Gästebuch » those with good chances to make the Olympics are 18-y

Its December, that special time of year when it becomes NFL draft season. And were officially less than 150 days until the festivities get underway in Philadelphia. So, in what has become an annual tradition, we are here with a quick, 25-question primer to get you going.1. Is this draft better on offense or defense?Kiper: This is a defensive draft. Its incredibly strong there -- 15 of my top 25 prospects are defenders, including eight of the top 10. And its deep too, with pass-rushers and defensive backs galore. On offense, this draft is lacking in premier talent at positions that are usually picked in the top five: offensive tackles and quarterbacks. There just isnt much there.2. Who are the quarterbacks well be talking about on the first night of the draft?Kiper: Theres really only one guy right now, and he might not even enter the draft. Thats North Carolinas Mitch Trubisky, a fourth-year junior who is in his first season as the starter. Trubisky has thrown 28 touchdown passes to only four interceptions, but hes still green -- with another year of seasoning, he could be the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. Hes not ready to play right away in the NFL.I dont see any other first-rounders in the group. Notre Dames DeShone Kizer, a third-year sophomore, has to go back to school. Clemsons Deshaun Watson has taken a step back this season. Underclassmen Luke Falk and Patrick Mahomes could use another year in school, and they dont project as first-rounders.I wouldnt say its likely, but theres a chance no quarterback goes in the first round. The last time that happened was 1996.3. Would you go so far as to call this a bad QB class, Todd?McShay: Ill say this: Its not a great year to be drafting early and needing a quarterback.?Theres some depth (depending on how many underclassmen declare), but I dont see any elite prospects among those Ive reviewed so far. My top five quarterbacks are all underclassmen -- and I hope most of them return to school (Watson, my No. 2 QB, has already declared). Mel is right, Kizer needs another year. Trubisky has only 12 starts. Miamis Brad Kaaya can continue to get bigger/stronger. Falk comes with too many questions ranging from system to frame.?4. Which prospect-to-player comparison do you think is most spot-on?McShay:?Dalvin Cook and Chris Johnson. The Florida State RB has the speed, suddenness and big-play ability that Johnson had when he was still in his prime. Cook has 15 touches of 25 yards or more this season, tied for second among Power 5 running backs.5. If you had to put your money behind one guy from this class to be the NFLs next great pass-rusher, who would it be?Kiper: Theres no question its Texas A&Ms Myles Garrett, who is No. 1 on my Big Board. He has everything teams want in a premier edge rusher. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, hes going to be a star. Others to keep an eye on: Alabamas Tim Williams and UCLAs Takkarist McKinley. All could go in the top 10.6. What should the Browns do with the first pick: best player or best QB?Kiper: The Browns have too many needs. It has to be the best player, and as I mentioned above, theres no surefire top quarterback in this class. Cleveland needs everything. No way should the Browns reach for a quarterback in this draft.7. Dallas hit a home run last April -- how do they hit another one next April?McShay:?Not sure its possible for the Cowboys to have a draft thats anywhere near comparable to last year. Theyll be selecting in the latter half of the first round as opposed to No. 4 overall -- and they found a fourth-round quarterback whos currently 11-1. If they could find one difference-making edge rusher, thatd be a win for Dallas.8. By the time its April, Mel, who are people going to be saying, Oh, Kiper loves that guy!Kiper: Its Alabamas Reuben Foster. He could be the best of the stellar group of Crimson Tide inside linebackers to be picked in the first round recently (Rolando McClain, Donta Hightower and C.J. Mosley). Foster is a complete player. Top five isnt out of the question, which is rare for an ILB. Hes that good.9. How about you, Todd?McShay:?LSU safety Jamal Adams. He hasnt gotten a ton of love nationally, but hes one of the most complete players in this draft class. He has everything you want -- intelligence, toughness, ball skills and explosive tackling ability. Plus, hes a really good leader.10. Which prospect has helped his stock the most this season?Kiper:?McKinley has gone from just a guy to a potential top-10 pick, and its all because of his ability to rush the quarterback. The former junior college transfer had 10 sacks for the Bruins this season after just seven in his first two years. Hes not huge (6-foot-2, 240 pounds), but his speed off the ball is fun to watch.11. Which prospect has hurt his stock the most this season?McShay:?This is a tough one. Oklahoma cornerback?Jordan Thomas really struggled at times in coverage this season, and Georgia running back?Nick Chubb wasnt himself coming off his season-ending injury in 2015. Chubb had a solid final few weeks to the regular season, but his best performance since his 222-yard opener against UNC was against Louisiana-Lafayette (108 yards on 16 carries). It will be interesting to see if Chubb returns to school or if he makes the leap, despite his struggles this season. Thomas should absolutely return to school.12. If my team needs a ______, were