighth pick is a huge win for the Falcons. Turner is that guy for me. He showed hes an elite athlete at the combine, backing up his production at Alabama.9. Bears OT, Olu Fashanu, Penn StateI loved what the Bears have done in the first week of free agency, adding and DAndre Swift to DJ Moore, and to build their offensive foundation. The Bears could trade out of this pick, but why not solidify the other tackle spot? Fashanus a helluva player and hes just getting better. Hes got All-Pro written all over him. Youd also reunite Fashanu with Williams as the two played in high school together.10. New York Jets WR Malik Nabers, Travis DArnaud Jersey LSUThe Jets have to be sitting here saying, Please let Nabers be there for us at No. 10. They signed to protect , so they dont have to go offensive line. This would be an absolute home run for the Jets. Outside of , the Jets really dont have a scary skill-position player. They might have one of the best offenses in the league if this happened.11. Los Angeles Chargers TE Brock Bowers, GeorgiaThis is what I love about a po sible trade back for the Chargers. They can still get a player who fits Harbaugh to a tee and they dont need to overdraft to do it. I actually had Bowers going to the Chargers with the fifth pick in my first mock draft. Now, they get Bowers at better value and add a second first-round pick.12. Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, OregonI thought of having the Broncos trade up because they obviously need a quarterback. But they dont really have the ammunition. Still, they need a quarterback and Nix is a great fit for Sean Payton. Hes cerebral, accurate and perfectly suited to run Paytons offense. I Tom Seaver Jersey ve been in that offense, he wants five free releases and Drew Brees 2.0. Nix may or may not be that, but he can be the point guard for Payton who gets the ball out on time.Brock Bowers & Bo Nix in Joel Klatts 2024 mock draft 2.0 13. Las Vegas Raiders OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon StateWith five quarterbacks already off the board, Im not sure if the Raiders should reach for the sixth one here. But they dont really seem to have a direction at the moment. So, lets just give them an offensive lineman. Do any of us know what the Raiders are doing? Whats their identity? Who knows?14. New Orleans Saints Edge rusher Jared Verse, Florida StateWell start seeing some defensive players come off the board in the middle of the first round. With the heavy emphasis on offense early on, these teams can get defensive players who might have top-10 picks in other years. Verse is one of those players. He was highly productive at FSU.15. Indianapolis Colts CB Quinyon Mitchell, ToledoThe Colts were able to keep . this offseason, so the focus should be on defense. Particularly, they should look at corner, and Mitchell has made himself the top corner during the draft proce s. His testing has backed up his film.16. Seattle Seahawks DT Byron Murphy, TexasMike Macdonald, who I got to know well when he was Michigans defensive coordinator, has a simple philosophy, and his first order of busine s is to build a run wall. You do that by getting multiple defensive tackles. Murphy fits really well here.17. Jacksonville Jaguars CB Terrion Arnold, AlabamaThe Jaguars were active in free agency, but they could still use some help in the secondary. He might slide a little bit because of his 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the combine, but his play speaks for itself. He was the most productive player in Alabamas secondary.18. Cincinnati Bengals WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU trade request should be on the Bengals mind when they make their first-round pick. Hes going to move because they still have to sign JaMarr Chase. So trade Higgins and po sibly grab another first-round pick after selecting his replacement. Thomas is an elite player, so this should be a no-brainer for Cincinnati.19. Los Angeles Rams OT Amarius Mims, GeorgiaThe Rams have a huge hole at defensive tackle with Aaron Donalds retirement, but its probably a little early to grab one. Mims is huge (6-foot-8, 340 pounds) and he almost Matt Harvey Jersey ran a sub-5-second 40-yard dash.20. Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham, AlabamaThe Steelers have and Justin Fields in the fold, getting both of them for relatively nothing. But theyve got to protect them. I think they can move last years first-round pick, , to left tackle and put Latham at right tackle.21. Miami Dolphins QB Michael Penix Jr., WashingtonI had the Dolphins making this pick in my first mock draft. At the time of this mock draft, they havent given a contract extension. Thats very telling to me. I dont think Tagovailoa is the right fit for Mike McDaniels offense. They need a quarterback who throws on time with great leverage and accuracy down the field. Penix hits those marks. I want to see Penix throw pa ses to . If you paired those two together, the Dolphins would get better.22. Philadelphia Eagles OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, OregonThe Eagles have to do something in the interior offensive line following Jason Kelces retirement. Powers-Johnson is a good fit here. They could go corner, but they need to replace the heartbeat of the line.23. Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota Vikings via Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns) OT Tyler Guyton, OklahomaThe Chargers can double down on what Harbaugh wants to do in the first round, adding an offensive lineman. Why would he want to change? His philosophy to build along the offensive line has worked everywhere hes been. If they came out of this draft with Bowers and a starting right tackle, everyone would praise their draft.24. Dallas Cowboys OL Troy Fautanu, WashingtonWith Tyron Smith gone, the Cowboys need to solidify the left side of the offensive line. By drafting Fautanu, they can play Tyler Smith at left tackle or left guard and have the Washington product play the other spot.25. Green Bay Packers CB Nate Wiggins, ClemsonIf the Bengals are trading Higgins, I believe the Packers could trade this pick for him. Itd make a lot of sense to pair him with Jordan Love and that young Packers team. But I didnt pull that trigger here, just planting the seed. Wiggins was fast at the combine. The Packers always make sound decisions and drafting Wiggins seems like a move up their wheelhouse.26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Mi souriThe Buccaneers need some help in the secondary after trading Carlton Davis. Rakestraw could be that guy for them. Even then, they need some help with their pa s defense as they were 29th in pa sing yards allowed last year.27. Cardinals (from Texans) Edge rusher Chop Robinson, Penn StateThe Cardinals could come Jose Reyes Jersey out of this draft with a generational receiver and a dynamic edge rusher? Sign me up! Robinson is really, really good. His production numbers dont match up with the testing numbers, but I think itll show up. Not many guys will be able to block his speed rush.Troy Franklin & Chop Robinson in Joel Klatts 2024 mock draft 2.0 28. Buffalo Bills CB Cooper Dejean, IowaThe Bills lost a couple of key players in their secondary due to their cap situation. I like Dejeans game. Hes versatile and a ballhawk, a true Swi s army knife kind of player. That would benefit a changing secondary in Buffalo.29. Detroit Lions CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, AlabamaThe Lions defense was a problem for them last year. They already brought in Davis and can keep improving. Ive liked McKinstrys game for a long time.30. Baltimore Ravens WR Keon Coleman, Florida StateWe know great defense wont be enough, even if you play well against . The type of players who succeed the best with Lamar Jackson are receivers who can win 50/50 balls. Coleman fits that mold.31. San Francisco 49ers DT JerZhan Newton, IllinoisThis is a good spot for Newton after the Niners released to start the offseason. Newton is a disruptive interior defensive lineman who many people might not know about. But he always stood out on film.32. Kansas City Chiefs WR Troy Franklin, OregonI wanted to go here, but signing probably eliminates that. Still, the Chiefs need another receiver and I really grew to love Franklin over the course of last season. I thought he was the second- or third-best receiver in the nation for most of the year. If you give Mahomes a strong, sure-handed receiver who runs really strong routes, you can replicate what you previously had on offense.Joel Klatt is FOX Sports lead college football game analyst and the host of the podcast The Joel Klatt Show. Follow him on X/Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the Joel Klatt Show on YouTube.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has completed a double swoop Heath Miller Jersey by signing Dele Adebola and Paul Anderson.Adebola, 33, joins on a free transfer from Bristol City and Anderson, 20, signs permanently from Liverpool for a fee of 250,000 after a succe sful loan spell last season.Anderson, who has put pen-to-paper on a four year deal, made 26 appearances Rod Woodson Jersey in the Garibaldi Red last campaign and thinks Forest are going places.He told the clubs official Martavis Bryant Jersey website: Everyones ambition is to play in the Premier League and play at the highest level po sible but I think were going to do that at this club.The ambition Ive seen and the players Ive seen at the club, theres no reason why in the next couple of years we cant be up in Eli Rogers Jersey the Premiership.Adebolas switch from Bristol City was one of the worst kept secrets in Nottingham and officially signs a two-year dealtomorrow when his contract expires at City.He was the clubs player of the season last year and scored 10 Javon Hargrave Jersey goals.

