The Cincinnati Bengals are out of the playoffs after a painful, a self-inflicted loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday night. The AFC North winners lost to the second place in the AFC North team and rival by two points after a lackluster first half, followed by fourth quarter riddled with unsportsmanlike conduct, penalties, and poor playing ability.  The Bengals cannot blame anyone but themselves for the loss.

The Steelers controlled the first three quarters of the game before the Bengals began putting up points. After Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down with a shoulder injury, the Bengals controlled the game and their own fate. But with, in my opinion, the horrible unsportsmanlike conduct is what really costed the Bengals the game.

There is a difference between a heated rivalry and an unprofessional one. The Bengals leaned on the latter side.

In the last minutes of the game when the Steelers had possession, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was called for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Steelers receiver, Antonio Brown. The hit itself was a painful one to watch, which left Brown with a concussion. Following the hit, the Bengals received another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct when Bengals cornerback Adam Jones argued with a Steelers coach who was on the field. The two fifteen yard penalties gave the Steelers more than enough yards for Steelers kicker Chris Boswell to score the winning field goal.

Prior to the series of penalties committed by the Bengal, Jeremy Hill was the center of attention for fumbling the football after the Bengals had just gained control of the scoreboard. It looked like at the time that if the Steelers scored and won the game, Hill would take most of the blame for the Bengal’s loss. Instead the loss was the fault of the defensive players, Burfict and Jones.

As a football fan, the Steelers versus Bengals games was one of the most upsetting games to watch, not for poor playing ability, but poor sportsmanship. As a professional football team in the NFL, the Bengals should have known better. It takes much more than a fast-paced, sharp offense and defense to be champions. Players have to play both well and professionally to create a Super Bowl winning team. The penalties cost the Bengals the game.

Following the game, Bengals players continued their poor sportsmanship by taking their frustration and anger to social media. Adam Jones took to Instagram to post a video, calling out with a series of expletives the referees for their, according to Jones, wrongful penalty against him.  The video was deleted and replaced with a video of Jones, according to NFL.com, stating, “I’m good now, I’ve had my 10 minutes. But I still don’t believe I should have got a flag for talking to a coach that’s on the field behind the huddle.”

In a postgame interview conducted by Ian Rapoport according to nesn.com, Jones also called out receiver Antonio Brown for, according to Jones, his apparent exaggeration of the hit from Burfict and calling him a “(expletive) actor.”

After Saturday night’s game, I lost a lot of respect for the Cincinnati Bengals. After their atrocious and self-inflicted loss to the Steelers, I suspect the organization will be making a lot of changes in their leadership and team.

The post Why the Bengals Deserved the Wild Card Loss appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

The Super Bowl is over and that means the 2016 NFL offseason has officially begun. Perhaps the most exciting part about the offseason is the draft, so without further ado, here is my first edition of the 2016 NFL First-Round Mock Draft:

1) Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT from Ole Miss

The NFL’s worst team in 2015 (according to their record) already has a franchise QB in Marcus Mariota, who had a rookie year that impressed even the doubters, like myself. Now, it’s time to protect that franchise centerpiece. The Titans’ offensive line could be worse, as right guard Chance Warmack presents a powerful run blocking presence and offensive tackle Taylor Lewan has shown promise. However, Lewan’s talents would be much more useful at right tackle, as the second year pro started at left tackle in 2015 more so out of necessity rather than individual talent. I think new general manager Jon Robinson knows this, and he’ll look to move Lewan to right tackle and bring in the dominant Laremy Tunsil to play left tackle and protect Mariota’s backside.

2) Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB from Cal 

Another year, another coaching search for the Cleveland Browns. This time, they tabbed Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to be the newest head coach, and he immediately announced the franchise would be moving on from talented but troubled QB Johnny Manziel. Given that the best impending free agent QB is Ryan Fitzpatrick, it makes sense that the Browns will draft a franchise QB with the second overall pick. There are some attractive names, like Connor Cook from Michigan State and Paxton Lynch from Memphis, but those two also have some question marks with them. Cal’s Jared Goff has question marks too, but far less. Over the course of his final collegiate year, Goff exhibited NFL-caliber accuracy and his footwork alone makes him the best QB prospect in this draft. The idea of Goff receiving his tutelage under the genius of Coach Jackson would sound better if we left out the name “Cleveland Browns”.

3) San Diego Chargers: Laquon Treadwell, WR from Ole Miss

The Chargers had a terrible 2015 campaign after two consecutive winning seasons. Head coach Mike McCoy is still there, and the front office is hoping to see a return to form for this team. Drafting a guy like Laquon Treadwell would go a long way towards that resurgence. QB Philip Rivers had a rough time after top WR Keenan Allen went down with an injury, making the need for a talented receiver to compliment Allen even more obvious. Tight end Antonio Gates still has some miles left in the tank, but he shouldn’t be counted on for much more. A WR duo of Allen and Treadwell would make Rivers’ life much easier, and a happy Rivers is a happy Chargers franchise.

4) Dallas Cowboys: Myles Jack, LB from UCLA

First of all, I find it very hard to believe that the Cowboys won’t trade back in the draft. In fact, I’d bet good money that they make a trade. But nevertheless, this mock is assuming there are no trades, because trying to predict all the crazy trades that will happen on draft day is as pointless as trying to predict what Donald Trump will say next.

That said, Myles Jack would be a great fit for the Cowboys. Rolando McClain, their starting Mike linebacker from the past two years, showed signs of wear and tear in 2015 and his contract is up. Jack offers a much more talented player at a slightly smaller price and without any of the baggage that McClain has. Additionally, the Mike linebacker in Dallas’s scheme requires someone who can play excellent pass coverage, and Jack might just be the best pass coverage linebacker in this draft.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB from Florida

The Jaguars are a team that is slowly making progress, but their defense took a huge step back in 2015 and it resulted in their defensive coordinator, Bob Babich, being fired. The Jaguars signed free agent CB Davon House last offseason, but he really fits better as a number two corner option, and the high motor Dwayne Gratz would likely see a huge uptick in production if he were relegated to the nickel corner. But who plays the top corner slot? Vernon Hargreaves III. VH3 is undoubtedly the top corner in the draft and has NFL-ready speed to defend against top wide receivers. While he’ll experience his fair share of growing pains, his addition would help the Jaguars’ defense significantly.

6) Baltimore Ravens: Joey Bosa, DE from Ohio State

Why is Joey Bosa this low? Certainly one of the five teams up til now would have picked the supremely talented pass rusher by now, right? Possibly. The Titans may very well choose to try and bolster their defense instead, but I expect them to continue in their committal to Mariota. The Browns could, but they have a much more glaring need at QB. The Chargers very well could, as well, as they’ve got holes at nearly every position. But an offensive minded coach like McCoy can’t possibly be expected to pass up a talent like Treadwell. Bosa doesn’t fit well in the Cowboys or Jaguars defenses, either.

At the sixth overall pick, the Ravens finally get some good luck after all the bad juju that was their 2015 season. Bosa, who some have eagerly called the next JJ Watt, would be a gift wrapped inside a gift for the Ravens, who could pair this force of nature with their powerful run-stopper Timmy Jernigan and field a top-tier defense yet again.

7) San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch, QB from Memphis

Chip Kelly is the head coach in San Francisco, for better or worse, and all reports are that QB Colin Kaepernick is out. Which is a shame, because I’d love to see what Kaepernick and his skillset could do in Kelly’s scheme. Oh well. Kelly will need a new quarterback, and as confident as the recently-fired coach is in his abilities to develop anyone, he can’t expect Blaine Gabbert to get him where he wants to be. Paxton Lynch actually suits Kelly perfectly: strong arm with great short accuracy, pretty mobile when he needs to be, and he isn’t 100% ready to start in the NFL yet. That pretty much fills all the requirements to be a starter for Chip Kelly. All kidding aside, Lynch would be a good fit for this offense and the 49ers could use just about anyone at this point.

