obrist ended the inning attempting to steal s

[lingzi]

The 2012 NFL season kicked off last night, starting the weekly grind for teams competing for the Super Bowl. Lawrence Timmons Jersey . At TSN.ca the grind means were going to be providing more and better football coverage every week throughout the season. As usual, Ill be doing weekly Power Rankings, based on statistical production of all players in the lineup (accounting for injuries and suspensions) and Player Rankings. For the fantasy players, well also be providing fantasy depth charts and tracking targets and touches for receivers, tight ends and running backs. We all see the catches, carries and yardage, but sometimes it pays to go beyond the surface numbers to find out who is playing a significant role in their respective teams game plan. Ill also offer up weekly previews (what follows below), looking at the weekly matchups and what to watch for in each game, as well as reviews, reacting to each weeks results, breakthrough performances and injuries. Whats really boosting our coverage this year, however, is that NFL Editor Justin Boone has joined the fray as well and well both contribute our weekly fantasy rankings, then debate some of our differences of opinion in Three and Out. Justin will also break down matchups to avoid and exploit, so when all that gets rolled together, we are going to have more information and analysis than ever before so that youll be prepped for TSN.ca Fantasy Football or making your picks in Schultz Against the World (or both). With that out of the way, my look at the first weekend of games in the 2012 NFL season: DALLAS (+3.5) at N.Y. GIANTSHealth is a big issue for the Cowboys offence, with TE Jason Witten still considered a game-time decision due to a lacerated spleen and if Witten cant go, that puts more on wide receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. Both have had their own injuries (and Bryant has been beset by off-field injuries), but going up against the Giants secondary is a fair opportunity to be productive if they can stay on the field. Perhaps a bigger issue will be keeping QB Tony Romo protected, as the Giants rush the passer as well as any team and the Cowboys offensive line has been an area of concern, with newcomers in the middle three spots (if recently-signed Ryan Cook lines up at centre). With CB Prince Amukamara on the DL with an ankle injury and Terrell Thomas on IR, Bryant and Austin could take advantage of Corey Webster and Michael Coe on the outside. From Dallas perspective, the Cowboys bolstered their secondary in the offseason, adding free agent Brandon Carr and using a first-round pick on Morris Claiborne to upgrade a glaring weakness on the corners, but theyll get tough matchups right out of the gate against Giants receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, who combined for 2728 yards receiving last season. As if shutting down the Giants passing game wont be challenging enough, the Cowboys are missing NT Jay Ratliff, which could open more lanes for Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw. INDIANAPOLIS (+9.5) at CHICAGOIn the first game for No.1 pick Andrew Luck, the Colts have a lot of players that should benefit from competent quarterback play this season, including running back Donald Brown, veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne and rookie Coby Fleener, who played with Luck at Stanford, but opening against the Bears defence isnt an easy matchup by any stretch. Even with MLB Brian Urlacher coming off knee surgery, the Bears still have DE Julius Peppers, who should wreak havoc in Indys backfield. On the other side of the ball, the Bearsi improved offence should overwhelm the Colts, whose new-look 3-4 defence isnt a feared unit. If, for example, the Colts can take WR Brandon Marshall out of the passing game, maybe they have a chance, but what about the running tandem of Matt Forte and Michael Bush? Can the Colts get pressure with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis rushing from OLB? PHILADELPHIA (-9) at CLEVELANDThe Eagles have vastly more talent, especially if QB Michael Vick is healthy, and the Browns are missing shutdown CB Joe Haden, so this looks like an opportunity for wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Macklin to get loose. LeSean McCoy, one of the most productive runners in the league, also figures to have a game, presuming that the Eagles will have a sizeable lead. The Browns are trying to rebuild and 28-year-old rookie QB Brandon Weeden will likely be a manager, with rookie RB Trent Richardson expected to carry the mail offensively. The good news is that Richardson, who has missed most of camp due to knee problems, has been practicing and appears healthy enough for Week One. WR Greg Little is a fantasy sleeper, but could be locked down by Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha. ST. LOUIS (+7) at DETROITIts possible that the Rams could surprise some thsi year if Sam Bradford is healthy and on top of his game, but they are in for a tough