Bewerbungen » JacksonWho will win: JacksonDoak Walker Award (nation

The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Indians?could have been a fabulous series, one featuring the best starting pitching in the American League against the best offense in the major leagues, with the whole irresistible force/immovable object thing. Instead, its going to be a really good series featuring the two best offenses in the league, two great, young shortstops, a couple Cy Young candidates, a lot more of David Ortiz and a whole lot more of Tito Francona.Here are five questions.How good is the Boston offense?The Red Sox scored the most runs in the major leagues, 33 more than the mile-high Rockies and 101 more than the Indians, who were second in the AL. The Blue Jays scored 127 more runs than the next-best team in the AL last year, but 101 is still a really big gap. Bostons OPS was .810, which was by far the highest in the league and 66 points higher than the league average. The Red Sox, for the second time in their history (1977 was the other season), had three players (Ortiz, Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez) with 30 homers or more, and the same three drove in more than 110 runs, which made this the first season the Red Sox have had three 30-100 guys. But its more than that. Bostons offense is relentless. It can beat you so many ways: with power, speed and athleticism. There is danger from top to bottom, and in the middle of the order is Ortiz, who hit .458 with four home runs in six games against the Indians this year.What shape is Clevelands starting rotation in? Sadly, it is damaged. Carlos Carrasco, who has great stuff, will miss the postseason after he broke his right pinky when he was hit by a line drive. Danny Salazar, whom Indians closer Cody Allen calls the most gifted pitcher Ive ever been around, likely will miss this series because of a forearm injury. Ace Corey Kluber, a Cy Young candidate, suffered a mild quad strain on Sept. 26 and hasnt pitched since. He is scheduled to start Game 2. That leaves Trevor Bauer, who can be really good and can be erratic too, to start Game 1 in Cleveland. Josh Tomlin, who had a terrific stretch early but struggled some in the second half (5.59 ERA after the All-Star break), will start Game 3 in Boston. Meanwhile, the Boston rotation is about as good as it has been all year. Cy Young candidate?Rick Porcello, David Price and?Clay Buchholz?make a formidable first three.How good is Clevelands offense?It scored the second-most runs in the league -- quite a feat, given that outfielder Michael Brantley missed nearly the entire season because of a shoulder injury. Francona did a marvelous job mixing and matching in the outfield to find production. A good portion of the teams offense unexpectedly came from current third baseman Jose Ramirez, who, Francona said at midseason, saved us this year. The Indians have been led lately by their offense, which is extremely versatile. The No. 6 spot in the order, for instance, produced 92 RBIs, and the No. 8 spot produced 19 homers. Most teams have a leadoff guy and a No. 5 hitter;?Carlos Santana does both. He hit 19 homers out of the leadoff spot and 12 from the No. 5 hole, joining Jose Cruz Jr. in 2001 as the only players to hit at least 10 homers from both those spots in the same season. Thats the Indians. They attack from all angles. Thats why they won 94 games and why they never lost more than three in a row.Is there concern about Boston closer Craig Kimbrel?Just when the Boston bullpen got really good -- roughly when Koji Uehara came off the disabled list and started throwing that splitter for strikes and blowing hitters away at 89 mph -- Kimbrel started to labor. He walked six of the final 13 batters he faced in the regular season. He looked like he had no confidence, one scout said. Thats very unlike him. In the last 17 batters he faced, Kimbrel gave up six earned runs. His velocity is good, but the Red Sox will need his faith and belief to return if they are to win the series. As for the Indians, their bullpen is better than it has been all season, in part because of the Andrew Miller element. Wherever he is needed most, thats where he will pitch.How familiar are these two teams? Very familiar. Indians manager Tito Francona managed the Red Sox to two World Series titles. He managed, among others, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia, who remain his close friends. One of Franconas best friends is his former pitching coach in Boston, John Farrell, who, of course, is the Red Sox manager. Thanks to a strong recommendation from Pedroia to Francona in the offseason, the Indians signed former Red Sox player?Mike Napoli as a free agent last winter. You will love him, Pedroia told Francona. Napoli hit 34 home runs, drove in 101 runs and became a team leader. The Indians wear T-shirts that say, Party At Napolis. This is going to be a great series, no matter what.Prediction: Red Sox in five. Jim Kelly Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Bruce Smith Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Thurman-Thomas-Bills-Jersey/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. O. J. Simpson Bills Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Andre Reed Youth Jersey . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. ATLANTA -- We have to wait until Saturday to find out who will take home college footballs most beloved prize, the Heisman Trophy, but Thursday serves as a pretty scrumptious appetizer.Some of the nations best players have joined together at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta for this years Home Depot College Football Awards (7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN App).Heres a look at all the hardware that will be handed out and who the finalists are for each award:Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year)Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama, Sr.: Alabamas flying lineman already won the Nagurski Trophy as the nations best defender after recording 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and leading all defensive linemen with two defensive touchdowns.Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M, Jr.: Possibly the top pick in Aprils NFL draft, Garrett battled through injuries to finish with 8.5 sacks and 15 TFLs. Garrett has 32.5 career sacks, which ranks sixth in SEC history.Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan, Jr.: The do-everything linebacker played 15 positions in all three phases of the game for the Wolverines, recording three offensive touchdowns and a punt return for a touchdown. Defensively, he leads the team with 16 TFLs, and has 4 sacks, 1 interception and 72 tackles.Who should win: AllenWho will win: PeppersBiletnikoff Award (nations most outstanding receiver)Austin Carr, Northwestern, Jr.: Leads the Big Ten in yards with 1,196 (only player in the conference to eclipse 1,000-yard mark) and touchdowns with 12 (two more than any other player in the conference). A Big Ten-leading 59 of his 84 receptions resulted in a first down.Zay Jones, East Carolina, Sr.: Leads the FBS in targets with 218 (52 more than any other player) and yards with 1,746 (160 more than any other player). An FBS-leading 89 of his 158 receptions resulted in a first down, most in a single season in the FBS since 2004.Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma, RSr.: He was second in the Power 5 with 1,465 receiving yards off 74 catches. Westbrook had 16 touchdowns, averaged 19.8 yards per catch and 67.6 percent of his receptions went for first downs or touchdowns.Who should win: WestbrookWho will win: WestbrookLou Groza Award (nations most outstanding kicker)Daniel Carlson, Auburn, Jr.: He has made 140 consecutive PATs (longest streak in Auburn history), leads Power 5 place-kickers with 26 made field goals (86.7 percent) this season, including tying an SEC record with a 6-for-6 performance as he accounted for all Tiger scoring in 18-13 victory vs. LSU. Has made four 50-plus-yard field goals this season (second among Power 5 place-kickers).Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State, Sr.: He is the NCAA record holder for field goals in a career (96) and had a school-record streak of 17 consecutive field goals made this season. Gonzalez leads the FBS in 40-plus-yard yard field goals (13) and 50-plus-yard field goals (seven). Has connected on 92 percent of his kicks (23-of-25).Younghoe Koo, Georgia Southern, Sr.: Tied the school record for field goals in a single season (19) and is second in the FBS in field goal percentage (minimum of 15 attempts) at 95 percent (19-of-20).Who should win: GonzalezWho will win: GonzalezRay Guy Award (nations most outstanding punter)Michael Dickson, Texas, So.: Leads the Big 12 in punting average (47.4) and has 14 punts inside opponents 10-yard line, second-most among Power 5 punters. Twenty-eight of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and 25 went 50-plus yards.Cameron Johnston, Ohio State, GS: Has had 23 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line, tied for fourth in the Big Ten. He recorded longest punt of the year in the Big Ten (70 yards vs. Wisconsin). Hes averaging 46.2 yards per punt, 23 punts were downed inside the 20 and 16 of his kicks have gone 50-plus yards.Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah, So: He leads the Pac-12 and is second nationally in punting average (48.0). Thirty-seven of his punts have been downed inside the 20 (four more than any other Power 5 punter) and 19 punts have been downed inside the 10 (five more than any other Power 5 punter).Who should win: WishnowskyWho will win: WishnowskyMaxwell Award (college player oof the year)Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville, So.dddddddddddd: Just the second player in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in same season and accounted for the ACC single-season record with 51 total touchdowns this season. Jackson is second nationally in total offense (4,928) and plays of 20-plus yards (76). He had at least 400 total yards in eight games this season.Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, RJr.: The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist has led Oklahoma to 21-4 record as the starting quarterback over past two seasons. He leads the FBS in Total QBR (91.6), completion percentage (71.2) and yards per attempt (11.1). He has averaged 305.8 passing yards per game with 38 touchdowns to just eight interceptions.Jabrill PeppersWho should win: JacksonWho will win: JacksonDavey OBrien Award (nations best quarterback)Lamar JacksonBaker MayfieldDeshaun Watson, Clemson, Jr.: Hes seeking to join BYUs Ty Detmer, Floridas Danny Wuerffel and Oklahomas Jason White as the only two-time winners of the award -- each of the three also won the Heisman one of those seasons. He became first QB in ACC history with 35-plus passing TDs in two different seasons and leads ACC in passing yards (3,914) and passing TDs (37).Who should win: JacksonWho will win: WatsonOutland Trophy (nations most outstanding interior lineman)Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State, Sr.: The Big Ten Conferences Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year and was a first-team all-Big Ten choice for the third consecutive year. He has been the anchor for a line that helped the Buckeyes rank ninth in the nation in rushing offense (258.3 YPG), 24th in total offense (479.5) and ninth in scoring (42.7 PPG).Cody OConnell, G, Washington State, RJr.: He started 11 games at left guard and blocked for the nations second-ranked passing offense while rushing for 100-plus yards seven times, including three 200-yard efforts.Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama, Jr.: Considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in next years NFL draft, Robinson has started every game since his freshman season (42 consecutive starts). He has been the anchor for an Alabama offense averaging 471.3 yards per game, including 245 rushing yards per outing.Who should win: ElfleinWho will win: RobinsonJim Thorpe Award (nations best defensive back)Adoree Jackson, CB, USC, Jr.: In a Week 13 win over Notre Dame, Jackson became the first FBS player to score on a punt, kickoff and reception in the same game since Alabamas Christion Jones in 2013. Hes second in Pac-12 with four interceptions this season and is fifth in Pac-12 with 11 pass breakups this season.Jourdan Lewis, Michigan, Sr.: The two-time All-Big Ten selection owns the school record for pass breakups with 44 in his career. Hes also seventh in Big Ten with 10 pass breakups this season.TreDavious White, CB, LSU, Sr.: He has two interceptions this season, with one going back for a touchdown, and leads the SEC with 13 pass breakups this season. Hes also one punt return shy of tying the school record for punt returns for a touchdown with four.Who should win: JacksonWho will win: JacksonDoak Walker Award (nations best running back)Dalvin Cook, Florida State, Jr.: Hes Florida States all-time leading rusher (4,319 yards) and leads the ACC in rushing this season (1,620). He also ranks eighth nationally with 2,046 all-purpose yards (170.5 YPG).DOnta Foreman, Texas, Jr.: Leads the FBS with 2,028 rushing yards and joined Ricky Williams as the only players in Texas history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He rushed for 341 yards vs. Texas Tech, the second-highest single-game total in Texas history, has 15 rushing touchdowns, and averaged a national-leading 184.4 YPG.Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State, Sr.: His 6,290 career rushing yards are second most in FBS history, and he needs 107 yards to tie the FBS record. Hes second in the FBS in rushing yards this season with a Mountain West Conference-record 2,018 yards and is tied for the FBS lead this season with four 200-yard games.Who should win: ForemanWho will win: Cook ' ' '