8) Miami Dolphins: Ronnie Stanley, OT from Notre Dame

The Dolphins hired Adam Gase as their new head coach to do one thing, really: fix Ryan Tannehill. The guy that Miami intended to be their franchise QB in 2012 has struggled more and more with each passing season. Gase commanded the Peyton Manning Revival with the Broncos and then got solid production out of the mercurial Jay Cutler, so he should be able to fix Tannehill. But Tannehill can’t do anything without time to throw. Left tackle Branden Albert will return from injury next year, but adding Ronnie Stanley, the standout offensive tackle from Notre Dame, and playing him at right tackle would create a successful bookend for the much-maligned Dolphins’ offensive line.

9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen Ramsey, DB from Florida State

Jalen Ramsey played cornerback for the Seminoles and he did a magnificent job at it, but his frame and physical skillset makes him an ideal candidate to switch to safety in the NFL. The Buccaneers’ defense was very good in 2015, but there’s no way of ignoring the gaping hole on the depth chart at safety next to Major Wright. Ramsey would fill that position nicely, and would help bolster a defense that has to go up against Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Drew Brees two times each next year.

10) New York Giants: DeForest Buckner, DE from Oregon

Even if the Giants bring back DE Jason Pierre-Paul, whose contract is up this offseason, the G-Men still need to address a pass rush that ranked 30th in the NFL in sacks. DeForest Buckner wouldn’t offer much immediate impact, but his potential is immense. His athletic prowess is impressive and he is terrifyingly explosive as a pass rusher, and possesses the size to stuff the run as well. It’ll take time for him to fully develop in the NFL, but with last year’s rookie DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, the Giants could take a step toward a promising pass rush in the coming years.

11) Chicago Bears: Mackensie Alexander, CB from Clemson

The Bears in their first year under head coach John Fox took some promising steps forward. Jay Cutler cut down on his turnovers and rookie RB Jeremy Langford made impending free agent Matt Forte expendable, and with receivers Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White both returning from injury next year, the offense looks good to go. The defense, however, could use some reinforcements, especially in the secondary, as the Bears ranked 29th in passing defense. Kyle Fuller is proving to be a valued commodity at CB, so adding Mackensie Alexander would give the Bears two young and talented pass defenders in a division that has to go up against talented QB’s, like Matthew Stafford, Teddy Bridgewater, and Aaron “Hail Mary While Discount Double-Checking” Rodgers.

12) New Orleans Saints: Shaq Lawson, DE from Clemson

The Saints are going ahead with Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator, and that means a switch to a 4-3 base defense. That creates a lot of questions, primarily concerning whether DE Cameron Jordan will move inside to play defensive tackle and if pass rushing OLB Hau’oli Kikaha will convert to a defensive end. Either way, the Saints will need another edge rusher and Shaq Lawson is just that. He uses impressive upper-body strength to drive back offensive linemen and disrupt the quarterback, which would make a great combination with Jordan and Kikaha.

13) Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB from North Dakota State 

So, I’m probably the only one out there who isn’t sold on Wentz as a first round pick right now. But the Eagles need a QB, because new head coach Doug Pederson has said he doubts Sam Bradford will return. Pederson has also said he likes what he has seen of Wentz and thinks he’d fit in perfectly. Besides quarterback, the Eagles’ other big need is in the defensive backfield, and there aren’t too many first round players at the position by now.

14) Oakland Raiders: A’Shawn Robinson, DT from Alabama

The Raiders are on the verge of being good again. In 2015, the offense started coming together nicely with QB Derek Carr, rookie WR Amari Cooper and RB Latavius Murray. This year, it’s time to make the defense come together. They already have two amazing linebackers in Malcolm Smith and Khalil Mack, and rookie DE Mario Edwards Jr. looks like he’ll be a consistent pass rusher for years to come. Drafting A’Shawn Robinson, the gigantic defensive tackle from Alabama, would immediately make it harder for opposing offenses to run the ball against Oakland.

15) Los Angeles Rams: Connor Cook, QB from Michigan State

Well, the Nick Foles project didn’t work out, and Case Keenum is still just Case Keenum. The Rams under Jeff Fisher have had the same issue every single year: a stout defense with a good running game, but a quarterback that can’t throw accurate passes farther than 5 yards. There are better players on the board at this point, but the Rams need a quarterback so much more. With Goff, Lynch, and Wentz all gone by now, Connor Cook becomes the answer, and he’s not a bad answer at all. If not for the shellacking that Michigan State endured at the hands of Alabama in the College Football Playoff this year, Cook would be a higher-rated prospect for sure. He has all of the tools to be a successful NFL QB. The only question in LA would be if he’d have the right coaches. SPOILER ALERT: he probably won’t.

16) Detroit Lions: Josh Doctson, WR from TCU

For nine years, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson was the star of the Detroit Lions. At times, it seemed the offensive gameplan revolved solely around getting the ball from QB Matthew Stafford’s hands to Johnson’s gigantic hands. That all comes to an end this year, as Johnson has decided to retire, almost unexpectedly. This creates a gaping hole on the Lions’ roster that demands immediate attention. After Johnson, the best receiver is Golden Tate, a man who thrives as a second option. Josh Doctson is far from being Megatron 2.0, but he possesses an ability to locate the ball and climb the ladder to catch the ball over the heads of everyone else, a skill of Johnson’s that made it easier for Stafford to throw jump balls. Taking Doctson at 16 may very well be a reach, but he has a high ceiling and, at the very least, can help stop the bleeding that this offense is sure to suffer.

17) Atlanta Falcons: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE from Oklahoma State

In 2015, the Falcons took the much-lauded pass rusher Vic Beasley from Clemson with their first pick. He struggled in his rookie year, only generating 4 sacks, but showed some refinement in his raw athleticism that made him so attractive as a pass rusher. In addition to developing Beasley’s pass rushing techniques, the Falcons would do well to find a mainstay on the other end of the defensive line. Emmanuel Ogbah would serve to take some attention away from Beasley with his powerful physique, opening up lanes for Beasley to speed through. The pairing of Beasley and Ogbah won’t produce immediate results, but the Falcons aren’t in win-now mode anyways. This would take another step toward building a dominant defense in the Dan Quinn-era Falcons.

18) Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT from Michigan State

Andrew Luck is the face of the Colts franchise, but what happens when your face gets beaten and bruised so badly that it misses almost all of the action? Well, you get an 8-8 result after three straight 11-5 seasons. Which is actually a pretty good outcome, considering Luck only played 7 games in 2015. Nevertheless, the fact is that Luck has never had a good offensive line in his time in Indianapolis. By drafting Jack Conklin, a First-Team All-American, the Colts would suddenly have two book-end offensive tackles with Conklin and incumbent starter Anthony Castonzo, who could and should move to right tackle. The point is simple: the Colts need to invest in their offensive line if they want Luck to last. Conklin is the best way to start that investment in this offseason.

19) Buffalo Bills: Jaylon Smith, LB from Notre Dame

Prior to tragically tearing his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl, Jaylon Smith was caught up in debates about who the top linebacker in the draft was: Smith or Myles Jack? There’s no question that Smith is teeming with talent, but the recent injury might scare off some teams, despite recent reports that he’ll likely be healthy enough to play by the start of the 2016 regular season. But if Smith falls to the 19th spot, the Bills may not be able to contain their excitement. Despite playing in a 4-3 defense at Notre Dame, Smith possesses the explosive speed to convert to an outside linebacker in the Bills’ blitz-heavy 3-4 scheme, while his outstanding pass coverage skills make him an even bigger threat as a linebacker.

20) New York Jets: Robert Nkemdiche, DT from Ole Miss

In the 2015 NFL Draft, Leonard Williams, arguably the best player in the draft, fell into the lap of the Jets at the sixth overall pick and Gang Green did not hesitate to accept the gift that fate had given them. I see a similar situation happening this year. Robert Nkemdiche is one of the most talented players in this year’s draft, by far, but after a strange incident in which he fell out of a hotel window and was later charged with marijuana possession, leading to his suspension for the Sugar Bowl, Nkemdiche’s stock looks to be low. But the Jets have two of their most gifted defenders entering free agency this year: DT Damon Harrison and DE Muhammad Wilkerson. They likely won’t be able to bring them both back, so they’ll have to make a decision. It’ll be tough, but that’s business. The harsh reality of it all will be softened with the addition of Nkemdiche, who could realistically play any position on the defensive line.

