Clemson’s defensive line back and intact for one more year
FILE – In this Sept. 23, 2017, file photo, Clemson’s Christian Wilkins (42) pursues a runner during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College Clemson, S.C. More
Lineman (gridiron football)
Browns follow miserable, 1-win season with solid draft
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — For three days, the Cleveland Browns were decisive, aggressive and precise in the NFL draft.
Who are these guys? More
Lions reach 3-year deal with T.J. Lang
DETROIT (AP) T.J. Lang is switching sides in an NFC North rivalry – and returning to his roots. More
2017 NFL Free Agency: Teams with the most at stake
John Elway’s best moves as an executive have come in free agency. That’s where he rounded out his 2015 championship defense, and that’s where he can make amends after falling short of the playoffs.
The Broncos don’t accept mediocrity. They won at least 12 games with a playoff bye in four straight seasons before going 9-7 in 2016. Elway’s standards are so high that he fired coach John Fox after one of those 12-win years. This is not an organization designed for patience, making the next two weeks vital for the franchise. More
Kobe Buffalomeat had the best name of National Signing Day
In the midst of National Signing Day 2017, the news of one commit made the rounds, and it was solely because of his name. Illinois State proudly announced their new offensive lineman: Kobe Buffalomeat. More
NFL report: Josh McDaniels withdraws from consideration for 49ers job
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels expressed appreciation for the opportunity to interview with the San Francisco 49ers but says for now he will remain in New England. More
Steelers-Chiefs key matchup: Can Ben Roethlisberger carve up Chiefs again?
Steelers vs Chiefs Preview
Back in Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers hung 43 points on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. More
Pass rush suddenly disappears again for Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. (AP) For the first half of the season, Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and the rest of the Seattle Seahawks defensive line were able to create havoc, getting into the backfield and making opposing quarterbacks aware of their presence. More
Investing in an offensive line pays off in the NFL. Just ask the Cowboys and Raiders.
The Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s best team so far this season in large part because they were both wise and fortunate in this year’s NFL draft, using the fourth overall selection on tailback Ezekiel Elliott and landing star quarterback-to-be Dak Prescott in the fourth round.
But in looking at how the Cowboys have become what they are now, it is perhaps even more illustrative to recall what they did in the opening round of the 2014 NFL draft, when owner Jerry Jones had to fight his impulse to make the big-splash move of taking Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 16th overall pick and the team instead went with an offensive lineman from Notre Dame, Zack Martin.
That is among the series of maneuvers made by the Cowboys to bolster their offensive line that is paying huge dividends now, with them on an 11-game winning streak that has improved their NFL-best record to 11-1 after Thursday night’s triumph at Minnesota.
It is a lesson that is clear when studying some of the league’s best and most surprising teams this season: Devoting resources to the offensive line can pay off handsomely. It has worked to make the Cowboys and Oakland Raiders two of the NFL’s elite teams in 2016, and to make the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins relevant once more as playoff contenders.
“I think every team knows that philosophically you build from the inside out, from front to back,” said former NFL player, scout and front office executive Louis Riddick. “Every scout, GM, coach, team president knows that. But some people really commit resources to it and really believe in it, which Dallas has done, which Miami has done, which Tennessee has done.”
No one has done it better than the Cowboys. They used a first-round pick on left tackle Tyron Smith in 2011. They used a first-rounder on center Travis Frederick in 2013. They went with Martin over Manziel in 2014, with Jones’s son and Cowboys executive Stephen Jones intervening to help keep his father from taking Manziel, and made Martin a starter at guard.
Smith, Martin and Frederick have been selected to a combined seven Pro Bowls, a number that is certain to grow this season, and the Cowboys have an offensive line that could be remembered as one of the sport’s all-time greats. It paved the way for DeMarco Murray…
Vikings’ Sam Bradford returns after hard hit to ribs vs. Cowboys
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford returned for the second half after leaving late in the second quarter of the Vikings’ game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Bradford exited after a hit in the ribs by defensive lineman Maliek Collins and colliding with right tackle Jeremiah Sirles.
Bradford was replaced by Shaun Hill for the Vikings’ final two offensive plays of the quarter. He was examined on the sideline by the team’s athletic training staff during the…