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r backfield up to speed with the competition.
Hours before the Stanley Cup finals began, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman proudly proclaimed that concussions are down across the league and there are numbers to back him up. Swell Juomapullo Hinta . That does not mean the league has figured out how to prevent head injuries among its players. Or that the numbers tell the whole story. According to data from STATS provided to The Associated Press, there were 53 concussions during the regular season, a sharp decline from the 78 reported during the leagues last full season two years ago. But even Bettman said there is only so much the league can do about a player hiding a head injury to stay on the ice. "Obviously, its difficult for us to get into a players head, no pun intended, with this concussion discussion," he said. "But if a player is going to not follow the protocol, not say exactly what hes feeling, thats pretty difficult to address." Dr. Jeff Kutcher, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based neurologist who works with NHL players believed to have concussions, wasnt sure the lower numbers indicated a dramatic change. "Im not surprised that the numbers are down, but I wouldnt read too much into those numbers," Kutcher said. The NHLs concussion protocol, like other leagues, requires players to get a team doctors OK before they can return to play. They are taken to a quiet place for evaluation, questions and tests of their memory, balance and general awareness. Players, though, seem to be able to skate around the protocol. Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman James Wisniewski said he avoided return-to-play protocol after he went head first into the boards during the playoffs. He wanted to keep playing. The Montreal Canadiens were criticized for letting forward Dale Weise return to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals after a blindside hit sent him to the dressing room. General manager Marc Bergevin insisted the team did not know Weise had a concussion until the next day and that the leagues protocol was followed. "Its flawed, but Im not a doctor," Bergevin said. "We all worry about our players, but we can only go by what were given." Hockey Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan, who was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to be their president two months ago after he was the NHLs chief disciplinarian, said it is good for the game that concussions are part of the conversation. "When there are situations like weve had in the playoffs, whether it is a hit to the head or mis-reporting, it gets put in the spotlight and it should," Shanahan said. "That is part of the continuing change of culture, and its going to be an ongoing process. I dont think there ever will be a perfect system because players are always going to want to play." The NHL Players Association says it has taken steps to educate its players about the dangers of concussions, including bringing doctors to each team before the season for discussions. "The players understand the seriousness of concussions, and along with our consulting doctors we continue to discuss with them the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and proper recovery," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. Detroit Red Wings forward Drew Miller said players choose to keep playing with head injuries for at least a few reasons. "Guys downplay the symptoms or dont report them because of job security and they dont want to lose their spot," Miller said. "And, guys want to keep playing because they want help their team. In the back of our minds, too, you dont want other teams to know you have a head injury." Retired players Dave Christian, Reed Larson and William Bennett filed a class-action suit nearly two months ago in federal court that alleged the league has promoted fighting and downplayed the risk of head injuries that come from it. They joined another group of former NHL players in the fight for compensation for head injuries they blame on a game that promotes hard-hitting action. Current players seem to be adapting to the NHLs emphasis on safer play: Physical penalties -- such as illegal checks to the head, checks from behind and elbowing -- have dropped in each of the last six regular seasons. An average of 1.03 physical penalties were called per game during the 2013-14 season, according to STATS, down from 1.14, 1.16, 1.25, 1.36 and 1.39 the previous five years. Suspensions have generally held steady at around 35 per season the past few years, and players are sometimes forced to sit even if no penalty is called. Montreals Brandon Prust wasnt penalized for a hit that broke the jaw of New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan during the Eastern Conference finals, but he was suspended for two games by the league. Stepan sat out one game after going through a series of tests. "The protocol helps make sure that the player is OK and that he is not playing with something that he