21) Washington Redskins: Kendall Fuller, CB from Virginia Tech

The Redskins found their franchise QB in Kirk Cousins and made it to the playoffs last year. I never expected to be typing any of that, but here we are. When looking at the Redskins’ roster, I surprisingly don’t see that many glaring holes. But the position with the most room for improvement is cornerback. Bashaud Breeland overcame a rough rookie year to establish himself as a good defender for Washington in 2015, but when signing Cary Williams is considered an upgrade to the number 2 corner position, that’s a red flag. Kendall Fuller, brother of talented Bears CB Kyle Fuller, has loads of talent as a coverage specialist, and the Redskins would be smart to try and create a young CB tandem of Breeland and Fuller going forward.

22) Houston Texans: Andrew Billings, DT from Baylor

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien may just actually shed a tear when he sees Connor Cook get drafted. His chances of finding a quarterback in this draft are exceedingly low, and unless he wants to gamble on Dak Prescott this high in the draft, he’ll have no choice but to go with Andrew Billings. Billings did something unexpected last year: stole the show from Shawn Oakman. Billings has incredible power as a pass rusher but is even more impressive as a run defender. In this aspect, he would be a perfect fit to play defensive end for Houston, giving the Texans a front seven that features JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork, Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus and Andrew Billings. With a defense like that, it almost makes it easy to forget that Brandon Weeden is your best quarterback. Almost.

23) Minnesota Vikings: Taylor Decker, OT from Ohio State

The Vikings are in a very good place now, with a franchise QB in Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson returning to the ranks of the top tier NFL running backs, and a very stingy defense. But the offense had far too many drives that fizzled this season, largely due to the immense pressure that Bridgewater faced. Left tackle Matt Kalil had a better year than he did in 2014, but he still showed a lot of problems. At right tackle, Phil Loadholt was once again a consistently average presence. Ohio State’s Taylor Decker would give the Vikings options, whether he plays left or right tackle, or perhaps Kalil switches to right tackle, or maybe Decker doesn’t start but pushes both Kalil and Loadholt to be better. Either way, the Vikings’ biggest room to improve is their offensive line.

24) Cincinnati Bengals: Noah Spence, DE from Eastern Kentucky

Noah Spence just had himself a phenomenal Senior Bowl, leaving almost every scout proclaiming that Spence was the best pass rusher present. Now, the Bengals certainly aren’t hurting for a pass rushing presence, with the likes of Michael Johnson, Carlos Dunlap, and Margus Hunt, but defensive coordinator Paul Guenther likes to have a deep rotation along the defensive line and adding Noah would only amplify the list of talented pass rushers on this team.

25) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarran Reed, DT from Alabama

The Steelers may have made the playoffs, but their defense is still getting renovated. They have pieces in place, like Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, but now it’s time to solidify the defensive line. Jarran Reed is a big body that can come in and play either the nose tackle position or go to either defensive end spot. Combining the high-ceiling Reed with the likes of Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Hayward would significantly boost this defense’s overall quality as the Steelers look to build off an impressive 2015 campaign.

26) Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Boyd, WR from Pittsburgh

The Seahawks have two main areas of need: offensive line and wide receivers. Rookie WR Tyler Lockett and veteran receiver Jermaine Kearse are both expected to be solid starters in 2016, but adding a talented and highly-touted prospect in Tyler Boyd would give Russell Wilson a legitimate number one receiver.

27) Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland, MLB from Alabama

The Packers have quietly been building a very talented defense over the past two seasons. Drafting defensive backs like Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, and the addition of OLB Julius Peppers while switching Clay Matthews to inside linebacker have paid off in a big way. But in 2015, the inside linebacker spot next to Matthews was filled by rookie Jake Ryan, who did an admirable enough job. However, Ryan cannot be considered the longterm starter at the position. Reggie Ragland would be able to come in right away and give defensive coordinator Dom Capers an immensely talented defender who can take on the run and free up Matthews to rush the passer more often. The selection of Ragland would take a huge step toward building a Packers defense that can finally rival its potent offense.

28) Kansas City Chiefs: Darron Lee, LB from Ohio State

The Chiefs have a pretty good team, so this draft pick is essentially just a matter of taking the best player available. Darron Lee possesses all the physical tools to be successful in multiple spots in this defense, but will likely end up being mostly a reserve and special teams player for a few years.

29) Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C from Alabama

The Arizona Cardinals are stacked at almost every position, it seems. And while they still need to find a talented QB to develop behind Carson Palmer, there are no prospects here that fit the system. However, the Cardinals should look to bolster their offensive line even more by upgrading at the center position, where impending free agent Lyle Sendlein has done a good job for several years but leaves room for improvement. Ryan Kelly was part of the talented Crimson Tide offensive line that helped RB Derrick Henry experience a Heisman winning season, and his tough presence would elevate an already-talented line.

30) New England Patriots: This pick has been forfeited due to the Patriots’ involvement in the Deflategate scandal

31) Carolina Panthers: Corey Coleman, WR from Baylor

The Carolina Panthers got pretty darn close to winning a Super Bowl despite Greg Olsen being their best pass-catcher. Kelvin Benjamin will return next year after missing 2015 with injury, and rookie Devin Funchess showed promise as a third receiving option, but the Panthers’ offense would see an exponential uptick in the passing game with the speedy and athletic wide receiver from Baylor, Biletnikoff winner Corey Coleman.

32) Denver Broncos: Leonard Floyd, OLB from Georgia

OLB DeMarcus Ware may or may not retire this offseason, but even if he doesn’t, the Broncos should have a replacement for him. Leonard Floyd may not be as talented as the future Hall of Fame pass rusher, but he has spent his entire collegiate career in the same position that Ware currently plays and has produced at a consistent rate. Given time to develop, and the added bonus of playing across from Von Miller, Floyd will become a dominant pass rushing linebacker in Wade Phillips’ defense in Denver.

The post 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl Edition appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

This year was a great year for defenses in the NFL. A team led by its defense won a a super Bowl, and a lot of young players made names for themselves. A few players took a step back this year, so don’t be surprised to see some notable names left out on this list. So, without further ado, here is your top five defensive players from the 2015-2016 NFL season.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE 

1. Aaron Donald- Los Angeles Rams

2. Kawann Short – Carolina Panthers

3. Geno Atkins – Cincinnati Bengals

4. Gerald McCoy – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5. Sylvester Williams – Denver Broncos

Donald was an absolute beast this season. He finished the year with 11 sacks and 43 total tackles. Short was also a dominant run stopper for the Panthers this season. The world saw what he is capable of in Super Bowl 50. If Donald did not have the season he had, Short would be number one on my list. Atkins and McCoy were great as usual, but Sylvester Williams really had a breakout year. He was the guy who took up the running lanes for the number one defense this season.

