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Monday, September 12, 2016

Juggernaut Index, No. 3: The Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers 2016 Pump-Up
Green Bay fans have a lot to be enthusiastic about entering 2016, including a healthy receiving corps and rejuvenated running back. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Juggernaut Index is our annual ranking and review of NFL teams for fantasy purposes repeat: FANTASY PURPOSES. Here we concern ourselves with a franchises likely contributions to the fantasy player pool. We are not concerned with projected wins and losses. Instead, were focused on yards and points. As always, were beginning with the leagues least useful teams, working our way toward the elite fantasy juggernauts.

[Join a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free and make 2016 your season!]

Aaron Rodgers is coming off arguably his worst season as Green Bays starting quarterback, as both his completion percentage (60.7) and yards-per-attempt (6.7) dipped well below his career averages. His passer rating fell below 100.0 for the first time since 2008. The fact that Rodgers still threw 31 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions in his worst professional season is a testament to his position among the all-time greats. He remains the NFLs career leader in passer rating (104.1) and interception percentage (1.6), and he ranks fifth in Y/A (8.0). Among pure passers, hes as good as it gets as good as anyone has ever been.

We have to consider Rodgers slip in efficiency last season to be, in large part, a reflection of the remarkably poor performance by his receivers. Jordy Nelsons preseason ACL injury removed a 1500-yard receiver from the equation, and no player on the roster really, no three players on the roster were able to adequately replace his production. James Jones, Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery combined for 115 catches, 1509 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 211 targets last season, with Jones doing most of the heavy lifting (50-890-8). The year prior, Nelson by himself delivered 98 receptions for 1519 yards and 13 spikes on just 151 looks.

Adams in particular was an on-field comedy last season, making the absolute least of a huge opportunity. He caught only 50 b***s on 93 targets, gaining just 483 yards and visiting the end-zone once. Dropped passes were routine, and its a problem thats dogged him in camp and preseason this year, too. This should go without saying, but Adams is not a recommended fantasy flier. Jones is a free agent as of this writing, recently cut by the Chargers. Montgomery is buried on the depth chart. Playoff legend Jeff Janis is dealing with a broken hand, and thus undraftable in leagues of standard size. Former Wisconsin Badgers receiver Jared Abbrederis made some noise in camp, but hes a player with limited tools, still apparently behind Adams in Green Bays receiving hierarchy.

So it really comes down to this: Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb need to remain fully functional in order for this teams offense to meet the lofty expectations of NFL fans and fantasy owners. Cobb took a huge backward step in production last year, while dealing with both increased focus from opposing defenses and, perhaps more significantly, the season-long effects of an August shoulder injury. Based on Cobbs history and his setup, however, its tough not to like him at his ADP (43.6). Nelson carries a loftier price (23.7) and hes been sidelined for much of the summer with tendinitis in his non-surgically repaired knee. So yes, he carries some risk. But he returned to full practice recently, which is no small thing. If you can snag him near the end of Round 2 or top of Round 3, Im not opposed.

Eddie Lacy was a notable fantasy bust in 2015, but looked good in preseason play. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Green Bay added tight end Jared Cook to the mix, enabling him to enter a season as a fantasy sleeper for the fifth time in his eight-year career, an unprecedented achievement. Kudos, Jared. Without question, Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback that Cook has ever been paired with, by orders of magnitude. I wont deny his sleeper appeal in 2016. Cook certainly wouldnt be the worst player that Rodgers has carried to fantasy relevance. As a late-round target for those who pass on luxury tight ends, I like him. However, I would not draft him in a format so deep that I couldnt easily replace him from the free agent pool. Richard Rodgers had several nice moments last season during his eight-TD campaign none nicer than this but he now finds himself behind Cook on the depth chart. Rodgers is probably a red-zone-only weapon at the moment.

