Community Tailgate - Pro Football Rumors

Community Tailgate: Who Will Lead NFL In Rushing?

August 26th, 2015 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of regular-season battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’re shifting our focus to a position that has evolved significantly over the last decade or two. For the most part, NFL running backs are no longer expected to carry the ball 350 times in a season, with most teams employing a backfield that features multiple ball-carriers who share the load.

The reduced workload for top running backs means that, with a few exceptions, we won’t see many ball-carriers approaching the 2,000-yard mark anymore. A year ago, only one back ran for more than 1,400 yards, with DeMarco Murray racking up 1,845 — Le’Veon Bell finished second, with 1,361.

According to betting site Bovada.lv, both Murray and Bell are among the top candidate to lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2015, but it’s former MVP Adrian Peterson who is viewed as the favorite. Peterson turned 30 this year, and he missed all but one game in 2014 due to legal troubles, but he has made it his goal to shoot for an outrageous 2,500 rushing yards, and he has a history of defying the odds — his 2,097-yard season in 2012 came after he returned from an ACL tear.

Besides Peterson, Murray, and Bell, several of the usual veteran contenders are near the top of Bovada’s list of favorites for the rushing title, including Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles, and LeSean McCoy. The site also gives younger backs Eddie Lacy, Jeremy Hill, and C.J. Anderson strong odds of challenging for the crown.

What do you think? Who will lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2015? Will it be a veteran like Peterson or Murray, or will a younger player earn the honor for the first time in his career?

Community Tailgate: Does Preseason Need Fixing?

August 25th, 2015 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of regular-season battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

As is often the case during the NFL preseason, we’ve seen a handful of key players go down with major injuries this summer. Most notably, star wide receivers Jordy Nelson of the Packers and Kelvin Benjamin of the Panthers suffered season-ending ACL tears, devastating blows for their teams and fantasy football owners alike. While Benjamin’s injury happened in a practice, Nelson’s occurred in a game, restarting an annual debate about the value of the preseason, with Aaron Rodgers among those weighing in.

“It’s difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game. This game doesn’t mean anything,” Rodgers said in a postgame news conference, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Asked if he felt the preseason schedule should be reduced from four games to a lesser number, the reigning MVP replied, “I think a lot of players around the league probably do. At least cut it down, maybe, to a couple.”

Another former MVP, Adrian Peterson, expressed a similar sentiment today, pointing to all the players who have torn ACLs so far this preseason and suggesting teams should just play three games, rather than four (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press).

Of course, for players like Rodgers and Peterson, whose roster spots are assured this year and – most likely – for as long as they want to keep playing, the preseason is less significant. For players fighting for the 52nd or 53rd spot on the their respective teams’ rosters, those games are a little more crucial. There are a number of players around the NFL who may have never received their shot on a roster if not for those extra couple preseason contests.

Trimming the number of preseason games from four to two also wouldn’t reduce the risk of injuries in those games — it would simply cut back on the total number of preseason injuries. And you could make the case that less preparation before the season would result in more injuries once the real games gets underway.

In a column today for Sports on Earth, Ross Tucker argues that if teams want to reduce the risk of preseason injuries to star players, they should simply keep those stars off the field during the so-called “meaningless” games. In Tucker’s view, the NFL isn’t likely to play any fewer preseason games anytime soon, since getting an extra two home games for each franchise is a significant source of revenue around the league.

What do you think? Is the preseason schedule a problem that needs to be fixed? If so, how would you propose fixing it? Does it make sense for the NFLPA to trade a reduction in preseason games for an increase in regular season games? Or is there another solution that might make more sense? Weigh in below in the comment section with your thoughts!

Community Tailgate: Who Will Win DROY?

August 20th, 2015 at 4:55pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of regular-season battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Yesterday, we asked you to take your pick on who will be this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Today, in the interest of equal time, we want to know who you think will be this year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Any list of DROY contenders has to have Jets rookie Leonard Williams near the top. The USC defensive lineman was touted by some as the top talent in this year’s class but thanks in part to the team needs at the top of the draft, the Jets managed to snag him with the No. 6 overall pick. At 6’5″ and 300+ pounds, Williams offers tremendous athleticism for his size and is a proven run stopper. Many wondered exactly where Leonard would fit on the Jets defensive line, which already featured stars like Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, but Richardson’s suspension and subsequent run-in with the law have opened up a major opportunity for Williams to be an impact player in his rookie year.

Linebacker Vic Beasley, taken at No. 8 by the Falcons, is another strong contender for the award. Beasley has been roundly praised for his agility at the linebacker position and many feel that he’s going to be a menace for opposing quarterbacks right out of the gate. It also helps Beasley’s case that he’ll be under the tutelage of Dan Quinn, who is known for developing tough players in the front seven. For what it’s worth, the Clemson product also looked impressive in his preseason debut.

