Telvin Smith on Wednesday became the latest Jaguars player to state big expectations for his team, saying it was the best in the NFL.
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LB Smith latest on Jags to boast big on team
Telvin Smith on Wednesday became the latest Jaguars player to state big expectations for his team, saying it was the best in the NFL.
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LB Smith latest on Jags to boast big on team
Ryan Mayer Fantasy football season is nearly upon us. So, if you’re like me, and were focused on other things over the last few months, you probably need a quick refresher before your league holds its draft. That’s what we’re here for, to take you through the projections of the top 10 rankings for each position while also pointing you to where you can find overall projections for all off the players heading into this season. We already did quarterbacks , now it’s time to focus on the real backbone of any fantasy team: running backs. For as devalued as running backs have become in today’s NFL, at least from a contract perspective, a top-tier guy or breakout star could make your fantasy season. So, as you prepare your draft strategy, here’s a look at who CBS Sports is projecting to be the top guys headed into this season. Once again, we note that this is based on standard scoring projections. For PPR, go here . Positions | QB | 1) Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams Owner of the new highest-paying contract for a running back, Gurley flourished last season under the offensive system of new head coach Sean McVay. CBSSports.com is expecting more of the same this year, as the Rams brought everybody back and added wide receiver Brandin Cooks. CBSSports.com Projections- 291 Fantasy Points (18.2 FPPG) 1,392 rushing yards 12 TDs & 694 receiving yards with 5 TDs 2) Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers Bell has consistently been one of the most productive backs for fantasy owners over the past several years. Heading into this season, Bell will be even more motivated to produce, as his contract dispute with the Steelers has ended with him playing on the franchise tag once more. To prove he’s worth a big contract, Bell will likely want to put up big numbers and CBSSports.com is projecting him to finish with 20 more fantasy points than he did last season. CBSSports.com Projections- 260 Fantasy Points (16.25 FPPG) 1,350 rushing yards with 10 TDs & 728 receiving yards with 2 TDs Credit: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images 3) Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints A breakout star in 2017, Kamara proved to be effective both in the running game and in the passing game, exactly the kind of dual-threat back that proves to be the most useful in fantasy football and actual football these days. He won’t get as many carries as the two guys above him, since he’s splitting the backfield with Mark Ingram. But Kamara still promises to be an effective fantasy option regardless. CBSSports.com Projections- 231 Fantasy Points (14.4 FPPG) 933 rushing yards with 9 TDs & 732 receiving yards with 5 TDs 4) Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys Elliott missed time last year due to the NFL’s suspension for some of his off-field antics, and he couldn’t replicate his dominant rookie campaign because of it. With no suspension looming over him this time around, Elliott should once again be the focal point of the offense. When you consider the unsettled nature of the passing game due to a questionable receiving corps, Elliott should see even more of the ball in 2018. CBSSports.com Projections- 213 Fantasy Points (13.3 FPPG) 1,348 rushing yards with 8 TDs & 388 receiving yards with 2 TDs 5) Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs Hunt, like Kamara, was a middle-round pick who became a star once the season began. He tailed off down the stretch, so did the Chiefs really, but this year he’s likely to be a bit more of a security blanket, as K.C. will trot out first-time starter Patrick Mahomes. After showing dual-threat capability last year, Hunt will look to build on his debut year. CBSSports.com Projections- 200 Fantasy Points (12.5 FPPG) 1,118 rushing yards with 8 TDs & 402 receiving yards with 3 TDs 6) David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals Johnson was the number one overall pick in many leagues last year after proving to be a workhorse running and catching the football in 2016. Then he dislocated his wrist in the opener, ending his season before it got started, much to the frustration of fantasy