These NFL Stars in 2018?Anyone

Film Room: Previewing the Bengals’ matchup with the Colts The Bengals start the 2018 season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts are a team in transition. They have a quarterback who was once supposed to be the next big thing in the NFL Cheap Renell Wren Jersey , but has faced adversity in recent years and missed all of last season. They have some young talent, but overall not a very good roster. They also enter the season with a rookie head coach (Frank Reich) and an all new defensive scheme.When Andrew Luck came into the NFL in 2012, he was expected to be the league’s next elite quarterback. He started out strong, leading the Colts to the playoffs in his first three seasons and putting up impressive numbers including throwing for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2014. Unfortunately the following year is when injuries became the story of Luck’s career. Now Luck returns after a year off from game action and months of not throwing following shoulder surgery. There is reason to be concerned based on what he has done in the preseason. Luck completed 62.5 percent of his passes this preseason averaging 6.4 yards per completion and posted a rating of 78.1. For comparison, Andy Dalton completed 71 percent of his passes, averaging 10.5 yards per completion and earned a rating of 130.9. Dalton was actually the top quarterback of the 2018 NFL preseason in terms of passer rating.Luck’s numbers more closely resemble a compilation of the Bengals’ other quarterbacks this preseason. Jeff Driskel completed 65.5 percent of his passes Renell Wren Jersey Womens , Matt Barkley averaged 6.5 yards per attempted and Logan Woodside’s rating was 71.5. In the Colts’ third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Luck completed 8 of 10 passes for 90 yards and 1 touchdown, playing most of the first half. Some of his balls were a little off target, but here are some examples of throws that should make Colts’ fans feel optimistic about Luck’s return. Here, Luck throws a well-timed ball on the slant route to his long-time favorite wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.Luck throws a good ball here to tight end Eric Ebron. He puts it on his outside shoulder which is away from the defender and allows Ebron to turn and run up field to gain more yardage. Luck was a dangerous player early in his career because of how he executed deep passes. Luck throws a touchdown to Ebron on this seam route. Although Ebron comes down with the ball, it is a high and a little behind the tight end. If cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had been a touch quicker to react, he may have been able to make a play on the ball. Luck does not want to put the ball too far inside because safety Adrian Colbert Renell Wren Cincinnati Bengals Jersey , but he should be able to zip the ball inside of Ebron without risking an interception. Luck has definitely shown some good things this preseason, but there are also reasons for concern. Against the 49ers, Luck was sacked once and scrambled four times. His protection was pretty good, but either his receivers were not getting open or Luck simply was not finding them. In the clip below, Luck is flushed out of the pocket but he had plenty of time to throw the ball. Receivers not being able to get open is something that the Bengals suffered from early in 2017. It could also be the case that with a new offense and Luck returning, the Colts are just not in sync.With Marlon Mack’s injury status unclear (he did practice on Thursday) the Colts will most likely lean heavily on Jordan Wilkins with rookie Nyheim Hines getting in the mixa change of pace. Neither has looked very good in preseason. Wilkins averaged less than three yards per carry and had a long of eight yards. Hines is undersized, but can contribute in both the run and the pass game and is a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. His display of balance and agility below demonstrates what type of athlete he is.The Colts convertest from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense this offseason. This transition isn’t just about having more defensive linemen it is about what they are capable of. The most difficult position to fill in the 4-3 defense is the 3 technique. The three-technique must be strong against the run and capable of getting a pass rush from the inside. In the clip below the left tackle has no problem reaching the 3 technique on the run away. This is a difficult block Renell Wren Jersey 2019 , but he makes it with ease. The front side blocks line up as well and the 49ers are able to pick up a good chunk of yards.The defensive ends also play a vital role in a 4-3 defense. They play an important role in the run game holding the edge and must be able to get to the quarterback as pass rushers. The Colts struggled to get any pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo in their preseason game against the 49ers. In the clip below Garoppolo looks very comfortable in the pocket and has plenty of time to execute. Former Bengal defensive end Margus Hunt is pushed right past the quarterback’s level at the top of the screen and defensive end Jabaal Sheard’s pass rush is completely shut down at the bottom of the screen. Rookie defensive end Kemoko Turay, who is not in on this play, has a lot of potential as a pass rusher but a long way to go. The Colts are lacking the personnel they need on defense, but they do have some young talent. Free safety Malik Hooker may be the best player on the unit. He thrives as a deep field player, particularly using his range to play the deep middle. Colts 2018 second round pick linebacker Darius Leonard has shown some great potential so far in the preseason. Here he makes a great read to break on Garoppolo’s pass, but fails to make the pick.The only hope the Colts have of being relevant in 2018 is if Luck returns to his old form. This may happen, but odds are that it will take time. This Week 1 matchup should get the Bengals started off right and allow them to gain some confidence heading into Week 2. The Bengals can crush the Steelers playoff dreams in Week 17Dropping a crucial Week 16 game to the New Orleans Saints Renell Wren Jersey Mens , the Pittsburgh Steelers are now a fringe playoff team. They need two things to happen in order to clinch the AFC North.Vince Williams and Sean Davis are questionable for season finale against BengalsInside linebacker Vince Williams has a toe injury and free safety Sean Davis has a quad injury. Both were injured in the 31-28 loss in New Orleans that put the Steelers’ playoff hopes in jeopardy.REPORT: Bengals Letting Marvin Lewis Decide When to Stop CoachingThe Cincinnati Bengals are giving Marvin Lewis the power to dictate the terms of his exit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. As of now, the Bengals intend to let Lewis coach for as long as he wants.Random NewsDon't Kid Yourself: The Patriots Are Going Back to the Super BowlQuarterback Tom Brady, whose passer rating is only two points above the league average, has lacked consistency and seen his numbers decline over the course of one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. Already without the departed Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola, Brady has lost receiver Josh Gordon and isn't getting as much as expected out of favorite targets Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.The Biggest Surprises of the 2018 NFL SeasonThe 2018 NFL season has been a wild ride. There's just one week remaining, and there is still quite a bit to be determined. Only one first-round bye has been settled Youth Renell Wren Jersey , and this is largely because we've had one of the most surprising playoff races in recent memory.What the Heck Happened to These NFL Stars in 2018?Anyone who has seen toddlers rage over not getting the exact Lego or Barbie accessory they wanted knows the holidays aren't all candy canes and gingerbread houses. Christmas isn't too joyous for NFL fans whose teams got coal in their stockings from big-name players who were expected to deliver lots of toys and goodies.Phillip Lindsay Reportedly to Undergo Surgery on 'Serious' Wrist InjuryPer NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Lindsay potentially suffered a scaphoid fracture and ligament damage that could lead to a "lengthy recovery," depending on the results of additional testing. Mike Klis of 9News reported he will undergo surgery unless a second opinion "suggests otherwise."Raiders Deliver Christmas Joy to Deprived Fanbase in MNF Win over Broncos|The team may be stuck in limbo for one more season before taking root in Sin City, but the Oakland faithful aren't going away quietly. The city sued the organization for violating antitrust laws.