Outside of those top ten picks, other viable candidates for the trophy include a pair of “red flag” guys in Cowboys linebacker Randy Gregory and Broncos defensive end/linebacker Shane Ray. Without their respective off-the-field issues, both players would have been strong candidates to go inside of the top ten on talent alone. Staying in the front seven, there was great buzz surrounding Kentucky’s Bud Dupree in the months leading up to the draft and he now finds himself with a franchise that is historically known for it’s hard-nosed defense.

A defensive back has not won DROY since Charles Woodson did it in 1998, but early cornerbacks like Marcus Peters (Chiefs) and Trae Waynes (Vikings) could get in the mix if they get opportunities to make big plays.

Who do you think will win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2015? Let us know in the comments below!

Community Tailgate: Who Will Win Offensive ROTY?

August 19th, 2015 at 3:47pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of regular-season battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Last week, one of our Community Tailgate discussions centered around who would win the 2015 NFL MVP award. Today, we’ll shift our focus to an award that might be a little more wide open. As was the case with the MVP, there are two quarterbacks who appear to be the early favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but given the growing pains typically experienced by first-year QBs, we probably shouldn’t pencil Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston in for the award quite yet.

Elsewhere in the first round of the 2015 draft, there are plenty of offensive weapons whose production may be limited in their rookie seasons due to injuries. We might not see Bears WR Kevin White at all this season, while other players – such as Rams RB Todd Gurley, Dolphins WR DeVante Parker, and Ravens WR Breshad Perriman – could see their early-season reps limited as they return from summer injuries. Among first-rounders, Raiders WR Amari Cooper, Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, and Eagles WR Nelson Agholor may be the best bets to come out of the gate strong.

Of course, it’s not just first-round picks who will be relied on to play major roles in their respective teams’ offenses this season. I expect we’ll see plenty of opportunities for players like Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon, Panthers WR Devin Funchess, Lions RB Ameer Abdullah, Falcons RB Tevin Coleman, and Cardinals RB David Johnson, among others.

What do you think? Do you have a dark horse candidate to make a huge impact as a rookie this year, or will one of the players I mentioned above take home the hardware? Who do you think will be the 2015 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? We’re looking forward to hearing from you, so be sure to weigh in with your thoughts in the comment section below!

Community Tailgate: 8/18/15

August 18th, 2015 at 6:56pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a couple weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing Eli Manning‘s contract situation. The Giants QB is entering his walk year and his agent is currently discussing an extension with Big Blue. One might think that recent deals for quarterbacks, including Philip Rivers, would provide the two sides with a blueprint to get a deal done, but agent Tom Condon is aiming way, way higher. Manning’s rep, we learned yesterday, wants to make Manning the highest paid quarterback in the NFL.

Currently, Aaron Rodgers is the highest paid QB in the league with a $110MM deal that takes him through 2019. That pact includes a $33,25MM signing bonus with $54MM guaranteed and the average annual value of Rodgers’ deal comes out to a healthy $22MM. It wouldn’t be ludicrous of Condon to ask for a similar AAV given the deals inked by Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, and Ben Roethlisberger this offseason, but it’s hard to imagine giving Manning a Rodgers-type deal on the whole.

Most of us can agree that, on merit, Manning should not be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. What we want to know is – what kind of deal do you think the Giants should give Manning? Or, do you think that the Giants should roll the dice and allow Manning to play out the 2015 season? Give us your thoughts in the comment section below.

Community Tailgate: 8/17/15

August 17th, 2015 at 6:38pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a couple weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing the Seahawks and safety Kam Chancellor. The 27-year-old is in the midst of a four-year, $28MM deal that runs through 2017 and is holding out to ensure the highest level of compensation as he enters what should be the most productive years of his career. In 2018, he’ll be entering his age-30 season and his payout could be fairly limited at that point.

The question is – will the Seahawks will bend? The Seahawks just paid big bucks to quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner and were forced to cut defensive tackle Tony McDaniel due to financial constraints, so it’s not as though they’re cash flush. Giving into Chancellor’s demands could also set a dangerous precedent for other Seahawks stars going forward.

Chancellor – who racked up 104 total tackles with seven pass deflections and one interception in 14 regular season games last season – is a key part of Seattle’s defense and he’s even more critical to the team this year with Earl Thomas potentially sidelined to start the year. However, the advanced metrics don’t portray him in such a flattering light. In 2014, he graded out as the 20th best safety in the NFL according to the advanced metrics used by Pro Football Focus (sub. req’d). In the year prior, Chancellor came in as the 12th best safety in the NFL.

All things considered, do you think the Seahawks should give Chancellor a substantially better deal? Or should they hold the line and hold him to his current pact? Let us know in the comment section below!

Community Tailgate: Who Will Win MVP?

August 14th, 2015 at 5:56pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Over the course of the last eight NFL seasons, only one non-quarterback has won the MVP — Adrian Peterson took home the award following a 2012 season in which he ran for nearly 2,100 yards. The recipients in the other seven years, however, are fairly predictable: Aaron Rodgers‘s name shows up twice; Tom Brady‘s does too; and Peyton Manning was named MVP three times during that stretch.