in luck in this draft.Kiper: Pass-rusher. The class is littered with talented rushers -- for both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. The next-deepest positions: tight end and center.13. What about offensive line: Is there a cornerstone blindside protector in this draft?McShay:?This is not a great offensive tackle class. Alabamas Cam Robinson is my top-ranked offensive tackle (No. 15 overall), but I wouldnt classify him as a cornerstone blindside protector. There are more right tackles and offensive guards -- such as Wisconsins?Ryan Ramczyk and Western Kentuckys?Forrest Lamp -- in this class than there are true left tackles.14.?Leonard Fournette is the most talented running back prospect since when?McShay:?Adrian Peterson in 2007. Yes, Fournette has some durability concerns (an ankle injury has hobbled him all season), but?the same was said for Peterson when he was leaving Oklahoma.?15. Which teams could target Fournette?Kiper: Running backs have been devalued, but Id be surprised if Fournette slipped out of the top eight. Not many of the teams projected to pick there need a RB, so why not Cleveland? Fournette is that good, and the Browns could do much worse than a plug-and-play, three-down back. Maybe its Carolina, who has aging backs. The Panthers have bigger needs, though. It might have to be a team that likes Fournette enough to trade up. Maybe Philadelphia for the second straight season. Maybe the Lions or Giants, who are among the worst running teams in the league.16. Who are the guys well all be calling freaks after the NFL combine?McShay:?Myles Garrett is the top all-around physical freak in this class. Hell test off the charts for a pass-rusher. Two others: UCLA outside linebacker?Takkarist McKinley and Virginia Tech tight end?Bucky Hodges. McKinley has elite speed for an edge guy; Hodges, a former quarterback, is long, fast and athletic.17. Which school will be this years Ohio State and dominate the early rounds?Kiper: Five Alabama prospects make my newest Big Board, including four in the top 13. I have the Tide with the top offensive tackle, top inside linebacker, top two outside linebackers, and second-best defensive end and tight end. They also have the best punter in the draft, plus some players who will go in the mid-rounds. One school that is going under the radar: Florida. While the Gators lost to Alabama in Saturdays SEC title game, they have an outside shot at four defenders being picked in the first round.18. Whos the underclassman who could use another year of development?McShay:?All of the underclassman quarterbacks (see above). Texas A&M wide receiver?Ricky Seals-Jones, too.19. What about the underclassman with nothing left to prove to NFL scouts?Kiper: LSUs Leonard Fournette. Theres only so much tread on the tires of running backs. Hes going to be a star on day one.20. Who are the best pass-catchers in this draft for teams in need of more weapons?McShay:?The tight end class is unusually strong with Alabamas O.J. Howard (No. 23), Michigans Jake Butt (No. 26) and Hodges (No. 32) all in the Top 32 right now. All three are legit weapons in the passing game. The wide receiver class isnt so strong at the top. Clemsons Mike Williams is the only wide receiver in my top 15, but theres plenty of depth in the middle rounds. USCs JuJu Smith-Schuster, LSUs Malachi Dupre, Washingtons John Ross, Virginia Techs?Isaiah Ford, Western Michigans Corey Davis and Eastern Washingtons?Cooper Kupp could all be top-60 picks.21. This is the year of the ______.Kiper: Third-year sophomore, potentially. Michigan linebacker/safety Jabrill Peppers, Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey and Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore are all draft-eligible sophomores on my latest Big Board. Then theres Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas, Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, plus two from Notre Dame: quarterback DeShone Kizer and guard Quenton Nelson. Some of these guys will likely return to school, but some wont. The talent level here is incredible.22. Whos going to catapult up boards like Carson Wentz did last year?McShay:?Washington wide receiver John Ross could be an early pick if he leaves school -- and runs as fast as expected. Im also interested to see if the two Ohio State defensive backs Mel just mentioned (Lattimore and Hooker) decide to return to school for a second season as full-time starters,?or if they bolt after the upcoming playoff. Both need more game experience, but both are very talented.23. Do the Jets have a QB starter currently on their roster? Should they reach for one early?Kiper: I dont think so, but the Jets shouldnt draft a QB early just to get one. They just took Christian Hackenberg in the second round last year -- 84 spots ahead of Dak Prescott, by the way -- and they need to try to develop him to see if he has a future. He needs major, major development, though, and that takes time. Hes almost certainly not the guy in 2017. New York might be better off surveying the backup market. Tony Romo or Jay Cutler, maybe? How about Mike Glennon?24. The Panthers could be drafting in the top 10 without a need at quarterback. What holes should they look to fill?McShay: Offensive tackle, defensive end, wide receiver and running back are the top needs that come to mind. The latter three positions all have some depth in this class.25. Which team needs to hit a home run in this draft?Kiper: Cmon, its