Special Teams Ace Maragos Opposes NFL Kickoff Rules Changes (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings teams special rules opposes maragos kickoff

Chris Maragos has become a lobbyist, or so people might assume, considering all the effort the Philadelphia Special Teams Ace is injecting into his fight against the League’s plans to change the kickoff rules once more. At this point, the NFL spread doesn’t seem so important, what with all the hullaballoo surrounding NFL coaches and their stand against league executives.

If you talk to NFL executives, they will tell you that they are simply trying to make NFL games safer, this after analyzing statistics and determining that a lot of the high-speed collisions that cause injuries manifest during the kickoff.

Maragos claims that the kickoff is hardly as chaotic as some people think and, surrounded by so many talented players, he has never felt that his safety was compromised at any time. If anything, Maragos thinks that people like competition committee member Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys are the true threat; having already moved the kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line a few years back, Maragos has more than had enough of the NFL’s meddling.

It has been the NFL’s goal for a while now to reduce the number of returns, which is one of the reasons why the ball will be put on the 25 rather than the 20 (though only for a trial period of one year). The NFL isn’t completely deaf to the calls of coaches. During the offseason, senior vice president of officiating Dean Blandino met and spoke to special teams coaches.

Whether or not the meeting (conference call) achieved its objectives, it should be noted that Blandino downplayed any rumors about the Kickoff being eliminated, admitting that it was still one of the most exciting plays of the game. Yet, the NFL’s determination to make changes cannot be ignored. Clearly, the league thinks that the kickoff is a threat. All the attention surrounding the issue of concussions in the NFL is driving executives to take action to rebrand the game of football.

For Jones, coaches and executives should stand ready to take every step possible to ensure the safety of players. At the end of the day, no matter the conversation, the safety of players should be prioritized, even if that means that players might get fewer opportunities (especially those not good enough to shine on offense or defense).  Maragos would probably disagree here, especially considering his opinions about the vital importance of kickoffs and punts as effective gateways to stardom. In support of his point, Maragos has been known to point to Delanie Walker (Tennessee tight end), his teammate in San Francisco for whom Special teams was essential to keeping him on the roster.

Another supporter of Maragos’ position, Minnesota Receiver Adam Thielen believes that the key to safety is practice. If players do what they are supposed to do on the practice field, they are less likely to make mistakes during NFL games.For Maragos, the further alteration and eventual elimination of the kickoff would be a great blow to football, removing a play that many have come to associate with the game.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers On the Move Up the NFL!

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings tampa nfl season computer picks nfl computer game picks computer picks nfl winners buccaneers

 

 

Tampa Bay , currently ranked  #30 in the ff-winners.com computer power rankings

looks to push higher in 2016.

The first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft did not disappoint at all. Jameis Winston threw a couple of picks in his first career game, but cruised through the rest of the season, even becoming selected to the Pro Bowl! The Bucs’ new head coach Dirk Koetter  revolutionized their offensive attack last season, as he utilized Winston, Doug Martin, Mike Evans, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Vincent Jackson to their full potential. Now taking on a bigger role, Koetter will need to fix their defense too, as that is what ultimately brought their team down last season….

 

What Johnny Manziel Needs to Fully Understand (Humor, Archival)

Mr. Manziel is currently a troubled man. We hope the following will lighten his burden . 2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings understand needs manziel johnny fully

“This life is nothing short of a summoning quantum leap of perennial non-locality.

Synchronicity is the driver of transformation. By condensing, we exist.

We are being called to explore the solar system itself as an interface between faith and peace.

As you heal, you will enter into infinite fulfillment that transcends understanding. Tarot may be the solution to what’s holding you back from an unfathomable paradigm shift of coherence. Through the Law of Attraction, our hearts are nurtured by wisdom.

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings understand needs manziel johnny fully Throughout history, humans have been interacting with the quantum cycle via bio-feedback. Our conversations with other beings have led to an awakening of pseudo-life-affirming consciousness. Reality has always been overflowing with lifeforms whose brains are enveloped in transcendence.

