11-18-2019, 02:07 AM
TALLADEGA, Ala. Robert Horry Jersey . -- A group decision for all of the cars powered by Earnhardt Childress engines to work together at Talladega Superspeedway proved the correct call in NASCARs new knockout qualifying format. Richard Childress Racing drivers and their affiliates swept the first three rows on the starting grid for Sundays race, with the pole going to Brian Scott, who will lead the field to the green flag in just his fifth career Sprint Cup Series start. "Who would have thought that, huh?" Scott asked after Saturdays qualifying session. Cars with ECR engines took six of the 12 spots in the third and final round of knockout qualifying, and they all waited patiently on pit road for someone to make a move. It came with roughly 2 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the 5-minute session, when all 12 drivers made their way onto the track. Tony Stewart posted the fastest lap as he worked with the other three Stewart-Haas Racing drivers, and as the clock neared the final buzzer, it appeared the three-time NASCAR champion had the pole locked up. Then came the ECR pack of cars, with Ryan Newman leading, Scott somewhere in the middle and Paul Menard bringing up the rear. Team owner Childress had designated Newman as the driver to decide when the pack should go, and Menard was charged with pushing them along. Just as time expired, the entire group shot past Stewarts speed and moved to the top of the leaderboard. It was Scott on the pole, followed by Menard and then AJ Allmendinger, an RCR-affiliated driver. Casey Mears, also an affiliated driver, qualified fourth and was followed by Daytona 500 pole-sitter Austin Dillon and Newman. "It was just a great plan by RCR, getting all the RCR alliance cars working together," Allmendinger said. "We worked on that (in practice) and felt like we all had great speed. Ryan was the guinea pig for all of us and timed it right, and that last session, it was just basically who was going to wait the longest to go out there." It was the first time NASCAR has used its new knockout format on a restrictor-plate track in the Sprint Cup Series. Daytona 500 qualifying in February was done with traditional single-car runs. "The qualifying format, I think there are good tracks for it and bad tracks for it, and this is definitely a great track for it," Menard said. "We had a plan and we tried to stick to the plan as best we could. Ryan, we put the burden on him to decide when to go and where to go, and the rest of us held it in line. ECR top-six and RCR cars all up there is pretty exciting." Now Scott gets to show what hes made of on one of NASCARs fastest tracks. A Nationwide Series regular, hes got three previous starts this season and finished 25th in the Daytona 500. "Ive got that dreaded yellow (rookie) stripe on the bumper, and thats going to make people run away from me like the plague," Scott said of finding drafting partners on Sunday. Stewart wound up 12th in the final session after it appeared he had the pole locked up. SHR put all four of its cars in the final round, and Danica Patrick earned the highest starting spot at seventh. Joey Logano, meanwhile, failed to advance into the final round of qualifying for the first time this season. Hed made it through all three rounds in eight previous sessions. He qualified 16th. "Its not by a good car or not, its just by strategy," Logano said. "We put a lot of work and effort into keeping that streak alive. Its unfortunate." Spencer Haywood Jersey . -- The Detroit Lions made it crystal clear to Golden Tate that he was their top target in free agency. Adrian Dantley Jersey . Johnny Manziel, college footballs most entertaining player with the reputation for pulling off magical plays, was selected with the No. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/201j-m...akers.html . Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were each convicted on four charges of aggravated rape, one of attempted aggravated rape and two for aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg was also found guilty of tampering with evidence as well as an unlawful photography charge.Houston Texans 1 (1) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina; 2 (33) - Xavier Sua-Filo, OG, UCLA; 3 (65) - C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa; 3 (83) - Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame; 4 (135) - Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh; 6 (177) - Jeoffrey Pagan, DE, Alabama; 6 (181) - Alfred Blue, RB, LSU; 6 (211) - Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn; 7 (216) - Andre Hall, CB, Vanderbilt; 7 (256) - Lonnie Ballentine, FS, Memphis Top Picks Analysis: Houston, was expected to address its muddled quarterback situation early in this draft but days one and two came and went as the Texans scored with value picks through the third round. Superstar defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was a no-brainer for the Texans at No. 1 overall once the organization