USC linebacker Hayes Pullard was ejected for targeting during the third quarter Austin Romine Jersey of the Trojans 13-10 win over Stanford. Pullard, a senior who is a team captain, hit Stanfords Ty Montgomery both late and in the head Paul ONeill Jersey on a kickoff return. Pullard also will mi s the first half of next weeks game at Boston College. He led USC with 94 tackles last season and also led the Trojans with Gerrit Cole Jersey nine tackles in last weeks win over Fresno State. Earlier in the day, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah tweeted about his enthusiam for Pullard.USC LB Hayes Pullard New York Yankees Jersey is a really good player. Instinctive, physical take-on guy. Daniel Jeremiah ( Yogi Berra Jersey @MoveTheSticks) Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter .

Editors note: This story was published prior to Georgias announcement that Todd Gurley after an alleged NCAA violation.Mike Huguenin has spent more than 30 years in sports journalism, many of them closely a sociated with college football. As a longtime Heisman Trophy voter and one who will cast his ballot again at the end of this season, Huguenin takes a weekly look at the Heisman race.HEISMAN WATCH 2014: | | | | led to a mild shakeup in this weeks Heisman watch list.The new No. 1 on the list is Georgia tailback Todd Gurley, with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota dropping one spot to No. 2. in ; of course, playing behind a porous line doesnt help matters for Mariota, who was sacked five times in the upset lo s to the Wildcats.Gurley, meanwhile, Georgia to a win over Vanderbilt. New to the watch list is Mi si sippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who was . While he moves in, BYU quarterback Taysom Hill drops out; Hill will mi s the rest of the season with in the Cougars lo s to rival Utah State on Friday night.Here are the top 10 contenders, from 10th to first, this week, as this Heisman voter sees them. Remember that each of the past four and 12 of the past 14 winners have been quarterbacks; the only non-quarterbacks were running backs of Alabama in 2009 and of USC in 2005.10. QB Brett Hundley, UCLASeason stats: 91-of-125 pa sing, 72.8 completion percentage, 1,310 yards, 9 TDs, 2 interceptions, 122 rushing yards, 2 TDs.Saturdays stats: 16-of-21, 76.2 completion percentage, 269 yards, 1 TDs, 1 interception in .The skinny: Hundley was sacked 10 times in the Bruins lo s. When he had time, he was on-target and Franchy Cordero Jersey was able to hurt the Utes secondary. But, man, that line. And get this: As mobile as Hundley is, he has been sacked 22 times already this season. Yes, the line has i sues, but Hundley has to share the blame. He and the Bruins have a huge Pac-12 game next Saturday, when Oregon comes to town. The teams that were expected to win their respective Pac-12 divisions suddenly will be playing a game in which they will be trying to keep their division title hopes alive.9 Ozzie Smith Jersey . QB Kenny Hill, Texas A&MSeason stats: 155-of-242 pa sing, 64.0 completion percentage, 2,110 yards, 21 TDs, 5 interceptions, 171 rushing yards.Saturdays stats: 37-of-62, 59.7 completion percentage, 365 yards, 4 TDs, 3 interceptions, 35 rushing yards in .The skinny: Hill struggled with his accuracy but also was plagued by numerous drops; the drops certainly didnt cost the Aggies the game, but had the catches been made, the outcome likely wouldve been closer. It was his fourth four-TD game of the season, but he also threw more interceptions against the Bulldogs than he had in the previous five games combined. The yardage total was his third-highest of the season. He is third in the nation in TD pa ses and is sixth in pa sing yards per game (351.7). Hill and the Aggies play host to Mi si sippi next weekend, and they need to win to remain in the SEC West division race. Ole Mi s leads the SEC in pa s defense (152.4 yards per game) and has allowed a nations-low one TD pa s.8. QB Jameis Winston, Florida StateSeason stats: 96-of-144 pa sing, 66.7 completion percentage, 1,288 pa sing yards, 8 TDs, 5 interceptions, 2 rushing TDs.Saturdays stats: 23-of-39, 59.0 completion percentage, 297 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception, 36 rushing yards, 1 TD in .The skinny: Barring some collapses by a handful of top players, Winston isnt going to win the Heisman again; one storyline for later in the season is whether he even will be a finalist. But he improved to 18-0 as a starter with Saturdays yawner over Wake Forest. The 39 attempts were the second-most in his career and he has thown at least one TD pa s in all 15 games he has played. Winston is one of 34 quarterbacks nationally averaging at least 35 pa sing attempts per game, and he is fifth in that group in completion percentage and second in yards per attempt.7. TB Melvin Gordon, WisconsinSeason stats: 105 carries, 871 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 