DEFENSIVE END

1. J.J. Watt – Houston Texans

2. Khalil Mack – Oakland Raiders

3. Ezekiel Ansah – Detroit Lions

4. Carlos Dunlap – Cincinnati Bengals

5. Calais Campbell – Arizona Cardinals

Watt is a no brainer, but Khalil Mack is a guy who played dominant at two positions all year long. The guy split time at outside linebacker and defensive end throughout the season. Don’t be surprised to see his name pop up on this list. Ansah, Dunlap, and Campbell all were quietly the best in the league at a position that is stacked with talent across the league.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

1. Luke Kuechly – Carolina Panthers

2. Navorro Bowman – San Fransisco 49ers

3. D’Qwell Jackson – Indianapolis Colts

4. Lawrence Timmons – Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks

The guys on this list do it all, and no one did more for their defense this season than Luke Kuechly. It is unfair that his Super Bowl 50 performance was over shadowed by a dominant performance from the Broncos’ defense. Nonetheless, he still finished with 118 tackles not counting the post season. The rest of these guys were all great on a lesser degree than Kuechly.Bowman and Wagner are two players who the league is familiar with. Jackson and Timmons really stood out this year, both leading their teams in tackles.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

1. Khalil Mack – Oakland Raiders

2. Von Miller – Denver Broncos

3. Lavonte David – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4. Whitney Mercilus – Houston Texans

5. Thomas Davis – Carolina Panthers

Mack is back. He had and amazing season with 15 sacks and 57 total tackles. The young Raider definitely took the league by storm, and I expect more to come from him. If not for Mack though, Von Miller would have been number one here. His stellar post season is a clear example of how much of a game changer he is, and he also gave MVP Cam Newton fits in the Super Bowl. Just call him Kryptonite… Too soon? Sorry Panther fans. Now, Lavonte David is no surprise, but Mercilus and Thomas Davis are both new to this list. Davis was all over the field this season, totaling 105 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Not many people know about Mercilus, but he finished the season with a career high in sacks with 12. Not too shabby.

CORNERBACK

1. Josh Norman – Carolina Panthers

2. Marcus Peters – Kansas City Chiefs

3. Darrelle Revis – New York Jets

4. Chris Harris – Denver Broncos

5. Richard Sherman – Seattle Seahawks

To no one’s surprise, Norman is on top of this list. The young Panthers’ corner really showed that he is a top corner in this league. Another young guy who took the league by storm was Chiefs’ cornerback Marcus Peters. The Defensive Rookie of the Year finished with 8 INTs on the season, and he really established himself as a lockdown player. Revis was great as usual, and Chris Harris of the Denver Broncos really stood out this season as the best cover guy on the leagues’ best  defense. Richard Sherman didn’t have an eye popping season compared to his past years, but the guy was still great.

SAFETY 

1. Tyrann Mathieu – Arizona Cardinals

2. Earl Thomas – Seattle Seahawks

3. Eric Berry – Kansa City Chiefs

4. Reshad Jones – Miami Dolphins

5. Reggie Nelson – Cincinnati Bengals

Tyrann Mathieu was a defensive player of the year candidate before he tore his ACL. The Honey Badger absolutely deserves the title of best safety in the league. Earl Thomas was great as always, but how about Comeback Player of the Year Eric Berry? He was not just good, but great. Reshad Jones and Reggie Nelson could be considered as surprises, but the two players led all safeties in two categories. Jones led all safeties in tackles with 106 total tackles, and Nelson had 8 interceptions.

PUNTER

1. Sam Koch- Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens punter was a very special weapon this year. Koch’s ability to flip the field and pin teams inside the 10 yard line was one of the few bright spots on the Ravens team this season.

PUNT RETURNER

1. Darren Sproles – Philadelphia Eagles

Sproles has really solidified himself as one of the most explosive players of all time. He averaged 12 yards per return, and he finished the season with two returns for a touchdown.

If any of you disagree with my list, feel free to tell me about it via twitter @cpmiller18

All stats are from NFL.com

Featured image courtesy of http://bleacherreport.com

The post Top 5 Defensive Players at Each Position from the 2015-2016 NFL Season appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

Everyone loves great offense. The players on this list provided NFL fans with exciting plays and unbelievable performances. So, without further ado, here are the top offensive players at each position from the 2015-2016 NFL season.

Quarterback

1. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers
2. Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals
3. Tom Brady – New England Patriots
4. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks
5. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

There is no question who the top quarterback was this year. League MVP Cam Newton was the most exciting and most successful player this season. Palmer and Brady were both the generals of their offense, and they both had a great year with similar numbers.Wilson really caught fire in the second half of the season, and Roethlisberger again showed why he is still one of the best this year. If not for injuries, Big Ben may have been higher on this list.

Running back

1. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
2. Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons
3. Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams
4. Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. DeAngelo Williams – Pittsburgh Steelers

Peterson showed everyone why he is still the best back in the league, adding another rushing title to his accomplishments. Freeman and Gurley both took the league by surprise with breakout seasons, and Doug Martin had a great bounce back season with Tampa Bay. Williams was a player that filled in for Leveon Bell wonderfully. Despite not starting every game, he still finished with 11 touchdowns.

Wide Receiver

1. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Odell Beckham Jr. – New York Giant
3. DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans
4. Julio Jones  – Atlanta Hopkins
5. Brandon Marshall – New York Jets

The top receivers are all game changers, but there is simply no player like Antonio Brown. No single player can cover him. Brown finished the season with a whopping 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns. Odell and Julio were no surprise this year, but Hopkins and Marshall really surprised a lot of people with spectacular seasons. This was Hopkins breakout year as he finished with 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the focal point for the Texans’ offense, and he really established himself as an elite receiver.

Tight End 

1. Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots
2. Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers
3. Jordan Reed – Washington Redskins
4. Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals
5. Gary Barndige- Cleveland Browns

Once again Rob Gronkowski showed why he is the best tight end, and once again Greg Olsen showed why he is the most reliable. Both had a thousand yards receiving, and both were their offenses best recieving option. Joran Reed may surprise some people, but 11 touchdowns is an incredible stat for a player that was hurt a lot during the season. Eifert was also injured for a good amount of time, but when healthy he was a major threat to defenses. And yes, I do have a Cleveland Brown on my list. Gary Barndige was one of the best red zone threats in the NFL. His 1,043 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns certainly makes deserving of the list.

Guard/Center 

1. Ryan Khalil – Carolina Panthers
2. Mike Iupati – Arizona Cardinals
3. Mike Pouncey – Miami Dolphins
4. Marshal Yanda – Baltimore Ravens
5. Zack Martin – Dallas Cowboys

Without Ryan Khalil, the Panthers may not have been the best rushing offense in the NFL. Iupati was a great run blocker for the Cardinals, and Mike Pouncey and Yanda both were dominant pass protectors. Zack Martin had a disappointing season compared to last year, but it was still a top five worthy season.

Tackle 

1. Tyron Smith – Dallas Cowboys
2. Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles
3. Joe Thomas – Cleveland Browns
4. Joe Staley – San Francisco 49ers
5. Trent Williams – Washington Redskins

Offensive lineman already don’t get enough credit as it is. But when they are on bad teams, good play often goes unnoticed. That was the case for these players. Each of these players were the bright spots in their offenses. Tyron Smith, Jason Peters, and Joe Thomas all had stellar seasons. Joe Staley and Trent Williams had great seasons as well. 

Kicker

1. Stephen Gostkowski – New England Patriots

No kicker in the NFL was as automatic as Stephen Gostkowski. He finished the regular season 33 made field goals out of 36 attempts. He had zero missed extra points as well. 

Kick Returner

1. Tyler Lockett – Seattle Seahawks

 The rookie out of Kansas State was the most dangerous kick returner in the league this year. Lockett finished the season with 852 return yards and 1 touchdown. He also averaged a league best 25.8 yards per return. 

If any of you disagree with my list, free to tell me how wrong I am via Twitter @cpmiller18

Featured image courtesy of http://bleacherreport.com

The post Top 5 Offensive Players from the 2015-2016 NFL Season appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

Being a lifelong Browns fan, I watched the 2016 NFL Draft pretty closely. Like many Browns fans, I was confused and distraught over the trades the team made in the draft. However, after it was all said and done, I feel like the Browns did come away with some great picks. But one pick stood out above the rest and that was taking QB Cody Kessler of USC in the third round.

Now, I didn’t grow up in the ’80s so I haven’t experienced the disappointment of the failures which plagued some of the best teams in franchise history. Yet, I still know frustration, most notably with Cleveland’s choice of draft picks in the New Era. Out of all of their draft picks since the team’s comeback in 1999, 9-time Pro-Bowl Offensive Tackle Joe Thomas is by far the most successful draft pick. There are other notable good picks that have done well such as Joe Haden and Alex Mack, but as far as sticking with the team and making a positive difference (see Johnny Manziel) there are few and far between.