owners. Because of that, the projection systems aren’t quite as high on him this season. But there’s a pretty good chance that with Sam Bradford at QB and a depleted receiving corps outside of Larry Fitzgerald, Johnson will be asked to pick up the slack on offense. CBSSports.com Projections- 197 Fantasy Points (12.3 FPPG) 818 rushing yards with 6 TDs & 883 receiving yards with 3 TDs Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images 7) Saquon Barkley, New York Giants The rookie running back out of Penn State may be the most hyped RB we’ve seen since Adrian Peterson coming out of Oklahoma. However, Barkley is hyped for a different reason. Barkley is in the same mold as most of the guys on this list, outside of Zeke Elliott. He can catch out of the backfield and also provides a dominant presence in the ground game. People are expecting big things from Barkley, CBSSports.com’s projection system included. CBSSports.com Projections- 192 Fantasy Points (12 FPPG) 1,123 rushing yards with 8 TDs & 425 receiving yards with 2 TDs 8) Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers Did you know Gordon ended last season as the running back with the fifth-most fantasy points? I certainly didn’t. He was productive for the Chargers, but purely by playing for the Chargers, the ‘other’ team in L.A., he didn’t get much notoriety. But he’s a solid fantasy option, and CBSSports.com expects more of the same this season. CBSSports.com Projections- 188 Fantasy Points (11.7 FPPG) 1,030 rushing yards with 8 TDs & 406 receiving yards with 3 TDs Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images 9) Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars battering ram of a running back had a solid rookie season, as Jacksonville tried to beat their opponents into the ground with the running game and a ferocious defense. This year is likely to be more of the same, as Blake Bortles is still the QB for the Jags, and he lost receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. While Bortles finds chemistry with the new guys, Fournette will chug along on the ground. CBSSports.com Projections- 183 Fantasy Points (11.4 FPPG) 1,148 rushing yards with 9 TDs & 290 receiving yards with 1 TD 10) Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers This is the biggest surprise of the projection system to me. McKinnon has never started more than seven games in his career, so it’s unclear what he’ll do with a full-time role. But, based on his part-time stats, it’s understandable to see this kind of projection with a full 16-game load. CBS Sports Projection- 176 Fantasy Points (11 FPPG) 885 rushing yards with 7 TDs & 552 receiving yards with 2 TDs
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Fantasy Football Preview: Top 10 Running Backs
Several NFL stars are staying away from training camp in hopes of getting a better contract. We take a look at who’s holding out and why.
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Camp holdouts at a glance: Who, why and what’s next
Several NFL stars are staying away from training camp in hopes of getting a better contract. We take a look at who’s holding out and why.
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Camp holdouts at a glance: Who, why and what’s next
NFL Nation looks at the top storylines heading into training camp for all 32 teams.
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Camp questions, QB depth charts and bubble watch for all 32 teams
NFL Nation looks at the top storylines heading into training camp for all 32 teams.
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Camp questions, QB depth charts and bubble watch for all 32 teams
Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving will not be punished by the NFL under the personal conduct policy stemming from a domestic violence allegation made by a former girlfriend that was later recanted, sources told ESPN.
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Sources: Irving won’t face discipline for DV case
Word of Todd Gurley’s new four-year deal has spread across the NFL universe, and players are weighing in.
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Todd Gurley’s deal grabs attention of Le’Veon Bell, other NFL stars
Ravens coach John Harbaugh doesn’t believe the bodies of rookies are tough enough to handle the rigors of NFL practices like they were in the past.
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Ravens’ Harbaugh: Rookies aren’t tough enough
EA Sports to review Tyrone Crawford’s image in Madden NFL 2018 after the Dallas Cowboys player complained about his likeness online.
