2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 12)

It’s a great week to be associated with Buckeye Football. It started on Thanksgiving Day through the weekend when a few Buckeye alumni set the tone for the current Bucks.

Ezekiel Elliott went over 100 yards rushing for the third consecutive game to take the NFL lead for rushing yards. Zeke ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in a 31-23 win over Washington to tie atop of the NFC East division. He also caught 5 passes for 22 yards. Rod Smith carried the ball twice for 7 yards. Noah Brown caught one pass for 22 yards.

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas was held in check by the Atlanta Falcons. He only caught 4 passes for 38 yards in the 31-17 win over their NFC South division rivals. Eli Apple led the Saints defense with 10 total tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. Vonn Bell was second on the team with 7 total tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery. Marshon Lattimore totaled 5 tackles and 2 pass breakups, while Kurt Coleman made 2 total tackles in the win.

Joey Bosa looks like he hasn’t missed a beat since missing most of the 2018 season with a foot injury. Bosa made 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and a total of 5 tackles for the LA Chargers in a 45-10 beat down of the Arizona Cardinals.

Malcolm Jenkins intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards to help the Philadelphia Eagles defeat their NFC East rival New York Giants 25-22. Jenkins also made 6 total tackles and broke up another pass to help the defending champions keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Punter Cam Johnston kicked 4 times for a total of 201 yards (50.3 avg.) and downed 2 inside the 20.

Gareon Conley broke up two passes, one that was intercepted in the end zone on the tip drill and collected 2 total tackles for the Oakland Raiders in a 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins registered 3 total tackles.

The leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the year, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward registered 4 tackles and one pass break up in Cleveland’s 35-20 domination of the Cincinnati Bengals. Sam Hubbard collected 4 total tackles in the loss for Cincinnati.

Jeff Heuerman caught 2 passes for 44 yards; his longest for 29 yards in a 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, he broke three ribs during the game that will end his season. Bradley Roby made 6 total tackles and broke up a pass, but gave up a 97-yard touchdown pass in the win. However, he did redeem himself by forcing a key fumble on James Conner in the red zone that thwarted a Steelers scoring opportunity. Cam Heyward made 3 total tackles and was credited with half a sack in defeat.

Carlos Hyde rushed for 33 yards on 10 carries in a 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Darron Lee made 6 total tackles for the New York Jets in a 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett caught 2 passes for 22 yards in a 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. Curtis Samuel also caught 2 passes, one for a 7-yard touchdown, for a total of 17 yards and rushed once for 25 yards in the loss.

Raekwon McMillan totaled 7 tackles, while his linebacker partner Jerome Baker totaled 3 for the Miami Dolphins in a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Malik Hooker made 2 tackles and broke up a pass for the Colts in the victory.

2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 11)

Hopefully Buckeye Nation was able to recover from the “great escape” at College Park, Maryland and enjoy week eleven of the NFL season and the amazing performances of several former Bucks.

Ezekiel Elliott led the way once again for the Dallas Cowboys with 122 rushing yards on 23 carries and a 23-yard touchdown run in a 22-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Elliott also caught 7 passes for 79 yards. His backup Rod Smith caught 2 passes for 8 yards in the victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cam Heyward had a game sealing fumble recovery, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and 5 total tackles in a 20-16 come from behind win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Carlos Hyde was apart of a monster rushing attack by the Jags that racked up 179 yards on the ground. Hyde chipped in 44 yards on 8 carries for an average of 5.5 a carry in defeat.

Michael Thomas had a ho-hum day–by his standards–for the New Orleans Saints in a 48-7 win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. @CantGuardMike caught 4 passes for 92 yards and a 23-yard touchdown. The Bayou Buckeyes on defense suffocated the Eagles offense. Marshon Lattimore led the team with 4 total tackles; 2-pass break ups and an interception. Vonn Bell collected 3 total tackles, Eli Apple 2 total tackles and Kurt Coleman one tackle. The Saints are now 9-1 and in first place in the NFC South and hold the tie-breaker for the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. On the Eagles side, Malcolm Jenkins made 9 total tackles and Cam Johnston punted 4 times for 159 yards (39.8 avg.) downing 2 inside the 20-yard line.

