Daily Fantasy Leagues can be rip offs when playing with the professionals gamblers who have access to features and funds the regular Joes do not.

But, I just noticed that on Draft KIngs you can form a private league or have head to head matchups accessible via invite only. Anybody here doing this?

Per NFL network.

Frustrating.

No not the Rams but I have a lot invested in Goff .
$100 in my son's #16 jersey .
$75 in my 4 year old grandsons #16 jersey
$100 in a Goff fathead for my man cave
So I too must remain patient with the kid . Lol

Some guy wrote on another board (paraphrased): we have the same players on offense! We will still really suck. Yes, he is right about the players, however, our offense has a chance to inch up a bit, and control the ball, and maybe put up 6 point more per game, and gives us a chance for 3-4 more wins. Read on at your emotional peril:

Here is the 2016 O compared to last year:
1. Brown, Wichmann and GRob will be much better.
2. Barnes and Saffold (because of surgery) a little bit better. Barnes looks pretty now, right?
3. Kendricks looks natural catching the ball for the first time, and he looks lighter and faster.
Higbee at some point will be making catches that Cook wouldn't or couldn't.
4. Austin should be able to run better routes, and a few deeper routes a game.
5. Gurley and Cunningham are faster and lighter than last year; and Gurley will be 'integrated' in to the passing game, and can catch some key swing passes to convert 1st downs ala Cappeletti, McCutcheon and Dickerson in they hey-day...no, he isn't Faulk yet
6. Britt the same, but with better sharper patterns.

I think the coaching is a a bit better going in to this season. The WRs look smarter IN THEIR short routes. If you watch last season we threw plenty of deeper routes. But, on 3rd down, when we needed 7-12 yards we never threw the dig/crossing routes or deep come backs. I suspect the same this year. However, We will not have games like this exhibition season where we only threw 3-8 yard outs (comical---or does fisher really believe that will work over 16 games). That was for show.

If you watch the 2015 Green Bay game, that was typical of our offensive season. We had many chances, and a few missed field goals, and a bad throw returned for a TD. Really, Foles lost that game. Though Foles threw some nice 'clean' deep balls that Case won't, he really handicapped the offense I think. I don't know if we would have won that game, but we would have been tied in the 4th quarter if Foles manages the game better. Our O line looked pitiful, too.....I think those days are mostly gone...mostly. We still don't have great pass blocking (I am not high).

So, maybe we will be 22nd in offense this year, but if we control the ball like we did against KC's first team D (though they missed 2 probowlers) we can be like the 99-2002 Titans who kept finding ways to win.

Going back to the Fisher's Titans and 'ballers':
Fisher won by guys making 1-2 plays in the late 3rd and 4th quarters. A lot of times they looked 'lucky' but Wycheck or Mason would make some key plays on McNairs toss ups....I think Fisher really, really missed those tow guys. We have the Power O line and Gurley, but we need guys to 'ball"---like Spruce. Cooper, Spruce, Higbee are ballers. I don't think they will contribute so much the first 4-5 games, but by midseason they will make plays.

When Fisher last made a playoff run (13-3 in 2008 ) he has a) a huge O line, b) fast Christ Johnson
and c) Kerry Collins who could consistently make accurate passes from a clean pocket. Well, we have the first 2 parts, and Goff is the answer for the 3rd part....but, we may have to wait 8-17 games for that (2017).

Kerry Collins was NEVER a smart QB, but he was big, durable and sometimes was pretty damn accurate when he wasn't mentally flustered. Case doesn't have the arm, or the WRs we will have eventually, but he has enough to get us some 17-13 and 19-17 and 23-20 victories.

Put this years offense into last years games against the Ravens, SF (#2), Green bay, Steelers and the Vikings and those 5 LOSSES could become 3-4 wins. That puts us at 10-11 wins. SOUNDS crazy right, but that is how Fisher rolled for 15 years in this league, and he ain't stoppin'. This is 1970s ball.

If each of Cooper, Higbee and Spruce make 5-8 key catches this year for first downs then those drives will be converted into FGs or TDs. Last year we didn't have that (duh). They are ballers who are much beter thinkers than Britt/Quick. When you have an O line like we do you wear people down. That is how Dickerson and the Rams went to the playoffs form 1983 to 1986. It worked then, and it will work now.

These are only excerpts from this article. To read the whole thing click the link below. Btw don't bother looking for any Rams news, there isn't any.
**********************************************************************************
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/04/sam-bradford-trade-minnesota-vikings-philadelphia-eagles-nfl

Inside the Trade that Could Reshape the 2016 Season
The two general managers recount all the action that led to the Eagles sending Sam Bradford to the Vikings for two draft picks the week before the season starts. Plus 10 takeaways from cutdown weekend and more
By Peter King

Saturday, 6:30 a.m., two NFL general managers and good friends on the phone, trying to finish a trade. The subject of sleep comes up. Neither Philadelphia’s Howie Roseman nor Minnesota’s Rick Spielman has had any of significance during the night, not since they’d last been on the phone five-and-a-half hours earlier.

“I’m staring at the ceiling, wide awake, at 2:30,” Roseman said to Spielman, “and [wife] Mindy says, ‘You okay?’ I said, ‘No, I’m not okay. We’re about to change a lot of lives here.’ ”

“Same thing with me,” Spielman said in return. “Couldn’t sleep. I was out at 4 a.m. walking the dogs.”

How long did it take to make the stunning deal of the year in pro football? Forty-eight hours. That’s the time from the first phone call from Spielman, in his office in Eden Prairie, Minn., to Roseman, about to engage his three boys in some baseball pitch-and-catch in his yard in Pennsylvania, just before dinner at home Wednesday evening, and the time it got very real and Spielman offered Minnesota’s first-round pick Friday evening. It was so surprising to Roseman that he said “it wasn’t even on my brain” Thursday night during the Eagles’ fourth preseason game.

A brief oral history of the Trade That Might Change This Season, from the two general managers:


Sam Bradford brings to Minnesota a 25-37-1 career record as a starting quarterback over
five seasons in St. Louis and Philadelphia.
Photo: George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Tuesday

Spielman, 1:20 p.m. CT: I stand on the defensive side of the field, way in the back. I saw Teddy go down. He must have tripped, I thought. I walked over to where he was down, and I see players turning their heads away, shocked. Players were in shock. By the time I got there, maybe 15 seconds after he went down, our trainer, Eric Sugarman, and other trainers had his leg up and were getting it braced.