Dogma is the antithesis of inspiration. You may be ruled by materialism without realizing it. Do not let it exterminate the truth of your path. You must take a stand against suffering.

Self-actualization requires exploration.

The cosmos is calling to you via electromagnetic resonance. Can you hear it? Have you found your myth? Although you may not realize it, you are non-dual.

You will soon be recreated by a power deep within yourself — a power that is enlightened, heroic. To navigate the journey is to become one with it. We exist as morphogenetic fields.”


The New England Patriots Dominate League Again in Free Agency (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings patriots league england dominate agency again

If the Patriots had not done a thing  this off season, they would likely be the favorites again to win the AFC next season. So exactly what does Bill Belichick do? He heads out and  practically murders every person in  free agency, taking actions that promptly place the Patriots atop the NFL power positions, and  by a huge margin also.

After including pass receiver Chris Hogan and also dealing Chandler Jones for a gifted offensive guard as well as a 2nd round choice, Belichick made the most effective action yet the other day, trading for one of the most productive tight  ends in the business in Martellus Bennett.

Are you joking me? Martellus Freaking Bennett? 😆

And if defenses aren’t  frightened enough  with Tom Brady tossing the football to Gronk as well as Bennett, merely remember he likewise has Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and even Dion Lewis also at his disposal.

The Aaron Hernandez– Rob Gronkowski duo was extraordinary back in 2011, and I think this brand-new combination will certainly equal that duo in manufacturing points, and even be  a lot better when it pertains to making first downs. Since 2013, there is just one tight end that has  more yards after catch compared to Bennett, namely: Rob Gronkowski! 🙂

This offense  just went from top 5, to damn near unstoppable. The two-tight end collection is restored in a huge way this period with Gronk as well as Bennett, and  it will be close to impossible to guard. Both are gigantic targets that can run well, making them no match for linebackers,corners and safeties. We understand just how awesome Gronkowski is, yet Bennett is exceptionally skilled too.  Opposing defenses will  not have the ability to take care of both of them rumbling down the field at the same time! 2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings patriots league england dominate agency again


The Next Great NFL Running Back Ezekiel Elliott (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings running great ezekiel elliott

Ezekiel Elliott will be awesome at Rb …6’0″ 226 lbs with 4.47 forty speed + hands size 10 1/4 ” and can be an awesome blocker for the Qb . Ezekiel will tear up many Lbs going out for a pass play and having size 10 1/4 ” hands – Ezekiel doesn’t drop many passes .

He has a great burst, adds in terrific balance and caps it off with the power to run through defenders.  Elliott is also a reliable ball carrier with a mere four fumbles through his college career (nearly 600 rushing attempts). It’s hard to find a flaw in Elliott’s game. A running back with quickness, power, great decision-making, quality pass catching and high-end blocking ability doesn’t show up every year.


Why Smart Bettors are Flocking to the Buffalo Bills for 2015-6 (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings week 2 computer week 15 smart flocking buffalo bills bettors

 

 

How many games will the Buffalo Bills win this year? Sportsbooks have set the betting line at 8.5.  Surprisingly, our Artificial Intelligence computer Beardog has the Bills ranked 5th behind New England, Seattle, Dallas and Green Bay due to its strong defense.

 

Buffalo has a new coach in Rex Ryan whose unusual formations, blitzes and overall defensive expertise should further strengthen the defense. We project the defensive line to have about 62 sacks this season. Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes are as deadly a unit as any in the NFL. They forced 6 fumbles last year.Last year Buffalo was fourth in yards and points given up. There is absolutely no reason that prowess shouldn’t continue this season.

 

If Tom Brady’s suspension is upheld the Bills and their awesome defense will face a green Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 2. Ralph Wilson Stadium is one of the most difficult stadiums for opposing teams to play in due to the rowdy fans and bitter weather.Most of the Bills strong opponents in the next season will be played at home.

 

Hopefully Rex Ryan is smart enough to not play E.J. Manuel. With Manuel on the bench, Tyrod Taylor or Kyle Orton will be in, thus their quarterback problems should dissipate especially if Taylor plays the first game. But in any event Sammy Watkins is a highly talented receiver who we project to have 70 catches and 1000 yards in 2015.

