Archives for August 28, 2016

'"It felt pretty good," Watkins said. "I feel like I needed it. It was something I wanted to do."'

'There is growing sentiment among NFL owners to get rid of the fourth game and give teams two weeks to ramp up for the regular season. But the NFL has been too slow to act. Teams already have a way to make up part of the lost revenue: With variable pricing plans that increase ticket prices for several of the more attractive regular-season games. Coaches easily could live with just two exhibitions, in fact, by running joint practices and scrimmages with other teams. For the love of God, please spare us four exhibitions.'

'Some fan bases insert self-centered intonations within the anthem. Americans pick and choose how to honor our flag, frequently opting for whatever is convenient or seems “badass” or makes us feel patriotic.'

'Washington's safety didn't seem to appreciate the comments he was receiving on Twitter.'

'"During this whole process, knowing that he was coming from a D2 school, the only thing I wanted was some organization or coach to give him a chance to just come in and prove that he's capable of playing here," Larry Zimmer said. "For me, I've told everybody my dream at this level has been achieved because the Bills organization gave him that opportunity to come here and stick with the team. I'm excited. It's just icing on the cake if he does make the 53."'

'"I haven't seen that big of an improvement from him," Ryan said. "So, he'll get some opportunities, and he's got to stand out if he wants to make this team," Ryan said. "He's got to earn it. Nobody's going to give you anything. I love having the big size guy that should be a red-zone threat, but eventually you've got to come down with some plays."'

'Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Williams' ribs "tested out fine after the game."'

'This was just a small sampling. And Hall — one of the savviest and most responsive Redskins players online — certainly saw the flavor of his mentions. So after the game, the safety responded to his critics.'

'"It's a real shame," Ryan told reporters. "Sometimes, especially with Gragg's injury, a guy should make a tackle. But I get it. Was frustrated he just had a 15-yard penalty. That was ridiculous in my opinion, but it is what it is.'

'A familiar name on this Arrow Up list, Powell was an afterthought by most and even considered just a camp body by many when the team arrived at St. John Fisher. But I’m not sure any player on the roster has earned a spot more than him. Once again Powell made plays on both special teams and offense, returning three punts for 57 yards, including a 36 yarder, and added five catches for a team-high 55 yards, including a fantastic grab on the sidelines in the final 2-minute drill. '

'Taylor got demolished twice in the 10 plays he participated in. Ryan wanted Taylor to get a few reps with Watkins, but sitting him may have been a better idea too.'

'“We are going to play the best 11. If it’s him, which it probably is, then he is going to be out there,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “But we are going to play a number of guys. I don’t want to overextend him. We know what’s coming down the road, we get it. But this guy is doing a tremendous job for us. I don’t want to gas him too much, but at the end of the day, we are going to play our best.”'