Offtopic/fun » Barron, the Redskins Sua Cravens

HOUSTON -- When Lance Lynn began to struggle with his control, the Houston Astros made the most of the opportunity. Erik Bedard pitched six effective innings and the Astros used a four-run fourth to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday night. "That was huge for us to capitalize on that inning and really maximize that situation," said Jason Castro, who singled and scored in the rally. Bedard (3-3) allowed seven hits and walked one, but limited St. Louis to three runs. Josh Fields, Wesley Wright and Jose Cisnero then combined to pitch two hitless innings before Jose Veras worked the ninth for his 16th save. Veras yielded a one-out single to Jon Jay and then walked Matt Adams, but pinch hitter Daniel Descalso struck out and Matt Carpenter flied out to end the game. "They did a tremendous job," Houston manager Bo Porter said of his relievers. "Veras ran into a little bit of trouble but was able to make the necessary pitches in the ninth to get out of it and close it out." Allen Craig homered for the second straight night and Yadier Molina had a two-run shot for the Cardinals, who lost for the fourth time in five games. They dropped into a tie with surging Pittsburgh for the lead in the NL Central. Lynn (10-2) allowed five hits, walked four and struck out four over 7 2-3 innings for his first loss in four career starts in Houston. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said it looked as if Lynn lost his rhythm in the fourth. "It wasnt a good inning," Lynn said. "The hits werent the problem -- it was the walks. When you walk people, you get yourself in trouble, and thats what happened. I just didnt throw strikes." Molina and Craig helped the Cardinals get off to a nice start. Molina followed Carpenters leadoff single in the first with a drive to the Crawford Boxes in left field for his sixth homer. Craig had a leadoff drive in the fourth that bounced off the lights atop the wall in left field, extending the lead to 3-0. But Houston responded in the bottom half. Jose Altuve and Castro got it started with back-to-back singles for the Astros first hits of the game. Lynn then walked Chris Carter on four pitches to load the bases before sending a run home when he also walked Carlos Pena on four pitches. Carter leads the majors with 108 strikeouts this season, but Porter was impressed with his patience in the big inning. "His at-bats have gotten extremely disciplined from a standpoint of hes attacking the pitches that he should attack -- not expanding (the zone) as often as he was earlier in the year, and hes putting together some really good at-bats," Porter said. Castro came home when J.D. Martinez grounded into a fielders choice, and Brett Wallace then hit a tying RBI single. After another fielders choice, Brandon Barnes singled in Wallace to give Houston the lead for good. The Astros threatened again in the fifth, putting two runners on with two out, but Lynn retired Martinez to end the inning. That was the first of eight straight batters retired by Lynn, who began the day with a 3-0 record and a 2.00 ERA in three games in Houston. Fields retired the first two St. Louis batters in the seventh before left-hander Wright struck out Carpenter. Cisnero faced the heart of the Cardinals order in the eighth. He got Molina on a groundout before walking Carlos Beltran. He then struck out Craig and Matt Holliday to finish the inning. "That was one of those situations where he pretty much just bulled his neck and said: Im going to throw my best against anybody that steps in the box, and he was able to get it done," Porter said of Cisnero. "I felt like his fastball had really good life, and he actually pumped it up the last couple at 95." NOTES: Molina played first base for the second time in his career and the first since 2008. Matheny said Molina could "probably play just about anywhere on the infield." He said playing him at first base is a good way to give his legs a rest. "Hes caught more innings than any other catcher," Matheny said. "His body has been able to handle it so far, but its going to be a tough task. Were not trying to set any records here, were just reading his body and days like this are going to be able to keep one of the top bats in baseball in the lineup while not beating him up behind the plate." ... Both teams are off Thursday. Houston then begins a series with the Angels and St. Louis starts one at Oakland. ... The Cardinals activated RHP Fernando Salas (right shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Memphis. ... Houston RF Justin Maxwell, who got a mild concussion when he hit his head on the ground attempting to make a diving catch on Tuesday, passed his concussion tests on Wednesday. He should be ready to play when the Astros start their series with the Angels Friday. ... Houston RHP Ross Seaton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Corpus Christi. 