Posts by elvafeng2

1. 2018-04-23 at 2:25 AM UTC in He was dealt to Buffalo for tight end Paul Seymour
   elvafeng2 Yung Blood (banned)
   Together they stand as proof of a landmark moment in Pittsburgh Steelers history. Such a landmark, in fact, that even Steelers fans who were nowhere to be found when it happened will gladly recount it for you.
   
   That moment was the NFL draft, one in which the team of the 1970s began to take the shape of a four time Super Bowl champion.
   
   But before you smile knowingly, pause a moment. Because the draft of which we speak didn’t happen in 1974.
   
   To be sure, it’s not easy going against a class that produced four Hall of Famers — guys named Swann, Stallworth, Lambert and Webster — in the first 125 picks. In truth, it’s about as hard as catching Jack Ham out of position. Or burning Mike Wagner on a deep pass. Or running against Dwight White and Ernie Holmes.
   
   And maybe now Bart Houston Jersey, exactly where we’re headed is just a bit clearer.
   
   In 1971, the Steelers — with Art Rooney Jr. leading the braintrust — drafted seven men who went on to start for Super Bowl winners. Five of them — Ham, Wagner, White, guard Gerry Mullins and tight end/tackle Larry Brown — started for all four of the 1970s champs. Receiver Frank Lewis, their top pick that year, started for two as did an undrafted free agent running back, Glen Edwards, who transformed into a cornerback.
   
   Does all that outweigh the Hall of Fame quartet to come three years later? Debatable, certainly.
   
   But the Class of ’71 has plenty of support.
   
   “The lack of people’s knowledge of ’71 pushes ’74 up,’’ longtime Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in 2011. Newsome spoke with the authority of someone who faced those guys during his own Hall of Fame career with Cleveland.
   
   “That draft to me cemented the fact that they weren’t the old Steelers anymore,’’ added Ernie Accorsi, another proven GM with the Colts, Browns and Giants. “That’s the one where they turned the corner, in my opinion.’’
   
   Rooney Jr. recalled for the Post Gazette the vision of his head coach, Chuck Noll, as they prepared for Noll’s third draft. It was time, Noll said, to shift their focus from speed and athletic ability to “guys who can think on their feet and have that type of coachability.’’
   
   Rooney and Noll were aided by a former newspaperman, Bill Nunn Jr., who had chosen the best known Black All America teams for the Pittsburgh Courier, then a national publication. In short, he knew where to look. So they grabbed not only Lewis, from Grambling https://www.steelerspitzone.com/coty-sensabaugh-jersey-c-19.html, in the first round, but also White, from East Texas State in the fourth, Brown from Kansas in the fifth and Holmes from Texas Southern in the eighth.
   
   They also shrugged off the doubters who thought Ham was too small, taking the Penn State All American in the second round.
   
   And they may have pulled off the steal of the draft in the 11th round, landing Wagner from Western Illinois https://www.steelerspitzone.com/mike-mitchell-jersey-c-18.html, an NAIA school, with the 268th overall choice.
   
   Wagner and Ham became roommates, and their leadership is well documented. Ham, on his path to Canton, was cast as the brains alongside Jack Lambert’s fearsome force — maybe some stereotyping in both cases there. He also inspired a fan club known as “Dobre Shunka https://www.steelerspitzone.com/william-gay-jersey-c-17.html,’’ which is Polish for “Great Ham.’’
   
   Wagner’s storied career included two interceptions of Oakland’s Ken Stabler in the 1975 AFC championship game, and another of Roger Staubach in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl X.
   
   White, sapped by pneumonia in the week before Super Bowl IX, played and dumped the Vikings’ Fran Tarkenton for a safety — the only first half points of a 16 6 Steelers victory.
   
   Brown, who caught the only TD in that game, later transitioned from tight end to tackle when a knee injury forced his hand. He made another 52 starts there, earning his third Pro Bowl berth.
   