Curtis Samuel found the end zone again for the third time this season in a 20-19 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver caught 5 passes for 55 yards and the 12-yard touchdown reception from Cam Newton.

Gareon Conley picked off a pass and returned it 28 yards and collected one tackle to help the Oakland Raiders get their second win of the season over the Arizona Cardinals 23-21. Jonathan Hankins also made 2 tackles to aid the victory.

Joey Bosa returned to the LA Chargers lineup from a foot injury that caused him to miss a majority of the season and collected one tackle, but it wasn’t enough to lift the team to victory. They lost to the Denver Broncos 23-22. Jeff Heuerman caught 4 passes for 20 yards and Bradley Roby collected 3 tackles and broke up 2 passes in the victory.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Sam Hubbard collected 5 total tackles and sack and a tackle for loss in a 24-21 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Nick Vannett caught one pass for 17 yards for the Seattle Seahawks in their 27-24 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 9)

Former Buckeye pass catchers were the stars of the day around the NFL in week 9.

Michael Thomas set a career high and a New Orleans Saints franchise record with 211 receiving yards on 12 catches to hand the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season 45-35. Thomas also caught a 72-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees and celebrated by pulling out a cellphone he hid under the padding of the goal post pregame, recreating the celebration by former Saints legendary wide receiver Joe Horn from the 2003 season against the New York Giants.

The rest of the Bayou Buckeyes of Marshon Lattimore, Vonn Bell, Kurt Coleman and Eli Apple were charged with trying to contain the high-powered Rams offense. Bell and Apple each collected 4 total tackles, Lattimore 2 and Coleman one to help the Saints improve to 7-1.

Curtis Samuel got in the end zone twice for the Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The first, a 33-yard reverse where he covered 101 yards weaving from sideline to sideline while eluding Tampa defenders. The second touchdown was a 19-yard reception to help the Panthers win 42-28.

Denver Broncos Tight end Jeff Heuerman caught 10 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in a 17-19 loss to the Houston Texans.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett caught 6 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in a 25-17 loss to the LA Chargers.

Terrelle Pryor made his debut with the Buffalo Bills, his fourth team in three seasons, and caught 2 passes for 17 yards on 5 targets in a 41-9 loss to the Chicago Bears. One of those targets bounced off his hands and turned into an interception for the Bears.

Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jerome Baker picked off fellow rookie Sam Darnold and returned it 25-yards for the only touchdown in a 13-6 win over the New York Jets. Baker also collected 5 tackles. His running buddy, linebacker Raekwon McMillian registered 2 tackles and one for loss to help get the win. Jets linebacker Darron Lee made 6 total tackles and one for loss in defeat.

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward registered one tackle and two hits on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in a 23-16 victory for the Steelers, helping to run their win streak to four. Heyward’s impact can’t be measured by only looking at the box score. He was a key factor in getting pressure on Flacco causing several errant passes.

It was another tough day for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. He ran for 61 yards on 17 carries and caught 4 passes for 51 yards in a 28-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football to fall to 3-5. Elliott only touched the ball 6 times in the second half. That gives Buckeye fans nightmares of the 2015 home loss to Michigan State.

Denzel Ward made one tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 37-21 loss before having to leave the game with a hip injury.

2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 7)

The current Buckeyes embarrassing performance on Saturday night against Purdue must’ve really hurt a few of the alums in the NFL, because they had some rough days of their own on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 33 yards on 15 attempts in a 20-17 loss to Washington. The 33 rush yards are the second fewest he’s rushed for in a game in his three-year career. He also caught 2 passes for 9 yards.

Bradley Roby picked off a pass, broke up 4 more and made 2 tackles for the Denver Broncos in a 45-10 route of the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football.

Nate Ebner made one tackle on special teams for the New England Patriots in a dramatic 38-31 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Malik Hooker made one tackle for the Indianapolis Colts in a 37-5 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Rookie Sam Hubbard made 2 total tackles for Cincinnati in a 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Denzel Ward made 4 tackles, a tackle for loss, and broke up 2 passes in a 26-23 loss in their fourth overtime game of the season to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple led the G-Men with 6 total tackles in a 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Apple was traded the day after the game to the New Orleans Saints for a 4th round pick.

