These days, NFL running backs are, to some extent, viewed as expendable. Teams no longer build their offense around one, bruising ball-carrier; its simply easier to build a talented unit and plug a new running back in as necessary. Frank Gore, however, is a survivor from a bygone era.

Now in his 16th NFL season, the veteran running back is still going strong; he signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets in May, and, with LeVeon Bell injured, he should see plenty of work. Despite those current commitments, though, Frank Gore recently revealed his plans for leaving pro football behind.

RELATED: Frank Gore Could Become the First NFL Player to Play Alongside His Son

At this point in his career, Frank Gore simply seems like part of the NFL landscape; its impossible to imagine a time when he wasnt hitting the gridiron each Sunday. That perception, though, shouldnt overshadow his impressive career.

Gore played his college ball at Miami, where he burst onto the scene as a true freshman. While his time on campus wasnt always easyhe suffered multiple ACL injuries, missing most of two seasonshe still piled up 1,975 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 28 NCAA appearances.

The running back then entered into the 2005 NFL draft and joined the San Francisco 49ers as a second-round pick. While Gore didnt make much of an impact during his rookie campaign, that wasnt a sign of things to come. Once the 2006 season rolled around, the sophomore seized the starting job; he promptly broke off a 1,695-yard year.

In total, Frank Gore spent 10 seasons in the Bay Area, piling up just over 11,000 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns. He then headed to Indianapolis, spending three campaigns with the Colts, before joining the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills on two-straight one-year contracts.

In May 2020, Gore signed another one-year deal, this time with the New York Jets. Even at age 37, the running back has no intention of leaving pro football behind.

At this point, its not clear when Frank Gore plans to retire. Whenever that moment comes, though, he has one specific plan: to ride off into the sunset as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, Gore and Niners CEO Jed York have already discussed a return to San Francisco. Even if its only on a ceremonial one-day contract, the veteran running back wants to end his career where it began.

I got to. Thats the team that gave me the opportunity to do something I always wanted to do when I was a kid, play NFL ball, Gore explained. I was there for 10 great years. Been on bad teams and been on great teams. I love it out there.

RELATED: Frank Gores Hall of Fame Career Has Resulted in Him Racking up a Huge Net Worth

Under ordinary circumstances, fans and pundits might not look too kindly on a player discussing his retirement plans during the season. Frank Gore, however, has earned the right to retire however he wants.

While you could call Gore a compilerits easy to pile up rushing yards if you play for more than a decadethat shouldnt devalue the running backs accomplishments. Hes been remarkably durable, never appearing in fewer than 11 games per season for the entirety of his career, and currently sits third on the NFLs all-time rushing list. Even if hes accumulated his stats over a longer time period, 15,371 is impressive, no matter how you achieve it.

On Sunday, Frank Gore will face the San Francisco 49ers as a member of the New York Jets. When it comes time to retire, though, hell pull on that red jersey one final time.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference

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Judy Terry, Green Thumb Published 7:30 a.m. CT Sept. 19, 2020

It has been a week of incredible sunshine and great temperatures that we hope will continue now that fall is just about here. Soon, we will be doing garden clean up, but now is the time to skip ahead several months to think about spring.

I have always thought planting bulbs in the fall is an act of faith. Sliding large bulbs into the still-warm earth, knowing a couple of seasons will pass before you see any results, is optimism. Yet, we plant, and we are quite sure they will bloom and bring warm weather with them.

This week, I visited the Ashton house on the bend of Park Road and Rocky Shore Drive. There are eight acres around the house with a view of the Iowa River. Each Monday, Project GREEN members, led by Diane Allen, arrive to spend a couple of hours making this landscape not just beautiful, but outstanding.

One announcement that met with cheerswas that a friend of Project GREEN would be donating up to a 1,000 bulbs to the project. Lots of work, but typically they are excited about it and looking forward to the happy planting times.

This the back side of the Aston House. Infront, you'll see turned over ground ready to be planted. Imagine it with a mass of daffodils.(Photo: Diane Allen / For the Press-Citizen)

Besides doing weeding and clean-up, many in the group were planting bulbs. That day, Grape Hyacinth or Muscari, an early spring purple/blue flower, small, but resembling a bunch of grapes, was being tucked in the ground in several different flower beds.