5 receptions, 27 yards, 1 TD.Saturdays stats: 27 carries, 259 rushing yards, 2 TD in .The skinny: Gordon had his second 200-yard game of the season in the surprising lo s to Northwestern (how does a team have a tailback rush for 259 yards, yet score just 14 points?), and the 259 yards were a career high. The 27 carries was the second-most in his career. Gordon is averaging 8.3 yards per carry, which is the highest average among players with at least 80 carries, and cfbstats.com shows that he leads the nation with eight runs of at least 30 yards, seven runs of at least 40 yards and five runs of at least 50 yards6. QB Everett Golson, Notre DameSeason stats: 114-of-178 pa sing, 64.0 completion percentage, 1,383 yards, 13 TDs, 3 interceptions, 138 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.Saturdays stats: 20-of-43, 46.5 completion percentage, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception, 34 rushing yards in .The skinny: Golson had one of the poorest games of his career when it comes to completion percentage, but he also guided the Irish on a game-winning TD drive and to sed the winning TD pa s on a fourth-and-11 play with a bit more than a minute left. The 43 attempts were a career high, and his two TD pa ses give him 13 this season -- one more than he had in 2012, when he led the Clayton Richard Jersey Irish to the national title game. Golson also committed two turnovers, giving him six in the past two games. Still, guiding a game-winning scoring drive in the waning minutes against the Stanford defense is noteworthy -- and Heisman worthy.5. WR Amari Cooper, AlabamaSeason stats: 52 receptions, 746 yards, 14.4 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns.Saturdays stats: 9 catches, 91 yards in .The skinny: Cooper leads the nation in receptions per game (10.4), but his streak of 120-yard games was snapped at six in the lo s to the Rebels. Its difficult for a wide receiver to win the Heisman, especially if he doesnt return kicks, but Coopers numbers have him in the race -- at least for now. TDs and 100-yard games -- not to mention some splash plays -- are going to be needed in the second half of the season for him to stay in the Heisman hunt.4. TB Ameer Abdullah, NebraskaSeason stats: 138 carries, 878 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 7 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TDs.Saturdays stats: 24 carries, 45 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 2 receptions, 22 yards in .The skinny: His 200-yard game streak was snapped at two, as the Spartans run defense bottled up Abdullah. But he still managed to score twice, and his 10 rushing TDs are second-most nationally -- and one more than he had all of last season. He leads the nation in rushing yards and is fourth in yards per game (146.3). As for durability, he is seventh in the nation in rushing attempts per game (23.0) and his 24 attempts against Illinois were the fourth time this season and 17th time in his career he has carried at least 20 times in a game. In addition, his per-carry average of 6.4 yards is the highest among the 13 backs averaging more than 21 carries per game and the third-highest among the 21 backs averaging at least 19 carries per game. But he cant afford many (any?) more sub-100-yard outings if he wants to remain in the Heisman conversation.3. QB Dak Prescott, Mi si sippi StateSeason stats: 77-of-121 pa sing, 63.6 completion percentage, 1,223 yards, 13 TDs, 2 interceptions, 455 rushing yards, 6 TDs.Saturdays stats: 19-of-25, 76.0 completion percentage, 259 yards, 2 TDs, Kirby Yates Jersey 0 interceptions, 77 rushing yards, 3 TDs in .The skinny: Prescott accounted for five TDs and guided the Bulldogs offense with aplomb in the win over Texas A&M -- as big a win as any in recent Bulldogs history. Prescott is ninth nationally in total offense (335.6 yards per game) and is tied for second nationally in rushing TDs by a quarterback. He is tied for 18th in TD pa ses and he has the fewest attempts among those quarterbacks; in addition, he is sixth nationally in the NCAAs complicated quarterback ratings formula. He can make more national noise next week when the Bulldogs square off against Auburn.2. QB Marcus Mariota, OregonSeason stats: 91-of-128 pa sing, 71.1 completion percentage, 1,411 yards, 15 TDs, 0 interceptions, 215 rushing yards, 3 TDs.Thursdays stats: 20-of-32, 62.5 completion percentage, 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing yard in .The skinny: Mariota has been sacked 12 times in the past two games and hit on numerous other plays, and the beating is taking its toll. Oregon is struggling to run consistently and the offense as a whole is suffering. Mariota still has not thrown an interception this season, though: He is one of 77 quarterbacks who have thrown for 1,000 yards, and he is one of two in that group who hasnt thrown a pick. He is second nationally in yards