Packers Bring Back James Jones / Final 53-Man Roster Thoughts ᴴᴰ
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have cut middle linebacker and leading tackler Jameel McClain in reaching the 53-man roster limit.
The Giants also announced Saturday that fullback Henry Hynoski, one of the few remaining links to the Giants" 2012 Super Bowl win, also had his contract terminated.
Receiver James Jones, cornerback Chykie Brown, safety Jeromy Miles, and linebacker Ashlee Palmer and tight end Adrien Robinson, a fourth-round draft choice in 2012, were the other most prominent cuts.
Also waived were offensive linemen Adam Gettis, Emmett Cleary, and Sean Donnelly; receiver Julian Talley; running back Kenneth Harper; quarterback Ricky Stanzi; defensive linemen Dominique Hamilton and Brad Bars; linebacker Cole Farrand; defensive backs Chandler Fenner and C.J. Conway; and kicker Chris Boswell.
Receiver Corey Washington (shoulder) was waived/injured. Safety Nat Berhe (calf) and offensive lineman Brett Jones (knee) were placed on injured reserve (see full story).
Redskins: RGIII makes 53-man rosterWASHINGTON -- Robert Griffin III is on the Washington Redskins" 53-man roster.
NFL teams had to meet a deadline to reduce their rosters by Saturday afternoon, and Griffin -- who lost his starting job to Kirk Cousins in the preseason -- was not among the players let go by the Redskins.
Griffin has still not been cleared to play following his Aug. 20 concussion in an exhibition game against Detroit.
The Redskins kept three quarterbacks: Cousins, 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Griffin, and Colt McCoy (see full story).
Cowboys: Weeden remains only backup to RomoIRVING, Texas -- Quarterbacks Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers have been cut by the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Brandon Weeden as the only quarterback on the 53-man roster behind Tony Romo.
In addition to the 20 players cut Saturday by Dallas, defensive end Greg Hardy and linebacker Rolando McClain were put on the reserve/suspended list. Both face four-game NFL suspensions, Hardy under the league"s personal conduct policy and McClain under the substance-abuse policy.
Vaughan made the 53-man roster out of camp as an undrafted free agent and third quarterback last season, and had played all of the final preseason game Thursday night. Vaughan and Showers are eligible for the Cowboys" practice squad if they clear waivers.
Among other cuts were running backs Ben Malena and Gus Johnson, and receiver A.J. Jenkins, a 2012 first-round pick by San Francisco signed in May (see full story).
Browns: Pryor makes team as WRCLEVELAND -- Former Ohio State and Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor has made the Browns" roster as a wide receiver despite not catching a pass during the preseason.
The 26-year-old Pryor was slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp and only made his exhibition debut Thursday in Chicago. Pryor did not have a reception, but he displayed his versatility by taking two snaps at quarterback and blocking on the punt team. The Browns see enough potential to keep him on their 53-man roster.
The team took Pryor over rookie wide receiver Vince Mayle, a fourth-round pick.
The Browns also released quarterback Thad Lewis, leaving them with just starter Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel, who has resumed throwing after being limited by a sore elbow the past few weeks. Pryor, who made 10 starts for the Raiders, could serve as Cleveland"s third quarterback (see full story).
49ers: Former rugby star Hayne makes teamSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne says on Twitter he has made the cut with the San Francisco 49ers, earning a spot on their 53-man roster Saturday as coach Jim Tomsula finalized his team heading into the regular season.
The 27-year-old rookie return man made good on his goal nearly a year after leaving his old sport to chase a new NFL dream across the world. The roster was to be announced Saturday.
"IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT! I thank G*d for WHAT HE has done and going to do on this incredible journey!! I"m on the 53 MAN ROSTER FOR THE (hash)49ers," Hayne wrote on Twitter.
His quest captivated a country more than 7,000 miles away.
Tomsula said last weekend following the third exhibition game at Denver that he had seen all he needed from Hayne, including all those countless hours of tape he watched of him as a rugby player.
