#this all started because jeremy davies has brown eyes

[simptasia]

my “richard is daniel’s biological dad” theory is one of my oldest headcanons (it’s the third post on my lost headcanons tag, and it was made 4 years ago) and since i’ve just rewatched season 5, it’s fresh in my mind, so i wanna elaborate

warning: quite a bit of elaboration

in canon, daniel is the son of eloise hawking and charles widmore (and the half brother of penny widmore and the brother-in-law of desmond hume).

fun fact about me, i’ve studied genetics since i was a child. the x-men movies inspired me to do so. however, even people who are unread about the subject can see that daniel faraday doesn’t resemble any member of his family

ellie and charles have blue eyes. daniel has brown eyes. there’s a bunch of other differences but this is what stands out to me. this is what started my theory. i can forgive daniel being american, that’s something that can actually happen. and yes, a brown eyed child of two blue eyed parents can actually happen. it’s very rare, but possible. if i encountered this in real life, i’d assume that it’s a throwback from a brown eyed ancestor. HOWEVER, this is fiction. its different.

this is all due to casting choices being made a season before character choices (if daniel was cast right he’d be british, blue eyed, round faced and actually played by a 26 year old. however that means no jeremy davies and lemme tell you, good can be better than right. so we are to accept what we are given)

upon the discovery that ellie is an other, indeed she was the leader of the others, that meant she worked closely with richard alpert. richard is advisor to the other’s leader (on a side note, he also picks who becomes the leader)

it started as “richard is her advisor, he has brown eyes, a stronger jawline, and he’s attractive enough for ellie to want him so this makes sense”

seeing more of season 5 (in particular, the variable and follow the leader), it made more sense to me. richard and ellie get along better than ellie and charles. they come across like they care about each other. richard in particular, seems to genuinely respect her more than charles does. he’s also very protective

in canon, this protectiveness can be chalked up to ellie being pregnant. and in general, although morally eschew, richard is a rather nice person. and charles is consistently a very not nice person. however this makes this make more sense

by this point in time, charles has already had an affair, which resulted in penny. and at one point richard points out that charles and ellie love each other but have a... difficult relationship. it’s not unlikely that ellie would have an affair

now, richard. i’m aware of how much he loved his dead wife isabella. i’m not ignoring that and i choose to believe that richard was relationship-less and celibate for a reeeeally long time before he fell in love with ellie

what’s important to this is i see the affair as happening not just because of sex (richard would never), but out of romantic feelings too. also no, i don’t think richard picked ellie to be leader because of love. neither richard or ellie are perfect but i think he picked her honestly believing she’d be a good leader

oh another thing: i still like the idea of dan being penny’s half brother and des’ brother-in-law, so to have it both ways, i’ve decided that only ellie and richard will ever know about this, keeping everything intact. penny would still posthumously consider daniel her brother (in my mind, naming a daughter after him)

i don’t mean to be smug but this theory is better than canon. not just genetically but having thought about it, i realised it’s more interesting and has more depth

and there’s really no reason to not see it as the truth (besides the fact that if this theory was true, daniel would be biracial but played by a white guy. much like my trans!charlie headcanon, im asking you to take this with artistic license)

here’s more about what this theory would mean:

both of daniel’s parents watched daniel die

it’s a given that richard having children would lead to him having to watch them die, but not like this.... not like this. also the idea of a man who’s ageless and lived for so long, having a child who died young

i like the idea of when ellie realises she’s pregnant, and tells richard, she feels guilty and says sorry because she knows richard will have to see daniel die (the dramatic irony. it HURTS) and richard vehemently telling her not to be sorry because despite that, he’s happy this is happening

THEN TWO WEEKS LATER IT ALL GOES TO SHIT

imagine the tragedy of both of them burying daniel

rather than be made by two people who may of loved each other but barely liked each other, daniel would be made in a loving relationship

this theory makes a lot of scenes with richard and ellie feel very different, in a good way. richard being concerned for her being pregnant around radiation (YEAH THAT HAPPENED, my mum commented that no wonder daniel is fucked up) and even going so far as to knock her out so she wouldn’t be in danger. richard doesn’t get this protective of other leaders

on that note, this changes reaction shots from richard. richard’s reactions to this situation in the variable look totally different to me now. after dan says “i’m your son”, ellie looks shocked and richard looks at her with great surprise. stuff like that. and like, yeah that already makes sense, but i’m saying with this in mind, the context for all this has changed

and yeah, daniel saying “i’m your son” with both parents present

after dan’s death, charles and richard are looking him over and charles says “i don’t know why but he seems... familiar to me”. then richard looks at charles with big eyes. curiosity & shock, yes but perhaps also “uh oh”?

also that line makes more sense in this context, because as i’ve said, it’s not like daniel looks like ellie at all (besides being white)

this didn’t happen in the episode proper, but there’s a photo from the filming of this episode that shows richard caressing daniel’s face after he dies. please note that richard barely knows this person

what ellie did was wrong but this adds extra justification. ellie is the type of person who shoots a man in the back without asking questions first, because he was pointing a gun at richard. with this in mind, ellie wasn’t just protecting her trusted advisor, she was protecting her lover

there’s the irony that the classically beautiful richard + the fairly pretty ellie = ...daniel. who, i don’t mean to be unkind, isn’t conventionally attractive

dan and miles were friends and considering i ship miles/richard post-finale, that means miles is gonna unknowingly date his friend’s dad

the scene where daniel tells richard that he’s in love with charlotte becomes daniel unknowingly telling his father he’s in love. either way, richard relates to this whole thing due to aforementioned dead wife

on that note! even taking away my headcanon personality traits for them, richard and daniel do have some things in common. they’re both polite, kind and at times diplomatic (by which i mean, they both attempt to calm down their friend’s attitude problems). they’re both lost loved ones to tragedy. yes, i know LOST had a lost lenore problem, shut up. and despite both their friendly demeanours, they’re both done morally questionable things. also remove my shipping and they’re both still friends with miles (he is the salt to their sugars). so while dan was raised by ellie (very badly) i feel like some of the kinder aspects of him came from richard

not that being polite is genetic. in canon, dan has a nightcrawler situation where he’s a the good son of two shitty people. here i’ve... given him a good dad. whom he’ll never know is his dad. because that’s sad

also while they’re both smart, at the end of the day, they are ruled by their emotions over rational thinking. love being paramount. and they both eventually completely snap, leading to irrational and suicidal behaviour

i know richard didn’t raise him, i just thought it’d be nice to bring up what they have in common. (also i think richard visited when daniel was very young. and made several attempts to convince ellie to not go thru with it)

oh also it makes the scene where charles goes “he’s my son, too” unintentionally funny because i swear i thought “nah, you idiot”. and a theory that leads to charles being duped and not realising it is great

there’s def more but then i’m just writing fanfiction, so i covered the basics. i like this theory and with each person who agrees with it, i gain more power

if you bear this theory in mind, it honestly enhances any scene with richard & daniel, and richard & ellie, and richard & charles, etc etc

in conclusion, this is a family picture:

thank you for your time

[emeraldinthesky]

STRANGE TRAILS - Chapter 2 - Kiss for the Dead

Victoria was smoking by the backdoor: it was about mid-morning, and they hadn't slept since their departure from the headquarters. The dark circles under her eyes were more prominent than ever, and her facial features appeared almost stretched by gravity. She took a long, lazy drag from her cigarette but when that gesture yielded no results, she searched the pocket of her lab coat for her lighter. The flame danced around in the moist wind then vanished under the metal lid of the zippo. She stared ahead, now with smoke-filled lungs, although she could hardly make out any detail of the wooden, pine-y area at the back of the building. The air was fresh, although she knew it would only give her a more difficult time to readjust to the pungent scent of rotting flesh she'd gotten so used to in the past few hours. They were certainly past the tricky part: that hour of the night when they are both unable to verbalize their thoughts, as if fatigue saw shut their mouths. These were usually the minutes the investigation came to a painful halt - painful, because they weren't making progress, and that also meant they couldn't go to sleep anytime soon. Their colleagues, Chris and Jeremy chose that very time to return to the hotel and catch up on some sleep. Albert was somewhat sore about it, but Vicky didn't bat an eye; if they're ready with their work, by all means, they shouldn't stay for the entertainment of two (frustrated) pantomimes. Luckily, that period passed just half an hour after the boys left, and since then, they were bouncing ideas off each other, at some point resorting to grotesque and eccentric reenaction of the crime. The denier checked on them, only to spin around and leave the very next second.

 It has barely been minutes since she was away. Of course, she had met the doctor and two other men down the hallway, but it never occurred to her that she would arrive back to an already escalated fight, or that their investigation was going to be cut short. Cooper and the Sheriff were already there and Vicky could hear the arguing from the end of the hallway – and stepping into a room filled with angry men pointing at each other sure made her consider taking a longer break. However, it changed instantly when she learned about the reason. '...Cuff him!' Albert insisted, instructing the agent. 'He won't release Laura's body to the funeral. He's not human.' Doctor Hayward opposed as he was joined by Harry. The woman knew this was only fuel to the fire; she heard enough of Albert's doubts about the sheriff's mental capacity, and just as she expected, her boss was quick to voice his opinion. It happened in the blink of an eye, and the forensic scientist received a punch from the town sheriff, that sent him right on top of the DB in question. Cooper sent his new colleague out to the car, and Victoria took the opportunity to soften – and potentially talk some sense into – the agent. 'Look, Dale, I don't like to agree with Albert.' She began after rushing up to him. 'But we can't properly perform an autopsy in a day.' 'Vicky, this funeral is important to the people. They need it to pay their respect to their passed loved one.' The black-haired man explained. He remained calm and spoke with a gentler tone, so she knew she could still persuade him into another couple hours or even a day. 'I know, but is the ritual more important than finding out the truth?' She darted back, trying with all her consciousness left to keep her voice quiet and decent. Apparently, she failed. 'Miss Davis.' Cooper's voice changed uncharacteristically authoritative, and his posture became more erect. 'We need the body to be handed over to the funeral. You knew the time limit before you started your work.' The woman's face turned bright red, even under the paleness from the all-nighter. Her brown eyes turned darker and despite the glasses, Cooper would've sworn to feel little sparks darting off from them into his direction - and not the type he enjoyed. 'Oh, I hope you'll have a time limit on your work once.' She muttered without batting an eye, but then refocused her attention to the old doc. 'Please, give us a second to clean up the body so we can hand it over in proper shape.' She asked in a surprisingly respectful, calm manner, then turned to Mr Horne investigating the corpse. 'Sir, Mr...?' 'Horne.' The man replied. 'Mr. Horne. Remind me again why are you here?' 'I am the representative of Laura Palmer's family in their absence.' 'Splendid. Then with all due respect: leave and don't come in 'till I say so.' Then, she spun around to her now a bit disheveled superior. 'Albert, you give me that or God sees my soul I'll drill a hole into your forehead.' 'You'll need my help if you want to be ready by noon.' The forensic pathologist pointed out. 'You won't be any help if you keep screwing around.' Vicky retorted. Cooper left the autopsy room with a mischievous smile on his face, keeping down a chuckle as he walked back to the police car. He knew he was somewhat responsible for the scene that escalated from the other, and he admittedly enjoyed how bossy Victoria was able to be, even around men; or especially around men. She'd singlehandedly put all grown men in the room to their place, and she was the only one that could manage Albert's behaviour - but, truth to be told, Coop feared he would be the next in line for his attitude. He did phone her after returning to the Great Northern the night before, to invite her to the funeral, but after this slip of his, he doubted she would join them in the cemetery.

 Even when Albert delivered the reports and results in the conference room, she was nowhere to be found; this definitely signaled to Dale that he might have overstepped a line, because Victoria was eager to attend to these meetings - she often did more than analysing the evidence before her, peeking behind the curtains. The red velvet ones. Although they weren't always so glamourous. However, it was only the sour scientist, describing their findings while not missing one single opportunity to make a foul remark which ultimately prompted the sheriff to storm out of the room. Dale took this opportunity to enquire about the current state of the woman in question (interestingly, that not being Laura Palmer) - or rather his state on her dashboard. 'Why weren't you joined by Miss Davis?' 'Oh, you two had a quarrel alright if both of you call each other by their last name.' Albert noted with his usual, straight face. Cooper knew this spelled trouble: she rarely resorted to referring to him by his surname; not to him, specifically, but to others, unless they were in a stiff or unfamiliar setting. Her boss, however weird that sounds, did not check that box. 'So she's angry?' The agent insisted. 'I've been having my ass kicked since you stepped out of the morgue if that answers your question.' The other man admitted. 'Coop, even I wouldn't take that entitled authoritarian handling from you lightly. And it is quite unlike you to begin with.' 'You're right, Albert.' The other nodded. 'I don't know what got into me.' 'Anyway, make amends with her as soon as possible, because she takes the case from here.' 'What do you mean?' 'She's getting a promotion.' The scientist explained. 'Only a formality, but this is her test run. You two will have to work closely together so it's better to be on speaking terms.' 'I don't argue she well deserves one, but I admit, this promotion seems quite out of the blue for me. Did something happen I didn't know about?' The black-haired man insisted, a strange feeling twisting his stomach and chest. He wasn't short of fleeting theories, yet his reaction was primarily emotional - and he was feeling worse than at the beginning of this conversation. 'Seemed like the right time to me.' The scientist shrugged.

 ***

 A Ford pickup parked just by the cemetery and the mourning crowd; its light blue upper section was still shining clean, but the darker-toned half was covered in dust and dirt. One would have expected a tall, well-built man to step out from the driver's seat, but instead, a young woman dressed in a long black dress emerged; although much of her attire was covered with an elegant coat that cut off mid-calf. Her shiny high heels dug deep into the moist ground as she hopped out of the car. She had her dirty blond hair up in a tight french twist to cover her unkempt locks, and her makeup made you forget she had just arrived there from more than 24 hours spent above a dead body - the very corpse they were about to hoist to the ground. Cooper's eyes must have lingered on her longer than they should have, as the sheriff nudged him from his left. 'Friends, are we?' He asked with a knowing smile. Vicky joined them, after Cooper gestured her to stand by his side. He put his arm around her shoulder - he knew she would probably faint into the grave gaping before them otherwise. Little he knew of the coming scene. Audrey shot a jealous look towards the pair; her blue eyes were ice-cold and ready for the kill. A poisonous feeling emerged from her heart and she puffed her face in anger, slightly pouting her mouth. It was almost unacceptable that someone, almost ten years older than her, could blow her out of the picture. Yet it wasn't the teenage beauty starting the scene, but Bobby Briggs as he caught glimpse of the biker his late girlfriend was seeing behind his back. The tragic gathering took a turn for the grotesque, the whole turmoil culminating into the father falling on top of the coffin and the levers misfunctioning at the worst possible time.

 It was the second man falling on top of the poor dead girl that day.

 After the mayhem died down, the agent accompanied his colleague to her truck: 'Miss Davis, can I interest you in a coffee at the Double R? You have to try that pie.' 'Only if you quit calling me Miss Davis.' Vicky smiled back, and from the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, it was oblivious that she was open for reconciliation. 'You're staying in Twin Peaks?' Cooper asked as she hopped into her car. 'Since Albert refuses to.' Vicky smiled then gestured to the man. 'Hop in, Coop.'

 As they stepped into the diner, the agent had his arm around her waist. Although he barely even touched her, it was a gesture that bordered being protective, defending her from the weather and her slim figure from the curious eyes of other men. They unconsciously leaned in towards each other, already laughing loudly at an earlier case; the woman was never able to stay mad at him for long. She faintly pushed his chest away as she walked up to the counter, and Cooper followed, sitting down by her side on a barstool. 'Your wife, Agent Cooper?' Norma asked as she placed the clean white cups in front of them. 'Oh, I wish!' The man replied with a wide smile. 'Victoria Davis, forensic pathologist. She came to help me investigate the Palmer girl's case; an extremely skilled investigator I'm happy to have on my team.' 'So you'll stay with us, Miss Davis?' Norma turned to her as she served them coffee, filling the empty cups with the hot, dark beverage. The aroma instantly filled the air, and Victoria couldn't help, but inhale a little deeper to fill her lungs with the scent that was much more refined than the one of the coffees at the lab. 'Well, as long as they don't relocate me to somewhere else. I'll assist the Sheriff and Agent Cooper with the forensic evidence.' She explained. 'Now Miss, I haven't slept in two days and this man promised me a pie. What would you suggest?' 'I'd recommend the blueberry pie, fresh from the oven.' The woman in the turquoise dress replied in her usual, melodic tone. She was always a delight, and seemingly found joy in the playful conversation, but especially now, it was as if she was up to something. 'Sounds perfect. Two slices, please.' Cooper ordered, and Norma left with a smile.

 'I'm glad you came to the funeral.' The man said as he took the cup into his hand. 'It was an experience. I've seen men mourning their daughters, but this was quite a spectacle. Seems like this whole town gone crazy by this tragedy.' 'There really is something, isn't there?' 'The poor girl can't even rest peacefully in the ground, that's for sure.' The blonde eyed the steaming coffee ahead of her. 'She couldn't on the autopsy table either.' 'You mean Albert?' She finally turned to Coop. 'You know how he is. He's tired from the car ride here, we pulled an all-nighter and now he's throwing a tantrum like a kid when you try to tear his toys from him.' Cooper chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. His eyes wandered to her hands that were lazily caressing the edge of the cup. 'You look lovely.' He said, and they both paused for a moment when they caught each other's gaze. 'And you are sharp as always.' She smiled back. A brief silence settled between them: the woman turned her attention the brown beverage before her as if she was staring into a crystal ball - and indeed, her eye colour matched the shade of the coffee so perfectly, it could have easily been mistaken for a mirror. Coop eyed her intently, but with patience; and admittedly, he reexplored her features since they last met a month ago, still in the burning deserts of Nevada. Her skin hanged onto some of the gold freckles obtained under the bright sun (or she visited home in-between, but he brushed that idea from his head), and the scar on her neck was still faintly pink. Her hands were dry from the weather and the endless handwashing, fingernails cut short without any nail polish, and nothing on her fingers beside that small birthmark on her left index finger. A scent of amber, spices and orange lingered around her; the very perfume that enchanted him at their first handshake. She was the same woman he said goodbye to in Las Vegas, but something seemed different besides her tired posture. 'Vicky, is everything alright?' He asked and his voice gave away how worried he was. 'Oh, yeah. Sorry I just zoned out… You know how it is.' 'Are things going well?' 'I'd say so.' She nodded after taking a premature, hot sip of her coffee. 'There're just… Many things going on at the same time.' 'I've heard they offered you a promotion.' 'They did. I haven't accepted it just yet. We agreed that this case would be a sort of… Test.' She was twirling a cigarette around in her hand, then turned to Cooper without lighting it. 'You, on the other hand. Seems like you enjoy your stay here.' Vicky pointed out, her attitude much more easygoing now. 'I do!' The agent exclaimed. 'Have you seen those tall trees? Douglas firs.' 'They're mighty for sure.' She agreed as the pies were placed in front of them, and they both gave Norma an enthusiastic smile of gratitude. 'They look like they could reach the sky. And I did miss a little greenery in Las Vegas.' 'That was one hell of a Christmas.' He nodded as he took a bite of the pie. 'I wasn't this excited on Christmas Eve since I was 7.' Vicky became much more enthusiastic, especially since the combination of caffeine and sugar hit her bloodstream - and also, since she was having a lighthearted conversation with her best friend; all four of which, minus the caffeine, were missing from her everydays. 'Well, the New Year's Eve of the last year of the decade was certainly memorable.' 'Yes, you were like James Bond.' She joked nudging him from the side. 'Although you weren't able to sport this tan coat there. Is that why you prefer this climate?' 'There is something intangible about this place that makes me gravitate towards it. The people here; they are simple yet there's so much complexity and warmth. I haven't experienced this combination anywhere else.' He took a sip of his coffee. 'This town. It's so mundane, and the people living in it are so - human. I have grown to consider investing in a property here.' 'I knew you craved simplicity but so much so?' 'It is not so much about the simplicity but the community.' Cooper corrected. 'I see.' She nodded. 'So… Am I invited for the housewarming?' 'Vicky, you're invited to my house at any and all times.' This was the moment when they were painfully reminded of the fact that they both still had keys to the other's apartment; but that might be up for a change, in both of their lives, very soon. They simultaneously darted their eyes towards the table. 'As a matter of fact, I have grown to know you as someone who appreciates the simple way of living.' Cooper pointed out. 'And warm weather.' She added. The man knew that well: they were in the middle of dating when she invited him over to her family's vacation house. It was in a rural area of Texas, surrounded by forest and not a single soul besides the neighbours half a mile away. They sometimes got together for a barbecue night, or Vicky begged them to let her ride the horses, but the two of them spent most of their time alone. It was actually one of the afternoons he remembered most clear - they settled down at a field after an especially strenuous hike, lying in the grass as the sun slowly sunk under the horizon. She rested her head on his chest, and they listened to the faint change of sounds as daytime blended into evening; but the weather remained comfortably warm. 'Dale, I gotta admit, I'm pretty tired. Do you mind if we return to the hotel?' 'Not at all.' He replied in a softspoken tone he haven't used in a while. One that implied closeness and caring, that made him lose his composed façade; one he last used in the middle of August, 1987.

