Neues » Game Notes The Bengals won

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Deryk Engelland Golden Knights Jersey . -- Its the $5 million question thats rumbling through NFL front offices and locker rooms alike: Is All-Pro Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints a tight end or a really big wide receiver? It matters to men like Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas of the Denver Broncos, whos up for a big pay raise and could be facing a franchise tag himself after the upcoming season. The Saints gave Graham the franchise tag for about $7 million as a tight end, the position hes been listed at for his entire four-year career -- and which he himself lists on his Twitter account. Graham contends that because he more often is split out away from the tackle, he is really a wide receiver. And, after all, he did lead the league with 16 touchdown catches last season. That franchise tag is worth about $12.3 million. The sides stated their cases in an arbitration hearing earlier this week in Louisiana and are awaiting a ruling from arbitrator Stephen Burbank. Thomas is understandably interested in the outcome. "Ive kind of been keeping ... an eye on that situation, obviously, because it could probably come back to affect a lot of us tight ends," said Thomas, who is scheduled to make $645,000 this year. "But the way I feel about it is, Does two letters next to your name on the depth chart really determine your value to a team?" When it comes to franchise tags in the NFL, it certainly does. The Saints note that Graham made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl as a tight end and was drafted as a tight end. Graham points to the 86 passes he caught for 1,215 yards last season -- numbers any wide receiver would envy. "Does it matter if hes a tight end, or if he calls himself a slot receiver or a running back?" Thomas said. "I mean, if youre going to have double-digit touchdowns and contribute a bunch of yards in the receiving game, I just say that youre a guy that makes great plays and are a value to your team. So I dont know why the argument necessarily comes down to either youre a tight end or a receiver. I think that if youre a guy that makes plays, thats how you should be valued." Its because top-tier wide receivers make much more money than the games best tight ends. "Thats true. So I guess thats why its a topic," Thomas said. "But Ill say again: I think if youre a basketball player, they wouldnt say, Ah, youre a power forward. Really look out for those point guards. So I dont think that the position matters. I think if youre a guy making plays for your team, then that should be your value." Denver general manager John Elway has opened talks with representatives of both Thomas and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who are entering the final year of their respective rookie deals and would like any deal to get done by the start of training camp next month. Demaryius Thomas, who has two dozen TD catches since Peyton Mannings arrival and was the lone bright spot for Denver in the Super Bowl, figures to command around $60 million over five years after putting up back-to-back stellar seasons that vaulted him to elite wide receiver status. Yet, it was Julius Thomas who was the key to Denvers record-breaking offence last season. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound late-bloomer was a matchup nightmare for defences and the bulls-eye for many of Mannings biggest moments last season when he earned his first Pro Bowl honour. He caught the quarterbacks 51st TD throw that broke Tom Bradys single-season record, one of his dozen TD receptions that broke Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpes team record for tight ends. And he came up huge in the Broncos two wins that got them to their first Super Bowl in 15 years. Broncos coach John Fox said the tight end position has evolved over the years to the point that "its like another receiver" rather than "an offensive tackle lined up to block." Thats not to say Fox is going to dive into the debate over whether a tight end actually is a wide receiver. "Im not getting into that," Fox said with a chuckle. "Ill leave that for other people." Brayden McNabb Jersey . -- Ryan Gropp scored in overtime as the Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Spokane Chiefs 1-0 in Western Hockey League play Tuesday. Alex Tuch Golden Knights Jersey . According to a report from ESPN, sources said Manuels college coach Jimbo Fisher told teams he didnt think Manuel had the tools to be an NFL starter. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-ryan-reaves-golden-knights-jersey/ .com) - The St.Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeremy Hill rushed for a career-high 154 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in his first career start in place of injured starter Giovani Bernard to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 33-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. A.J. Green, who missed the past three games with a toe injury, caught three passes for 44 yards and a score and Mohamed Sanu finished with a touchdown and 95 yards on four grabs for the Bengals (5-2-1), who have gone 13-0-1 in their last 14 home games. Andy Dalton threw for 233 yards on 19-of-31 attempts with two touchdowns but also was responsible for two interceptions in the win. Blake Bortles completed 22-of-33 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns to Allen Hurns and one interception for Jacksonville (1-8), which dropped its second straight game since winning its lone game of the season against Cleveland. Hurns ended with 112 yards on seven catches, while Denard Robinson rushed for 94 yards and a score on 17 carries. Hurns caught his second touchdown of the day from 18 yards out with 9:55 to play, but Bortles pass to Shorts on the two-point conversion attempt was incomplete to keep it a 26-16 game. The Jaguars cashed in on another Bengals turnover. Daltons pass deflected off the back of an offensive lineman and was intercepted by J.T. Thomas III, who returned it to the 7-yard line. Robinson ran for two yards before getting his team within three points on a 5-yard plunge with 8:13 to play Hill, however, needed just nine seconds to extend the Jaguars lead back to 10 points. The LSU product dashed down the right side and shook off a defender before reaching the end zone for a 60-yard score and a 33-23 advantage with 8:04 remaining. The Jaguars drove down to their opponents 14 before Bortles pass intended for Clay Harbor was intercepted by George Iloka in the end zone and returned 16 yards to put the game out of reach. The Bengals extended their lead to 19-3 with an 8-play, 62-yard drive coming out of halftime. Dalton hit Sanu with a 36-yard pass and three plays later, Hill, who returned to the game after tweaking his knee, scampered into the end zone from a yard out. Jon Merrill Golden Knights Jersey. Jacksonville responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Cecil Shorts hauled in a 20-yard pass and after a Robinson fumble was reversed, Bortles rolled out to his right and aired out a deep strike down field to Hurns for a 40-yard score. Sherrod Martin dove in front of Sanu to pick off Dalton, giving the Jaguars the ball at their own 29 with under five minutes to play in the third. Jacksonville was forced to punt after its drive stalled at the Bengals 43. Adam Jones returned Bryan Angers punt 31 yards to the Jaguars 23 and it took Cincinnati just two plays to extend its lead. Hill ran five yards before Dalton connected with Green on an 18-yard score for a 26-10 lead early in the fourth. Jacksonville opened the scoring with 1:21 remaining in the opening stanza after Josh Scobee capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal. Cedric Peerman hauled in a short pass and moved the chains on third down with a 17-yard gain. After a pair of runs by Hill, Dalton found Sanu for a 19-yard score and a 7-3 lead just over three minutes into the second quarter. Dalton aired out a 33-yard pass to Sanu, who made an over-the-shoulder catch to place the Bengals down at the Jaguars 9. Cincinnati settled for a 31-yard Mike Nugent field goal with 4:25 remaining in the first half after Green had a 12-yard TD catch nullified for lining up offsides. After Bortles was sacked by Carlos Dunlap for a loss of eight yards at the Jaguars 11, Tyler Mays blocked Angers punt and the ball flew out of bounds in the end zone for a safety and a 12-3 advantage. Game Notes The Bengals won their third straight game against the Jaguars ... Jacksonville hasnt won in Cincinnati since a 29-15 decision on Dec. 15, 2002 ... The Bengals outgained the Jaguars, 423-365 ... Jacksonville will face Dallas in London next Sunday ... Cincinnati will host Cleveland on Thursday ... The Bengals were 6-of-13 on third down, while the Jaguars finished 4-of-12. ' ' '