NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Kick off stuff...

When the NFL changed the touchback rule so that kickoffs into the end zone are brought out to the 25-yard line instead of the 20, the idea was to incentivize returners to keep the ball in the end zone, and hopefully reduce injuries on kickoff returns.

For returners, those extra five yards are a big enough bonus that the smart move is to stay in the end zone. Unfortunately, too few returners have gotten the message.


NFL kickoff returners continue to take the ball out of the end zone, even though statistically speaking they’re better off taking a knee: According to Aaron Schatz of FootballOutsiders.com, there have been 163 kickoffs taken out of the end zone this season, and only 40 of them, or 24.5 percent, have been returned past the 25-yard line. The average line of scrimmage after kickoffs taken out of the end zone is the 23.2-yard line, meaning returners cost their teams about two yards, on average, each time they take the ball out.

And that includes all kickoffs into the end zone, even those when the returner is just a step behind the goal line when he fields the ball. The decision to take the ball out is even worse when the ball is kicked deep into the end zone: On kicks that go at least five yards into the end zone, the average return goes to the 21.5-yard line. Only 22.5 percent of those kicks are returned past the 25.

It gets even worse when you consider that six kickoff returns have been fumbled this season, a risk to bringing the ball out of the end zone that doesn’t exist if a returner keeps the ball in the end zone.

So why have returners taken the ball out of the end zone 160 times this season? Because returners still think they can take one to the house. But that’s exceedingly rare: On Sunday in Jacksonville, when Rams returner Pharoh Cooper fielded the opening kickoff three yards deep in the end zone and ran it 103 yards for a touchdown, that was the only time all season a kickoff into the end zone had been returned for a touchdown. (PFT)

 

A decision on Zeke should come by 7 pm et tonight...

 

It's past 7...any word?

 

Still waiting. Latest word is a decision is coming soon... not sure what the delay is. I'll update as news becomes available.

 

I have him in 3 fantasy leagues...

 

I got him in 'Dynasty' League... could sure use him. I'm real short on RB's.

 

Breaking...

Ezekiel Elliott has been granted another temporary restraining order, and will be allowed to play Week 7. Source; Rotoworld

 

Ezekiel Elliott is back off suspension.

A U.S. District judge in the Southern District of New York has granted Elliott his temporary restraining order against his six game suspension. Elliott is eligible to play against the 49ers this weekend.

RB Zeke Elliott got his TRO from the Southern District Court. The suspension is stayed for 14 days or until further proceedings. (NFL.com)

 

They can have him in a gimme.

 

Apparently this happened because the judge is on vacation and all parties pretty much agreed it isn't fair for him to be suspended during that time and the NFL understood why they ruled the suspension on, well, the suspension.

 

Eagles' Chris Long to donate 2017 salary to several charities...
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/chris-long-will-donate-every-game-check-2017-charity-134552444.html

 

LeVeon Bell is the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. They really should come up with a better name. "Offensive" has other meanings that detract from the recognition. Why not just "Offense Player of the Week"? It's less ... offensive?
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...ive-player-of-the-week-chiefs-week-6-nfl-news
Anyway, congrats to Bell.

 

Minnesota Vikings...

Wednesday is a big day for Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

He’s practicing for the first time since injuring his knee 14 months ago, which starts the clock on a three-week window to add him to the active roster. That’s an exciting development for Bridgewater, but coach Mike Zimmer wants to “put the brakes” on anyone getting ahead of themselves when it comes what will happen with the quarterback.


“We still don’t know where that’s going to go, what’s that going to lead to,” Zimmer said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

While Bridgewater tries to round himself back into form, the Vikings have Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Kyle Sloter at quarterback. Bradford did not play against the Packers last Sunday due to a knee injury and Zimmer said he’s feeling better, but didn’t say whether he will practice this week. That doesn’t provide much reason to think his chances of playing are any better than Bridgewater’s when the Ravens come to town on Sunday.

 

Browns have changed quarterbacks 20 times in last 43 games... Kiser is back in.

 

Well you know what they say if its brown flush it down

 

Goodell makes announcement on "war song"...
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/roger-goodell-nfl-wants-players-stand-anthem-wont-make-190253765.html

 

If I was a team owner my policy would be simple. If you sit during the national anthem then don't bother getting your ass up to play because you will get the chance to sit for the next 3 hours to help you keep your protest going.

 

Amen Gid!

 

I can't bring a political protest to my job, why should these overpaid athletes be able to?