Cleveland. The Browns havent won a game! They have to get some talent, and luckily for them, they have the picks to do it (including two in the first round). The Browns have to hit on some stars in the second year of their total analytical approach. One more thats interesting: Tennessee, which is on the cusp of being really good. The Titans have two first-round picks -- they have the Rams pick from the Jared Goff deal -- and they could use one of those to beef up their secondary. TreWatson Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Nate Orchard Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. http://www.wholesaledolphinsjerseys.com/?tag=youth-stone-wilson-jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Jamar Summers Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Mike Gesicki Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. EUGENE, Ore. -- Allyson Felix is supposed to be cementing her track legacy this summer.Instead, she comes into U.S. Olympic trials hobbling, unsure and simply hoping for third place.On a slow, painful comeback from a freak injury to her right ankle, the most decorated female sprinter in U.S. history will have to grit out spots on the 200 and 400-meter teams to have a chance to become the first woman to capture that double at the Olympics.The trials were supposed to be little more than a warmup and a bon voyage party for the 30-year-old, six-time Olympic medalist. But when Felix landed awkwardly on a medicine ball while doing core exercises at her gym in Los Angeles two months ago, everything changed.Ive never seen my ankle that big before, and it happened just immediately, she said. When it happened, there were a number of thoughts running through my head. A scary moment. Id never had anything like that happen before.After the fright, came frustration and a slow recovery.Shes had to alter her workout routine, including running the wrong way around the track, so as not to put as much strain on her right ankle, which, as the outside ankle, is more at risk over counterclockwise trips around the oval.She has not been able to prepare for the grueling schedule that the double will require in Rio. It was Felixs camp that pushed for the scheduling change the International Olympic Committee granted in order to make the double possible. Even with the adjustment, Felix will have to race on five consecutive days, including Aug. 15, which features 200-meter prelims in the morning and the 400 final at night.Maybe most alarming, Felix has barely raced this year. The 400-meter prelim Friday will be only her second test of the ankle in real competition since the injury.She concedes she has thought about scaling back her schedule, maybe to focus on the 200 meters -- her specialty, and the one at which shes won three gold medals at world championships and a gold and two silvers at the Olympics.She hasnt been able to let go of her dream, though.I set those goals long ago, she said. I wanted to fight to be able to have that opportunity. I dont know if Ill ever have it again.Here are five more things to watch at Olympic track trials, starting Friday:ANOTHER DOUBLE?: The worlds best time at 200 meters this year doesnt belong to Usain Bolt. Or Justin Gatlin. Or any other runner who is known for that distance. Rather, it belongs to American LaShawn Merritt, a 400-meter specialist wwhose 200 time of 19.dddddddddddd.78 in April is the best of 2016. Merritt is entered in both the 200 and 400, and the mens schedule at the Olympics is even more friendly for a 2-4 double. Michael Johnson is the only man to do that, back in 1996.ANOTHER RECORD: At the last Olympic trials, Ashton Eaton broke an 11-year-old world record in decathlon. He broke it again last year at world championships. Whats in store next? The defending Olympic champion doesnt go into meets thinking about setting records, but he does believe in Hayward Magic, that mystical feeling he gets when running and throwing at what is, essentially, his home track -- Hayward Field. He said it all but carried him across the line in the 1,500 meters -- the final event of the 2012 decathlon, when he needed to beat his personal best at that distance to set the record. Eatons record now stands at 9,045 points.FIRST THINGS FIRST: Barring surprises, Gatlin will be the main challenger to Usain Bolt when the Olympics roll around. But the 34-year-old has to earn his spot first. It shouldnt be a problem, but with the U.S. rules, in which the top three qualify with no exceptions for past champions or top performers, Gatlin knows hes a false start or a stubbed toe away from being on the outside looking in. You think Olympic Trials, its a dream. Its making dreams happen. People are running with dreams in their eyes, and thats when people are most deadly, he said.DOUBLE THREAT: Before receiver Marquise Goodwin checks into training camp with the Buffalo Bills, he may have to make a short detour. He doubles as a long jumper and has a chance to make it to his second Olympics. The two-time NCAA champion finished 10th at the London Games. He said that less-than-satisfying result gave him a sense of unfinished business. When he started training again under the guidance of 2004 Olympic champion Dwight Phillips, Bills coach Rex Ryan told Goodwin he could have a pass on training camp if he makes the U.S. team.ALL AGES: Among those with good chances to make the Olympics are 18-year-old Vashti Cunningham, the high jumper who is the daughter of former NFL sta