With AJ Ellis being traded to the Phillies from the Dodgers one of baseball's greatest pitching catching combos saw its unexpected divorce. Well, after watching that go down I wanted to look at the best wide receiver quarterback combos that the NFL has seen and look at what wouldn't happen had these combinations did not happen:
Phillip Rivers to Antonio Gates
This combination accumulated for 63 touchdowns,
Johnny Unitas to Raymond Berry
This combination accumulated for 64 touchdowns
Joe Montana to Jerry Rice
This combination accumulated for 67 touchdowns
Brett Favre to Antonio Freeman
This combination accumulated for 67 touchdowns
Drew Brees to Marques Colston
This combination accumulated for 67 touchdowns
Jim Kelly to Andre Reed
This combination accumulated for 71 touchdowns
Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne
This combination accumulated for 76 touchdowns
Dan Marino to Mark Clayton
This combination accumulated for 82 touchdowns
Steve Young to Jerry Rice
This combination accumulated for 92 touchdowns
Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison
This combination accumulated for 118 touchdowns
In baseball you look at some of the best pitchers and with some of those pitchers you had a catcher who was the pitcher's best friend and knew how to call him. In football you have quarterbacks and receivers who put up numbers and worked great as a unit. You never know which quarterback or receiver will be traded but just know without a perfect combination there would be no great quarterback and there would be no great receiver. Timing is everything and these 2 has to not only know eachother's routes but they have to know exactly where the ball is going to be thrown and when the ball will be thrown.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Friday, August 12, 2016
Sanchez makes good case for QB job, Broncos beat Bears 22-0
Mark Sanchez made a strong opening argument for the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job, throwing for 99 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, and the defending Super Bowl champions beat the Chicago Bears 22-0 in the preseason opener on Thursday night.
Sanchez came through with just the sort of performance he needed if he's going to beat out Trevor Siemian.
He completed 10 of 13 passes in the first quarter and led a game-opening 76-yard touchdown drive. He was intercepted on the Broncos' second possession when Jerrell Freeman picked off a tipped pass.
But overall? Not bad.
Sanchez maintained his cool against Chicago's pressure and kept the opening drive going by completing three third-down passes - including a 32-yard TD to a wide open Demaryius Thomas along the right side.
As for Siemian, the former Northwestern star looked comfortable throwing short passes and was 7 of 12 for 88 yards in the second quarter.
It was a rough start for a Bears team looking for more after going 6-10 in coach John Fox's first season.
Jay Cutler threw for 18 yards and got sacked twice in the first quarter. Brian Hoyer threw for 81 yards in the second period but was sacked three times.
On a positive note for the Bears, Alshon Jeffery played after being limited by a strained hamstring and caught a 12-yard pass. And Kevin White caught his first pass for Chicago after missing his rookie season because of a fractured shin.
QUOTABLE
Broncos: "Just keep improving. Keep improving and having fun out there. Don't overthink it. We're having a great time, we've got a great squad and it's a great opportunity. I'm just going to keep maximizing every opportunity I get, like I did tonight." - Sanchez on what he has to do to clinch the starting job.
Broncos: "Not too much differently. Just kind of do what I've been doing, stay within myself, and the plays will come. I'm on a pretty good team. Whoever's pulling the trigger back there, guys are going step up and make plays." - Siemian when asked what he has to do to win the starting job.
Bears: "We need to get better. It starts with everybody. It starts with me. So we'll take a look at it, the limited amount of plays we were in and look at it." - Cutler on the Bears' play.
Bears: "I was disappointed personally. I think our team was disappointed. We were expecting more. I don't know that we executed as well as any of us expected. It is preseason, you don't game plan. It's pretty basic." - Fox on Chicago's performance.
NO MILLER
Broncos star LB Von Miller sat out because he said he was not mentally ready after a busy offseason. The Super Bowl MVP had a tense contract negotiation and made several TV and public appearances.
