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After 3 weeks, NFL running more

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press The NFL isn’t going back to old-school, smashmouth running football. Even though rushing yards are up and passing numbers are down over the first three weeks of the season, it’s too soon to call it a new trend. “It’s still early with the sample size,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “But it is something that we looked into because it is noticeable, and it is a really big difference. But we’ll continue to monitor that and what we are trying to do, though, is be efficient on offense. Hit your explosive plays. Take care of the ...

Tua’s injury latest blow to Miami fans

By Ira Kaufman For the Mirror Last Thursday night’s between Miami and Buffalo was one of the worst losses I can remember a team having early in the season. On so many levels, the Dolphins’ horrendous loss to the Bills, coupled with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, has dealt a crippling blow to the franchise and its fan base. The Dolphins hold a special place in the hearts of South Florida sports fans and across America as the only team to finish unbeaten in NFL history (17-0 in 1972). The Dolphins were founded in 1966 and played their first four seasons in the AFL ...

Injuries forcing NFL into next-man-up attitude

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press The next man up sees plenty of action in the NFL. Injuries already are accruing across the league, knocking out several star players and forcing teams to turn to backups and reserves. Everyone has to be ready because “one play away” is more reality than a cliche in football. The best teams at the end of the season often are the ones who have the depth to overcome injuries early on. The inactives read like a Pro Bowl roster. Russell Wilson hasn’t made his debut for Pittsburgh because of a calf injury sustained in the preseason. Jordan ...

Cooling off period doesn’t always work

One of the hardest lessons to learn in sports and personal relationships is that, once spoken, words cannot be pulled back. Specifically, comments that offend possess everlasting staying power. It is reasonable to assume that Florida head football coach Billy Napier has a better understanding of this concept after digging himself into a hole with his team’s fanbase following a 41-17 home loss to Miami. On the Monday after the Gators lost their first home opener in 35 years, which had been an NCAA-best streak, Napier responded to a question about avoiding emotional responses by ...

NFL RBs prove their worth in Week 1

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press Saquon Barkley, Joe Mixon and J.K. Dobbins proved for one game they were worth the investment after changing uniforms in the offseason. So did Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones and Tony Pollard. Barkley received a $37.5 million, three-year contract with $26 million guaranteed from the Eagles. He delivered a three-touchdown performance with 109 yards rushing in Philadelphia’s 34-29 win over Green Bay in Brazil. “He did an excellent job,” Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said. “He’s a guy who, once he gets out in space, he can make some ...

NCAA pulls plug on Oklahoma State

By Bill Contz For the Mirror Just prior to the start of Oklahoma State’s season-opening 44-20 win over South Dakota State, the NCAA stampeded into Stillwater and proceeded to toss a giant lariat around the home team with a cease-and-desist order to immediately remove QR codes from Cowboy players’ helmets. The logic behind this 11th-hour decision was that it “follows previous interpretations of not allowing social media handles to appear on a uniform.” Head honcho Mike Gundy had previously deemed this latest innovation an “evolutionary step forward,” which was ...