 He drove themselves back to the wooden hotel – it has been a hot minute since he was on the driver seat of the truck as Victoria was always insistent on driving. She might have driven his own car more than he, himself.

 'Vicky…' Coop began before they departed in the hallway. 'I am so sorry about how I talked to you today at the morgue.' 'It's okay, Dale. We have a stressful job and are human.' 'No, it is not okay.' The man insisted. 'You are my co-worker and friend. Your input into the investigation is vital and I should appreciate the work you do. My attitude didn't represent those values I hold dear, nor did I gave you the respect you deserve. I can assure you it won't happen again. Not to mention that you were right.' 'What you say my dear? I'm afraid my hearing is…' She imitated an old woman, cupping her ear with her hand and jokingly leaned closer, but Cooper was already grinning. 'I said, ma'am…' He elevated his voice and leaned towards her ear himself. 'That I'm sorry for your loss of hearing!' They burst into laughter that echoed through the wooden corridor. The pair surely woke a couple residents, but it was the least of their worries. They were friends again.

 Right?

[saundraswriting]

Hercules Chapter Two

SUMMARY:The team gets involved in the investigation. Reid decides he will work on the Geological Profile by himself. Gideon, Hotch, JJ, and Morgan work on interviewing people and checking out crime scenes.

WARNINGS:

Previous // Next

Monday followed Sunday. Sunday consisted of Series 4 and 5 of Doctor Who. Garcia had wanted him to catch up for a while now. He got up, showered and dressed in gray slacks, gray button up and black waistcoat. He covered his mark, grabbed his refreshed Go-bag and satchel and walked out his apartment.

"Hey Reid! I was gonna come up. Want a ride?" Derek asked. Spencer nodded and stepped into the car.

"Hi Morgan. How was your weekend?" Spencer asked, fiddling with his shirt sleeves.

"Fun. Saturday night I went clubbing but didn't stay too long. and Sunday I cleaned up, did some shopping, and relaxed. What about you, man?" Derek glanced over and almost flinched. Spencer's eyes were bloodshot, face pale and taunt, shadows as deep and black as night under his eyes.

"Nothing much caught up on case files. and watched Doctor who, cleaned up a bit." Spencer didn't speak of the conversation with JJ, it was personal and he was still thinking it over.

"Sounds absolutely fantastic. Get a good-nah-did you finish all your case files?" Derek asked. Spencer nodded, grabbed his bags and hurried to the elevator. "Chill, my man. JJ will have your coffee." She and Morgan were the only two Spencer allowed to make his coffee. They arrived on their floor and JJ dutifully handed over a mug. the trio continued to the bullpen.

"Hey Spencer, are you feeling better?" JJ asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Not sure if it is all cleared up but you helped. Just want you to be happy." Spencer replied. Morgan frowned and filed the exchange away for future evaluation.

"And I put those files on Hotch's desk. he should be able to sign 36 pieces of paper." JJ walked away.

"36. Pretty Boy. You did everyone's case files again." Morgan demanded.

"Maybe?" Spencer said hesitantly. Morgan shook his head.

"Pretty Boy, you need to stop that. After reading that, you'll never forget." Morgan put his hand on his friend's head and ruffled his hair. Spencer sighed but smiled.

"Stop worrying about me. Now you don't have to kill a good weekend by case files." Spencer walked off to JJ's office.  'Please stop being so kind. It's hard to push these feeling away when you are so kind'  Spencer thought sadly.

"JJ do you need help setting up the round table room?" Spencer asked. At her nod he gathered some materials and began tacking them up. When they finished, the two stood in silence.

"Spencer. If you need someone to talk to, remember I am here. Don't bottle it up." JJ rubbed his arm and walked out the room. Spencer brought a hand up the the rightside of his neck. Where his mark resided--the same mark he sees slightly hidden by the collar of Derek Morgan's shirt.

Spencer knew he was in love with the other agent. Morgan saw through his emotionless facade to the Spencer that was terrified, that was worried, that was a child trying to be an adult too fast. But he knew it was unrequited love. Extremely straight Morgan deserved to be with someone that would make him happy. Not someone he felt obligated to be with because of a matching black swirly sun on the right sides of their necks. Morgan deserved someone that could help him get through the aftermath of cases. Not someone who reminded him of them.

"Hey, JJ. What is the matter with Reid? He is acting funny." Morgan stepped into her office.

"I'm not sure. It deal with soul-mates though. He called last night. He wanted to know how I could deal with traveling and possibly missing my soul-mate. He also wanted to know why we would want someone to be waiting for us when we got home when we do what we do." JJ summarized. Morgan frowned and felt the urge to search Spencer out. The urge must have been on his face. "Let him go. You know Spencer, he will get through it. Come on, we have a case." JJ gestured to the bullpen and the team arrived in the Round Table Room.

"Okay Gang. This is unusual and you will see why. Portland, Oregon. 4 high school murdered. the first one: Leonard Davis was strangled. Second was Ophelia Basset was stabbed to death in the chest and abdomen. Third, Tabitha Wells was shot with an arrow to the chest. and the fourth was Everett Brown. He was killed by blunt force trauma to the back of the head. He was found on Saturday. They were all found at different places and preliminary results say killed in different places too. The victims are vastly different, in home life and overall appearance. The only connection between them is the RR carved into the right heel, Post-mortem." JJ explained.

"So nothing is consistent. We will work on the plane. Wheels' up in 30." Hotch said. JJ and the others began to gather the file that was spread through the room.

"I will get started as soon as we land on a geographical profile, with this many points of interest we will need one. I should get it done quickly." Spencer said.

"Good. JJ, Morgan and I can handle the families. Sorry JJ, with you being the only female on the team we are gonna need you." Hotch said, returning to the room.

" I'll handle the dump sites." Gideon said. With that the team packed up, grabbed their bags and head to the plane. 45 minutes later they were up talking about the case.

" Killing spree? Experimenting for the actual target? No sexual or sadistic elements present, that could be reserved for the true victim. What is going on here?" Morgan asked.

"He could be finally devolving. We can have Garcia check when we land." Gideon hypothesized.

"Portland PD has some space ready for us. and Garcia landed us room. unfortunately, its 3 with double beds. sorry. but we can land and get straight to work" JJ shrugged.

"Can I take a nap? I, uh didn't sleep much this weekend." Spencer asked. Hotch's forehead furrowed but nodded.

"Sure. We'll wake you when we are close to landing." Hotch said. Spencer was asleep before he finished. "I am sure he didn't sleep at all this weekend. Look at him. And with practically no connections he is gonna run himself into the ground on this case. Morgan, keep an eye on him? not obviously or he will resist and work harder." Morgan nodded.

A few hours later Morgan was waking Spencer up. "Come on, sleeping beauty. We are gonna land soon. Time to get up." Spencer groaned but sat up and rubbed at his eyes with closed fists. Morgan felt his chest tighten.  'He looks cute, just waking up'

About 20 minutes later they landed and were being escorted to the police station.

"Okay, My name is Chief Jeremy Yates. You must be the FBI folks." Yates was about 5'8", well built, buzz cut. The BAU introduced themselves. "These are my men and women. Let's set you guys up. If you need anything just ask." Yates showed them to a square room with blank wooden walls and a second room with two whiteboards and some cork-board.

"JJ, please." Spencer yawned. JJ nodded and took the outstretched mug. She quickly came back. "Thanks JJ" Spencer gulped down the coffee. "Give me 5 minutes and I will have a list of things I will need." Spencer ducked into the first room. He smiled at the blank walls. 5 minutes later, the victims and notes pertaining to them graced one wall, notes and pictures for the crime scenes were on one wall.

"Spencer, what do you need?" Hotch asked.

"An aerial map of Portland. I will also need a 10 block radius or 2 mile radius images around victims homes and any crime scenes. I would like these laminated if possible. I will also need a yard stick and colored expo and permanent markers. If I need to prioritize that list I need the markers, yard stick and aerial map first so can begin. Also make sure they are well stocked on coffee and sugar and milk. I brought my own tea." Spencer said. Morgan smirked from next to Aaron. "What do you find amusing Morgan?"

"You call me the alpha male. That was pretty Alpha-like there." Morgan's smirk grew.

"Sh-sh-shut up De-Derek." Spencer Stuttered. Derek grinned.

"Yes, sir. You got this handled? JJ and I are leaving. You know actually do something." Derek ruffled his hair.

"Derek! I can handle this. and for your information, I have taken down UnSubs before. Stop teasing me!" Spencer demanded, a smile gracing his features. Derek leaned close-suddenly serious.

"I know that, Pretty Boy, I know that. I will call you later." Morgan walked over to JJ. Leaving Spencer alone to gather his wits.

"He your's? " A woman asked from behind Spencer.  Maddie  her badge said. Spencer shook his head. Her eyes brightened and she made her way to Morgan's side. Spencer licked his lips, her presence leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He looked up to see Derek shake his head and Maddie's shoulders hunch.

"Are you Doctor Reid? Agent Hotchner said to give these to you. Unfortunately, we could only give you the aerial map. We have someone working on the others. They should be done tonight or tomorrow." A young man said. His badge read Matthew. His arms held a rolled up map and some markers and his left hand held a meter stick. Spencer nodded and walked into the room he acquired. He pointed to the table and Matthew dumped his loot. "Do you need anything else, sir?" Matthew asked. Spencer shook his head, walking out the door again. "Why did you ask Agent Hotchner to make sure we stayed overly stocked with sugar and coffee?" Matthew tried again. "Cause Pretty Boy here, inhales coffee like it's oxygen. and like a little coffee in about a quart of sugar. Spence, Baby Mama is online if you need anything. We all are heading out. Don't get a paper cut now. Check you later man." Morgan smiled and Spencer waved dismissively.

"Don't be stupid, Derek. I will see you later. Have fun." Spencer pushed him towards the door.

"Me? Stupid? Never am, Sugar, Never am." Derek called over his shoulder. Spencer laughed lightly and waved to the BAU team leaving. He walked into his room and set up the direct speaker line to Garcia.

Spencer tacked up the map and the key he created to go with it: Red= dump sites (pm) Blue= Victim's homes (pm) Black= Possible kill sites (em) Green=Place last seen (pm) Purple=?? Pink=?? Orange=??

"Why do you have colors with no meaning? and what does EM and PM stand for?" Matthew asked from the door.

"In case more info arises. the EX is for expo marker. That information could change as the investigation continues. the PM is permanent for obvious reasons." Spencer explained. " I have a bad feeling about this. I'm gonna need another cup of coffee. and Garcia." Spencer mumbled as he left to get coffee. Matthew knew that the last few statements weren't directed to him so he left, leaving the Doctor to his work. *********

Morgan was trying to get rid of the tightness in his chest. Seeing Matthew hanging over Spencer with pure awe and admiration in his eyes annoyed him.

"Morgan, you okay? You keep rubbing your chest." JJ pointed to his hand which was in fact rubbing his sternum. JJ was paired with Morgan to go to Lucy Basset's home to question her. Morgan nodded and she let it go.

JJ opened her door to see it was raining. Not pouring but not a light sprinkle either. She sighed dreading the walk to the door. Morgan tabbed her arm and handed her a black umbrella. JJ grinned in appreciation. They quickly jogged to the door. JJ knocking rather loudly. "Mrs. Basset? My name is Jeniffer. I am with the FBI. We're her to ask you a few questions about your daughter."

"Come in. Come in. I'm Lucy. Do you want a drink? A towel maybe for your wet friend?" Lucy asked. She was a willow-y woman, long brown hair, small features, green eyes.

"I'm Special Agent Derek Morgan. I am not that wet. We only had the one umbrella so I gave it to Jeniffer. But thanks all the same. We have some questions, do you mind?" Derek jutted his chin towards the house.

"I mind, yes. but if I can help find this bastard then ask away." She sat on a chair and JJ sat on a couch opposite of her. Derek stood, walking and looking around.

"Your daughter, Ophelia, did she uh make friends well enough in school?" JJ asked.

"She made friends fine. Nice to everyone. She was a darling. Never threw tantrums. She would take anything life gave her and walk right through it. Her father had toured 4 times. Once in the Gulf War, Once in Afghanistan and Twice in Iraq. They were long tours and it took a long time for him to assimilate to civilian life. But they were best of friends the two of them. This last time, some Iraqi militant got really close to the unit and threw and grenade. He jumped on it. Saved the unit. She was 16. Lia had seen him at his worst she knew exactly when he had bad day and how to help him. Something I didn't. I was a realtor for some high society people and development. half million, million dollar homes. I didn't pay any heed to my husband's problems. Didn't have that luxury of time. But when the news came she only smiled. said how proud of him she was. She said in the eulogy how she hoped that one day she could make him proud, she wanted to be a therapist for vets." Lucy took a shaky breath. "She took over the household when I sunk into my depression. She took the pension and paid bills, got two jobs to get more money inflow. I had some in the bank but not much. She wanted to use her college money to help pay bills. She was getting ready to sign the papers when she was found. It snapped me out of my depression. She was going to give up her future to become my caregiver. How was that supposed to make Martin proud? Now, she isn't here and I can never thank her enough or forgive myself." Lucy covered her face with her hands. JJ crouched in front of her and started rubbing her shoulders.

"Mrs. Basset, did you build this?" Derek pointed to a tri-self unit. Picture of a man at the zoo, the beach, melted marshmallows on his face, a Santa hat on, vampire teeth in, sat on the top shelf. The middle held a large white candle, barely used. and the third shelf was the man in combat fatigues and in a bunker and several men in a group.

"Yeah, it's a shrine to Martin. Something to remind me and Ophelia that he was watching over us. When Martin died, she stopped going to church. She refused to light the candle. We fought a few times about it. I said God has a plan. This is for a reason. She couldn't wrap her head around a loving, kind God sanctioning famine, drought, poverty, war, killing. and she stopped believing." Lucy's exhale was more of a sob than anything. JJ stood up.

"Thank you for everything Mrs. Basset. We appreciate it. If you need us, think of anything, have questions, here is my card and we are at the Portland Police Department. Thanks again." JJ gave Lucy a hug and Morgan nodded. The duo left quietly. *******

Spencer looked round the room, that he would be spending all his waking hours in. He was waiting on coordinates to mark his map so he could begin drawing his line. He could then start estimating where the UnSub lived. He glanced at the pictures on the walls. The RR catching his attention. He hit the "1" button on the speaker on the table.

"Home of the All-knowing. Speak and receive wisdom" A bubbly voice came over the speaker.

"Penelope, It's Spencer." Spencer directed his voice towards the speaker.

"Oh, Sugar, Speak to me." Garcia chimed.

"Anyone in Portland with initials RR?" Reid began pacing.

"Boy Wonder, How genius of you! There are four people with those initials. How do I narrow this down?" Garcia asked.

"I'm not sure. Hadn't gotten that far. Trace cards and addresses and cars. Maybe they can narrow themselves down. Then a 20 mile radius of the dump sites." Reid started twirling a pen like a drumstick.

"Sugar Muffin, you are so smart. Only three live in a 20 Mile radius but for two weeks one was away on business-or so says his visa. Oh, and one is dead. So you are down two, Sweet Cheeks. Anything else, Honey Drop?"

"Not right now, Garcia. I'll call if there is anything."

"Sure thing Stud." Spencer laughed and hung up. He trusted Garcia to send the info on the two remaining RR's to Hotch or Morgan. Spencer picked up the pink marker and wrote: SUSPECTS on his key.

Previous // Next

*******************************************************************************************

So, What do you think? Seems to be okay? How is the formatting? I need validation!

[tiinkers-tales]

i really need to take this out of my chest and mind and for some reason i think the best way to end up with this struggle is leaving it here. i feel that this hasn’t let me finish the last year nor start this year properly and since i want to update my blog, i think it’s necessary...

it all started at the end of 2017 and the very beginning of 2018, i think. i had this cat for years that wasn’t officially mine but it happened he came one day and we loved him as our pet and fed him, i called him Cheese (because of his blonde fur). parallel to this, my neighbours had three cats (all females), my neighbours are known for being a disaster of people (if they’re not doing drugs, then they’re drunk af) and mistreat their pets (they have a little girl around 10 or more that kicks and hit them, she even is the responsible of one of the kitten losing her right eye, so imagine that shit). knowing they never fed them, i started to leave food to one of the cats (the older one), eventually the three of them came to my garden because we became the saviour to them in a way (my dad and me gave them food and especially me gave them love). the neighbour (the woman) noticed this and started to do comments like “they’re a traitors!! they come here more often” or “they’re so shameless, they eat there and then come to eat here” (like thinking we were stupid enough to ignore the fact they did not eat at all). 

we didn’t give up on feeding them, i even put them names so i could identify them easier: the older one is Luna (the spanish form of “moon”, basically because when i was thinking a name for her, i spotted the moon from my room lmao), the middle one is Bette Davis (because she has big beautiful eyes) and the little one with just one eye is Toffee (because her fur is white, black and light brown, the mix of light brown and black reminded me of those sweets). 

even though, Cheese stopped to come home (whatever the reason is, if it’s because he was uncomfortable for seeing other cats, or because he was too old and he was still a street cat after all) and i haven’t seen him since late October, 2018, i prepared myself before this happened, so it didn’t affect me too much and i tried to take care of the other cats (even if technically they weren’t mine). suddenly, Luna stayed more here than at my neighbour’s, like she wasn’t theirs anymore, she was even inside my home and gave us a lot of joy. while the other cats didn’t stop coming for a bit of love and food, oh, and one kitty was included to the family (a Bette Davis’ daughter), i called her Milky (for the blur’s video character, from Coffee & Tv) and she was very cute and i really loved her. but Luna showed herself like being the favourite cat of us and the guardian one of my house. Those were really great times, you know? she gave me a lot of great times, a lot of laughs and company, like she cleaned my room with her energy. 

however, things started to get complex, because Toffee and Bette Davis got pregnant (my neighbour never took them to the vet for a surgery). First of all, Toffee had her babies in my garden and she had a little complication because it was the first time for her, but my neighbour and her stupid daughter came and took her, so we were fine. Then, it was the turn of Bette Davis... but first, we found out that Milky was pregnant too, yikes. here things get harder: one day Bette Davis just started to meowing at my window, persisting a lot, i knew something was going to happen and i went to check her and she basically was asking for me to prepare her a place to have her babies, i knew that i was going to get into troubles with my parents but i didn’t care and let her my room. 

So, the next day i had to face my parents, they were shocked but they didn’t make a problem over it. And things started to get even more stressful and harder to me, because i didn’t want the kitties went to my neighbours, because i knew they wouldn’t survive (ah, that’s another point, whenever the cats had babies, barely one of them survived) and the neighbour started to come here and ask for them, my parents... they were horrible, they were promising me that we would take care of them and everything was nice, but then as soon as mum changed her mind they both were against me, i had many, many arguments with them (just because they said me one thing and then change their minds and pretend i was fine with that). and well... i don’t want to get into many details, because they were the worst days of my life, i just wanted the kitties to be safe and felt loved, so i had to leave everything, i barely was sleeping well and i cried a lot, even had some breakdowns (and of course, i did my best to come here and try to reply messages or distract myself). besides since Luna was so jealous of the kittens and could attack them, i had to stop her from coming inside.

when it was finally settled down that the kitties were going to be here and we were going to find someone to take care of them (you know, new owners), i found out that Milky (the last pregnant kitty) had her babies and few days after died of unknown reasons. this was too hard to me to get over it, and i couldn’t cry enough because they didn’t even let me visit her and probably they just threw her to the trash. and i couldn’t do much because i was taking care of the kittens (Bette Davis at this point stopped to breastfeed them and she for some reason took care of Milky’s babies, so that wasn’t too bad). the days passed by, nobody came for the kitties.  until christmas, two people came for two kittens (they were 6 in total), i wasn’t ready at all even if i knew i couldn’t keep them all, and of course, it was the worst christmas i’ve ever had. since this left me a kind of trauma, i firmly said to mum that i would not give any more kittens and i would take care of the 4 left. everything seemed okay, i gave them their official names and such. but then, on the first sunday of january of this year, my mum gave two kittens to relative ones without my permission and this... this simply was the last thing. i was destroyed, i felt like they just destroyed my little family, my happiness, because even if i was scared of the future or what would happen next, the kittens were keeping me sane, giving me a reason to fight and then, it was just taken away from me. again, i had to push everything away and keep it cool, like nothing happened, but few weeks after i couldn’t resist anymore and i had a breakdown. these events that i didn’t “suffered” in time and tried to ignore, they ended up of me getting worse (it could be triggering to some people so i won’t get into details neither).  ...and all of this can be so stupid and meaningless to some (”meh, they’re just pets, get over it, lmao”) those kind of people, you know, but if to all of this you add the fact that i’m from a toxic ass family and i have depression, things aren’t that easy to deal with. 

i’ve known that Luna is living now at another’s neighbour and she’s fine, but i miss her so much, i miss those quiet and ‘happy’ days. i miss Milky so much but i’ll keep just the happy moments with her, it’s the best i can do. i miss the kittens that now have new homes, i really do hope they’re happy, i’ll keep the beautiful memories with me and hopefully their new owners will let me meet them again one day. 

as for me... now i have to take care of the two kittens (Jeremy and Frankie) i have left and hopefully things will get better. 