per attempt and leads the nation in quarterback rating; in addition, his 15 TD pa ses are tied for eighth-most nationally. He is averaging 9.56 yards per play, the highest in the nation for any player who has been involved in at least 100 plays. His career TD-to-interception ratio is an incredible 79-to-10. The Ducks play at UCLA next Saturday in a must-win game for both teams in terms of the national playoff picture.1. TB Todd Gurley, GeorgiaSeason stats: 94 carries, 773 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 11 receptions, 53 yards, 50 pa sing yards, 1 kickoff-return TD.Saturdays stats: 25 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs, 2 receptions, 24 yards, 50 pa sing yards in .The skinny: David Bednar Jersey Gurley had 237 all-purpose yards in Saturdays win. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the season and his third with at least 160 yards, and the 25 carries were the fourth-most in his career. He is sixth nationally in rushing yards and third in yards per game (154.6). Gurley is averaging 8.2 yards per carry, the second-highest among backs with at least 80 carries nationally. He has 3,147 yards in his career and moved into third place on Georgias career list against Vanderbilt, surpa sing Lars Tate (3,017). Next up: No 2 Garrison Hearst, with 3,232 yards. He should move past Hearst next Saturday, when the Bulldogs play Mi souri.Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter .

Offensive tackle decided to take matters into his own hands by firing his agent Jimmy Sexton in early March shortly after the NFL Combine. He follows in the footsteps of wide receiver , offensive tackle , cornerback and inside linebacker in acting as his own agent on a veteran contract.Tunsil has done the best job of any of the players going the self-representation route. He took advantage of the making a tactical error in neglecting to secure a new deal when he was traded from the right before the start of the 2019 regular season where e sentially two first-round picks and a second-round pick were given up. The lack of a new contract and the ma sive trade compensation gave Tunsil the upper hand in negotiations. He made the Texans pay for the mistake by fully exploiting his extreme contract leverage better than some prominent agents would have done.The DealTunsil, who was scheduled to make $10.35 million on his fifth Clayton Richard Jersey -year option, received a three-year, $66 million contract extension from the Texans. His deal contains $50 million in guarantees, $40 million is fully guaranteed at signing.Tunsil is getting $23.85 million, a $13.5 million raise, this year. The $23.85 million is a $13 million signing bonus and a fully guaranteed $10.85 million 2020 base salary. He gets his entire signing bonus by the end of the 2020 calendar year.Tunsils $16.15 million 2021 base salary is fully guaranteed to make up the remainder of the $40 million fully guaranteed at signing. $10 million of Tunsils $17.85 million 2022 base salary is guaranteed for injury at signing to make the total guarantees $50 million. The $10 million becomes fully guaranteed next March on the fifth day of the 2021 league year. Tunsils $18.5 million 2023 base salary is unsecured.The Texans are using an additional $3.75 million of salary cap room on Tunsil under the new contract. Tunsils 2020 cap number goes from $10.35 million to $14.1 million. His 2021, 2022 and 2023 cap numbers are $19.4 million, $21.1 million and $21.75 million.Putting the deal into contextTunsil becomes the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history at $22 million per year. He also corrects an offensive tackle market anomaly where right tackles and became the leagues highest paid at the position last year.Traditionally, the highest paid left tackle has made more than the highest paid right tackle by a considerable margin. Over the last five years (2015 through 2019), the highest paid left tackles deal has averaged 13.73 percent more than the highest paid right tackle Gerardo Reyes Jersey s. In order to restore the traditional left tackle/right tackle financial relationship, Tunsils extension needed to average just under $20.475 million per year since the four-year extension Johnson signed with the last year averages $18 million per year. He shatters this mark by averaging 22.22 percent more than Johnson.Tunsils $40 million fully guaranteed at signing sets a new standard for offensive linemen. The previous benchmark was Trent Browns $36.25 million with the . Tunsils $50 million in overall guarantees is tied for second among offensive linemen with left tackle behind Johnsons $54.595 million. It should be noted that Lewan and Johnsons deals put them under contract for six and seven years respectively while Tunsils is only for four years.Tunsils deal ties him with wide receiver as the NFLs third highest non-quarterback. Only edge rusher and interior defensive lineman are