As Part 1 in a multi-part series
Youth Sony Michel Jerseys , Zero-Snap Spotlight takes a look at Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Andrew BillingsWhen it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals, there have been over a dozen intriguing names added to their talent pool through free agency and the draft. Those guys, as well as their incumbent stars, will garner much of the outside attention in the leadup to the season.There are plentyof other players who could be poised to make an impact who aren’t included in those groups, however. These guys may not get the headlines of their bigger-name teammates, but many of them have an opportunity to perform in key roles for the team this season.Article continues below ...With that in mind, it’s the perfect time to roll out what I call Zero-Snap Spotlight.These players are spread across practically every position on the roster, buteach of these guys have at least two things in common: they’ve already spent time with the team, but have never taken a snap in the NFL. This means that despite already accruing time in the league, they are essentially blank slates in terms of how they may perform and what they could become.To begin this series, I’m taking a look at a player who could quickly become a key cog on this Cincinnati defense: Andrew Billings.Billings was drafted by the Bengals prior to last season in what could surely be considered a steal. This was a guy who had gotten some buzz as a first-round selection, but ended up dropping all the way to the fourth round with seemingly little warning.Even now it’s worth looking back and questioning the thinking behind that. Based on what people like Ryan McCrystal of Bleacher Report could diagnose, there were three major theories to consider. Either there was a lingering knee injury that wasn’t widely discussed, his weight was thought to be a dire issue, or his skill-set just wasn’t valued despite his obvious strengths.More from NFL Spin ZoneMiami Dolphins Camp Battles: Interior offensive line18m agoFantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 17-1549m agoCleveland Browns: Ben Roethlisberger already eyeing Week 1 matchup1 h agoGreen Bay Packers: 5 Players headed for breakout seasons in 20171 h agoTennessee Titans: Jon Robinson might have made misstep with Eric Decker2h agoThe first partappears unfounded, but the latter two make sense to a degree. The NFL.com analysis after he was picked mentioned how he is a two-down nose tackle, further stating that those players tend to getpinned as not as valuable in a league weighted so heavily towards the passing game. This wouldn’t be the first time weight concerns with linemen caused teams to shy away
Sony Michel Jerseys Stitched , either.Still, to fall into being a Day 3 selection was pretty steep for someone with his abilities. Cincinnati won’t complain though; they got a guy who seemed immediately poised to have a major role with the team. The 6-1, 311-pound Billings brought a startling degree of power and speed (relative to his position) to the field in college, using it effectively to pick up 26 tackles for loss and eight sacks in his final two years at Baylor. Put thatnext to Geno Atkins, and your interior could be practically impenetrable.Going into last year, he still would have had to fight through veteranBengals Domata Peko and Pat Sims for rotational snaps on the interior, but he could have been penciled in for a decent share of field time before taking over for at least one of those guys long-term.Unfortunately, he then got hurt in the preseason, missing all of 2016.With him (and other pieces) missing the year, the depth on the defensive line cratered, and the outcome was falteringoverall production. Atkins and Carlos Dunlap were stellar individually, but nobody around them could manage to play with any positive consistency; because of that, the Bengals defensive line dipped significantly in many of Football Outsiders’ run defense metricsto have their second-worst season in the Andy Dalton era (only the abysmal 2014 showing was worse — but not by all that much):DL Rankings (FO)Adj. Line YardsPower SuccessStuff Percentage2nd LevelOpen Field20115th23rd17th4th21st201216th32nd21st17th6th201315th10th29th5th3rd201427th23rd24th27th12th201514th10th11th16th26th201619th23rd22nd24th20thThough last season didn’t work out for Billings or his team, things appear to be on the right track in terms of the long-term goal regarding his spot on the team.More from NFL Spin Zone6/24 – Miami Dolphins Camp Battles: Interior offensive line6/24 – Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 17-156/24 – Cleveland Browns: Ben Roethlisberger already eyeing Week 1 matchup6/24 – Green Bay Packers: 5 Players headed for breakout seasons in 20176/24 – Tennessee Titans: Jon Robinson might have made misstep with Eric DeckerPeko was allowed to leave. Sims is still around, but has one year remaining on a cheap deal and could find himself on the chopping block. Besides Atkins, there aren’t any interior players who’ve locked themselves into starter or key rotational roles as of yet either. Of those who are fighting for time, Billings appears to be the best choice to take on Peko’s rescinded role.All signs point to the predraft size and weight concerns with Billings being vastly overstated
Trey Flowers Jersey , so that immediately helps his standing.Even better:this guy is still just 22 years old while already having a full year in the Bengals defensive system. He’s got plenty of time to grow and improve while having the talent tomake significant contributions right now.Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Best players by jersey numberIn my eyes, this spells out a starting role next to Atkins, handling the running downs for now. Should heimprove as a pass rusher and reach his ceiling, we’re talking Pro Bowl (and maybe even All-Pro) possibilities down the road, and a decent chance to become Cincinnati’s best defensive lineman as Atkins (29) and Dunlap (28) enter their 30s.Possibly getting that from a fourth-round pick? Quite a steal, indeed.This article originally appeared on When Bill Belichick was asked Monday what he liked about Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his answer sounded a lot like everyone else's this season."Pretty much everything," Belichick said of the second-year player as the Patriots began preparations for Sunday night's matchup with Kansas City (5-0)."He gets the ball to all of his receivers quick, quick release, sees things quickly, can extend plays, got a great arm, got a fabulous arm, can throw the ball out of the stadium."It was glowing praise from a coach that has a track record of finding ways to make things difficult for young quarterbacks.Belichick will now turn his attention to the 23-year-old Mahomes, who has been the talk of the NFL, throwing for 1,513 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions through five games.He appeared in just one game last season
Womens Deatrich Wise Jr Jersey , leading the Chiefs to a three-point victory in their regular-season finale against the Broncos.But it was enough for Kansas City to believe Mahomes could be their quarterback and played into its decision to trade Alex Smith to Washington in the offseason.Mahomes has taken control of Andy Reid's offense, using his legs and arm to lead a group that is averaging a league-best 35 points per game.Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said during his weekly radio appearance on Boston's WEEI that young quarterbacks such as Mahomes and rookies Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen are taking advantage of the early opportunities they've gotten."A lot of those guys are being thrown into the mix," Brady said. "Some of those guys are playing really well. It's pretty awesome. I was a fourth-string quarterback when I was a rookie, so I was sitting in the stands, eating nachos before games. I wasn't playing. ... Some other guys have had those chances. And when you're thrown into the mix it's really impressive."It will be a big challenge for New England's defense, which is giving up 366 yards per game and had trouble defending the pass during a 1-2 start to the season.Patriots cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer said one of the underrated parts of Mahomes' game is his ability to use his legs to set up deep passes."With Mahomes in particular, one, he can make all the throws he needs to make, has a very strong arm. He also has a great ability to extend plays, whether he's going to do that running or extending it and scramble to give his receivers time to get open," Boyer said."So, we've got to do a great job being where we need to be, using our help in coverage if we have any, and making sure that we're tight on receivers in competitive situations."Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said he expects Mahomes to be a handful to defend."He's a great quarterback," Gilmore said. "He's playing really good right now. He's making some big throws and he's got a lot of good weapons around him. They're 5-0 for a reason."