ROOKIE WATCH
Broncos: DE Adam Gotsis, a second-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, had a tackle for loss to start the third quarter.
Bears: Second-round pick Cody Whitehair started at left guard but also saw time at center.
QB COMPARISON
Broncos: Rookie Paxton Lynch went 6 for 7 with 74 yards in his first NFL appearance. The 6-foot-7 strong-armed quarterback from Memphis was drafted with the 26th overall pick.
Bears: Hoyer was 7 of 10 with an interception in his first appearance for the Bears.
INJURY UPDATE
Broncos: The Broncos held out OLB DeMarcus Ware (back) and CB Aqib Talib, who suffered a gunshot wound in his right leg in the offseason.
Bears: RB Ka'Deem Carey was being evaluated for a concussion after getting shaken up in the third quarter. S De'Andre Houston-Carson hurt his neck, and DE Cornelius Washington (knee, ankle) left the game. WR Eddie Royaland TE Zach Miller sat out because of concussions.
POSITION BATTLE
Broncos: Cody Latimer, challenging Bennie Fowler for the third receiver spot, caught seven passes for 82 yards. Fowler, meanwhile, blocked a punt by Pat O'Donnell that Zaire Anderson recovered in the end zone for a touchdown late in the first half.
Bears: CB Bryce Callahan, competing with Kyle Fuller for a starting spot, got beaten badly on Thomas' touchdown. But he also had the tip on Freeman's interception.
Bortles, Jags start fast; backups lead Jets to 17-13 win
Blake Bortles led the Jacksonville Jaguars on two scoring drives, the second capped by Chris Ivory's 1-yard run against his former team, in a 17-13 loss to the New York Jets in the preseason opener for both teams Thursday night.
Bortles finished 6 of 7 for 105 yards in his two series, Allen Robinson caught three passes for 80 yards and the Jaguars (0-1) took a quick 10-0 lead with their starters in the game. Ivory, who signed with Jacksonville as a free agent after three seasons in New York, capped the second drive with his TD.
Jacksonville has been focusing on starting faster this season after scoring just 35 points in the first quarter last season, which ranked the Jaguars 31st in the NFL.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, who re-signed with the Jets just before training camp after a long contract stalemate, also went two series with the starters and was 3 of 4 for 72 yards. Bilal Powell capped the second drive, which included catches of 26 and 43 yards by Quincy Enunwa, with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Geno Smith replaced Fitzpatrick with 9:49 left in the second half on the one-year anniversary of the punch that changed the Jets' season - and possibly Smith's career. The former starting quarterback had his jaw broken by a punch from then-teammate IK Enemkpali in the locker room, sidelining Smith and pushing Fitzpatrick into the job. Fitzpatrick went on to set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes while leading the Jets to a 10-6 mark and within a victory of the playoffs.
Smith finished 8 of 14 for 79 yards, including a 17-yard TD pass to seventh-rounder Charone Peake that gave the Jets a 14-13 lead with 22 seconds left in the opening half. He was also booed a few times by the MetLife Stadium crowd when he went three-and-out in his first two possessions.
Several starters for both teams sat out, including the Jets' Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson, Matt Forte and Steve McLendon; and the Jaguars' Jalen Ramsey, Tashaun Gipson, Brandon Linder and Kelvin Beachum.
QB COMPARISON
Jaguars: Backup Chad Henne was 8 of 9 for 94 yards in four possessions to finish the second half.
Jets: Bryce Petty, a fourth-rounder last year, is competing with rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder this year, for the No. 3 job and finished 7 of 14 for 93 yards. Hackenberg didn't play.
ROOKIE WATCH
Jaguars: Ramsey was held out as a precaution. The fifth overall draft pick had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee in May, but hasn't missed any time during training camp.
Jets: First-round pick Darron Lee got his first sack, taking Henne down in the second quarter. "He flashed quite a bit," coach Todd Bowles said. ... Undrafted free agent S Doug Middleton sealed the win with an interception off a tipped pass in the end zone by Brandon Allen in the closing seconds.
