RJ reporter’s fantasy league idea goes viral
Rams running back Todd Gurley has had a rocky relationship with fantasy football owners since entering the NFL in 2015.
But Las Vegas Review-journal Raiders beat writer Michael Gehlken has found a charitable way to bring Gurley and other NFL players together with fantasy owners.
Last December, a few days before Christmas, Gehlken tweeted a list with 15 of the best fantasy players of 2016 and their respective charities.
“If a player helps win your fantasy league, consider donating portion of winnings to a cause he supports,” Gehlken’s tweet read.
His idea quickly took off after retweets from ESPN’S Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. More than a million Twitter users saw Gehlken’s idea, leading to many donations on behalf of last year’s top fantasy scorer, Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson.
This Christmas Eve, Gehlken tweeted another list of charities — this time with 25 players. His tweet had 1.5 million impressions and was
CHARITIES
Wednesday began to sound like one.
“Obviously, a lot of things have gone on in a negative direction,” Del Rio said in a news conference, shortly after lamenting players’ inconsistent execution this season. “But I do know the guy is super bright. He’s going to be a really good coach in this league. I believe in him. Those are not things that people want to hear right now because the reality is we’ve underperformed offensively this year. So naturally there’s going to be those kinds of questions. I think we all understand that. I understand it. He understands it.
“But it doesn’t change my belief. It’s what I know. There have been a tough set of circumstances, and things have not gone real smooth.”
Downing was promoted from quarterbacks coach to coordinator in January, replacing Bill Musgrave. The two coordinators commanded largely the same offensive personnel. They did so, however, under entirely different circumstances. It could be argued this difference has resulted, from a public perception standpoint, in an inaccurate romanticization of what transpired in 2016 under Musgrave and unfair demonization of life under Downing.
Under Musgrave, the Raiders’ defense forced 30 takeaways, second-most in the NFL. Under Downing, that number is 14, fourth-fewest. The defense did not record an
interception until its 11th game in 2017. The streak of 10 games to start a season without a pick easily set an NFL record. The previous mark was six.
Under Musgrave, the Raiders opened 18 drives inside their opponent’s 40-yard line, tying them with the Arizona Cardinals for the NFL’S most such opportunities. Those possessions resulted in 16 scores, half of which were touchdowns. Under Downing, Oakland has started six drives inside its opponent’s 40, tied for sixth-fewest.
This year, the Raiders recorded three touchdowns and two field goals in those six tries. The only non-score came during the fourth quarter of Monday’s 19-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Running back Jalen Richard caught an 8-yard pass to the 16-yard line but fumbled. It was the Nfl-high sixth time in 2017 the Raiders lost a fumble following a completed pass. There were no such fumbles lost last year.
“For the first time going out there doing it, I think he did a great job of preparing us,” Carr said Wednesday. “I think he did a great job of creating a plan to scheme things open and all those kinds of things. Obviously, there are things he’ll tell you that he learned and wants to do better. I don’t know what those things are because I’ve never called plays. But I do know us as players could have helped him more. We could have helped him with our execution.”
Said right tackle Marshall Newhouse: “If you’re not here every day, then you just don’t know. There is not a binary reason for the way things are going. … TD is really bright. He cares about the players. I agree with Coach. He’s only going to go up. I believe in him. I like him.” Ultimately, Del Rio has final say . Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.