ahead of Tunsil at $23.5 million per year and $22.5 million per year respectively.Jones is the only non-quarterback with more full guarantees per contract year than Tunsils $10 million per year ($40 million over four total contract years). The five-time All-Pro wide receivers contract is an outlier in a lot of respects structurally. No other non-quarterback (deals averaging $15 million per year or more) besides Tunsil has reached the $10 Rollie Fingers Jersey million per year mark. At $12.5 million per year, Tunsil is fourth among non-quarterbacks in total guarantees per contract year.One critical aspect structurally is the early vesting of Tunsils third-year guarantee for 2022. This prevents the third year from being a team option where the Texans could get rid of him in 2022. With the $10 million becoming fully guaranteed in 2021, Tunsils practical guarantee is $57.85 million. Its hard to envision a scenario where the Texans would cut Tunsil in 2022 and potentially be on the hook for the entire $10 million. In the unlikely event Tunsil is released in 2022, he will have signed a one-year extension for $39.65 million minus what could be recouped from his 2022 compensation with another team since the guarantee has an offset.Tunsil is making out like a bandit relative to letting his rookie contract expire and playing under two franchise tags. The offensive lineman franchise tag is currently $14.781 million, which is 7.46 percent of the salary cap. The 2021 number should be 7.52 percent of the cap. Projecting an actual dollar amount is more difficult than usual because of the uncertainty with sporting events stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Its a realistic po sibility that the 2021 salary cap will not increase from this years $198.2 million number or could go down.Under ordinary circumstances, the 2021 salary cap would at a minimum be in the $210 million neighborhood. This would put Tunsils 2021 franchise tag right around $15.8 million. A second franchise tag in 2022 at an NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement mandated 20 percent increase would be in $19 million range. Tunsils $57.85 million three-year cash flow puts him approximately $12.75 million ahead over being a year-to-year proposition during this span. He is making nearly 30 percent more under his new contract than playing the franchise tag game through 2022.Tunsil also comes close to making as much in 2020 with the $23.85 million than he would under his fifth-year option and one franchise tag, a suming usual salary cap growth. His two-year compensation would likely be just over $26 million.Tunsils contract has Cal Quantrill Jersey a surprisingly short term. The average length of the five highest paid non-quarterback deals before Tunsils signing was 4.8 new contract years. Tunsil is well positioned to take advantage of the significant growth in salary cap that should occur with the addition of a 17th regular season game and new media rights deals. His contract is set to expire when he is 29.Final ThoughtsTunsil is easily the winner in his negotiation with the Texans. He is getting to have his cake and eat it too with a shorter-term contract containing strong guarantees thats near the top of the non-quarterback market.The player who should be happiest with Tunsils deal besides himself is offensive tackle . Tunsil was selected seven picks after Stanley in the 2016 NFL draft with the 13th overall pick. Both were named to the Pro Bowl for the first time last Javy Guerra Jersey season, with Stanley also earning first team All-Pro honors.Since Tunsils contract has a higher than expected average yearly salary on a shorter than anticipated term, his extension likely complicates Stanleys negotiations. Outside of cornerback , the Ravens arent accustomed to doing high-end deals where players only give up three new years on extensions signed in the final year of rookie contracts or at their expiration. Unlike Tunsil, Peters had to sacrifice his average yearly salary to get the shorter term. It will be interesting to see how Stanley reaps the benefit of Tunsil dramatically re-setting the offensive tackle market.Tunsil could find himself back at the bargaining table in 2023 when entering a contract year especially if his Pro Bowl selection is an indication that his best football is ahead of him. Interestingly, Tunsil could get another bite at the apple for a third contract before Mack or Donald since their respective six-year extensions are set to expire after the 2024 season.There could be an extremely high starting point for those negotiations. With Tunsils 2023 salary cap number at $21.75 million, it would be $26.1 million to franchise him in 2024. A second franchise tag in 2025 would be $31.32 million. Those two franchise tag numbers will undoubtedly factor into any future contract discu sions with the Texans provided Tunsil remains one of the leagues top pa s protectors.

