Month: July 2020

PFF names Najee Harris the 4th best RB in 2021 NFL Draft

Pro Football Focus released their preseason running back rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft, and Alabama’s Najee Harris was named the 4th best.

Pro Football Focus released their preseason running back rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft, and Alabama’s Najee Harris was named the 4th best.

Najee Harris
Nov 30, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

This is what PFF had to say about Harris:

“We knew Harris could shrug off arm tackles with the best of them heading into 2019 (112 career broken tackles on 387 attempts), but we didn’t know what the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder could do in the passing game after hauling in only 10 catches in two seasons. He proved that in a big way with 27 catches and this beauty against LSU in 2019.

While that boosted his draft stock in our eyes, there’s still one glaring issue. He’s likely the slowest running back on this entire list. Cracking 4.6 seconds in the 40 would be a massive surprise for the senior running back. On 387 career rushing attempts, Harris has never had a run longer than 35 yards. That’s not the way the position is trending in the NFL.”

Harris, who decided to return for his senior season, has done everything he can to help the Crimson Tide each season.

In his first season at Alabama, Harris recorded 370 yards off of 61 carries for 3 touchdowns. In his sophomore season, Najee had 117 carries for 783 yards and 4 touchdowns. And, finally, last season Harris’ role became more dominate on offense, especially after Tua Tagovailoa endured a season-ending injury. Harris finished the season with 1,224 yards rushing off of 209 carries. He also had a career-best 13 touchdowns.

In his career, he has over 2,300 rushing yards and 20 TDs, as well as over 350 receiving yards with another 7 TDs.

There’s no doubt Harris will not only have a dominant role on Alabama’s offense this season, but he’s also someone to look out for in the Heisman race.

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WGC-FedEx St. Jude notes: Brendon Todd’s confidence; Brooks Koepka’s putting

Brendon Todd, a 35-year-old with three career PGA Tour wins, has never finished better than 23rd in a World Golf Championships event.

Brendon Todd, a 35-year-old with three career PGA Tour wins, has never finished better than 23rd in a World Golf Championships event.

But after a first-round 64, Todd fired a 65 Friday at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and, at 11-under, will carry a two-stroke lead over Rickie Fowler into the third round.

Todd said he is putting better this week than he has all year. The highlight Friday was a 50-footer he sank on the par-3 14th for birdie.

“Yeah, it was a little bit in between clubs there, so I shot 6-iron to the left side of the green, safe shot, and had 50 feet over the mound,” Todd said. “It was breaking left to right five or six feet. My caddie really kind of set me up with a good spot there beyond the hole to aim at and I just focused all on speed. it happened to just drift right there in the middle of the hole. Bonus birdie there, but that’s what you’ve got to do to win golf tournaments sometimes and that’s how you shoot low rounds.”

Two of Todd’s three wins came in November at the Bermuda Championship and Mayakoba Golf Classic.

“In my whole life, this is definitely the most confident I’ve ever felt with my golf game,” the former Georgia golfer said. “It’s probably the most versatile I’ve ever been ball-striking-wise. I still don’t hit it far, but I feel like I’m able to shape shots a little bit. And my short game’s solid, so it just kind of comes down to how the putting is.”

Koepka’s short-game struggles return

Brooks Koepka appeared to put his recent putting struggles behind him Thursday.

In the first round, the defending champion sailed smoothly to a career low-tying 62 and entered Friday’s second round atop the leaderboard.

He maintained some of that momentum early in the second round, getting to 10-under, but a three-putt double bogey on No. 2 sent Koepka into a mini-spiral. He needed 10 putts over a four-hole stretch, which included a bogey on the fifth. Another bogey on No. 7 left the 30-year-old at 1-over for the round.

Koepka, tied for third at 7-under, will begin Round 3 well within striking distance of Todd.

“I’ve got 36 holes to go, man, I ain’t worried,” Koepka said.

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Phil Mickelson not going away

Phil Mickelson, 50, turned in a solid second-round showing.

After an opening-round 67, Mickelson shot an even-par 70 Friday, leaving him tied with five others for 15th.

“Although I’m eight back, I feel like I’m in a position that if I can get a hot round, and I’ve certainly shot some of those over the years, if I get a hot round (Saturday), I can move right up into contention for Sunday, which is what I would love, just to have a chance on Sunday,” Mickelson said.

Where’s Rory?