He left the National Rugby League last fall, then signed a three-year contract with San Francisco in March as an undrafted free agent in a deal he said included $100,000 in guaranteed money. Hayne spent the previous nine years -- from 2006-14 -- with the Parramatta Eels (see full story).
Jets: Flynn, Johnson, Babin cutNEW YORK -- The New York Jets are down to two healthy quarterbacks.
Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were among the Jets" cuts Saturday as they pared their roster to the mandatory 53-player limit.
Flynn and Johnson were signed this summer to compete for a backup role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who became the starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken on Aug. 11 by a punch from then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali. Smith was expected to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
The Jets" only other healthy quarterback is rookie Bryce Petty, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor.
Flynn was signed on Aug. 19, but dealt with a hamstring issue for most of his short stint with the Jets before making his debut in the preseason finale against Philadelphia. He went 10 of 14 for 136 yards with two TDs and an interception, while Johnson was 7 of 12 for 82 yards and had 76 yards rushing on seven carries in his first action with New York after being signed on Aug. 27 (see full story).
My Wish: Jimmie Johnson Drives Jennifer Around Darlington Raceway
Carl Edwards celebrates in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)Terry RennaAP
Fans arrive to the track prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M"s Crispy Toyota, prepares for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. Busch finished seventh and clinched a spot in the Chase. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)Jonathan MooreGetty Images
Fireworks are set off as part of pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)Jerry MarklandGetty Images
Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, right, and team owner Richard Petty take part in pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)Jerry MarklandGetty Images
A general view of the grandstands as the sun sets during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller High Life Ford, leads the field down the frontstretch during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
A general view of the frontstretch pressbox during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)Jerry MarklandGetty Images
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 American Ethanol Chevrolet, stands on the grid with his girlfriend Taylor Walker prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
A general view of the track as the sun sets during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Budweiser/Jimmy John"s Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, races Paul Menard, driver of the #27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 Buddy Baker Tribute Toyota, takes part in pre-race ceremonies with wife Lorra and son Cash prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Ortho Ford, races Justin Allgaier, driver of the #51 Brandt Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)Kena KrutsingerGetty Images
A view of cars racing during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
The #55 Ol" Aaron"s Dream Machine Toyota, driven by David Ragan, catches fire after being involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
The #55 Ol" Aaron"s Dream Machine Toyota, driven by David Ragan, catches fire after being involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M"s Crispy Toyota, is involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M"s Crispy Toyota, is involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M"s Crispy Toyota, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Ortho Ford, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe"s Chevrolet, is involved in an on-track incident as cars pass by during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe"s Chevrolet, is involved in an on-track incident as cars pass by during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)Matt SullivanGetty Images
Michael Annett, driver of the #46 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet, drives his damaged car back to the pits following an on track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)Kena KrutsingerGetty Images
Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, races Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M"s Crispy Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, celebrates with a backflip after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)Jonathan MooreGetty Images
A view of the Darlington Raceway logo on the front straight SAFER barrier after the crew of Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, used tape to make it say "Carlington" to celebrate Edwards" victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)Kena KrutsingerGetty Images
Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, salutes the crowd after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)Kena KrutsingerGetty Images
Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Chevrolet, spins in front of Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)Kena KrutsingerGetty Images
Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles" Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)Matt HazlettGetty Images
ESPN First Take - Eagles vs Jets : Tim Tebow Performance ?
Published on Sep. 5, 2015
Football nation suffered a loss Saturday when the Eagles let Tim Tebow go. If not a franchise quarterback, Tebow represented a football quagmire. An ever-present conflict of bad mechanics and beautiful chutzpah, of wayward throws and thrilling runs.
The move almost certainly means that we will not see another Tebow touchdown in 2015; despite two passing and one rushing touchdown this preseason, his list of suitors grows thin, if not non-existent. Which is why, as Saturday"s bloodletting continues with roster cuts, we want to offer Tebow"s fans a dose of nostalgia and noise.
MORE: Tebow"s rollercoaster career, in photos | Notable roster cuts, so far
We"ve supplied the highlights. Mute them. Loop them. Turn the music on. Pick your sad song of choice. Immerse yourself in the Tebow experience one last time.