They were tremendous. It might have been a dislocation, and from what they tell me, the first thing you’ve got to be concerned with is the nerve and the artery there, so you’ve got to get right on it. I didn’t know what to think. We got dealt a shocking blow. You try to digest it, but you think, ‘Ten, 11 days out from the season, and we lose our franchise quarterback. What do we do?’

Roseman: I was leaving our draft room and looked up at the TV and see on the crawl that Teddy Bridgewater got hurt. I didn’t know anything. I just felt for him, and for Rick. We’re pretty close.

Spielman: Zim [head coach Mike Zimmer] called off practice and had a team meeting, and then I called all our scouts together, and [assistant GM] George Paton, into a meeting. I told them what happened. Besides all their jaws dropping to the floor and being sick to your stomach, absolutely sick to your stomach … we had a job to do. I said to them: ‘This is what we’re getting paid to do, finding the best solution out of the worst-case scenario.

And that’s what we’re going to do here.’ I got up on the white board and we sorted out the scenarios—guys on the street we might want, guys who might get cut, guys on teams that might have enough depth that they’d consider dealing one. Names and options. Then we all got to work watching tape and I started making calls. To be honest, there was no solution. No good solution.

Wednesday

Spielman: I made a bunch of calls. I am not gonna mention teams. But there was blood in the water, and teams knew it. The price was too high. I didn’t want to mortgage our future. Some teams asked for a first-round pick and a core young player. I can understand the pick.

But we worked too hard over the past three years to put all that time and energy into drafting and developing a solid core of this team. I was taken aback who they were asking for. Players who’d been in the Pro Bowl. I mean, in the off-season, you’ve got time. There’s not blood in the water in the off-season. But now there was.

Roseman: We had a home preseason game Thursday, so Wednesday was a good night at home, and my boys were waiting for me to get home so we could play catch in the yard. Right then, I look at my phone and it’s Rick, and of course I am on the phone again, and they’re following me around the yard. I think they wanted to throw the ball at my head.

But Rick and I talked for 10 minutes and I said we’d have to talk Thursday. We’d seen each other in New York in the spring at a leadership conference at the Brooklyn Nets, with a couple of other GMs. He asked me then if we’d be open to trading one of our quarterbacks, and I said it’d be very hard to do anything with any of them.

Thursday

Spielman: When we talked about this as a staff, we knew we had [backup] Shaun Hill, and we really like Shaun. But the worst-case scenario is Shaun comes in and runs the offense well and then Shaun gets hurt? Then what? And we could wait and see what comes off the waiver wire, but how significant is that player going to be? We were working a couple of things, but when I asked [tight ends coach] Pat Shurmur, who’d coached Sam twice, he knew how smart he was and what a great addition he would be to our team and our locker room.

I watched every game Sam played last year, and the last three games, I thought he was playing as well as anyone I saw last year. I don’t think he’s ever been on a team with a top 10 rushing offense. With 28 [Adrian Peterson] in our backfield, playing at a high level, with the defense we have, Sam’s not gonna have to throw it 35 or 40 times every game. I know our coaches wanted him.

Before we played our last preseason game, Zim wasn’t too worried about the game. He was worried about the quarterback. I talked to our ownership, and they said: ‘Be as aggressive as you have to be. Do what you have to do.’

Roseman, 8 p.m.: I’m not even thinking about it at the game. When we talked [earlier Thursday], I said to Rick, ‘Rick, this is going to be a premium.’ It had to include their first-round pick in 2017 [Philly had traded its 2017 in a package to be able to draft rookie quarterback Carson Wentz], plus something else. I didn’t think they’d consider that. We talked about it, but I wasn’t thinking it was very serious.

Friday

Roseman, 8 a.m.: I told Rick we were in the same place. I told him he’d have to knock us over.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson has left the team to be at the bedside of his gravely ill father.

Roseman: With all the roster decisions we’re having to make, and with Doug’s family situation, I just told Rick that unless we’re talking the one in ’17 and another first high pick, it’s useless to talk.

Late in the afternoon, Spielman offers the 2017 first-round pick.

Spielman: That’s when I got more aggressive with Howie. I knew it would be a significant compensation, asking a team to give their starting quarterback eight days before the start of the season. I will do everything in my power to always give us the best chance to win, and it came down to—this is what we’re dealing with. I can’t change that. We have a good football team, a young football team.

Parting with the one, I knew I still had eight picks next year, including two threes and two fours. What really was significant for us was the second year of the contract with Sam. No one knows how long it’s going to take Teddy to recover. I had one other thing going with another team on Friday, but we liked Sam a lot.

Roseman, 7 p.m.: We were settled on the one, but we wanted better than a four in 2018. We were giving up our starting quarterback, who we didn’t want to give up. So there was some negotiation that needed to be done that night.

Spielman, midnight: We were a little punch drunk by then. We got it done, basically, but we had to button it up in the morning.

The fourth-round pick in 2018 can rise to as high as a second-round pick depending on the Vikings‘ playoff performance in 2016.

Saturday

Roseman, 8 a.m.: (Owner) Jeffrey Lurie is always supportive when we're trying to improve our team, and he signed off on the deal. Give him credit, for doing something with his team a week before the season that changes the team like this. Now I spoke with coach Pederson, who was in Louisiana with his family, and we had a deal. I called Rick. Coach Pederson called Sam. I was thinking, ‘We’ve changed two teams today. We’ve changed a lot of lives.’

Spielman, 4 p.m.: Sam came in the building, and he seemed very happy. I told him, ‘Congratulations,’ and he said, ‘I’ve got to get to work.’ And he went and got going right away with [quarterbacks coach] Scott Turner.

Sunday
Neither Roseman nor Spielman sounded elated Sunday on the phone. They sounded more tired than happy.

Spielman, 1:30 p.m.: We are a better team today than we were yesterday. Mentally, I am completely drained. Not only dealing with this, but making decisions on the 53-man roster, watching tape on potential claims till 2 this morning, getting our practice squad lined up …

[On Bradford:] I just know how he played the second half of last season, and I know he’s completely healthy, and I know this is the best running game by far that he’ll ever play with. At the end, this is what it comes down to: Did you do the best you possibly could do for your team? And we did the best we possibly could do. I think we put our team in the best possible position we can. Now we just see how it works out.

Roseman, 3:15 p.m.: Hopefully it works out great for the Vikings and great for us. But where it’s such a different scenario for us is it’s so different from the blueprint we established for our season. We’re getting powerful resources back, plus a lot of money in cap space to go out and get good players we didn’t have to help build a really good team. I believe our players will rally around our quarterbacks.