The past 17 years have seen numerous Quarterbacks come and go. Several were draft picks who inspired fans to believe that they finally had a leader who could propel their team towards the illusive light of prosperity only to be let down. Some were hyped up by scouts but failed to live up to fan expectations, such as Brady Quinn, while others inspired us with hope for a season or to only to devastate us with injury or inconsistency, like Charlie Frye. It is difficult to pinpoint the source of the Browns tragic QB legacy and it is most likely a variety of factors. It may be that coaches and management have been unable to properly prepare these young men to be a proficient NFL Quarterback. It could be that the attributes a recruit was supposed to possess turned out to be non-existent in an actual game. It could be that they never had a strong enough offensive line to give them enough time to actually throw the ball. The list of possible causes goes on and on. The only thing for certain is, the Browns have had tremendous bad luck filling the role of Quarterback.

When it comes to this year’s pick, it is important to note the state of the current Browns team. The Browns already had Connor Shaw, Austin Davis, and Josh McCown coming into this off-season. They then proceeded to sign Robert Griffin III  expanding their QB depth to four. The selection of Kessler makes him the 5th player at the position. This in itself seems like too much. It is unnecessary to have five quarterbacks, but I guess with the Browns luck you can never be too sure. Also, it is unlikely that Kessler will see much playing time this upcoming season. While it is too early to know with certainty who will be the starter for Week 1, I will go ahead and predict that RGIII will hold that spot. From my own observations, his only legitimate challenger would be 14-year veteran McCown, which is at best, unlikely.

Therefore, it can be concluded that Kessler is a player meant to be groomed for future use. Hue Jackson certainly seems to be impressed by his football skills, most notably, his accuracy. This is a Quarterback that Jackson will get to help build up into the player that he wants which is why he was so enthusiastic about this pick. While Kessler is no doubt an athletic player, it’s hard not to note the other Quarterbacks still obtainable when he was drafted. Connor Cook and Dak Prescott were both still available for the 93rd pick and most scouts had them both ranked higher than Kessler on their draft boards.

Also, it’s hard not to observe the success that Michigan State Quarterbacks have found in the NFL in recent years. Kirk Cousins and Nick Foles have each improved and filled their respective roles much better over the past couple of seasons. While this point is arguable, I would propose that they have had better success than their USC counterparts. Carson Palmer, who has done a pretty decent job while with the Arizona Cardinals, was continually on and off while playing for Cincinnati and Oakland and he did not truly reach his full potential until landing with Arizona. Excluding this recent success, other USC QB’s have not done as well. Matt Leinart was a flop at Arizona obtaining multiple injuries in his first two years and continually putting up lackluster numbers after that. The other most notable USC QB alum, Mark Sanchez, is no different. His time in the NFL has been generally mediocre and any player that is more known for a play called “The Butt Fumble”  than their stellar play or capability to lead a team is not that impressive in my book.

So after reflecting on the Browns draft, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is Cody Kessler a promising draft pick? Will he become a well-developed Quarterback capable of leading future Browns teams to come? Only time will tell. There is certainly hope surrounding his development and the program. Coach Jackson has certainly been unafraid of showing his faith in the young player. His strong belief in Kessler’s ability is not unfounded. After all, during his tenure at USC, his lowest completion percentage was an impressive 65%. But as a fan, I know that Cleveland optimism soon gives way to shattering heartbreak. And when I observe the efficiency of recent USC QB draftees and the tragic history of the position’s performance for the Browns over the past decade and a half, I can’t help but be a little reluctant in having faith in Kessler’s development and future with the Browns.

Follow @ACAllAmericans for quality, up-to-date reporting.

The post Is Cody Kessler a Promising Draft Pick? appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

Tyler Boyd left his mark on the Pittsburgh Panthers football team, as he now transitions to the NFL after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. Boyd finished his Pittsburgh career electing to leave after his junior season to enter the draft,  but is still one of the most decorated players in Pitt football history.  In his 3 years, Boyd became the all time leading receiver at Pitt in both receptions (254) and receiving yards (5,243) as well as second in Panthers history in all purpose yards behind Tony Dorsett.  Impressive numbers for a 3 year starter. Boyd was the obvious favored target for Panthers QB Nate Peterman last season, and the same held true during Boyd’s sophomore season with Chad Voytik running the offense. Now that Boyd is transitioning to the NFL, it leaves a big question mark for Pitt as to who will step up and make up for the lost production Boyd brought to the offense.

Pittsburgh needs someone to fill the shoes Tyler Boyd is leaving, and Dontez Ford could be the next in line.  Dontez Ford was the Panthers number 2 receiver in 2015, catching 26 passes

for 505 yards but only hauled in 2 touchdown receptions.  Ford looked promising in 2015 and he will be the one most look to lead the receiving corps in the 2016 campaign.  With the number one target gone, its likely Pitt will spread the ball more and there should be less disparity in the receiving numbers.  Boyd caught 91 passes in 2015 and Ford was one of only 2 other players (JP Holtz) to catch more than 20 passes.  It’s apparent no one player will be able to make up for the lost production of a 2-time 1000 yard receiver, but look for Ford to breakthrough as a prime target for Pitt this season.

Pittsburgh may also have to call upon incoming freshman receivers, Ruben Flowers (a 4-star recruit according to Rivals) and Aaron Matthews (a 3-star recruit according to Rivals).  With only 3 wide receivers catching more than 10 passes last season (Boyd, Ford, and Zach Challingsworth), it’s likely that these 2 freshman can come in and challenge for playing time immediately.

Pitt is currently relying on young receivers as they do not have any seniors at the position, and with the emergence of Flowers and Matthews, the team potentially could be building a top receiving group for the years to come.

Follow @ACAllAmericans for quality up-to-date sports reporting

The post With Tyler Boyd Gone, Pittsburgh must fill WR Void appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

As the defending NFC East Champs wrap up OTAs this week, let’s take a quick way-too-early look ahead at the 2016 season.

The Good

You Like That?:

It’s been some time since we saw a Redskins team with this much confidence on the offensive side of things. Even after Robert Griffin III’s impressive rookie season, questions arose regarding his ability to recover from off-season surgery.

Kirk Cousins had a breakout season, but his offseason lacks many of the questions that surrounded Griffin after his first year in the league. With Cousins now the established QB, a set offensive line and all the makings of one the top receiving corps in the league Washington is looking like one of the more impressive offenses in the NFL.

The biggest question mark on offense is the running backs. With Alfred Morris shipping out to Dallas, Matt Jones will be the number one back. Jones totaled just under 500 yards and three touchdowns last season behind Morris, but his ability to hold onto the football has become the biggest question mark. However, Offensive Coordinator Sean McVay is confident they’ll be able to fix the issue within the offseason.

In his first offseason as the definite starter, Cousins has looked not only sharp as a QB, but also poised as an enthusiastic leader. With Captain Kirk’s towering confidence and so many weapons, the sky’s the limit for this offense.

Drama Free Offseason:

With the Robert Griffin III era officially ending back in March, the go-to drama fodder for DC sports is gone. No more QB controversy. No more unconditioned, overpaid talent — looking at you, Albert Haynesworth.

It seems that the most drama we’ll see this offseason is veteran WR DeSean Jackson’s late arrival to OTAs and even that has been blown out of proportion. While Jackson missed out on a $500,000 bonus had he attended 90 percent of the voluntary team activities, that seems to be the only problem that’s arisen in Ashburn and it hasn’t bothered anyone in the organization aside from speculative media and fans.

Head coach Jay Gruden and teammates didn’t seem the least bit worried about Jackson’s absence, and the WR has made it clear he’s dedicated the time to prepare for the season despite being away from the team while spending time with his family.

The media frenzy that always surrounded Griffin III during his tenure in DC was quite a distraction that started fading during the regular season. When the season ended it reemerged as people speculated where he would end up until he finally set out for a seat on the QB carousel in Cleveland.

