??Nick Foles threw a deep pass into the wind on the first play from scrimmage against the Falcons
Tremaine Edmunds Bills Jersey , LeGarrette Blount scored the only touchdown on fourth down and wide receiver Nelson Agholor ran 21 yards on a new play.The
Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) are aggressive no matter what.They’ll need that
approach when they face the Minnesota Vikings (14-3) and their top-ranked
defense in the NFC championship game on Sunday.“You’d probably call me
unorthodox with some of the decisions I’ve made on fourth downs and going for
it, 2-point conversions, things like that,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said
Wednesday.“Sometimes you just don’t do the norm, you just don’t do what
everybody expects you to do and sometimes that can help you. I’m calculated by
it, but at the same time, I’m going to make sure that I’m putting our guys in a
good position.”Foles underthrew the long pass to Torrey Smith to start the
divisional playoff game, but a pass interference call gave the Eagles a 42-yard
gain to the Falcons 25.Jay Ajayi fumbled on the next play or perhaps the game
wouldn’t have come down to a defensive stand at the end to preserve
Philadelphia’s 15-10 win.“Take a shot,” Pederson said explaining his decision to
throw long into a stiff wind.On the touchdown drive early in the second quarter,
Philadelphia faced third-and-3 from the Falcons 24. Foles faked a pitch to
running back Corey Clement and handed off to Agholor on an inside counter with
Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson pulling out and leading the way. Agholor took
it to the Falcons 3. It was the first time Pederson called the play this
season.“Coach has just had a knack of seemingly calling those at the right
time,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said.“It comes up different every week.
We really work well as a staff together in game planning. Sometimes we think we
like something and we go out on the practice field and it doesn’t quite look
like it’s ready. So, we have to keep it in the crock pot for another week or
start over with a new recipe.”Three plays later, tight end Trey Burton lined up
at fullback and Blount followed his block into the end zone for a 1-yard TD run.
Pederson didn’t think twice about going for it instead of kicking a game-tying
field goal.“The ball was just inside the 1-yard line, and we had confidence to
go for it in that situation,” Pederson said. “We were real close and the guys
did a great job.”During the regular season, only Green Bay (28) went for it on
fourth down more than Philadelphia (26). The Eagles converted 17 times for 65.4
percent
P.J. Hall Youth Jersey , third-best behind New Orleans (80 percent on 12 for 15) and Jacksonville (76.9 percent on 10 for 13). Minnesota is 1 for 7 on fourth
down, fewest attempts in the league.“You always want to be aggressive,” Foles
said. “I love Coach’s calls.”AP NFL website:
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (12-7)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Jacksonville
LAST YEAR: Earned first postseason berth since 2007 and made surprising run to AFC championship game, when Jaguars led New England by 10 points in fourth
quarter before losing 24-20. Rode one of league’s top defenses – featuring Pro
Bowlers A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Malik Jackson, Yannick Ngakoue and Jalen
Ramsey – to most successful season in nearly two decades. RB Leonard Fournette
and LT Cam Robinson, both rookies, helped Jacksonville lead league in
rushing.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: All-Pro LG Andrew Norwell, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, CB D.J. Hayden, WRs Donte Moncrief and DJ Chark.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: WRs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, LB Paul Posluszny, CB Aaron Colvin, TE Marcedes Lewis
Jessie Bates III Bengals Jersey , RB Chris Ivory, LG Patrick Omameh.
CAMP NEEDS: Stay healthy. Develop chemistry between QB Blake Bortles and revamped receiving corps that features newcomers Moncrief, Chark and
Seferian-Jenkins. Bolster running game – Norwell should help – that faltered
late last season, especially in playoffs. Stout defense returns 10 of 11
starters, which should allow coordinator Todd Wash to make seamless tweaks to
stunts, blitzes and coverages to become more diverse.
EXPECTATIONS: With nearly every key starter and entire coaching staff back, Jaguars expect to be AFC contenders in Doug Marrone’s second season. They surely
will be trendy pick to win AFC South and make consecutive postseason appearances
for first time since 1998-99.
