Tag Archive for: NFL

Xavien Howard reported to Miami Dolphins training camp but his contract demands remain unresolved.

Quick Take: Time to Move on from Xavien Howard?

Over the past few days, Xavien Howard has made it widely known that he wants a trade away from the Miami Dolphins. Howard feels underpaid and under-appreciated by the Miami Dolphins.

So should Miami keep him or should they trade him?

 

Reasons to keep Xavien Howard:

 

  1. He was in the DPOY race

Howard was known as a top candidate for the DPOY award. Although Aaron Donald and TJ Watt beat him out as the top 2 contenders, Howard was right there with the best defenders in the league last NFL season.

 

2. If Howard leaves, Miami is left with a huge hole at cornerback

Miami would be left with Byron Jones, Jason McCourty, and either Nik Needham or Noah Igbinoghene. And let’s just say Needham and Igbinoghene aren’t the best options to play a slot corner spot for us.

3. Howard makes Miami a more fun team to watch

He led the league with interceptions and also got 8 more interceptions than the next best on the team. From one handed interceptions, to acrobatic plays, he brings a new level of fun to the game.

 

*****

Reasons to Trade Howard away:

  1. Howard is overrated

Xavien Howard just had the highest-performing year of his life. In my opinion, I see no world where Howard can have the same season he just had. He will lose trade value if he isn’t gone by the end of this year.

2. A Howard trade could bring another star to Miami

Getting rid of Howard could bring in names like Stephon Gilmore or even Deshaun Watson. Howard is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and could easily get the Dolphins more star-level talent if given away.

3. Howard could hold out from playing if he’s kept on the team

If Howard stays, he may decide not to play this season, and we will lose a player without getting anything back. He really wants a bigger contract, and Miami hasn’t provided that for him, which could lead to a season-long holdout.

 

*****

Final Analysis:

I think The Miami Dolphins should trade Xavien Howard. Whether it’s a deal for Deshaun Watson, draft picks, or another star, Miami doesn’t need the negative energy he now brings to the team.

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Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 3 (Defensive Day, Brissett, Grant, more)

A muggy friday, moved slowly, as the team was heavy into Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams install. Then some fireworks, and a dominant performance from one side of the ball.

Tua Tagovailoa. This was a decent encore to what was a great day on Thursday. Tua Tagovailoa continues to show great command of the offense, and is still showing an aggressiveness that has only grown the past few days. His best throws of the day came early in some 6v8 where he hit Jaylen Waddle on a deep crosser for a nice gain, and then followed that up with a go route that Jakeem Grant pulled down for a big gainer. His Red Zone work was pretty strong to start, till the defense came on late in practice. Later on in 11v11, Tua began to feel some pressure and the offense sputtered inside the 20 yard line.

Jacoby Brissett. This was not a good day for the backup QB and his unit. At one point, he had gone 6 consecutive pass plays without a completion, gave up several sacks, had some throwaways, and then sailed a couple more into harms way. Jacoby Brissett was by no means “good” on this day, but I believe the defense also deserves credit. It has been a strong camp to start for Brissett, this was just a bad patch. I look forward to seeing how he adjusts.

Nik Needham. Always on the spot. Playing every cornerback position, Nik Needham got his hands on several footballs. While he did not post a turnover, he was noticeable in coverage, and the versatility he showed, displays the depth this secondary has. This team (even with Xavien Howard out) has a strength in this secondary. By a crude count, I had Nik Needham targeted 5 times, allowing one reception of less than 10 yards.

Brandon Jones. Seems to have an expanded role. While he has racked up snaps on defense, Brandon Jones also shows up on several special teams units, and really logged the mileage in this practice. While the Miami Dolphins/NFL don’t want the media to reveal specifics on how players are being used, I can assure you, he is seeing expanded action since last year.

Jakeem Grant. This was a big day for Jakeem. Grant hauled in a go route early in practice, then showed up once again on a toe tapping TD in the back of the end zone. After a couple of days, where he was essentially invisible, Jakeem Grant took full advantage of the reps afforded to him today. The most impressive route run, was a rep where he got good depth on a skinny post, on what was a RPO, and managed to make the grab in traffic for a nice gain. Jakeem showed great concentration on this day, logging no drops, and several big plays.