If Carson [Wentz] plays, experience is a great teacher. Some guys played well right away—the Joe Flaccos, the Ben Roethlisbergers. But Peyton Manning, Troy Aikman, John Elway had their struggles. Eli [Manning] started his rookie year [and went 2-7]. There’s no one way. Whenever you play, you’re going to be learning on the job. But whatever happens, this will be a couple days we all remember when we look back on our careers.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/JPosnanski/status/772129165743185920


* * *

The Norv Turner factor

Bernie Kosar, November 1993.
Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

In 1993, Troy Aikman tweaked a hamstring in a November game for Dallas. The next day, Cleveland coach Bill Belichick fired quarterback Bernie Kosar. Two days later, the Cowboys signed Kosar and, with Jason Garrett as the backup to Aikman, Dallas coaches got Kosar ready to play against the Cardinals. Kosar got ready, all right. Ten minutes into a 20-15 win over the Cards, Kosar relieved Garrett, and went on to complete 13 of 21 with one touchdown pass and no turnovers.

The Dallas offensive coordinator then? Norv Turner.

The Minnesota offensive coordinator now, 23 years later? Norv Turner.

I covered that story, and that game, for Sports Illustrated. I looked back at what I wrote Sunday. Kosar was programmed with 67 plays, all of which were typed neatly on his wristband. Turner would call down the play he wanted to tight ends coach Robert Ford, and Ford would signal the number to Kosar—for instance, holding up two fingers, then six, for play number 26 on the wristband—and Kosar would translate the number to a play, and make the call.

Worked pretty well. Is that how Turner will do it with Sam Bradford? And will the Vikings rush Bradford into the opener against Tennessee? I don’t know. But Turner has a road map to do it. He’s done it before, with a shorter turnaround. Kosar was signed five days before he played 50 minutes. Bradford was acquired eight days before the game in Nashville.

After the game, sitting having a celebratory beer with head coach Jimmy Johnson, Turner was pretty matter-of-fact about getting the job done with Kosar. “I'm a fan just like anybody, and I loved working with Bernie this week,” Turner said that day. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime deal. How often do you pick up a championship quarterback in mid-week and get him ready to play the next game?”

Maybe it’s twice in a lifetime. We’ll see.

* * *

Offensive lineman Josh Sitton played eight seasons for the Packers and now will face his former team twice a season as a Chicago Bear.
Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Ten things to know about cutdown weekend

1. Green Bay just handed an arch rival a great interior lineman. Maybe GM Ted Thompson viewed that saving $5 million a year by subbing the unproven Lane Taylor (most likely) for 30-year-old Josh Sitton was smart, given that this would likely have been Sitton’s last year in Green Bay. Whatever, now the Bears have the best guard tandem in football now (Sitton at left guard, Kyle Long at right), and for a coach who wants to run the ball heavily like John Fox, Sitton fell out of the sky for Chicago. Good move by GM Ryan Pace to hurriedly sign Sitton—particularly in advance of opening against the very strong front seven of the Texans next Sunday.

2. Seattle has faith in Russell Wilson’s health. I guess I don’t blame them; Wilson has played every game of his four-year career. The Seahawks have one backup to Wilson—undrafted free agent Trevone Boykin, who wasn’t very impressive this summer (52 percent passer, 68.9 rating).

3. Watch for Kenneth Dixon in Baltimore. Whilethe rookie fourth-round running back won’t be a prime-time player early while he recovers from a knee injury, he could well be the regular back by the middle of October. Baltimore loves him. Lots of faith in rookies on the Baltimore offense, with Ronnie Stanley (first round, Notre Dame) starting at left tackle and Alex Lewis (fourth round, Nebraska) starting at left guard. Dixon will make that three prominent rookies on offense. Add Breshad Perriman, who looked very good in the final preseason game—he’s a big guy with separation ability—and that’s a good infusion of talent for Joe Flacco.

4. The Texans gamble with youth—extreme youth. Cutting 28-year-old Cecil Shorts III means that all five Texan wideouts are 24 or younger: DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, Braxton Miller, Will Fuller and Keith Mumphery. … Also in Houston, coach Bill O’Brien said there’s a decent chance J.J. Watt could return from disk surgery in time for the opener against Chicago on Sunday.

5. Brother acts. Sixth-round San Diego fullback Derek Watt made the Chargers and will, if active, try to keep J.J. Watt from messing up Philip Rivers when the Chargers and Texans meet Nov. 27 in Houston. Undrafted free-agent fullback Glenn Gronkowski made his hometown Bills and will see big bro Rob on Oct. 2 and Oct. 30 in the Bills-Pats games.

6. Cleveland is playing for DeShaun Watson—and the next DeShaun Watson. The Browns, in shipping cornerback Justin Gilbert to Pittsburgh for a 2018 sixth-round pick, now are officially 0-for-6 on first-round picks between 2011 and 2014. But looking ahead, Cleveland has its own first-round pick and Philadelphia’s first-round pick, plus Tennessee’s two and its own two. Theoretically, that could easily give the Browns four picks in the top 40 next April, plus three picks in the first two rounds in 2018.

If the Browns don’t get the top pick next year (and there are overwhelming favorites on the Peter King Big Board), they’ll have enough ammo to move up for Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson, or be in position to draft UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (or some other top passer) in the 2018 draft.

7. These three things say it all about Justin Gilbert. One: The Browns couldn’t find a non-division trading partner for the ninth pick in the 2014 draft and so had to deal him to their archrivals. Two: The Steelers’ Achilles heel, the thing they just haven’t been able to get right in recent years, is the corner position. Thus the gamble with an unmotivated player. Gilbert won’t be unmotivated for long under Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Keith Butler—or he’ll be gone.

Three: Gilbert couldn’t beat out a fifth-round pick, Trey Caldwell, for a backup job, or a Dolphins’ reject, Jamar Taylor, for a starting job. Taylor was acquired last spring for a swap of seventh-round picks.In other words, Miami traded Taylor so it could move up eight spots in the final round of the draft. That’s the guy who Gilbert couldn’t beat out under new coach Hue Jackson.

8. The Sanchize won’t be playing in Dallas unless Dak Prescott’s a total fraud. Mark Sanchez got whacked in Denver when the Broncos could find no trade takers for him. He’s strictly an insurance policy for Dallas, and no threat to Prescott’s job unless the rookie stinks.

9. Vernon Davis gets a new life. He looked down for the count after being invisible in Denver at the end of last year. But Davis beat out a reliable player, Logan Paulsen, for the prime backup job to Jordan Reed. Jay Gruden is a big fan of tight ends, so the backup in Washington will get quality time.