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TENNESSEE TITANS (10-8)
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Nashville, Tennessee
LAST YEAR: Titans swept Jacksonville but missed AFC South title after losing three straight in December. Winning first postseason game in 14 years with
amazing comeback in Kansas City didn’t save coach Mike Mularkey, not when he
stuck with OC Terry Robiskie following ugly rout in New England.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: First-time head coach Mike Vrabel, defensive coordinator Dean Pees, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, CB Malcolm Butler, RB Dion Lewis,
QB Blaine Gabbert, LB Rashaan Evans
Connor Williams Cowboys Jersey , LB Harold Landry.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DC Dick LeBeau, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Eric Decker, LB Erik Walden, S Da’Norris Searcy, QB Matt Cassel.
CAMP NEEDS: Sign Pro Bowl LT Taylor Lewan to contract extension. Lewan stayed away from mandatory minicamp to make clear he wants new deal instead of
fifth-year option at $9.3 million. QB Marcus Mariota mastering another offense
with third head coach. Develop WR Corey Davis and rest of young receiving
group.
EXPECTATIONS: For so long, Vrabel was seen as future coaching star, and former Patriots linebacker gets no honeymoon period with franchise coming off
consecutive 9-7 seasons. Mariota is going into fourth season and GM Jon Robinson
has assembled this franchise’s most talented roster in decade, leaving division
title and long playoff run as Titans’ next step.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Westfield, Indiana
LAST YEAR: Andrew Luck missed entire season and Colts never recovered. They blew seven halftime leads, one short of NFL record. They scored 46
fourth-quarter points. Those numbers almost certainly wouldn’t have been same
with Luck. But there were other major problems. Indy allowed league-high 56
sacks and produced second-fewest sacks in league (25). Not surprisingly, Colts
missed playoffs for third straight season, wound up with first losing record
since Peyton Manning missed entire 2011 season, and made coaching change.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Luck’s anticipated return from shoulder injury as well as returns of 2016 and 2017 first-round picks C Ryan Kelly and S Malik Hooker
from injuries. Coach Frank Reich, rookie G Quenton Nelson
Rashaan Evans Titans Jersey , TE Eric Ebron, WR Ryan Grant, OL Matt Slauson, DL Denico Autry, DE Kemoko Turay, LB Darius Leonard, OG Braden Smith, DE Tyquan
Lewis, RB Nyheim Hines.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Frank Gore, CB Rashaan Melvin, S Darius Butler, DT Johnathan Hankins, WR Donte Moncrief.
CAMP NEEDS: LB, WR, pass rushers.
EXPECTATIONS: Luck has been throwing for more than one month and if he’s healthy enough to start Sept. 9 opener against Bengals, team’s outlook changes
completely. Sure Colts have many other holes to fill and it will take more than
one offseason to fill them. But if Luck gets back to old form
Kolton Miller Jersey , don’t expect Indy to suffer same fate as 2017.
—
HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Greenbrier, West Virginia
LAST YEAR: Texans had first losing record since 2013 as they dealt with numerous injuries, including to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and superstar
defensive end J.J. Watt. Watson was bright spot in disappointing season for his
play in seven games before he tore anterior cruciate ligament in right knee in
practice. He threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns, giving Texans hope they’ve
finally found franchise quarterback after years of misfires and disappointment.
Another positive was continued improvement of 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon
Clowney. Defensive end finished second in NFL with career-high 21 tackles for
losses and his 9 sacks, 21 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles were also
career bests. He had career-high 59 tackles and started all 16 games for first
time in career after struggling with injuries in first two NFL seasons before
playing 14 games in 2016
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: S Tyrann Mathieu, G Senio Kelemete, G Zach Fulton, OT Seantrel Henderson, CB Aaron Colvin, QB Brandon Weeden.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Brian Cushing, OT Jeff Allen, OL Xavier Su’a-Filo.
CAMP NEEDS: Texans will have eye on two of their biggest stars who are returning to field after sustaining seas.