couldnt extract a kings ransom for his services. After that, the Texans found plug-and-play starters at both Nos. 33 and 83, UCLA offensive guard Xavier Sua-Filo and Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix. And in between those two picks, Houston GM Rick Smith was able to garner one of the better two-way tight ends in the draft, C.J. Fiedorowicz of Iowa. Best Value Pick: There was no sense of urgency at the games most important position, leading many to speculate that Smith and new head coach Bill OBrien were honing in on Tom Bradys backup in New England, Ryan Mallett. In the end the 6-foot-7 Mallett may still end up in south Texas but if he gets there he will have some extra competition because Smith was able to provide OBrien another Joe Flacco-sized thrower by snaring the 6-foot-4, 228-pound Tom Savage in the fourth round. Barring Mallets arrival Savage will be competing against a triumvirate which includes veteran free agent signee Ryan Fitzpatrick as well as youngsters Case Keenum and T.J. Yates, who have both been given limited opportunities by the Texans in the past but have hardly set the world on fire. "Im just going to have to come in there and work and compete and thats all you can really ask for," Savage said. "I think I obviously have a lot to learn and I went 1,024 days without playing football and played one year at Pitt. I think I have a lot to improve. Im excited to just get in there and start working." Questionable Calls: If a deep quarterback draft, at least when it comes to prospects, it might have been more prudent for the Texans to address the position sooner with a more NFL-ready prospect. Summary: When you possess the No. 1 overall pick, you should do well and Houston did. Three likely starters and potential at the quarterback position point toward success. FINAL GRADE: A Undrafted rookie free agent signings: WR Nathan Slaughter, West Texas A&M; LB Max Bullough, Michigan State; K Chris Boswell, Rice; DE Cory Henry, Florida Atlantic; WR Josh Stewart, Oklahoma; TE Anthony Denham, Utah; WR Travis Labhart, Texas A&M; OT Chris Martin, Central Florida; OT Matt Feiler, Bloomsburg; OG Kevin Forsch, Houston; OT Bryan Witzmann, South Dakota State; WR Anthony McClung, Cincinnati; TE Chris Coyle, Arizona State; LB Chris McAlister, Baylor; LB Terrance Lloyd, Baylor; LB Chris Young, Arizona State; LB Jason Ankrah, Nebraska; DT Tyrone Ezell, Pittsburgh; DT Austin Brown, Miami-Ohio; CB Marcus Williams, North Dakota State; DT Julius Warmsley, Tulane; S Theo Alexander, Southeast Louisiana; DB Nick Addison, Bethune- Cookman Indianapolis Colts 2 (59) - Jack Mewhort, OL, Ohio State; 3 (90) - Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss; 5 (166) - Jonathan Newsome, DE, Ball State; 6 (203) - Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky; 7 (232) - Ulrick John, OT, Georgia State Top Picks Analysis: The Colts did not have a first-round pick because of general manager Ryan Grigsons ill-fated trade for disappointing running back Trent Richardson. Indianapolis badly needed help on the interior offensive line and used its first pick (No. 59 overall) on Ohio States Jack Mewhort, who played tackle on the college level but projects inside. Third-round pick Donte Moncrief is a big, raw receiver, who should add to what already is shaping up as a far deeper group of pass catchers for Andrew Luck (Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks, Ty Hilton, DaRick Rogers). Best Value Pick: Seventh-round offensive tackle Ulrick John out of Georgia State has the frame and long arms to be something but needs to add strength. Questionable Calls: Dealing a first-round pick for Richardson, who showed no explosion as a runner while Ii Cleveland and even less with the Colts, is inexcusable. Summary: The T-Rich deal put Grigson in a bind and there wasnt much he could do to salvage this draft. FINAL GRADE: C- Undrafted rookie free agent signings: QB Seth Lobato, Northern Colorado; S Dewey McDonald, California (PA); CB Keon Lyn, Syracuse; G Marcus Hall, Ohio State; RB Zurlon Tipton, Central Michigan; DE Tyler Hoover, Michigan State; DT Zack Kerr, Delaware; OL Eric Shultz, Utah State; DT Nnamdi Ubokwelu, Harvard; G Josh Walker, Middle. Tennessee State; WR Tony Washington, Appalachian State; WR Jordan Harris, Bryant; S Anthony Baskin, Carson-Newman; CB Qua Cox, Jackson State; K Cody Parkey, Auburn; WR Eric Thomas, Troy WR Greg Moore, Lane College; RB Brandon Oliver, Buffalo; CB Darius Polk, Kent State; C Jonotthan Harrisoon, Florida; CB Louchiez Purifoy, Florida Jacksonville Jaguars 1 (3) - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida; 2 (39) - Marqise Lee, WR, USC; 2 (61) - Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State; 3 (93) - Brandon Linder, OG, Miami; 4 (114) - Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma; 5 (144) - Telvin Smith, ILB, Florida State; 5 (159) - Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas; 6 (205) - Luke Bowanko, OC, Virginia; 7 (222) Storm Johnson, RB, Central Florida Top Picks Analysis: The Jags sent Radio City Music Hall into a tizzy by selecting Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles with the third overall pick and bypassing higher-rated talents like Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack. Charlie Scott Lakers Jersey. Jacksonville was looking for the answer at the games most important position, after pulling the plug on 2011 first-round pick Blaine Gabbert in the offseason, sending the former Mizzou star to San Francisco to be Colin Kaepernicks new backup. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds Bortles brings prototypical size to the table and many have compared him to Ben Roethlisberger, although it remains to seen if he shows the same kind if innate escapeability as "Big Ben." With Justin Blackmon suspended moving forward Jags GM David Caldwell added a pair of receivers for Bortles in the second round, USCs Marqise Lee and Penn States Allen Robinson. The third round brought interior offensive line help with Miami offensive guard Brandon Linder, a steady, if unspectacular prospect. Best Value Pick: Fourth-round cornerback Aaron Colvin of Oklahoma was likely going to be a Day 2 pick at worst if he didnt suffer a knee injury before the Senior Bowl. Jacksonville will have to redshirt him for a year but may have found a difference maker if he rehabs well. Questionable Calls: There is just no way you can consider Bortles one of the three best prospects in the is draft so there is no question that Jacksonville overreached a bit. The Jags did re-sign Chad Henne as a bridge and an insurance policy in the offseason, meaning they could have bypassed the position at No. 3 overall and looked for the answer in the second round with the 39th overall selection. Summary: Bortles future will not only define this draft for Jacksonville, it will also define the fates of both Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley in the Sunshine State. FINAL GRADE: B- Undrafted rookie free agent signings: WR Allen Hurns, Miami; QB Stephen Morris, Miami; G Tyler Shatley, Clemson; RB Terreance Cobb, Cumberlands (Ky.); TE D.J. Tialavela, Utah State; TE Marcel Jensen, Fresno State; OT Josh Wells, James Madison; FB Maurice Hagens, Miami; CB Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State; S Craig Loston, LSU; TE Reggie Jordan, Missouri Western; P Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech; DT Ricky Havili-Heimuli, Oregon; WR Brandon Wimberly, Nevada; LB Spencer Shuey, Clemson; K Jeff Budzein, Kansas State; DL DeAndre Coleman, California; DB Mike Jordan, Missouri Western; LB Marcus Whitfield, Maryland; S Craig Loston, LSU; WR Damian Copeland, Louisville; LS Trevor Gillette, Rice Tennessee Titans 1 (11) - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan; 2 (54) - Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington; 4 (112) - DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State; 4 (122) - Marqueston Huff, FS, Wyoming; 5 (151) - Avery Williamson, ILB, Kentucky; 6 (178) - Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU; Top Picks Analysis: With Michael Roos and Michael Oher on board, tackle wasnt really a need in Nashville but general manager Ruston Webster surveyed the landscape at No. 11 overall and decided Michigans Taylor Lewan was the best player available. Its hard to argue with that logic because Lewan has the prototypical length and athletic ability to play tackle in the NFL for a decade or so. Running back was a need for the Titans because the team moved on from Chris Johnson in the offseason and Washingtons Bishop Sankey will have every opportunity to become the bell cow. The second-round pick has a lot of Emmitt Smith qualities in that he is an all-around volume back who does everything pretty well. Best Value Pick: Tennessee wanted some competition for Jake Locker and they got it in the sixth round with former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has tremendous size and perhaps the best arm strength in this draft. A diluted urine sample at the scouting combine and some injury concerns pushed Mettenberger down the board. Questionable Calls: Linebacker Avery Williamson, the Titans fifth-round pick out of Kentucky, lacks the speed and athletic ability to be anything more than a two-down run stuffer. Summary: The Titans sandwiched this draft with Lewan, a very good choice, and Mettenberger, a potential steal. In between it was largely by the numbers, run-of-the-mill stuff. FINAL GRADE: B Undrafted rookie free agent signings: WR Jaz Reynolds, Oklahoma; C Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma; TE David Wright, Westminster; RB Antonio Andrews, Western Kentucky; DB Gabriel Lynn, Oklahoma; DE James Gayle, Virginia Tech; WR Josh Stewart, Oklahoma State; WR Eric Ward, Texas Tech; K Travis Coons, Washington; OL Justin McCaray, Central Florida; DE Jamall Marell, Rutgers; S Hakeem Smith, Louisville; WR Derel Walker, Texas A&M; CB Rishard Anderson, Syracuse; OL William Poehls, Montana ' ' '