In all likelihood, 2015’s MVP award winner will also be a quarterback, and oddsmakers view Rodgers and Colts signal-caller Andrew Luck as the favorites. According to betting site Bovada.lv, the two star QBs are the only players whose odds to win the award are better than 12-to-1. After Rodgers and Luck, the players with the highest odds to win this year’s MVP award include Peterson, Manning, Brady, J.J. Watt, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Jamaal Charles, Ben Roethlisberger, and Le’Veon Bell.

Looking ahead to the 2015 season, do you expect one of the players listed above to be named the NFL’s MVP, or do you like a dark horse candidate to defy the odds and win the award? Are quarterbacks simply too important for a player at any other position to take home the MVP, or will we see another player gain momentum and win the award this year, like Watt briefly threatened to do a year ago?

What do you think? Who will be the 2015 NFL MVP? Weigh in below in the comment section with your thoughts!

Community Tailgate: 8/11/15

August 11th, 2015 at 6:05pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. Earlier this summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing Geno Smith, his broken jaw, and his NFL future. As you surely know by now, Smith is expected to be sidelined for 6-10 weeks after a locker room altercation with reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali left him with a broken jaw. Ryan Fitzpatrick, acquired in an offseason trade with the Texans, is poised to begin the 2015 campaign as the Jets’ starting quarterback. Rookie Bryce Petty will also be in the mix, but he likely isn’t ready to play just yet, so the team may consider adding a veteran backup until Smith is able to return to the field.

While Smith was set to begin the season as the Jets’ starting quarterback, it was far from a sure thing that he would keep the job throughout the season. After two very underwhelming campaigns in New York, many observers felt that it was only a matter of time before Fitzpatrick would wind up as the main option under center. Now, Fitzpatrick gets to start right out of the gate and even if he falters, Petty or maybe another QB yet to be signed could take the job and run with it.

Do you think Smith will regain his job as the Jets’ starting quarterback? If not, do you think it’ll be Fitzpatrick or someone else starting under center? Let us know in the comment section below!

Community Tailgate: 8/10/15

August 10th, 2015 at 8:01pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. Earlier this summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing wide receiver Steve Smith and his candidacy for the Hall of Fame. As you surely know by now, Smith announced on Monday morning that the 2015 season will be his last. Smith, now with the Ravens, stands as the Panthers’ all-time leading receiver with 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns receiving. For his career, spanning 15 years to date, Smith has caught 915 passes for a total of 13,262 yards and 73 touchdowns. It seems quite possible that Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, could be inducted into the Hall of Fame once he’s eligible. But it’s not a slam dunk.

Due largely to the evolution of the game and voters’ difficulty in comparing wide receivers from different eras, receivers have had some difficulty finding their way into Canton. Since 2000, there have been only ten WRs inducted into the Hall of Fame, and that number includes the controversial selection of Steelers notable Lynn Swann. Smith’s numbers are better than many of the receivers already in the Hall, but voters might chalk that up to the passing-friendly rules that have been brought into the NFL in the modern era.

When Smith is eligible, do you think he’ll enter the Hall of Fame? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

Community Tailgate: Who Will Win NFC West?

August 7th, 2015 at 4:34pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. Earlier this summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Since we began our Community Tailgate series, we’ve been examining each division in football, slowly but surely making our way through all eight and asking you which team you think will win each division in 2015. Having already looked at the first seven, we finally arrive today at the NFC West.

On paper, the Seahawks appear to be strong favorites in the West. The team didn’t lose any of its most important players in the offseason, and has appeared in consecutive Super Bowls. Still, there are some potential red flags in Seattle. Reports have indicated that Kam Chancellor‘s holdout could extend into the regular season if the two sides don’t reach a compromise. And while the addition of Jimmy Graham should help the Seahawks’ passing game, center Max Unger headed to New Orleans in that trade, leaving the club to work in another new starter on the offensive line, which is arguably the weakest position group on the roster.

In recent years, the 49ers have been Seattle’s primary competition in the West, but an offseason exodus has left plenty of question marks in San Francisco. Among the 2014 Niners who were released, retired, or signed elsewhere? Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Justin Smith, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, head coach Jim Harbaugh, and, most recently, Aldon Smith.

The new-look Niners may exceed expectations and challenge for the division crown, but the Cardinals look like the stronger team. Arizona was in first place in the West last year before its top two quarterbacks went down with injuries. With Carson Palmer ready to return in 2015, head coach Bruce Arians will look to lead the Cards back to the postseason.

Finally, the Rams may not have won a division title since 2003, but St. Louis’ defense looks increasingly fearsome, having added Nick Fairley to what was already one of the NFL’s best defensive lines. If Nick Foles can provide consistent, steady production at quarterback, the Rams could be a dark horse in the West.

Who do you think will win the NFC West in 2015? Let us know in the comment section below!

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