   Lewis, who caught 394 passes and scored 40 TDs in his 13 seasons, became expendable with the arrivals of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. He was dealt to Buffalo for tight end Paul Seymour in 1978 — a rare moment in which the Steelers were out maneuvered.
   
   Seymour failed his physical in Pittsburgh, apparently suffering from high arches, and was shipped back to the Bills. But the Steelers’ bid for compensation failed as Buffalo coach Chuck Knox flat out refused. Seymour never played another NFL game.
   
   Even the finest leather can be susceptible to a scratch here and there.
2. 2018-04-23 at 2:20 AM UTC in three levels of the field increase his chances for success
   elvafeng2 Yung Blood (banned)
   With the NFL Draft coming up, Seahawks.com is taking a position by position look at where things currently stand on the Seahawks’ roster Blair Walsh Jersey, as well as the top prospects at each position. We’ll also look at Seattle’s draft history at each position under general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.
   
   The Seahawks currently hold 8 picks in the 2018 draft, which begins April 26 in Dallas.
   
   Seattle’s 2018 Draft Picks Round 1, Pick 18, No. 18 overall; Round 4, Pick 20, No. 120 overall; Round 5, Pick 4, No. 141 overall; Round 5, Pick 9, No. 146 overall; Round 5, Pick 19, No. 156 overall; Round 5, Pick 31, No. 168 overall; Round 7 https://www.seahawksseastore.com/deandre-elliott-jersey-c-17.html, Pick 8, No. 226 overall; Round 7, Pick 30, No. 248 overall.
   
   So far we’ve covered the offensive line, the defensive line, tight end, linebacker, running back, and cornerback, and today we take a look at receiver. Tomorrow we’ll turn our attention to the safeties.
   
   Draft History Under Schneider and Carroll Golden Tate No. 60 overall, 2010 , Jameson Konz No. 245, 2010 , Kris Durham No. 107, 2011 , Chris Harper No. 123 https://www.seahawksseastore.com/cj-prosise-jersey-c-18.html, 2013 , Paul Richardson No. 45, 2014 , Kevin Norwood No. 123, 2014 , Tyler Lockett No. 69, 2015 , Kenny Lawler No. 243, 2016 , Amara Darboh No. 106, 2017 , David Moore No. 226, 2017 .With Paul Richardson leaving in free agency, it would appear the Seahawks have a pretty clear top two receivers at the moment in Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett, then a wide open competition behind them. While both of those two have significant experience as starters, particularly Baldwin who has emerged as one of the game’s top receivers in recent years, none of the other returning receivers have a lot experience under their belts. Tanner McEvoy, who made the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2016, has played some over the past two years https://www.seahawksseastore.com/neiko-thorpe-jersey-c-19.html, though his biggest role has been on special teams, while 2017 third round pick Amara Darboh played sparingly as a rookie. Both Carroll and Schneider have said this offseason that they hope to see Darboh make a leap in in his second season. The Seahawks also bring back 2017 seventh round pick David Moore, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, as well as Cyril Grayson Jr., a former track standout who signed last year as a rookie free agent despite having no college football experience.
   
   The Seahawks also bolstered that group by acquiring Marcus Johnson as part of the trade that sent Michael Bennett to Philadelphia, and they signed former Cardinals receiver Jaron Brown as a free agent.
   
   If the Seahawks aren’t done adding at receiver, their recent history shows they are willing to address that position relatively early, having taken Richardson early in the second round, and having made a rare under Schneider trade up to get Lockett near the top of the third round. Moore is bigger than former Terrapin wideout Stefon Diggs, but their playing style and athletic ability while at Maryland are similar. Moore doesn t have the height and length teams look for outside and may become a full time option from the slot. He clearly has the short area quickness and talent after the catch to handle those duties, but his route running needs to become more focused and fast to unlock his potential. Teams are high on Moore s potential and believe he has the talent and traits to become a good WR2 in the league.Ridley has game changing talent complete with blazing speed and rare route running ability for a college prospect. He ran the full route tree at Alabama, has experience working in a pro style attack and is a plug and play starter on day one. He must improve his ability to defeat press corners off the snap or he ll become a feast or famine target. Ridley s elite speed and separation talent gives him the potential to become one of the more productive and dangerous receivers in the league.Overview via NFL.com Sutton is a possession receiver who has the size and toughness to handle a heavier target load if necessary, but he will need to improve as a route runner because his play speed and separation is nothing special. Sutton s ability to win in contested catch situations could get him early playing time as a second or third receiver, but he may not have the explosiveness to ever become a top flight WR1.
   