[aion-rsa]

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Review: Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman Bring Fire to Blues

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a powerful, slow-building, jangling film that’s full of life. It may feel loose, but from the script to the cast, there’s not an ounce of fat on it. When the time comes, it delivers a brutal gut-punch, and then one more for the road. Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis take up all the oxygen every time they’re in the room, which makes the anticipation of their eventual showdown feel breathless.

In sweltering 1927 Chicago, the legendary “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) is in town to record an album; her panic-y white manager (Jeremy Shamos, The Undoing) and production stooge (Jonny Coyne, Preacher) buzz about, trying to control every aspect of the endeavor—the song list, the timetable, the pay—all while Ma and (most of) her accompanying band know who’s really in charge: Ma.

A real life singer from Georgia who made it big with Black audiences, Ma is wealthy and powerful in a way that so few queer Black women (or those holding even one of those identities) of her time were, and she knows it. Over the rambling course of the film, the slightest provocation sends Ma away from the microphone, and the boys back to the practice room, as the white men grow ever more apoplectic.

Boseman’s ostentatious horn player Levee starts the film showboating and fast-talking, eventually revealing more of his substance to the veteran members of the band. As they debate things like which arrangement to record, how “the colored man” should improve himself, and whether God is real, they get under one another’s skin, and the water creeps closer and closer to a boil. Ma’s nephew (Dusan Brown) also provides an interesting wrinkle, while her girlfriend (Taylour Paige) is at times a distraction and at others, a liability.

Like Fences, another adaptation of August Wilson’s stage plays featuring Davis and produced by Denzel Washington, this is very much a play that happens to be a movie, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Wilson’s story takes the park bench play—any play where two characters sit on a park bench, although really it could be anywhere, and talk—and multiplies it. The park becomes the practice room in the studio, and two people become four, as Ma Rainey’s band waits.

Later, Ma and her band leader Cutler (Colman Domingo, If Beale Street Could Talk) have a more typical park bench moment in the empty studio. It’s one of the most revealing conversations, because Ma shows what it’s really like to be a Black woman who is seen as a commodity. She isn’t a diva for the fun of it; it’s a survival mechanism. Here Domingo demonstrates the strength of the film’s supporting performances, especially the trio of himself, Michael Potts as Slow Drag (Gotham), and Glynn Turman as Toledo (Fargo). They crack open these two central powerhouses and make them easier for us to understand, teasing them out and reflecting them back to us to help us make sense of what we’re seeing.

There have been many movies about jazz before and will be many more again, but this movie feels like it is jazz. Busting open the form of the park bench play even as it builds on it, the musicians of Ma Rainey play as a retort, a continuation, and to silence or to brag—as a coda to trauma. They augment their conversation with music the way it augments their lives, weaving their music in and out of their beliefs, jokes, hopes, and fears.

Director George C. Wolfe uses a few opportunities to take advantage of what the screen has to offer over the stage. The film’s slow-building introduction is one the audience won’t soon forget, and a scene of two band members buying a Coke is brief but packs a mighty narrative wallop. The glimpse into late 1920s recording practices is fascinating in its own right—and stylishly shot.

It’s impossible to forget that this is Boseman’s final performance. A particularly gutting monologue he delivers on the unfairness of death doesn’t make that any easier. Boseman gives absolutely everything he has to this role. It’s actually reminiscent of his co-star, Delroy Lindo’s, in Da 5 Bloods, for its intensity and vulnerability. His smile takes up the entire screen, and his quiet brings us to a standstill.

Davis is unlike how we’ve ever seen her before, and it’s hard to limit it to just one reason why. Unlike some of her other glossier screen appearances, which seem at times to apologize for her skin tone or body type, covering her up or amending her looks, this film celebrates the . Her skin shines with sweat, her eyes ringed with bold makeup. As Ma Rainey, Viola Davis has an otherworldly swagger of a woman definitively unbothered. She communicates as much with a glare or the wing of her hips as she does her words.

Ma is at her sexiest while performing, whether on stage or in the studio, and suddenly it’s a lot easier to understand why people clutched their pearls so hard. She is formidable and it is catching—around her skirts, garters peak out, and hips dip backward as asses drop closer to the floor. There are hints of her real-life bisexuality, though we only ever see her with a woman. There’s sensuality there to be sure, and it doesn’t go unnoticed, but the more lurid displays are reserved for a mixed-gender coupling.

It would be easy to let Black Bottom lull you into thinking it’s one of those slice-of-life plays where “nothing happens.” That is both a misunderstanding of those works and not what’s going on here. When Ma Rainey twists the knife, you won’t know it until you look down and see the blood. And even then, after all that time of slowly building, it leaves you wholly unprepared for the next hit.

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from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/38ga4xZ

[offbrandginger]

Maybe something about bi Kevin? And him growing into himself at Palmetto and out of Edgar Allen?

What Kevin knows is this: Thea, a match of passion and love for the sport and not each other. Secrets shared (unwise) and mutually assured destruction. A foundation of blood and pain and something to call your own. A life line, until neither of them need one any more.

What Kevin knows is this: Riko, friend and brother and abuser. As a child, single-minded devotion and awe. Older, wary respect. Older still, confusion and fear and pain. Betrayal. Tenterhooks sunk into his heart and his ribs and the marrow of his bones and he can never escape the pull or the pain of them.

What Kevin knows is this: Andrew, protection, annoyance. A promise, a hope, of life and autonomy and the chance to do what he loves without fear. Irritation, always, at untapped potential and stubbornness. Fear, underneath it all, that he’s not enough. Worse, that he will turn on Kevin. Grudging respect, but they are not even friends, not really.

What Kevin doesn’t know is this: Love. Romance. A relationship built on trust and adoration and reciprocated devotion.

---

When Kevin is thirteen and starting to notice how the older Ravens slip into each other’s rooms and closets and dark corners, his PR coach adds new instructions in his media training. Always smile, deflect questions, represent the Ravens well, date only women. Kevin isn’t sure why the command is necessary, but he agrees obediently.

When Kevin is nineteen and scoping out Edgar Allen’s competition ("As if they provide any actual challenge,” Riko scoffs, and Kevin smiles.) he notices the Trojans’ new captain. Bright eyes and a bright smile and a bright laugh. ("Weak,” Riko says. “Friendship and good sportsmanship does not win championships.” Kevin nods and does not smile.)

It sticks with him in a way it shouldn’t. He has noticed, sometimes, a new Raven who smiles more than he should until he stops. He has noticed, sometimes, good physique in the form of toned muscles stretching across the arms and backs and chests of a few Ravens in the locker room. He has noticed, sometimes, the way Jean’s hair grows too long and curls, just slightly, at the ends. It means nothing.

He admires Knox, as a good player and a good captain. His sense of fairness and sportsmanship is a refreshing break from the Ravens, when Kevin lets himself think something so sacrilegious.

It is admiration, and respect, and a quiet longing for a life of bright and honest and true things, nothing more.

But the smile, the eyes, the laugh, sticks with him.

It means nothing. It must mean nothing. (It means something, and it terrifies Kevin. He refuses to think about it.)

---

He tells Andrew and Neil to keep their relationship a secret, though he knows it’s probably useless. They will do what they want, to Kevin’s never ending consternation. “Coming out generates a lot of bad press,” he tells them. “Bad press means it’s harder to be signed to a pro team, harder to make Court.”

Neil hesitates at that, nervousness flickering across his face. Not making a pro team, not making Court, is a death sentence, and they both know it. Andrew just scoffs. “Of course we’ll have bad press. This one can’t ever keep his mouth shut. Scouts are still interested him, though I can’t imagine why they’d willingly subject themselves to such an idiot.” He scowls at Neil, who, bizarrely, smiles back, nervousness apparently disappearing.

Kevin frowns and looks away. Something aches in his chest, and he rubs at it and wonders if he pulled a muscle during practice.

---

Six months after Riko’s death, Jean calls him. The phone rings six times before Kevin can unfreeze long enough to pick it up.

“Kevin,” Jean says.

“Jean,” Kevin says, his voice hoarse. Then, quietly, “is everything okay?”

Silence, for long enough that Kevin checks to see if he hung up. “Yeah,” Jean says, and there’s a lightness in his voice that Kevin hasn’t heard since Jean first showed up at the Nest. “Everything’s okay.”

They speak again, after that, and again. Awkwardness slowly bleeds out of their conversations and they reach something better than the grim alliance they had under Riko. Jean texts him about Laila’s new puppy and Kevin calls to complain about the freshmen backliners.

The Trojans win a death match against Penn State and Kevin calls to congratulate him. Jean says, interrupting Kevin’s criticism of Penn State’s offensive line, “Jeremy kissed me tonight.”

Kevin falls silent. He thinks of Andrew and says, as carefully as he can, “did you want him to?”

Jean says nothing for a moment, then, “yes. It was nice.”

Kevin swallows back something that burns like jealousy, and says, because there have been few nice things in their lives, “I’m glad.”

“It’s not smart,” Jean says, “I know that. Bad press. But-” He stops and doesn’t continue. Kevin thinks he understands.

Kevin thinks about the Foxes, about safety and protection and the freedom to play the game he loved. He thinks of Wymack, of his father, of the tentative, careful steps towards family. He thinks of something Abby once told him. “We deserve to have nice things in our lives,” he says.

He can hear Jean’s breath hitch. “Yes,” Jean says. “We do.”

---

There’s a boy in Kevin’s Medieval History class with dark brown eyes and short brown hair and light brown skin. He’s not particularly remarkable – when he offers an answer to the professor he is rarely wrong, and his notes, when Kevin sits behind him and sees them, are neat and orderly, but he is not the best student in the class, or the loudest, or the funniest.

When the professor returns their first essays and the boy sees his score, he smiles, quick and pleased and brilliant, and Kevin’s heart thumps strangely against his rib cage.

Kevin sees him in the library, browsing through the history section, and at the campus’s Starbucks, and napping beneath a tree between classes. He sees him at the lecture their professor offered extra credit for, and in the union playing pool, and running around the track with the soccer team. He sees him, it seems, everywhere.

Kevin doesn’t realize the boy has seen him too.

He’s working on homework at the library, Aaron a silent companion, when the boy appears at their table. “Hi,” he says, and smiles, and Kevin blinks at him. “You’re Kevin Day, right?” Kevin grits his teeth, just a little, because he’s not prepared to entertain a fan or field invasive questions about his past with the Ravens. Then the boy continues, “We’re both in History 5300, with Professor Davis.”

“Oh,” Kevin says, “um. Yes, we are.”

The boy’s grin widens. “I’m Jaden.” He nods towards Kevin’s laptop. “Are you working on that Augustine essay?”

Kevin, his words lost somewhere in his throat, nods. Jaden shakes his head, a rueful expression on his face. “I have to admit, this one’s giving me trouble. My grandma’s Catholic, so I thought I’d be able to understand it all a little better, but this guy is ridiculously intense.”

“My mom was Catholic,” Kevin volunteers, and then doesn’t know why he did so. Aaron gives him a weird look, but Kevin ignores him. “But you really just have to analyze it critically in regards to the historical impacts. You don’t have to be religious for that.” It comes out stiffer, more disapproving than Kevin really intended, but Jaden isn’t fazed.

“You’re better at it than I am, I suppose.” He glances at Aaron, then says, a little hesitant. “Do you mind if I sit with you? Maybe we can talk it over, review each other’s theses, that kind of thing.” Kevin doesn’t need help, doesn’t need to talk about the essay, doesn’t even really want to, but he nods.

Jaden beams, and sits down.

---

A year and a half after Riko’s death, Kevin calls Jean.

“Jaden kissed me,” he says. “It was nice.”

He can hear Jean’s smile. “We deserve to have nice things in our lives.”

Kevin smiles, and he isn’t afraid.

[thisdaynews]

Europa League: Feyenoord v Rangers - team news & build-up

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Europa League: Feyenoord v Rangers - team news & build-up

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All times stated are UK

Posted at 19:0719:07

Signs of celebration

Feyenoord 1-1 Rangers

Scott Mullen

BBC Scotland in Rotterdam

One word. Bedlam.

It took a second of disbelief first, but the Rangers fans housed in the rafters of De Kuip exploded in unbridled hysteria upon the sight of Alfredo Morelos’ header hitting the back of the net. In contrast, the rest of this iconic stadium is now fluctuating between silence and rumblings of discontent.

As things stand, Rangers are through. A long way to go yet.

Posted at 19:0719:07

‘It’s incredible’

Feyenoord 1-1 Rangers

Billy Dodds

Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Quote Message: Wow. Everything about that was quality. Steven Davis pings a pass 50, 60 yards to Kent, who puts a cross right on the button for Morelos. It’s incredible. One pass, one cross, one header, 1-1!

Wow. Everything about that was quality. Steven Davis pings a pass 50, 60 yards to Kent, who puts a cross right on the button for Morelos. It’s incredible. One pass, one cross, one header, 1-1!

Posted at 19:0419:04

GOAL! Feyenoord 1-1 Rangers

Alfredo Morelos

Out of the blue, Rangers are level.

A long ball out of defence finds Ryan Kent steaming down the wing.

The former Liverpool winger’s inswinging cross finds the Colombian at the back post and the striker’s header finds the far corner from 12 yards.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Posted at 19:0219:02

Young Boys in pole position

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

As it stands, Young Boys will qualify for the last 32 from Group G thanks to their 1-0 lead over Porto.

Rangers and Feyenoord would be three points behind, but the Swiss have a better head-to-head record against the Dutch going into the final group games.

47mins

Post update

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Feyenoord continue where they left off and Luis Sinisterra’s shot from 18 yards deflects wide for a corner.

Posted at 18:5718:57

Hard at work

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Scott Mullen

BBC Scotland in Rotterdam

Our BBC Scotland commentator Liam McLeod busy at work. You can listen to him and Billy Dodds at the top of this page and on BBC Radio Scotland.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Posted at 18:5718:57

KICK-OFF – second half

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Rangers have the ball at the start of the second half. Can they keep a hold of it more than they did in the first?

Posted at 18:5618:56

‘Interesting to see Christie play centrally’

Celtic v Rennes (20:00)

Tom English

BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer

Quote Message: It’s an unlikely looking attacking side from Celtic with Ryan Christie playing as the central striker. Celtic’s work is done in terms of qualification. Winning the group would be potentially very advantageous. It’ll be interesting to see how Christie gets on for Celtic tonight and, indeed, from a Scotland perspective. If he can look comfortable, Steve Clarke’s eyes will be lighting up

It’s an unlikely looking attacking side from Celtic with Ryan Christie playing as the central striker. Celtic’s work is done in terms of qualification. Winning the group would be potentially very advantageous. It’ll be interesting to see how Christie gets on for Celtic tonight and, indeed, from a Scotland perspective. If he can look comfortable, Steve Clarke’s eyes will be lighting up

Posted at 18:5218:52

‘Ojo needs to do more’

HT: Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Neil McCann

Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: I felt Feyenoord’s aggression could have played into Rangers’ hands with this counter-attacking game they’ve done so well with in the past. I don’t want to single anyone out, but Sheyi Ojo absolutely has to do more. He’s done absolutely nothing of note tonight and they need him with his blistering pace

I felt Feyenoord’s aggression could have played into Rangers’ hands with this counter-attacking game they’ve done so well with in the past. I don’t want to single anyone out, but Sheyi Ojo absolutely has to do more. He’s done absolutely nothing of note tonight and they need him with his blistering pace

Posted at 18:5118:51

Feyenoord in command

HT: Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

The half-time statistics, particularly the number of attempts, show how Feyenoord have dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Posted at 18:4918:49

Surprise changes as Edouard drops out

Celtic v Rennes (20:00)

Forward Mikey Johnston returns to the Celtic squad for the first time since the 1 September win over Rangers after suffering hip and groin problems and is on the bench, but versatile wide man Jonny Hayes misses out with a shoulder injury, while in-form 18-year-old right-back Jeremie Frimpong was not registered for the Europa League. Neil Lennon will also do without top scorer Odsonne Edouard, who hasn’t made it in to the 18-man matchday squad.

Instead, Lennon has opted to bring in Greg Taylor at left-back, Moritz Bauer at right-back, Olivier Ntcham in midfield for Tom Rogic, while Lewis Morgan has been drafted into attack to replace Edouard.

SNSCopyright: SNS

Mikey Johnston is back for Celtic and is on the benchImage caption: Mikey Johnston is back for Celtic and is on the bench

Posted at 18:4718:47

‘It could be worse than 1-0’

HT: Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Neil McCann

Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: You felt Dick Advocaat would fancy this and he sent his team out to be aggressive and play with a lot of pace in the game. They’re not playing it around the back, they’re moving it as quickly as possible because Rangers are playing very narrow. Their full-backs are getting in really high areas. It could be worse than 1-0 as it stands. Other than that piece of bad luck, Rangers have weathered the storm in periods

You felt Dick Advocaat would fancy this and he sent his team out to be aggressive and play with a lot of pace in the game. They’re not playing it around the back, they’re moving it as quickly as possible because Rangers are playing very narrow. Their full-backs are getting in really high areas. It could be worse than 1-0 as it stands. Other than that piece of bad luck, Rangers have weathered the storm in periods

Posted at 18:4418:44

LINE-UPS from Celtic Park

Celtic v Rennes (20:00)

Celtic:Forster, Bauer, Jullien, Ajer, Taylor, McGregor, Ntcham, Brown, Moran, Forrest, Christie.

Substitutes:Gordon, Bitton, Griffiths, Sinclair, Rogic, Johnston, Robertson.

Rennes:Mendy, Nyamsi, Siebatcheu, Guitane, Siliki, Bourigeaud, Maouassa, Tait, Gnagnon, Del Castillo, Boey.

Substitutes:Salin, Da Silva, Doumbia, Hunou, Gelin, Da Cunha, Gboho.

Posted at 18:4018:40

HALF-TIME Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Scott Mullen

BBC Scotland in Rotterdam

What a suckerpunch for Rangers. As the De Kuip pitch soaked up the rain, Steven Gerrard’s defence appeared to be absorbing every wave of Feyenoord attack that crashed against its blue barrier. It was fairly consistent and hairy at times, but to be undone by a deflected goal will be a deflating factor in the Rangers dressing-room at the break.

However, there is still hope. Kent has been by far Rangers’ brightest player and a jittery Feyenoord defence just don’t know what to do with him. Give more of the ball to him and quicker – and test a third-choice goalkeeper who has had nothing to do and this game is recoverable. But Gerrard’s men have to be sharper.

SNSCopyright: SNS

Jens Toornstra’s goal separates the sidesImage caption: Jens Toornstra’s goal separates the sides

Toornstra the screw

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

It’s been all Feyenoord since Jens Toornstra gave them the lead.

SNSCopyright: SNS

40mins

CLOSE!

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

So close to a second for Feyenoord as a free-kick just evades the head of Eric Botteghin in front of goal and Luis Sinesterra can only turn it wide at the far post.

The Colombian striker was offside in any case, but Botteghin wasn’t.

36mins

Post update

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Rangers are hanging on for dear life and goalkeeper Allan McGregor has to beat away a low drive from Steven Berghuis.

Posted at 18:3118:31

‘A big blow for Rangers’

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Billy Dodds

Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Quote Message: The goal came from nothing, didn’t it? They just picked the ball up and worked it left to right. I thought he should’ve put his laces through it, but he just clips it and it takes a deflection, which has caught Allan McGregor out. It’s a big blow for Rangers. They looked like they were back in control of this game, but suddenly they’re behind from a deflected goal

The goal came from nothing, didn’t it? They just picked the ball up and worked it left to right. I thought he should’ve put his laces through it, but he just clips it and it takes a deflection, which has caught Allan McGregor out. It’s a big blow for Rangers. They looked like they were back in control of this game, but suddenly they’re behind from a deflected goal

Posted at 18:3118:31

Decisive touch

Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Scott Mullen

BBC Scotland in Rotterdam

Just when it looked like Rangers were coming back into things. The announcer in the stadium, once the sound levels dipped adequately to do so, announced Jens Toornstra as the scorer, but from this angle, it wasn’t going in without a decisive touch from Helander.