 

Finally, the running back by committee should keep the backfield healthy for what looks like a productive season. LeSean McCoy, recently acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, is expected to have  recovered  from a hamstring pull and will be supported by capable veteran Fred Jackson. In addition, the Bills also have Boobie Dixon as well as Karlos Williams the impressive rookie from Florida State. Look for Ryan to pound the ball on the ground, attack with his defense and roll easily to 9 victories or more!

 


Don’t Sleep On The Falcon’s New Running Back! (archival article)

Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman

American Football
Tevin Ford Coleman is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University, where he was a unanimous All-American.

Top Three Quarterbacks in the 2015 NFL draft (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings three quarterbacks draft

While a lot of teams in the NFL feel like they already have a franchise quarterback to count on, there are going to be teams looking for that type of guy in the 2015 NFL draft. It might not be the most outstanding year for quarterbacks, but there are a few who have an opportunity to become starters rather quickly. Here is a look at who might be able to take a franchise to another level.

Jameis Winston

In his redshirt freshman year, Winston made a name for hiimself as a nationalchampion and a Heisman Trophy winner. However, a lot of people are goingto focus on some of his transgressions off of the field as reasons to doubt his character a little bit. He seems to be maturing quickly, and a lot of mock drafts have him as the number 1 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have been desperately looking for a franchise type of guy, and he certainly has the arm strength and the size to be solid in the NFL.

Marcus Mariota

Like Winston, Mariota goes into the draft with the Heisman Trophy alreaady to his name. He has some people doubting him as well, but that has to do with the type of style he played at the college level. There are some scouts who feel like Oregon made him look better than he actually is. His draft position seems a little bit trickier, but someone in the 1st round is going to take a chance on him. In fact, slipping out of the top 10 seems almost impossible.

Brett Hundley

After the top 2 prospects, there is a chance that we do not see another quarterback drafted until the 3rd round. There are going to be some options for teams at that time, as Bryce Petty and Garrett Grayson could go in that round as well. Hundley just seems like the guy with the most potential right now. He was able to have quite a bit of success at UCLA, and he has the armstrength to compete at the highest level.


How Vegas Views The LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso Trade (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings views vegas trade mccoy lesean alonso

When ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday night that the Eagles have agreed to trade All-Pro RB LeSean McCoy to the Bills for LB Kiko Alonso, it came as a major shock to many NFL observers: “How could the Eagles, on the brink of Super Bowl contention, let their best player go?”

But Las Vegas sports books barely blinked. Neither the Westgate LV SuperBook nor MGM Resorts, in fact, made any adjustments to their Super Bowl odds. Station Casinos shortened the Bills from 30-to-1 to 25-to-1 and kept the Eagles at 22-to-1. The only move made at The Wynn was a lengthening of the Eagles’ futures price.

“No movement on Bills – they are already low at 50-1 due to bets,” said Wynn sports book director John Avello. “We can’t go much lower until they show they are a contender. We took Philly from 15-to-1 up to 20-to-1. Who will run the ball for them?”

Right now, those running the ball for Philly are Darren Sproles, Chris Polk and former Oregon Duck Kenjon Barner.

Apparently, McCoy and Eagles coach Chip Kelly’s relationship had soured recently, and as we saw last season with All-Pro WR DeSean Jackson, you either get with Kelly’s program or get out. In this case, Kelly was able to grab another one of his Oregon guys in Alonso — he now has nine former Ducks players on his Eagles roster.

Kelly’s offensive system has proven to be effective with interchangeable parts, and by trading McCoy and earlier releasing DE Trent Cole and CB Cary Williams, Philly is projected to be $48 million under the 2015 salary cap. As great as McCoy has been, the Eagles should be able to find a suitable system back either in the draft or through free-agency.

Among the interesting free-agent RBs available is C.J. Spiller, who now knows he won’t be back with Buffalo. The prized free-agent back is DeMarco Murray, and Kelly could kill two birds with one stone by signing him – fill the void left by McCoy and make the Cowboys weaker within the NFC East.