The Best College Football Plays Of 2014-2015 || "The Best Of The Best" ᴴᴰ || NCAA
College football is back.
And so is extensive TV coverage.
Week 1 is always intriguing and there are a variety of great matchups to get things started.
ABC"s No. 1 team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather c*x will have the Wisconsin-Alabama game on Saturday night and Ohio State at Virginia Tech on Monday.
Fox Sports 1"s No. 1 team of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will have Jim Harbaugh"s much-talked about return to Michigan tonight when the Wolverines face Utah.
Also of note, Whitehall and Penn State alum Matt Millen will have Illinois State-Iowa at noon Saturday on the Big Ten Network and the ESPN crew covering the Penn State-Temple game will feature Bob Wischusen and former University of Washington quarterback Brock Huard.
Lafayette grad Beth Mowins has the call on the Southeast Missouri State-Missouri game.
CBS"s top team of Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce has Louisville at Auburn.
Meanwhile, former lead voice Brent Musburger continues to work on the SEC Network. Musburger teams with Jesse Palmer on the New Mexico State-Florida game.
The schedule and list of announcers is provided courtesy of the National Football Foundation:
The American
Date
Time
Game
Network (Talent)
Thurs., Sept. 3
6:00 p.m.
Florida Internationalat UCF
CBS Sports Network(Dave Ryan, Corey Chavous, Lauren Gardner)
Thurs., Sept. 3
7:30 p.m.
Villanovaat Connecticut
ESPN3(Eric Frede, Andy Gresh, Kerith Burke)
Thurs., Sept. 3
9:30 p.m.
Dukeat Tulane
CBS Sports Network(Rich Waltz, Adam Archuleta, Cassie Gallo)
Fri., Sept. 4
7:00 p.m.
(4) Baylorat SMU
ESPN(Dave Flemming, Mack Brown, Allison Williams)
Sat., Sept. 5
Noon
Colgateat Navy
CBS Sports Nerwork(John Sadak, Randy Cross1, Sheehan Burch)
Sat., Sept. 5
3:30 p.m.
Penn Stateat Temple
ESPN(Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake)
Sat., Sept. 5
3:30 p.m.
Florida Atlanticat Tulsa
CBS Sports Network(Sean Grande, Corey Chavous, Melanie Collins)
2014 Tennessee @ South Carolina Football 11/1/2014 - Vols late 4th Quarter Comeback + OT
Missouri will pay $1.625 million in 2016 for home football games against Delaware State and Middle Tennessee State, according to documents obtained by The Star.
Perhaps of greater interest, there is clause in the three-game contract with Middle Tennessee State that allows MU to reschedule the Sept. 9, 2022, road game for the sole purpose of scheduling a nonconference home and home series that same year with a Big 12 institution.
There is no indication if Missouri has a team in mind or what team that might be. Kansas has opposed scheduling Missouri in nonconference competition since the Tigers left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference in 2012.
Under terms of the clause, Missouris game in Murfreesboro, Tenn., could be pushed back as late as the 2025 season. The game would not be played during the 2023 season as the Blue Raiders are on the schedule for a Sept. 9 game in Columbia that season.
Missouri must inform Middle Tennessee State by July 1, 2016, if such a change will occur.
The Tigers agreed to pay the Blue Raiders $1.1 million guarantee for a game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 22, 2016. The road team will receive $200,000 for the subsequent games.
Missouri will pay Delaware State $525,000 guarantee for appearing in Sept. 24, 2016, at Memorial Stadium.
By comparison, the Tigers have guaranteed Southeast Missouri $385,000 for Saturdays game and $425,000 for a 2019 game.
Missouri State will receive a $400,000 guarantee in 2017, while Idaho will receive $1.3 million for a game later that same season.
Eastern Michigan will receive a total of $2.4 million in guarantees for games at Memorial Stadium in 2016 and 2020.
The designated road team for games between Tigers and BYU will receive $250,000 for the Nov. 14 game at Arrowhead Stadium and MUs visit to Provo, Utah, in 2020.