This place is rocking.

32mins

GOAL! Feyenoord 1-0 Rangers

Jens Toornstra

Just when Rangers looked like they had subdued his side, a big smile passes over Dick Advocaat’s face as his new side take the lead against his former one.

Borna Barisic’s clearing header falls to Jens Toornstra and the Dutch midfielder sends a low drive past goalkeeper Allan McGregor via a deflection off Filip Helander’s knee.

BBCCopyright: BBC

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[emeraldinthesky]

STRANGE TRAILS - Chapter 1 - Through the Pines

A/N: I've been rewatching Twin Peaks and couldn't help but fall in love - again - with our valiant agent. This story will contain dialogue from the series. You can also follow this story here.

SUMMARY: Agent Cooper does expect his colleague, Albert to arrive in Twin Peaks to assist him in the investigation of Laura Palmer's death. He also hopes that Rosenfield will bring along a certain forensic pathologist of his team, who's special, not just for the FBI, but Cooper himself.

’Sheriff, this is Lucy.’ Cooper and Harry got alerted from the radio as they were inspecting the bloodsoaked towel in front of them. ’Is Agent Cooper with you?’ ’Yes, he is.’ The sheriff replied. ’Are Albert and his team here, Lucy?’ The man in the suit inquired knowingly as if he could see through the wall or read the mind of the naive receptionist. ’Yes, he is. They are.’ The dumbfounded phrases came through the digital terrain. ’We’re on our way.’ The agent assured her confidently, and they headed out to the hallway, but not before Coop alerted his new friend about the forensic leader's peculiar nature. That being, that he's the best at the corp, but also, an asshole to interact with.

They stepped out of the conference room, and just across, at the entrance, there they were: three tall, suited men, two of which kept on their aviator sunglasses even inside. As Cooper spotted a young woman along the three tall men, his eyes lit up and an affectionate smile spread his face. Her light blonde hair cascaded onto her shoulders, and her brown eyes resembled the shade of a perfectly brewed, hot espresso. She was dressed casually, with the widely recognized navy blue FBI jacket zipped down in the heated building. This broke the pattern of the group, although only meant that she was one - or the one - to drive up here. 'Agent Cooper.' She nodded to him. 'Miss Davis.' He returned the greeting. ’What the hell kind of a two-bit operation they’re running out at this treehouse, Cooper?’ The tall man in the middle interrupted their small banter. ’Albert, this is Sheriff Truman.’ The agent introduced them to each other without batting an eye at the comment the other man-made, but Albert remained similarly oblivious to his words. ’I have seen some slip shop blackwater burgs, but this place takes the cake.’ The girl Coop addressed as Miss Davis rolled her eyes and shot an apologetic glance at Lucy – so the agent knew his forensic colleague wasn’t acting up to par since they entered the station. While Albert continued his heated monologue, Davis turned to Cooper, and after a suggestive look at the man next to her, she crossed her eyes and the agent couldn’t suppress a chuckle. ’What are you waiting for, Christmas? We’ve got work to do, dammit. They’re putting this girl in the ground tomorrow, and we’ve wasted half the day traveling here to the middle of nowhere. ’Well, Albert, I suggest you and your team should get started.’ Cooper agreed with a fazed expression, after elevating his gaze from the woman. ’I’ll have one of my men escort you over to the morgue.’ The sheriff included, although he was noticeably not pleased with the manners demonstrated by the lead investigator of the forensic team. ’That’d be fine.’ He nodded. ’Results from a local pathologist’s report.’ The black-haired man handed them the files, and Albert took a brief read into the report. ’Welcome to amateur hour.’ Rosenfield scoffed. ’Looks like an all-nighter, boys.’ He shut the files close in a theatrical fashion and was just about to leave, when Harry grabbed his shoulder: ’Albert. Got a minute?’ They separated a few feet away from the group and the sheriff had a close heart-to-heart with the scientist. In the meantime, Coop exploited this opportunity to turn his attention to the blonde. ’So, Vicky, how do you like Twin Peaks?’ ’I threw this manchild out of my car halfway here and now I'mma spend the night with him. I’d say I’m in for a treat.’ She retorted, and it was the first time her Texan accent made an appearance. Although it grew weaker over the years, her tonation haven't lost its melodic aspect. ’And how are you, Agent Cooper?’ ’Never been better.’ A wide smile spread the man’s face, but Rosenfield abruptly left the police station and that meant the end of their small exchange. ’See ya, Dale.’ She waved to them and went after her team.

’So, what did you tell Albert?’ Cooper inquired from the curly-haired man when the other returned to his side. ’That he’ll be looking for his teeth if he keeps up with that attitude.’ Harry explained, still tensed and annoyed by the encounter. The agent gave him an appreciative nod. 'And you two, how long has it been?' The sheriff cocked an eyebrow at his partner. 'How can you tell?' Cooper asked, although his voice was fainter than usual. 'Body language.' The man grinned widely. 'Sheriff, I have to give it to you, it was a keen observation.' The special agent turned to his new friend, now much more like himself. 'Three years ago when she began working at the FBI, we had a brief affair. It was a negative influence on our professional sphere so we've put an end to it shortly after. We've been friends ever since.' 'Seems like both of you have more than friendship in mind.' Harry noted suggestively. 'She's the brightest investigator on the forensic team. And one of the youngest to make to the FBI.' Cooper continued with proud amazement. He used a similar tone to describe her as he did with Rosenfield, but a certain gentleness mixed into his expression. He meant every word, but they also meant something else. 'How old is she?' '27 this October. Already promised her a nice cup of coffee for that day.' The agent responded as they retreated to their task in the conference room.

Rosenfield wasn't exactly short in supply when it came to snarky comments about the town, and surely practiced them during the city seeing route it took to arrive to the morgue - at least, that was Victoria's speculation when she closed her car with the key, only to hear his boss make vicious remarks about the building and the weather. A tall, long-haired man with earrings emerged from the police car and nodded them to follow him inside. 'Look, the Chief wants us to follow. Maybe he'll whip out a calumet.' Albert scoffed as the woman rejoined them. A loud sigh escaped the blonde woman's lips as the men shared a chuckle. She had been working closely with Albert for 3 years now; being his assistant meant she was placed wherever he was, and she was unable to leave his side. It also meant that she grew almost immune to his unsavory personal notes and not-so-charming attitude, but Twin Peaks brought the worst out of him. She haven't seen him so sour since that time in Alaska, where the small hospital doubled as a lab and a morgue, and the heating system bailed on them, because, well, something went haywire and nobody cared enough to fix it. The policeman handed them off to a diener, to lead them to the corpse they traveled to examine. She expected from the report, that the only forensic scientist in the area was the senior physician; it was a remarkable accomplishment from the supposedly old man, but filled with inaccuracies, misinterpretations, and missing data. And just as she speculated - the evidence has been fumbled around with, greasy police-fingerprints all over, and she could have sworn to recognize Cooper's thumb on one of them. She had seen it enough times to tell. In his defense, he did get better at wearing gloves after she made him sit through an evaluation. These were the moments she understood how Albert became such a sullen character; when they don't respect your work enough to put a glove on after munching down chocolate-glazed donuts, you begin to consider to incriminate the police officer who doesn't understand the idea of scene contamination. Shit, maybe she was becoming like him. Vicky pulled her long hair into a bun, and she curved her labcoat on herself. She fished around in its pockets for her gold-rimmed glasses. Maybe that's the reason why, but Cooper's delightful manners sparked a slight warmth in her chest. Oh, who she was kidding - it was a bonfire that could burn down witches. Yet, it was so nice to have a friendly, intentive chit-chat, one that wasn't ornamented with decay, bowel containments, or the unsatisfaction with anything lower of standards than Harvard or the Bureau laboratories. Even hovering over a 7-day old corpse couldn't wash away that utter contentment, especially since Rosenfield and the boys focused their attention on the work to be done. Jeremy, their chemist and ballistic expert took the necessary samples, and so did Chris, their biologist and DNA-specialist, to retreat to their own corner. Victoria was left with her boss to further inspect the body and occasionally furthering certain pieces to the rest of the investigators. After years, it was still unnerving to phantom that this body lying lifelessly on their autopsy table, was not long ago was a young girl, just beginning her journey of unforeseeable and puzzling crossroads. It was nauseating for some, but for Vicky, it was fascinating. Opening up the skin to fold it over, marveling at the mechanism behind it and making the dead talk again. Piecing the information together and searching for answers and clues were invigorating for her; and the gruesome nature made it all the more exciting. 'Would you still like to work in a run-down PD like this?' Rosenfield asked her out of the blue. They were opening the Palmer girl's abdomen, rummaging around emotionlessly in the cold insides. 'You know, Albert, just because certain departments are not as well-financed, or the people working in them aren't as privileged as we are, it doesn't mean their work is any less meaningful.' She passed him an instrument then continued to secure the opening with metal clips. 'No. It just means it's worse.' He said with a cynical smirk and cut the stomach open. Another thing she mastered during their work together - sort out the constructive criticism, and let the remarks go; only this time, Albert was considerably more offensive than usual.

She knew it would be a long night.

[the-read-option]

Clash of the Tight Ends

beI’ve been joining a lot of Dynasty leagues lately, one of these being a tight end premium league. Now, I will freely admit to being a tight end streamer who would pick up a guy with a good matchup and spend my draft picks elsewhere in every league so suddenly finding myself valuing tight ends was a weird place to be.

I was way behind the curve with my knowledge of established tight ends for a deeper format as I’ve never needed to worry about these guys on a longer term basis.  But hey, after a weekend poring over numbers and depth charts the way I do at other positions, I think I have identified some guys who could be ready to take the leap into relevance (albeit only in deeper formats for some names).

For this list of guys, I’m excluding the top 20 Tight Ends on Yahoo’s projected points. All rankings in PPR. Rookies will be at the end.

21-30:

#28: Chris Herndon:  Last season, injuries and suspension saw Herndon drop in lists this year with his drop to TE112, but this is a case where recency bias can mean we’re getting a better player later in the draft than they should be available.  Herndon is entering his third year in the NFL and the narrative coming out of the Jets are that he will take over the starting reins. In Dynasty formats his age is worth mentioning too, as he is 24.  The peak age for tight ends in fantasy is between 25-27, so getting him for the duration of that period is a great fantasy asset. Even in redraft formats, Herndon has value as in his rookie season he finished TE16. 

31-40:

#40: Will Dissly:  Okay it took a lot for me to skip Sternberger, but here is why I did. In the league that prompted me to write this article, Dissly went in the 13th round. Yes, this is another guy with injury concerns. Yes, Greg Olsen is ahead on the depth chart but we’re drafting dynasty here and guess how old Dissly is. Yes, 24.  The golden age. He has only played 10 games in the last 2 seasons but in 6 of those games he scored over 15 pts. In this format, he isn’t your TE1 but Olsen has his own injury concerns and I’m willing to bet on Dissly’s talent winning out.

41-50: 

#46: Jeremy Sprinkle: It was tough to find a guy in this 10 who really stood out to me. This is more about the opportunity than the player, but at this stage in your draft, 40 TEs have gone off the board. At this stage you aren’t getting the high floor guys, at Tight End those guys have long gone.  These players are rolls of the fantasy dice and hoping it comes up 6.  Sprinkle for me is one of those players. He has the starting job, but has only once had more that 4 targets in a game. His snap percentage is very high, so with Davis and Reed no longer on the roster, can Jar-Jar Sprinks become the established TE1 of the Football Team era. Also he definitely wants people to use that nickname. Oh by the way, he is 25.

51-60:

#55: Nick Boyle:  Volume is king in fantasy. Jackson loves his TEs with Andrews getting 98 targets alone.  Boyle got 43 as TE2, there aren’t any other teams who target TE as much and all it would take is an injury to elevate Boyle to Andrew’s target share.  Now, sure, Jackson targets Andrews because of what he does with the ball, but mid season you won’t draft up a new offense to cater for an injury, so it is likely Boyle would initially take Andrews role. 

Unranked guys: These guys are outside the top 75 TEs but I think their value will only go up:

Josh Oliver: Tyler Eifert and Josh Oliver have 2 things in common.  They both play for Jacksonville and they both have injury history.  Eifert has the job, but 2019 was the first year since 2013 that he played all 16 games. Josh Oliver should hit training camp healthy and I’m waiting for those reports by anonymous couaches saying he looks good in training. 6′5″, 23 years old, even if Eifert lasts the year, Oliver is poised to take over in dynasty formats and like we covered above, these are dice rolls at this stage.

Drew Sample.  24 years old. TE1 for what should be an ascending offense.His ankle is healthy and ready to go.  On my boards, Sample would be higher than Oliver but this former 2nd round pick has the ability to take this role on and everything I see coming out from the coaches says his star is ascending. If he takes the job on and wins it, he could find himself in the top 20 TEs and at this price that is worth it.

Hale Hentges: You have to love an UDFA who not only makes a roster but finds their way to the pitch as a rookie.  Hale did that, snagging 8 of 14 targets for 103 yards and a single touchdown. Worth noting that 7 of those targets came in week 16. As above, with Davis and Reed gone, the Washington Football Team have 2 young tight ends ready to go this season.

Rookies:

Adam Trautman: Every year, there are players you grow attached to during the draft process and refer to as ‘my guys’. This year for me, the 2 were Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson and Adam “The Merman” Trautman. Now, we all love a tight end with a basketball background but when you throw ‘former high school qb’ into the mix then I’m rushing to the podium. Coming out Dayton, his small-school background is a concern as you can’t trust his numbers or compare them to somebody playing in a tougher conference but while watching the combine I noted down that I loved the effort he threw into the reps. Give me a guy with a chip on his shoulder and I’ll give you the Saints starter as soon as next season.

Harrison Bryant: Kevin Stefanski offenses run a lot of 12 personnel, but with Austin Hooper and David Njoku (currently) on the roster, Harrison’s path to the field is a little blocked right now, but this is dynasty and Njoku is already making noise like he wants out. The new look Browns will be a heavy running team with 2 TEs on the pitch most downs and if either Hooper or Njoku get injured, Bryant will more than pull his weight.  this is a stash for the future, but the Browns may be the deepest at Tight End in the league right now.

Devin Asiasi: When you get drafted by the Patriots at a position of need, in year’s past you would be very highly touted but I’ve yet to see the fantasy steam train pick up speed on Asiasi.  Dalton Keene was taken a round later but figures to be a special teams player at first who will find the field by his versatility.  Asiasi wasn’t a big name tight end but is athletic and quick. Blocks well yet only has 1 season with solid production. Has areas he needs to work on but frankly every tight end does as there are so many elements to the position.

Anyway, I hope this leaves you a bit better armed for your drafts and let me know who you are keeping an eye on in these deeper tight end formats.

Cheers!

Dave

[latesthollywoodnews]

Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!

Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!

Jeremy Brown - Latest News - My Hollywood News

Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!, Hollywood Celebrity Rewards.

Celebrity News 2018, Hollywood Latest Story Moana, Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!.

Hollywood Celebrities Latest Story 1964 Celebrities Latest Story famous Walt Hollywood Studios is an American film studio, one of the four major businesses of The Walt Hollywood Company and the main component of its Studio Entertainment segment.

Who was Roy to Walt Hollywood?

Roy O. Hollywood. Roy Oliver Hollywood (June 24, 1893 – December 20, 1971) was an American businessman, becoming the partner and co-founder, along with his younger brother Walt Hollywood, of Walt Hollywood Productions, since renamed The Walt Hollywood Company.

What is the story of Sleeping Beauty?

Filled with jealousy, the evil witch Maleficent (Eleanor Audley) curses Princess Aurora (Mary Costa) to die on her 16th birthday. Thanks to Aurora’s guardian fairies (Verna Felton, Barbara Jo Allen, Barbara Luddy), she only falls into a deep sleep that can be ended with a kiss from her betrothed, Prince Phillip (Bill Shirley). To prevent Phillip from rescuing Aurora, Maleficent kidnaps and imprisons him. The good fairies are the last hope to free Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora.

Why was Hollywoodland created?

With limited finances, Walt had to find affordable land. It was also important that his park be located near a major highway. In August of 1953, Hollywood and his partners selected a 160-acre orange grove in Anaheim, California to be the site of Hollywoodland. The construction of Hollywoodland began during the summer of 1954.

More Celebrity News ►►

We didn’t think it was even possible, but Cami Mendes and Charles Melton just got even cuter. These two have officially taken relationship goals to a whole new level.

What’s up guys? It’s Sinead de Vries here with Clevver News and we have to talk about Cami’s incredibly sweet love letter to Charles.

And prepare yourselves for some serious tears, because apparently Cami Mendes can write love notes that could upstage love song lyrics from both John Legend and Adele.

We all know that the Riverdale co-stars, who are love interests on the show, are dating IRL. But we just got a peak behind the curtain as to how much love is brewing between Cami and her man.

Last night, the couple walked the red carpet for the premiere of his new movie “The Sun Is Also a Star.”

To celebrate his big moment, Cami posted a congratulatory, heartfelt, and seriously supportive message on her Instagram. Like she might be the best girlfriend ever.

And here’s your warning to grab your tissues because it’s about to get emotional.

She said quote, “his passion and tenacity are part of the reason i fell in love with him. watching him throw his entire heart and soul into this story of love taught me a lot about the kind of person he is. I’m probably sharing too much, but before we started dating he’d often get mad at me for trying to bring logic into love.”

Are you crying yet? Cuz there’s still more.

She continued by saying quote, “he taught me that love doesn’t have an explanation, it either exists or it doesn’t. it was his vulnerability not only as an actor, but also as a man, that taught me that valuable message, one that is so relevant to this film. i’m so proud of you charles, and so grateful to have witnessed this beautiful journey of yours. can’t wait for the world to see what you’re capable of.”

(sniffles) I’m not crying, there’s just something in my eye.

And if all of that wasn’t enough to make you feel all the feels, Charles replied simply, “I love you,” in the comments.

My heart can’t take it, these two are so perfect.

The Riverdale couple has been Instagram official since October and we have been obsessed with these two ever since.

Most recently we were fangirling over these two at the Met Gala as they served up fierce looks while still being unbelievably adorable together.

Sorry Varchie fans, but I think we’re officially Team Veggie.

Alright guys, it’s time to hear from you! Are you so here for these two? And how sweet was that love letter?

Let us know all your thoughts in the comment section below and hit me up on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @sineaddevries. After that click right over here to watch another new video and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and click that bell to get notified whenever we post. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you soon.

For More Clevver Visit: Find us on Facebook: Keep up with us on Instagram: Follow us on Twitter: Tweet Me:

Best Hollywood Celebrities ever, Must Watch English Celebrities, Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!.