Practice MVP: Jakeem Grant/Defensive Secondary
Struggled: Jacoby Brissett

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 2 (Tua stars, Griffin, X, more)

Day 3 of camp, and the intrigue has just begun. Xavien Howard stretches,then leaves the field. Then returns. Then is seen all smiles with Jason McCourty. Then watches practice. Does a little coaching. Then it is revealed he has a “minor” injury. Exhausting. Moving On!

Tua Tagovailoa. This was a good day. A Strike to Gesicki in traffic, a well placed wheel route for Savon Ahmed for a huge play. Another 65 yard touchdown on a deep corner route to Albert Wilson. Tua Tagovailoa was really sharp today. His Red Zone install work was also very good with very few negative plays. He had very good chemistry with Myles Gaskin on option routes, and those two were a terror near the goal line. This was likely his best practice of the last two training camps.

Byron Jones. Tua Tagovailoa tested Jones on a 9 route with Jaylen Waddle,and the ball was on the money. But so was Byron. Pass break up. With McCourty floating around different units, and Xavien Howard being wherever Xavien Howard is, Byron Jones exhibited great leadership on the field on this day. His play was also a standout on a day where the offense seemed to have a step on the defense. How quickly people forget that at the time of signing, most football people thought Byron Jones was a better cornerback than Howard. He might have to prove that once again.

Albert Wilson. Ok, I might have been wrong. Any thoughts/takes about Albert Wilson possibly being cut are quickly evaporating. With the absence of DeVante Parker (PUP, but he was out there today), and whatever physical issue Will Fuller is dealing with, it has been Albert Wilson, Allen Hurns, and rookie Jaylen Waddle to the rescue. Albert Wilson has also started a streak. Wilson has consecutive practices with 65 yard touchdowns on deep routes. Today’s on a deep corner route, that he ran in for a TD and then emphatically spiked the ball. Tua and Albert have a connection early on, and it doesn’t look like it will go away anytime soon. Oh, did I mention, he almost had two 60+ yard TD’s today?

 

Shaquem Griffin. What a breath of fresh air. Huge smile, giddy while answering questions, and will crack a joke or two. His availability with the media was a hit today, but his play is getting notice. He plays fast, fires off the edge like a shot, and has shown an ability to get into his zone in pass coverage with the kind of ease that only Jerome Baker usually displays. He looks the complete football player, they will find a role for. Some good special teams play in the preseason could land him a roster spot, as Griffin has a very useful look to him. Arrow up. Excited to see him in pads come Tuesday.

Mike Gesicki. Enough with Hunter Long already. Maybe Mike Gesicki feels the same way? He sure showed up today, stretching the field deep down the middle, hauling in a tight pass from Tua Tagovailoa for a big gain. He also made a good attempt on another pass where Tua led him too much toward the boundary. Gesicki was looking dangerous today, and reminded all, that he won’t lose his grip on targets anytime soon. Big standout day for Mike. After practice, he also took some extra work on the Juggs machine, as he caught 50 balls from each side (left, right). Welcome to training camp Mike Gesicki.

Practice MVP: Tua Tagovailoa
Struggled: WR Unit (health)

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Five Tips to Increase Your Chances of a Lucrative NFL Payout

When it comes to the American sports betting market as hard as the likes of the MLB, NBA and the NHL may wish otherwise, it’s still the NFL that rules the roost when it comes to the sheer weight of action that occurs on any given Sunday.

 

According to recent reports as much as $100 billion is wagered on American football action during the NFL season, with a massive chunk of that outlay occurring during the showpiece Super Bowl event rolls into town. 

 

In order to help you make the most of your NFL betting action here are five quick tips to maximise your profit margin.

 

Bet With Your Head, Not Your Heart

 

NFL fans are a notoriously loyal bunch and often, especially among those who are relative beginners in the sports betting arena, they tend to back their own teams. In order to execute a successful betting strategy you need to bet with your head and not your heart. 