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Boys’ Crawford: Madden image unacceptable
Ryan Mayer Training camp gets underway this week for most of the NFL, which means we’re just about a month and a half away from our first football action of the 2018-19 season. After a wild 2017-18 season ended with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the pile as Super Bowl champions, it’s time to gear up for the season by checking in with teams across the country. We reached out to four CBS Local TV sports anchors to get their thoughts on their local team’s chances heading into a new year of football. First up, we headed to Philadelphia, to ask CBS3’s Don Bell for his thoughts on the biggest question that the defending champions face as they get set to attempt to continue their reign. “The health of Carson Wentz,” said Bell. “Last year, he was the MVP of the league when he tore his knee in L.A. against the Rams. What is his health? Will he be ready for Opening Night? That is a big question mark facing the Eagles. If he’s ready to roll, watch out.” What about the Birds’ opponents from Super Bowl LII? Well, WBZ-TV sports anchor Steve Burton told us that the supporting cast on offense around quarterback Tom Brady is the biggest question mark. “Who is Tom Brady going to throw to in the receiving corps,” said Burton. “We all know who the tight end is, in Rob Gronkowski. But, now that Danny Amendola is gone, Julian Edelman is going to miss the first four games of the season, no Brandin Cooks, who is Brady’s go-to guy?” Despite those questions surrounding last season’s Super Bowl participants, the expectations for those teams remain the same: make it back to the Super Bowl. But the rest of the league will probably have something to say about that, particularly in Minnesota, where the Vikings are hoping for another shot at the Eagles after last year’s conference championship game loss. “This team is coming off a 13-3 year. They had the number-one rated defense in the NFL, averaging just 15 points per game given up last year, so the ceiling is extremely high for this team.” said WCCO-TV sports anchor Mike Rosen. “They’ve been building towards this and they fell short last year, obviously, but they feel they are Super Bowl-worthy right now.” Outside of Minnesota, there’s a team in the Eagles own division that is looking to knock the champs off their throne, as the Dallas Cowboys look to rebound from a disappointing 2017 campaign. “Now chasing the Super Bowl champ Eagles in their own division, no one is picking the Cowboys to even win the NFC East much less do anything in the postseason,” said CBS 11 sports anchor Bill Jones. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys surprised the preseason prognosticators this year. I’m picking a 10-6 season for the Cowboys this year.” For more of the guys’ thoughts on their team’s outlook at the start of training camp, check out the video above.
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Biggest Questions Facing Eagles, Patriots Heading Into Training Camp
MIAMI (AP) — Tony Sparano once beat Bill Belichick with the single wing, but wasn’t as old as that made him sound. Sparano was only 56 when he died unexpectedly Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings announced his death in a statement that did not provide a cause. He had been the Vikings’ offensive line coach since 2016. The most memorable moment in Sparano’s 19-year NFL coaching career came in 2008, when he was a rookie head coach with the Miami Dolphins, inheriting a team that had gone 1-15 the previous season. In Week 3 he surprised Belichick with a single wing-style formation that the Dolphins called the wildcat, and they won at New England 38-13. The wildcat became a fad around the league, and the stunning upset propelled Sparano’s team to 11 wins and the AFC East title. It’s one of two playoff berths for the franchise since 2002. That was Sparano’s lone winning season, and he was fired in 2011 after going 29-32 in Miami. He was popular with his players, but a dismal home record, declining attendance and a falling-out with general manager Jeff Ireland accelerated his firing by owner Stephen Ross. Sparano was the Oakland Raiders’ interim head coach in 2014 after the team fired Dennis Allen, and he went 3-9. He also worked as an assistant for the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys and 49ers, and most recently for Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “I love Tony Sparano,” Zimmer said in a statement. “He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us, but Tony will be sorely missed by all.” Sparano’s former players also paid tribute. “Heart broken and lost for words! We lost a great man,” tweeted Brian Hartline, who played receiver for Sparano in Miami. “Damn I’m at a loss for words,” tweeted Raiders Pro Bowl tackle Donald Penn. “Coach Sparano taught me so much not just about football about life also.” Sparano played at the University of New Haven where he was a four-year letterman. He was hired as New Haven’s head coach in 1994 and held that position for five seasons. In Miami, Sparano lost his first two games before turning to the wildcat. Six times they ran plays from the formation at New England, snapping the ball directly to running back Ronnie Brown, and four of those plays resulted in touchdowns. “It was like playing hide and go seek, making them guess,” Brown said at the time. Sparano said the Dolphins began practicing the wildcat during training camp but waited until the Patriots game to spring it. “This is not something that just came up and we scribbled on the board a couple of days ago,” the coach said. Defenses soon adjusted, and a sputtering offense in Sparano’s final two seasons at Miami contributed to his firing. But the Dolphins haven’t won at New England since the wildcat game. “We were saddened to learn of Tony Sparano’s tragic and unexpected passing,” owner Ross said in a statement. “Tony made an indelible impact on our team’s history. His toughness, grit and leadership were evident to everyone who had the chance to coach with or play for him.” (@Copyright 2018. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Vikings Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano Dead At 56