10. Kansas City shows faith in Tyler Bray, but will really miss Justin Houston. I thought Kevin Hogan would be a great Andy Reid project, and the Stanford kid may have an NFL future still as a member of the Chiefs’ practice squad. But Hogan, a fifth-round pick, and Aaron Murray couldn’t beat out Tyler Bray as the Chiefs’ third QB. Nick Foles sticks as Alex Smith’s backup …

Biggest worry about the Chiefs, to me, is Justin Houston missing at least the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list. Houston, who led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014, was a shell of himself for most of last season, missing five games and having 4.5 sacks in the last 11 games he played, then having offseason knee surgery. He’s still not right. The Chiefs are a good team with a potential playoff defense, but that’s diminished significantly without their best pass-rusher.

* * *


The Broncos’ Super Bowl win was the fourth for Gary Kubiak and second for Peyton Manning.
Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Steve Sabol would be proud

As NFL Films so often does, you’ll see a great telling of the Denver Super Bowl story Wednesday night—first through the eyes of the coaches (“Worth the Wait,” 8 p.m. ET, NFL Network), then in the season highlight show (“America’s Game: 2015 Broncos,” 9 p.m. ET, NFL Network). I screened the coaches’ show, modeled after the Patriots’ “Do Your Job” show last year, which was excellent.

I found a few telling things in “Worth the Wait,” produced by Krys Wong and Adam Ryan, most notably the play-by-play of Kubiak yanking Peyton Manning after Manning missed two days of practice with a sore foot that week and then threw four interceptions in the first half against Kansas City. There’s no science to these things, the difficult decisions a coach makes. They’re gut things, and no textbook way to tell a player. Here’s how Kubiak told Manning he was yanking him:

Kubiak: ”Hey dude, just listen to me talk, okay? Hey, this is on me. I got you, okay?”

Manning: “All right.”

Kubiak: “I can’t [put] you out there and get you hurt. You understand that?”

Manning: “Yup.”

Kubiak: “I had no business putting you out there today anyway, okay?”

Manning: “All right.”

Kubiak: “All right, we’ll get through it. Fair enough?”

Manning: “Yes sir.”

Kubiak: “Okay.”

As Kubiak said later: “I was a little disappointed in myself, I felt bad about putting him out there to be honest. I didn’t think he was ready to play.”

* * *

There is some terrific real football in here. Kubiak, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and tight ends coach Brian Pariani had been in Baltimore the previous year, when the Ravens went to New England for a playoff game. In that game, the Ravens called a play from the Patriots’ 11-yard line for tight end Owen Daniels to run up the seam against New England’s physical linebacker, Dont’a Hightower.

Daniels was a physical match for Hightower, and he won the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. So in the Denver-New England AFC Championship Game, exactly 53 weeks later, with the core of the 2014 Ravens offensive staff in Denver now, the Broncos lined up at the New England 21 early in a scoreless game.

Amazing, the similarities, this time two time zones away.

Daniels and Kubiak and Dennison and Pariani in Denver now. Daniels on Hightower—again. This time, Daniels flexed into motion across the formation. “They do a great job in beating people up at the line of scrimmage,” Kubiak said in the show. “This time we moved Owen across the ball, to keep him from getting beat up.”

Just then, NFL Films captured Belichick on the New England sideline, from a moment he had previously with the linebackers: “81’s their go-to guy in the red area, okay?”

So Daniels moved away from Hightower, at the left of the formation, to the right, in a gap between Jamie Collins and Rob Ninkovich. As Daniels left the line and ran straight upfield, dissecting Collins and Ninkovich, neither followed him. Mistake in coverage, obviously. With Hightower nowhere in sight, Manning hit an open Daniels for the first points in the narrow win that sent the Broncos to the Super Bowl. Great storyline, and great camera work, on a play that was crucial to Denver winning a world championship.

Two other audio things stuck out. After the crucial Denver strip of Cam Newton in the Super Bowl that gave Denver a short field, running back C.J. Anderson stopped on his way to the field and, wide-eyed, pleaded with Kubiak: “Give it to me! Give it to me!” Kubiak called his number. Touchdown. And after the Super Bowl, Kubiak, in a moment with John Elway on the field in Santa Clara, referenced his previous NFL bling, and winning the Super Bowl as a head coach now. “Those three rings I have?” Kubiak said. “My boys can have ‘em. This one’s mine, baby! This one’s mine!”

It’s high praise indeed to say this show approaches the storytelling and inside access of “Do Your Job.” It’s well worth your hour Wednesday night.

* * *

Stat of the Week

By cutting Mark Sanchez on Saturday, the Broncos chose to keep two passers on the active roster who hadn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game.

Just five-and-a-half years ago, Sanchez was the winning quarterback in Jets’ postseason victories over Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in a span of eight days.

Brady-Manning rating in the two games: 96.2.

Sanchez rating in the two games: 91.2.

Brady-Manning TD-to-interception ratio in the two games: 3-1.

Sanchez TD-to-interception ratio in the two games: 3-1.

Score of the two games, combined: Jets, 45-37.

* * *

Nine Things I Think I Think

1. I think the NCAA is smart to make the week before the NFL season its big kickoff weekend. Look at the cottage industry this weekend has become, with so many great games kicking off when fans on TV and in stadiums are frothing for football. Superb games all over the place, with two huge ones in NFL stadiums: LSU-Wisconsin in Lambeau Field (loved the “Lambeaux Field” shirts sold there in LSU colors) and Alabama-USC at the Cowboys’ home in Arlington. By the way, loved Notre Dame at Texas. Not only a great game, but the kind of intersectional game that should be played more frequently.

2. I think I understand Ron Rivera being angry that teams with the opening Thursday game have it rough on the weekend before that opener, cutting the roster and setting the practice squad and not getting the normal time off before having to play the first game. But the B side to that argument is it gives the two Thursday teams an extra mini-bye in their seasons. Denver and Carolina get the weekend off before having to prepare for their Week 2 games, and I can guarantee you most players would want it that way—play early, play on national TV, and get three days off before the next week starts.

3. I think you'll see my Super Bowl pick Wednesday on this site. Not that it matters. I stink at picking those things. My predictions in general are awful. One hint: Picking two longtime doormats to win divisions this year. Not picking either to make the Super Bowl, but you've to walk before you run.

4. I think kudos go to two charitable sorts in the past few days: Indy punter Pat McAfee, for a benefit that raised $150,000 for relief for Kokomo (Ind.) hurricane victims … and to the NFL, for getting $50,000 to Denham Springs (La.) High School’s football program, which had most of its football uniforms and equipment destroyed by the floods that hit the area. The NFL will give $500,000 in all to the area for crucial needs.