The Bad

London Calling:

Rise and shine Redskins Nation! Your boys will be getting up bright and early as the NFL force-feeds us four more international games this year: three in London, and one in Mexico City.

Washington will be leaving the States for the third time in its history (first time in regular season play) to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. On the bright side, Washington doesn’t lose a home game this year and a 9:30 a.m. kick off isn’t quite as ungodly as the 6:30 a.m. start time Los Angeles fans will have to suffer through.

Primetime:

According to Redditor Powatanner, the Redskins have amassed a dismal 10-22 record since 2006 when playing under the lights. This year, Washington will play three more primetime games against last year’s playoff teams. They will open the season on ESPN’s Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Week 11 features a rematch of last year’s Wild Card Game against the Green Bay Packers on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Washington will wrap up their primetime schedule in Week 15, again on MNF against the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. On the bright side, Washington has home-field advantage for each of their primetime games.

The Ugly

Name Controversy:

The Washington Post released the results of a poll back in May that found “9 out of 10 Native Americans aren’t offended by Redskins name.” Rather than putting the issue to rest, the new survey has only fueled the fire of debate surrounding the name. Regardless of your position on the Redskins’ name, it’s hard to deny that this ugly mess is something we can expect just about every offseason.

Follow @ACAllAmericans for quality, up-to-date reporting.

The post Redskins OTAs: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

Mike Mularkey

Talk about an uninspired coaching hire. Mularkey was the Buffalo Bills head coach for two seasons, compiling a 14-18 record before he resigned from the team. Then he coached the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 2-14 record and got himself fired immediately. He served as the Tennessee Titans’ interim head coach after they fired Ken Whisenhunt last season and won just two of his nine games. I’m not sure why he was retained by new general manager Jon Robinson, but it doesn’t matter because he’s got the last spot on this list regardless.

Dirk Koetter

Dirk Koetter had three successful seasons coordinating an offense featuring Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White, and then helped Jameis Winston make the transition to the NFL. Now, he’s the Buccaneers’ head coach after they fired Lovie Smith in a head-scratching move. Koetter has no head coaching experience at the NFL level but had two stints in college: a successful three-year run with Boise State and a mediocre six-year tenure with Arizona State. Can he be a head coach in the NFL? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t set my expectations too high.

Ben McAdoo

After spending eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Ben McAdoo was brought in to revive Eli Manning and the New York Giants offense. He didn’t necessarily do that, but he had good enough results to make the Giants front office like him. Now, he gets to take over an aging team that just spent over $200 million on their defense in free agency. This can’t possibly go wrong.

Doug Pederson

Doug Pederson is an Andy Reid disciple; he spent the last eight seasons working under Reid in either Philadelphia or Kansas City. That has to bode well for Philly, and he saw success in Kansas City, but remember he was also the offensive coordinator for the team that went a season and a half without throwing a touchdown to a receiver. Philadelphia’s receivers aren’t too impressive already, and the defense is still the same mess it’s been since Jim Johnson passed away (may he rest in peace).

Adam Gase

This is the last of the first-time NFL head coaches, and he might be the best one. Adam Gase was a trendy head coaching candidate for a few years after calling plays for Peyton Manning’s career resurgence in Denver. Of course, there’s questions as to how hard it actually is to coach an offense when Peyton Manning is your quarterback. But in 2015, Gase laid those questions to rest by going to Chicago and “fixing” Jay Cutler while also helping rookie RB Jeremy Langford emerge. Can he fix the Miami Dolphins though? Gosh, that’s like a whole team full of Jay Cutlers, and they’re all being stomped on by Ndamukong Suh.

Jim Caldwell

Speaking of Suh, his former team isn’t doing so hot either. Jim Caldwell’s first year in Detroit was good, going 11-5 and making the playoffs. But the 2015 Lions started 1-7, fired half of their coaching staff and front office, and managed to recover to a 7-9 record. The Lions’ talent was much more capable than that, though, and the retirement of Calvin Johnson will only further expose Caldwell’s deficiencies as a coach. Didn’t the 2011 Indianapolis Colts teach us anything?

Mike McCoy

Mike McCoy’s time in San Diego has gone down each season. In Year One, the Chargers went 9-7 and won a playoff game. Year Two saw another 9-7 record but a failure to reach the playoffs. The big dropoff happened in Year Three, though, going 4-12. It’s not encouraging that this team gets worse the more it becomes McCoy’s team.

Jay Gruden

Jay Gruden put together a division-winning playoff team in the 2015 Washington Redskins, but keep in mind that none of their nine regular season wins came against a team with an above .500 record. Admittedly, Gruden’s true talent as a coach is also obscured by the constant circus that is the Redskins franchise.

Jeff Fisher

Jeff Fisher’s team hasn’t won more than eight games since 2008, when Vince Young was still a thing. He’s never had a winning record, or even a .500 record, during his four seasons with the Rams. His trademark is a vaunted defense that is willing to literally kill you and an offense that moves slower than a Peyton Manning scramble. Maybe the move to Los Angeles will help Fisher realize he’s no longer coaching in the 80’s.

Hue Jackson

I like Hue Jackson, and I think he’s the best coach the Browns have had since, well, before the original franchise moved away. However, there’s not much to go on with Jackson. He coached the Raiders in 2011 and led them to an 8-8 record despite going through Jason Campbell, Carson Palmer, and Terrelle Pryor at quarterback. Then Reggie McKenzie came in and dumped Jackson in favor of Dennis Allen, which is as painfully funny now as it was back then. Jackson has been coaching since 1987, but most of his experience was in college. Like Gruden, he’s also hamstrung by the fact that he’s coaching the only team more dysfunctional than the Redskins.

Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles got a 10-win season out of the New York Jets, which is amazing. He got good production out of Ryan Fitzpatrick while the defense (featuring Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, Damon Harrison, Demario Davis, and David Harris) was naturally dominant. He’s a young coach who’s learned under Bill Parcells, Andy Reid, and Bruce Arians. He’s certainly an up-and-comer, but let’s see how well he does when he has to play Geno Smith at quarterback.

Jack del Rio

As with Jackson, I like Jack del Rio. His head coaching tenure in Jacksonville started off with plenty of positives, including two playoff runs ultimately killed by the Patriots each time. Del Rio’s only mistake was ditching Pro Bowl quarterback David Garrard for Blaine Gabbert. In Oakland, though, he’s got something special with the trio of Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Latavius Murray, and he’s always been a good defensive coach.

Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn’s Legion of Boom defense helped win the Seattle Seahawks their first Super Bowl win in franchise history by thoroughly dismantling the great Peyton Manning. Throughout his career, he’s served under both Pete Carroll and Nick Saban, as well as a brief stint in San Francisco when Bill Walsh was a special consultant. His first season with the Falcons saw an expectations-busting 8-8 record, so he might be on to something with this coaching thing.

Bill O’Brien

Bill O’Brien got good production out of Matt McGloin and Christian Hackenberg in college, but the quarterback whisperer couldn’t do the same with a rotating cast of Ryan Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Weeden, and Brian Hoyer. Brock Osweiler is there now and the JJ Watt-led defense makes things easier for O’Brien. In a few years, he could very well be much higher on this list.

Rex Ryan

Let’s not forget that Rex Ryan actually is a good coach. He got the Jets to the AFC Championship game two straight seasons with Mark Sanchez throwing to Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. He helped Darrelle Revis become Darrelle Revis. He gave us journalists something to write about all the time. Offense has always been his biggest enemy, but Bills offensive coordinator/genius Greg Roman gives him no such excuse. An 8-8 first year in Buffalo has him on the hot seat in 2016. He’ll have to prove that he’s still a good coach in order to keep his job.

Chip Kelly

I want to be very clear: I’m separating Chip Kelly the coach from Chip Kelly the general manager. As a coach, Kelly is pretty good. His offense was translating well to the NFL before Chip Kelly the GM went crazy and traded for a bunch of statues and turnstiles. Most importantly, he won 10 games each of his first two seasons, before he became the GM in Philly. He’s a good coach, in a vacuum. Unfortunately, the toxic environment of the 49ers will likely yield similar results to Kelly’s most recent season in Philly.