Next will come daffodils and maybe tulips, though the deer population is large and hungry and tulips are irresistible to them. Not so the daffodils. Not to their taste.

Luckily, they are favored by many gardeners, giving us a spring show that is hard to beat.

Linda Bergquist, Project GREEN volunteer is ready to plant spring bulbs in her chosen area at the Ashton House.(Photo: Judy Terry / Special to the Press-Citizen)

There are few rules as to planting spring bulbs, but it doesnt hurt to remember them. This is a down on your knees kind of job. Notice the pad Linda has in the picture above.

Daffodils are one of the largest bulbs to plant. When buying, look for big ones, nice and plump without any soft spots, as they will give you the largest flower. You will need to plant them two-and-a-half times their size, which makes a hole anywhere from 6-9 inches deep.

Find a place in your yard that gets lots of suna minimum of 6 hours in the spring. Grouping bulbs together always makes for a good show. Compost is a nice addition to the soil if sand or clay is present. Do cover well with soil and perhaps a few inches of mulch; this will help keep the squirrels from feasting on your bulbs.

Daffodil blooming in several shapes with white and yellow contrasting cups.(Photo: Judy Terry / Special to the Press-Citizen)

Spring bulbs are best planted in September and October, when the ground is cooler and the weather is nice. Like me, though, you may buy some and forget to plant them. Perhaps as you look around for Christmas paper and boxes you discover them. It may not be too late. In a column nearer cold weather, I will give you some advice as to planting them, even if there is snow on the ground.

Be Safe. Wear a Mask. Enjoy Gardening.

Do you have garden survival stories you want to share? Email me at judyaterry@gmail.com.

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September is the start of spring bulb planting season - Iowa City Press-Citizen

When LeSean McCoy went to the Chiefs in 2019, he earned the elusive ring he missed after leaving the Eagles before their victory. Now, hes trying to do it again in Tampa Bay. WhenTom Brady joined the Bucsin the offseason, he changed the landscape. Now, with Rob Gronkowski unretired and McCoy at running back, is Tampaa Super Bowl threat?

McCoy, who fans lovingly call Shady,came into the NFLas the 53rd overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. After playing for Pittsburghs legendary football program, he was one of the best running backs in the country. But as a second-round pick, his place in the NFL was far from clinched. After spending much of his rookie season coming off the Eagles bench, McCoy was ready to take the league by storm in 2010.

In his first full-time season as a starter, he did not disappoint. McCoy rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his 2011 season that changed it all, however. That year, McCoy became the teams primary option. Before long, he was not only the Eagles leader but also one of the best running backs in the league. He finished 2011 with over 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns, securing his first All-Pro honor.

Injuries brought him back to earth in 2012. Then, in 2013, McCoy returned with an equally impressive 1,600-yard, nine-touchdown season. He was one of the leagues premier players. At just 25 years old, he still had a lot to give. McCoy lasted one more year in Philadelphiabefore the team traded him toBuffalo to cut costs and try something new, according to NBC Sports.

Although his All-Pro days were behind him, McCoy showed that he had a lot left in the tank, particularly in the 2016 season. His final season in Buffalo, however, left lots to be desired. By the time he got to Kansas City, he was a role player providing valuable offenses off the bench, earning him his first Super Bowl ring.Now, hes taken his talents to Tampa.

RELATED: Tom Brady Just Made NFL History in the Worst Possible Way

Well aware that hes no longer theAll-Pro player he once was, details CBS Sports, McCoy is joiningBrady and Gronkowski in Tampa Bayas he hopes to revitalize his career and offer similar gifts that he showed last year. McCoy will join Ronald Jones, Dare Ogunbowale, and Ke Shawn Vaughn on the Tampa Bay offense. While McCoy will not be the primary option on running, he will likely be a significant part of the teams offense, albeit as a role player.

On top of that, McCoy already had a good resume for his new teammates to look up to before his Super Bowl, but adding that ring adds a certain amount of pedigree to an already impressive resume. This is the role that McCoy most looks forward to filling.

RELATED: Bruce Arians Throws Tom Brady Under the Bus After Buccaneers Loss

McCoy is looking forward to joining Tom Bradyand the rest of the team. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed as much when the deal happened. Furthermore, McCoy is looking to make a difference in the lives of younger players.