5. I think one guy who stuck out to me on the cut list over the weekend was Tony Moeaki, the tight end who missed 48 games in six seasons due to injuries, and got let go by the Bears. Early on with the Chiefs, Moeaki blocked and caught like a future Pro Bowler, and just couldn’t stay on the field. Shame. After five teams let him go, he might not have a future.

6. I think it’s great that the 2017 draft will be held in Philadelphia. The more cities that get to host, the better. Still think Green Bay and Canton should be on the list, money be damned. (Not enough hotels in Green Bay, you say? So what. Make it a co-hosting affair with Milwaukee.)

7. I think the one stadium fix/opening of 2016 that I hadn’t focused on much was in Miami, but then I saw pictures of the improvements in the past few days. Two interesting things about the Dolphins’ new venue: 92 percent of the seats will be shaded by a giant canopy, as opposed to 17 percent in the past. And the grass is new for a pro football field. It’s called Paspalum Platinum grass. The Dolphins say it grows well in shade and in hot, humid climates, and is thicker than normal turf grasses.

8. I think Colin Kaepernick’s pig/police socks, though protected by freedom of expression, are divisive and very bad form nonetheless. Wearing them just inflames a situation that doesn’t need it. Point made, man.

9. I think, though I covered the Giants’ glory years for Newsday in the 80s, and consider myself well-versed about that era of Giants’ history, the new Jerry Barca book, “Big Blue Wrecking Crew: Smashmouth Football, a Little Bit of Crazy and the ’86 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants,” taught me a lot about that team. Such as this: When the Giants hired Bill Belichick as a special teams coach and defensive assistant in 1979, he had to move to New Jersey in the middle of interest rates skyrocketing.

He couldn’t afford it. So, according to Barca’s book, owner Wellington Mara stepped in and co-signed the down payment for the 27-year-old Belichick to buy his house. As Barca quotes Belichick: “I will always be indebted to Wellington Mara for the faith and support he showed me. I was a young nobody coaching special teams.” That’s the kind of detail work that marks this book, and makes it worth reading.

Hi all, does anyone know when the game day depth chart for the first game will be released?

Does anyone have any link(s) / pics of their practice facility at CLU in Thousand Oaks? Would be cool to see what they will be practicing in over the next months, and I didn't see anything on their official website. [Sorry if something was already posted about this.]

It appears that the NFL and NFLPA are trying to help this young man. Thank you.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

Tre Mason still absent from Rams
Posted by Mike Florio on September 4, 2016, 8:25 PM EDT
Getty Images
As the Rams begin preparations for their regular-season opener at Santa Clara, they still don’t have running back Tre Mason on the roster.

“Tre Mason is on our Reserve/Did Not Report list, that’s where he stands,” coach Jeff Fisher told reporters on Sunday. “We’ve been in communication with the family, not Tre, but with the family. The organization’s position, including the league and the [NFL] Players Association, is to take care of him and help him to get the help that he needs to get through this life crisis that he’s having.”

Mason is in the same posture as a holdout. He can return at any time until the Tuesday after Week 10, and he will be unpaid until he does. If/when he reports, the Rams will have to decide whether to reinstate him to the roster, to cut him or trade him, or to place him on the non-football illness or injury list, based on his condition when he arrives.

For Mason, the first challenge is to resolve apparent mental-health issues that have plagued him for months. We wish him the best.

someone tell us when that is to take place and how to view it live please.... thanks

Complete guide to the 2016 Rams Practice Squad with projections

http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...the-2016-Rams-Practice-Squad-with-projections

September 4, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

The Rams announced their cuts to get down to the 53-man roster but there is still something that needs to be done. That is putting together a 10-player practice squad. Here are the rules of the practice squad.

• Starting September 4th at 1:00pm EST All NFL teams can put together a 10-man practice squad which consists of players that can practice during the week with teams but can't play in-game unless they are promoted to the active 53-man roster.
  
  
• Teams can only keep 10 players on their practice squad.
  
  
• Teams can sign anyone off any practice squad but they must be placed on their active roster.
  
  
• Teams can sign four players to the practice squad that have had two years of NFL experience (year = 6 games).
  
  
• Teams can't have a player on the practice squad for more than three seasons.
  
  
• Teams must pay practice squad players a minimum of 6,900 per week but teams can also pay more to make it tougher for other teams to come in and sign away their player.
  
  
• Salary paid to practice squad player don't count towards the salary cap.
  
  
• If a player is signed to the active roster via the practice squad they are required to be paid for three games regardless if they are cut after the first game or not.
  
  
• If a player is released from a practice squad they can be signed to another. A team won't need to put them on the active roster unless they are signing them off another's practice squad.

The practice squad can be an excellent tool to help develop a player who isn't quite worthy of being on an NFL roster or even a player who can't quite fit on the roster due to the amount of depth a team has. The majority of the time if you finish the year on the practice squad that team most likely will sign you to the 90-man offseason roster.

Here is a list of rams cuts that are eligible for the Rams practice squad:

QB: Dylan Thompson

RB: Aaron Green, Terrence Magee

WR: Paul McRoberts, Duke Williams, Austin Hill, Marquez North, David Richards

TE: Benson Browne

OL: Isaiah Battle, Jordan Swindle

DL: Morgan Fox, Ian Seau, Zach Colvin

LB: Cameron Lynch, Brandon Chubb, Darreon Herring

DB: Mike Jordan, Jabriel Washington, Rohan Gaines, Jordan Lomax

K: Taylor Bertolet


Here is a list of some other cuts that are eligible for the Rams practice squad:

QB: Jake Rudock (DET), Joel Stave (MIN), Jeff Driskel (SF), Jameill Showers (DAL), Kevin Hogan (KC)

RB: Marshaun Coprich (NYG), Brandon Wegher (CAR), David Cobb (TEN), Kelvin Taylor (SF), John Crockett (GB), Jhurell Pressley (MIN), Tyler Gaffney (NE), Peyton Barber (TB), Zac Brooks (SEA), Mack Brown (WAS)

WR: Kenny Lawler (SEA), Keyarris Garrett (CAR), Daniel Braverman (CHI), Anthony Dable (NYG), Moritz Boehringer (MIN), Kenny Bell (TB), DeMarcus Ayers (PIT), Keenan Reynolds (BAL), Devon Cajuste (SF)

TE: Rico Gathers (DAL), Henry Krieger-Coble (DEN), Danny Vitale (TB), Thomas Duarte (MIA), Beau Sandland (CAR)

OL: Willie Beavers (MIN), Tyler Marz (TEN)

DL: Matt Ioannidis (WAS), Ra'Zahn Howard (HOU)

LB: Kache Palacio (SEA), Taiwan Jones (NYJ), Shaq Riddick (ARI), Victor Ochi (BAL), Travis Feeney (PIT)

DB: Harlan Miller (ARI), Zack Sanchez (CAR), JaCorey Shepherd (PHI), Kalan Reed (TEN), Cre'Von Leblanc (NE), Nick Marshall (JAX), Blake Countess (PHI), Winston Rose (IND)

So how would you put together a 10-man practice squad out of so many intriguing players? That is the main question every coach will have to ask themselves tomorrow. For now here's two 10-man practice squad lists that I put together. One of them is all Rams I feel they should keep and the other is a mixture of Rams and other players that were cut.