Hollywood continued to focus its talents on television throughout the 1950s. Its weekday afternoon children’s television program The Mickey Mouse Club, featuring its roster of young “Mouseketeers”, premiered in 1955 to great success, as did the Davy Crockett miniseries, starring Fess Parker and broadcast on the Hollywoodland anthology show. List Of 2018 Hollywood Films, Cami Mendes REVEALS THIS About Her Boyfriend On Instagram!.

https://www.myhollywoodnews.com/cami-mendes-reveals-this-about-her-boyfriend-on-instagram/

#LatestNews

[alonsonfl-blog]

2018 Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection 2.0

Here is my second 53 man roster projection for the 2018 Patriots. I’ll have more out after preseason games. Locks are in bold. Suspended, PUP, and IR players are at the bottom. Have at it:

QB (2): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer No questions about the top two. Brady got off to a bit of a rusty start in camp, but seems back to his normal self. Hoyer's experience in the system makes him the clearcut backup. Etling has been inconsistent at best, and hasn't shown enough for the team to consider keeping three quarterbacks. A year on the practice squad would be ideal for him. RB (5): Rex Burkhead, James White, Sony Michel, Jeremy Hill, Brandon Bolden I've expected the team to keep four backs throughout the offseason, but Michel's injury opens up a spot for another of Jeremy Hill, Brandon Bolden, and Mike Gillislee. Burkhead, White, and Michel are locks, with the expectation that Burkhead will split some of the early down responsibilities with Hill as Michel gets his legs back under him. Depending on Michel's return timetable, the team could keep four backs and add a developmental player at linebacker (Ja'Whaun Bentley) or edge defender (Eric Lee, Keionta Davis, Harvey Langi)... or, of course, make a trade (John Simon?). WR (6): Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, Eric Decker, Matthew Slater This is the worst wide receiver group the team has had going into week one since 2013, and its floor might be lower than that (which is scary). However, with the week five return of Edelman and projected growth in the system for Britt and Dorsett, the group's upside might rival the 2016 Edelman/Hogan/Amendola/Mitchell outfit, especially with Rob Gronkowski as the top tight end over Martellus Bennett. Britt is my breakout guy for the 2018 Patriots. He's still young (29) even though it feels like he's been around forever, and just had over 1,000 yards with Bad Case Keenum and Rookie Jared Goff throwing to him on the 2016 "We're Not Fucking Going 7-9" Rams. Check out my case for Britt here. Dorsett's side sessions with Brady and glowing praise from coaches and teammates alike, coupled with his flashes of upside in 2017 lead me to believe he has real upside as the fourth receiver with Edelman back after September. He just looks so smooth... admittedly, most of this is theoretical/projection. I only include Decker because of Edelman's suspension and his reported $1.9M contract. I doubt he'll be on the team if the other receivers are healthy after week 5. He really struggled creating separation last year. If I had to present a case for him: he was better late in the season and into the playoffs, has some background in the system, and was coming off major hip and shoulder surgery last year. Also, his wife calls him "Big Dick Decker" ... so there's that. I give Patterson almost no shot to carve out a role for himself as a receiver through anything more than reverse/bubble screen gadgetry. If he does, based on his past with learning playbooks, this team is probably in trouble. FB (1): James Develin Overlooked as a crucial component of the offense. Remember the Patriots playing Shaq Mason at fullback at times in 2015? TE (3): Rob Gronkowski, Jacob Hollister, Dwayne Allen No questions here beyond the Patriots maybe asking Allen to restructure his contract, or releasing him with the hope of bringing him back at a salary more in line with his role and production. Gronk will serve as the top tight end, and I think both Hollister and Allen will play a role as tight ends 2a and 2b. Think of Allen as Michael Williams (except he makes $5M... ugh) and Hollister as a rich man's Tim Wright, with upside to become Gronkowski's second best post-Hernandez sidekick (miss you, Marty). OL (9): Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Isaiah Wynn, LaAdrian Waddle, Cole Croston, Ted Karras I count the top seven players on the list as locks, leaving competition for one, maybe two offensive line spots. I give those to the incumbents in Croston and Karras because (a) none of the veterans (Bowanko, John, Schwenke, Tobin) the team brought in have separated themselves and (b) experience and trust in the system. I see some people cutting Croston in projections, and while I understand it, I think the team carrying him on the roster for all of last year means they really like him.

I’ve pushed for the team to try Wynn at left guard as a way to simply play their five best linemen, but based on the early returns from camp, it doesn’t seem like the team is strongly considering it at this point. Too bad. I think Wynn is a lot better than Thuney, and a Wynn-Andrews-Mason interior would absolutely maul people with Brown and Cannon flanking.

Trent Brown was such a masterstroke trade by Belichick. From everything we’ve heard, he looks like the team’s best lineman. I’ll bet he upgrades on Solder, at 20% of the cap hit. If the marriage continues to benefit both sides into the season, I think they make a push to extend him similarly to Marcus Cannon in 2016. The team continues to bring in veterans on the interior of the offensive line, which coupled with the depth at that spot that already existed on the roster leads me to the conclusion that Shaq Mason is the WTF Trade Candidate for this year's training camp. I won't predict it, but I had to get it out there. ED (4): Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Adrian Clayborn, Derek Rivers No surprises here. These four guys are locks, and the team will try to make this its four man edge defender rotation. With Wise's training camp jump, Flowers and Clayborn's proven production, and Belichick's praise for Rivers (coupled with his significant talent), I'm optimistic it'll work. Eric Lee, Harvey Langi, or Keionta Davis could sneak on, though Davis has been playing inside at times during practice. If John Simon becomes available I would think the Patriots inquire. Simon is the way-too-obvious trade or cutdown target for the Patriots this preseason. DT (4): Danny Shelton, Lawrence Guy, Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine Shelton, Guy, and Brown are established as the top rotation, with Shelton the clear top dog and Guy and Brown as solid 2a/2b rotational pieces. All three will ideally wind up playing a similar number of snaps. I wouldn't read much into Brown being "demoted" to the second unit. Valentine makes the team over Adam Butler, a meh situational pass rusher with no value on early downs and therefore very little depth value on the team. Valentine is a great fill in option as a big defensive tackle if one of Shelton, Guy, or Brown get nicked. If Shaq Mason was a possible WTF Trade Candidate, Malcom Brown may be one on a smaller scale, due to the presence of Valentine, Butler's proven ability to be a replacement level situational pass rusher, and Brown's expiring contract. John Atkins has also opened a couple of eyes during camp. The possible spot for a Brown trade: Detroit, who might be looking at starting Ricky Jean Francois at defensive tackle. Who knows, maybe they throw in Golden Tate, whose contract also expires after this season! (yes, I know they won't throw in Golden Tate. Just let me have my fun)... LB (6): Dont'a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Marquis Flowers, Brandon King, Elandon Roberts, Christian Sam The top five are either locks or very close to it, especially based on Elandon Roberts' heavy usage during camp (usage I expect to fizzle significantly come September). Hightower and Van Noy are the horses, with Roberts and Flowers playing situationally, and Sam developing behind the scenes. If either one of Hightower or Van Noy goes down, the Patriots have experience mixing and matching to fill in their roles, but against the best offenses and offensive minds, they're in trouble. Get those two to January. Roberts was atrocious last year, but he has experience in the system and Belichick apparently trusts him. With the prevalence of big nickel as a base defense, though, I don't think his thumper linebacker role will come into play much with Hightower and Van Noy healthy. I do expect Marquis Flowers to carve out a role for himself on passing downs, moving Hightower to the edge, bumping Trey Flowers inside, and letting Brian Flores get creative with pass rush looks. Typing that sent a wonderful chill down my spine. Ja'Whaun Bentlely was the victim of Michel's injury forcing me to keep five running backs, as he's the last guy out in this projection. I don't exactly weep for the team not being able to keep two complete negatives on passing plays at linebacker, though. Sam has been playing over him in practice. CB (6): Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Duke Dawson, Jason McCourty, JC Jackson, Ryan Lewis I've been banging the "keep six corners" drum for months, and Lewis and Jackson's strong camps have only added fuel to the fire. Gilmore and Rowe will start. The team should try to extend Rowe at some point, similar to what they did with Van Noy last year. Dawson has been seeing top slot reps, though the team experimented with McCourty outside and Rowe in the slot during the week. I like that corner trio more in a vacuum, though it may lack shiftiness against certain receiver types. I think the slot will vacillate based on matchups. McCourty could be in trouble without a strong preseason, as Jackson and Lewis carry more long term upside and the team saves almost $3M by cutting him before the season. McCourty was great last year, though, and cutting him would leave the team with unproven depth behind Gilmore and Rowe on the outside. Jackson and Lewis emerging allows Jonathan Jones to stay on PUP and come back fully ready to go during the season. With no corner as a lock to make the team beyond Gilmore and Dawson signed beyond this year, Jackson and Lewis making the team would allow for more continuity at the position in 2019. The team should go to great lengths to avoid adding their names to the list of young corners that got away (Darryl Roberts, Justin Coleman, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Troy Hill, Rashaan Melvin, Kenny Moore). S (4): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Eddie Pleasant The top trio stays the top trio, and I try to prepare myself for seeing Duron Harmon wear 21. I don't buy that he'll usurp Chung as the safety alongside McCourty, but stranger things have happened.

Goodbye, Jordan Richards. Eddie Pleasant takes the mantle of dime safety/core special teamer from Richards, with proven competence in the role, and allows Nate Ebner to fully recover from his ACL tear by starting the season on the PUP list. Duke Dawson, Ryan Lewis, and JC Jackson's value as special teamers shouldn't be overlooked as it relates to the safety/special teams mix, either. That is a major part of what allows the team to keep ten DBs while not being forced to keep five safeties. Special Teams (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Joe Cardona, Ryan Allen The triumvirate returns for another season. No questions on Gostkowski or Cardona, but Allen's battle with Corey Bojorquez in the preseason bears watching. Bojorquez has a monster leg.

Suspended: Julian Edelman

PUP: Nate Ebner, Jonathan Jones, Cyrus Jones

IR: Malcolm Mitchell

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The Outlet Pass: Lonzo's Curse, Kerr's Adjustment, Westbrook's Defense

1. Philly’s Turnover Problem is...Getting Worse?

The Philadelphia 76ers have dropped eight of their last 10 games and would miss the playoffs if the season ended today. The easiest explanation for their slide—beyond Joel Embiid’s bad back—is turnovers.

Philly has committed a turnover on 19.3 percent of their possessions since an inexcusable home loss (on two day’s rest) against the Los Angeles Lakers back on December 7th. The gap between them and the second sloppiest team in the league over that stretch matches the gap between the 29th and 13th-ranked teams! Philly obviously ranks in last for turnover rate over the entire season, averaging almost two turnovers per game more than the 29th-ranked Lakers.

Of Philly’s seven leaders in usage percentage, J.J. Redick and Dario Saric are the only two who rank above the 50th percentile at their respective position in turnover percentage, per Cleaning the Glass. Guards who’re supposed to protect the ball (like T.J. McConnell and Jerryd Bayless) are unnaturally loose with it.

This team is young, with key players who've only shared the court for a few months. Their struggle is understandable. It's also not new. The Sixers have enjoyed the NBA’s wobbliest offense for four of the last five years, and have preached ball movement and pace since Brett Brown became their head coach. For the second season in a row they rank first in passes per game and are currently second in both potential and secondary assists, per NBA.com.

They force passes into the post, turn down what the defense is offering, and play with a predictable exuberance. They sometimes respond to transition opportunities like a puppy that just heard you coo its name while holding a leash.

Some of their mistakes are thanks to an excessive unselfishness. They drive and kick and drive and kick and belabor sequences in search of a perfect opportunity instead of striking while the iron is hot. If the defense botches a switch and surrenders a long two, take the open shot!

Sometimes they go too early and lack patience. Sometimes Ben Simmons’s man (who usually boasts an expansive wingspan) leaves him idle on the perimeter and clogs up lanes that would otherwise exist if he were willing to shoot.

On the play above, Saric has Joel Embiid wide open as a trailing big but sees Jonas Valanciunas drifting towards the perimeter and likes the thought of attacking Kyle Lowry on a mismatch more than passing the ball. But instead of simplifying the play and feeding Embiid for a three, Saric puts it on the floor and drives straight into a mosh pit.

Philadelphia’s long-term upside obviously remains sky high. Their shot frequency is intelligent, but their intentions don't yet align with their execution. This was a known issue Philly's coaching staff and front office wanted to correct heading into the season. They don't need to treat the ball like it's a Faberge egg, but cutting out just half of their unforced errors could, alone, elevate their offense to a league-average level.

2. The San Antonio Spurs Remain Clairvoyant

Apart from a couple extended injuries to critical players and some iffy shooting from the outside (both long twos and above-the-break), the Spurs are basically still the Spurs. They’re mixing and matching, turning the regular season into Gregg Popovich’s public laboratory, where new faces are getting extended time with veteran vanguards, rest is a priority, and low-usage pieces are given an opportunity to bloom at a moment's notice.

One of San Antonio’s better lineups, a unit Popovich will likely trot out in the last few minutes of a tight playoff game (Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gay, and LaMarcus Aldridge) has yet to play a minute this season. Leonard has played 12 possessions at power forward but San Antonio has generally embraced smaller groups this year, with Aldridge spending a majority of his time at center.

No team can stabilize an adjustment period like San Antonio. And through all their change lies an unparalleled unspoken chemistry every other roster—except the Golden State Warriors—wishes it had. This play from a recent game against the Los Angeles Clippers is a good example that contains actual telepathy.

Patty Mills sets a cross screen to free Pau Gasol up on the left block, then flex cuts off Rudy Gay’s pindown for a potential three. When the Clippers switch to take away Mills, Gay throws his arm up and dives down the lane to drag a help defender (in this case Milos Teodosic) off Manu Ginobili in the weakside corner.

Nothing about it is remarkable until you notice when the ball leaves Parker’s fingers. He flings it across the court before Gay starts to roll, as Teodosic is still leaning towards Ginobili. It’s a pass that can’t be made without intuitive basketball bravery. And it's freaking awesome.

If the Spurs are on television, watch them. I guarantee you'll have a good time.

3. CJ McCollum’s “Sneaky Athleticism”

The adjective “sneaky-athletic” is 99.9 percent reserved for non-black players who are actually incredibly athletic. This year alone I’ve heard announcers use the phrase to describe Sam Dekker and Pat Connaughton, a pair of phenomenal athletes. Gordon Hayward still heard the label as recently as last season even though he’s always been a freak.

But guess what? Black players can be sneaky athletes too! And, as first-class Portland Trail Blazers color commentator Lamar Hurd has pointed out multiple times throughout this season, C.J. McCollum is a good example. Known for below-the-rim craftiness, an eagle-eye shot, and handle that’s clever enough to teleport him wherever he wants to go, the 26-year-old still gets up when he wants to.

That said, McCollum isn’t Steve Francis. Only five percent of his 572 shots have been dunks this season, which is a career low. His most recent one blessed this Earth when he went between his legs to cross up Josh Hart and drop a two-handed yam on Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma. A solid “I don’t always drink beer” NBA moment. But that's why it's called "sneaky" athleticism!

4. Spencer Dinwiddie Might Be Pretty Good

Spencer Dinwiddie’s job in Brooklyn was muted heading into this season. A point guard on a non-guaranteed contract—embedded within a backcourt-stacked roster that just sacrificed cap space and a first-round pick for a fresh franchise player at the same position—it wasn’t realistic to assume Dinwiddie would have the ball in his hands as often as he should, could, or desired.

Even with enough size and length (he’s 6’6” with a 6’8” wingspan) to guard a couple positions, and an improving shot that justified minutes in a reserve role, the Nets had two lead ball handlers—D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin—who would serve as their primary scorers and facilitators, leaving Dinwiddie out in the cold. But with both out for most of the season, the 24-year-old has grabbed hold of a system any floor general would love to run.

So far, so good.

Heading into this week, Brooklyn’s point differential was 14.1 points per 100 possessions better with Dinwiddie on the floor (they performed like a 52-win team with him at point guard, per Cleaning the Glass) and he ranks 15th in Real Plus-Minus, ahead of Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis.

Injuries create opportunity—a chance for those in waiting to step up and shine in larger roles with greater responsibilities, theoretically beside (and against) superior talent. Dinwiddie is doing that with confidence—every so often he’ll launch a side-step three from a few feet behind the line, a la Kyrie Irving—and artistry.

He keeps his head up in the open floor and does a nice job feeding shooters as soon as they spring open. He's a no-frills playmaker who takes care of the ball and rarely attempts to do more than what's necessary to complete a play.

It'll be interesting to see how he adjusts when Russell returns and he shifts off the ball. Dinwiddie entered the league without an outside shot and now has one that defenses need to respect. He's also proven capable of stewarding a solid pick-and-roll attack without any of the nonsensical mistakes habitually made by Russell. His size allows him to defend both backcourt positions (his length really bothered John Wall when Brooklyn punked the Wizards last week) and he deserves as much playing time as anyone on the team.

5. Oladipo is Still Learning His Own Power

This is kinda funny. The Pacers fall into a switch they like then take their time to try and attack it. As Darren Collison backpedals to size up John Collins, Cory Joseph motions for Victor Oladipo to drop towards the baseline and drag Malcolm Delaney away from his help position. We refer to Delaney's reaction as a response to Oladipo's gravity, but this isn't gravity. It’s a magnetic vice grip.

Marco Belinelli wisely helps off Joseph and helps deter a drive to the cup, but go back and watch how closely Delaney shadows Oladipo. He's step for step! In the moment beforehand Indiana's new franchise player is almost like a teenage superhero who just levitated in his bedroom for the first time.

The adjustment to life as a legitimate offensive superstar is not an overnight process; Oladipo is still learning how he can sometimes have an even greater impact off the ball than with it in his hands. The biggest surprise in the NBA is still absorbing new information about himself, and it's a wonderful thing to see.

6. Russell Westbrook’s Conflicting Defense

I’ve watched nearly half of Oklahoma City’s games this year and still don’t know if Russell Westbrook is having a good season on the defensive end. That’s partly because the reigning MVP is an impulsive gambler who’s addicted to the thrill that attaches itself to that exact moment a steal feels attainable. He's constantly chasing that high.

On some nights this creates turnovers that galvanize the Thunder and momentarily make everyone in the organization feel invincible. On others, these attempted steals have a crippling effect that limit how good the team can be.

Oklahoma City’s defense is very good with Westbrook on the floor and slightly worse when he sits. (Worth noting: the Thunder can’t get stops when Westbrook doesn’t have Andre Roberson by his side.) Continuing on a five-year trend, the percentage of OKC’s steals that lead to transition plays shoots through the roof when he’s in the game—currently at a career-best 17.2 percent.

It’s a style of play that makes Westbrook the overwhelming force he is. The man plays with an uncontrollable rage and force that, quite honestly, can’t be honed for 48 minutes in a disciplined environment or system. He runs and jumps and smashes, and so much of that is born from reckless defensive play.

OKC is 12-3 in December, currently riding a six-game winning streak that includes victories over the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, and Denver Nuggets. More often than not during this stretch, Westbrook has been a game-changing hell spawn on both ends. Only Paul George, Thaddeus Young, and Robert Covington average more deflections per game, and nobody recovers more loose balls.

Among all players who’ve defended at least 80 pick-and-rolls this year, Westbrook has contributed to a higher percentage of possessions that result in turnovers than anyone else, according to Synergy Sports. But sometimes his obsession with the basketball gets the best of him. Nobody—no-buh-dee—loves that thing more than him.

That’s always complicated his approach. Westbrook will cut corners or even fall into a trance, when the ball is so close that he can basically smell its full-grain leather skin (gross). Look at this play from Wednesday night’s win against Toronto.

With his eyes locked onto a DeMar DeRozan-Jakob Poeltl pick-and-roll, Westbrook loses track of Kyle Lowry, then isn’t sure if he should switch onto Serge Ibaka. He was literally hypnotized. But the Thunder will take it, so long as he continues to wreak havoc as often as he does, creating momentum-turning events with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old on Christmas morning.

More importantly, Westbrook’s irresponsible intensity assuages the stress from Oklahoma City’s inconsistent half-court offense. He bestows easy baskets for himself and others; it works in this specific environment—more so than a solid, bend-don’t-break approach probably would.

7. Wayne Ellington is The Hand Off King

Avery Bradley is the only player who’s ended more total possessions off a hand off than Wayne Ellington this season. According to Synergy Sports, last year the increasingly lethal play type accounted for 16.7 percent of his offensive possessions. Right now that number is at 27.9 percent and he ranks in the 89th percentile.

In the half-court, racing around screens, looping through the paint and around the baseline, from one end of the floor to the other, he’s a nuclear-powered wind-up doll. It’s particularly diabolical (and an aesthetic joy) whenever Miami deploys action that allows Ellington to sprint off a screen and directly into a dribble hand off.

Miami is its best self when Ellington is on the floor and its worst self when he sits, per NBA.com. He’s shooting 44 percent from deep when a defender is within four feet (“tight” and “very tight” coverage), and playing with Kelly Olynyk (a big who possesses passing/perimeter skills) instead of Hassan Whiteside and Willie Reed—as he did last season—has regularly afforded him the extra beat he needs to get a shot off. An incredible 86 percent of all his shots are threes.

Ellington just turned 30 but he’s hitting free agency this summer, at the exact right time. Assuming Miami can’t afford that next deal, whichever team pays him should do their best to utilize Ellington’s strengths and continue to keep the fat out of his game.

8. Maxi Kleber is the NBA’s Most Underrated Rookie

Maxi Kleber’s skill-set is noiseless, but every now and then he makes a compelling play that shifts the game's momentum in Dallas' favor; it’s hard not to appreciate all the smart ways he helps out.

The 25-year-old German rookie takes charges, blocks shots, knocks down open threes, and sprints the floor. He can rise for a lob, impede a downhill-charging guard’s progress in the paint without fouling, and never needs the ball to positively impact his team.

So much of Kleber’s role is thankless—sometimes he’ll venture off his man to block a shot he has no chance at, leaving his man free to gobble up the rebound—but he's a reliable starter on what might be the best bad team this league's seen in years.

9. Lonzo’s Subtle Genius Can Be His Own Worst Enemy

This fair and nuanced assessment of “What Lonzo Ball Can Be” vs. “What Lonzo Ball Can Do” by ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz should remind everyone who reads it how difficult it is to gauge Ball’s unique all-around impact while shooting percentages and scoring prowess are, sadly, the end-all, be-all way to explore a prospect’s potential.