Speaking of New Orleans, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas caught 7 passes for 69 yards and a 5-yard touchdown in a 24-23 comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens. On the defensive side, Marshon Lattimore made 3 total tackles and broke up 2 passes, Vonn Bell registered 3 total tackles, and Kurt Coleman added 2 tackles to aid the victory.

Curtis Samuel scored his first career-rushing touchdown on a 14-yard carry to start the Carolina Panthers 17 point comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught one pass for 16 yards in the 21-17 win over the defending Super Bowl Champions. Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins collected 7 total tackles and broke up 2 passes in the loss. Cameron Johnston punted 3 times for a total of 135 yards (45.0 yard average) and pinning one inside the 20-yard line.

New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee registered 2 tackles, one pass breakup and one hit on the QB in a 37-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Friday the Cleveland Browns traded running back Carlos Hyde to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He didn’t play in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans, but is expected to suit up next week.

On the injury front, the New Orleans Saints placed Ted Ginn Junior on injured reserve with a knee issue that’s caused him to miss the last 2 games. The New York Jets released Terrelle Pryor with a tear in his groin. He’s expected to miss the next two weeks. New York would like to resign him then.

2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 6)

Week six of the 2018 NFL Season saw a former Buckeye running back return to form and a couple of linebackers lead their team to a come from behind victory.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and caught one pass for 11 yards against the vaunted Jacksonville Jaguars defense in a 40-7 victory. Rod Smith also carried the ball 5 times for only 4 yards in the win.

Carlos Hyde rushed for only 34 yards in 14 carries and Denzel Ward made 3 tackles for the Cleveland Browns in a 38-14 loss to the LA Chargers.

Raekwon McMillan made 6 total tackles and Jerome Baker made 2 tackles to help the Miami Dolphins come from behind to defeat the Chicago Bears 31-28 in overtime.

Jets wide receiver Terrelle Pryor caught 5 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in New York’s 42-34 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Linebacker Darron Lee picked off his 3rd pass of the season and led New York with 8 total tackles in the win. Colts’ safety Malik Hooker collected one tackle and broke up one pass in defeat for Indianapolis.

Bengals rookie defensive end Sam Hubbard registered one tackle and was credited with a half tackle in a 28-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Queen City. Cam Heyward lined up for the Steelers, but did not register any stats.

Denver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman caught 3 passes for 23 yards in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Bradley Roby made one tackle and registered another one for a loss and broke up a pass in defeat.

Week 6 kicked off with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the New York Giants in the Big Apple. Malcolm Jenkins collected 6 total tackles to help the Eagles become the first road team to win on Thursday Night Football, 34-13. Eagles punter Cameron Johnston punted 5 times for a total of 240 yards for an average of 48 yards per kick. Two of them were down inside the 20-yard line. On the other sideline, Eli Apple made 8 total tackles and broke up 3 passes in defeat.

2018 NFL Buckeyes (Week 4)

Several Buckeyes in the NFL played inspired by Ohio State’s huge comeback win in Happy Valley against Penn State on Saturday night.

Ezekiel Elliott, the NFL’s leading rusher, gained a career high 240 yards from scrimmage to help the Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 26-23. Zeke rushed for 152 yards on 25 carries and caught 4 passes for 88 yards. His last catch of the game set up the game winning field goal. His back up, Rod Smith, rushed for 22 yards on 6 carries.

Browns running back Carlos Hyde tried to run Cleveland to its first win streak in years. The new father ran for 82 yards on 22 carries and his 5th touchdown of the season, which is tied for first in the NFL. But, it wasn’t enough as Cleveland loss 45-42 in overtime to the Oakland Raiders. Denzel Ward made 3 total tackles in the loss. Gareon Conley picked off Baker Mayfield and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown for the Oakland Raiders to help them get their first win of the season.