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Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start.In order to rise above the competition in fantasy football leagues we need to differentiate our portfolio with breakout players who enjoy smashing success in comparison to previous efforts. With a focus on the defensive side of the ball -- specifically on individual defensive players -- we aim to identify some of the key breakout candidates for 2016.For opportunity on offense we have actionable information, such as touches and targets, which help reveal how players are consuming and converting usage into on-field production. On defense, we mostly track snaps as the key surface stat to appraise opportunity. While glaringly obvious, being on the field is requisite for fantasy production. Once we identify snap exposure, we can then look for tackle rates and big-play indicators like turnover creation and sack production.By sifting through past performance and weighting the potential for opportunity this coming season, weve found some of our favorite breakout defenders at each position. With a nod to dynasty and keeper formats, we also detail some of the key rookies of the 2016 class at each defensive position.Breakout linebackersJames Laurinaitis -- now with the Saints -- led all linebackers in snaps as the middle linebacker for the Rams last season. Even from an outside role, Alec Ogletree enjoyed a 17 percent tackle rate last season, a rich clip that could spell league-leading potential given his valuable new role as the teams middle linebacker. Ogletree wont come cheap, as hes going fifth at the position on average in ESPN drafts, but indicators suggest a strong return on investment.The Vikings Eric Kendricks is a rare athlete for an inside linebacker, as he rates at least in the 90th percentile among positional prospects since 1999 in the 40-yard dash and vertical and broad jumps, per MockDraftable. NFL Nations Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling expects every-down exposure for Kendricks this season, Both Mike Zimmer and defensive coordinator George Edwards have noted how much more assertive Kendricks looks this year. As Zimmer put it, there were times last season when Kendricks seemed like hed had too much coffee. This year, he knows where hes supposed to be, and hes doing a better job of making calls in the defense. Hell be in the base, and I expect hell play in the nickel, as well.Speaking of athletic specimens, word is linebacker Ryan Shazier beat out fellow Steelers Antonio Brown and Sammie Coates in the 40-yard dash this offseason. Arguably the fastest player at the position in the league, Shazier needs only to stay on the field in order to become a fantasy star. Not only can Shazier reasonably top 100 tackles this season, we should recognize his pass-rush potential given he rushed the quarterback on 20.2 percent of passing snaps last season, good for 12th highest among inside linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.The aforementioned breakout candidates are all going within the top 18 at the position in ESPN drafts, so for a stronger value angle, lets look at the Chargers Denzel Perryman. Perryman rated tops among 59 qualifying inside backers in run stop percentage in 2015 -- registering a tackle on 18.3 percent of run snaps, per Pro Football Focus. If Perryman can secure every-down work (88 percent snap rate for final two games last year), he could rate among the leaders in solo tackles.The Bears brought in Danny Trevathan to add a playmaking dynamic in the linebackers corps. While durability remains a concern, Trevathans upside as a fantasy producer in Chicago is undeniable. As evidence, he led all linebackers with at least 500 snaps in tackles per snap last season and trailed only this guy named Luke Kuechly in fantasy points per play among that snap sampling.Its hard to not like the low draft price on Anthony Hitchens in Dallas, as hes perched atop the depth chart at middle linebacker and can be found in the twilight rounds in most drafts. Similarly,?Zachary Orr?of the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans Benardrick McKinney and the Oakland Raiders Ben Heeney could all surge as starting inside linebackers on their respective front sevens.Notable rookiesIts sad to see the Buffalo Bills Reggie Ragland lost for the season with a knee injury, but we can still find some fantasy gems in the rookie class at the position. ESPN Nations Vaughn McClure told us LSU speedster Deion Jones is in competition for meaningful work on the Falcons front seven: Jones is fighting Paul Worrilow for playing time and is likely going to be one of the linebackers on the field in the nickel because of his speed and coverage ability.In Jacksonville, ultratalented UCLA product Myles Jack is listed behind Paul Posluszny for the Mike linebacker gig, but its quite possible he forces the veteran to the outside later in the season.The Jets Darron Lee might be the most immediately valuable freshman fantasy linebacker, as he needs to supplant Erin Henderson for an inside gig. Lee enjoyed a stellar preseason debut with two tackles for loss and a sack.Breakout linemenThe Lions Ezekiel Ansah is a strong contender to lead the league in sacks this season. Ansah led all linemen with at least 300 snaps in both fantasy points and sacks per play last season.Having spent the offseason training with Adrian Peterson, undersized Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter is earning offseason hype for added bulk. Hunter was seventh in both fantasy points and sacks per snap among linemen with at least 300 snaps last season.dddddddddddd