In a column earlier this month
http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-senio-kelemete-jersey , Peter King reported that the Texans may prefer to have linebacker Jadeveon
Clowney play out the year on the franchise tag and see how he reacts to that
before moving forward with a long-term deal.King cited a perception that Clowney
isn’t “the worker bee” that other players in Houston are as the reason for the
team’s reticence about going for a longer contract right now. On Wednesday,
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said, via the , he has “nothing but good things to say
about” Clowney and deferred questions about contractual affairs to General
Manager Brian Gaine.Gaine met the media at the Scouting Combine on Thursday and
said that he is going to meet with Clowney’s agent in Indianapolis this
week.“It’s certainly an option,” Gaine said of using the franchise tag. “It’s
not the priority, but it’s certainly an option.”The Texans have until Tuesday
afternoon to decide about using the tag. Clowney declined to say how he’d
respond to the use of the tag when asked about the possibility at the end of the
Texans’ season. No team has drawn more attention, positive and negative, heading
into the NFL’s 100th season than the Cleveland Browns.The Raiders are close for
drama in their final year in Oakland, but Baker Mayfield and crew take the
headline honors.Beginning Sunday when they host Tennessee, we’ll find out if the
new and improved Browns are exactly that, and a playoff contender. Or if they
will do what the Browns nearly always have done since returning to the NFL in
1999, and disappoint the Dawg Pound.“I’m very excited to see what we can do,
what we’re capable of doing out there,” Mayfield said. “Nobody has done anything
yet, so I’d say everyone is starting the same: square one. I’d say it’s pretty
hard to live up to any hype if you’re listening to the outside. None of that
really matters. We’ve got a bunch of guys who have bought in to what’s going on
in this building and the standards that we’re setting. So to us that’s all that
matters.”The Titans have been a contender the past three years
Trevor Daniel Jersey , going 9-7 each time and making the playoffs once. Their defense ought to be stout, and figures to get tested by Mayfield throwing
to Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, plus Nick Chubb running the
ball.“Definitely starting the season with a great challenge,” Titans cornerback
Logan Ryan said. “They’re great players. We know that. We’re going to do what we
always do and prepare for them. Study all their routes, study everything they do
… and go out there and challenge them. That’s the nature of this game. That’s
how you make a living in this game is going and covering good guys every week,
and those are some good guys.”The centennial season began Thursday night in
Chicago with the Green Bay Packers‘ 10-3 victory over the Bears. Aaron Rodgers
hit Jimmy Graham in the second quarter for the only touchdown.The Packers lead
the NFL’s longest rivalry 98-95-6. Green Bay has won 16 of the last 19
regular-season meetings, and Rodgers is 17-5.Pittsburgh at New EnglandThe
Patriots have been playing down the fact they weren’t chosen for the opener of
the NFL’s 100th season despite their latest Lombardi Trophy. But their coaching
staff finds little items to push the players’ buttons, and Tom Brady is as
strong a motivator to teammates as anyone in the league.New England does have
some major questions marks at receiver and tight end, and on the D-line. But
somehow those things tend to work out.Pittsburgh lost two of its biggest stars
in receiver Antonio Brown, now in Oakland, and running back Le’Veon Bell (Jets).
But many in the Steel City are seeing that as eliminating huge
distractions.Atlanta at MinnesotaTwo coaches, Dan Quinn with the Falcons, Mike
Zimmer with the Vikings, who need quick starts and solid seasons to enhance
their job security.For Quinn, a defensive guru as a coordinator
Womens Aaron Colvin Jersey , getting that unit more stingy is a must. A healthy group will help — injuries ravaged the Atlanta D last year.The Falcons
also went with offensive linemen Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first
round of the draft. The O-line faces a solid defense in Minnesota, which ranked
fourth in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed last year. But the Vikings
also have blocking concerns on offense.Los Angeles Rams at CarolinaPotent
throughout 2018 and into the playoffs, the Rams could do little with the ball in
the Super Bowl. That memory has to burn coach Sean McVay and, especially, QB
Jared Goff, who didn’t look ready for the big-game spotlight. If running back
Todd Gurley isn’t hampered by seemingly chronic knee issues, this still is among
the most dangerous offense in football.Opening with a cross-country trip sure
beats going from LA to Charlotte in midseason, and the Rams face a Panthers team
plagued by uncertainty in many areas. Not a problem is Carolina’s versatile RB
Christian McCaffrey, who would truly impress if he can have a huge game against
two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and the Rams’ solid
defense.Houston at New Orleans, Monday nightAfter all those moves recently, the
Texans have a new look that might solve two of their biggest issues from 2018:
Can they protect Deshaun Watson, and who will be the wideout opposite
sensational DeAndre Hopkins. Houston traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and WR
Kenny Stills. Of course, the Texans also sent Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle when
they couldn’t reach a contract solution with the pass rusher.This prime-time
matchup is the first opportunity for the Saints to step on the field for a real
game since, as they would say in the Big Easy, “Dey wuz robbed” in the NFC title
