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Was Thomas Rawls 2015 breakthrough a signal that he has arrived as a member of fantasy footballs elite, or have fantasy owners merely manufactured that opinion from his limited sample size in the NFL?Rawls is ranked as our No. Cheap Robby Anderson Jersey . 20 player overall and No. 10 running back, though hes being selected slightly later in average drafts: 26th overall and 12th at his position. To evaluate the merits of selecting him that soon, we asked analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft to debate some of the factors behind Rawls value.Rawls ongoing recovery from his ankle injuryBowen: Rawls rushed for 830 yards as a rookie in 2015 for the Seattle Seahawks, and he also led the NFL with 5.65 yards per carry -- this cat can play. But will the second-year man be back on the field for the start of camp? Im talking about actual practice, not some sideline show going through monitored drills and conditioning work with the training staff.The reports? Yeah, they look good for Rawls after suffering a season-ending ankle injury versus the Ravens in Week 14. Hes expected to be on the field, ready to roll. And even if Rawls is somewhat limited (or eased back into the fold by Pete Carroll & Co.), seeing actual camp reps should tell us plenty.Remember, reps are the key here. Those are critical to regular-season prep. Set the pads. Beat up the legs a little bit. Go through that period when the body starts to break down before recovering around mid-August. And if Rawls is getting those reps (even under the watchful eye of Carroll), fantasy owners should put a high grade on the Seahawks No. 1 back.Cockcroft: A broken ankle (including torn ligaments) ended Rawls mini-breakthrough 2015 campaign after Week 14, and the timing of his healthy return -- that is, a return to full health -- should have much influence on his fantasy draft stock.Is he fully healthy now? Will he be by the start of Seahawks training camp July 30? The Aug. 13 preseason opener? The Sept. 11 regular-season opener? Or ... gasp ... later?The offseason -- especially the weeks leading up to training camp -- is rife with player optimism in the health/fitness department. Frankly, we as fantasy owners always seem to assume the most optimistic outlooks when it comes to injuries. Remember Alshon Jefferys preseason injuries entering 2015?Thats why Rawls confident comments leading up to training camp shouldnt be taken to heart; these followed an offseason during which Seahawks coach Pete Carroll couldnt promise an uninterrupted training camp for Rawls. Its one positive step in a healing process thats no guarantee to be setback-free, and one that by all means should cause Carroll to play things conservatively with Rawls preseason usage.Preseason reps would prove extremely useful for a player who was afforded only seven full, uninterrupted starts (primary-back starts) as a rookie.Competition in the backfieldCockcroft: This is what compounds my previous concern -- the Seahawks seemingly tipped their hand concerning a need for depth behind Rawls during the NFL draft, selecting three running backs -- C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins and Zac Brooks -- who now stand as competition for snaps, along with 2015 returnee Christine Michael. All four likely enjoy one advantage: A fully healthy training camp to catch a coachs eye.In particular, Prosise presents the greatest worry. A converted wide receiver, the Notre Dame product was already ticketed to handle third-down duties, cooling any hope that Rawls mightve increasingly contributed in that regard in 2016 after he amassed 38 routes, seven targets and six catches during his final four full games last season. Carroll has already said he has big plans for Prosise; beyond receiving chores, a change-of-pace role behind Rawls, especially early in the season if Rawls isnt truly 100 percent, isnt unthinkable. Comparisons to David Johnson, one year ago at this time, arent entirely out of place, as Prosise possesses a similarly intriguing package of size and speed.A caveat: Prosise missed a good chunk of OTAs with a hip issue, so, like Rawls, his health needs be monitored when camps open.Michael and Collins, meanwhile, could factor in if Rawls isnt ready at the onset of training camp, and either could get significant opportunities during preseason games. Michael finished 2015 with 262 yards on 60 carries in a four-game span from Week 15 through the wild card round. He shed some weight during the offseason and was running with the ones during OTAs. Carroll, remember, proclaimed Rawls and Michael a formidable one-two punch early in the offseason.What Rawls owners dont want is any other running back behind him on the depth chart impressing in the preseasons early stages, tempting Carroll to shift his plans closer to a running back-by-committee arrangement. In an era where such a strategy is widespread, it might not take much convincing.Bowen: The Seahawks drafted three running backs this past spring. Thats a lot of attention to one position, right? No doubt. And with Carroll, there is going to be true competition. Hes proven in the past that the best guys are going to be on the field regardless of draft status, money, etc. Earn it.Now, the first expected threat to Rawls touches is probably Prosise. He has an NFL style when carrying the ball. Thats pad level on contact and the ability to find daylight. Hes a slasher with pro size, too (6 feet, 220 pounds). I like his game. Plus, hes going to get plenty of opportunities to impress