The New Orleans Saints Buckeye quintuplets of Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Junior, Vonn Bell, Marshon Lattimore and Kurt Coleman took a bite out of the “Big Apple” and the New York Giants. Thomas didn’t have his usual explosive day, but was still effective with 4 catches for 47 yards. @Cantguardmike, as he is known on Twitter, still leads the NFL in receptions. Ted Ginn didn’t have any catches on 3 targets and one rush for one yard. On the defensive side, Bell made 6 total tackles and 1 pass defensed, Lattimore made 4 tackles while Coleman made one to defeat the Giants 33-18.

Jerome Baker made 10 total tackles and Raekwon McMillan 6, but it wasn’t enough to help the Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots and remain undefeated. Nate Ebner made 1 tackle for New England as the Patriots won 38-7 to avoid a three game losing streak.

Malik Hooker made one tackle for the Indianapolis Colts in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Houston Texans.

Safety Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles registered no stats in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans and their head coach, former Buckeye defensive lineman and linebacker coach Mike Vrabel. The first year head coach is 3-1 and first place in the AFC South division.  Eagles punter Cameron Johnston kicked 6 times for a total of 308 yards for an average of 51.3. 2 of those punted were downed inside the 20.

Sam Hubbard made one tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals in their thrilling 37-36 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Cam Heyward collected 5 total tackles for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 26-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

Tight end Jeff Heuerman led Denver with 4 receptions for 57 yards with a long of 36-yards on Monday Night Football in a 27-23 loss to AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. Bradley Roby made 3 tackles in defeat.

Fans Should be Pro-Player, Not Pro-Owners

Le’Veon Bell is the latest, but definitely not the last, professional athlete who’s contentious contract negotiations has caused fans to turn on him instead of the organization. Photo Courtesy: Steelers.com

UPDATED: 9/5/18

Le’Veon Bell, Aaron Donald, Julio Jones and Khalil Mack are just the latest NFL players to spend the offseason engaged in tense contract negotiations with their respective teams for a new deal that pays them what THEY feel they’re worth. This is becoming a common theme among football players as they out perform their current contracts in a violent sport. Donald, Jones and Mack have all gotten their money. Bell won’t, at least until the 2019 offseason.

The Steelers All-Pro running back reportedly turned down a reported 5 year-70 million-dollar contract ($33 million guaranteed) from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year old has said he wants to reset the market for the position, which has been devalued over the past decade. Meanwhile, L.A. Rams running back Todd Gurley may have beat him to the punch. The 24-year old signed an NFL record contract for a running back worth $60 million dollars ($45 guaranteed) over the course of four years.

Bell, however, will play his second consecutive season under the franchise tag. The tag will pay him $14.5 million for this season, which will likely be his last in Pittsburgh, according to his agent. Fans in Steelers Nation have already turned on him, calling him selfish and greedy, among spewing other ignorant and insensitive comments.

Regardless of Bell’s motivation, and desire for a contract that he feels is fair compensation of his value, I’m confused why so many fans are on the side of Billionaires, instead of Millionaire players, who have a shorter window than their employers to make their living.

Fans need to understand, the owners of their favorite teams, own multiple businesses, many of which their family, friends or themselves work for. These same negotiation tactics they use to low-ball your favorite player, are the same business principles in practice at their other companies to keep the average American’s salaries low.

For example, Stan Kroenke, the owner of the L.A. Rams — as well as the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL) the Colorado Rapids (MLS) and is also the largest shareholder of club Arsenal of the Premier League — is the husband of the daughter of Walmart co-founder James Walton. Another example would be Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, who owns Home Depot.

So, think about someone who works at one of Kroenke’s Walmart stores or Blank’s Home Depot as a Store Manager. Let’s say this Store Manager earns $50,000 a year. To most in America that’s a great salary. However, the median annual salary for this position is $56, 175 per year. But, the salary ranges between $49,129 to $67,142 across the U.S. If the Wal-Mart or Home Depot store manager went and asked for a raise from $50k to $67k, they probably wouldn’t get it all. They’d be lucky to get a $5,000 raise. Still good, but not their true market value. That’s the key word: Market Value.