Rory McIlroy, the No. 2 golfer in the world, let things get away from him a bit in the first round, beginning with the par-3 No. 4, when his tee shot found the water. That sparked a string of three straight bogeys and he finished at 3-over 73.

But McIlroy recovered Friday and did so around the same stretch that gave him so much trouble the day before.

Following a birdie on No. 3, McIlroy drilled a 23-foot putt on the fourth for another birdie and added one more on No. 5.

McIlroy shot a 4-under 66 for his round although he is still 10 shots off the lead. He has four straight finishes outside the top 10 after 12 out of 14 top 10 finishes.

Rounds of the day

The best second-round showings belonged to Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kevin Na, who shot 6-under 64.

Fitzpatrick, tied for sixth at 6-under, had an eagle and five birdies. He has five European Tour wins and is seeking his first PGA Tour win.

Na, tied for 12th at 4 under, had six birdies, including five on the back nine after starting on No. 10.

The four-time PGA Tour winner tied for 43rd at last year’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

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NFL analyst: Minkah Fitzpatrick may be best safety in NFL

Former Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is making a lot of noise in the NFL and one anayst thinks he may be on top of the league.

NFL Network analyst Adam Rank joined his colleagues to discuss which secondary reigns supreme in the league for the 2020 season. While there were a few teams mentioned, Rank names the Pittsburgh Steelers as his pick, and believes former Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is a main reason way.

Minkah, who was drafted in the 2018 NFL draft early in the first round by the Miami Dolphins, found his groove in year No. 2 in the league, after requesting a trade out of Miami.

His move to Pittsburgh brought him stability at a position in an easy-to-learn system, the Steelers decided to use him exclusively at safety, whereas the Dolphins had him bounce around the secondary.

Rank, who claimed he believes Pittsburgh has the best defensive secondary in the NFL had this to say:

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best secondary in football,” says Rank. “I say this even with Terrell Edmunds still entrenched at strong safety. He’s the Paul Roma of the Steelers’ Four Horsemen in the defensive backfield, which is led by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. I know a lot of people were stunned when the Steelers offered a first-round pick for Fitzpatrick, but he’s proven to be a worthy investment. If he isn’t the best safety in the game, he’s clearly in the conversation.”

The “worthy investment” was receiving Fitzpatrick and a 2020 fourth-round pick in exchange for 2020 first and fifth round picks, as well as a 2021 sixth-round selection.

Rank also mentions that Fitzpatrick must be in the conversation for the best safety in the NFL, and one must wonder if the same would be said about the former Alabama star if he stayed put in Miami.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Minkah Fitzpatrick as he continues to traverse his way to NFL stardom.

 

 

Bill O’Brien says Texans respect DT Eddie Vanderdoes’ opt-out decision

Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien says he and the staff respect DT Eddie Vanderdoes’ decision to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.

The Houston Texans took a ding to their defensive line depth when defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes decided to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season.

Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien told reporters Friday that he had a personal conversation with the former Oakland Raiders 2017 third-round pick, who was “very respectful.”

“He called and we talked about it,” O’Brien said. “He does have a pre-existing condition and he’s also had family members that have dealt with it over the last six months. He’s making a decision in the best interest of his family and we respect that decision.”

The Texans claimed former 2019 undrafted free agent Albert Huggins off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles to take Vanderdoes’ place. Huggins previously was with the Texans in the 2019 offseason and was a member of the club’s practice squad.

O’Brien says when he has conversations with players about opting out, he gives them a listening ear; he doesn’t have a “specific end in mind.”

Said O’Brien: “The players have just entered the building, so you don’t start with the end in mind in any conversation. You just listen. You got to be a great listener. You have to be a great listener. Players are going through it. Staff are going through it. Everybody’s going through it, so we just have to, as a staff, be great listeners. Yes, I’ve tried to lend my ear to all the players and as best I can, be there for them and our staff as we walk through the first, let’s call it couple weeks of doing this full speed, to be available for any trepidations or hesitations somebody might have. We’ve tried to be there for everybody – players, staff, coach – anybody.”

Players have until Aug. 3 to opt-out of the season. The Texans do not currently have any players listed on the COVID-19 reserve.

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Report: Disconnect remains between 49ers and TE George Kittle in contract talks

George Kittle and the 49ers still aren’t close on contract talks according to NFL Network’s Mike Silver.