   4. Christian Kirk, Texas A M
   
   Overview via NFL.com Kirk is a well built, mentally tough slot target whose game is built around pace more than explosiveness. His lack of speed and length make him less likely to impact games down the field, but his footwork, route tempo and hands should give him an opportunity to find catches underneath. Kirk s ability to help in the return game is a plus, but the difference between average and good as a receiver could depend on finding the right fit.
   
   T 5. James Washington, Oklahoma StateOverview via NFL.com Washington is a top heavy receiver with dangerous build up speed who has a three year history of hitting chunk plays thanks to his speed and ball tracking. Washington is more gradual than sudden with check marks in the vertical categories but minuses in categories like route running and hands. Washington has the potential to compete as a WR2 for a team looking to stretch the field. His limitations and dependence upon his quarterback s deep ball accuracy makes the chasm between his ceiling and floor a little wider.
   
   T 5. Anthony Miller, Memphis
   
   Overview via NFL.com Ultra competitive and highly productive, Miller plays with a chip on his shoulder that has driven him to out work the man across from him. While he played both inside and out for Memphis, some teams could struggle with figuring out his best fit. His inconsistent hands are definitely a concern, but his ability to get open and to work all three levels of the field increase his chances for success as a WR3.
   
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3. 2018-04-23 at 2:11 AM UTC in Time will tell if that plan leads to rings
   elvafeng2 Yung Blood (banned)
   We’ve talked ad nauseam about the Falcons offseason on this website, their lack of moves based on the cap situation and perhaps lack of interest in big ticket items and the growing wave of fireworks coming from fellow NFC competitors.
   
   Well, the Rams just signed DT Ndamukong Suh, and things just got even tougher for this season’s eventual NFC crown.
   
   And, still, the Falcons have held their cards close to their chest, determined to see their plan through the way it’s likely been devised since before last season ended. They’re going to keep the status quo, as far as we’re aware, and time will tell if that was the right call.
   
   When you look at their main competitors for the NFC, they’ve been busy. But, busy isn’t always better. Sure, headlines like Suh to LA https://www.falconsatljersey.com/ricardo-allen-jersey-c-36.html, Richardson to Minny and “wait, who else have they added?” to Philly can make your knees weak, but again, it’s March, and we still don’t know what this will look like on the field just yet ok...we know what Aaron Donald/Ndamukong Suh will look like...I’m just not ready to accept that one yet .
   
   The Falcons...well...unless Logan Paulsen gets you excited...it’s been kind of quiet...as you know.
   
   But, if there’s a credit to this era of Falcons football, they’re not going to overreact or change course with what the other NFC teams are doing. That’s not to say they’re not trying to get better, but Dan Quinn is trying to blossom a roster. He’s trying to build something that will last, and in the age of an NFL that’s rapidly heading towards super rosters Devin Fuller Jersey, that’s an admirable, if painstaking, approach.
   
   Right now, the Falcons are building towards improvements on their roster and coaching staff to get them where they want to go, and their offseason moves show transactions to ease that growth along, while maintaining on field relevance.
   
   On offense, the team is taking a massive gamble in the maturation of Steve Sarkisian. There’s no reason to sugar coat this...if the Falcons are to be any different than they were last season https://www.falconsatljersey.com/bj-daniels-jersey-c-34.html, a good but not great team of not quite talent, they’re going to have to see Sark take a leap. His game plans are going to have to be more organized, his schemes and plots more advantageous to size up what opposing defenses can and can’t do, his talent better placed in positions to succeed. If you want to know just how talented this offense is, they were still a top ten unit last season in terms of total yardage. If you want to know how frustrating the play calling was, they were league middling in the scoring department.
   