Ball moves like a bold splash of spontaneity. He plays hard and everything he does is with purpose (watch his defensive intensity running back on defense whenever he misses a shot). It’s still hard to know if his game is retrograde or cutting edge, but two sequences from L.A.’s close loss against the Trail Blazers summoned a pair of examples that detail Ball’s brilliance and how it can sometimes hold him back. (This is random, but I don’t think there’s another point guard alive who I’d rather play pickup basketball with.)

At first glance this initial play looks like a regular lob to Julius Randle, but let’s quickly unpack why it’s so effective, and how it easily could've gone wrong.

Ball notices that Evan Turner has anticipated the pass and rotated off Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the weakside corner to break it up. He’s already in the paint when Randle crosses the free-throw line. So instead of throwing it up towards the hoop and simply hoping his teammate can beat Turner to it, Ball’s pass never climbs higher than the rim. It’s tossed low and short, in an area where only Randle can catch it without limiting his ability to make something happen after doing so.

It’s an understated split-second adjustment to not only avoid a turnover, but create something positive while knowing the defense is aware of what he wants to do. It's almost like Ball has a basketball-specific, light-speed-quick Google Maps installed in his brain. He sees an initial path, then course corrects several times midway through in a way that can't be taught.

Four Trail Blazers are in the paint when Lonzo lets go of the ball. It’s the type of pass a player might wish he made watching it over again the next day in a film session. The game is already starting to move in slow motion for Ball, a pass-first savant whose assist-to-usage ratio ranks in the 78th percentile among point guards, per Cleaning the Glass.

The next play is another pass to Randle. Unlike the first it’s not structured in half-court offense and instead arrives in the comfortable confines of chaos, where Ball is at his best.

It’s a tie game with about 80 seconds left. After a scramble in transition—created by one of Ball’s patented throwaheads—Josh Hart finds his fellow rookie wide open on the wing. Instead of launching the open three, Ball can’t help himself and hits Randle, who’s even more open in the dunker’s spot. Randle is hacked and only makes one of the subsequent free throws.

This sequence would’ve probably ended in an assisted dunk had Randle expected the ball, but he takes too long to gather himself and gifts Zach Collins and Shabazz Napier enough time to recover back and commit the foul. On the other hand, Ball had a wide open shot.

In L.A.’s last five games, he’s 15-for-34 from behind the three-point line (44.1 percent). The free-throw line remains a concern—as does his ability to finish around the rim—but that normalize a bit as the season goes on and he continues to grow. He isn’t normally passive in these situations and shouldn’t be deemed benevolent to the point of self-harm. Ball isn’t afraid to pull the trigger, either.

The pass was smart and should’ve/could’ve led to an exclamatory finish. But a wide open three with Portland’s best rebounder racing out to contest the shot might've been slightly more appropriate.

Ball is already excellent at planting his teammates in positions to succeed, but for him and his team to be the absolute best they can be, he'll eventually need to seek out his own openings even more than he already is.

10. Steve Kerr’s Christmas Day Adjustment Was Masterful

This rivalry will never get old to me. Even though it was the 73rd time they’ve played each other since 2015, NBA basketball soars to a higher level of strategic peculiarities whenever the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors compete. This time around, the core characters were fundamentally the same, but slight changes around the margin affected how these two great teams did battle.

The Warriors started rookie Jordan Bell over incumbent center Zaza Pachulia on Christmas Day because he provides a bit more defensive mobility against a Cleveland team that plays Kevin Love (instead of Tristan Thompson) at the five.

This made sense, but immediately played into Tyronn Lue’s strategy on the other end. With no Steph Curry, Cleveland ramped up its already-aggressive pick-and-roll defense with a single-minded focus to squeeze the ball from Kevin Durant’s hands every chance they could. From the start, this is what it looked like: Bell sets a high screen for KD and Love stays high to double him. Bell then rolls into space and misses an ugly bankshot.

In the second half, Steve Kerr made a fantastic adjustment. Knowing Cleveland would trap, he had Durant and Bell start on the right side of the floor. (Draymond Green opens the clip seen below by instructing Bell to direct Durant towards the sideline with his screen, so that Love can’t quickly recover to the middle of the floor.)

The Cavs fall for it. Love once again doubles the ball, but this time Draymond is at the top of the key instead of in the paint, as he was before. When Durant hits Bell, the rookie immediately flings it to Green then takes off for the hoop, momentarily freezing LeBron James in the paint and forcing him to either stop the ball or stick with the roller. It’s a beautifully choreographed action that ends with Golden State’s most satisfying two points of the day.

11. Tyus Jones is Minnesota’s Ideal (Temporary) Caretaker

Jeff Teague left Minnesota’s overtime win against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night after a body fell into his knee at a gruesome angle. An MRI was scheduled for Thursday morning and as I write this it feels more likely than not that the Timberwolves will be without their starting point guard for the foreseeable future.

In that case, in Teague’s place will be Tyus Jones, a third-year guard who’s quietly one of the best defenders at his position, takes care of the ball, and is shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. The surface-level ripple effect of Teague’s injury is that Minnesota will need to replace a dangerous pick-and-roll presence who can get into the paint at will. But having a low-usage hawk in his place will only provide Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl-Anthony Towns with even more touches and opportunities.

So far, that’s been a good thing. In 180 possessions this year, Minnesota’s starting five with Jones instead of Teague has outscored opponents by 13.4 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. A huge reason why is they don’t turn the ball over. Fewer options can sometimes be a good thing. It simplifies how they want attack and less risk is involved.

But Jones really makes his mark ripping the ball from the other team. As someone who’s sat near the top of the NBA’s leaderboard in steal rate his entire career, the 21-year-old’s thievery is instant and swift, and more often than not he accumulates them without having to gamble or lunge out of position.

He’s recorded at least three steals in six games this year—including a seven-steal performance against the Phoenix Suns. Three of which came in under 15 minutes of playing time.

Minnesota’s transition offense off steals has been elite the past two seasons whenever he’s on the floor, and when Jones digs down into the post, he sprints out to the perimeter after a pass is made. Few guards are willing to close out on shooters as quickly as Jones. If he’s suddenly playing 34 minutes per game, there’s a good chance that winning habit will wane, but he’s a smart player who (hot take coming through!) might complement his star teammates even better than Teague.

The suffering will be felt further down the depth chart. Aaron Brooks turns 33 in a couple weeks and hasn’t had a meaningful/positive NBA role in three years. Teague’s injury could open the door for Butler or Wiggins to assume more playmaking responsibility. (It remains to be seen whether that’s a good thing given how many minutes they’re already playing, though.)

If Teague’s knee is torn, the Timberwolves should still be able to make the playoffs because Jones is an ideal shepherd. But their health-related margin for error is officially at zero.

The Outlet Pass: Lonzo's Curse, Kerr's Adjustment, Westbrook's Defense published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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The Outlet Pass: Lonzo’s Curse, Kerr’s Adjustment, Westbrook’s Defense

1. Philly’s Turnover Problem is…Getting Worse?

The Philadelphia 76ers have dropped eight of their last 10 games and would miss the playoffs if the season ended today. The easiest explanation for their slide—beyond Joel Embiid’s bad back—is turnovers.

Philly has committed a turnover on 19.3 percent of their possessions since an inexcusable home loss (on two day’s rest) against the Los Angeles Lakers back on December 7th. The gap between them and the second sloppiest team in the league over that stretch matches the gap between the 29th and 13th-ranked teams! Philly obviously ranks in last for turnover rate over the entire season, averaging almost two turnovers per game more than the 29th-ranked Lakers.

Of Philly’s seven leaders in usage percentage, J.J. Redick and Dario Saric are the only two who rank above the 50th percentile at their respective position in turnover percentage, per Cleaning the Glass. Guards who’re supposed to protect the ball (like T.J. McConnell and Jerryd Bayless) are unnaturally loose with it.

This team is young, with key players who’ve only shared the court for a few months. Their struggle is understandable. It’s also not new. The Sixers have enjoyed the NBA’s wobbliest offense for four of the last five years, and have preached ball movement and pace since Brett Brown became their head coach. For the second season in a row they rank first in passes per game and are currently second in both potential and secondary assists, per NBA.com.

They force passes into the post, turn down what the defense is offering, and play with a predictable exuberance. They sometimes respond to transition opportunities like a puppy that just heard you coo its name while holding a leash.

Some of their mistakes are thanks to an excessive unselfishness. They drive and kick and drive and kick and belabor sequences in search of a perfect opportunity instead of striking while the iron is hot. If the defense botches a switch and surrenders a long two, take the open shot!

Sometimes they go too early and lack patience. Sometimes Ben Simmons’s man (who usually boasts an expansive wingspan) leaves him idle on the perimeter and clogs up lanes that would otherwise exist if he were willing to shoot.

On the play above, Saric has Joel Embiid wide open as a trailing big but sees Jonas Valanciunas drifting towards the perimeter and likes the thought of attacking Kyle Lowry on a mismatch more than passing the ball. But instead of simplifying the play and feeding Embiid for a three, Saric puts it on the floor and drives straight into a mosh pit.

Philadelphia’s long-term upside obviously remains sky high. Their shot frequency is intelligent, but their intentions don’t yet align with their execution. This was a known issue Philly’s coaching staff and front office wanted to correct heading into the season. They don’t need to treat the ball like it’s a Faberge egg, but cutting out just half of their unforced errors could, alone, elevate their offense to a league-average level.

2. The San Antonio Spurs Remain Clairvoyant

Apart from a couple extended injuries to critical players and some iffy shooting from the outside (both long twos and above-the-break), the Spurs are basically still the Spurs. They’re mixing and matching, turning the regular season into Gregg Popovich’s public laboratory, where new faces are getting extended time with veteran vanguards, rest is a priority, and low-usage pieces are given an opportunity to bloom at a moment’s notice.

One of San Antonio’s better lineups, a unit Popovich will likely trot out in the last few minutes of a tight playoff game (Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gay, and LaMarcus Aldridge) has yet to play a minute this season. Leonard has played 12 possessions at power forward but San Antonio has generally embraced smaller groups this year, with Aldridge spending a majority of his time at center.

No team can stabilize an adjustment period like San Antonio. And through all their change lies an unparalleled unspoken chemistry every other roster—except the Golden State Warriors—wishes it had. This play from a recent game against the Los Angeles Clippers is a good example that contains actual telepathy.

Patty Mills sets a cross screen to free Pau Gasol up on the left block, then flex cuts off Rudy Gay’s pindown for a potential three. When the Clippers switch to take away Mills, Gay throws his arm up and dives down the lane to drag a help defender (in this case Milos Teodosic) off Manu Ginobili in the weakside corner.

Nothing about it is remarkable until you notice when the ball leaves Parker’s fingers. He flings it across the court before Gay starts to roll, as Teodosic is still leaning towards Ginobili. It’s a pass that can’t be made without intuitive basketball bravery. And it’s freaking awesome.

If the Spurs are on television, watch them. I guarantee you’ll have a good time.

3. CJ McCollum’s “Sneaky Athleticism”

The adjective “sneaky-athletic” is 99.9 percent reserved for non-black players who are actually incredibly athletic. This year alone I’ve heard announcers use the phrase to describe Sam Dekker and Pat Connaughton, a pair of phenomenal athletes. Gordon Hayward still heard the label as recently as last season even though he’s always been a freak.

But guess what? Black players can be sneaky athletes too! And, as first-class Portland Trail Blazers color commentator Lamar Hurd has pointed out multiple times throughout this season, C.J. McCollum is a good example. Known for below-the-rim craftiness, an eagle-eye shot, and handle that’s clever enough to teleport him wherever he wants to go, the 26-year-old still gets up when he wants to.

That said, McCollum isn’t Steve Francis. Only five percent of his 572 shots have been dunks this season, which is a career low. His most recent one blessed this Earth when he went between his legs to cross up Josh Hart and drop a two-handed yam on Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma. A solid “I don’t always drink beer” NBA moment. But that’s why it’s called “sneaky” athleticism!

4. Spencer Dinwiddie Might Be Pretty Good

Spencer Dinwiddie’s job in Brooklyn was muted heading into this season. A point guard on a non-guaranteed contract—embedded within a backcourt-stacked roster that just sacrificed cap space and a first-round pick for a fresh franchise player at the same position—it wasn’t realistic to assume Dinwiddie would have the ball in his hands as often as he should, could, or desired.

Even with enough size and length (he’s 6’6” with a 6’8” wingspan) to guard a couple positions, and an improving shot that justified minutes in a reserve role, the Nets had two lead ball handlers—D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin—who would serve as their primary scorers and facilitators, leaving Dinwiddie out in the cold. But with both out for most of the season, the 24-year-old has grabbed hold of a system any floor general would love to run.

So far, so good.

Heading into this week, Brooklyn’s point differential was 14.1 points per 100 possessions better with Dinwiddie on the floor (they performed like a 52-win team with him at point guard, per Cleaning the Glass) and he ranks 15th in Real Plus-Minus, ahead of Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis.

Injuries create opportunity—a chance for those in waiting to step up and shine in larger roles with greater responsibilities, theoretically beside (and against) superior talent. Dinwiddie is doing that with confidence—every so often he’ll launch a side-step three from a few feet behind the line, a la Kyrie Irving—and artistry.

He keeps his head up in the open floor and does a nice job feeding shooters as soon as they spring open. He’s a no-frills playmaker who takes care of the ball and rarely attempts to do more than what’s necessary to complete a play.

It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts when Russell returns and he shifts off the ball. Dinwiddie entered the league without an outside shot and now has one that defenses need to respect. He’s also proven capable of stewarding a solid pick-and-roll attack without any of the nonsensical mistakes habitually made by Russell. His size allows him to defend both backcourt positions (his length really bothered John Wall when Brooklyn punked the Wizards last week) and he deserves as much playing time as anyone on the team.

5. Oladipo is Still Learning His Own Power

This is kinda funny. The Pacers fall into a switch they like then take their time to try and attack it. As Darren Collison backpedals to size up John Collins, Cory Joseph motions for Victor Oladipo to drop towards the baseline and drag Malcolm Delaney away from his help position. We refer to Delaney’s reaction as a response to Oladipo’s gravity, but this isn’t gravity. It’s a magnetic vice grip.

Marco Belinelli wisely helps off Joseph and helps deter a drive to the cup, but go back and watch how closely Delaney shadows Oladipo. He’s step for step! In the moment beforehand Indiana’s new franchise player is almost like a teenage superhero who just levitated in his bedroom for the first time.

The adjustment to life as a legitimate offensive superstar is not an overnight process; Oladipo is still learning how he can sometimes have an even greater impact off the ball than with it in his hands. The biggest surprise in the NBA is still absorbing new information about himself, and it’s a wonderful thing to see.

6. Russell Westbrook’s Conflicting Defense

I’ve watched nearly half of Oklahoma City’s games this year and still don’t know if Russell Westbrook is having a good season on the defensive end. That’s partly because the reigning MVP is an impulsive gambler who’s addicted to the thrill that attaches itself to that exact moment a steal feels attainable. He’s constantly chasing that high.

On some nights this creates turnovers that galvanize the Thunder and momentarily make everyone in the organization feel invincible. On others, these attempted steals have a crippling effect that limit how good the team can be.

Oklahoma City’s defense is very good with Westbrook on the floor and slightly worse when he sits. (Worth noting: the Thunder can’t get stops when Westbrook doesn’t have Andre Roberson by his side.) Continuing on a five-year trend, the percentage of OKC’s steals that lead to transition plays shoots through the roof when he’s in the game—currently at a career-best 17.2 percent.

It’s a style of play that makes Westbrook the overwhelming force he is. The man plays with an uncontrollable rage and force that, quite honestly, can’t be honed for 48 minutes in a disciplined environment or system. He runs and jumps and smashes, and so much of that is born from reckless defensive play.

OKC is 12-3 in December, currently riding a six-game winning streak that includes victories over the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, and Denver Nuggets. More often than not during this stretch, Westbrook has been a game-changing hell spawn on both ends. Only Paul George, Thaddeus Young, and Robert Covington average more deflections per game, and nobody recovers more loose balls.

Among all players who’ve defended at least 80 pick-and-rolls this year, Westbrook has contributed to a higher percentage of possessions that result in turnovers than anyone else, according to Synergy Sports. But sometimes his obsession with the basketball gets the best of him. Nobody—no-buh-dee—loves that thing more than him.

That’s always complicated his approach. Westbrook will cut corners or even fall into a trance, when the ball is so close that he can basically smell its full-grain leather skin (gross). Look at this play from Wednesday night’s win against Toronto.

With his eyes locked onto a DeMar DeRozan-Jakob Poeltl pick-and-roll, Westbrook loses track of Kyle Lowry, then isn’t sure if he should switch onto Serge Ibaka. He was literally hypnotized. But the Thunder will take it, so long as he continues to wreak havoc as often as he does, creating momentum-turning events with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old on Christmas morning.

More importantly, Westbrook’s irresponsible intensity assuages the stress from Oklahoma City’s inconsistent half-court offense. He bestows easy baskets for himself and others; it works in this specific environment—more so than a solid, bend-don’t-break approach probably would.

7. Wayne Ellington is The Hand Off King

Avery Bradley is the only player who’s ended more total possessions off a hand off than Wayne Ellington this season. According to Synergy Sports, last year the increasingly lethal play type accounted for 16.7 percent of his offensive possessions. Right now that number is at 27.9 percent and he ranks in the 89th percentile.

In the half-court, racing around screens, looping through the paint and around the baseline, from one end of the floor to the other, he’s a nuclear-powered wind-up doll. It’s particularly diabolical (and an aesthetic joy) whenever Miami deploys action that allows Ellington to sprint off a screen and directly into a dribble hand off.

Miami is its best self when Ellington is on the floor and its worst self when he sits, per NBA.com. He’s shooting 44 percent from deep when a defender is within four feet (“tight” and “very tight” coverage), and playing with Kelly Olynyk (a big who possesses passing/perimeter skills) instead of Hassan Whiteside and Willie Reed—as he did last season—has regularly afforded him the extra beat he needs to get a shot off. An incredible 86 percent of all his shots are threes.

Ellington just turned 30 but he’s hitting free agency this summer, at the exact right time. Assuming Miami can’t afford that next deal, whichever team pays him should do their best to utilize Ellington’s strengths and continue to keep the fat out of his game.

8. Maxi Kleber is the NBA’s Most Underrated Rookie

Maxi Kleber’s skill-set is noiseless, but every now and then he makes a compelling play that shifts the game’s momentum in Dallas’ favor; it’s hard not to appreciate all the smart ways he helps out.

The 25-year-old German rookie takes charges, blocks shots, knocks down open threes, and sprints the floor. He can rise for a lob, impede a downhill-charging guard’s progress in the paint without fouling, and never needs the ball to positively impact his team.

So much of Kleber’s role is thankless—sometimes he’ll venture off his man to block a shot he has no chance at, leaving his man free to gobble up the rebound—but he’s a reliable starter on what might be the best bad team this league’s seen in years.

9. Lonzo’s Subtle Genius Can Be His Own Worst Enemy

This fair and nuanced assessment of “What Lonzo Ball Can Be” vs. “What Lonzo Ball Can Do” by ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz should remind everyone who reads it how difficult it is to gauge Ball’s unique all-around impact while shooting percentages and scoring prowess are, sadly, the end-all, be-all way to explore a prospect’s potential.

Ball moves like a bold splash of spontaneity. He plays hard and everything he does is with purpose (watch his defensive intensity running back on defense whenever he misses a shot). It’s still hard to know if his game is retrograde or cutting edge, but two sequences from L.A.’s close loss against the Trail Blazers summoned a pair of examples that detail Ball’s brilliance and how it can sometimes hold him back. (This is random, but I don’t think there’s another point guard alive who I’d rather play pickup basketball with.)

At first glance this initial play looks like a regular lob to Julius Randle, but let’s quickly unpack why it’s so effective, and how it easily could’ve gone wrong.

Ball notices that Evan Turner has anticipated the pass and rotated off Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the weakside corner to break it up. He’s already in the paint when Randle crosses the free-throw line. So instead of throwing it up towards the hoop and simply hoping his teammate can beat Turner to it, Ball’s pass never climbs higher than the rim. It’s tossed low and short, in an area where only Randle can catch it without limiting his ability to make something happen after doing so.

It’s an understated split-second adjustment to not only avoid a turnover, but create something positive while knowing the defense is aware of what he wants to do. It’s almost like Ball has a basketball-specific, light-speed-quick Google Maps installed in his brain. He sees an initial path, then course corrects several times midway through in a way that can’t be taught.

Four Trail Blazers are in the paint when Lonzo lets go of the ball. It’s the type of pass a player might wish he made watching it over again the next day in a film session. The game is already starting to move in slow motion for Ball, a pass-first savant whose assist-to-usage ratio ranks in the 78th percentile among point guards, per Cleaning the Glass.

