2012 » league in total goal-to-go rushes (but only 8.7 pe

It is put to 21-year-old Tom Curran and his 18-year-old brother Sam, sat side by side and dressed almost identically in England stash as two members of this winters Lions programme, that the younger sibling is generally considered the most talented. The example offered is Michael Jackson - the youngest of the original Jackson 5, who left the troupe to become the undisputed King of Pop. Sam smirks. Tom responds: Good thing were not in the music industry then, pal!Brothers in cricket are no new thing. Even at Surrey, before Currans, there were Hollioakes. Both Adam and Ben left such a profound mark on the club that the mere mention of their names gets Brown Caps misty-eyed. As they talk about how Adam led and Ben thrilled, the conversation invariably turns to just how far Tom and Sam can go. The consensus is: far.It was 2015 when Surrey fans got their first good look at both. Tom led the line as an assured and ridiculously skilful right-arm quick in a promotion charge that saw the club finish as Division Two champions, thanks to his 74 wickets. Sam, a genuine allrounder, whippy with his left-arm seam and enterprising with the bat, dropped by halfway through that summer to make his senior debut in a T20 Blast fixture against Kent in front of more than 20,000 people at the Kia Oval, two weeks after his 17th birthday.From then, he was around to offer assistance to Tom, taking 11 Championship wickets and even registering a half-century in the final match of the season, at home to their father Kevins former county Northamptonshire. It was in that fixture that the Currans became only the third pair of brothers to take all ten wickets in an innings, with Tom grabbing the big brothers share of seven and Sam making do with three.This year saw a more even share, as Surrey turned around relegation form to finish fifth in Division One. Tom took 33 wickets, Sam 27. Their advancements in white-ball cricket have also been clear to see. Sams ability to swing the new ball at pace gets things going, while Tom works the older one with wide yorkers and a bit of reverse swing. Both have taken on more responsibility than most at their age, and it is only when they are together, poking the other in the ribs or trying to spy on each others phone activity that you realise just how young they are.Its hard sometimes to take it all in, says Tom. Its been an unbelievable journey and things have happened pretty quickly at Surrey. Particularly, he says, when he was the spearhead of Surreys bowling attack at just 20. As cricketers, you want to be given the ball at the tough times and you want to be leading your attack. Ive been lucky enough to do that.The career acceleration meant that, given the age gap, Sams Surrey debut in July 2015 was the first time that the pair had played competitive cricket together. Sam, though, offers a caveat. Well, other than the back garden. I think we had some very good encounters.Tom interjects, pointing to Sam as he does so: No, but thats different because in the back garden you can cheat! This one: geez! It seems an odd twist, considering garden crickets long, sketchy history of the oldest sibling opening the batting and being the sole arbiter of the laws. Not so in the Curran household.If there is an older-brother dynamic that Tom has upheld, it is of leading the way and clearing a path for his younger brother. It was his performance during a school match in Durban for Hilton College in January 2012 that left such an impression on the former Surrey captain, Ian Greig, who was in charge of the opposition, that he alerted Gareth Townsend, Surreys academy director, to Toms talents.Later that year, after the tragic passing of their father Kevin, a former Zimbabwe allrounder, Surrey used their partnership with Wellington College, where Tom was continuing his schooling thanks to a bursary, to bring both Ben - the middle brother and an organised left-hand batsman - and Sam to England to keep the family together.Just as Tom did when he joined, Sam spent 2016 balancing cricket with his last year of A-Levels. And it was Toms experiences that, essentially, scoped Sams itinerary.It was quite tricky, actually. In April I played the first game of the season and then there was an agreement that I was going to play no games up until my exams were finished; maybe the odd T20. That was the same with Tom - the relationship between the school and the club was very good.Did he have a say in how much or what form he could play? Dont let him pretend to be Mr Bigshot - he didnt! ribs Tom.Nah, I dont think I did have a say, admits Sam. But the balance was good: we had a psychologist who did actually work well with me and made sure I did everything. There were a couple of four-day games where the lads went out for dinner but I had to stay put. The lads did take the mick out of me a little bit when I had to do a bit of school work. And when school thought I was behind, they would make sure I wouldnt play any cricket.By way of thanks, Sam made sure he played a few games for the Wellington side, too. Commiserations to the poor saps who lined up against a player who would go on to average 27.85 with the ball and 39.33 with the bat in Division One. It was fun, he beams, though presumably not for the opposition.Refreshingly, the atmosphere of professional sport has merely strengthened