Read more...

Clearly, there will be other moves forthcoming in the very near future.

We have 28 players on O and only 22 on D? THAT won't stand.

Only 3 Safeties? Gotta be a waiver wire or FA signing just around the corner. Like, before the dust settles. So they can at least introduce him to the coaches and his teammates. Don't understand why they were so unhappy with Bryant. But if they were, why did they wait until so late to bring in another player? Very strange for a D coaching staff that's so highly regarded. What am I missing?

Only 8 DL players? Is that realistic? I don't see any margin for injury relief, currently. Even a relatively minor injury could throw a monkey wrench into our important front 4 effectiveness. And with Quinn coming off back surgery? Yikes!

To say that I was surprised and disappointed by Quick making it and McRoberts being cut would be an understatement. McRoberts outplayed Quick. And probably has a higher ceiling if handled well. Making the 53 is supposed to be a meritocracy, not an "in crowd" thing. WTH? I do think that Quick is living on borrowed time until certain WR's are once again healthy. But still... He's a daily reminder of a blown #33 overall pick. Sigh...

A waiver wire or other WR via FA would not greatly surprise me. Cooper and Thomas have GOT to make strides, and PDQ, at that. Keenum needs to have confidence that they will make plays for him.

Gonna miss Aaron Green. Fisher just has a man crush on C Reynolds and his declining ST skills, IMO. That's some 7-9 BS, if you ask me.

I'm mildly disappointed that Rhaney is gonna be our backup C. I've seen him get walked back too many times to get it completely out of my mind. Hope Barnes stays healthy for all 19 games. Yeah, I know how many games are in the regular season. Lol.

Best of luck to the LB corps after Tree and Barron. The coaches must really like the kids that they kept. I didn't really watch them that closely this preseason, but when I did I didn't see the flashes that others have. I'm willing to trust the coaches here, 'cause they've earned it. Besides, they may have their eye on the waiver wire for LB depth improvement.

Fisher preferred the experienced Sensabaugh to Jordan or Washington at CB. No big surprise there, I guess. Hopefully, one or both can make the PS and then make the 53 next year.

Hopefully, GZ will have a career year for us. But if he stumbles? Costs us games? After never facing serious competition that Fisher promised? More 7-9 BS, IMO.

S&F have some quick tinkering to do in these next few days, huh? I'm guessing that there might be 4-5 more moves by next Sunday.

Thoughts?

Oh, you thought I had some? Not for another 10 minutes or so. Just making a spot for the reports when they begin.

:flanders:

So, I'm usually massively against people asking other people for advice on fantasy football, but I'm going to break my own rule here and ask for some assistance from my fellow ROD'ers...

I'm really struggling to decide which keepers to pick in one of my leagues and could do with a second opinion.
I have 4 top options and a couple of other players who could also be a shout. Obviously Gurley stays, but I'm struggling to pick two from the other bunch. I was leaning towards Gurley, Gronk and Bell, but his suspension has me considering Green instead! Decisions...
So let me know what you guys think, pick 3 from the 6!

(Before anyone states how easy a league this must be with having these options, i picked up Bell and Murray towards the end of last season when people decided to drop them due to not playing/playing well. )

Thanks guys!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

New England Patriotsquarterback Tom Brady played the preseason without an NFL logo decal on his helmet as he gets set to serve a four-game suspension stemming from the Deflategate scandal.

Michael Hurley of CBS Boston showcased a series of pictures showing Brady's helmet without the NFL sticker despite its presence on other Patriots helmets. The quarterback also had the logo on his helmet last season.

John Breech of CBSSports.com also highlighted the possible silent protest.

In July, Brady confirmed he was ending his legal bid to get his suspension overturned by the court system with a statement on his official Facebook page.

I'm very grateful for the overwhelming support I've received from Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family, Coach Belichick, my coaches and teammates, the NFLPA, my agents, my loving family and most of all, our fans. It has been a challenging 18 months and I have made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process. I'm going to work hard to be the best player I can be for the New England Patriots and I look forward to having the opportunity to return to the field this fall.

The 39-year-old four-time Super Bowl champion missed the team's first two preseason games due to a death in the family and a scissors accident. He returned to play the final two contests, throwing a total of 35 passes against the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy previously told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk players weren't allowed to remove the American flag decal from their helmet in response to a question about Kaepernick's ongoing protest. The NFL logo likely falls into the same category.

The CBS report suggested Brady could be fined for a uniform violation. The NFL Operations chart shows the first offense would be $6,076 and a second offense costs $12,154.

Brady is scheduled to return from his suspension Oct. 9 when the Patriots take on the Cleveland Browns.

2016 Practice Squad Basic Rules

Teams can add players to the practice squad at 1:00 PM EST on Sunday, September 4th

There are 10 players allowed on the Practice Squad

Up to 4 players on the practice squad can have accrued two years of experience; a “year of experience” is six games on the active roster.

Players can spend no more than 3 seasons on the practice squad. 6 weeks counts as a full year of experience.

Practice squad players receive a minimum of $6,900 per week, but teams will often pay their players extra so they won’t be poached by other teams.

Practice squad players can sign with any other team’s active roster, other than their current team’s opponent for that given week. The Rams wouldn't be allowed to sign a player from the 49ers Practice Squad in the week leading up to opening kickoff.

Teams cannot sign a Practice Squad player from another team to their own practice squad, unless that player has cleared through waivers.