shouldnt be," he said. "I think its a good step in the right direction." Ultimately, though, players have to protect themselves and each other. "It comes down to the guys on the ice respecting each other and playing it as safe as possible," Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said. "You see some of the big hits this year, inevitably youre going to catch a piece of the head and cause a problem, but the leagues done well with suspensions and penalties and the players have done a good job as far as the respect factor." Swell Suomi . Chris Heisey followed with a two-run triple and Billy Hamilton added an RBI double, all but sealing Cincinnatis fourth straight victory and seventh in eight games. Brandon Phillips, celebrating his 33rd birthday, hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth for the Reds before pinch-hitter Buster Posey tied it with an RBI double off hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman in the bottom half. Swell Bottle Suomi . - No matter the lineup or location, the San Antonio Spurs are rolling through the NBA again this spring, just the way they have for most of the last two decades.Forever and a day, the cornerstone of fantasy football teams has been the running game, workhorse backs racking up yardage and touchdowns, but the game is changing. Theres more passing, and that means fewer backs taking a primary role in the offence, but that doesnt mean there isnt value to be found. Last season, there were 13 running backs to gain more than 1,000 yards on the ground. In 2012, there were 16; the years before, going back to 2004: 15, 17, 15, 16, 17, 22, 16 and 18. So maybe there arent quite as many runners around which to anchor your fantasy squad, but that decline in depth makes those that are still standing all the more valuable in relative terms. Start with Minnesotas Adrian Peterson, who was over 1,200 rushing yards again last season, for the sixth time in seven seasons and, as always, it was buttressed by double-digit touchdowns. For a team with question marks about its passing game, Peterson will continue to be the No. 1 option and that safety makes him appealing. LeSean McCoy busted out last year, gaining 2,146 yards from scrimmage, and he may well be the best runner on the board, but a players value isnt his career-best season and McCoy figures to at least lose some targets in the Philadelphia passing game to incoming veteran Darren Sproles. Ranking second in yards from scrimmage last season, Kansas Citys Jamaal Charles also tacked on 19 touchdowns last year. Much like McCoy, it was a career-year for Charles, but largely because of the touchdowns. He has gained more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage in three of the past four seasons. There are a number of ways to go beyond the top three, but if youre prepared to live with risk, Arian Foster gained 4,702 yards from scrimmage and scored 47 touchdowns from 2010 through 2012. He only played eight games last season, and while he still accumulated 725 yards in that time, he managed just a couple of touchdowns. A healthy Foster is still a premier threat but, after last year, his value may be depressed somewhat. Moving to Seattle has worked well for Marshawn Lynch, who has 4,775 yards from scrimmage, along with 39 touchdowns, in the past three seasons. He may not have the high ceiling of the guys at the top, but hes a workhorse back on a powerhouse team. After a slow start in the first couple weeks of his NFL career, Green Bays Eddie Lacy still ended up gaining 1,435 yards from scrimmage and scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie. As a play for upside, Lacy can be worthy of a first-round fantasy pick. One of three backs to gain more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage last season, Matt Forte gained 1,933 yards and scored a dozen touchdowns. Hes had some years with low touchdown totals, but has gained at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in every one of his six NFL seasons. Beyond that group, we begin looking at fringe first-rounders. Still valuable, productive players, but maybe not quite worthy of being your best option. Tampa Bays Doug Martin was limited to six games last season, but hes averaged more than 111 yards from scrimmage per game in his career. With the Bucs upgrading their offensive line, adding Logan Mankins from New England, Martin is even more appealing. DeMarco Murray has had trouble staying healthy for Dallas, but delivered a career-best 1,471 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games last season. With a strong offensive line leading the way, Murray could put up serious numbers over a full season. Looking at a full-time starting gig with his move to Cleveland, Ben Tate averaged 4.7 yards per carry in three seasons as a second-stringer in Houston and while the Browns may not offer much of a supporting cast, Tate can take advantage of a full-time role. After an underwhelming rookie season, during which he gained 704 yards from scrimmage with four touchdowns, Montee Ball looks at a bigger opportunity now that Knowshon Moreno is in Miami. It would be more encouraging if Ball had played so well that he just took the job, but opportunity is opportunity and that Broncos offence offers a great chance to put up points. With more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons, Alfred Morris seems like a safe option, but there will be some questions concerning the Redskins offence and Morris drop in production from his rookie year to his sophomore season. There isnt much buzz around Buffalos C.J. Spiller after he managed 1,118 yards from scrimmage and only two touchdowns last season, with a high ankle sprain posing problems, but hess averaging 5. Swell Pullo Suomi. 