See, the rich don’t get rich by spending every dime. They get rich by having great cost management skills, and that involves finding employees that don’t cost much. By much, I mean close to the minimum. An employee’s only chance at getting what they want, may be to leverage going and working for one of Wal-Mart or Home Depot’s competitors, Target and Lowes. That’s just like Professional Athletes who have to consider playing for other teams around the league who will pay them exactly or close to what they’re asking for.

Don’t let the dollar amount that professional athletes earn compared to you; blind you from the fact that this is how the rich take advantage of labor. Fans, you are labor! Just like pro athletes. Regardless of how many more commas your favorite athlete has in his or her bank account than you, you have more in common with them than the owner of your favorite team.

The same practices they use to keep the players from getting what they deserve, are the same they use against you. And if you don’t play along, they will get rid of you and find someone else who is willing to take less than you would have. NEVER forget that! Fans who disagree should go read William Rhoden’s book “Forty Million Dollar Slaves”, I’m sure they’ll gain a different perspective.

2018 NFL Rookies Most Likely Too…

The 2018 NFL season is drawing closer as Training Camps have opened across the League. Hopefully, we can spend more time talking about the action on the field and not who is, or isn’t showing up at the Hall of Famer enshrinement and other off-the-field issues.

The excitement is high to see the return of All-Pros and perennial Pro Bowlers that missed last season due to injury like J.J. Watt, David Johnson, Odell Beckham Junior and Andrew Luck to name a few. But, there’s also the anticipation of watching new stars begin their pro football journey.

256 players were drafted in April–39 linebackers, the most of any position–and there are several dozens more that will make rosters as free agents. I looked into my crystal ball and here’s how I see the 2018 class fairing in their careers.

Josh Rosen felt he should’ve been the number one overall pick, saying “there were nine mistakes made ahead of me.” The UCLA product will be out to prove he was right. Photo Courtesy: USA Today

Most likely to lead the NFL in passing yards….

Josh Rosen (10^th Overall Pick), Arizona Cardinals. Rosen was considered the most pro-ready of the quarterbacks in the 2018 class, having played in a pro-style system at UCLA, for a former NFL head coach. He’ll also play in an NFC West division that arguably has the best collective talent at the QB position. The style of play is even more up-tempo than the direction the rest of the league has taken. The opportunities will be there as he goes toe to toe with Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jared Goff.

Most likely to lead the NFL in rushing yards….

The safe and most popular pick would be Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, the second overall selection in the draft. While I believe Barkley will be a very productive back in both the run and pass game with the Giants, in the mold of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, but because he plays on the same unit as Odell Beckham Junior, Sterling Shepherd and Evan Ingram, New York will have a more balanced attack and he won’t carry the ball at a high rate.

So I’m going with another NFC East rookie runner, Darius Guice of Washington. The Former LSU back was selected with the 59th pick in the 2nd round. He slipped in the draft due to character issues, but many “experts” claim he was a first round talent. Guice is a physical, downhill runner who at 5’11” 224 pounds wants to play like Marshawn Lynch. He’ll be playing with Alex Smith who handed off to the 2017 NFL Leading rusher Kareem Hunt in Kansas City last season. Hunt was a 3rd round selection (pick 86) last spring.

Most likely to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards or receiving TDs…

Michael Gallup (3^rd round, 81^st Pick), Dallas Cowboys. Jason Whitten has retired. Dez Bryant is on the free agent market struggling to find a new home. The Cowboys will be looking for a new threat in the passing game for third-year QB Dak Prescott to build chemistry with. Gallup caught 176 passes for 2,690 yards (15.3 ypc) and 21 touchdowns in his two seasons at Colorado State. Someone will have to be Prescott’s number one option when defenses load the box to stop Zeke Elliott.

Most likely to lead the NFL in turnovers…

Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets. The third overall pick out of USC had his troubles taking care of the pigskin in college, especially against top-notch competition. He’s going to see that quality and even better every week in the NFL. This doesn’t mean he won’t have a great career, Eli Manning has led the League in turnovers twice in his career and he’s probably going to get a Gold Jacket. But Darnold is being heralded as a “Savior” for a franchise that’s been dormant for nearly a decade, especially at that position. That means he’ll likely be the first of the 2018 class of QB’s to be thrown into the fire early in their career, and make several rookie mistakes.