Eddie Lacy struggled with girth last year, eventually falling into a job-share with James Starks. Lacy reportedly entered camp this season at a size that better suits the demands of his position, and he had some nice moments in the preseason, gaining 114 yards on 20 carries over three games. Its tough not to like him in the third round of fantasy drafts. We cant just ignore his terrific first and second NFL seasons, when he delivered 1400 scrimmage yards and double-digit TDs each year. Eddie is entering the final season of his deal, for those who care about such things. Ive drafted him in multiple leagues in recent weeks, because the history is promising and he remains the featured back in an elite offense. Starks will no doubt have a role, but we can assume the early workload tilts toward Lacy.

The Packers D is nothin special, despite various brand-name players. But this teams early-season schedule should be loaded with turnovers, so Im interested in this group for fantasy purposes. Green Bay opens with Jacksonville (Bortles!), then Minnesota (Hill!/Bradford!). Its a promising short-term setup, though it seems unwise to get too attached to this D/ST. Its not an every-week fantasy asset.

2015 Offensive Stats & RanksPoints per game 23.0 (15)Pass YPG 218.9 (25)Rush YPG 115.6 (12)Yards per play 5.1 (28)Plays per game 66.2 (9)

Previous Juggernaut Index entries: 32) Cleveland, 31) San Francisco, 30) Philadelphia, 29) Baltimore, 28) Tennessee, 27) Los Angeles, 26) Miami, 25) Detroit, 24) Chicago, 23) San Diego, 22) Minnesota, 21) Tampa Bay, 20) Atlanta, 19) Washington, 18) Buffalo, 17) Kansas City, 16) Oakland, 15) NY Giants, 14) Indianapolis, 13) Jacksonville, 12) Houston, 11) Denver, 10) NY Jets, 9) Dallas, 8) Cincinnati, 7) New England 6) New Orleans, 5) Seattle, 4) Carolina, 3) Green Bay

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/juggernaut-index-no-3-the-green-bay-packers-123403705.html

Alexis Arquette Dies at 47

The World Says Goodbye To Transgender Actress Alexis Arquette

Actress Alexis Arquette has died, brother Richmond Arquette confirmed in an 11 September 2016 Facebook post.

Arquette shared a press release attributed to Patricia Arquette and signed by several siblings, stating that Alexis was with her familywhen she passed away:

Press release from Patricia on behalf of all of us:

Our sister, Alexis Arquette, passed away this morning, September 11th, 2016.

Alexis was a brilliant artist and painter, a singer, an entertainer and an actor. She starred in movies like Last Exit to Brooklyn, Pulp Fiction, Jumpin" at the Boneyard, Of Mice and Men, The Wedding Singer, and The Bride of Chucky. Her career was cut short, not by her passing, but by her decision to live her truth and her life as a transgender woman. Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical. She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people.

She fiercely lived her reality in a world where it is dangerous to be a trans person a world largely unready to accept differences among human beings, and where there is still the ugliness of violence and hostility towards people that we may not understand.

Alexis was born as Robert, our brother. We loved him the moment he arrived. But he came in as more than a sibling he came as our great teacher. As Alexis transitioned into being a woman, she taught us tolerance and acceptance. As she moved through her process, she became our sister, teaching us what real love is.

We learned what real bravery is through watching her journey of living as a trans woman. We came to discover the one truth that love is everything.

In the days leading to her death, she told us she was already visiting the other side, and that where she was going, there was only one gender. That on the other side, we are free from all of the things that separate us in this life, and that we are all one.

She passed away surrounded by love. We held her and sang her David Bowies Starman as she punched through the veil to the other side. We washed her body in rose petals and surrounded her with flowers.

Alexis always had to do everything first. She left before we were ready to let her go. We are all heartbroken that she is no longer with us, but we are grateful for the grace and kindness we were all shown during this difficult time. We are comforted by the fact that Alexis came into our family and was our brother and then our sister, and that she gave us so much love. We will love you always, Alexis. We know we were the lucky ones.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations please be sent to organizations that support the LGBTQ community in honor of Alexis Arquette.

Please respect our privacy during this time of grieving.Rosanna ArquetteRichmondPatricia ArquetteDavid Arquette

The family did not specify a cause of death and requested privacy from the media and the public.

Alexis Arquette was 47.