1 yards per carry for his career. If the ankle isnt a problem this year, maybe Spiller lives up to the hype that he had pre-2013. After four seasons spent as Adrian Petersons caddie in Minnesota, Toby Gerhart gets his shot to be The Man in Jacksonville. Hes a powerful runner who can also catch the ball coming out of the backfield. For a Jaguars team lacking weapons, Gerhart ought to get a lot of touches. Detroits Reggie Bush maybe be facing a challenge for playing time from Joique Bell, but Bush has also accumulated 4,172 yards from scrimmage the past three seasons, including a career-high 1,512 last year. Thats still too good to leave on the sidelines for your fantasy squad this year. Gone are the days of Chris Johnson, the 2,000-yard rushing threat, but even in his current state of declining production, he has put up more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of the past three years and scored 10 touchdowns last year. Its possible that expectations may have even over-corrected on Johnson, who does get something of a new lease on life with the Jets this year. Last years 1,269 yards from scrimmage counted as Frank Gores lowest since his rookie season (2005) and hes always facing challenges for playing time, with second-round pick Carlos Hyde the latest leading contender but, since 2006, no one has more yards from scrimmage than Gores 12,000, so a little respect is due, even if his time as the Niners number one back is nearing an end. Though he started only one game as a rookie, Andre Ellington still picked up 1,023 yards from scrimmage, on just 157 touches, for the Cardinals. In his second season, as the featured back in Arizonas offence, there are expectations that Ellington will take a leap forward, even is his production isnt going to keep that efficiency. Zac Stacy took control of the Rams starting running back job last year and accumulated 1,114 yards from scrimmage. Naturally, there are expectations that he can improve in his second season, but the Rams had a shaky attack even before Sam Bradford was injured and Stacy is still facing challenges for playing time from Benny Cunningham. Theres upside here, but some downside if expectations start running too high. Mostly a spare part early in his career in Jacksonville, Rashad Jennings burst through when injuries opened the door for him with the Raiders last season, gaining 1,025 yards from scrimmage. As the number one back for the Giants this year, there is a good chance that 29-year-old Jennings could have a career-best season. Last season was supposed to be so different for Steven Jackson, who moved to Atlanta after years of productivity in St. Louis. He played only a dozen games and managed a career-low 734 yards from scrimmage as the Falcons season fell apart. Nevertheless, Jackson is Atlantas best backfield option this year and while 31-year-old running backs arent exactly in the primes of their career, Jacksons depressed value after last season does mean he could provide value this time around. The third overall pick in 2012, Trent Richardson saw his production dip dramatically last year from a rookie season that was already disappointing. The Colts can hope that Richardson rebounds and can make it as a power runner capable of handling a heavy workload, but the risk that Richardson just isnt suited to be a big-time runner in the NFL ought to make for cautious draft day decisions. When seeking value in later rounds, consider strong second-stringers, like Bell, Fred Jackson or Ahmad Bradshaw, but there will also be veterans in time-shares (Shonn Greene, Maurice Jones-Drew, LeGarrette Blount) that should be interesting as well. Among rookies, Tennessees Bishop Sankey will have a chance to see lots of action, provided he can hold the ball. Otherwise, the likes of Hyde, Jeremy Hill (Cincinnati) and Tre Mason (St. Louis) all seem to need an injury to become valuable fantasy contributors. Its important to get quality runners in your draft, but its not the end of the world if you dont. There will, invariably, be players that dont start in Week One, that end up gaining 1,000 yards from scrimmage, so its vital to monitor the waiver wire in order to keep your backfield up to speed with the competition. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Fantasy Football Report powered by Coors Light. ' ' '
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Activity: May 25 '20