2016 Practice Squad Possible Candidates

1) Mike Jordan CB
2) Cristian Bryant S
3) Isaiah Battle OT
4) Paul McRoberts WR
5) Duke Williams WR

6) Morgan Fox DE
7) Ian Seau DE
8) Brandon Chubb LB
9) Aaron Green RB
10) Terrence McGee RB

11) J.Cunningham TE
12) Cameron Lynch LB
13) Jordan Kovacs FS
14) Jabriel Washington CB
15) Austin Hill WR
16) Rohan Gaines S

Current 53 Man Roster as of Today 09/04/2016

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Los_Angeles_Rams_roster

I want to thank all who have participated in our unofficial ROD fantasy football. It's been popular and fun for several years. I just don't have the time to continue in the manor ROD deserves.

I am asking for a current commish to step up and own it. Barring that, and that should be a priority because 6 leagues are already set up with the same rules, someone amongst those who haven't run these leagues can step in.

If you PM me, I will pass along the leagues and commissioners on a case by case basis with a priority to current commissioners. Please identify the league you are commissioning.

With over 60 teams last season, I hope someone can take the torch, because it's grown seasonally and is a great product of our community.

Almost forgot to cancel mine. I know a lot of you subscribed just to watch the Vikings game. Just reminding you to cancel before you get charged.

Also, don't call. Worst customer service ever. Just go right to your sign in and click game pass and cancel from there.

Cheers.

Chances of Making Final Roster: 1/10
The Rams currently have six players who have the ability to play the tackle spot. For Murphy to land on the final roster, he will have to make a serious impact and be a player who’s tough to forget about. With the video clip above as an example, Murphy may need to start by being more aggressive. http://theramswire.usatoday.com/2016/07/11/making-the-cut-offensive-tackle-pace-murphy/

This was from RamsWire on USA today back in July.

I'd never heard of him, obviously pretty impressive making it as an UDFA from such a small unknown school.

I'm hoping for a wr or a db

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-scrutiny-for-timing-of-mark-sanchez-signing/


Cowboys could be facing scrutiny for timing of Mark Sanchez signing
Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2016, 7:54 PM EDT
Getty Images
The Cowboys, desperate for a backup quarterback, apparently moved more quickly than they should have to address their needs.

Per a league source with knowledge of the timing of the release of the NFL’s official transaction report for Saturday, September 3, the Cowboys face scrutiny from the league office for signing former Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez before his release from the Broncos was officially communicated by the league to all teams.

While a technicality, it’s nevertheless a clear violation of the tampering rules, with the Cowboys contacting, negotiating with, and signing Sanchez while he was still officially the property of the Broncos. The bigger question is whether the NFL will do anything about it.

Patriots fans are watching and waiting.

im shocked a bit by the Ayers cut. Who starts in his spot?

I think this is correct?


2016 FINAL 53

QB (3)
Case Keenum
Sean Mannion
Jared Goff

WR (7)
Kenny Britt
Tavon Austin
Pharoh Cooper
Nelson Spruce
Mike Thomas
Brian Quick
Bradley Marquez

RB (4)
Todd Gurley
Benny Cunningham
Malcolm Brown
Chase Reynolds

TE (4)
Lance Kendricks
Cory Harkey
Tyler Higbee
Tammarick Hemingway

OL (10)
Greg Robinson
Rob Havenstein
Tim Barnes
Rodger Saffold
Jamon Brown
Cody Wichmann
Andrew Donnal
Demetrius Rhaney
David Arkin
Pace Murphy

Garrett Reynolds (IR)
Darrell Williams (IR)

DL (8)
Aaron Donald
Robert Quinn
Michael Brockers
William Hayes
Dominique Easley
Ethan Westbrooks
Matt Longacre
Eugene Sims

LB (6)
Alec Ogletree
Mark Barron
Bryce Hager
Josh Forrest
Nic Grigsby
Cory Littleton

CB (5)
Trumaine Johnson
EJ Gaines
Troy Hill
Lamarcus Joyner
Coty Sensabaugh

S (3)
T.J. McDonald
Maurice Alexander
Cody Davis

ST (3)
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
Greg Zuerlein

Full Season IR (Louis Trinca-Pasat and Brian Randolph)
________________________________________________________
2015 FINAL 53

QB (3)
Nick Foles
Case Keenum
Sean Mannion

RB (5)
Benny Cunningham
Todd Gurley
Tre Mason
Isaiah Pead
Chase Reynolds

WR (6)
Tavon Austin
Stedman Bailey
Kenny Britt
Chris Givens
Bradley Marquez
Brian Quick

TE (3)
Jared Cook
Cory Harkey
Lance Kendricks

OL (10)
Tim Barnes
Jamon Brown
Andrew Donnal
Rob Havenstein
Garrett Reynolds
Demetrius Rhaney
Greg Robinson
Rodger Saffold
Cody Wichmann
Darrell Williams

DL (8)
Michael Brockers
Aaron Donald
Nick Fairley
William Hayes
Chris Long
Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims
Ethan Westbrooks

LB (6)
Akeem Ayers
Daren Bates
Bryce Hager
James Laurinaitis
Cameron Lynch
Alec Ogletree

CB (5)
Janoris Jenkins
Trumaine Johnson
Lamarcus Joyner
Marcus Roberson
Coty Sensabaugh

S (5)
Maurice Alexander
Mark Barron
Cody Davis
T.J. McDonald
Rodney McLeod

ST (3)
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
Greg Zuerlein

Hmmmmm, interesting article. 6,000 parking spots held for Rams season ticket holders at USC. Plus its only $20.

http://cbsloc.al/2batLdf

I wonder how they determine if you are a season ticket holder?

I would do this...if it's true. Or is it a gamble?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...t-paxton-lynch-grade-highest-among-rookie-qbs

With three weeks of preseason play in the books, Daniel Jeremiah took a look back at how the top-drafted quarterbacks have performed in the extreme early going of their careers, handing out grades, identifying areas for improvement and setting expectations for the rest of the season. NOTE: Only quarterbacks drafted in the fourth round or higher were assessed -- thus, you won't find undrafted rookies like the Seahawks' Trevone Boykin or the Packers' Joe Callahan below.

Without further ado, the QB rookie progress reports:

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Drafted: Round 1, No. 1 overall.




Preseason analysis: Goff has been very average in the preseason. He's been at his best on quick-rhythm throws that allow him to predetermine where to go with the ball and get it out of his hand rapidly. He hasn't looked comfortable working deep into progressions, and he's had issues protecting the ball (in three games, he's thrown one pick and fumbled twice). In Goff's defense, the pass catchers he's throwing to have let him down in each game he's played. It's tough to get into a groove when you have so many dropped balls. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: He needs a lot of reps to gain more confidence and poise inside the pocket. He also will benefit from simply getting physically stronger. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Goff has some room on his frame to add more weight and strength.