Most likely to lead the league in tackles…

Roquan Smith (8^th Overall Pick) Chicago Bears. The Georgia Bulldog linebacker could be the next great linebacker in the Bears book of great backers. The 2017 Butkus Award winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, racked up 252 total tackles in his three seasons “Between the Hedges.” 137 of them came last season, 14 of them for loss. Smith has a nose for the football and is always around the action. In the “Windy City” he’ll be counted on early to help the 10^th ranked total defense in 2017 stop Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins.

Most likely to lead the league in sacks…

Bradley Chubb (5^th overall pick) Denver Broncos. This could very well happen in his rookie season with the attention Von Miller will attract on the other side of the field, plus linebackers Brandon Marshall, Shane Ray and Defensive End Derek Wolfe. Who do you think is going to get the least amount of attention from opposing offensive units? This answer is Chubb. The North Carolina State product recorded 10 sacks in each of his last two seasons with the Wolfpack and 25 total in his four-year career. He also made 21 and 23 tackles for loss, proving he lives in offenses backfields.

Most likely to lead the League in interceptions (takeaways)….

Josh Jackson (2 round, pick 45) Green Bay Packers. His ball hawking skills are elite. Many have compared him to Richard Sherman, and he looked the part against Ohio State last season when he picked off 3 passes and took one to the house. The 2017 Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, intercepted 8 passes last season and took 2 back for touchdowns. He’s a big DB at 6’1″, 196 pounds, which is the direction the League is going to counter the bigger athletic wide receivers.

Most likely to be Offensive Rookie of the Year…. 

Saquon Barkley (2nd overall pick), New York Giants. You can never go wrong betting on a running back, because history has shown us they adjust to the pro game quicker. Three of the last five winners of this award were running backs. Don’t expect that to change this season. If Eli Manning continues to struggle, as he has in recent seasons, the Giants best bet to compete in what will be a highly competitive NFC East, will be to hand the ball to Barkley in the run and pass game. On another note, no Giants rookie has ever rushed for 1,000+ yards, so Barkley would be making history as well.

Most likely to be Defensive Rookie of the Year…

Mike Hughes, Minnesota Vikings (1 round, pick 30). The NFL is a predominant passing league, which means the players on the defensive side of the ball that have the best chance to standout are pass rushers and defensive backs. Hughes was a star for the UCF Knights self-claimed National Championship team. In his only season in Orlando, he intercepted 4 passes taking one back for six and broke up 11 passes. He’ll be playing on a defense that rank first last season. Hughes is also a return specialist, having returned 2 kickoffs and 1 punt for touchdowns last season. His involvement, and success, in special teams will catapult him into voters conscious.

Most likely to be steal of the draft…

Orlando Brown (3^rd round, 83^rd pick), Baltimore Ravens. Other than running back, the players that have the least struggle transitioning to the pro game are offensive lineman. The “Big Uglies” typically have the biggest upside with the lowest risk of any position. That’s why I’m going with Brown. The 2017 Unanimous All-American and two-time Big 12 Lineman of the Year had a disastrous performance at the combine, causing his draft stock to fall. But, Brown was considered a first-round talent. He comes from great pedigree. His father, the late Orlando “Zeus” Brown Senior, played six seasons for the Ravens, starting 80 games. Brown Junior will be surrounded with people who will be invested in him as a player, but as a person due to his ties with the organization.

Griffin (49) is a sentimental hero, but don’t let that blind you from the fact that he’s an elite athlete with the skills and determination to be great. Photo Courtesy: USA Today.

Most likely to be a perennial All-Pro…. 

Shaquem Griffin (5th round, 141 pick) Seattle Seahawks. Everyone fell so in love with his inspiring story, a guy playing without a hand, that they almost ignored his dominating performance for a UCF Knight team that was the only team in major college football to finish the 2017 season undefeated.

