data-mm-id=”_5d0s4e7vg”>The last few years have been tough on NFL running backs. As tough as life can be for multi-millionaires, anyway. Organizations around the league have come to the cumulative realization that, while there's a can't-miss talent at the position every now and again, no one running back can do anything that several cheaper options cannot. Thus, the smart teams have refused to pay tailbacks anything more than the league average, and the ones that did end up paying big money to backs mostly ended up regretting it (see: Todd Gurley, Le'Veon Bell). From a certain perspective, it is an unfortunate development because it's a built-in cap loophole for teams. Draft a running back, pay them pennies on the dollar for the production and value they bring to an offense, then let them leave and do it all over again. It leads to some running backs getting the short end of the stick. Even if they significantly outperform their contract, no one will give them a proportionate raise because it's too easy to replace them. In the midst of a discussion about Ezekiel Elliott, one of the few exceptions to the above thoughts, Stephen A. Smith tossed out an idea: what if NFL teams could go over the cap to sign running backs, therefore ensuring those who are worthy of big money receive it, and teams don't have to worry about how it factors into their cap?It is an… interesting idea, I suppose. One of the various reasons that NFL teams are reluctant to pay their running backs is because teams that give up cap space to pay running backs are rarely in Super Bowl contention. Taking that away would theoretically result in more running backs getting what they're worth. But this isn't really a problem that has or needs a solution. It's simply the evolution of the game treating one position poorly. Teams simply no longer need an elite running back to win football games, and it's been that way for the better part of this century. I mean, I get it, it sucks for all the kids who grow up dreaming of being great running backs who will "only" get paid a few million for their services before they're tossed aside. But that's just football. It's a brutal and unforgiving game. I'm not at all convinced that this would lead teams to pay their running backs, either. Most general managers did not get to where they are on the back of sentimentality. It would be nice if they decided to do their RBs a favor and throw them an extra few bucks when they suffer serious physical abuse almost every play to help drive a good chunk of the team's success, but few owners are going to okay giving away more money just because they can. Elite running backs are a dying breed. That's disappointing because there are few things in football more fun to watch than a great tailback juking and spinning his way through defenders. But essentially granting teams a cap exception for running backs is an idea with no real goal or end-game in mind. Points for creativity, though.
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Wearing the captain s armband in the absence of injured full-back Antonio Valencia, Pogba provided assists for Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard at Goodison Park as United snapped a run of three consecutive draws in the Premier League.
Pogba starred on New Year s Day, at home on the left of a three-man midfield – where the France international established himself during his time at Italian champions Juventus before returning to United in 2016.
He can play in a lot of positions. I said when he first arrived that, for me, he is not a holding midfielder, fellow Frenchman Henry told Sky …
Dani Carvajal has described his season as a fail and says all his Real Madrid team-mates have fallen well short of their high standards.
Los Blancos are destined to finish the season in disappointing fashion after exiting the Champions League in the last 16 to Ajax and failing to keep up with the pace set by LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who also dumped them out of the Copa del Rey.
Their season has been characterised by chaos in the dugout with the club burning through two head coaches – Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari – before Zinedine Zidane returned in March after resigning in the wake of leading the club to a third consecutive Champions League title in 2018.
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Barcelona have vowed to appeal UEFA s decision to give the Catalans a €150,000 fine for displaying estelada flags during Champions League matches in 2015-16.
The Spanish champions fans showed the estelada flags an unofficial flag typically flown by Catalan separatists to express their support for an independent Catalonia on more than one occasion throughout the 2015-16 campaign.
UEFA, however, considers the banner to be a form of ideological, political and religious propaganda, which is forbidden by European football s governing body, and therefore slapped Barcelona with a fine.
The Camp Nou side feel displaying estelada flags falls under the freedom of expression, though, and are ready to take legal action.
Barcelona announce that the club has receive…
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Netherlands international Van Dijk has played a pivotal role in the Reds thrilling title challenge with Manchester City this season, a battle that looks set to go to the wire.
And his performances have not gone unnoticed, with the 27-year-old s peers anointing him the competition s best at a ceremony in London on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling, scorer of 17 goals in a superb season for Manchester City, was considered by many as Van Dijk s closest rival, but the England star had to settle for being named the Young Player of the Year.
The Players’ Player of the Year 2019 and defender
— PFA | Professional Footballers As…
Swansea City midfielder Jonathan de Guzman has backed manager Michael Laudrup to bring Osasuna s Roland Lamah to Wales.
Lamah is rumoured to be on his way to Swansea for 2.4 million euros as Laudrup looks to use his Spanish contacts to find another bargain.
Laudrup s most impressive signing since taking over as Swansea s boss was Michu for 2.4 million euros, while de Guzman has been handy on loan from Villarreal and the latter believes Lamah would add something to Wales only Premier League club.
Roland s a strong player, de Guzman said.
I remember playing against him in Holland. I was playing for Feyenoord and he was playing for Roda JC.
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Lineker compared the language being used by current politicians to that expressed in Germany in the 1930s.
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Competition: Irish First Division
Market: Shelbourne to score over 2.5 goals
Odds: 11/10 @
Two sides who find themselves very much battling it out at opposite ends of the First Division table, Shelbourne will make the trip to a struggling Wexford on Friday night.
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to losing ways last time out after throwing away the lead against Treaty United on home soil, Wexford find themselves in the midst of a First Division nightmare. Eventually hit with a 2-1 defeat at Ferrycarrig Park on June 11th, Ian Ryan s side are already sat rock-bottom of the table and chasing a six-point deficit. With it appearing that their much-needed victory against Cabinteely last month was just a minor bounce, The Youths have lost 10 …
Lazio have ended striker Brayan Perea s loan at Perugia to give coach Stefano Pioli more depth in the forward third.
Lazio recalled Colombian striker Brayan Perea from his loan deal with Serie B club Perugia on Monday to cover for Filip Djordjevic s long-term ankle injury.
Djordjevic is set to have surgery on Tuesday after fracturing his ankle in Lazio s 3-1 win over Milan at the Stadio Olimpico, which will leave the Italian capital club undermanned up front for the rest of the season.
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The first transfer window of 2015 has officially come to a close and below we analyse 10 of the biggest deals.
The clock has run out for club s around Europe as another fascinating transfer window came to a close on Monday.
Several high-profile transfers have taken place over the past month and here we look at the top 10 deals.
Juan Cuadrado: To Chelsea, from Fiorentina
Without doubt the highlight on Monday s deadline day was Chelsea s purchase of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina. The Colombia international who caught the eye with a series of impressive performances at last year s World Cup was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the window and finally put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal with Jose Mourinho s men
An…