The next play is another pass to Randle. Unlike the first it’s not structured in half-court offense and instead arrives in the comfortable confines of chaos, where Ball is at his best.

It’s a tie game with about 80 seconds left. After a scramble in transition—created by one of Ball’s patented throwaheads—Josh Hart finds his fellow rookie wide open on the wing. Instead of launching the open three, Ball can’t help himself and hits Randle, who’s even more open in the dunker’s spot. Randle is hacked and only makes one of the subsequent free throws.

This sequence would’ve probably ended in an assisted dunk had Randle expected the ball, but he takes too long to gather himself and gifts Zach Collins and Shabazz Napier enough time to recover back and commit the foul. On the other hand, Ball had a wide open shot.

In L.A.’s last five games, he’s 15-for-34 from behind the three-point line (44.1 percent). The free-throw line remains a concern—as does his ability to finish around the rim—but that normalize a bit as the season goes on and he continues to grow. He isn’t normally passive in these situations and shouldn’t be deemed benevolent to the point of self-harm. Ball isn’t afraid to pull the trigger, either.

The pass was smart and should’ve/could’ve led to an exclamatory finish. But a wide open three with Portland’s best rebounder racing out to contest the shot might’ve been slightly more appropriate.

Ball is already excellent at planting his teammates in positions to succeed, but for him and his team to be the absolute best they can be, he’ll eventually need to seek out his own openings even more than he already is.

10. Steve Kerr’s Christmas Day Adjustment Was Masterful

This rivalry will never get old to me. Even though it was the 73rd time they’ve played each other since 2015, NBA basketball soars to a higher level of strategic peculiarities whenever the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors compete. This time around, the core characters were fundamentally the same, but slight changes around the margin affected how these two great teams did battle.

The Warriors started rookie Jordan Bell over incumbent center Zaza Pachulia on Christmas Day because he provides a bit more defensive mobility against a Cleveland team that plays Kevin Love (instead of Tristan Thompson) at the five.

This made sense, but immediately played into Tyronn Lue’s strategy on the other end. With no Steph Curry, Cleveland ramped up its already-aggressive pick-and-roll defense with a single-minded focus to squeeze the ball from Kevin Durant’s hands every chance they could. From the start, this is what it looked like: Bell sets a high screen for KD and Love stays high to double him. Bell then rolls into space and misses an ugly bankshot.

In the second half, Steve Kerr made a fantastic adjustment. Knowing Cleveland would trap, he had Durant and Bell start on the right side of the floor. (Draymond Green opens the clip seen below by instructing Bell to direct Durant towards the sideline with his screen, so that Love can’t quickly recover to the middle of the floor.)

The Cavs fall for it. Love once again doubles the ball, but this time Draymond is at the top of the key instead of in the paint, as he was before. When Durant hits Bell, the rookie immediately flings it to Green then takes off for the hoop, momentarily freezing LeBron James in the paint and forcing him to either stop the ball or stick with the roller. It’s a beautifully choreographed action that ends with Golden State’s most satisfying two points of the day.

11. Tyus Jones is Minnesota’s Ideal (Temporary) Caretaker

Jeff Teague left Minnesota’s overtime win against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night after a body fell into his knee at a gruesome angle. An MRI was scheduled for Thursday morning and as I write this it feels more likely than not that the Timberwolves will be without their starting point guard for the foreseeable future.

In that case, in Teague’s place will be Tyus Jones, a third-year guard who’s quietly one of the best defenders at his position, takes care of the ball, and is shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. The surface-level ripple effect of Teague’s injury is that Minnesota will need to replace a dangerous pick-and-roll presence who can get into the paint at will. But having a low-usage hawk in his place will only provide Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl-Anthony Towns with even more touches and opportunities.

So far, that’s been a good thing. In 180 possessions this year, Minnesota’s starting five with Jones instead of Teague has outscored opponents by 13.4 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. A huge reason why is they don’t turn the ball over. Fewer options can sometimes be a good thing. It simplifies how they want attack and less risk is involved.

But Jones really makes his mark ripping the ball from the other team. As someone who’s sat near the top of the NBA’s leaderboard in steal rate his entire career, the 21-year-old’s thievery is instant and swift, and more often than not he accumulates them without having to gamble or lunge out of position.

He’s recorded at least three steals in six games this year—including a seven-steal performance against the Phoenix Suns. Three of which came in under 15 minutes of playing time.

Minnesota’s transition offense off steals has been elite the past two seasons whenever he’s on the floor, and when Jones digs down into the post, he sprints out to the perimeter after a pass is made. Few guards are willing to close out on shooters as quickly as Jones. If he’s suddenly playing 34 minutes per game, there’s a good chance that winning habit will wane, but he’s a smart player who (hot take coming through!) might complement his star teammates even better than Teague.

The suffering will be felt further down the depth chart. Aaron Brooks turns 33 in a couple weeks and hasn’t had a meaningful/positive NBA role in three years. Teague’s injury could open the door for Butler or Wiggins to assume more playmaking responsibility. (It remains to be seen whether that’s a good thing given how many minutes they’re already playing, though.)

If Teague’s knee is torn, the Timberwolves should still be able to make the playoffs because Jones is an ideal shepherd. But their health-related margin for error is officially at zero.

The Outlet Pass: Lonzo’s Curse, Kerr’s Adjustment, Westbrook’s Defense syndicated from http://ift.tt/2ug2Ns6

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2017 NFL – Biggest injury questions for all 32 teams in Week 3

NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 3.

AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC EAST

After entering Week 2 healthy, the Bills enter Week 3 with three starters potentially in jeopardy of playing Sunday against Denver: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (sprained ankle), left tackle Cordy Glenn (foot) and defensive end Shaq Lawson (nerve contusion in leg). Coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday he was concerned about Dareus’ availability for Sunday. Glenn also left last Sunday’s loss to Carolina and did not return. If neither can play, expect the Bills to start rookie Dion Dawkins at left tackle and Adolphus Washington at defensive tackle. — Mike Rodak

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry tweaked his knee in practice late last week but was able to play through it and led the team with 13 receptions. Landry missed Wednesday’s practice and probably will have to manage the injury the next few weeks, but he’s not expected to miss time. — James Walker

Can the Chargers find their first win of 2017 against the Chiefs? Which top fantasy wide receiver should you bench? Which 2-0 team is most at risk of not making the playoffs? Our experts weigh in.

Can you count on Martavis Bryant? Will J.J. Nelson have more big games? NFL Nation reporters assess Week 3 fantasy values for every team.

1 Related

Tight end Rob Gronkowski’s injured groin could limit his availability, or even take him out of the mix entirely for Sunday’s home game against the Texans. Though Gronkowski said it’s “nothing serious,” and he was present at the start of practice Wednesday, the Patriots probably will be cautious this early in the season because they often operate with the big picture in mind. Dwayne Allen and undrafted rookie Jacob Hollister are next on the depth chart. — Mike Reiss

Right guard Brian Winters couldn’t finish last week’s game because of an abdominal strain, and that will be a problem for the Jets if he can’t play Sunday against the Dolphins because defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh usually lines up over the right guard. Winters’ replacement probably would be Dakota Dozier, a third-year player with only two career starts. Winters brings an element of toughness that would be sorely missed if he can’t play. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Running back Terrance West didn’t practice Wednesday because of a calf injury. He’s in a running back-by committee situation in Baltimore, and the Ravens would continue to split the carries between Buck Allen and Alex Collins if West is sidelined Sunday in London. Collins, in particular, could assume West’s role in the red zone because of his physical running style. — Jamison Hensley

Tight end Tyler Eifert missed practice on Wednesday with a back injury. Eifert is coming off offseason back surgery, and also had some tendonitis in his knee this summer that caused him to miss a preseason game. Whether Eifert will be available will likely depend on the severity of his back problem, but considering his back impacted him for most of last year, this could definitely put his status into question for Sunday. — Katherine Terrell

Defensive end Myles Garrett was out of the walking boot, but did not practice on Wednesday. It’s now two weeks since the first overall pick in the 2017 draft sprained his ankle in practice, and coach Hue Jackson said Garrett has made significant progress. But his availability for Sunday remains seriously in doubt. — Pat McManamon

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt (groin) is determined not to miss time, even if playing through soreness is the reality. But the Steelers will likely need him to undergo a full practice session before clearing him for Sunday’s game in Chicago. The Steelers are relieved Watt — who has two sacks, an interception and a pass deflection — has a minor injury. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt (bicep) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) also are questionable this week. — Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Texans wide receiver Will Fuller, who broke his collarbone during training camp, returned to practice on Monday. His original timeline had him out until Week 4 or 5, and although he practiced this week, head coach Bill O’Brien said the young receiver would not be back for Sunday’s game in New England. The Texans don’t have much depth at receiver after cutting Jaelen Strong on Monday, so having the speedy Fuller back on the field will take some attention away from star receiver DeAndre Hopkins when Fuller does return. Deshaun Watson will get some help at tight end, as Ryan Griffin has cleared the concussion protocol and O’Brien is hopeful that Stephen Anderson will as well in time for Sunday’s game. — Sarah Barshop

Cornerback Vontae Davis, who has been out since the third preseason game with a hamstring injury, took part in individual drills and was expected to participate in limited amount of team reps in practice Wednesday. The Colts are going to see how he responds from the workload before determining if their top cornerback will make his season debut against the Browns on Sunday. — Mike Wells

Center Brandon Linder is battling a knee injury and missed practice on Wednesday. This would be a significant loss against Baltimore and massive defensive tackle Brandon Williams. Linder is the Jaguars’ best lineman and they will struggle to run the ball without him. Tyler Shatley would play in place of him. — Mike DiRocco

Receiver Corey Davis is out Sunday against the Seahawks with a hamstring injury. This means an uptick in reps for Eric Decker and speedy rookie wide out Taywan Taylor. Running back DeMarco Murray didn’t practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day with his own hamstring injury. Titans coach Mike Mularkey said he was “hopeful” to have Murray for Sunday. He noted Murray will have to prove he can be “effective runner” by Friday to play. If Murray is unable to play, Derrick Henry will be the man to carry the full load. David Fluellen would spell him. Even if Murray plays Sunday, there should be a heavier than usual load for Henry. Safety Johnathan Cyprien is also out for the second straight week with a hamstring injury. — Cameron Wolfe

AFC WEST

The question is not whether left tackle Garett Bolles will miss time — he will likely miss several weeks with a bone bruise in his lower left leg he suffered in the win over Dallas last week — it’s what the Broncos will do to replace him. Donald Stephenson finished out the touchdown drive after Bolles suffered the injury in the third quarter, but it was Allen Barbre who finished out the game after that. Stephenson has struggled at times at left tackle and the Broncos traded Ty Sambrailo, the only other player they worked the most at the position in training camp, when it was clear Bolles was going to be the starter. It would seem Barbre would be the pick, but he’s also been in a rotation at left guard. No matter, the Broncos will likely have to consider more two-back and two tight end looks against the Bills’ pass rush. — Jeff Legwold

Zach Fulton will step in for the injured Mitch Morse at center for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Fulton is a former starter at guard and the Chiefs have also used him at center and right tackle, making him a valuable reserve. Fulton replaced Morse after he left last week’s game with a sprained foot. “We have full trust in him at, really, all the spots,” coach Andy Reid said of Fulton. “He is a good one to have on our team.” — Adam Teicher

For a second straight week the Chargers will likely be without the team’s top cornerback in Jason Verrett. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said that an MRI last week revealed no new damage to Verrett’s surgically repaired left knee. However, Verrett remains week-to-week and Lynn does not want the TCU product back on the field until he’s fully healthy. Second-year pro Trevor Williams played solid in place of Verrett against the Miami Dolphins last week, finishing with five tackles and two pass breakups. — Eric D. Williams

Fullback Jamize Olawale pulled up with a tight left quad after a long gain at Dallas in the third preseason game back on Aug. 26 and has not suited up for a game since. But on Wednesday, Olawale — a matchup problem for defenses with his speed and pass-catching ability — appeared on track to make his 2017 season debut at Washington. He is not your prototypical blocking back, but he is more accustomed to the role than, say, backup center Jon Feliciano, who served as the fullback on a goal line situation against the Jets last week, with no success. Also, keep an eye on veteran cornerback Sean Smith, who missed the Jets game with a neck injury. If he is able to play against Washington, that would only solidify the secondary’s depth with rookie Gareon Conley playing well in his debut last week. — Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Starting cornerback Orlando Scandrick will return to action Monday against Arizona after a one-game absence because of a broken left hand. Scandrick did not play against Denver for fear of infection less than a week after having surgery to stabilize a broken third metacarpal. His return will help with Nolan Carroll potentially out of the game with a concussion and Chidobe Awuzie working through a hamstring strain. — Todd Archer

Pro Bowl cornerback Janoris Jenkins is likely to be a game-day decision with an ankle injury. Jenkins didn’t participate Wednesday after missing Monday night’s game against the Lions. The defense held up reasonably well without him against the pass, but they missed his physicality on the edges against the run. Jenkins’ physicality would be useful Sunday as well against Eagles top receiver Alshon Jefferey. — Jordan Raanan

The Eagles’ secondary is ailing heading into the matchup against Odell Beckham, Jr. and the Giants. Already down cornerback Ronald Darby (ankle), fellow corner Jaylen Watkins and safety Rodney McLeod missed practice Wednesday with hamstring injuries. Coach Doug Pederson is describing both players as day-to-day, but their status for Sunday is very much in doubt. — Tim McManus

Tight end Jordan Reed did not practice Wednesday because of a rib and shoulder injury and he remained inside the facility when practice was open to the media. Coach Jay Gruden wasn’t yet sure of his status for Sunday, but Reed is considered day-to-day. Also, running back Rob Kelley (ribs) said he’ll play and wear a protective pad. He called the pain a “10” after he was first hurt, but it’s down to a “five” now. Corner Josh Norman, like Kelley, was limited in practice but said he’ll play despite a sprained shoulder. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

Bears guard Kyle Long (ankle) and wide receiver Markus Wheaton (finger) are both good bets to return Week 3 against the Steelers. “It’s going to be a great opportunity this week to see where I’m at,” Long said in open locker room. As for Wheaton, the veteran receiver told reporters on Wednesday that his surgically repaired finger “feels good enough.” There’s no as much optimism about cornerback Prince Amukamara’s (ankle) chances of playing on Sunday. Also, Guard Josh Sitton missed practice on Wednesday with a rib injury. — Jeff Dickerson

The Lions have two key defensive starters who are going to be worth watching, from an injury perspective, throughout the short week after Monday night’s game. Starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis is in concussion protocol with an unknown timetable. If he can’t go, it’s likely Tahir Whitehead will take his spot in the middle and either Jalen Reeves-Maybin or Paul Worrilow will be the second linebacker in nickel. Safety Tavon Wilson missed Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury. If he can’t play, Miles Killebrew will take his spot in the lineup. Also watch Dwayne Washington’s status throughout the week. If he’s unable to go, figure Zach Zenner or Tion Green will end up playing as the No. 3 running back against Atlanta. Another concern is center Travis Swanson. He suffered an ankle injury last week, didn’t practice Wednesday and would be a big loss if he couldn’t play against Atlanta. — Michael Rothstein

Eight players sat out of practice on Wednesday, but Jordy Nelson wasn’t one of them. That could be huge for the Packers, who lost their No. 1 receiver to a quad injury on the first drive of Sunday’s loss at Atlanta. If Nelson can return, the offense should have some semblance of a deep threat — something they lost when Nelson and Randall Cobb (shoulder) dropped out against the Falcons. Cobb wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday. Neither were other key starters: Left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring), defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hamstring) and cornerback Davon House (quad). — Rob Demovsky

Here’s what we know about Sam Bradford’s knee injury: It was not caused by contact, he’s received a clear diagnosis for what it is and the particular issue is one he’s not sure he’s dealt with before, even after the ACL tears he sustained in 2013 and 2014. What’s not clear is when Bradford will know if he’s able to start against the Bucs on Sunday. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and is hoping his knee will improve to where he’s not dealing with the swelling and other symptoms that kept him out in Week 2. Bottom line: A lot is unknown despite Bradford being labeled as “day to day.” Based on how his knee responds in practice, the quarterback might not know until later in the week, or even on Sunday, if he’s able to play. Should Bradford sit out again, Case Keenum will start. — Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder is going through the concussion protocol and didn’t practice Wednesday. He suffered the injury blocking during last Sunday’s win over Green Bay. The Falcons are preparing former Bronco Ty Sambrailo to step in for Schraeder, like Sambrailo did for 49 snaps against the Packers. But the Lions’ flurry of pass-rushers, led by Ziggy Ansah, is sure to be quite the challenge for a new starter such as Sambrailo, as well as established left tackle Jake Matthews. — Vaughn McClure

Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil was a last-second scratch on Sunday with what coach Ron Rivera called a “crick” in his neck. He was available, but the Panthers held him out in favor of Tyler Larsen. Larsen played well, but quarterback Cam Newton says Kalil is a calming influence on him. Kalil’s status is something to keep an eye on. — David Newton

The Saints’ injury report isn’t very long, but it couldn’t be much more frightening. Their top cornerback, rookie Marshon Lattimore, missed Wednesday’s practice with a concussion. And veteran backup cornerback Sterling Moore missed Wednesday’s practice with a chest injury. That’s obviously bad news for the 32nd-ranked passing defense in the NFL (which has already allowed an astounding opponents’ passer rating of 141.4). They’re already playing without veteran starting cornerback Delvin Breaux for the first half of this season because of a broken fibula. If Lattimore and Moore can’t go, the Saints will have to rely on young corners P.J. Williams, De’Vante Harris and Ken Crawley (and hope). — Mike Triplett

Two key members of the Bucs defense didn’t practice Wednesday. Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy missed it with an ankle injury and middle linebacker and captain Kwon Alexander has a hamstring injury. Alexander left last Sunday’s game with the injury and was replaced by rookie Kendell Beckwith, who did a pretty admirable job, but is still inexperienced. Replacing McCoy is much, much harder. He’s the motor on defense. Alexander said after the game Sunday that he’d be fine, but given how fickle hamstring injuries can be, that’s no guarantee he’ll play this week. Ankle injuries can also be particularly tough for defensive linemen. If he can’t go, Clinton McDonald could slide over and play three-technique. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

It’s still wide receiver John Brown, who’s still out with a quad injury. When will he return? It’s anybody’s guess, but coach Bruce Arians didn’t sound optimistic it would be this week when Arizona faces the Cowboys on Monday night. Arians was asked if he was “more encouraged” about the possibility of Brown playing this week. His response: “No, not really. I have to see him run before I can get encouraged.” An injury report won’t come out until Thursday because of the longer week. — Josh Weinfuss

Cornerback Kayvon Webster (shoulder) and tight end Gerald Everett (thigh) are both questionable for Thursday’s game against the 49ers, which could be big for the Rams. Webster, who also missed last week’s game against the Redskins, starts on the outside, opposite Trumaine Johnson. If he can’t go, the Rams will have to turn to Nickell Robey-Coleman, who defensive coordinator Wade Phillips admitted is “not very big.” Robey-Coleman could have issues lined up on the outside against bigger receivers, especially in a Phillips system that requires so much man coverage. Everett is the No. 2 tight end, behind Tyler Higbee, but has already shown his athleticism with big plays, especially a 69-yard catch and run on Sunday. Everett’s absence could keep Sean McVay from utilizing two-tight-end sets. — Alden Gonzalez

Forget injury concerns about one player, the 49ers have to be worried about an entire position group heading into Thursday night’s game against the Rams. That position is safety where Eric Reid (knee) has already been ruled out, Jaquiski Tartt is dealing with a neck injury that has coach Kyle Shanahan labeling him questionable and Jimmie Ward just returned from a hamstring injury but played more snaps than the Niners wanted him to in his first game back. If Tartt can’t play, the Niners will have to do some mixing and matching at strong safety and hope Ward holds up at free. The only other options are rookies Lorenzo Jerome and Adrian Colbert. — Nick Wagoner

Tight end Jimmy Graham briefly left Seattle’s win over San Francisco after his ankle got caught underneath him. He later returned and finished the game, but coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Graham’s status for this week is uncertain as his ankle remains sore. Graham has only four catches for nine yards (with two drops) so far, so an injury is the last thing he needs to be dealing with as he tries to get things going. Carroll was optimistic that wide receiver Paul Richardson, who caught the winning touchdown against the 49ers, will be able to play this week despite dislocating a finger earlier in the San Francisco game. — Brady Henderson

The post 2017 NFL – Biggest injury questions for all 32 teams in Week 3 appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

from https://dailystarsports.com/2017/09/20/2017-nfl-biggest-injury-questions-for-all-32-teams-in-week-3/ from https://dailystarsports.tumblr.com/post/165567396936

[lawandfinances]

2017 NFL Week 1 Bettor’s Guide M.D. Wright 9.8.2017

Week 1 is upon us and the season is underway. A few points of order with this season’s bettor’s guides:

As previously stated earlier this week, will be doing the Thursday games separate from the remaining Bettor’s Guide, as Friday practices (Saturday for Monday night teams) affect lineups and obviously the action thereafter.