 

In fact we’d suggest you avoid betting on games relating to your team at all costs.

 

Do Your Research

 

You may know the NFL, but do you know everything you need to know about betting on the sport? You should do all the research you can and there are plenty of places to do so. If you want to learn how to bet on the NFL, then check out this guide which offers a great deal of key information when it comes to making a profit from your bets. It outlines some very salient points that could be the difference between another blown bet or an opportunity to secure a big payout.

 

Steer Clear of the Super Bowl (Unless Your Team is Playing)

 

In all honesty there is far too much attention paid to the Super Bowl. This may sound like an absurd statement but take into account how many people bet on the event without having any genuine experience in sports betting. 

 

From the perspective of the sports betting providers it’s like shooting fish in a barrel and you’d do well to stick to betting across the regular and postseason far more than concentrating on the finale. 

 

Save the Parlays to The Professionals

 

Parlays, in case you were not aware, are essentially the accumulation of a number of individual bets. They are a great way to make a killing but they rarely come to fruition, unless you know what you are doing.

 

A parlay is very tempting for a sports betting novice as they see the dollar signs flashing like neon signs. Be wary of stumping up anything other than a token sum on these, otherwise it may be like throwing money down the drain.

 

Back to the Futures

 

Someone who is new to sports betting might want to start out by investing in a futures bet that takes months to come to a conclusion. Futures bets clearly take a while to pay out but they retain your long-term interest in the result.

 

If you are a loyal NFL fan and want to get the ball rolling on a successful, and enjoyable, sports betting career then start with a simple futures wager.

Brian Flores makes it clear that Tua Tagovailoa will be the Miami Dolphins quarterback when he is healty. (Craig Davis for Five Reasons Sports Network)

Quick Takes on Dolphins 2021 Draft

No. 6 overall pick

Jaylen Waddle, WR

My take: I think this was Tua Tagovailoa’s pick. And I think it was a great one. The Miami Dolphins have released that Jaylen Waddle was their top pick no matter who was on the board. They wanted Waddle over Ja’marr Chase or Kyle Pitts if they were available. Tua used to play with Waddle on Alabama, and Waddle was his top target to throw to. Waddle is speedy, and adds an amazing slot-threat to The Dolphins offense.

 

No. 18 overall pick

Jaelan Phillips, DE

My take: I think this was an absolute steal. I don’t think Phillips should have dropped to the Dolphins, but I sure am happy he did. A pass-rusher is a huge edition for the team, and while it is a risky pick, Phillips is worth the possible reward.

 

No. 36 overall pick

Jevon Holland, S

My take: The Dolphins have been in dire need of a Slot Corner, and while Jevon Holland is a safety, he played 64% of his snaps at slot. The Dolphins used to play Nik Needham at Slot most of the time, and I can’t even count the amount of times I saw him get beat by his man. I think Jevon Holland could be a great defensive playmaker for the Dolphins Secondary.

 

No. 42 overall pick

Liam Eichenberg, OT

My take: While the Offensive Tackle isn’t the flashy pick, the Dolphins NEEDED some pass protection early on in this draft. Eichenberg is one of the best pass blockers in the draft, only allowing pressure on 1.1% of his blocks in the past two years.

 

Overall first two rounds: I think these were all amazing picks, and while the Dolphins didn’t pick a running back early on, they filled in some major holes that needed to be filled.

Why FanDuel and DraftKings have enjoyed success in Florida

Daily fantasy sites have grown at a rapid rate over the last 10 years and are now almost a ritual activity for players across the United States. Residents of Florida have access to two of the best products on the market in the form of DraftKings and FanDuel.

Daily fantasy sites are not illegal in the Sunshine State, but there are no laws regulating the practice. However, DraftKings and FanDuel have been a constant presence since moving into the state and are now firmly entrenched with thousands of registered users at their disposal.

The argument continues to this day whether they are an official sports betting product or whether their competitions are games of skill. Yahoo opted to pull their daily fantasy game out of the region in 2015, leaving a head-to-head battle between DraftKings and FanDuel for customers.