Expectations for rookie season: Goff didn't look like he was ready to start Week 1, but I imagine we will see him take over the position around midseason. I just can't see Case Keenum playing at a consistently high enough level to maintain his grip on the position.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Drafted: Round 1, No. 2 overall.




Preseason analysis: We didn't get to see a lot of Wentz, who has been out since suffering a hairline rib fracture in the Eagles' preseason opener. But there were a lot of positives aspects of his play. Wentz showed excellent arm strength to drive the ball, and he uses his athleticism to extend plays. He was also very effective in the zone-read opportunities he was given. He did have several balls sail on him, although most were still catchable. GRADE: B

Areas for improvement: Accuracy -- especially when he's under duress -- is still an area in which he can improve. Wentz also needs to do a better job of protecting himself both in the pocket and on the move. He took some huge shots from Tampa defenders, one of which resulted in his injury.

Expectations for rookie season: I think the Eagles would love to have Wentz sit behind Sam Bradford for the entire season. If Bradford stays healthy, I believe this will be a redshirt year for Wentz. However, if he's forced to play, I believe he could handle it. He's mentally tough enough to survive the up-and-down moments that will come early in his development.

Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos
Drafted: Round 1, No. 26 overall.




Preseason analysis: Lynch was much further ahead than I anticipated during the preseason. His footwork was very crisp, considering the adjustment he's making from the offense he was in at Memphis. He displayed a huge arm and showed the ability to create with his legs. He is much more comfortable working on the edges as opposed to attacking the middle of the field. Lynch's touch and ball placement were a little spotty in the third week of the preseason. GRADE: B+

Areas for improvement: Lynch (six sacks in three games) still needs to improve his pocket awareness. He bailed early a couple of times, and he held the ball too long on occasion. He will get more comfortable in this area with more reps and game experience.

Expectations for rookie season: I know he's still pretty raw, but again, Lynch is much further along than I anticipated. His skillset is on another level than current Broncos starter Trevor Siemian. I believe he will take over the positon around the middle of the season.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Drafted: Round 4, No. 135 overall.




Preseason analysis: Prescott put on a show in the preseason, completing 39 of 50 passes (78 percent) for 454 yards, five touchdowns, zero picks and a passer rating of 137.8. I can't recall ever seeing a rookie signal caller perform better than he did this August. Prescott showed tremendous poise, accuracy, velocity and playmaking skills. He completed several beautiful touch throws down the field, as well as small-window drive throws at the intermediate level. He wasn't especially anxious to uses his legs to create plays, but when the opportunity presented itself, he took full advantage. GRADE: A+

Areas for improvement: Prescott has improved his throwing mechanics dramatically since last fall, but there are still some issues that pop up at times. He has a tendency to lock out his front leg, and that can affect his ball placement. However, that is something that can be easily fixed.

Expectations for rookie season: Due to the back injury that will keep Tony Romo out for a significant length of time, Prescott is set to begin the season as the Cowboys' starter. I believe he will perform well during Romo's absence. He's playing behind the best offensive line in the league, and he has tons of talent at the skill positions (receiver Dez Bryant, running back Ezekiel Elliott, tight end Jason Witten). He won't have the same success he enjoyed in the preseason, but I believe Prescott can be efficient and productive. Look for the Cowboys to use him more in the run game than they did in the preseason.

Cardale Jones, Buffalo Bills
Drafted: Round 4, No. 139 overall.




Preseason analysis: Jones flashed some big-time tools in the preseason (he posted 7.4 yards per throw and 5.3 yards per rush in two games, plus 8.5 yards per run and a 93.8 passer rating in the preseason opener), but he was also very inconsistent. He has outstanding arm strength to drive the ball down the field and he throws well on the move. His decision-making and accuracy are still a concern. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: Jones should see better results once he cleans up some of his footwork issues. He needs to be more crisp and deliberate in his setup. And, again, his decision-making needs to be improved.

Expectations for rookie season: Jones won't see the field this fall, but he does have the tools to eventually develop into an NFL starter down the line.

Christian Hackenberg, New York Jets
Drafted: Round 2, No. 51 overall.




Preseason analysis: Hackenberg didn't play in the first two preseason games, but he did show some positive traits in Week 3 action. He has prototypical size and arm strength and he led a nearly flawless touchdown drive. However, after that drive, his lack of poise and inconsistent ball placement were concerning. He can really lock on his first read and get mentally stuck when that throw isn't available. GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Overall, touch and accuracy are the biggest areas that needs to be improved on.

Expectations for rookie season: Hackenberg won't see the field this season, and he remains a long-term project at the position.

Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns
Drafted: Round 3, No. 93 overall.




Preseason analysis: Kessler didn't see a lot of action in the preseason, attempting just 11 passes in three games. He had one nice back-shoulder throw and a couple of accurate quick passes, but he didn't look very comfortable in the pocket. He took two safeties in the first game (including one especially embarrassing gaffe) and he held the ball too long in each game viewed (four sacks in three games). GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Kessler's feet are too busy in the pocket, and he needs to be more decisive. His deep-ball accuracy is another area that needs to be improved.

Expectations for rookie season: Kessler shouldn't see any action this season. In my opinion, he looks like a long-term backup quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Drafted: Round 3, No. 91 overall.




Preseason analysis: Brissett struggled in the first contest, completing 53.8 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 67.1. He made poor decisions and his ball placement was inconsistent at best. But he got better each week, flashing the ability to read the entire field in the Carolina game in Week 3 (completing all nine throws for 85 yards, a score and a passer rating of 143.1). He has enough arm to make all of the throws. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: His touch underneath and down the field needs improvement. Brissett is actually most comfortable on the intermediate throws. Decision-making is another area where he needs to continue to improve.

Expectations for rookie season: It looks like he will be the primary backup while Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension. It would be best for him and the Patriots if he doesn't see the field this season.

Connor Cook, Oakland Raiders
Drafted: Round 4, No. 100 overall.




Preseason analysis: Cook has ideal size (6-4, 217 pounds), a quick release and plenty of arm talent. He showed the ability to throw with touch at times, but his deep-ball accuracy was spotty. He flashed the athleticism to extend plays. The biggest issue was his tendency to force the ball into high-traffic areas, which resulted in two interceptions. GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Field vision and decision-making are the two areas in which Cook needs to improve. He has all of the physical tools and the upside to be an NFL starting quarterback.

Expectations for rookie season: He won't see the field this fall.