Week One matchup at Detroit. The Rams offensive line could get overrun by the Lions D-line, making it tough for veteran RB Steven Jackson to come up with a big game, unless they work the edges effectively. It will be fascinating to see who emerges as Bradfords top targets, however. Danny Amendola will get a lot of looks in the slot and Brandon Gibson can down the field, but rookie Brian Quick has upside and veteran Steve Smith has 1220 yards for the Giants in 2009 before requiring microfracture surgery on his knee. The Lions exploded offensively last season and now have a passing attack that will be tough for the Rams secondary to keep pace with. St. Louis did add CB Cortland Finnegan, who could spend the day trying to mug Lions WR Calvin Johnson, but even if that somehow works, that leaves Nate Burleson and Titus Young to go against lesser Rams corners. With Jahvid Best sidelined and Mikel Leshoure suspended, RB Kevin Smith is in position to have a productive start to the season for the Lions. MIAMI (+12) at HOUSTONTwo teams at the opposite end of the spectrum, with the Texans healthy and perhaps bidding for a championship, while the Dolphins could be in the running for the top pick in the 2013 draft. Houstons running game is enough to make the difference as Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for 2931 yards from scrimmage last season, but with QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson healthy, they really should be too much for the Dolphins to handle. Its not as if the Dolphins defence cant be pretty good, because it can, but with rookie QB Ryan Tannehill directing an offence that has barely any threats in the passing game, the Texanss defence may swallow him whole. ATLANTA (-2.5) at KANSAS CITYThe Falcons are expected to have a more aerial attack this season, with the wide receiver tandem of Roddy White and Julio Jones potentially the best in the league. Brandon Flowers is one high-quality corner for the Chiefs, but that still leaves Stanford Routt on one of those dangerous weapons and an opportunity for the Falcons to take advantage of the matchup. Having playmaking FS Eric Berry back after he missed virtually all of last season, could help the Chiefs defend against the Falcons attack, though thats likely to be countered by the Chiefs missing OLB Tamba Hali, their pass rusher who is suspended for the first game of the year. Additionally, some might be inclined to write off, or at least downgrade, RB Michael Turner due to an increased passing game, but if the Falcons are moving the ball, there will be touchdowns for Turner and yards to gain when the clock needs to wind down. Kansas City doesnt have the same explosive offence, but they should be better with RB Jamaal Charles and TE Tony Moeaki back from injuries that cost them last season,. They also added RB Peyton Hillis to share carries with Charles and their pair of big, physical wide receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Jon Baldwin, could pose matchup problems for Falcons corners (Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson, Asante Samuel) that are each under 6-feet tall. JACKSONVILLE (+4) at MINNESOTAConsidering their lack of difference-makers on the roster, its good news for Jacksonville that they get RB Maurice Jones-Drew back after his contract holdout. Hes in a third-down role, at least to start, so Rashad Jennings may have value this week, but if the Jaguars are going to have a chance, theyll need second-year QB Blaine Gabbert to improve and his odds of success might be improved with rookie WR Justin Blackmon putting pressure on a shaky Vikings secondary. Minnesota is also likely to get a significant return to their backfield, as RB Adrian Peterson expects to play, even though he is considered questionable. The Vikings, like the Jaguars, need better play from second-year QB Christian Ponder, who at least has WR Percy Harvin as his go-to target. WASHINGTON (+7) at NEW ORLEANSIn a game that should be a wide-open offensive affair, the Redskins turn loose hyped rookie QB Robert Griffin III and he gets the benefit of facing a Saints defence that is at least a little depleted. WR Pierre Garcon has been RGIIIs favourite target and the Redskins are going with a running game by committee. Alfred Morris is at the top of the depth chart now, but dont discount Evan Royster or Roy Helu because Mike Shanahan obviously hates fantasy football. For all the turmoil in New Orleans in the offseason, they still have the vast majority of their offence in tact. True, they dont have head coach Sean Payton, and that should have some effect, but if QB Drew Brees is manning the controls, and he still has TE Jimmy Graham, receivers Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore and a stable of running backs (Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory) that are all familiar with the offence, then the Saints should be able to score enough to overcome defensive deficiencies. BUFFALO (+3) at N.Y. JETSRyan Fitzpatrick might be the best QB in this particular game, which