 

FanDuel have been around the longest, creating their product in 2009. It has been a staple of the industry since and was bought out by Flutter Entertainment, who also own FoxBet, TVG, Paddy Power, and Betfair; among other leading betting companies states WSN.com.

FanDuel has provided an excellent product for users and has also secured partnerships with the NHL and the NBA. It is the simpler of the two operators on offer, limiting the amount of work required to alter your fantasy team, while working with a strict salary cap across all 11 of their sports. Their partnership with the NBA is vital in Florida, given the number of basketball teams present in the region.

FanDuel provide the authentic experience for NBA daily fantasy games over DraftKings, especially for those fans of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. Their presence in Florida has allowed them to build a solid customer base within the Sunshine State with the hope of further expansion. Sports betting is not on the agenda yet in Florida, but when it comes to the fore, FanDuel will be in direct competition with DraftKings for users.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings will be hopeful that they will be able to see off threats from new companies that may emerge on their territory, should litigation allow traditional sports wagering products to operate in the Sunshine State.

DraftKings, too, have developed a strong core of customers, and nationally boast a larger contingent than FanDuel. They are arguably in a better position to that of their rival due to their partnerships with the NFL and MLB. The NFL has the largest following in the United States, and Florida boasts the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars within its borders.

 

The sponsorship with the NFL allows DraftKings to benefit from the huge television audiences that the league commands. In turn, that breeds greater recognition of their product and the benefits of using their daily fantasy game instead of FanDuel.

DraftKings does demand a savvy sports mind to play their games, although there are greater rewards available. Features such as the variable salary cap can force users to have to change their rosters with regularity to keep them ahead of the competition and their friends. There is always something to think about when playing with DraftKings, which makes it appealing for sports enthusiasts. In a state where sport is found at almost at every turn, DraftKings certainly made a wise decision to remain entrenched in the region. It has allowed them to build a loyal base of customers and further enhance their product.

Both products made a sound business choice to keep offering registrations to Floridians. They are reaping the benefits now with the continued success of daily fantasy games, and potentially in the future, should sports betting become regulated in the Sunshine State.

 

Photo by Unsplash Images.

Five Options for the Miami Dolphins at #6

  • Take Florida TE Kyle Pitts. The number one mission in this draft needs to be to surround Tua with help. This does just that, Pitts may be the best TE prospect since Vernon Davis in 2006. In eight games Pitts had 43 catches, 770 yards and 12 TD’s. This includes 7 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in the SEC championship vs Alabama. There was nothing a Nick Saban led defense could do to stop him. Saban had first round prospect Patrick Surtain Jr on him and frankly it didn’t matter. If Miami can pair Pitts with Mike Gesicki, they will have two dynamic TE’s which for a young QB like Tua that is very helpful in his development. 
  • Take LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase. Chase is the consensus top ranked WR in this class and would be a tremendous addition to Miami. He did opt out of the 2020 season due to covid-19 concerns. That hasn’t affected his draft stock at all as he was the top WR on a historic 2019 LSU offense with Justin Jefferson playing next to him. He had 84 catches, 1780 yards and 21 TD’s just an absolute beast for Joe Burrow and company. He had his best game when it mattered the most, coming in the National Championship game vs Clemson. Clemson put Falcons 2020 first round pick AJ Terrell on him, and it didn’t matter. Chase had 221 yards on 9 catches and 2 TD’s. Chase has some Devante Parker in him, but his traits are better and more consistent. If you can’t get Pitts this is clearly the second-best option for Miami on Thursday.  
  • Take Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle. Waddle comes from Alabama who has been absolutely loaded at WR the last two years. They had Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy drafted in the first-round last year and this year 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and Waddle will likely be first round picks as well. That is an historic level of talent at one position and Waddle may be the best pro out of all of them. Prior to Waddle’s ankle fracture against Tennessee October 24th, he had better stats than eventual Heisman winner DeVonta Smith. Prior to injury Waddle had 25 catches, 557 yards and 4 TD’s. While Smith tallied 477 yards on 38 catches and 4 TD’s. 80 more yards than Smith on 13 less catches shows you how explosive Waddle can be. There are many WR’s who get Tyreek Hill comparisons but this one is legit. Waddle has that elite 4.35 speed along with underrated strength and excellent route tree. Tua’s former teammate would be an excellent addition to Miami’s offense and a deep threat that opposing defenses must prepare for. Waddle can be an elite member of the return game as well as he showed with his 3 returns for TDs in his three years at Alabama. While some may think this is a reach at #6, they must pick who helps Tua the most and this would be an excellent fit.
  • Take Alabama WR DeVonta Smith. DeVonta was the work horse at Alabama last year helping lead them to another National Championship. This was especially the case after Waddle went down with injury in just the 5th game of the season. Over the next eight games Smith averaged 162.5 yards per game. That is with the opposing teams knowing he was the top target on offense every week. Those are numbers you don’t find very often no matter what school they come from. Many will question Smith and how it will translate to the next level as he’s a little small weighing less than 170 lbs. While that is small, he didn’t have any issues getting off the press at the line of scrimmage or dealing with bigger defensive backs. Many of the smaller WR’s to come out recently such as Marquise Brown or Desean Jackson are much more one dimensional than Smith. Typically small WR are mainly speed guys who don’t have a great route tree. Smith is a great all around WR and I think the weight issues are overblown with Smith. Smith would be a great fit for Miami and would make for the best all-around WR on the roster. 

