NFL: RANK ‘EM UP

By Marc Lawrence — Rosters can turn over quickly in the NFL. Just three seasons ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars played in the AFC Championship Game, and now they sport the lowest projected season win total in the league at 4.5 wins. Breaking down each team’s roster, using the Pro Football Focus database with an eye toward the projected starters, and using both the PFF grades from the 2019 season and a more comprehensive look at each player’s career using both PFF grades and statistics, they examined how each of the 32 rosters stack up heading into this season. The No.2 overall ranked team was the New Orleans Saints, whose biggest strength is the Drew Brees-to-Michael Thomas connection. Brees has completed 80.3% of his targets to Thomas since Thomas joined the team as a second-round pick in 2016 — over 5 percentage points higher than any other quarterback/wide receiver duo with at least 150 targets over that span. For more on the Saints and all other 31 teams, including the team ranked No.1 overall in the PPF rankings list, click here.

Trending Today

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. will carry 105 years of combined age into the ring when they meet in California on Set 12. Why on earth would a 54-year old rusty Iron Mike enter the ring for the first time since 2005? “It’s because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it too,” Tyson said. “Just because we are 54, it doesn’t mean that we have to start a new career and our lives are totally over. Not when you feel as beautiful as I do, and I’m sure that other people feel the same way.” The real question is who will pony up real money to watch this 8-round exhibition bout? Aside from it not being a good look, we’re reminded of the famous words uttered by P.T. Barnum when he said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Grinding Out The Profits

Changing Roles 2020 PLAYBOOK Football Preview Guide magazine reports: Rocky Long resigned from San Diego State to become New Mexico’s defensive coordinator this season. New Lobos head coach Danny Gonzalez was player at New Mexico as well as coach under Long both at New Mexico and at San Diego State. With it, the student is now.