sounds like offensive struggles waiting to happen because both the Jets and Bills should be decent defensively. A healthy RB Fred Jackson could be the difference-maker for the Bills and there is the possibility that WR Steve Johnson could have a productive game against the Jets Darrelle Revis. While Revis shuts down some of the games best, Johnson has 19 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns in four games over the last two years against the Jets. The Jets have a miserable offence, with few threats in the passing game, so QB Mark Sanchez will have his hands full trying to create offence against a Bills defence that should be fortified with DE Mario Williams rushing the passer. Williams is given a sweet matchup right out of the gate since right tackle has been a major issue for the Jets too and they dealt Wayne Hunter to St. Louis for 2009 second overall pick Jason Smith, but the current starter is slated to be Austin Howard, a 25-year-old who has appeared in four career games. NEW ENGLAND (-6) at TENNESSEEAfter experiencing such success with their double tight end offence last season, the Patriots are tight end heavy, with Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Visanthe Shiancoe and Daniel Fells all threats in the passing game. Can the Titans find enough big, fast guys to match-up defensively? The Titans starting safeties, Michael Griffin and Jordan Babineaux, are both in the 6-foot, 200-pound range, which could make it daunting for them to handle Gronk or Hernandez one-on-one The Titans are an interesting young team, with second-year QB Jake Locker and rookie WR Kendall Wright playing prominent roles offensively (talented neer-do-well Kenny Britt is, of course, suspended), but theyre going to have to be in peak form to keep up with the Pats. SEATTLE (-2.5) at ARIZONAThird-round pick Russell Wilson is getting the start at QB for Seattle, winning the job in camp over free agent signing Matt Flynn, but the Cardinals have a strong secondary, so the Seahawks may not have an easy time passing. With RB Marshawn Lynch questionable due to back spasms, rookie Robert Turbin may be the one carrying the mail at Arizona. In his last two seasons at Utah St. Turbin rushed for 2813 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The NFL isnt the WAC, to be sure, but the rookie could be a serviceable fill-in at the very least. John Skelton is starting at QB for the Cardinals, pulling ahead of Kevin Kolb the Cards quarterback competition. Its the quarterback situation in Arizona limits the upside of WR Larry Fitzgerald, who wont have an easy time getting open against a Seahawks secondary full of playmakers including CB Brandon Browner and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. SAN FRANCISCO (+5) at GREEN BAYA battle of NFC powerhouses goes at Lambeau, where the 49ers are going to bring their defence to the game, trying to lock down Aaron Rodgers and his array of offensive weapons. As great as the Niners are defensively and their ability to stop the run could lock down the Green Bay running game (to that end, who is going to run the rock for Green Bay -- Cedric Benson? Alex Green? James Starks? I like Benson.), will the Niners have enough in the secondary to keep up with a Packers passing game that can go six deep with Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver and Randall Cobb along with tight end Jermichael Finley. The Niners have improved their own offensive depth, with Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs (all options behind starting RB Frank Gore, while Randy Moss and Mario Manningham upgrade the receiving corps. Will it be enough? Against a Packers defence that was porous at times last season, it could be a matchup that allows QB Alex Smith to have some success. Of course, Im still a skeptic when it comes to Smith, so its tough to like his -- and, therefore, the 49ers chances. CAROLINA (-2.5) at TAMPA BAYCarolinas loaded to run the ball, even if Jonathan Stewarts status is up in the air thanks to a lingering ankle injury. DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert can handle the running, at least when QB Cam Newton isnt steamrolling his way around the field. When Newton drops back to pass, he still has Steve Smith as his primary target, but the Bucs have ballhawks in the secondary. Corners Aqib Talib and Eric Wright have 29 picks in 115 games over the last four seasons, while veteran Ronde Barber (fifth among active players with 43 INT) moves to free safety, alongside first-round pick Mark Barron, who has 12 interceptions in his last three years at Alabama. Rookie RB Doug Martin and newcomer WR Vincent Jackson give the Bucs some reason for optimism offensively, but have enough holes, particularly on the offensive line, that theyre going to be hard-pressed to create holes for Martin and protect QB Josh Freeman effectively in the debut for new coach Greg Schiano. PITTSBURGH (+2) at DENVERThe Steelers running back situation is undecided. Rashard Mendenhall, the incumbent starter is coming back from knee