Originally published: 12 September 2016

Source: http://www.snopes.com/2016/09/12/alexis-arquette-dies-at-47/

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans struggle in Week 1 loss to Minnesota Vikings: Live updates recap

ESPN First Take - Today Minnesota Vikings Acquire QB Sam Bradford

Former Ducks QB Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titanslost to theMinnesota Vikings in Week 1, 25-16. Here"s everything you need to know to follow the score or how to watch live on TV or online.

What: Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings

When: Sunday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET

Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

TV: KMTR-16 (NBC, Eugene), DirecTV Sunday Ticket

Watch online: You can watch the live stream on DirecTV"s nfl app.

Local players to watch: Tennessee - QB Marcus Mariota (Oregon).

Mariota and the Titans expect to have more than the three wins than they had in 2015. The addition of running backs DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry and wide receivers Rishard Matthews and Andre Johnson are expected to take some of the pressure off Mariota.

Follow along as we bring you live updates and analysis from the game from kickoff through the final whistlein the comments section below.Have thoughts on how Mariota and the Titans are performing? Don"t hesitate to jump in on the live updates and chat with us as the game rolls along.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/09/marcus_mariota_tennessee_titan_17.html

Kate Upton Calls Out Talent Agents And "Cruel" Classmates In New Interview

Kate Upton Tries to Say Mean Things with a Smile

Kate Upton is calling out all of the people who were mean to her. The model is gracing the October 2016 issue of Glamour magazine. Inside the magazine, things get really revealing as Kate Upton revealed that she was often told to lose weight most of her life.

After being told she doesnt fit in, Kate Upton learned to accept herself the way she is. She said that she was often told by modeling agents to lose weight, cites People.

At first I tried to diet to become their image, but eventually I realized that it wasnt realistic! This is just the shape of my body. So I had to block them out. I think that the people who are the loudest about wanting to change you are the people with the least amount of vision and creativity.

The 24-year-old also talked about what it was like growing up among her peers. Upton recalled the time that her appearance would get teased, cites the Daily Mail.

Kids can be cruel, and they used to make fun of me for having long legs and bushy eyebrows. My mom would flip through magazines and say, Look, all these models have that too. I decided I wanted to be a model.

Upton then added that she didnt wear Louis Vuitton and Gucci in high school because in Florida you just wear bikinis and flip-flops. Upton was then asked if she had to fight body-shaming critics, to which she responded, All. The. Time. She revealed that she looks up to her fellow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover star Ashley Graham, whos been taking the fashion world by storm.

Things have definitely changed in the industry, mostly for the positive. Were more accepting now. For me, someone like Ashley Graham, who loves her body and is always talking about it, is inspiring.

The blonde beauty said that she built up her confidence when people started throwing work at her. Uptons first modeling gig was for a local Miami magazine where she modeled inside a Crunch gym.

Where I grew up, it was considered a great thing to have a curvy body to fill out a bathing suit. For that to be a negative was so confusing to me. And besides, when I started working, I was booked constantly, mostly for catalog work. So when people were saying, Oh, she doesnt have the right look for a model, I thought, Then why am I working every single day?"

Upton keeps her model body in tip-top shop by working with a personal trainer. She often posts videos to her Instagram page of her weight training sessions. Upton says that she does a combination of weight training and cardio in a circuit.

A couple of years ago, there was a switch for me. I used to work out to have my hips to be a certain size. Now I do it for myself, because I want to be strong. I want to have energy. In my mind I feel like I can beat someone up I really want to be able to do it! Upton exclaimed.

She added that she now has a nice b**t thanks to all the squats she does. As for her diet, Upton doesnt get too crazy. She tries to eat a lot more protein and vegetables, and does her best to avoid sugar. Upton also learned how to play tennis, but her fianc Justin Verlander get beating her in matches, so she gave up. She said that she would much rather be in fashion rather than sports.

I love what I do I love fashion. Whatever you wear, it really sets the tone for the day. If Im in sweatpants, I fully become that person Im lazy and kind of a mess. The opposite is also true; fashion can give you confidence.

[Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Churchill Downs]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/3498193/kate-upton-calls-out-talent-agents-and-cruel-classmates-in-new-interview/

Detroit Lions mailbag: Bob Quinn"s activity seems to be on par

Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts WK 1 2016 Lions Win 39-35 In A Shootout

Is new Lions general manager Bob Quinn showing quarterback Matthew Stafford the way to the Super Bowl? Lions fans certainly hope so.(Photo: Rick Osentoski, Associated Press)

Every week during the Lions season well do a Twitter mailbag. Use the social media site to send your questions to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett at @davebirkett.

Q. How do the number of roster transactions under BQ compare to Mayhew era? BQ seems to churn more which seems good @jeffreyharley

A. It may seem like Bob Quinn is turning over the Detroit Lions roster more than his predecessor, Martin Mayhew, but the fact is all general managers use the bottom of the roster as a taxi squad, shuffling players in and out of the organization based on injuries, practice needs and other factors.

Looking at an arbitrary three-month period from June 1 the heart of OTAs to the start of the regular season, Quinn has made a handful more moves this year than Mayhew did last year, but the numbers arent that different. Quinn has made 21 additions to the roster (including since-waived linebacker Dominique Tovell twice) through free agency, the waiver wire or by trade.

Bob Quinn hopes to change longtime culture of losing DeAndre Levy tackles NFL"s health coverage, cannabis, more in 1st Q&A

Mayhew made 14 additions over the same period of time, but he made two more trades that didnt involve players coming back and he didnt have as many injury-related signings during training camp.

Regardless of the numbers, Quinn tried to stretch his 90-man preseason roster as much as possible, and thats the wise thing for an GM to do.

Q. 25.5 sacks between Ziggy and Devon ...over or under. @polkerman

A. Ill take the under on that one as 25.5 sacks is a huge number that just one set of teammates reached last year (the Houston Texans J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus).

Ziggy Ansah is a good bet for another double-digit sack season, though my crystal ball has him finishing with 12 sacks and missing out on Robert Porchers team record for the second straight year.

Devin Taylor is a different story. Hes not as dominant an edge rusher as Ansah and has just 10.5 sacks in his first three NFL seasons. Taylor strikes me as a solid six- or seven-sack left end. Thats a good season, but it wont put the Lions in the 25-sack range.

Q. do you think the Lions be over the U.K. again anytime? Nothing like seeing them live compared to a screen @DrJones1206

A. The way the NFLs International Series has evolved, you can count on just about every team playing overseas in the next five to seven years. Just from the basic math of it, there are four international games a year three in Europe and one in Mexico which means eight teams leave the country to play football every season.

The equitable way to handle the travel is to make each of the NFLs 32 teams play abroad every four years. Theres no need to force that issue now with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams (while they await their new home) more receptive to playing overseas, but I see more not less international games in the future.

Already, the NFL is looking to expand the series and play games in China and maybe Germany, and theres been speculation that the league will expand to four, then six, then eight games in the U.K., essentially give fans there a seasons worth of home games.

I think thats probably a ways off maybe the NFL goes to a 17-game regular season with one international game per team in the next CBA but I dont doubt the Lions will be playing overseas again.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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Source: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/09/11/detroit-lions-mailbag-bob-quinn/90218218/

Grandparents Day event brings families together

National Grandparents" Day, ipinagdiwang kahapon

Royal Blossom, 7, rushed out of bed Sunday morning. He was excited to see his grandmother, Jane Pettey.

"I got dressed real fast for Grandparents Day," Blossom said. "She"s my favorite."

For the past 25 years, Pettey has hosted a Grandparents Day gathering for the public in Fayetteville known as The Celebration of Grandparents.

Grandparents, grandchildren and other relatives gathered at the event from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for food, prizes and performances by musical groups.

A well-known area country singer, Pettey said she thought of having an event for grandparents while performing at nursing homes about 32 years ago.

Pettey is known for singing traditional country music. Her unique vocals are adept at taking on the music of Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and Tom T. Hall.

She said she saw many lonely seniors at the homes whose grandchildren lived far away. She wanted to cheer them up.