For the Bills, new coach Rex Ryan has inherited a defense on the brink greatness, and a back like McCoy boosts his chances to compete with the Patriots in the AFC East. The Bills have reportedly also made a trade with the Vikings to acquire QB Matt Cassel.

Bills fans should be excited about 2015, and Eagles fans should trust that Kelly has a plan. After taking over a 4-12 squad, Kelly has gone 10-6 in each of his first two seasons. McCoy’s replacement may not have 2,146 yards from scrimmage like McCoy did in 2013, but the system will produce numbers regardless of who in running the ball.

The best bet is that this trade is a win for both teams.


2015 Super Bowl Point Spread : Early Movement (archival article)

2023-24 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings week 15 super spread point movement ff-winners week 2 early

The point spread for Super Bowl XLIX moved 3.5 points at MGM Resorts on Sunday night, as the Patriots pulled away from the Colts to secure the AFC title.

The Las Vegas sports book operator, along with many others in town, opened the Seahawks as 2.5-point favorites during the third quarter of New England’s 45-7 victory. By the late fourth quarter, the Pats were the 1-point favorite.

“We opened (Seattle) -2.5, but I knew it was the wrong side, and I just kept dropping it down little by little even though we didn’t get much action on it,” Jay Rood, MGM Resorts VP of race and sports, told The Linemakers’ Micah Roberts. “The more I was thinking about it, the more I thought New England should be favored, and the bulk of the action we took on it — about $10,000 — has been on the Patriots -1.”

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened Seattle -2.5, but the shop was dealing the game at a pick ‘em less than a half-hour later, according to assistant manager Jeff Sherman’s Twitter feed.

William Hill U.S. moved to a pick ‘em on Sunday night as well, director of trading Nick Bogdanovich told The Linemakers on Sporting News in a text message. The shop was offering an advanced line of Seattle -3 vs. New England last week.

Super Bowl XLIX is set for Sunday, Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz.

That the spread moved immediately in New England’s direction is not a surprise. Early line moves are typically prompted by money from professional bettors. But with Vegas books packed with public bettors for Championship Sunday, the cumulative smaller wagers have a greater impact. Public bettors, of course, tend to base their wagers on what they most-recently witnessed — and that was the Pats blowing out the Colts and the Seahawks coming away with a very fortunate win over the Packers.

“The books want to get to the right number as quickly as they can,” said The Linemakers’ Roberts. “This will be the biggest bet game of the year, where the public has more influence on the number than the wise guys. In most cases with the public, they go by what they saw last, and in this case, it was Seattle struggling at home and committing five turnovers and the Patriots rolling to a blowout win. I think the public will side with the Patriots early on.”

Early wagering on last year’s Super Bowl was similar, as Seattle opened as a short favorite but Denver was bet to a favorite within a few hours on Championship Sunday.

Said Tony Miller at the Golden Nugget, “We haven’t taken any big action on the game yet, just a bunch of guys putting some small parlays on it before they head out of town.”

Miller said he believes Seattle -3 is the proper number, but he adjusted to what he saw in the market.

“With -2s being out there and -1.5 at the Mirage, I opened -2.5 just to be at the highest number, but the (odds) screen is jumping right now,” Miller said. “I’m looking at a few books down to -1 right now, so I’m moving to -2 and I’ll still be high.”

Five minutes later, Miller took a bet large enough (not a limit wager) to drop even further, to -1, to put him in line with most of the other books around town. But the number would continue to drop, and pick ‘em was the consensus line by the time the AFC game ended.

The total opened between 48.5 and 49.5.

On sale: The Wynn is enticing bettors in Vegas with a special offer of -105 vigorish on side bets, exec VP for Race & Sports John Avello told The Linemakers on Sporting News in a text on Sunday night. Gamblers usually have to lay -110.

High bar: Nevada sports books handled a record $119.4 million in wagers on last year’s Super Bowl, which shattered the previous mark of $98.9 set the previous year. They also won $19.6 million, another record.


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