surgery and, while it would be awfully quick for him to be ready in Week One, its not impossible and he has worked with the first team in practice this week. In the meantime, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman will get touches. Denvers front seven is the most vaunted of run-stuffers, though, so this may not be the crucial factor to this game, particularly if the Steelrs can still move the ball through the air to wideouts Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. This will be Peyton Mannings regular season debut in Denver and while there is skepticism regarding his unproven receiving corps, theres a good chance that (as long as he stays healthy), Manning can drag Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas along with tight ends Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen to productive years. Can they take advantage of a Pittsburgh secondary that will be missing FS Ryan Clark, who cant play at Mile High due to health risks related to a sickle cell blood trait. Steelers hitman, OLB James Harrison, is hoping to play though hes still recovering from a knee injury. If Harrison isnt around to get in Mannings face, that improves the Broncos chances. CINCINNATI (+6) at BALTIMOREThe Bengals have promise, but this isnt an easy matchup because their best weapon offensively, second-year WR A.J. Green, is going to have to create space against Lardarius Webb, the Ravens top-notch, if somewhat underrated, corner. If Green cant get loose, who will step up against the Ravens D? TE Jermaine Gresham or RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis? One of them will likely need to have a big game to support Green. Similarly, the Ravens may believe that they have more of a passing game, with second-year WR Torrey Smith emerging in a bigger role, but the Bengals have a solid secondary. Leon Hall is very good on one corner and though veterans Terence Newman and Nate Clements have seen better days, theyre not done yet. Even if the passing game is covered, though, the Ravens have Ray Rice, their do-everything running back whom the Bengals will have to chase around the field. SAN DIEGO (pick) at OAKLANDComing back from a broken collarbone, Chargers RB Ryan Mathews expects to play in the opener, though Ronnie Brown could see a little more action in a backup role. With Vincent Jackson gone and Vincent Brown injured, the Chargers turn to Malcom Floyd and Robert Meachem at wide receiver against a Raiders secondary that has fallen off significantly. With a healthy RB Darren McFadden and deep threats at receiver -- Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore -- the Raiders can push the Chargers if QB Carson Palmer can play well and San Diegos secondary has only been decent and as the Bolts pass rush gets less formidable, that puts more pressure on the corners to cover. FANTASY NOTEAs the season is about to get started, Ive finally finished my own fantasy drafts, picking four teams in different leagues that all have slightly different rules and structure. That presents some variance in strategy and players available, but this accumulation of my rosters should give an indication which players might have some value. (Numbers in parentheses reflect number of teams for those players that I own in more than one league.) QBTom BradyDrew BreesCam NewtonPeyton ManningEli ManningTony RomoJosh FreemanChristian Ponder RBBenJarvus Green-Ellis (2)Donald Brown (2)Cedric Benson (2)Arian FosterLeSean McCoyMichael TurnerFred JacksonAhmad BradshawDeAngelo WilliamsJonathan StewartMark IngramRashard MendenhallDaniel ThomasRobert TurbinFelix Jones WRHakeem Nicks (2)Justin Blackmon (2)Randy Moss (2)Calvin JohnsonVictor CruzA.J. GreenGreg JenningsPercy HarvinMiles AustinSteve JohnsonDwayne BoweAntonio BrownDenarius MooreReggie WayneTitus YoungSantonio Holmes TEJason Witten (3)Aaron Hernandez (2)Jermaine Gresham (2)Dustin Keller KMason CrosbyNate KaedingDan BaileyJason Hanson TEAM DEFBaltimore RavensPittsburgh SteelersGreen Bay PackersDallas Cowboys IDPDLJared AllenChris ClemonsJustin Smith LBBrian UrlacherDavid HawthorneSean WeatherspoonRolando McClain DBYeremiah BellCharles Woodson Create or join a TSN Fantasy Football League for a chance to win $10,000! Scott Cullen can be reached at [e-mail] and followed on Twitter at twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Ray Rice Youth Jersey . Thats all they need to win these days. Neil Walker drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout during a wacky fourth inning and Pittsburgh rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Kendall Wright Womens Jersey . Baillargeon spent five years on Lavals offensive line, helping the Rouge et Or capture Vanier Cup championships in 2008 and 2010. Before he was selected in the third round (21st overall) of last years draft, Baillargeon earned first-team All-Canadian recognition in 2010 and QUFL All-Star status is 2009 and 2010. Darrelle Revis Jersey . Making things worse are injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin that have robbed the superstars of their effectiveness. "The mood is still pretty good," Griffin said Friday after practice and a video session. Curtis Martin Jersey . It started in front of 75,000 people at the world famous Old Trafford when he came off the bench for Norwich City in the English Premier League against Manchester United, and ended in a rural area of St. Dwight Freeney Jersey . Eaton dominated the two-day competition from start to finish and capped it with an overwhelming 1,000 metres in the concluding event to break the record he set last year with a total of 6,645 points. The old mark was 6,568 points.