Trade Back and Gain Picks While Getting a WR. In this scenario a team trades up to get either QB Trey Lance from North Dakota State or QB Justin Fields from Ohio State. A team to watch here would be the Denver Broncos who pick at #9 and have been linked to Lance frequently. Miami would be able to pick up another day 2 draft pick or future first rounder while still picking in the top 10. There is a great chance that one of if not both of Waddle and Smith would be available at #9. Miami fans should be rooting for the San Francisco 49ers to take Mac Jones and then they can let teams get in a bidding war to trade up for Lance or Fields. If you can still get a great WR while picking up more draft compensation that is something Miami should absolutely do. This is a team that if they can add offensive talent for Tua to go along with what already is a great defense, they will be ready to make a run in 2021.

Chris Grier isn't a perfect general manager, but he does not deserve to be fired.

Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier Addresses 2021 NFL Draft, Chauvin Verdict 

In the windup to the 2021 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier took time to address the media. A conversation that many expected to be exclusively about draft picks and free agency started off, however, with Grier’s prepared statement about the verdict in the (in)famous trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by kneeling on his neck for nine minutes.

“For me, as an African-American, there was a sense of relief and sadness,” Grier, who is one of only five Black GMs in the NFL, said. “It’s 2021 and yet people of color are still asking for equality and justice… The justice system worked for people of color yesterday. However, we cannot forget that a life was lost.”

He went on to note the work that the Miami Dolphins organization has done in the South Florida community, specifically mentioning owner Stephen Ross, head coach Brian Flores (who is also Black), Dolphins CEO and President Tom Garfinkel, and Dolphins’ players as a whole. 

“We have the opportunity to make things better for everyone in our country,” Grier said. “It’s encouraging to hear the number of white people in big companies willing to be uncomfortable and speak out against systematic racism. There are a lot of good law enforcement officials who want change for the better…. We need to support them as well.”

Grier also mentioned the recent attacks against Asia-Americans and Pacific Islanders in his speech, before the talk moved to the draft.

The GM didn’t hand out many interesting tidbits but did say that the ‘Fins would be willing to move out of the No. 6 spot if an “aggressive pitch” was offered to them. The Dolphins originally owned the No. 3 pick in the draft but dropped three places after two blockbuster deals with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles that garnered them significant draft capital for years to come. Grier expressed “zero regret” about these trades, seemingly sure that whoever the Dolphins want at three will still be available at six.

“We’re not afraid to make picks,” he said. “We have great confidence that this coaching staff has shown that they can develop players and get the best out of them.”

He also added that the team will not be holding opt-outs against those college players who chose not to play in the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns.  

