Matt smith

The Titans had 500 yards of offense Sunday at the Coliseum. After three quarters. Their playoff aspirations on life support, the Raiders turned in a porous defensive performance in a 42-21 loss to one of the AFC’s hottest teams. Tennnessee’s 552 total yards were the most allowed by the Raiders since Week 9 in 2015. It was the first 500-yard game for the Titans since 2009. Three weeks ago, the Raiders were 6-4 and a half-game out of first place in the AFC West. They since have losses of 31 (Jets), 31 (Chiefs) and 21 points - the second time in franchise history, according to the Associated Press, that they’ve lost three straight games by 21 or more points. Sunday’s outcome crystallized early in the fourth quarter. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill hit tight end Jonnu Smith for a 17-yard touchdown - capping the Titans’ fourth touchdown drive of 77 or more yards. Three plays later, Raiders tight end Darren Waller caught a pass from Derek Carr and fumbled. … [Read more...] about Raiders defense falters in 42-21 loss to Titans, Tannehill

With the 2019 NFL draft nearly at hand, here’s a look at the top positional needs of each team before the selections begin Thursday. NFC East Dallas Cowboys Needs: TE, WR, CB, DT Analysis: The return of Jason Witten from retirement and ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast booth is, at best, a partial and temporary repair for the Cowboys’ tight end situation. They need help there, and adding a wide receiver also should be a priority in case the arrival of Randall Cobb does not compensate for the departure of Cole Beasley. The Cowboys are without a first-round pick after sending it to the Raiders in the Amari Cooper trade. New York Giants Needs: QB, WR, offensive line, pass rusher, S Analysis: The Giants’ roster should be considered a total rebuilding project, even if general manager Dave Gettleman won’t acknowledge that. The Giants took a win-now approach last year by keeping Eli Manning, drafting running back Saquon Barkley instead of a … [Read more...] about 2019 NFL draft: The top positional needs for all 32 teams

CU Buffs wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. declared for the NFL draft on Tuesday, opting to forgo his senior year in Boulder for a shot at the pros. Several mock drafts have the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder getting picked in the first round, which would make him the first Buffs player to be drafted that high since tackle Nate Solder (17th to the Patriots) and defensive back Jimmy Smith (27th to the Ravens) were in 2011. Shenault would also become the fifth CU wide receiver taken in the first, joining Mike Pritchard (1991), Charles Johnson (1994), Michael Westbrook (1995) and Rae Carruth (1997). Here’s a look at where he’s landing in several mock drafts:CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson — First round, 26th pick to Buffalo Bills “This is our favorite player-team match in Round 1. Shenault has battled injuries this season but he’s a four-down player who can (and does) line up anywhere: out wide, in the slot, H-back, running back and even QB. As Josh Allen continues to … [Read more...] about 2020 NFL mock draft — where will CU Buffs WR Laviska Shenault land?

There are still plenty of ways to skin a cat. Only the cats are shorter and faster now, and they’re changing the way the game is played. Consider this: • Of the 12 quarterbacks that NFL teams put serious investment into during the 1998 and 1999 drafts — as in, those taken via Rounds 1-3 — a collection that includes a legend (Peyton Manning), some very good (Donovan McNabb) and a whole lot of yikes (Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Cade McNown), only two entered the league officially listed as shorter than 6-foot-2. And only three rushed the ball more than 90 times for their college squads during their final amateur seasons. • Roll the clock ahead a generation, to the NFL drafts of 2018 and 2019, and the picture changes slightly — and so do the quarterbacks in question. Of the 11 quarterbacks taken in Rounds 1-3 over the past two springs, three were shorter than 6-2, including the last two overall No. 1 picks, Kyler Murray (5-10, by Arizona) and Baker Mayfield … [Read more...] about Are John Elway’s Broncos behind the curve of today’s NFL, or lumbering ahead of it?

But was it an impeachable offense? Re: “Republican Buck blasts impeachment standards,” Dec. 5 news story In the hearings for impeachment, the legal scholar Jonathan Turley expressed deep concern about lowering the “standards” for impeachment. But what about the standards for presidential behavior? We currently have a president who thinks nothing of telling boldface lies, who is often vulgar in his public speech, who disrespects women and minorities repeatedly, who is described by some of his own appointees as a “moron” and who is subject to ridicule by other free world leaders. Mr. Turley was making comparisons between historical impeachments, the circumstances of which are in no way similar to those that are driving the impeachment debate going on now. Much more is at stake with keeping this president in office. By inviting foreign governments to interfere in our election process this president jeopardizes our nation’s democratic independence. … [Read more...] about Letters: But was it an impeachable offense? (12/8/19)