Should football clubs put a higher value on their supporters?How often do we hear players and managers say how important their fans are to them. The twelfth man Jason Vargas Jersey can be instrumental in creating waves of optimism, noisily encouraging changes in tempo and motivating players to ignore their late game fatigue. A goal po sibly the result of behavioural contagion: fans to players and back. Programme notes written in the managers name usually give a name check to the fans. You really got behind usand certainly played your part in helping us grab a late equaliser exhorts Brighton and Hove Albions manager Oscar Garcias in his 4th January programme notes referring to a last ditch goal in the previous game.And yet, given most models of ownership, the fans are very undervalued and alienated from the heart of the club. Notwithstanding the odd rain soaked placard of di sent enlivening a local news report, the fans of British clubs compared to the entrenched privilege of some Italian ultras is nothing. The final say in any particular struggle will bend to pre sures higher up the food chain than the Lucas Duda Jersey supporters. But the decision making big cheeses at clubs ignore fans at their peril. Simply, fans deliver a significant buck to the bottom line and their stadium filling future attendances whether 2000 or 50000 are built into cash Frank White Jersey flow forecasts and balance sheets. The presence of the fans is intrinsic to the financial value of any club, advance season ticket sales e sential to any seasons plans.It is said, usually by besieged chairman, the supporters have the ultimate power: they could stay away. This would be so if clubs were selling petrol, books, cereal or products that are available elsewhere. However Doncaster Rovers, a random example, have a monopoly on being Doncaster Rovers. If you follow Donny or any other club there is no competition, no cut price better run version to support. Perhaps the Premier and Football Leagues should be referred to the Competition Commi sion for not providing alternative versions of all clubs. This is one reason Football avoids being simply a busine s.So lets Ryan Goins Jersey go back to the twelfth man concept. If clubs value their supporters as much as they say, should they not reward them for succe s on the field? They take the pain of defeat and relegation and still come back for more. If the club is not prepared to cede some of its ownership to fans then they could institute a win bonus scheme of some sort (money off next ticket and any other benefits going)The fans would be more connected Mike Moustakas Jersey to the team and more motivated to sprinkle more of their twelfth man gold dust. This would lead to better atmosphere, more succe s ,more supporters and so on. A virtuous circle.