Gus Bradley

I see you rolling your eyes. Look, Gus Bradley created the Legion of Boom in Seattle and he’s shown actual improvement in Jacksonville. Blake Bortles and the offense is dangerously underrated right now and with the recent defensive stockpile of Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, Michael Bennett, and Malik Jackson, they’re a dark horse playoff contender in 2016. I don’t think that’ll actually happen, but you can’t deny that Bradley is doing a great job at gradually building through the draft.

Chuck Pagano

When Chuck Pagano took over the reigning NFL-worst Colts in 2012, it was supposed to be the start of a gradual rebuild around new franchise QB Andrew Luck. Of course, the Colts went on to win 11 games each of Pagano’s first three seasons, going further in the playoffs each progressing season. Last year, injuries and poor team building by general manager Ryan Grigson led to an 8-8 record, but it is clear that Pagano has command of this team and knows how to crank out wins. If Luck can stay healthy for a whole season, the Colts will be a dangerous matchup with Pagano leading this group.

Marvin Lewis

The second-longest tenured head coach in the NFL, Marvin Lewis has turned the Bengals into a perennial playoff contender, having made the postseason in six of the last seven seasons. The problem? He’s never won a playoff game in any of the seven appearances he’s made. What’s the point in making the playoffs if you don’t at least win a game?

Mike Zimmer

Mike Zimmer has done something previously thought impossible: take a talented group of Vikings players and make something out of it. Adrian Peterson is no longer carrying the team, as QB Teddy Bridgewater continues to blossom under Norv Turner’s watchful eye and the defense only gets better each day. Zimmer managed to get his Vikings to beat out the Packers for the division crown last season, a task not for the faint of heart.

Jason Garrett

This ranking will get plenty of criticism but could you really do better with Jerry Jones calling all the shots? Jason Garrett has taken an unenviable situation and somehow gained a bit of autonomy. He’s had a hand in crafting the best offensive line in the NFL and was able to get Darren McFadden, of all people, to 1,000 yards rushing again. The 2014 season showed just how dominant Garrett’s team can be when they’ve got their starting quarterback and receiver both at 100%. After decades of mediocrity, Garrett has built a quiet monster in Dallas.

Mike McCarthy

Some might balk at the low ranking of Mike McCarthy, but I fully believe this coach to be overrated. His general lack of strong leadership, reluctance to delegate to his assistant coaches, and often questionable game management leads me to this belief. But, he’s got a 104-55-1 career record, so at least he gets results.

Andy Reid

And speaking of questionable game management decisions, it’s Andy Reid! The longtime Mike Holmgren understudy created a bit of a dynasty with the Philadelphia Eagles during his 13 years there, and looks to be creating another one in Kansas City. Of course, his inability to win a Super Bowl hurts his stock a bit.

John Fox

He oversaw the glorious Jake Delhomme days in Carolina, Peyton Manning’s aforementioned career revival in Denver, and is now trying to do something special in Chicago. John Fox is known for stingy defenses and finding ways to win football games. His rough exterior might also remind Bears fans of legend Mike Ditka. He certainly has the ability to find just as much success.

John Harbaugh

I don’t know whose idea it was to hire a special teams coach to replace the great Brian Billick, but that is one smart person. Since coming to Baltimore, John Harbaugh has made the playoffs six of his eight seasons, winning the Super Bowl in 2012. He’s handled the transition from veterans Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Haloti Ngata to promising youngsters like Timmy Jernigan, CJ Mosley, and Jimmy Smith. Save for a lost-to-injury 2015, Harbaugh’s Ravens have been a model of consistency.

Gary Kubiak

Remember what Gary Kubiak did for the Houston Texans? After a few years of team building, Kubiak’s Texans suddenly lept to the top of the AFC with the stellar play of people like Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, and Arian Foster. Eventually the magic wore off, but Kubiak has always been superb at getting the most out of his players, even if the end result looks pretty vanilla. It shouldn’t have been a surprise when he did what John Fox couldn’t and delivered a Super Bowl to Peyton Manning and the Broncos in just his first season there.

Mike Tomlin

It’s not easy to replace a guy like Bill Cowher, but Mike Tomlin has done just about as well as you could have hoped for. In Tomlin’s nine seasons in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have never once had a losing record, and have made the playoffs six of those times, winning the Super Bowl in 2008. A recent youth movement on defense hasn’t even stalled them, as Tomlin has gotten double-digit win totals and playoff berths the last two years.

Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera had some growing pains early on, but he did what truly great coaches do: he emerged from it stronger than ever before. His aggressive defense, led by Luke Kuechly and Kawann Short, pairs well with a relentless Cam Newton offense that could care less who plays receiver because they’ll score on you either way. Rivera’s team has won the division the past three consecutive seasons and went to the Super Bowl last season before ultimately losing to the Broncos. Rivera is going to have plenty of other chances at that Lombardi Trophy though.

Pete Carroll

As much as I hate to admit it, Pete Carroll is a good coach. A nine-year dynasty at USC (overall record of 83-19!!!) earned him a chance at NFL redemption. He took his chance and ran with it, creating a Seattle dynasty of his own. His run with the Seahawks has seen him make the playoffs five of the six seasons he’s been there and includes winning the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl. Not many coaches can boast better than that.

Sean Payton

Sean Payton took the New Orleans Saints, perennial doormats, and turned them into perennial contenders, even winning the Super Bowl in 2009 against Peyton Manning’s Colts. That alone has cemented Payton’s legacy. The past two seasons have seen consecutive 7-9 records as they embrace roster turnover, but Payton is still hands-down one of the best coaching minds right now.

Bill Belichick

What?! Bill Belichick isn’t first?! Look, Belichick is great and I won’t deny that. The guy is single-handedly responsible for the Patriots’ dynasty. He’s won four Super Bowls and hasn’t had a losing season since 2000. He’ll undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best head coaches ever. His number two spot on this list is less about him and more about who’s number one. Without further ado…

Bruce Arians

Bruce Arians is already the best head coach in Cardinals’ franchise history. He’s quite possibly the smartest coach in the NFL too. With 41 years of coaching experience, Arians has been there for the development of three great quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Andrew Luck. He’s been an assistant coach for two different Super Bowl-winning teams throughout his career. And who could forget the way he stepped in for Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis during Pagano’s battle with leukemia and led the Colts to the playoffs, going 9-3 as interim head coach. His tenure in Arizona has seen similar success, never winning less than 10 games so far. He’s revived the careers of players like John Abraham, Carson Palmer, Chris Johnson, Dwight Freeney, and Red Bryant, and has 12-year pro Larry Fitzgerald playing at an all-time high. A Super Bowl win as a head coach is the only box left unchecked on Arians’ resume, and the 2016 season could very well be the year that box gets checked. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Follow @ACAllAmericans for quality, up-to-date sports reporting.

The post Power Ranking All the NFL Head Coaches For 2016 appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

Coming off of a 30-14 win against in Detroit last week, the Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) travel south to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) in Week 3 of the preseason. Tonight’s game will be a more accurate depiction of how the teams will look during the actual regular season. Kickoff is at 8:00 PM and will air nationally on NBC’s Sunday Night Football telecast. Here are some key things to keep an eye out for:

Bengals’ Secondary versus Jaguars Receivers: The Jaguars have an impressive passing game, with QB Blake Bortles taking the helm alongside stellar Wide Receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals’ secondary, especially Adam Jones and Shawn Williams, holds up against Robinson and Hurns.

Who will be the #2 WR?: Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Bengals are not set on their WR #2 next to A.J. Green. Brandon LaFell, who has been dealing with a torn ligament in his hand, has missed the first two preseason games. Meanwhile Tyler Boyd, the Bengals’ second-round draft pick, has done nothing but impress in his first two games, going 3 catches for 78 yards combined in his first two games. LaFell will play tonight, though he will be doing so with an injured hand. Will LaFell impress in his debut game or will Tyler Boyd emerge as the Bengal’s #2?