POSITION BATTLES
Jaguars: WR Tony Washington, vying for the fifth receiver spot, left briefly before being cleared after going through the concussion protocol. He had a 36-yard catch in the second quarter. ... RB Denard Robinson, trying to win a spot behind Ivory and T.J. Yeldon, had seven carries for 23 yards and a 4-yard catch. Jonas Gray, Robinson's primary competition, did not travel with an injury.
Jets: Rookie K Ross Martin, trying to unseat Nick Folk, missed a 39-yard field goal and a 54-yarder after making a 23-yarder. Folk made both of his extra-point attempts. ... Veteran Jeremy Ross and undrafted rookie Jalin Marshall had big kickoff returns. Ross had a 51-yarder in the first quarter, while Marshall had an 84-yarder near the end of the first half that set up a touchdown.
STEAMY
The temperature at kickoff was a toasty 94 degrees, with the heat index making it feel like 98.
INJURY UPDATE
Jaguars: CB Aaron Colvin sprained his right ankle in the third quarter and did not return. S James Sample left in the second half with a right arm stinger.
Jets: RB Dominique Williams suffered a concussion during a 10-yard run to open the third quarter.
QUOTABLE
Jaguars: "Yeah, I thought it was good," Bortles said of the fast start. "We want to come out and be sharp with our operation in and out of the huddle, no mental errors, lining up correctly, shifts and motions, and all that. And, obviously take care of the ball. I thought, for the most part, it was good."
Jets: "I had a lot of fun," said a smiling Lee, who had four total tackles, two for loss, and a sack in his NFL debut after being the 20th overall pick out of Ohio State.
Garoppolo mostly solid in debut as Pats beat Saints 34-22
Jimmy Garoppolo made his preseason debut, spreading the ball around for 168 yards, and Jamie Collins added a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown as the New England Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints 34-22 on Thursday night.
Garoppolo played the entire first half as he preps to start the first four games of the regular season in place of Tom Brady, who will be serving a suspension for his involvement in the "Deflategate" case. Brady was not in the building Thursday, excused by the team to attend memorial services for a family member.
Saints running back Mark Ingram had an early fumble, but also had two 1-yard touchdown runs in an extended night that saw him play most of the first half. Second-year quarterback Garrett Grayson threw an early interception, but completed a few long passes to finish 10 for 16 for 133 yards.
Defensive end Kasim Edebali had two first-quarter sacks.
After a slow start, Garoppolo completed several long passes and finished 11 of 18. He converted a fourth-down run.
Trey Flowers added a 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scooping up the loose ball created by his sack of Luke McCown.
INJURY UPDATE
Patriots: It wasn't all good news for New England's offense. It likely lost rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell for the foreseeable future after he sustained a left elbow injury late in the second quarter.
Mitchell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia, caught a pass near the sideline. But as he was dragged down from behind by Saints cornerback De'Vante Harris, Mitchell's arm bent awkwardly as he landed on the ground. He held his elbow as he was helped to the locker room by trainers.
ROOKIE WATCH
Saints: WR Michael Thomas was targeted five times in the first half. He caught four for 67 yards, including a long of 28.
Patriots: CB Cyrus Jones, New England's top pick of the second round, had a fumble recovery and started in the base defense while handling the early punt return duties. Undrafted free agent CB Cre'von LeBlanc might have had the defensive play of the night, intercepting McCown's pass in the end zone with one hand. LG Joe Thuney also was in the starting lineup.
SHORT TIMER
Garoppolo's extended night was in contrast to a very short one for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He played in only the opening series of the game before taking a seat. He made the most of it, completing a 37-yard pass to Brandin Cooks on the first offensive play of the night.
FAVORITE TARGET
Martellus Bennett, who New England acquired from the Bears in an offseason trade, was Garoppolo's favorite target early on. He was targeted four times and had three receptions for 33 yards.