Goessling told us, The coaching staff is pretty excited about how he looks coming into his second year. Theyve been touting him as a real find for their scouting staff, and Id expect hell get more snaps in the base defense this year, while still playing as a pass-rusher in the nickel package.The Eagles brought in Jim Schwartz to deploy his attacking defense that employs the Wide 9 technique with frequency. This technique means edge linemen line up a full gap from where the tight end would line up pre-snap. Schwartz relies on a four-man pass rush, which should lead to increased exposure for both Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry. Graham has compiled 12 sacks and seven forced fumbles in limited snaps at linebacker over the past two seasons, while Curry was second among linemen in forced fumbles in 2014 and led all linemen in sacks per snap (min. 300) that season.One of our favorite breakout edge talents is the Patriots Jabaal Sheard, as he ranked second in Pro Football Focus signature stat pass rush productivity last season (sacks, hits and hurries divided by snaps) among 4-3 ends. Sheard finished 2015 with four sacks and three forced fumbles over the final three games and was fourth in fantasy points per play among linemen with at least 500 snaps for the season.In the value department, young edge mavens?Dante Fowler Jr.?of the Jaguars and Kony Ealy of the Panthers could provide profits as pressure producers in the pass-rush phase.Notable RookiesAs far as rookie linemen, the 49ers?DeForest Buckner could earn streaming interest playing on a defense that could be on the field more than any other in the league.It might take some time for former prep phenoms Robert Nkemdiche and Noah Spence, of the Cardinals and Bucs, respectively, to earn meaningful work, but both could eventually shine as playmakers in their rookie seasons.NFL Nation Bills reporter Mike Rodak offered insight into the role versatile rookie Adolphus Washington night serve this season, Hell be a starter at 3-4 DE, 5-tech unless there is an injury or setback in his development. Washington will be an interior rusher with snap counts most likely north of 50 percent, probably closer to 75 percent.Breakout defensive backsA thin linebacker depth chart for the Jets could set up Calvin Pryor with steady tackle opportunities cleaning up in the second level. We also like the Saints Kenny Vaccaro as an enforcer behind a suspect crew of linebackers. Laurinaitis ranked last among inside linebackers in run stop percentage last season, meaning Vaccaro could be busy in the box in 2016.Chip Kellys snap-happy scheme saw Malcolm Jenkins average 70.4 plays per game over the past two seasons, the most among defenders by nearly six percent. This means strong safety Antoine Bethea -- who was third in run stop percentage among safeties last season -- could challenge the Dolphins Reshad Jones for the tackle crown among defensive backs. The Eagles defense was on the field for 11.4 percent more plays than the league average last season.NFL Nations Cowboys beat scribe Todd Archer believes well see a lot of uber-athlete Byron Jones this season, Jones will be their starting free safety. The Cowboys believe his range is his best asset. He can go after the ball with his athleticism and theyve not had a safety like that in some time.The Colts were 22nd in sacks last season and could again struggle to produce pocket pressure this season. Safety Clayton Geathers could be busy all season with the lack of pressure feeding the ball into the second level with regularity. Similarly, Ibraheim Campbell could thrive in Cleveland as a stud strong safety behind a shaky linebacker group and an ineffective pass rush.Sticking in Ohio, the Bengals Shawn Williams -- flush with a new contract -- should earn every-down snap exposure. Pro Football Focus notes Williams finished ninth among safeties with 0.27 yards per coverage snap.In Denver we could see veteran strong safety T.J. Ward playing in the box as a pseudo dime linebacker given preseason trends. Ward was 11th in run stop percentage last season at the position, per PFF.Notable RookiesIts seemingly a banner season for targeting young secondary talents, as the Jaguars Jalen Ramsey could be heavily targeted and the Raiders Karl Joseph could produce a linebacker-like tackle rate as the box enforcer in Oakland.In what could be another fun hybrid safety/linebacker role in the mold of Deone Bucannon and Mark Barron, the Redskins Sua Cravens is going to play a unique role this season. NFL Nations John Keim notes that while Cravens is a sub-package specialist, I can definitely see him getting good work with the starters in nickel and dime packages. Hes a good athlete and I think theyll want his quickness up near the line. Cravens is eligible at both safety and linebacker in our game due to his rare role, adding immense value if he eventually earns steady snaps.NFL Nations McClure offered his take on safety Keanu Neals immediate upside, He certainly is an every-down player. Hes displayed more speed than initially advertised. Hes athletic enough to defend big tight ends. Hell fly down into the box and be that heavy hitter, but the Falcons seem to trust him in coverage as well, so maybe some interceptions will come his way. ' ' '