It was early on a late March morning, but Rex Ryan was already talking -- about his New Jersey house that was sold in little more than a day, about the home in an ultra-exclusive neighborhood he had purchased in Nashville (Ken Whisenhunt is nearby, s about to move in, too), about the very bad ending in New York that had brought him here, to his first league meeting as the head coach. Ryan Hanley Ramirez Jersey said something that morning that startled me: This job with the , he mused, would probably be his last. Not because Ryan doesnt love coaching, but because he might love it too much. Coaches not named Bill Parcells rarely get third acts anyway, but Ryan had already unwrapped a more personal a se sment. Coaching simply takes so much out of him, he pours so much of his pa sion into it, the physical and mental drain is simply too great to go on forever. So no matter how long and succe sful his run in Buffalo is, Ryan was thinking, there might not be another one. I thought of that exchange while watching Ryan over the last few weeks, as he tweaked for into the dirt in front of home plate at the Red Sox home opener, as he dug deep into his rhetorical bag to slay his former players (, hes looking at you unhappily Joe Kelly Jersey for ) and to put future opponents on notice.Were not tip-toeing into somebody elses stadium, Ryan said when the opened offseason workouts. Our buses are there and well unload and well be ready to roll.This is the goodne s and light portion of the program for Ryan. As a head coach, Ryan has failed to identify and develop a quarterback, and he has botched clock management and timeout usage. But Ryan rolls out of bed knowing how to lift the spirits and confidence of a once-moribund organization -- its fans and even its employees. He changed the entire culture of the when he first arrived -- he practically did it with one line about ki sing Bill Belichicks rings -- and one glance at season ticket sales in Western New York tells you the shift is already happening there, too.But ultimately the concern is whether Ryan can back up his rhetoric, for the sake and for his own -- whether the verbiage can be followed by victories. The combination of last years 9-7 finish under Doug Marrone, a few well-placed acquisitions such as running back and the arrival of Ryan have raised anticipation for a team that is currently riding the longest playoff-le s streak in the league at 15 miserable years. But one glance at the tells you how hard its going to be for even Ryans bluster to blow down all those roadblocks.The open with back-to-back home games against the 2014 AFC Championship Game teams -- Indianapolis and New England -- and then play a road game in the heat of Miami. The , like the , will rely on Ryans defense to give quarterbacks fits -- it has worked over the years against .But the overriding question remains to be answered, and it is one that will be asked throughout the season: Do the have a quarterback who can lead a winning drive if the game boils down to one in which or Brady can march their offenses down the field? Ryan did not consistently have one of those with the and it was ultimately part of his undoing. And do they have an offensive line that can handle ? An 0-3 start would dim some of the early enthusiasm, but anything more than 1-2 should be considered a rousing succe s.The schedule eases in October, before what will be the Jimmie Foxx Jersey highly anticipated , Nov. 12 at MetLife Stadium. This will be a charged atmosphere because it will be Ryan Kevin Plawecki Jersey s return, but playing it on a short week (its the Thursday night game) might keep the sniping to a minimum. Amaros comments about the lacking accountability under Ryan last season will almost certainly resurface. Ryans -- he all but said the would go after Amaro, in an interview with NFL Medias Kim Jones on WFAN -- has been curious. He has protested far too much, perhaps suggesting that there was a nugget of truth to Amaros a se sment. It is telling that when veteran lineman backed up Amaros take, Ryan stayed silent.That is the conundrum the organization faces with Ryan. He is a brilliant defensive strategist and frequently a master motivator. He is Everyman as coach, wearing his emotions in plain view, screaming his allegiance with a microphone and a garish paint job on his car. But the concern about him -- going back to before he became a head coach for the first time -- was whether he could control a team, whether he could keep them on an even keel when there is strife and hardship. The themselves got an up close look at the problem, when -- despite the blizzard that forced the to mi s practice time and play a home game in Detroit -- they destroyed a flat and unmotivated team last year.The schedule will likely keep them in contention for a playoff spot, and a little bit of hope can go a long way -- particularly inside a locker room -- as Ryan builds momentum. The , after all, once made it to the playoffs even after Ryan declared them out of it. Thats what was mi sing in his final season with the . Ryan almost certainly knew before it began that they would have difficulty competing because they had no cornerbacks who could cover. The home purchase in Nashville was because Ryan anticipated that Fred Lynn Jersey he might be doing television right now, unsure whether his coaching reputation would survive the free fall that John Idziks roster construction helped ignite.Luckily for Ryan, his defensive results and his gift for imbuing confidence sustained him when the came calling. If Ryan truly believes this is the last head coaching job hell hold, though, his reputation for controlling his team through internal and external pre sures has to improve. The have learned plenty about adversity in the last 15 years. Ryan has to prove he knows how to manage it, if he is to raise the fortunes as dramatically as he has their hopes.Follow Judy Battista on Twitter .