MISSING IN ACTION
Patriots: Including Brady, a total of 20 players did not play for New England. The list included TE Rob Gronkowski, WRs Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan, CB Logan Ryan and RB Dion Lewis. Also out was Rob Ninkovich, who has been absent since leaving practice Tuesday with an arm injury.
Saints: Eight players did not see action, including WR Jake Lampman and CBs Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann.
QUOTABLE
Saints: "I think that was important. I really came out and the first play, I said, `Hey, got to set the tone. Start the game off right,'" Edebali said. "I thought (the defense) was able to do that, and we just have to continue to be better."
Patriots: "The scramble play, it didn't make the sideline very happy. But it was fourth down, so the football player inside of me kicked in, I guess," Garoppolo said of his 4-yard run in in the second quarter to pick up a first down.
Newton sharp in only series as Panthers lose to Ravens 22-19
Cam Newton directed a 68-yard drive in his only series, then stepped aside - for the most part - as the Carolina Panthers lost to the Baltimore Ravens 22-19 on Thursday night in a preseason opener.
Newton, the reigning NFL MVP, went 5 for 6 for 36 yards before being replaced by 33-year-old Derek Anderson.
Graham Gano kicked four field goals for the Panthers, who went 15-1 last year and won the NFC championship before falling to Denver in the Super Bowl.
Baltimore was without quarterback Joe Flacco, who's coming off a season-ending knee injury. Running back Justin Forsett; wide receivers Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman; and linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervilwere also held out of the game.
The Panthers launched their preseason with a crisp 14-play march overseen by Newton, who opted not to employ the running aspect of his game.
Working out of the no-huddle offense, Newton completed his first five passes before overthrowing an open Ted Ginn Jr. in the back of the end zone. That forced Carolina to settle for a field goal.
He did not, however, spend the rest of the night on the sideline.
Newton was flagged for going on the field while linebacker A.J. Klein was taking an interception back 95 yards for a touchdown. The score was nullified, but the Panthers ultimately got into the end zone anyway.
"I just got too excited," Newton said sheepishly. "I was hoping they would give a warning. It's no big deal."
Anderson threw a TD pass to Devin Funchess for a 10-0 lead before the Ravens answered with touchdowns byTerrance West and Javorius Allen.
Ryan Mallett, who started the final two games for Baltimore last year, got the call in this one, too. He played the entire first half, going 11 for 15 for 91 yards and a score.
PHELPS ON THE BIG SCREEN
During a break in the fourth quarter, footage of Olympic star Michael Phelps winning a gold medal in the 200-meter IM was shown on the scoreboard. The crowd cheered as Phelps, a Baltimore native, reached the finish line.
HOT STUFF
Temperature at game time was 94 degrees, with a heat index of 102 degrees.
ROOKIE WATCH
Panthers: First-round selection Vernon Butler, a defensive lineman out of Louisiana Tech, was credited with two tackles.
Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, the sixth overall pick in the draft, played left tackle with the first-team offense.
POSITION BATTLES
Panthers: Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whitaker and Brandon Wegher did little to separate themselves in the battle for the backup running back spot. Artis-Payne gained 10 yards on five carries, Wegher rushed for 13 yards on 10 attempts and Whittaker had no yardage on three carries.
Ravens: RBs West (25 yards, 2 TDs), Allen (6 yards rushing, 19-yard TD catch) and Ken Dixon (44 yards rushing) all looked impressive in their bid to earn a backup job.
INJURY UPDATE
Panthers: WR Brenton Berson left with a rib injury. "It looks like a bruise," coach Ron Rivera said. Berson had five catches for 69 yards.
Ravens: LB Chris Carter left for concussion protocol, returned and shared a sack in the third quarter. ... CB Tavon Young left to have his left knee examined.
QUOTABLE
Panthers: "We came out and we executed," Newton said. "We've got to find ways to put the ball in the end zone."