Carrolls staff in practice time and preseason reps.However, regardless of what we have seen on the college tape with Prosise, or how he projects at the NFL level, making the jump to the league isnt that simple. Even if Prosise shows the team that he can run the rock during camp, can he make the transition to the NFL playbook, hold onto the football and do the dirty work? Im talking about pass protection, for example. If you cant block, or pick up blitzes, you dont play in the pros. Its that simple. And many talented backs couldnt get on the field as rookies because they allowed their quarterbacks to take shots under the chin. Thats trouble.This is where Rawls has the advantage after playing a year in the league and showing that he can handle the full-time responsibility of a top back. Yes, competition is good. And the best teams in the league want competition at every position. However, if Rawls is on that practice field during camp, fantasy owners shouldnt panic when they see some competition from a rookie who carried the ball for only one season in South Bend.Darrell Bevells schemeBowen: One of the main reasons I am high on Rawls heading into the season revolves around offensive coordinator Darrell Bevells scheme in Seattle. Its balanced. Its creative. And the running game is a priority. Zone and power. Get downhill. Pound the ball. Questions on that Seattle O-line? Yeah, I hear you -- its suspect.However, with Russell Wilson at quarterback, the game changes. And so does the defensive game plan. Im talking about the zone-read scheme, the ability of the Seahawks to essentially block an unblocked defender through the actual read. Thats the end-man on the line of scrimmage, the defensive end or outside linebacker who has to play the dive (inside zone) to Rawls or stay outside to stop Wilson should he keep itEasy to defend on the chalkboard, but with the threat -- just the simple threat of Wilson pulling the ball and getting to edge -- there are natural running lanes created. Coaches call it the bend when the running back takes the ball and pushes through the lane created by the defensive end staying outside to play the quarterback. And just as we saw with Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Rawls has the vision -- and the burst through the hole -- to hit that bend and go. Hes a weapon. And he also can get through contact. Rawls led the NFL in 2015 with 2.68 yards after first contact. Hes got some juice in those legs.Given the numbers Rawls produced in 2015, the film he has to back up his game and his fit in Bevells scheme as a downhill runner with the vision to cut and find running lanes, he should be considered a second-tier RB1 for owners this season if his health checks out. And with the reports we are seeing on his injury rehab, Rawls is in line to have another productive year for Carrolls club.Cockcroft: The Seahawks offensive line was one of the leagues worst-performing units in terms of run blocking in 2015, and despite it enduring a lot of turnover during the offseason, its not necessarily that much better on paper. Certainly it shouldnt be ranked in the upper half -- Id argue even a top-20 O-line ranking is somewhat generous -- which is a concern for Rawls chances at repeating his lofty yards-after-contact numbers, especially if his season gets off to a slow start due to injury or limited preseason reps.Granting Rawls the benefit of the doubt, both in the health department as well as his possessing only seven games career evidence, is dangerous in fantasy draft terms. Hed have made my RB1 class without the injury question that probably influenced the Seahawks draft-day strategy; as is, hes a dangerous pick as anything more than a high-end RB2, and I dont like to build my fantasy teams around higher-risk players with my first few picks. I want to believe in Rawls, but doing so fully today isnt being completely realistic.That could always change, however, depending upon how things play out during the preseason. Rawls situation is one requiring a good amount of homework; his progress will need to be closely watched, and those who select him in early drafts will be keeping their fingers crossed that his August progresses smoothly. Today, there just isnt enough certainty that hell secure a role that puts him in position to thrive.? Cheap Leonard Williams Jersey .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. Cheap Jets Jerseys China .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. http://www.cheapjetsjerseyselite.com/ . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya had hoped that a meaningful heavyweight bout between interim titleholder Luis Ortiz and Alexander Ustinov would be the co-feature for the Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith HBO pay-per-view card on Sept. 17 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.When Ortiz withdrew after agreeing because he wanted more money, De La Hoya turned his attention to featuring middleweight world titleholder Billy Joe Saunders in a defense as a way to showcase him for a potential showdown with Alvarez in December, provided they both win.Saunders, however, turned down one opponent after another, including Gabriel Rosado and Willie Monroe Jr., both former world title challengers who suffered knockout losses to Gennady Golovkin in world title bouts and would have been major underdogs.With Saunders also off the card, Golden Boy went back to the drawing board and on Thursday announced that Rosado (23-9, 13 KOs) and Monroe (20-2, 6 KOs), both left hanging by Saunders, would face each other in