Most analysts and fans seem to agree that Grier and co. will be using their No. 6 pick on Alabama receiver Devonta Smith, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, or LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase, any of whom would provide sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with a much-needed offensive weapon. Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell has also been connected with the Dolphins.

The 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland will be televised on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network beginning with the first round on Thursday, April 29th at 8pm. 

How a Hacker Changed the Dolphins’ Future

In the 2016 NFL Draft, a video of projected top ten pick, Laremy Tunsil changed the future of the Miami Dolphins. At the time, Laremy Tunsil was projected to be picked as early as the number 1 overall pick in the Draft.

The Draft was about to begin when a video of Ole Miss Offensive Tackle, Laremy Tunsil smoking marijuana through a gas mask was released. Nobody could have guessed when this was released, but the hacker who leaked this video made that draft the best the Miami Dolphins have had in a while.

The sports world was crazed when they saw this video, and teams instantly started losing faith in the number one talent.

By some miracle, Laremy Tunsil dropped all the way to the 13th pick where the Miami Dolphins snagged him.

In 2019, the Dolphins traded Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans and received a 2020 and 2021 first round draft pick, and a 2021 second round draft pick.

The 2020 draft picked turned into Cornerback, Noah Igbinoghene, who has not proven to be too good yet, but may be able to show his worth in the upcoming season. The 2021 first round draft pick ended up being the third overall pick. This is where Chris Grier started his magic.

The Dolphins were a part of two blockbuster trades on Friday, March 26, between both the Eagles and 49ers.

First, the Miami Dolphins and the San Fransisco 49ers made a trade. The Dolphins gave away the number 3 overall pick to receive the number 12 overall pick, two first round picks, and a third round pick. The Dolphins then traded with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Dolphins gave up the number 12 pick, a first round pick, and a fourth round pick to get the number 6 pick and a fifth round pick.

In the end. The Dolphins traded Laremy Tunsil for four first round picks, two second round picks, and a third round pick. Laremy Tunsil can now be seen as a hero for the Dolphin’s future, and he even acknowledged it by posting this story’s featured photo on Instagram.

Recap of Miami Dolphins’ March 26 Madness

Let me just start off with this,

 

Chris Grier my brother your flowers and a round of applause

 

I will be the first to admit that I had been a skeptic of Chris Grier because of picks like Charles Harris and no RB or WR being drafted before the 6th round, but wow did Chris knock it out of the park in trading back with the 49ers…. So, in the in the midst of me praising Chris Grier and writing this article, He decided that he would make another trade this time with the Philadelphia Eagles so let’s recap all the craziness so far.

 

The First Deal:

This bomb shocked everyone as Flores had previously mentioned picking someone “let’s say in the top 10” so a trade with the 49ers came as a surprise as most expected it to be the Carolina Panthers at 8 who would trade up. For the 49ers this move signals that a QB run will start the 2021 NFL Draft. For the Dolphins the move to 12 signaled serious Najee Harris vibes as the first pick but Chris Grier had other plans apparently, as he was not done dealing for the day.

 

 

Trade with Eagles:

If the deal with the 49ers didn’t kick you off your chair, then the one with the Eagles for sure did. This one move here signifies that the Dolphins aren’t just about wheeling and dealing for picks, but they’ll do it for a specific player as well. I really have to wonder which player or players they have identified as being potential choices for the number 6 overall selection.

 

New Draft Order:

Overall looking at the end result of the 2021 NFL Draft and a couple things standout for me.

  1. The 2021 NFL Draft will start with 4 straight QB selections.
  2. The Bengals will have the choice of both Penei and Chase
  3. And the Dolphins might still have the choice of the top 3 WR and Kyle Pitts at 6.
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To round it all up, this move was probably the biggest indicator of Chris Grier playing chess not  checkers with the competition. Not only was he able to turn the #3 overall pick into a plethora of riches in the coming years:

But he was also able to put the Dolphins in a position where all the options that should be getting considered at 3, are now slam dunk picks at 6 after all the moves.

 

Chris Grier, you killed this one chief!

Tag Archive for: NFL

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