Ravens: Coach John Harbaugh explained why Flacco didn't play: "I didn't think there was any reason to go with Joe tonight. In the big picture I don't think that's hard to understand. It makes sense. He'll go maybe next week, maybe he'll go the third game. We haven't decided that yet."
MISTAKE PRONE
Panthers: Carolina was penalized nine times for 80 yards, lost two fumbles and scored only one touchdown.
Ravens: Baltimore lost two fumbles, including a muffed punt by Kaelin Clay, and Mallett threw an interception. "If they don't happen it's not as close a game," Harbaugh said.
Eagles score quickly, hold off Buccaneers 17-9 in opener
Philadelphia needed 97 seconds to score its only touchdowns Thursday night in beating sloppy Tampa Bay 17-9 in the preseason opener for both teams.
The Eagles covered a mere 27 yards on their two drives to the end zone, with each series lasting three plays after Buccaneers fumbles. Ryan Mathews had a 5-yard TD run to make it 7-0 after Tampa Bay fumbled the opening kickoff. Chase Daniel scooted 3 yards for the second score afterJameis Winston had the ball stripped.
No. 2 overall draft pick Carson Wentz played just more than a half as Eagles quarterback and, as could be expected, was inconsistent. Perhaps his most noteworthy play came when he went flying acrobatically on a fourth-quarter run after a classic tackle by Bucs rookie cornerback Javien Elliott. The QB quickly bounded to his feet, later admitting he needed to make sure not to land on his neck.
Caleb Sturgis made a 42-yard field goal for Philly's other points. Winston connected with Russell Shepard for a 26-yard touchdown for Tampa Bay, whose second-round selection, Roberto Aguayo, added a 38-yard field goal.
SLOPPY START
Buccaneers second-year receiver Kenny Bell, a fifth-round draft pick last year who did not play in 2015, fumbled the opening kickoff, setting up an Eagles touchdown. On Tampa Bay's second offensive series, Philadelphia star lineman Fletcher Cox stripped the ball from Winston on the first play, then fell on it at the Bucs 9. Three plays later, Daniel ran in for a 14-0 lead.
QUOTABLE:
Eagles: "It still felt like a football game, playing ball. A new offense, a new facility, but still football." - Wentz on his pro debut.
Eagles: "I think we have to be the unit that takes over. WE have to beat the guys, especially the guys up front. We have to just take over games and be disruptive." - Cox on his team's defense.
Bucs: "Horrendous start. Fumble the opening kickoff, missed extra point, you just can't do it. Not what I had in mind for the start, for preseason Game 1." - Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter, who like Philadelphia's Doug Pederson was making his NFL head coaching debut.
INJURY UPDATE
Buccaneers: Reserve tight end Brandon Myers hurt his knee in the second period and didn't return.
Eagles: Lost starting left guard Brandon Brooks on the first series with a right biceps injury. Pederson said it was not serious.
Backup center Josh Andrews hurt his right ankle.
ROOKIE WATCH
Buccaneers: Aguayo - yes, Tampa Bay took a placekicker at No. 59 overall in April - saw his first kick, an extra point try, clang off the left upright and fail. Safety Isaiah Johnson had a 35-yard return of an interception.
Eagles: Wentz came on in the second quarter to run the two-minute offense. His first throw was high off the hands ofNelson Agholor, but his next was a sharp 15-yard throw on the run to Zach Ertz. Wentz 12 of 24 for 89 yards and one interception. Wentz was plagued by receivers' drops, and took a hard hit late in the game. He appeared shaken up, but remained in for one more play.
"It was fun," Wentz said. "My first opportunity running the two-minute drill."
Safety Quentin Gause had a pick on a tipped pass that set up a fourth-quarter field goal. Cornerback C.J. Smithclinched it with an end-zone interception in the final seconds.
POOR PROTECTION
Tampa Bay had four sacks of Daniel, who rarely had time to look downfield before he had to scramble or went down. He also threw to no one from his end zone while pressured, but the officials ruled a receiver was nearby, avoiding a safety. Daniel threw for 15 yards and lost 19 on sacks.