While training camp draws closer, the 49ers and tight end George Kittle remain far apart in contract talks. NFL Network’s Mike Silver on Friday reported that a disconnect remains between the two sides as they negotiate the financials on a contract extension for Kittle as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

San Francisco selected Kittle in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and he quickly made himself an indispensable part of the offense. His 2,945 receiving yards are the most ever by a tight end through their first three seasons. While starring as the team’s No. 1 receiver for the last two years, he’s also carved out a role as an elite run blocker who helped pave the way for the NFL’s No. 2-ranked rushing attack last year.

According to Silver, the rift between the two sides stems from positional value. While the 49ers are happy to overhaul the tight end market for Kittle, Kittle has his eyes on dollar figures typically reserved for a more lucrative position.

“There remains a pretty significant disconnect philosophically between the 49ers and George Kittle’s camp,” Silver said Friday on NFL Network. “The 49ers believe they want to reset the tight end market and give him a great tight end deal. And Kittle’s kind of saying, ‘I think I’m more than just a tight end.’

“George Kittle, who was just voted the seventh-best player in the league by his peers … is thinking, ‘I don’t want to be called a tight end for the purposes of these negotiations.'”

Austin Hooper reset the market this offseason when he signed a four-year deal worth $42 million. While the 49ers are looking to settle on a deal north of Hooper’s $10.5 million average annual value, Kittle could be aiming for something in the range of a top wide receiver. The top 10 receivers all make more than $16.2 million.

49ers general manager John Lynch said in an interview on Bay Area radio Tuesday that uncertainty about the 2021 salary cap in the wake of a season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the team’s negotiations. Now that there’s a little more certainty, perhaps the two sides could get closer on a deal.

Kittle showed up to training camp on the required reporting date, which is good news for the 49ers. The All-Pro tight end said he intends on participating regardless of the state of extension talks.

The 49ers have a lot of leverage in this scenario thanks to the franchise tag, but that’s not likely the route they want to go with a player as essential as Kittle. This isn’t a massive issue yet for San Francisco, but it’s certainly not one they want carrying through what’s already sure to be a difficult season. The sooner they can find a middle ground with their star tight end the better.

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Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Florida Panthers at New York Islanders NHL Playoffs Qualifier Round sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders tangle Saturday in Game 1 of their best-of-five NHL Playoffs Qualifier Series round at 4 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, one of two hub locations for the NHL restart. We analyze the Panthers-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Thomas Greiss

Bobrovsky, who made the start in Wednesday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, registered a 23-19-6 record, 3.23 goals-against average and .900 save percentage across 50 games (49 starts). It wasn’t exactly the type of production the team hoped they’d get from Bobrovsky after backing up a Brink’s truck to his house last offseason. However, he can wash all of those buyer’s remorse feelings away with a strong postseason run. It might be tough, however, as he was 0-2-0 in two starts against the Isles, although he had a respectable 2.05 GAA and .938 SV%.

Greiss was the backstop in a 2-1 exhibition win over the rival New York Rangers on Wednesday night, a good sign he’ll be manning the crease in Game 1 against the Cats. While “Bob” was pretty good against the Isles this season, Greiss was just a little better against the Panthers. Greiss posted a 2-0-0 record, 1.00 GAA and .972 save percentage in two regular-season starts, stopping 69 of the 71 pucks he faced.

The NHL is back! Get some action with a bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Panthers vs. Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 4, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (-121) have won four consecutive meetings with the Panthers (+100), so there is a lot of confidence for the boys in blue and orange. In addition, the favorite has cashed in five of the previous six meetings in this series. New York is trying to wash a bad taste out of its mouth after being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the postseason a year ago. Florida will be getting its feet wet, returning to the postseason since 2016. That invaluable experience last season for the Isles, albeit brief, will be the difference, as well as having Barry Trotz behind the bench.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win returns a profit of $8.30, while a $10 wager on the Panthers results in a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It might be a good idea to go lightly on ISLANDERS (-1.5, +225) on the puck line. Keep in mind, though, that while New York won each of the previous three regular-season meetings, one win came in a shootout, and the other in a 2-1 win in regulation on the Island. Either way, the moneyline cashed twice, and the puck line did not. So tread lightly.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-110) is a slam-dunk play in this one. Expect the skaters to look like they’re pushing in sand early in the qualifiers after a long layoff, taking at least a game or two to knock off the rust. Plus, the first three meetings between these clubs each cashed the under. Look for more of the same.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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