Odell, Carr, Ekeler, Colts, Bateman, Etienne

Latest update on Odell Beckham Jr. + a dark-horse MVP candidate ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ September 07, 2022 [Sign up]( [Legit Football]( Odell [Odell Beckham] The Bills and Rams are interested in signing Odell Beckham Jr. Details: According to Ian Rapoport, Beckham has “[openly flirted](” with both teams. - Beckham has also been linked to the Packers and Cowboys. Timeline: Despite the flirtation, Rapoport does not expect Beckham, who tore his ACL during the Super Bowl, to sign until he gets closer to full health — which should be in early November. McVay: Sean McVay recently confirmed that the Rams want to re-sign Beckham. - Beckham caught 48 passes for 593 yards and 7 touchdowns over 12 games (including the playoffs) with the Rams last season. Image: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire Carr [Derek Carr] Albert Breer names Derek Carr as his dark-horse MVP Details: Breer is not the only one [hyping]( a big season for Carr, ESPN’s Liz Loza expects [+30]( passing touchdowns now that Davante Adams is on board. - Carr threw for 23 touchdowns last season. O-Line: Carr’s success will likely hinge on the offensive line’s ability to keep him upright. The unit has major question marks at left guard, right guard, and right tackle. Week 1: The Raiders open the season on the road against the Chargers. If the offense can hold up against the elite pass-rush duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, then these predictions have a chance of becoming a reality. Image: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire Ekeler [Austin Ekeler] Nathan Jahnke: There is reason to believe Austin Ekeler can top his 2021 production Details: It’s a big statement, as Ekeler was among the most productive offensive players in the league last season. Ekeler in 2021: The 27-year-old totaled 1,558 scrimmage yards and scored 20 touchdowns on 276 touches. He led all running backs in receiving yards (647), yards after the catch (621), receiving touchdowns (8), and receiving first downs (31). Reasons: Jahnke thinks Ekeler could be even [better]( for three reasons — 1). offensive continuity, 2). offensive line improvements, and 3). high-volume touches. Continuity: The Chargers' offensive staff and roster are virtually unchanged from last year, which should lead to better execution and more red zone trips. O-Line: Jahnke thinks the addition of first-round pick Zion Johnson will give the Chargers one of the best offensive lines in football. - Johnson earned an impressive 84.4 PFF grade at Boston College last year. Touches: The Chargers do not have an obvious complement to Ekeler in the backfield, which should keep Ekeler’s workload in the +250-touch range. Image: Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire Together with Stathead Question of the Day Which RB has the most consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards? - Barry Sanders - Curtis Martin - LaDainian Tomlinson - Emmitt Smith Colts [Matt Ryan] The Colts are set to pass the ball more this season Details: The insight comes from Stephen Holder (ESPN), who [revealed]( that the “Colts' passing game became heavily restricted by the coaching staff's lack of trust in (Carson) Wentz late in the 2021 season.” - The Colts ranked 26th in pass attempts. Better Fit: New Colts’ QB Matt Ryan is viewed as a much better fit for the scheme, which is built around two of his specialties — timing and rhythmic throws. Taking Command: WR Michael Pittman Jr. on the [difference]( between Ryan and Wentz: “Last year, we were out there, running the plays, but we were basically just playing football. I mean, we would just run around and make plays … this year, we’re trying to be organized, be at our spots and at our depths, because that’s how Matt likes it and how he commands it and that’s what he expects. So you better be there.” JT: More pass attempts will naturally lead to fewer carries for 2021 rushing king Jonathan Taylor. Though what Taylor loses in carries, could be made up for in catches — as Ryan is one of the league’s most prevalent check-down passers. More Colts News... - According to Kevin Bowen (107.5 The Fan), the team has looked into [adding]( a tight end. - For now, Mo Alie-Cox (24 receptions last season) will start at the position. Image: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire Bateman [Rashod Bateman] Matt Harmon believes Rashod Bateman can take the Ravens' offense to new heights Details: Harmon thinks Bateman can emerge as a “pure X-receiver” who can get [open]( at all levels of the field. - X-receivers line up on the line of scrimmage and typically run routes along the sideline against press-man coverage. They are regarded as “alphas” because the role requires a high level of speed and physicality. - There are very few pure X-receivers in the league. Prototypical examples include Randy Moss, Ja’Marr Chase, and Mike Evans. Rookie Review: Bateman, a 2021 first-rounder, caught 46 of 68 targets (67.6% catch-rate) for 515 yards and a touchdown last season. Lamar: If Bateman blossoms, Harmon thinks Lamar Jackson will have his best season since winning the MVP award in 2019. - Harmon does not believe Jackson has ever had the benefit of playing with a true X-receiver. Image: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire Etienne [Travis Etienne] Matt Bowen thinks Travis Etienne will be a major factor in the passing game Details: Bowen (ESPN) predicts that Etienne will catch at least [60 passes]( this upcoming season. - Only four running backs — Najee Harris, Austin Ekeler, Leonard Fournette, and D’Andre Swift — caught more than 60 passes in 2021. Clemson: Etienne, who missed his rookie year with a foot injury, was one of the decade’s most productive and explosive college running backs. He scored sixteen 40-plus yard touchdowns at Clemson. RB1: Etienne is expected to operate as Jacksonville’s lead back, though James Robinson will continue to see significant action. More Jaguars News ... - According to Michael DiRocco, 2021 second-round CB Tyson Campbell was the team’s [most]( impressive defensive player during training camp. - The Commanders are favored to beat the Jaguars by 3 points in Week 1. Image: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire More News - [Raiders]( TE Darren Waller (hamstring) plans to play Week 1 - [Seahawks]( RB Ken Walker (hernia) is not practicing - [Rams]( WR Van Jefferson (knee) did not practice - [Steelers]( updated depth chart places Kenny Pickett as top backup, ahead of Mason Rudolph Together with Stathead QUESTION OF THE DAY (Answer) [Emmitt Smith]( Answer: Emmitt Smith - Emmitt Smith: 15 (1991-2001) - Barry Sanders: 10 (1989--1998) - Curtis Martin: 10 (1995-2004) - LaDainian Tomlinson: 8 (2001-2008) The Most Powerful Research Tools in Sports Stathead offers the most expansive collection of football research tools available to the public. Make customized searches through all statistics in NFL/AFL/AAFC/APFA history, including every touchdown since 1920 and every play since 1994. Used by analytically-minded journalists, front offices, and fans, Stathead is the industry standard for finding and analyzing the statistical history of your favorite sport. 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