His combine test scores alone should have catapulted him into the first round, but teams were scared off by what they consider a disability. They’ll undoubtedly, regret that. Then there’s his game film. If you watched any one UCF game in 2017, you saw this guy pop off the screen. He totaled 17 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in his college career as a linebacker. You should never better against a guy that’s overcome what he has. Playing along side his twin brother in Seattle, I see him being able to lead the new era of Seahawks like he did in central Florida.

Most likely to be NFL Defensive Player of the Year…

Bradley Chubb, for the same reasons I mentioned previously as to why I feel he will lead the NFL in sacks. Pass rushers are a premium in the League, and historically, they win this award more than any other defensive positions. The last eight winners were pass rushers, Calais Campbell, Khalil Mack and JJ Watt were the most recent winners. If he can disrupt NFL QBs like his new teammate, Von Miller, he will take home this award at some point in his career.

Most likely to be NFL MVP….

This award always goes to the quarterback who’s on the team with the best record in the League. In the last ten seasons, a quarterback won the award nine times. Running Back Adrian Peterson was the exception in 2012. So of course I should pick a QB, right? Yes, and I’m going with Sam Darnold. If you’ve read this far — first off, thanks — you know I believe Darnold will be a turnover machine early on in his career, which he was in college. But, I like his overall makeup and I think the early growing pains are going to serve him greatly in his development. If he wins games in that city, for that organization, he’ll have the big market bias and narrative, voters swoon over.

NFL Buckeyes (2017, Conference Championship)

Before the games kicked off on the field, a Buckeye lived a dream. 3-time New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion Mike Vrabel was named head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel spent 4-seasons on the Houston Texans staff and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017. He also spent three seasons on Ohio State’s defensive staff as linebackers coach and defensive line coach from 2011-2013.

More good Buckeyes news, Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers was named to the Pro Bowl team as an alternate. He was originally snubbed from the game after having a career season that earned him an All-Pro selection. The game will be played in Orlando, January 28th.

The Super Bowl LII matchup is set. The New England Patriots will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4th. These two teams met back in Super XXXIX in Jacksonville after the 2004 season. The Pats won 24-21. This will be the sixth time in NFL history that teams have met for a second time.

The New England Patriots came back from down 10 in the fourth quarter to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20 in the AFC Championship game.

The Eagles blew out the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in the NFC Championship game with a strong performance from the defense. Safety Malcolm Jenkins recorded 3 tackles. This will be Jenkins second trip to the Super Bowl. He won with the New Orleans Saints at Super Bowl XLIV. 

NFL Buckeyes (2017, Wild Card Weekend)

The 2017 College Football Playoff committee left Ohio State out, we can argue all day if it was the right call (I think it was), but for Scarlet and Gray fans, there are plenty of Buckeyes playing NFL Playoff football and playing well that you can root for. 

The New Orleans Quartet of Buckeyes have been leading the way for the Saints all season, and it was no different in the Wild Card round against the Carolina Panthers. Mike Thomas caught 8 passes for 131 yards, and Ted Ginn Junior caught 5 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in a 31-26 win. Vonn Bell led the way for the defense with 9 total tackles (7 solo), 1 tackles for loss and a game clinching sack on Cam Newton. Rookie Marshon Lattimore made 2 total tackles and broke up 2 passes in his first ever playoff action. The Saints will play at the Minnesota Vikings next week. Panthers’ safety Kurt Coleman played despite an ankle injury. 

Adolphus Washington and the Buffalo Bills made their first trip to the playoffs since 1999. Washington made 1 tackle for the Bills in a 10-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh Steelers had the week off, but the 7th year defensive lineman made some headlines. After being snubbed for the Pro Bowl, he was named 1st-team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He’s the only Buckeyes to make either the 1st or 2nd team this season. Pittsburgh will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday.

There was also encouraging news on Pittsburgh Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier. His father, Vernon Shazier, told local media in the “Steel City” that Ryan has feeling in his legs. He went on to say that the night of the injury his son told him he couldn’t feel his legs. But, Mr. Shazier went on to say that they will keep the rest of Ryan’s progress private.