Philadelphia had three sacks, one each by Cox and Steven Means, a half apiece for Connor Barwin and Beau Allen.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
It was 91 degrees at kickoff with a heat index of 100 degrees. It did not cool off much all night at the Linc.
Schaub shines in return as Falcons top Redskins 23-17
Matt Ryan had little to show for his two possessions - no completions, no first downs and no fun.
At least he could then enjoy watching Matt Schaub's successful homecoming.
Making a successful return to his first NFL home, Schaub passed for 179 yards, leading three scoring drives, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Washington Redskins 23-17 on Thursday night.
"It was good to be back in the Georgia Dome," Schaub said.
Schaub began his career with the Falcons as Michael Vick's backup from 2004-06. He played seven seasons as Houston's starter and the past two years with Baltimore and Oakland.
Schaub, 35, played most of the first half and solidified his status as Ryan's top backup.
After Ryan was 0 for 4, Schaub moved the offense by finding Aldrick Robinson for long passes of 47 and 68 yards. The two also were together last season in Baltimore's camp.
"I worked with him a lot last year," Schaub said. "So I kind of just picked up where we left off."
Schaub completed 10 of 15 passes for 179 yards, giving Atlanta a 13-3 halftime lead.
Falcons rookie J.D. McKissic returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown to open the second half.
Redskins starter Kirk Cousins completed each of his five passes for 39 yards on his only possession.
"Good first step, as preseason game number one ought to be," Cousins said.
Colt McCoy played the remainder of the first half, completing 7 of 11 passes for 53 yards. McCoy led Washington to its only scoring drive of the half, a 41-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins.
Atlanta led 23-3 before rookie quarterback Nate Sudfeld led Washington on two touchdown drives. The 6-foot-6 Sudfeld completed 10 of 15 passes for 89 yards, including a 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Marcel Jensen.
ROOKIE WATCH
Redskins: RB Keith Marshall, a seventh-round pick from Georgia, had two catches for 10 yards, but lost 2 yards on three carries.
"It was a great experience," Marshall said. "I've been dreaming about it since I was a little kid. ... I feel like I've had a great camp so far."
Undrafted rookie RB Robert Kelley from Tulane possibly gained ground in the competition for a backup spot. He had seven carries for 40 yards, including a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
Falcons: McKissic could use special teams to help him earn a roster spot at receiver. He had a 14-yard punt return in the fourth quarter after his big kickoff return. ... LBs Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell had a deflection and big stop, respectively, on the same second-quarter possession. ... RB Brandon Wilds had nine carries for 25 yards, including a 1-yard scoring run.
INJURY UPDATE
Redskins: Among players held out were TE Jordan Reed (thumb), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring), WR Reggie Diggs (knee), and LT Trent Williams (sore knee).
Falcons: S Kemal Ishmael left with a shoulder injury, but is expected to be back for Sunday's practice. ... Rookie SKeanu Neal (trunk), TE Levine Toilolo (hand) and RB Terron Ward (ankle) were held out, but are expected to "participate in some fashion" in Sunday's practice, according to coach Dan Quinn.
POSITION BATTLES
Redskins: It was difficult to learn much about the depth chart at running back. Matt Jones, Chris Thompson and Marshall combined for no yards on eight carries. Jones had only two carries, and his status as the starter is firm.
Falcons: There was evidence of why coach Dan Quinn lists wide receiver as one of the team's deepest positions. WithJulio Jones having no catches on his only series on the field, there were 15 completions to 10 players. Robinson was the standout with three catches for 118 yards. Mohamed Sanu had two catches for 18 yards. Eric Weems had a 48-yard catch. Justin Hardy and rookie Devin Fuller had 17-yard receptions.
NO ROOM FOR RYAN
The Falcons opened their first possession at their 1. Ryan was low on one pass attempt to Jones and high on another on the three-and-out possession.
"We've got to do a better job of being able to punch that out and change the field position," Ryan said.
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