I think the biggest thing is to find the right fit. Find the right fit for me, McCoy said per NFL.com. At the point in my career I want to play for the right team. I want to be able to contribute. I want to be able to win another championship. You cant go from playing with the Chiefs with all that talent and winning a championship to now just trying to play.

McCoy knows that actions speak louder than words, and hes willing to put his money where his mouth is if it means competing for another ring.

Im the type of guy, I want to come in a room, challenge the running backs, get them better. Be a veteran leader. All the type of things I want to bring to a team. So, just got to find the right fit for me, he said (per NFL.com)

Whether or not age will be a fact for the Buccaneers remains to be seen. However, whether the team reaches Super Bowl glory or not, the Buccaneers can look forward to a season filled with teammates who have been there and know what it takes to win. That in itself might be worth the excitement of the new season.

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Brady to Shady: LeSean McCoy Is Officially in the Ring Chasing Part of His Career - Sportscasting

The Gadsden Times

Several types of hibiscus are available at nurseries and garden centers. The tropical types of beautiful hibiscus must be treated as winter houseplants in this area. They have large, lovely, colorful blossoms, but they cannot stay outside in the landscape in the winter because they cannot endure our frigid weather. I have had some of the lovely plants, but I do not have any of them now because I do not have room in my home for large houseplants.

In our landscape, we have a Rose of Sharon hibiscus tree that is larger than any crape myrtles in our landscape. The tree flowers all summer long, presenting a canopy filled with small, lovely, pinkish-lavender, single-petaled flowers. The one negative thing about the tree is that it spreads seeds, and we spend a great deal of time each season removing seedlings that grow from the scattered seeds. I love the tree, but the seedlings can be a nuisance. I have no desire for more than one of the lovely plants.

Recently, in this column, I wrote about the three Texas Star hibiscuses that we have in our landscape. They are tough enough to withstand the winters in this area, but the top portion of the plant dies back. The root system lives and the plants return year after year. They are quite lovely, too, but I do not want more than three of those. There are other types of lovely hibiscus, one of which is a plant called a dish hibiscus that presents large round blossoms the size of a dinner plate. I do not have any of these hibiscuses, at this time.

One hibiscus plant that I have never written about is a beautiful, double-blossomed, pink-flowering Althea Rose of Sharon, which is a dwarf tree that grows at the top of the hill n our front yard. The little tree is a prolific bloomer that flowers all summer. The blossoms are small but beautiful, with twice as many petals as the flowers on the larger Rose of Sharon tree. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love the colorful, double-ruffle blossoms that, to me, before they open completely, resemble a carnation blossom. The best thing about this small tree is that it does not reseed. We never have to remove any seedlings.

This little tree is situated in full morning sun with some afternoon shade. Generally, the tree thrives on whatever amount of water that nature provides. I have never pruned the tree; I never deadhead the blossoms, but I do occasionally feed the tree with an all-purpose slow release fertilizer and I do water at that time. The tree is a fairly carefree plant that delivers a great deal of beauty to our landscape.

Carol (Bonnie) Link is an Etowah County Master Gardener and an experienced garden writer. Her weekly column is designed to help and encourage others in their gardening endeavors. Send questions or comments to clink43@bellsouth.net.

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CAROL LINK ON GARDENING: Tropical hibiscus varieties are winter houseplants in this area - Gadsden Times

by Max Phelps

Yards to Paradise

The daylily has been steadily growing as a fad for the garden, with over 80,000 varieties registered with the American Hemorocallis (daylily) Society. Rather amazing, thats more options in this plant than you have in beans and tomatoes, or apples and daffodils combined.

My fondness for this plant is a much more subdued, but its such an easy to grow and hardy perennial, available in just about every color except crimson or pure blue, how can I not recommend a few for the landscape or garden.

The only native daylily to the USA is the tall orange one, hemorocallis fulva. Most hail from Asia. Hybridizers have had a fieldday with this plant over the past sixty years or so, creating new attractive color combinations, and bigger bolder blooms. Yet, the best bet to bloom all summer is still the Stella dOro with its compact plants and orangish blooms.

Some go dormant, some remain evergreen, and many are somewhere between, depending on temperatures and length of the winter. The evergreen ones can be killed in cold climates. Some begin blooming early, some begin late summer, and many fall in between. Most bloom for a couple weeks, but those that bloom both early and late or even all summer are called reblooming daylilies. Some are a foot tall and some get four feet plus in height. Blossoms vary from petite to eight inches wide, some are double, and some resemble spiders.