Missouri and West Virginia also will exchange $250,000 guarantees for the 2017 game in Morgantown, W.V., and 2019 contest in Columbia.
The Tigers are Connecticut are trading $300,000 guarantees for the Sept. 19 game at Memorial Stadium and Missouris 2017 appearance in Storrs, Conn.
2015 Rogers Cup First Round | Sabine Lisicki vs Venus Williams | WTA Highlights
NEW YORK (AP) All in one fell swoop, Venus Williams eliminated one of the only two women who beat her younger sister this season and moved closer to a possible U.S. Open quarterfinal showdown against Serena.
Gathering herself after a mid-match dip in play Friday, Venus reeled off the last five games and beat 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2010.
Did Venus get any family advice before facing Bencic, who defeated Serena last month en route to the title at a hard-court event in Toronto?
Yes, but thats between us, Venus said, breaking into a wide smile. I think it worked.
At 35, Venus was the oldest woman in the field. At 18, Bencic was the youngest to make it to the third round. She is mentored by Martina Hingis, who was sitting in the front row of her guest box in Arthur Ashe Stadium on a cloudy, breezy afternoon.
During an on-court interview after the victory Friday, Venus was asked about having reached her first major final in her U.S. Open debut back in 1997 about six months after Bencic was born. Venus happened to lose that match to Hingis.
Why do you have to bring all that stuff up? It makes me feel old, Venus replied, chuckling. I love the game. I love the U.S. Open. I love how everyone got behind me, even when I was down.
Venus trailed 4-1 in the second set before grabbing the last five games against a player she called tenacious.
Bencic takes the ball early, plays angles Hingis can appreciate, and is considered a likely future star of the game.
I feel like the people recognize me a little bit more sometimes, like, Oh, shes the girl who beat Serena. I dont think they know my name, Bencic said, but they just know I beat her.
Serena is seeking to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam at the U.S. Open and brought a 50-2 record in 2015 into her match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Friday night. Rafael Nadal was scheduled to face Fabio Fognini after that.
In other action, 13th-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, a 2014 semifinalist, was rebuffed in an attempt to get attention from a trainer for cramping in her taped-up right thigh while serving for the match, but eventually held on to beat 17th-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3, 7-5.
I was so scared, said Makarova, who will play 40th-ranekd Kristina Mladenovic of France.
Defending champion Marin Cilic was among the men advancing in the afternoon, edging Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1. Benoit Paire of France eliminated No. 26 Tommy Robredo, and No. 19 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France beat Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine, both in straight sets.
After getting broken late in the first set Friday, Bencic looked to be making headway in the second against the 23rd-seeded Venus, breaking for a 3-1 lead with a running, down-the-line backhand passing shot that drew an errant volley.
But Venus won 21 of the last 29 points, including 11 of the last 12 she served, and wound up with a 31-12 edge in winners.
Looking ahead, she could face Serena early next week. Asked on court how aware she was of that, Venus said: At this point, if you dont know, youre Im not even going to say. I hope we both get to the quarterfinals. I do.
Venus will face 19-year-old Anett Kontaveit of Estonia, a qualifier ranked 152nd who beat Madison Brengle of the United Sates 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. Kontaveit hadnt won a Grand Slam match until Monday.
I have no idea how she plays or anything, Venus said. I will try to put the ball in the court again.
Since getting to the semifinals five years ago, Venus has lost in the U.S. Opens first round once, the second round twice and the third round last year.
She was asked whether it feels new and exciting to be headed toward the second week of the tournament again.
Its not new, Venus began, then paused before adding: Its always exciting.
( Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Broncos vs. Texans highlights - 2015 NFL Preseason Week 2
Here is a look at one of the Cleveland Browns" 13 opponents for the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos.(Photo: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
Browns vs. Broncos -- Sunday, Oct. 18 -- 1:00 p.m. ET
After back-to-back home games against the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders at the end of September, the Cleveland Browns will not play consecutive home games again until a three-week homestand spanning the last weekend of November and into December.
