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Joined: 16-05-2024
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Subject :While quarterbacks and other big-name, high-priced players get most of the attention, unlikely heroe
While quarterbacks and other big-name, high-priced players get most of the attention, unlikely heroes often emerge to help their teams win in the NFL playoffs. Jourdan Lewis Youth Jersey .Three of the past four Super Bowl winners played in the wild-card round and each team got help from a surprise performer during its championship run.Packers rookie James Starks had 123 yards rushing in Green Bays 21-16 win over Philadelphia on Jan. 9, 2011 after running for just 101 yards the entire season.Giants No. 3 receiver Mario Manningham caught touchdown passes in each of New Yorks first three playoffs wins in January 2012, nearly equaling his total of four TDs in the regular season.Ravens cornerback Corey Graham matched his season total with two interceptions in one game against Peyton Manning, including a pick in overtime to set up the winning field goal in Baltimores 38-35 win at Denver on Jan. 12, 2013.One of the top defensive performances came from unknown safety Vernon Perry in a playoff win. Perry intercepted four of Dan Fouts passes and blocked a field goal in Houstons 17-14 victory over San Diego on Dec. 29, 1979.Here are potential unsung heroes for each team this wild-card weekend:CARDINALS: Outside linebacker Alex Okafor led the Cardinals with eight sacks and could be the key to pressuring Cam Newton and limiting his scrambling. Mobile quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick hurt the Cardinals recently, so they have to keep Newton in check.PANTHERS: WR Philly Brown has turned into Carolinas deep threat and has been used on running plays late in the season. While Kelvin Benjamin will likely go against Patrick Peterson, Browns speed and playmaking skills could make the difference.RAVENS: Cornerback Lardarius Webb has a difficult assignment covering Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown in a matchup that could determine which team advances. Brown had an excellent season, but Webb isnt backing down.STEELERS: RB Josh Harris had nine carries this season, but the rookie is being asked to replace the injured LeVeon Bell. Fellow rookie Dri Archer along with newly acquired Ben Tate also are in the mix, but Harris will keep getting the ball if hes productive.BENGALS: TE Jermaine Gresham averaged a career-low 7.4 yards per catch on 62 receptions while Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu make the big plays for Cincinnatis offence. Andy Dalton likes dumping the ball off, so Gresham could be quite active.COLTS: LB Jonathan Newsome set a franchise rookie record with 6 1/2 sacks, including two last week that built his case for more playing time. The Colts had trouble pressuring quarterbacks, so theyll need Newsome to disrupt Daltons rhythm.LIONS: S James Ihedigbo had a career-best four interceptions in his first season with the Lions. He is coming off being benched in the second half in last weeks loss at Green Bay, so hell have even more motivation to make plays. Ihedigbo also knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. He played for the Ravens two years ago.COWBOYS: WR Cole Beasley is easily overlooked on an offence that includes Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten. But Beasley has a knack for making a tough catch and slipping through the defence for a key first down.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.organd AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi Chidobe Awuzie Jersey . The Mets made the announcement Sunday night. Parnell blew a save on opening day against Washington and the next day it was revealed he had partially torn right elbow ligament. Chidobe Awuzie Womens Jersey . Balotelli was out at dinner with his brother Enoch and came home to discover he had been burgled. The car was later found abandoned. Balotelli wrote Saturday on Twitter: "I feel empty! No emotions . http://www.footballcowboysshop.us/cowboys-ryan-switzer-super-bowl-jersey-authentic/ . -- When Steve Blake checked in at the scorers table with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter, Stephen Curry shook his head and shouted across the court, asking Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson not to take him out.MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have pledged to make Kyle Rudolph a larger part of their offence for, well, his whole career. Now this enhanced role is almost inevitable: Hes carrying 15 fewer pounds this season and playing for a lot more money. "Its an honour to know that they have the faith in me and the trust in me to instil that value in me, and Im going to do everything I can to go out on the field and perform at that level," Rudolph said between practices on Monday, after signing a five-year contract extension the night before. He added: "I want to be the best tight end in the NFL, and thats why I go out every day to work the way that I do." The Vikings were enamoured enough with the soft-handed, slender Rudolph that they drafted him out of Notre Dame in the second round in 2011 despite a nasty injury, a torn right hamstring, that he was still recovering from at the time. Rudolph won the Most Valuable Player award at the Pro Bowl after the 2012 season, but he has accumulated a modest 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns over three years in the NFL. Jimmy Graham exceeded both of those totals last season for New Orleans. Rob Gronkowski did the same three years ago for New England. The Vikings have long believed the 6-foot-6 Rudolph, who used a better off-season diet to start training camp at a lean weight of 258, can become that featured receiver who can catch passes all over the field, in addition to being a go-to target in the end zone. "I think hes trying to work the Jimmy Graham deal," close friend and quarterback Christian Ponder said, joking about Rudolphs sleeker look. "He looks good out here, and you can tell hes very polished in what hes doing." Rudolphs new deal has a maximum worth of $40 million. About half of that is practically guaranteed, and his annual average salary will be in the top five of all NFL tight ennds. Chidobe Awuzie Cowboys Jersey. Graham makes the most. "Hes worked as hard as anyone in this organization, and he is getting himself ready to have a great year," offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner said. Rudolph, who missed the last half of last season because of a broken left foot, will be asked to run more routes up the seam between the 20-yard lines this year. Hell likely find himself standing up and split out a lot, rather than the traditional three-point stance for tight ends of the previous generation. With more rules discouraging defensive backs from levying big hits, larger, and faster and stronger athletes continuing to enter the league, and passing attacks become more and more potent, the tight end has flourished into a true skill position. Turner has a history of significant production by tight ends in his scheme, from Antonio Gates in San Diego to Jordan Cameron last year in Turners lone season with Cleveland. From Rudolph to running back Adrian Peterson, the early reviews of Turners system have been raving. "Im sure you guys wrote stories about us being predictable the past seven years. You wont be able to write that story this year," Peterson said. "Thats pretty much all Im saying: You wont be able to do that, because this offence is so versatile." The Vikings invested in Rudolph for reasons beyond the physical attributes, too. Head coach Mike Zimmer called him "a pleaser," whos willing to "buy into everything" the new staff is trying to do with the team. Rudolph said hed keep the same house in the Twin Cities area and continue to drive the same truck, splurging only for philanthropy: to upgraded the weight room at his alma mater, Elder High School in Cincinnati. "Im anticipating that hell continue to flourish," Zimmer said, adding: "Hes a good guy, and I like when good guys get rewarded." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' ' |
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