This plant loves sun, but also does well in part shade. It likes fertile and slightly damp soil but tolerates drought or floods and bounces back. The clumps slowly expand, like most perennials do, and most commonly new plants are obtained by taking a portion of the entire plant and starting it in a container or somewhere else in the yard or garden. Taking up an entire plant and dividing it into multiple little clumps of two or more fans or sets of leaves, along with sufficient roots, is an ideal way to invigorate an older plant while also producing numerous new starts for your own garden or to give away to friends, or perhaps even to sell.

Careful selection of varieties can mean you have some blooms from May until frost. Though a good number of bloom spring and fall, the majority of cultivars just bloom for a spell of a month or less. Each blossom only is open for one day, or one night and one day for the nocturnal ones. The scapes bear several buds, and new blooms open for a couple weeks or more in most varieties.

Daylilies are pretty good at erosion control after the first season, and also at keeping annual weeds down. Rabbits usually dont eat them, but deer will. And Ill eat them too, if Im hungry. The unopened blossoms make good in a salad or stir-fry. Blooms are used in Oriental cooking. And the little nodules of stored energy on the roots are like small peanuts or tiny potatoes, and definitely are edibleeven very tasty if harvested at the right time. Pickled daylily buds anyone, or battered and fried blooms?

You can plant them most anytime but try to avoid midwinter or dividing a plant while it is in bloom. It is a good idea to cut the tops back to help growing plants adjust to the new spot during hot or dry weather. Plants growing in containers can be planted anytime.

Sometimes you may be able to beg gifts from neighbors or buy from a roadside market or from a farm or gardener. Online/mailorder merchants will offer many varieties, usually shipping bare root plants spring, late summer and fall. Expect to pay quite a sum for the newest and prettiest varieties; older ones can often be bought in quantity for $3 or so per plant. If you are patient, one expensive plant can be divided in about three years to provide you extras.

Consider some daylilies the next time you are doing some flower planting. The ease of growing them and the many color and size combinations make growing these perennials a no-brainer. And remember that if you can bear to eat pretty blooms, their blossom buds are a delicacy.

For more information email rockcastles@gmail.com

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Landscaping with Daylilies - The Tryon Daily Bulletin - Tryon Daily Bulletin

Tommy Springer, Correspondent Published 12:11 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020

I knew it was coming. I expect it and dread it every year, but it never fails to catch me by surprise. And so, when I walked outside one morning this week to leave for work, I was greeted by the annual unwelcome sight. Streaked across the middle of my trucks hoodwas a splatter of epic proportions. Some unknown airborne visitor had made a mid-flight digested deposit that painted a picture in a bold contrast of rich purple with strokes of white. Ah yes, we have now entered the season of berry bird bombs.

Bird droppings are a year-long nuisance that I have learned to accept as a byproduct of my active feeding efforts that is the result of a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. Erecting a bird feeder attracts birds and consuming food creates waste, so when you entice a large group of animals and give them a buffet you kind of have to accept the obligatory ordure. However, you dont have to be a bird enthusiast to suffer the wrath of their digestive tract, as its well-known that birds have an uncanny way to detect any freshly washed window, wall or landscape feature.

The problem with certain times of year is that there are seasonal changes in birds preferred food choices that increase both the production and potency of their poop. These seasons usually coincide with the ripening of our multitudes of berries and small fruit. While fruit such as crab apples that have pale flesh may result in only an increase in volume of droppings and little other side effects, others can create the potential for permanent defacement by defecation.

The most damaging of these fruits are those that ripen into dark colors of red or purple and, unfortunately, a lot of them are found growing around our yards and gardens which make it easy work for the birds to leave their mark on our stuff. Cultivated varieties of blackberry, raspberry and grape can make minor contributions, but because most people also enjoy the taste of these, birds dont usually consume enough to cause widespread dropping distribution. As I find out each year,there are a few widespread, wild species of plants that produce hundreds to thousands of dye-packed morsels for birds to devour.