The Browns are home at FirstEnergy Stadium just once in the month of October, and will look to make it count against Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning and the defending AFC West Division Champion Denver Broncos, who are coming off of a 12-4 season that ended in the second round of the playoffs with a home loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The home game against the Broncos is one of just two games at FirstEnergy Stadium over a seven-game stretch that starts with a road contest at the San Diego Chargers on October 4 and continues through back-to-back AFC North Division matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 5 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15.
NUMBERS GAME
With future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning at the helm of the Broncos" offense, Denver averaged 30.1 points, 402.9 total yards and 291.3 passing yards per game during the 2014 regular season. Their point total was the second-highest in the NFL, while the yards and passing yards were both fourth in the league.
Manning and the Broncos passed for 1,000 more yards than their opponents last season. With Manning being sacked only 17 times, he was able to complete 395 of his 597 attempts (66.2 percent) for 4,727 yards and 39 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. He averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, completed an 86-yard throw and held a 101.5 quarterback rating heading into the postseason.
Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were Manning"s top two targets, as they combined for 212 catches. Thomas turned 111 catches into 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Sanders added 1,404 yards and nine scores on 101 receptions.
Although Thomas and Sanders are back, the Broncos have moved on from wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Julius Thomas, the latter of whom led the team with 12 touchdown catches, meaning nearly one-third of his 43 receptions went for scores last season.
While the Broncos were middle of the pack in rushing yards per game, running back C.J. Anderson accounted for 849 yards and eight touchdowns on 179 carries. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and turned 34 receptions into 324 yards and a pair of scores while catching the ball out of the backfield.
Defensively, inside linebacker Brandon Marshall led the way with 113 total tackles, 91 solo stops and 22 assists. In addition to having more solo tackles than any one of his teammates had total tackles, Marshal had two sacks and a forced fumble.
In terms of rushing the passer, linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware combined for 24 sacks of opposing quarterbacks. Miller registered a team-best 14 sacks, and Ware, whom the Dallas Cowboys let go in free agency prior to last season, collected 10 stops of quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
With the loss of Julius Thomas in free agency, the Broncos hit the ground running in building up the tight end position in the offseason. They re-signed Virgil Green, and reached contract agreements with Owen Daniels and hybrid tight end/fullback Joe Don Duncan. They also added offensive linemen Ben Garland, Gino Gradkowski and Shelley Smith.
Defensively, the Broncos re-signed linebackers Steven Johnson and Marshall. Then, they added defensive end Antonio Smith, linebacker Reggie Walker and safety Darian Stewart through free agency.
Although the Broncos spent three of their first four picks in the 2015 NFL Draft on offensive players, their first selection was to help the defense: edge rusher Shane Ray. In the second round, the Broncos addressed the offensive line by selecting Ty Sambrailo and center Max Garcia (fourth round), to go along with tight end Jeff Heuerman (third) out of Ohio State. Then, Denver added defensive backs Lorenzo Doss (fifth round), Taurean Nixon and Josh Furman (seventh), nose tackle Darius Kilgo (sixth) and quarterback Trevor Siemian (seventh).
FAMILIAR FOES
Browns offensive lineman Eric Olsen was selected by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Notre Dame and played in one game during his rookie season.
Browns offensive lineman Vinston Painter was chosen by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, and spent the entire season on Denver"s practice squad.
Broncos safety T.J. Ward was a second-round pick of the Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft and spent the first four years of his NFL career with Cleveland before heading to Denver in free agency during the 2014 offseason.
Heuerman (Ohio State), cornerback Bradley Roby (Ohio State) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati) went to college in Ohio.
Wolfe (Lisbon/Beaver Local High School) is an Ohio native.
Broncos defensive assistant Chris Beake was a Browns assistant during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Tom Heckert, Denver"s director of pro personnel, was the Browns" general manager from 2010 to 2012, while his national scout, John Spytek, and assistant director of pro personnel, A.J. Durso, also worked in the Browns" front office.
HISTORY
The Browns are just 5-19-0 all-time against the Broncos and 2-9-0 in home games. The Browns have lost 10 straight games to the Broncos. Their last victory, a 30-29 decision, came in Denver on October 8, 1990.
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