their bond. While both are hard on each other in the field - if he messes up off my bowling then it is a bit easier to spray him than the skipper, admits Tom - it is simply an extension of the competition that has featured in their family throughout. Fittingly, they cant decide who is the most competitive.Its something that has been with us the whole way through, says Sam. As three brothers, weve been competitive - whether it is golf or in the cricket field. I suppose as cricketers we are team-mates, but on the golf course there are no team-mates. And there are no free drops!As for the biggest sulker, Tom is happy to win that outright, prompted by Sam: See, Ive only just got my licence, so he sulks when he has to drive home after bowling 40 overs.Its an easy life for him! bites Tom. He just stands around in the field and then hes got his feet up on my dashboard!There are elements that give the other strength, too. For instance, Toms sure footing in a young, sparky dressing room enabled Sam to lean on his older brother before making his own impression. The trick for Sam was in identifying the difference between the school set-up and that of a county: At school youre looking to impress yourself. But in the Surrey side youre about enjoying team success and that is something that has really stuck out to me.For Tom that older presence was provided by Jade Dernbach, who took him under his wing and advised him in matters on the field and off it. It is hard to think of a player more in tune with the fickle nature of the game than Dernbach. He was my age once, says Tom, and he put his arm around me. He made me feel a bit more relaxed within myself. When Sam came into the Surrey side, I tried to do the same for him. Im sure Sam will do the same when hes an old man.Sams progress with the bat has also lit a fire under Tom, who has let this discipline slip, despite some recovery last season. As a youngster his batting and bowling progressed at an equal rate of knots, and Surreys former captain Graeme Smith and former coach Graham Ford believed that he had the ability to be a world-class allrounder. The lapse has been understandable: Toms intense workload of 31 Championship matches and 44 limited-overs matches in the last two seasons has seen him opt for extra rest rather than practice, for fear of burnout (it is worth noting that the only Championship match he missed in this period - Hampshire away this summer - was down to a Lions call-up). It is a lapse he is keen to address over the winter.The Lions tour presents an opportunity for both brothers to further broaden their horizons, with a training camp in Dubai, a short tour of Sri Lanka in February, and the experience of working with new, unfamiliar team-mates who are usually nine-to-five rivals.It may also prepare them for the possibility that, eventually, one might leave the other behind. Having experienced the first throes of professional cricket together, both admit that will be a new sensation.I was actually thinking about that the other day, reflects Sam. Obviously, coming into the Lions side, hopefully we both play. But there will be a stage when it comes down to the pitch or the opposition, where one of us gets left out. I guess we kind of have to take it on the chin. Itll be a dream to play for England and even when its not you, if its someone in your family, youre going to be really proud of them.To allow a moments speculation, Tom looks to possess the requisite skills to be a fine international bowler - perhaps even a long-term replacement for James Anderson - while Sams precociousness suggests a role in the top six is not beyond him. As George Dobell reported last week, the England management was considering bringing Sam to India to have a closer look at him but decided against it.Whichever one does take that first step to the next level, you can be certain of one thing: the other will be very proud. And not too far behind.Swell Bottle Sale 17 Oz . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Swell Drink Bottles NZ . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. http://www.swellwaterbottlenz.com/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. SWell Bottle Nz Stockists . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Swell Traveler Bottle NZ . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.In a culture of 140 characters, swipe right, snaps with dog faces and whatever the hell chasing an imaginary Pokemon is called, we have increasingly become a country of people who have short attention spans. Its why there is probably nothing more popular than lists. Well, maybe Taylor Swift. A list of favorite Taylor Swift photos might actually break the internet.And so, with Americas love of lists in mind, we once again bring back an annual tradition in time for drafts. What follows now are 10 different lists ... of 10.List 1: 10 players who are not being drafted as starters (outside top 10 at QB and TE, outside top 20 at RB and WR), but who will break out and be drafted at least three rounds earlier next year.1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: So-so defense, no running game, aggressive play calling, just improved the offensive line and one of the most talented corps of skill players around.2. Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills: Actually broke out last season, just no one realizes it. Big arm, big legs and a legit top-tier wideout.3. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fantasy-friendly offense, talented skill players around him, one of only three rookies to throw for 4,000 yards. The other two, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton, were both top-five fantasy QBs in their second season.4. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: Spare me the Alabama RB narrative and just take a look at the best RB on a Titans team that wants to run, run, run.5. Paul Perkins, New York Giants: I love pairing him with Rashad Jennings, as both will come cheaply, and combined youll have a legit RB2 on a high-scoring offense.6. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: Post-hype sleeper, the skills are still there and now the offense will actually run the way its supposed to.7. Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: Everyone wants to talk about Laquon Treadwell, but give me Diggs, who showed he has elite ability in a small sample size last season. The speedster enters the year as the No. 1 wideout on a team that will now play its home games indoors.8. Travis Benjamin, San Diego Chargers: More for standard than PPR, but now with a real QB and a consistent role, Benjamin becomes a weekly big play waiting to happen.9. Zach Miller, Chicago Bears: Finally has the full-time opportunity and the quarterback to take advantage of his 6-foot-5 frame and good hands.10. Virgil Green, Denver Broncos: Tight ends with less skills have been nice fantasy assets in Gary Kubiaks offense before.List 2: 10 leftover stats from my 100 facts column1. Theres a lot of talk about a regression coming for Cam Newtons rushing last season, especially his 10 rushing touchdowns. Fair enough. His arm worked pretty well, too.Aaron Rodgers last season: 3,821 yards, 31 TDs and 8 INTs. Cam Newton last season: 3,837 passing yards, 35 TDs and 10 INTs.2. In the past five seasons, there have been only three instances in the NFL where a QB has thrown 600 passes, completed at least 66 percent of them, but FAILED to throw at least 29 touchdowns:Matt Ryan, 2013 Matt Ryan, 2014 Matt Ryan, 20153. Derek Carr threw multiple touchdown passes in 11 of the 14 games in which he attempted more than 25 passes last season. The average top-five quarterback (Newton, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Blake Bortles, and Carson Palmer) had 9.8 such games last season. Rodgers, the No. 1 QB in 2014, had eight such games.4. In his past eight games, Kamar Aiken has caught 50 passes on 83 targets for 611 yards and three touchdowns despite playing with four quarterbacks. If you project all of those numbers for a 16-game season: 100 catches (on 166 targets) for 1,222 yards and six touchdowns, or 158 fantasy points in ESPN standard scoring. That would have ranked him 13th at the position last season. The Ravens led the NFL in pass attempts in 2015. Along with Aiken, other wide receivers on the Ravens include 37-year-old Steve Smith Sr., inexperienced Breshad Perriman, who is returning from injury, and Mike Wallace, who is on his third team in as many years. Aiken is currently going as WR58, in the 14th round of ESPN drafts.5. In the seven games Vance McDonald and Blaine Gabbert played together last season, McDonald was the 11th-best tight end in fantasy. His 16-game pace with Gabbert as QB: 48 catches, 599 yards and seven touchdowns.5a. Last season, Richard Rodgers was TE9 with 58 catches, 526 yards and 8 touchdowns.6. Larry Fitzgerald was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in three games in 2015.6a. Michael Floyd was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in four games in 2015.6b. John Brown was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in nine games in 2015. Brown is currently being drafted after Floyd and Fitzgerald.7. Since entering the league in 2011, only Calvin Johnson has more receptions AND averages more yards per reception than A.J. Green.8. There has been only one season in which a tight end eclipsed the 215 fantasy point plateau. It was Rob Gronkowski in 2011.8a. That same year, teammate Aaron Hernandez was TE3 with 127 points in ESPN standard scoring.9. Last season, Thomas Rawls ranked 33rd in carries. He was tied for eighth in carries gaining 20-plus yards.10. In the 15 games Jameis Winston and Mike Evans played together last season, Evans was responsible for 25 percent of Winstons completions and 29.3 percent of his targets.10a. Players responsible for less than 25 percent of their teams completions in 2015 included Doug Baldwin (23.4 percent), Allen Robinson (22.5 percent), Jordan Reed (22.5 percent).10b. Players responsible for less than 29.3 percent of their teams targets in 2015 included Brandon Marshall (29.0 percent), Jarvis Landry (28.7 percent), A.J. Green (26.8 percent) and Larry Fitzgerald (26.3 percent).10c. Even with a missed game, Evans ranked seventh in target percentage and 13th in reception percentage.List 3: 10 rookies I would draft, in order, in a dynasty league1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys 2. Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins 3. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants 4. Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns 5. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Minnesota Vikings 6. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals 7. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans 8. Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos 9. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints 10. Leonte Carroo, WR, Miami DolphinsList 4: 10 best fantasy football team names (that I can print!)As always, way too many submissions to make them all into the column. There were thousands (yes, thousands) of submissions on Facebook and Twitter, but I can tell you that Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Stefon Diggs, Harambe the gorilla, J.J. Watt, Isaiah Pead, Todd Gurley and Michael Vick were popular choices. Just assume if you have one of them in your team name, you are one of many, many people with the same joke.1. Dak in a Box -- many 2. The Zeke-A-Virus -- Charethcutestory on FantasyLife app 3. A Team Has No Name -- many 4. Hooked on a Thielen -- Papa Stone on Facebook 5. Schweddy Rawls -- @markacollins 6. Teamy McTeamface -- @billkuennen 7. Bortlestar Gallactica -- Therron Hamaker on Facebook 8. Get me to the Zeke -- @Serrano1677 9. Swim Shady (complete with Ryan Lochte avatar) -- Brett Duvall on Facebook 10. Youre my Boyd, Alfred Blue -- Brian Faulkner on FacebookList 5: 10 players whose stock has risen the past few weeks and need to be on your radar1. Kenjon Barner, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Now the No. 2 RB in Philly, he needs to be on your radar, especially given Ryan Mathews injury history and the reports that Wendell Smallwood is struggling with pass protection.2. Rob Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins: At least for the moment, the undrafted free agent appears to have passed Keith Marshall on the depth chart to be the No. 2 behind Matt Jones. I still expect Washington to sign a veteran, but so far the former Tulane star is the handcuff to Jones, who has struggled with injuries in the past and is currently out for the rest of the preseason.3. Christine Michael, RB, Seattle Seahawks: I mentioned this in my piece about what I learned at the fantasy marathon, but Louis Riddick (whom I have tremendous respect for) says he has seen a light go on for Michael. Always super-talented, Michael has been slow to transition to the pro level, but now seems to be adjusting and looks great. He will have a rrole in Seattles offense this season.dddddddddddd.4. Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Having a great camp and preseason, West has definitely carved out a role for himself on the Ravens, and theres a decent chance hes starting for them at some point this season.5. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are already using the talented rookie all over the field, there are 153 targets that need to be replaced, and sorry, but I am not a Brandon LaFell or Brandon Tate believer.6. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans: The rookie is already running with the ones, and the targets cant all go to Delanie Walker. Yes, the Titans will run, but not on every play. Theres not a ton of competition and Sharpe impresses every time he is on the field.7. Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland Browns: OK, you know about him, but you probably havent considered him. Hes 25th among QBs in ADP, but he should be on your radar late in drafts. Hes got a cannon for an arm, hes fast as hell, has a smart, offense-minded coach, a bad defense and a load of wide receivers. RG III looked good in Week 2 of the preseason and he certainly has the weapons around him to be a fantasy starter this season.8. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans: With Jaelen Strong and Braxton Miller, among others, around, theres definite competition for playing time next to DeAndre Hopkins, but the speedy Fuller is making a strong case so far this preseason.9. Malcolm Mitchell, WR, New England Patriots: Anyone who gets on the field with Tom Brady is a candidate to have value, and though Mitchell is banged up now, they like him a lot in Foxborough. Dont be surprised if he carves out a Brandon LaFell-in-2014 sort of role with the team.10. Tyrell Williams, WR, San Diego Chargers: As much as I love Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin, Williams is currently No. 3 on a team that will have a good offense and has two players ahead of him who are coming off injury or are currently banged up.Bonus name: Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings: More for deeper leagues and/or keeper leagues, because you know I am a Diggs guy and ultimately, Minnesota is a run-first team and Treadwell will obviously be a part of what they want to do in the passing game. But a guy to have in the back of your mind is Thielen, who has done everything right this preseason.List 6: 10 RBs going in the 10th round or later that I like, per ESPN.com ADP1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: See List 1. Thats a man, son. A MAN.2. Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags back you want. Hes going to be the goal-line back on one of the leagues better offenses.3. Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins: Do you think Arian Foster plays all 16 games? Yeah, me neither.4. Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns: Better than you think, and though Duke Johnson Jr. will be involved, Crowell will be the thumper for Hue Jackson, whose teams have always run well in every stop he has made.5. Paul Perkins, New York Giants: See List 1.6. DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders: The hate might have gone too far on Latavius Murray, but it doesnt mean everything is perfect, either.7. Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys: A must-own for any Ezekiel Elliott owner, Morris is one hammy injury away from being a top-five fantasy running back.8. Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens: Yes, theres competition with Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon (both of whom I like) and yes, Forsett is 31 and coming off an injury, but ... hes going in the 12th round! Hes a starting RB on a good offense who is not far removed from being a very strong fantasy RB.9. Zach Zenner, Detroit Lions: Im high on the whole Lions offense and he has a good shot to be their goal-line back.10. Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks: See List 5. What can I say? I assume you skim some of this stuff. If you need another name, give me Devontae Booker.List 7: 10 more of the best fantasy team names (that I can print)Donald Trumps campaign slogan was a popular source of inspiration. Many people submitted Make Fantasy Great Again. Others went the player route, as I saw Make America Brate again, Make America Gronk again and my personal favorite, Make Amari-Carr Great Again.Also, many folks use references to the show The League, which is great, it was a hilarious show. But just know everyone uses it.1. Fat Bottomed Gurleys -- Todd Kaufman on Facebook 2. Gronkemon Go -- Eric Johnson on Facebook 3. Turn your Woodhead and Goff -- Nsuter9 on FantasyLife App 4. The Shouldve Starteds -- Steve Slocomb on Facebook 5. Zeke and Destroy -- many 6. You ignorant punt -- @dezpicabled on Twitter 7. Tunsil Hockey -- @devin_quinlan 8. Dak that pass up -- Dave Smads on Facebook 9. Hit em in the Hein! -- @siriusjay among many 10. The Hurns Betrayal -- Scott Clark on Facebook. #06010List 8: 10 interesting stats that are written in a totally gimmicky, by-the-numbers sort of way just to amuse myself1 -- The number of running backs who have at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage and at least eight touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. His name? Lamar Miller. Honestly, I sandbagged those thresholds. Miller has totaled at least 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. As long as we are on the topic of Miller: Only one other back has scored at least nine times in each of the past two seasons (Jeremy Hill) and only two others have totaled 1,200 yards from scrimmage in each of the past two years (Matt Forte and Frank Gore).2 -- The number of players from 2001 to 2014 who received at least 145 targets in a season and still finished with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards. In 2015, Michael Crabtree did it.3 -- Number of consecutive seasons Russell Wilson has ranked as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, giving him the second-longest active streak in the league ... after Drew Brees 12 straight.4 -- Zach Millers rank among tight ends in yards per catch last season, trailing only Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen and Gary Barnidge.5 -- The number of quarterbacks (Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees) who averaged more yards per dropback than Kirk Cousins last season.6 -- Number of tight ends who finished inside the top 50 flex players (RB/WR/TE) in fantasy points last season. The standard 10-team league requires 20 starting RBs, 20 starting WRs and 10 starting flex players. Its not insane, if your draft board leads you there, to consider drafting two of the premier tight ends and using one as your flex option.7 -- The number of running backs who had 10 or more total touchdowns last season. We saw an average of 10.6 running backs do so during the previous 10 seasons.8 -- Since 2011, the number of receivers with more total fantasy points than Jordy Nelson, and Nelson has missed 20 games in that span.9 -- Number of tight ends who have more receiving yards than Coby Fleener since he entered the league in 2012. For the record, only seven of those nine have more touchdowns.10 -- Percentage of Danny Woodheads carries that came in goal-to-go situations (OK, so it was 9.8 percent, but whatevs, that rounds up to 10 percent). Devonta Freeman led the league in total goal-to-go rushes (but only 8.7 percent of his carries). And though Jeremy Hill is thought of as a goal-line specialist, only 7.6 percent of his carries came in those situations.List 9: 10 players who appear on my roster the most from all the mock drafts I have done so far1. Brandin Cooks 2. C.J. Anderson 3. Lamar Miller 4. Donte Moncrief 5. Tom Brady 6. DeVante Parker 7. Frank Gore 8. Zach Ertz 9. Zach Miller 10. Handcuff to whomever my No. 1 running back isList 10: 10 more team names1. Wentz, Twice, Fee Times a Mady (complete with Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat avatar) -- @deadpanmoney 2. Professor No Fumbledore -- @twotakejake 3. Breakin 2: Leonte Carroo -- @panpipeninja 4. Mr. Steal Your Gurley -- @chipj5 5. Gronkodile Dundee -- @OMGitsOFS 6. Wentzylvania -- @worbyrob 7. The Steve Smithsonian Institution -- @oldskoolcoach 8. Welcome Back, Cooter -- twindaddy55 on FantasyLife app 9. Shoulda listened to Matthew Berry -- Erik n Abby Guttormston on Facebook 10. Dont take advice from Matthew Berry -- Nick Spindola on Facebook ' ' '