game. New Orleans might have the most talent in the league
Womens Martinas Rankin Jersey , led by the incomparable Drew Brees.Kansas City at JacksonvilleThen again, at least on offense, the mother lode is in KC,
led by 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes. For Mahomes to match last season — 50 TDs
passing, 113.8 rating, off-the-charts creativity — might be expecting a bit
much. Or maybe expecting too little.“We got a lot of experience last year. We
played in a lot of big games. We won some, we lost some,” Mahomes said. “What
you learn from those games, you see what you have to do to be a great football
team. For us this year, it’s all about just taking that next step.”For the
Jaguars, it’s about reversing their direction after falling from AFC
championship game losers to 5-11. Getting RB Leonard Fournette straightened out
would help, and new QB Nick Foles has an enviable track record in the toughest
spots.Baltimore at MiamiBaltimore will be one of the more intriguing teams as it
grows on offense with second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson and also tries to
remain powerful on defense despite some major defections. Adding safety Earl
Thomas, with a mammoth chip on his shoulder after how things ended for him in
Seattle, could provide a significant boost.All we can say about the Dolphins is:
When does the draft begin next April?Cincinnati at SeattleMiami’s “we’re not
tanking” tank-job approach could rob the Bengals of being the AFC’s worst
outfit. New coach Zac Taylor has a roster in transition in a prove-it year for
quarterback Andy Dalton.Plus, for a while
http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-jon-weeks-jersey , Dalton doesn’t have star receiver A.J. Green (ankle). Cincinnati should be able
to run the ball decently and has a solid defensive base up front. But the
overall talent level is low.Can’t say the same in Seattle, where coach Pete
Carroll and GM John Schneider have retooled while remaining competitive. Adding
Clowney to bolster what looked like a mediocre pass rush adds to the belief the
Seahawks once more will be a playoff bunch. But they can’t stumble in matchups
such as this.Indianapolis at Los Angeles ChargersIndy showed its faith in Jacoby
Brissett — what else could the Colts do after Andrew Luck’s retirement — by
signing him to a rich deal. While Brissett isn’t likely to be the kind of
lights-out performer that Luck often was, he’s hardly a desperation option.
Also, don’t forget how well the Colts have drafted in recent years. They might
have some more gems in 2019.The Chargers basically told Melvin Gordon to go away
if he won’t play under his current contract, but unlike Indy without Luck, the
Chargers remain loaded and a Super Bowl threat. So much will depend on the pass
rush provided by Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa.Washington at PhiladelphiaAs long
as QB Carson Wentz is on the field, the Eagles should fly. Coach Doug Pederson’s
offense doesn’t have many big names — TE Zach Ertz and C Jason Kelce are
outstanding — but it runs so efficiently with Wentz that Philly ranks among the
NFL’s elite. The defense has some questions, particularly in the front seven.But
Washington isn’t likely to test that D given all the upheaval in the nation’s
capital. Not having star left tackle Trent Williams really hurts.New York Giants
at DallasZeke is back. Whether he suits up Sunday after the summer-long holdout,
or is a factor if in uniform, could determine the winner in Big D.Regardless,
the Cowboys are in good position for a solid start facing the Giants, Redskins
and Dolphins at the outset, and with a developing defense that figures to get
after the passer.And the Dallas D figures to succeed against Eli Manning if New
York hasn’t fixed its seemingly habitual blocking problems. If 2018 Offensive
Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley has a big game here, retire his number.Denver
at Oakland, Monday nightA traditional rivalry game
Womens Jordan Akins Jersey , too, with roots back to the AFL.The sight of Jon Gruden rocking out to Metallica makes one wonder if the Raiders coach will
have his troops “Seek and Destroy” the Broncos in the prime-time doubleheader
nightcap. Gruden certainly has more weapons at his disposal; of course, he
dispersed some of his top players a year ago in his return to the sideline.New
Denver QB Joe Flacco and longtime defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, in his first
gig as a head man, would prefer to make the Raiders “Fade to Black.”Buffalo at
New York JetsThe chasers.New England is being awarded its 11th successive AFC
East title by default. Not by these two teams, but if they are realistic, the
Jets and Bills recognize they are competing for a wild-card spot with a
successful year.So this becomes a key opener, with both clubs expecting huge
improvement from their second-year QBs, Sam Darnold in New York, Josh Allen in
Buffalo.“Electric,” Darnold says of his team’s offense. “I think we’re going to
do some fun things out there with all the tempo and all the different things we
can do, so it will be fun.”As long as they don’t have a blackout.San Francisco
at Tampa BayA couple of relatively unproven but highly paid QBs on teams whose
defenses also must step up. Jimmy Garoppolo should get the chance against the
Buccaneers‘ leaky D, and the same could be true for Jameis Winston against the
Niners. Of most intrigue is the return to coaching after a one-year hiatus by
Bruce Arians. You can bet Winston will be prepared well by the QB
whisperer.Detroit at ArizonaTop overall draft choice Kyler Murray will run (and
probably often scramble in) new coach Kliff Kingsbury’s wide-open and sometimes
wild attack. The Lions could be a difficult matchup for Murray if coach Matt
Patricia can implement the kind of defense he coordinated in New England.
Patricia failed at that last season in Detroit.