KC +8 (Hit), KC ML (Hit).

SU: 1-0 ATS: 1-0 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week 1: Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois My Call: ATL -7 Over/Under: Over 48.5

Analysis: We don’t really know what the Bears are entering this season. They released Jay Cutler, then signed Mike Glennon to a galling contract in the offseason, before needlessly sacrificing a draft pick in order to move up to draft Mitch Trubisky, who looked every bit as good as Glennon (and, at some points, better; albeit versus second-stringers and final cuts in some instances) in the preseason.

Nevertheless, we know what the Falcons are. Their offense might not be as electric as it was last year with a new coordinator and surely a slightly different approach with the departure of Kyle Shanahan to take the San Francisco head coaching position, but their defense should be even better with the additions of Dontari Poe at nose/defensive tackle and Takk McKinley via the draft. There should be a bit more balance with this squad, as the offense carried the team until the defense began to gel late in the season. You would be a trivia genius if you could name all 11 Bears starters on defense without looking them up.

Most importantly, the Falcons know who they are, and will gameplan and execute accordingly.

Call: Atlanta                        34 Chicago                       17 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins FedEx Field Landover, Maryland My Call: PHI -1 Over/Under: Over 48

Analysis: These two tend to play some wild games in recent years, regardless of the locale. Both teams have had drastic overhauls on both sides of the ball. It’s a tough call for that reason. Both teams return their starting quarterbacks from last season, but that is basically where the continuity ends. The Eagles’ secondary is virtually made over; moving on from Brandon Boykin, and trading WR Jordan Matthews to acquire CB Ronald Darby from Buffalo. LB Mychal Kendricks wants out of town, but the Eagles linebackers are solid. We don’t really know what to make of their defensive line — which, on paper, looks stout — with top dog Fletcher Cox, Florida State legend Timmy Jernigan, who was acquired from Baltimore, and Brandon Graham. The Eagles’ WR corps is a major question mark, as is their running game.

The Redskins defense is shaky. They are going to miss Trent Murphy during his suspension. They will also interior anchor Chris Baker, who commanded two blocks for most of the season in 2016, allowing Ryan Kerrigan and Murphy to run free in run support and to get after the passer. Their secondary is not good. DeAngelo Hall is on his last legs. Bashaud Breeland got exposed throughout last year. Josh Norman’s play did not match his bluster at any point in 2016. Offensively, while the team acquired Terrelle Pryor in free agency, they moved on from Pierre Garçon and, at least this week, Jamison Crowder’s availability is in question. They will finally have Josh Doctson healthy, however. It is anyone’s guess how many games Jordan Reed will be healthy for in 2017, but as for now, he will be ready for Week 1.

Washington’s run game is a major question mark. Rob Kelley looked decent in 2016, but even his production tailed off toward the end of the season. They moved on from Matt Jones, who is now a Colt.

This team has more questions than answers. But again, these two teams play wild, high scoring and close games every time they square off; hence the lines. It is a virtual pick ’em.

Call: Philadelphia                          27 Washington                           23 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium Cleveland, Ohio My Call: CLE -9.5 Over/Under: Over 47

Analysis: The Browns tend to play the Steelers competitively; whether it be an entire game or at least for a half. It is shaky to propose the Steelers winning by 10 or more, particularly with the addition of Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator for the Browns, and the addition-by-subtraction by cutting the already-washed-up Joe Haden. The Browns defense looks like a solid unit. The real questions are about their offense. At best, it is a project and a work in progress. But they have a good amount of talent at the “skill” positions.

The Steelers had trouble on the road last season. They do get Martavis Bryant back for this season, but he missed all of 2016 with a suspension and it is difficult to think that he will pick right up where he left off in 2015. Le’Veon Bell is effectively playing himself into football shape in this game. The Steelers SHOULD win, but do not be the least bit surprised if the Browns, at the very least, cover.

Call: Pittsburgh                  26 Cleveland                   20 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio My Call: BAL +3 Over/Under: Under 42.5

Analysis: We don’t know what to make of the Ravens offense as of right now. We did not see Joe Flacco in the preseason. Will the Ravens have a pass rush? Will they have enough in the secondary? We think so, but it’s hard to pin your hopes for wagering purposes until you’ve seen a live game. That’s the crap shoot that is Week 1 in the NFL season nowadays.

The Bengals should be relatively healthy, and Joe Mixon figures to eventually make Jeremy Hill expendable before long. Slight questions in the secondary, but the Ravens don’t appear to have much in the way of a running game. You just never know. Should be close, though. Tough call to pick the Ravens to cover and lose a close game, but it should turn out about that way.

Call: Baltimore                     19 Cincinnati                    20 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Ford Field Detroit, Michigan My Call: DET +2 Over/Under: Over 48

Analysis: We’ll take the Lions only because Ameer Abdullah should — SHOULD — at least be healthy for Week 1’s game, right? Beyond that, who knows?

Call: Arizona                       24 Detroit                        31 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills New Era Field Orchard Park, New York My Call: NYJ +8 Over/Under: Under 40

Analysis: Who cares?

Call: NY Jets                        16 Buffalo                       20 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium Nashville, Tennessee My Call: TEN -1.5 Over/Under: Under 50.5

Analysis: The Titans played the Raiders tough last season. In fact, some would argue that they blew the game. The Titans are favorites (with us, at least) to win the AFC South. As they should be. Don’t know why so many people think anyone but the Raiders or Chiefs win the AFC West, but we’ve seen picks for the Chargers and Broncos at times. Odd.

As for this game. It should be more of the same from last year’s meeting. Maybe not 17-10, but something along those lines in terms of separation on the scoreboard.

We’re actually going to take the Titans money line here.

Call: Oakland                              23 Tennessee                          27 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans NRG Stadium Houston, Texas My Call: JAX +6 Over/Under: Under 39.5

Analysis: First of all, we send out prayers TO GOD — FOR (not “to”) — those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Some fans are looking for some semblance of normalcy, and sports can be a great unifier and a means to take minds off the catastrophe at hand.

Not that this ugly game — and these two teams really play some stinkers — will exactly suffice, but anything to return to some normalcy is good enough.

Both teams have such immense talent on both sides of the ball and are held back by QB play. Unless Tom Savage gets a quick hook in this game in favor of Deshaun Watson, that will hold true.

Hide your eyes.

Call: Jacksonville                       16 Houston                              19 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, California My Call: LAR -5 Over/Under: Under 39.5

Analysis: Scott Tolzien at QB? No Vontae Davis on an already-bad defense?

If the Rams can’t win this game, they won’t win more than 5 or 6 all season.

And even if they do, they will do so in epic-struggle fashion.

Call: Indianapolis                13 LA Rams                       20 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field Green Bay, Wisconsin AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK My Call: SEA +3 Over/Under: Over 51

Analysis: Last season is over. Zero correlation between the 2016 tilt between these two and this game. The Seahawks are healthy across the board except at left tackle. They possess arguably the best defense in the NFL, though a couple of teams could make equal cases. The offense should be fine regardless of the injury to George Fant at the aforementioned left tackle spot. Rees Odhiambo will occupy that spot.

Green Bay is stocked offensively, and will present a few issues for Seattle at times. It will be tough sledding for Ty Montgomery & Co. on the ground, and there will be plays available in the passing game for sure.

But Green Bay’s defense still leaves a lot to be desired.

Call: Seattle                   29 Green Bay            23 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium Santa Clara, California My Call: CAR -6 Over/Under: Under 47.5

Analysis: The Panthers should win, but it will not be easy. We need to see more from the Niners’ offense before we can get a good idea of who they truly are.

Call: Carolina                          24 San Francisco                17 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

New York Football Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium Arlington, Texas ***SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL My Call: NYG +4 Over/Under: Under 47.5

Analysis: Some (Vegas) appear to be concerned about Odell Beckham’s availability for this game, but he is almost certainly playing. To what level of fluidity? That remains to be seen.

The Giants boast one of — if not arguably the best — defense in the NFL. The offense, with the addition of Brandon Marshall, who possesses the outside size the Giants desperately lacked in 2016, allowing Sterling Shepard to operate in the slot, and the freedom for Beckham to also alternate at every WR position, opens up more options for the Giants’ passing attack. The team also upgraded at tight end, which was a position of great lack, to one of great depth in 2017. Blocking TE Rhett Ellison will help with the run game, Evan Engram provides a downfield threat, and proved that he can effectively block when called upon. Additionally, holdovers Jerrell Adams and Matt LaCosse provide quality depth.

The Giants’ run game was a concern in 2016, but should be better simply with the release of Rashad Jennings alone. The offensive line itself isn’t bad (or great) at run blocking, but help on the edges will augment that aspect of the game with Paul Perkins & Co. in the backfield. The Giants have not had a reliable fullback in ages, and Shane Smith paid dividends in preseason. This will also help the run game, as well.

Pass protection is a concern to a degree, but the line now has depth should any of the starters show that they are unable to hack it. Half of Dallas’ defense is injured or suspended (and another who received a DUI should be, but isn’t, as well). This isn’t exactly the best game to gauge the progress of the Giants’ offensive line.

Dallas lost Doug Free to retirement after last season, and placed La’el Collins at right tackle to fill that need. Chaz Green at left guard is a liability. Dallas loves to boast about their offensive line, but it is not cohesive yet. Green has either been nicked up and, when he’s played, looked horrible. The Giants’ front isn’t the one to sort out one’s shortcomings. Soon-to-be suspended Ezekiel Elliott will have trouble finding rush lanes. We will see what Dak Prescott is truly made of Sunday night, as he gets a chance to prove that he wasn’t just a product of the offensive line’s protection, Elliott’s abilities in and outside of the backfield, and a solid, if not unspectacular defense that notched high grades in analytics, but isn’t particularly talented at all. Even less so in the secondary, and, especially for this game, their defensive line in Week 1.

Call: NY Giants                           31 Dallas                                  20 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium Minneapolis, Minnesota MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL My Call: MIN -3 Over/Under: Under 48

Analysis: Forget all the Adrian Peterson storylines. That is for the media to build up an audience for the game. As it is, it does the Saints no good to have Mark Ingram, Peterson,  and Alvin Kamara to run the football if Drew Brees ends up still managing to pass the ball 40 times every week. The Saints’ main problem for years wasn’t always a lack of talent defensively; it was that they were on the field for long stretches or for more time per game than the offense. The Saints are marginally better defensively, but Florida State legend Dalvin Cook will give the Saints problems — even behind a poor offensive line — as he is also a superb pass receiver out of the backfield. The Vikes have plenty of weapons on the outside to counter what the Saints do.

And we know how the Saints play when they’re on the road.

And against a great defense?

Call: New Orleans                    23 Minnesota                        27 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium Denver, Colorado MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL My Call: LAC +3 Over/Under: Over 43

Analysis: Not the most attractive game ever, but it should be good. For what it’s worth, the Bolts weren’t terrible in 2016. They lost a ton of games in the closing moments in almost comical fashion in a few instances. They were ravaged by injuries across the board, as well. Other than Denzel Perryman on defense, they are relatively healthy. They also have Joey Bosa, who had a full camp this year, who was unstoppable for long stretches last season.

Denver has to show and prove that they can run the ball against a very good defense, and that Trevor Siemian has actually made progress after a decidedly average season in 2016.

Call: LA Chargers                        31 Denver                                  24 FINAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________

2017 NFL Week 1 Bettor’s Guide 2017 NFL Week 1 Bettor's Guide M.D. Wright 9.8.2017 Week 1 is upon us and the season is underway.

[buddyrabrahams]

10 NFL players with most to prove in training camp

Before long, all 32 NFL teams will officially be reporting to training camp in preparation for the 2017 regular season. It will be the beginning of a quest for Super Bowl LII, and everyone should legitimately feel like they have a chance.

That extends to the players — both rookies and veterans — who will be trying to earn a job or secure a starting position.

It’s easy to point out highly-drafted rookies or fringe players who need to perform well in training camp, but what about players of prominence? Whether they’re coming off injury, switching positions, or just looking to rebound from a poor 2016 season, here are 10 players with the most to prove in training camp.

10. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills

After three injury-prone seasons, the Buffalo Bills opted not to pick up Sammy Watkins’ fifth-year option. That undoubtedly came as an unexpected blow to the talented youngster, but the reasons why are obvious.

The Bills have to be kicking themselves over selecting Watkins ahead of Odell Beckham Jr. in the 2014 NFL Draft, but what’s done is done. Now it becomes a prove-it year for Watkins, who would not only like to prove to the Bills they made the correct choice, but show the rest of the NFL he could be a worthwhile investment in 2018.

There’s no denying Watkins’ talent. Anyone who lays eyes on him can see the athleticism and skill he possesses, but after missing 11 games in three seasons, there are legitimate injury concerns.

Even on the field, there have been lapses in Watkins’ play. Needless to say, he needs to come out strong in both training camp and the preseason, and then carry that over into the regular season.

9. Ereck Flowers, OT, New York Giants

The New York Giants went into the offseason acknowledging that it might be time to move Ereck Flowers from left tackle to right tackle in an effort to strengthen their offensive line. Ultimately, that did not happen.

Instead, sans the free agent addition of D.J. Fluker, the Giants chose to stand pat and move forward with their 2015 first-round pick.

Despite that vote of confidence, there’s a strong chance that Flowers is on a short leash. He has not developed into the kind of player the Giants had hoped to see. At times, he has gotten quarterback Eli Manning into a mess of trouble. Should those sorts of issues persist throughout training camp, the Giants may be forced to make a move.

The good news? Flowers has reportedly been in East Rutherford training all offseason and will report leaner and quicker than he was a season ago.

8. Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

After being drafted in the first-round (No. 3 overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, Dante Fowler Jr. was expected to come in and change the defensive dynamic for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Two seasons later, that has not happened. In fact, it hasn’t even come close to happening.

On his very first day of mini-camp, Fowler suffered a torn ACL that would keep him out his entire rookie season. And while he would make his debut in 2016, he didn’t erupt on the scene like many had hoped, recording 32 tackles (23 solo), four sacks and five passes defensed.

While it was a positive sign for the Jaguars to see Fowler on the field, he wasn’t nearly as productive as they had hoped. And with such a substantial overall investment still riding on his potential success, Fowler needs to prove he’s taking a significant step forward in training camp. Things may be heading in the right direction though, as Fowler said last month he is expecting to make the leap this season.

7. Mike Glennon, QB, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears shocked the football world when they signed quarterback Mike Glennon to a three-year, $45 million deal to take over for Jay Cutler. Then they shocked the world again when they selected quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in the first-round of the NFL Draft.

At the time, Glennon reportedly felt “cheated on,” but has since embraced his rookie teammate and the competition he brings.

That competition is going to be paramount come training camp because only one of these quarterback is going to receive the Week 1 nod, and it would be a crushing blow for Glennon if it’s not him.

The Bears have invested heavily in each player, but the ideal situation would be Glennon winning the job outright, allowing Trubisky to sit back and learn for a year or two. Of course, that’s easier said than done, and there’s a whole lot of pressure on Glennon entertaining training camp. It’s obvious he has a lot to prove.

6. Breshad Perriman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Breshad Perriman was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the belief that he’d become a true No. 1 receiver for the Baltimore Ravens. Two years later, that has not happened.

Due in large part to a series of injuries, Perriman has not been able to develop into the sort of talent Baltimore initially expected. But with Steve Smith now retired and Perriman healthier than he’s been in years, there’s a belief that Perriman and quarterback Joe Flacco can finally develop solid on-field chemistry.

Flacco certainly is speaking positively about his wideout:

Flacco on Perriman: "listen, you can just see the confidence in his eyes."

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) June 13, 2017

The Ravens clearly have faith in the two adding chemistry. The team did not select a receiver in the NFL Draft, implying they intended to give Perriman every possible chance to become the star of the show.

But that’s not to say Perriman has an unlimited opportunity. There are other players on the roster the Ravens believe in — including the recently signed Jeremy Maclin — so the one-time No. 23 overall pick must hit the ground running in training camp. The team is relying heavily on him and he’s got to prove their patience has been worthwhile.

5. Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers

Ty Montgomery is such an interesting story.

The 2015 third-round pick joined the Green Bay Packers as a versatile athlete who was poised to see time at wide receiver and on special teams. Unfortunately, his rookie campaign was cut short due to an ankle injury, and then he returned in 2016 to uncertain fate.

Ultimately, with an increasing problem at running back, the Packers decided to roll the dice and plug Montgomery into the backfield. He immediately provided a spark as a multi-faceted asset who can create matchup nightmares as a receiver out of the backfield.

By season’s end, the Packers had switched Montgomery to running back outright, which is where he’ll remain in 2017. And with precious little competition at the position, it appears as if Montgomery will become the Packers’ No. 1 back. But he’ll still need to prove that faith is warranted in training camp because, if there’s even a hint that he can’t handle the load, it’s possible for Green Bay to seek out a veteran replacement following the league-wide cut-down days.

4. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams

After a limited and relatively unsuccessful rookie campaign, Jared Goff went into the offseason with the desire to be “great.” In order to make that happen, he’s been putting in extra work whenever possible to ensure that once Week 1 rolls around, he’ll be ready to go.

Of course, all of those things are much easier said than done.

Goff’s first season in the NFL is one that he’d like to forget. The No. 1 overall pick from a year ago finished in the bottom of the league in almost every statistical category and not once did he experience the taste of victory as a starter. But those are the lumps most rookie quarterbacks experience; it’s how they react that matters.

Coming into training camp, the Rams will need to see some improvement from Goff. He’ll need to prove that at 22, he’s capable and ready to lead an NFL franchise.

3. Calvin Pryor, S, Cleveland Browns

The writing was on the wall for Calvin Pryor all offseason with the Jets. The team had been shopping him and finally traded him to Cleveland for Demario Davis.

Pryor now will have to compete with first-round pick Jabrill Peppers on his new team, though the Browns could choose to play both safeties at the same time.

#Browns Gregg Williams said could play safeties Jabrill Peppers, Calvin Pryor together. "We'll play as many good players in package as need"

— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) June 15, 2017

The 2014 first-round pick has a new home but still has a lot to prove. Either way, he’s excited to have a fresh start.

“I feel like it was a great opportunity — have a fresh start, learn a new system and buy into a new culture,” Pryor said last week, via Cleveland.com. “I had a feeling [with the Jets] drafting two safeties, but I can’t control that. I’m excited. I can’t thank (the Browns) enough.”

Pryor needs to come out in Cleveland and show the world why he was a first-round pick not long ago.

2. Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, Jeremy Hill insisted that if the Cincinnati Bengals selected another running back, that player would ride the pine behind him.

It was a confident statement, but not one necessarily steeped in fact. The reality is, Hill has struggled to replicate his strong rookie campaign, ultimately losing some snaps to Giovani Bernard and now sitting idly by as the Bengals bring in Joe Mixon and all of his off-field concerns to potentially take his job.

Hill may believe he’s got a lock on the starting job, but that attitude is what may eventually lead to him losing it. The Bengals are clearly dismayed with his recent production, and if he doesn’t arrive at training camp ready to battle, he may not only lose his job, but also find himself looking for a new team.

Rumors have already begun to swirl about Hill potentially hitting the trade block, so a strong performance in training camp is an absolute must.

1. Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

If a player is destined to become a franchise quarterback, that usually becomes clear entering their fourth season. So for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Blake Bortles, that means the time is now.

The Jaguars have done an admirable job piecing together quality talent over the previous few years, and with Tom Coughlin now in charge of football operations, the timing is right to make a run. The only thing potentially preventing them from that is the development of Bortles, who has been criticized for the last several months.

Still, Jacksonville has stuck with the young gun-slinger, but his time may soon be running out. If he enters training camp and continues to display the sort of inconsistencies that have plagued him throughout his first three years in the NFL, it would not only mean the Jaguars are delayed from seriously competing in the AFC, but that they may need a new quarterback.

For now, the Jags are trying to get Bortles to focus on limiting his turnovers.

“If you don’t turn the ball over, you’ll win football games,” Bortles said last month. “Turnovers are going to happen. We get that. You have to make sure to minimize them as much as possible and stay away from the stupid ones.”

To his credit, Bortles has spent the offseason in California working with quarterback guru Tom House, but now he has to show progress on the field. He’s run out of time, and the team has run out of carrots.

from Larry Brown Sports http://ift.tt/2t9PsFs