   That squarely points to where the problem is, and the Falcons know that. They brought in veteran minds like Greg Knapp and Bernie Parmalee to help Sark along, but at the end of the day, the chips have been pushed in Sark’s direction. If he can’t mentally improve to better coach against the smarter defensive minds in the league, it’s a bad bet. Atlanta’s going to give him 2018 to get there, though. It’s a gap they’re betting he’ll cover.
   
   The tight end position has been a consistent point of emphasis since Tony Gonzalez left town, and obviously, no one’s been able to quite match that guy. Austin Hooper’s the team’s future at the position for now, and how he played in 2017 will depend on who you talk to. He’s a solid starter with room to grow, but he’s also got frustrating tendencies and has yet to develop into a red zone threat. Nobody knows what Eric Saubert’s going to do. Bringing in Paulsen is a move to replace what Levine Toilolo brought to the blocking an issue in 2017 , and give Hooper and Saubert a mentor to lean on who knows the position https://www.falconsatljersey.com/kemal-ishmael-jersey-c-35.html, and what it takes to succeed at it. He’s an investment in the young guys as much as he is an investment in himself as a player. Atlanta could always draft a TE and add him to the room, but for now, they’re betting on Hooper’s and Saubert’s growth. Another chance taken on in house talent. It’s also been said the team is betting on guys like Marvin Hall and Reggie Davis to potentially fill the gap Taylor Gabriel left on offense.
   
   They didn’t decide to bet on Wes Schweitzer at right guard, an able if flawed OL man who has been replaced by the veteran Brandon Fusco, who will probably be as good as Chris Chester was. So, it’s not all house gambles.
   
   On defense, again, there’s a lot of betting going on for that defensive line. They’re pushing the entire stack of chips in on Takkarist McKinley, whose eight sack rookie season six in regular season play, two in the postseason was enough for the team to feel comfortable about letting Adrian Clayborn slide to New England and not give Pernell McPhee the contract he likely would’ve wanted to be a Falcon. They’re betting on Vic Beasley to return to his 2016 form something he’s actually wont to do without nagging injuries and added expectations , too. To Atlanta, that’s got the potential to be a ferocious pass rush, and right now, it appears that any further additions to that group will come via the draft.
   
   After losing Dontari Poe, they’re betting on Grady Jarrett to be the massive contract guy that makes not paying Poe look good in retrospect. They’re betting, as of now, on Duke Riley to take the leap at weakside linebacker. They’re betting on big contract CB Desmond Trufant to bounce back after taking a lump here and there in 2017. They’re betting, if to a smaller degree, on guys like Tani Tupou and J.T. Jones to perhaps factor into roster contributors next season. They’re betting on their front office to fill in the holes via the draft with quality players that can contribute right away. Again, more betting.
   
   The Falcons are going to do the future their way, and make the moves they see fit to keep pace with what the rest of the NFC is doing. This is a patient franchise that’s got a plan, and we’re going to see it followed through. Time will tell if that plan leads to rings, or more “almost but not quites.”
4. 2018-04-23 at 2:07 AM UTC in He also topped what his brother had done in the bench press
   elvafeng2 Yung Blood (banned)
   Shaquem Griffin will be one of the biggest stars walking the red carpet and attending this week s NFL draft at Arlington s AT T Stadium.
   
   He ll share the spotlight with top prospects expected to be first round picks, yet it s unknown when his name will be called as the seven rounds unfold between Thursday night and Saturday.
   
   Wherever Griffin s selected, the former Central Florida linebacker has positioned himself to make history he would become the first one handed player drafted in the modern era, according to the NFL. Griffin was born with a defect to his left hand, which was amputated when he was 4.
   
