ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first NFL mock draft of the year. Kiper has two quarterbacks going in the top two, three in the top five, and four overall in the first round. Recent NFL drafts have indicated that teams usually scramble to pick quarterbacks early, and this year should be no different. Though the NFL Draft is still months away, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper has his first mock draft up and it suggests the top of the board will be a scramble for quarterbacks. Predicting the NFL Draft at this point can be tough – as Kiper noted, teams still have to go through medical exams, the combine, workouts, and free agency to identify what positions they need and who they like best. Yet, compared to last year, when Myles Garrett was the sure-fire top prospect, this year’s class has very little clarity, particularly before the combine and workouts. However, the idea that this year’s class is heavy on … [Read more...] about ESPN’s NFL draft expert released his first big board, and it looks like the draft will be a scramble for quarterbacks
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NFL asks reporters to specify their race in Super Bowl media pass applications
The NFL is requiring journalists covering Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis to provide racial identification in requesting credentials to be admitted to the Feb. 4 game.Journalists for years have been asked to provide either a Social Security number or passport number and a photo for FBI security checks for the game, but have not been asked to specify their race, a field that is mandatory in the online press pass application form.The NFL until this year conducted security checks on media members on its own, while the FBI performed checks on other credentialed personnel, such as vendors or stadium attendants, league spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Washington Post.For this year’s game, the league asked the FBI to perform security checks on all credentialed personnel, including members of the media, McCarthy said. The NFL’s security department, which controls the composition of the application form, attempted to make the press credentialing process “consistent with … [Read more...] about NFL asks reporters to specify their race in Super Bowl media pass applications
Our gambling guide to the best bets for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs
After an exciting weekend of Wild Card action, just eight teams remain in the battle to become Super Bowl champions. More importantly for the gambling public, there’s just seven games of professional football remaining before we have to resort to gambling on basketball and baseball as we wait for the 2018 preseason. Thankfully, as the slates get shorter, our gambling options grow far wider, with props and side bets available on every game remaining on the NFL schedule.Last week we went 3-1 against the spread as every underdog was able to cover the number, with two of them winning outright. Unfortunately, our prop bet picks were slightly less successful, resulting in our winnings being cut down to a meager $65. That said, had Marcus Mariota completed one more pass and Tyrod Taylor gained just one more yard rushing, we’d be sitting pretty with $275 in our pockets. I’m not crying over lost wages, but rather trying to take comfort in the fact that it feels … [Read more...] about Our gambling guide to the best bets for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs
NFL football is a game of seconds
It has been proved time and again that football is, as Vince Lombardi said, a game of inches. Teams win or lose based on the smallest of distances. A deep pass glances off a receiver’s fingertips. One or two links of a chain force a team to punt instead of keeping the ball.But football is also a game of speed. And the measurement of that speed can help explain why a deep pass wasn’t caught. Or why a running back was tackled two chain links short of a first down.Thanks to computer chips inserted into NFL players’ shoulder pads, we can measure and analyze the speed at which the game is played. The data, provided here by Sportradar, is used by teams to help make personnel decisions, scout opponents and even call plays. It also helps separate players who have “game speed” from those who merely run fast at the NFL combine.“Combine speed is overrated,” Los Angeles Rams receiver Tavon Austin said. “It might give you a good look to see what you … [Read more...] about NFL football is a game of seconds
Playoffs could change perception for NFL QBs Taylor, Bortles
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Benched earlier this season and questioned for years, Tyrod Taylor and Blake Bortles have a chance to change public perception on the NFL’s playoff stage. Taylor helped Buffalo end the longest, current post-season drought in North American pro sports (17 years) while Bortles led Jacksonville to its first playoff berth since the 2007 season.Whichever one wins the next game could do wonders for his image.The Jaguars (10-6) host the Bills (9-7) in an AFC wild-card game Sunday, a win-or-go-home matchup that means as much to the quarterbacks as anyone.The Bills were in talks with free agent Brian Hoyer in March and ready to part ways with Taylor until he agreed to restructure his contract extension and make it a two-year deal worth $30.5 million. He has one year remaining, but the team could save $10 million by moving on after this season. … [Read more...] about Playoffs could change perception for NFL QBs Taylor, Bortles