the scheduled 12-round co-feature of the card (9 p.m. ET).Golden Boy also announced two other 10-round bouts that will round out the pay-per-view telecast, which does not look strong, especially given that Mexicos Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) is such a prohibitive favorite to topple Smith (23-0-1,13 KOs), of England, and claim his junior middleweight world title:Featherweight prospect and 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. (21-0, 12 KOs), of South El Monte, California, will face Andrew Cancio (17-3-2, 13 KOs), of Blythe, California.Junior featherweight prospect Diego De La Hoya (15-0, 9 KOs) of Mexico, a first cousin of Oscar De La Hoya, will face Puerto Ricos Luis Orlando Del Valle (22-2, 16 KOs).Oscar De La Hoya attempted to shine a positive light on the undercard.This undercard features everything a fight fan could want -- a crossroads fight between two veterans (Rosado-Monroe) battling for a last shot at stardom, a former Olympian on the cusp of a world title and a top prospect making his debut on the biggest scene in boxing, De La Hoya said. With the biggest star in the sport in Canelo headlining the night and this stacked undercard providing support, fans are in for a top-to-bottom treat on Sept. 17.Rosado (23-9, 13 KOs), 30, of Philadelphia, twice fought for middleweight world titles in 2013, getting knocked out both times, by Golovkin in the seventh round and by then-titleholder Peter Quillin because of severe cuts in the 10th round. He has also lost to top opponents such as former titleholder David Lemieux and Jermell Charlo, who went on to win a world title, during a rough stretch in which he went 0-4 with a no-decision. But since linking up with trainer Fernando Vargas, he has won two fights in a row, including a strong performance in a 10-round decision against former welterweight titleholder Joshua Clottey in December.Im excited for the opportunity to perform at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, Rosado said. Fernando Vargas, my trainer, and I are on a winning streak and getting better as we continue to work together. We have all the confidence well be victorious on Sept. 17. Training camp is going great. Despite the change in opponent, we still continue to maintain our focus. Willie Monroe Jr. is a southppaw as well, so the game plan doesnt change much. Cheap Jets Jerseys. Hes in my way of me gaining a [possible] world title [opportunity], so Im working harder than ever before to get that chance again.This is going to be a great fight for all the fans. I know I am coming in with everything I got and I know Willie Monroe Jr. will do the same. I would like to thank Golden Boy Promotions, AT&T Stadium, and HBO for having me part of such a big event. I promise all boxing fans this is the fight to watch on Sept. 17.Monroe (20-2, 6 KOs), 29, of Rochester, New York, made a name for himself by winning ESPNs Boxcino middleweight tournament in 2014. He parlayed that into a shot at Golovkin in 2015 but got wiped out in the sixth round. He bounced back to outpoint former junior middleweight title challenger John Thompson, the 2015 Boxcino junior middleweight tournament winner, in June.I am happy to be back in championship contention, Monroe said. Gabriel Rosado is a warrior, and this should make for a great fight. I am looking forward to this opportunity. It is a big venue, but I dont care if I am fighting in front of 200 people or 2 million people. I am always focused, and I plan to put on a great performance on Sept. 17.Diaz, 23, is on the verge of a world title shot and has looked good in recent fights, including a second-round destruction of Victor Proa on July 30.Fighting on HBO Pay-Per-View is a dream come true, Diaz said. As a young fighter you always dream about being on the big stage doing what you love, and I am very excited to be part of such a big event. I am very motivated and ready to take this step and perform for all the fight fans in the arena and all the fights tuning in.Andrew is a tremendous fighter, strong, aggressive; I know he will bring out the best in me. I know he is going to try to take everything away from me, but I am not afraid. I am going out on Sept. 17 in the best shape of my life. I have everything ahead of me and I am ready to defend my [regional] title and give the fight fans a fight they want to see.Cancio, 27, has won two fights in a row, both by knockout, since a 10-round decision loss to featherweight contender Ronny Rios in 2014.Diego De La Hoya, 22, turned pro in 2013 and is moving quickly up the ranks. He is coming off an impressive seventh-round knockout of then-undefeated Rocco Santomauro on May 7 on the Alvarez-Amir Khan undercard.Every fighter dreams to one day get to this level of their career and be featured on pay-per-view, he said. With this fight and this stage, I am ready to announce that I have arrived to the elite of this division. Winning this fight will take me to the next level of my career, I am ready for it. I have what it takes to win, and I am looking forward to impressing all the fans.Del Valle, 29, has won four fights in a row since dropping a lopsided 10-round decision to undefeated Luis Rosa in 2014.Being patient paid off, Del Valle said. This is a great opportunity on one of boxings biggest stages. Now is the time to deliver, to come out with the win at all cost for my family and for Puerto Rico. Rest assured I will not waste this magnificent occasion. I will rise. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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