   He stole the show at the NFL combine in early March after being a late addition to the event.
   
   During the bench press, using a prosthetic on his left arm that he clipped to the bar, he pumped out 20 reps of 225 pounds. That crushed his previous personal best of 11, in front of an inspired crowd and intrigued NFL scouts in Indianapolis.Then Griffin, who trained for the combine at Michael Johnson Performance in McKinney, blazed a 4.38 in the 40, the fastest time by a linebacker since records started being kept in 2003.
   
   I would love to play with this guy https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/lucas-wacha-jersey-c-36.html, tweeted Denver Broncos All Pro defender Von Miller, one of many NFL players wowed by Griffin s performance.During his scheduled media session at the combine, Griffin was surprised by the mass of interest.
   
   I thought I was going to walk over here and there were going to be like three people Kellen Moore Jersey, he said.His story has been oft told since, and Gil Brandt, the former Cowboys vice president of personnel, extended the draft invite to Griffin.
   
   But it s not like Griffin came out of nowhere. He was the 2016 American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. He pressured Auburn s quarterback into a game sealing interception in undefeated UCF s Peach Bowl win on New Year s Day. He impressed at the Senior Bowl. He won the inaugural Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
   
   His twin brother, Shaquill, who won the competition to get out of the womb by 60 seconds, as the family puts it, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round a year ago.
   
   But Griffin has always had to work harder to prove that he s not just a heartwarming story, that he s a football player.
   
   He s written an open letter to general managers via The Players Tribune detailing what they d be getting in him. His theme on social media is AgainstAllOdds.
   
   And when the call comes?
   
   I might start crying, Griffin said. I might drop the phone or have to give it to my mom, and she ll have to answer all the questions for me. I m not going to be able to even speak I don t know how I m going to talk.
   
   I might have to give it to my brother, we sound alike. I ll be on the floor, crying and stuff. There s been a little of that going around. Shaquem s mom, Tangie Griffin, watched his combine performances back in their hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla., with an ESPN camera crew there to capture it.
   
   When he started bench pressing https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/rod-smith-jersey-c-37.html, that was just, Oh my God, tears of joy, she said. And then when he ran the 40, we almost knocked the camera guys down jumping and yelling.
   
   Her husband, Terry https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/joseph-jones-jersey-c-35.html, watched separately because he didn t want to get emotional in front of the cameras, but he quickly called her on Facetime to celebrate.While they ve long since stopped being surprised by Shaquem, it s been a journey to get here since discovering he had amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition caused by strands of the amniotic sac that wrapped around his hand in the womb and prevented his fingers from fully developing.
   
   They went through with the amputation after Shaquem tried to do it himself because he was in pain.
   
   Soon after, when Tangie picked him up from daycare, he walked out carrying a football in his right hand, his other arm s bandage bloodied from playing, even though he d been told not to.
   
   When I saw that, I thought, This kid is going to be special, Tangie recalled.
   
   Growing up with a twin meant Shaquem always had someone to compare himself with and to compete with.
   
   It helped a lot, Shaquem said. I never thought about how or why I couldn t do it. It was just me getting it done. ... My brother never had pity on me. Wrestling, running around, playing football, basketball.
   
   There were also things Shaquem could do that Shaquill couldn t, like climbing the grapefruit tree in the family s backyard.
   
   I ran up in the tree and started climbing ... I told him, Come on up here, Shaquem remembered. He was climbing and falling off. ... I felt like the king. I was the one still in the tree. I felt good looking down on my brother. You all right? You want to call mom? Shaquill has always taken his big brother role seriously. Shaquem followed him to train at MJP in McKinney.
   
   Leading up to the combine, Shaquem s main goal was to beat Shaquill s stats from the year before.
   
   Don t put that pressure on yourself, Shaquill teasingly warned him. That s something that never goes away.
   
   Get this Shaquem, 6 2, 227, matched his twin s 40 time exactly even though Shaquill is at least 20 pounds lighter.
   
   He also topped what his brother had done in the bench press.