The Tight End Situation: Tyler Eifert, who injured himself playing in the Pro Bowl last season, will likely miss four to six weeks of the regular season. Tyler Kroft, his backup, may also miss regular season playing time after suffering an injury in the first week of training camp. This leaves CJ Uzomah, Matt Lengel and John Peters at tight end, though it looks like only Uzomah should make the final roster cut. With that said, we’ve not seen anything from Uzomah so far as he’s only seen one target in the preseason. If they want a productive TE by Week 1, it may be a good idea to give him some looks tonight.

For quality up-to-date sports reporting, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The post Bengals vs. Jaguars Preview – Injured Bengals Move on to Jacksonville appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

The Cincinnati Bengals went into Jacksonville Sunday night looking to tune up some things on both sides of the ball, before heading to New York to face the Jets on September 11th. While the starters looked good, on both sides of the ball, the second and third teamers left a lot to be desired.

Injuries

Injuries have been a big problem throughout the Bengals offseason. Tonight did not make that problem any better. In the first quarter, A.J. Green came up limping to the sidelines with a knee injury. According to the numerous media outlets, the injury is not considered to be serious and he looks to be ready for the season opener. Also, Pro Bowl cornerback Adam Jones hurt his calf while warming up prior to the game. Like Green, his injury is considered to be minor. The big injury news came to special teams captain Cedric Peerman, who fractured his left forearm. This is a big blow to a roster that is already struggling with injuries.

Wide Receiver Derby

The top three receivers for the Bengals are already known. While A.J. Green did not get much work in, this left a great opportunity for wide receivers Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd to get some much needed chemistry in with Andy Dalton before the regular season starts. With LaFell missing the previous few weeks due to a hand injury, it was especially critical that he get some work in with the first team. Unfortunately, he did not catch a pass until A.J. McCarron threw his way late in the 2nd quarter. Two receivers who really shined were Cody Core and undrafted free agent Alex Erickson. Erickson had a nice 21-yard touchdown reception over the middle and had multiple punt returns, all for positive gains. He is almost a lock to make the final 53 man roster with his performances in the first three preseason games.

Final Thoughts

Even though they lost, the Bengals have a lot of things to be proud of after this game. The starters looked crisp. Andy Dalton, without his top wide receiver A.J. Green, was efficient and led the Bengals to two touchdown drives. Geno Atkins and company looked equally as impressive, holding the explosive Jaguars offense to just three points in the first half. The second and third teams did not look so well, which should be an area of concern considering the lack of depth the team is already working with. The final preseason game will have a lot on the line as players on the roster bubble fight for a spot.

For quality up-to-date sports reporting, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The post Bengals vs Jaguars Recap: Bengals Starters Look Great in Loss appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

After five years with the team, the Cincinnati Bengals have cut wide receiver Brandon Tate. Tate, who has been the team’s leading kick returner for years has been unimpressive in his tenure with Cincinnati and many fans wanted him out.

It seems that rookie WR Alex Erickson has grasped Tate’s spot and will continue on with the team. Erickson had a very impressive preseason, which featured an 80-yard punt return TD, and a pair of 21-yard and 3-yard TD receptions.

Monday afternoon, the Bengals also released 11 other players. The updated list of players is:

WR Brandon Tate, WR Mario Alford, K Zach Hocker, QB Joe Licata, FB Jeff Luc, LB Jayson DiManche, WR Michael Bennett, WR Antwane Grant, TE John Peters, DE Jack Gangwish, CB Corey Tindal, CB Darien Harris, and S Floyd Raven.

UPDATE (5:16 EST)

Alongside Brandon Tate’s release, the Bengals also released WR Mario Alford earlier today. The team also placed 2016 fourth-round draft pick DT Andrew Billings on the Injured Reserve list, which means that he will not be able to return this season. On a brighter note, DT Brandon Thompson was placed on the PUP and will not be able to return for the first six weeks of the season.

For quality up-to-date sports reporting, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The post Bengals Cut Brandon Tate and Others; Alex Erickson Likely to Replace Him appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

The Cincinnati Bengals will host the Indianapolis Colts for the fourth and final game in the 2016 preseason. The starters will be very limited, as they rest up for the season opener against the New York Jets. The backups, however, will take center stage in this game.

Wide Receiver Derby Comes To A Finish

With the release of wide receivers Brandon Tate and Mario Alford earlier in the week, the receiving core is finally starting to take shape. The top three receivers were known from the beginning, but it looks as if wide outs Alex Erickson and Cody Core have a great chance of make the 53 man roster. As for the last open slot, James Wright’s ability as a special teams player would make him a natural fit for the team. All three of these players will get plenty of reps this Thursday while they look to solidify their spots on the Bengals roster.

The Margus Hunt Experiment

The former second round pick back in the 2013 draft has, thus far, failed to live up to the hype. Hunt normally does well in the preseason, using his great size and athleticism to bully other teams offensive lineman. Even though those lineman are on the opposition’s third team, it is still encouraging nonetheless. In the first two preseason games this year, Margus Hunt has been disappointing to say the least. He performed better in the third game against Jacksonville, but will need to have strong performance against the Colts in order to save his job.

The Linebackers

While the starters have been known for a while, the backup spots are where most of the intrigue lie. With Vontaze Burfict suspended for the first 3 games, one of the backups will have to step in. Vincent Rey, the long time backup and special teams captain, will most likely fill in. The player to watch however, is Nick Vigil. Vigil has been a solid linebacker throughout the preseason and looks to build on his play in the final game of the preseason. Look for him to get a lot of playing time in this game.

For quality up-to-date sports reporting, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The post Colts vs. Bengals Preview – Bengals Look To Finalize Roster appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.

It’s over. It’s finally over. The meddling preseason, the injury-plagued training camp, it’s over. The Bengals can finally look ahead to the Jets next Sunday for their first regular season game. After a rough trip to Jacksonville just four days earlier, the Bengals suffered their third preseason loss to the Colts, 13-10.

Scoring Summary:

Bengals – Mike Nugent, 21-yard Field Goal (3rd Quarter; 10:54)
Colts – Adam Vinatieri, 46-yard Field Goal (3rd Quarter; 0:33)
Colts – Adam Vinatieri, 38-yard Field Goal (4th Quarter; 7:22)
Bengals – Alonzo Russell, 15-yard TD Reception from Keith Wenning; Nugent PAT (4th Quarter; 1:55)
Colts – Tevaun Smith, 25-yard TD Reception from Stephan Morris; Vinatieri PAT (4th Quarter; 0:40)

Notable Performances:

Wide Receivers – Alex Ericksen, Jake Kumerow and Alonzo Russell all had impressive nights. Kumerow snagged 3 catches for 60 yards; Ericksen had 3 catches for 44 yards; and Russell had 2 catches for 22 yards, including a TD. It’s looking like the WRs are all but decided, with Ericksen claiming the spot on the final roster; though Kumerow and Russell would make good additions to the practice squad.

Trevor Roach – Linebacker Trevor Roach, who was fighting for his job tonight, has likely secured a spot somewhere in the League. The kid was everywhere tonight, finishing with 11 total tackles and 8 solo tackles, twice as many as the second most of the night. If he isn’t one of the final 53, he should get a practice squad spot or be picked up by a different team after tonight’s performance.

The Offensive Line – Similar to the previous games, the 1st-Team offensive line looked good. They should, they’re one of the better o-lines in the NFL. The same can not be said of the backups; however. They couldn’t keep their Quarterback, Keith Wenning, safe and made him look weak. Lets hope the starters can stay healthy.

Final Thoughts:

Thank God that preseason football is over. Tonight’s game was about as entertaining as watching paint dry. The two teams went out, played who needed to play, and sat who needed to sit. No one went out of their way, except for those whose jobs depended on it, and no one suffered major injuries. Even in a loss, I’d say that’s a successful game.

For quality up-to-date sports reporting, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The post Colts vs. Bengals Recap – Bengals Finishes Preseason With Another Loss appeared first on Armchair All-Americans.