The goal of the event is to make grandparents feel appreciated, Pettey said.

"A lot of people say they don"t know Grandparents Day exists and that"s sad," Pettey said.

The events were originally held in May. However, in 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day Grandparents day. Pettey then moved her celebration to September.

Pettey has held the event at the J.S. Spivey Recreation Center and Christina Smith Park at 500 Fisher Street for the past 12 years.

For the first time, Pettey did not have her daughter, Asia Pettey, who is the mother of three of her grandchildren at the event. Asia Pettey recently died after battling breast cancer.

"We"ve always been a real close family and Asia was always was my buddy," Jan Pettey said.

Many people came out to support Jan Pettey"s efforts.

Asia Pettey"s former boyfriend Kimani Marshall said Jan Pettey has always raised the bar as to what being an excellent grandparent looks like.

"Jan has always been a positive person," Marshall said. "She puts 100 percent of Jan in everything she does."

Marshall said her drive is what has made the Grandparents Day a success and is the reason why all her grandchildren look up to her.

"They flock right to her," Marshall said. "I want them to strive to be that great.

Source: http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/grandparents-day-event-brings-families-together/article_67c2d2e9-d420-591c-b819-d9697b6d12bc.html

Hub Arkush: Chicago Bears are a 7-9 team, plus a few more ...

Bears vs. Texans (Week 1 Preview) | Around the NFL Podcast

Whether youre a hard-core fan, a more casual observer but with a very clear allegiance, a bettor, a Fantasy Fanatic" or a member of the media we all share one favorite pastime, predicting the future of our favorite game.

So what will the Chicago Bears record be this year?

I like what the Bears did in free agency this past offseason except that the second I heard it I reported, I thought waiving Matt Slauson after signing Manny Ramirez and Ted Larsen was foolish.

Although Im not sold on Bobby Massie being anything more than a journeyman at right tackle, him there with Kyle Long back at right guard is a huge improvement over Long at right tackle and Vladimir Ducasse or Patrick Omameh at guard.

Akiem Hicks is the first true five-technique the Bears have had since Vic Fangio brought his 3-4 base defense to town. In signing Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, the Bears went from the worst inside linebacker group in the NFL to contention for the best.

I was encouraged by the draft, although I was unhappy when the Bears traded up to jump in front of the Giants in the first round and then left Laremy Tunsil on the board to select Leonard Floyd.

Cody Whitehair, Johnathan Bullard, Deon Bush, Deiondre Hall and Jordan Howard all appeared to be excellent value for where the Bears drafted them.

I had no opinion on the choice of Dowell Loggains to replace Adam Gase because although it seems like a huge stretch for a young coach who isnt widely revered or for that matter known around the league, John Fox has an excellent record hiring assistant coaches and is probably due the benefit of the doubt.

I really thought we were looking at an 8-8, maybe even 9-7 team that if everything went right . . .

Then we went to Bourbonnais and the great majority of the roster showed little to generate excitement in practice. The team was somewhere between bad and awful in its four exhibition games.

As the Bears went to make the final cuts, my expectations plummeted and I thought 6-10 was probably realistic and 5-11 a real possibility.

Then the Josh Sitton signing and Robbie Gould cut happened and I was thoroughly confused.

I think the way the Bears handled Gould sucked, but based on his 2015 season and 16 training camp I cant objectively say the Bears are better or worse with Connor Barth.

Sitton on the other hand represents a potential sea change on the offensive line. The Bears went from potentially one of the scariest O-line groups in the league to the best at guard and even though hes a rookie, Whitehair at center should be a big upgrade over Larsen at center.

Now I am close to paralysis through analysis but out of time and required to climb out on the limb. I believe the 16 Bears are a 7-9 football team.

And hey, if Im going to risk looking stupid why not do it for all 32 teams?

So heres how I see the 2016 NFL regular season.

Source: http://journalstar.com/sports/football/hub-arkush-chicago-bears-are-a---team-plus/article_65ecfd33-2063-537c-908b-1c38ff08e640.html