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On the hottest day this year in Kansas City, dehydration was starting to become a concern. Players were exhausted. Royals manager Ned Yost was starting to feel sorry for Tony Randazzo behind the plate, and he wasnt even the umpire whose face had been bloodied in the game. Billy Butlers tiebreaking home run in the eighth was an especially welcome sight, leading the Royals to a 5-4 victory and three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. "It was really, really hot out there," said Butler, who greeted reliever Burke Badenhop with his 15th home run. "It was over 100 degrees. Guys were starting to get dehydrated. It was not a good day to go extra innings." Yost said trainers had IVs waiting in the locker room. "We were going to start losing guys," Yost said. "We had some guys who were starting to cramp. Eric Hosmers elbow was starting to get a little stiff. The umpire was about ready to fall out behind home plate. The heat out there was pretty oppressive. When Billy hit that ball, I was just hoping it was high enough." Aaron Crow (1-1), the fifth Royals pitcher, was the winner after getting two outs in the eighth as the Royals recorded their first home sweep of the Rays in 11 years. "Its been hot the last few days," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "But I tell you what, you didnt hear one guy complain. They played right down to the last out. They were great." Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar also homered for the Royals, who managed to sweep a team three games immediately after getting swept themselves. After a potentially ruinous 12-game losing streak in April, the youthful Royals have fought back to five games under .500 (34-39). "It would be nice if we made things easier for ourselves once in a while," said Jeff Francoeur. "This is the third time now weve fought back to get to five games under .500, but then we just take a few steps back. Our goal was to get back to .500 by the All-Star break." The Rays had tied it 4-4 in the top of the eighth after Carlos Pena reached leading off on an error that left first base umpire Brian Gorman wiping off blood. Penas hot grounder glanced off first baseman Hosmers glove and struck Gormman on the left side of the face as he was signalling the ball fair. Mike Wallace Youth Jersey. The veteran ump cleaned some blood off his face but stayed in the game after being attended to by the Royals trainer. Then Tim Collins walked Jeff Keppinger and Ben Zobrist unloaded a two-run triple. "He had a little cut," said Yost. "But hes fine. Gormans fine." Zobrist was 3 for 4 with three RBIs but made three outs on the bases. He was thrown out twice at home plate trying to score from third on ground balls. "Its a tough way to end the road trip," said Zobrist. "They (Royals) were playing great over there. They did everything. They hit the ball really well, they pitched well, and played good defence. We couldnt get anything going." Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 22 opportunities. Badenhop (1-2) recorded only one out after starter Matt Moore laboured through 7 1-3 innings, giving up 10 hits and four runs. Moustakas, who had two home runs on Sunday, hit the first pitch he saw from Moore in the first inning for his 13th home run. Escobar, who has seven multihit games in his last 12, was 3 for 3 with a double, a single and a solo homer that made it 2-0 in the third. Yuniesky Betancourt had a two-run single in the fifth as the Royals completed a 3-3 homestand after getting swept by St. Louis. Just hours after being recalled from Triple-A Omaha, Everett Teaford was charged with two runs on four hits in 5 innings. The left-hander was relieved by Kelvin Herrera with runners at first and second in the sixth and the Rays made it 4-2 on RBI singles from Keppinger and Zobrist before Zobrist ended the inning attempting to steal second. NOTES: The Royals wont have another home game for 16 days. They open a 10-day, 11-game trip on Friday in Minnesota and then take four days off for the All-Star break. ... The Rays will play 17 of their next 21 at home. ... As soon as the last out was recorded on Wednesday, the makeover began for the All-Star game and festivities in Kauffman Stadium. ... Moustakas made an outstanding play at third to save a run, stopping Elliot Johnsons hot smash with two out and throwing him out while Sean Rodriguez ran home from third. ' ' '