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The New York Giants have signed rookie first-round pick running back Saquon Barkley to a contract. The deal is worth $31.2 million over four years and includes a $20.76 million signing bonus, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported. Pen to paper, @saquon has signed his contract!!! #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/yJ0mSiQqJh — New York Giants (@Giants) July 22, 2018 The No. 2 overall selection from Penn State rushed for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns and caught 102 passes, eight for scores, in three seasons with the Nittany Lions. He had 5,538 total yards on 791 touches for averages of 7.0 yards per play and 145.7 yards per game. MORE: Everything You Need To Know For 2018 NY Giants Training Camp Barkley joins four draft choices who had previously signed: guard Will Hernandez of UTEP (second round), outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter of Georgia (third round), defensive tackle B.J. Hill of North Carolina State (third round), and quarterback Kyle Lauletta of Richmond (fourth round). Defensive tackle RJ McIntosh, a fifth-rounder, is the only unsigned draft choice. Coach Pat Shurmur will hold his first practice Monday with the team’s rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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Giants Ink No. 2 Overall Pick Saquon Barkley To Contract
Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and had stints as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders
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Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach dies at 56
MIAMI (CBSNewYork/AP) — Tony Sparano once beat Bill Belichick with the single wing, but wasn’t as old as that made him sound. Sparano was only 56 when he died unexpectedly Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings announced his death in a statement that did not provide a cause. He had been the Vikings’ offensive line coach since 2016. Sparano also served as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 2012, replacing Brian Schottenheimer under head coach Rex Ryan. Our deepest condolences are with Coach Sparano’s family and the entire Vikings organization. https://t.co/vsd2Rb7ij0 — New York Jets (@nyjets) July 22, 2018 The most memorable moment in Sparano’s 19-year NFL coaching career came in 2008, when he was a rookie head coach with the Miami Dolphins, inheriting a team that had gone 1-15 the previous season. In Week 3 he surprised Belichick with a single wing-style formation that the Dolphins called the wildcat, and they won at New England 38-13. The wildcat became a fad around the league, and the stunning upset propelled Sparano’s team to 11 wins and the AFC East title. It’s one of two playoff berths for the franchise since 2002. That was Sparano’s lone winning season, and he was fired in 2011 after going 29-32 in Miami. He was popular with his players, but a dismal home record, declining attendance and a falling-out with general manager Jeff Ireland accelerated his firing by owner Stephen Ross. Sparano was the Oakland Raiders’ interim head coach in 2014 after the team fired Dennis Allen, and he went 3-9. He also worked as an assistant for the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys and 49ers, and most recently for Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “I love Tony Sparano,” Zimmer said in a statement. “He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us, but Tony will be sorely missed by all.” Giants Head Coach Pat Shurmur worked with Sparano for the past two years in Minnesota. Coach Pat Shurmur shares his thoughts on the passing of Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/6BXPdQcaxv — New York Giants (@Giants) July 22, 2018 “We both showed up at the same time,” Shurmur said in a statement. “We were the new guys, we quickly became friends and it didn’t take long for me to realize and respect what a good person and good coach he was.” Sparano’s former players also paid tribute. “Heart broken and lost for words! We lost a great man,” tweeted Brian Hartline, who played receiver for Sparano in Miami. “Damn I’m at a loss for words,” tweeted Raiders Pro Bowl tackle Donald Penn. “Coach Sparano taught me so much not just about football about life also.” Sparano played at the University of New Haven where he was a four-year letterman. He was hired as New Haven’s head coach in 1994 and held that position for five seasons. In Miami, Sparano lost his first two games before turning to the wildcat. Six times they ran plays from the formation at New England, snapping the ball directly to running back Ronnie Brown, and four of those plays resulted in touchdowns. “It was like playing hide and go seek, making them guess,” Brown said at the time. Sparano said the Dolphins began practicing the wildcat during training camp but waited until the Patriots game to spring it. “This is not something that just came up and we scribbled on the board a couple of days ago,” the coach said. Defenses soon adjusted, and a sputtering offense in Sparano’s final two seasons at Miami contributed to his firing. But the Dolphins haven’t won at New England since the wildcat game. “We were saddened to learn of Tony Sparano’s tragic and unexpected passing,” owner Ross said in a statement. “Tony made an indelible impact on our team’s history. His toughness, grit and leadership were evident to everyone who had the chance to coach with or play for him.” (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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Ex-Jets Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano Dies At 56