The pair I deal with on a recurring basis are mulberry trees and pokeweed plants. We have two species of mulberries that occur in Ohio: the native Red Mulberry and the aggressive, non-native white mulberry. Despite the misleading name of the introduced variety, both types of mulberry produce fruit that ranges from burgundy to black when ripe. My trees produce a bumper crop seemingly every year and birds, along with raccoons, squirrels and deer, will pick my branches clean usually before a single berry hits the ground.

Pokeweed, on the other hand, seems to be targeted solely by the birds around my yard and ignored by the furry creatures. While ripe pokeberries are toxic to humans, there are accounts of Native Americans using it to dye clothing, decorate their horses and even as a war paint although it may be possible to absorb the toxin through your skin, so I wouldnt advise trying this at home. In more recent times, there are even reports of Civil War soldiers using fermented pokeweed juice as an ink to pen letters from the battlefields.

Mulberries, too, contain a pigment that is currently used in some places around the world to create fabric dye and as a food colorant. The moral of this story is that the stuff inside these fruits has long been known as a potent colorant so its understandable why the accidental artwork left behind by birds can leave permanent stains on light colored paint, wood and metal.

I guess Ill be giving the truck and house siding a good once-over each day until the berries are all gone lest I end up with a polka-dotted mural courtesy of our feathered friends.

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Conservation Corner: Plants that stain the landscape, deck, and car - Lancaster Eagle Gazette

High temperatures, combined with dry weather, pose a threat to Virginias home landscapes. Vegetable gardens, lawns, and even trees and shrubs are all susceptible to the effects of drought, including desiccation and increased vulnerability to pest and disease problems.

Virginia Cooperative Extension agentsandExtension Master Gardenersare positioned across the commonwealth to offer guidance for gardeners dealing with dry conditions. For many home gardeners inspired to plant vegetables in response to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, dry weather presents a special challenge.

Dealing with dry conditions can be especially hard for vegetable gardeners as many plants need consistent water to continue to produce and some need rain at critical times, such as corn during silking, said Amy Byington,Lee County, Virginia, Cooperative Extension. In Lee County, our gardeners are struggling to keep their plants healthy and watered. Any time plants become stressed, disease and other issues are more likely to present themselves.

Trees and shrubs are also susceptible to drought, though how they respond depends on a few factors, including species, the time elapsed since transplanting, and soil type, according to Alex Niemiera, a professor in theSchool of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Some plant species are very tolerant of drought, some very intolerant, some in-between, Niemiera said. Recently transplanted plants will be more vulnerable to drought stress compared to plants that have been planted for about a year or more. It is important to water recently planted plants regularly. Lastly, soil type will affect drought response. Plants growing in moisture-retentive soils will fare much better than those growing in less retentive soils.

For help evaluating the type of soil you have and the susceptibility of your trees and shrubs to drought, contact your local Extension Master Gardeners via yourVirginia Cooperative Extension office.

The very hot and mostly dry summer in Virginia is presenting some real challenges to Virginia gardeners, said Frank Reilly, Central Rappahannock Extension Master Gardener. There are the usual problems with heat and dry, such as plants wilting, trees prematurely dropping leaves, and fewer flowers than we expect from our favorite flowering plants. Some folks are also reporting that their tomatoes and even some peppers have stopped setting fruit.

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Heat and Dry Weather Pose Problems For Landscape Plants - The Roanoke Star

When Fred Vander Wall won an outdoor train set back in 1987, he never knew what to do with it, until a decade later when he looked at his backyard.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. When it comes to landscaping projects, some people love doing it while others hate doing it.

A man from Jenison had no vision or plan for his landscaping when he started it, but today, his backyard is a giant train trip around the world, as well as being some serious eye candy, to boot.

"In 1987, I won an outdoor train in a sales contest," said Fred Vander Wall. "For the next 10 years, every Christmas, I put tracks around our Christmas tree and ran the train."

Around 2003, Fred got to thinking about a different way to use the train.

"I was standing out in my backyard looking around and thought, why not create some landscaping and have the train run through it," said Vander Wall.

That's when the project began.

"I never thought I'd end up killing half my back yard but that's what happened," added Vander Wall.

Piece by piece, he kept finding more train tracks, small houses, cars and farm equipment to scatter throughout the project.

"In the early years, I'd stay up all hours of the night making sure I'd win eBay auctions," joked Vander Wall. "I think I also kept Hobby Lobby in business."

Vander Wall says he never had a vision or a plan, but his finished project ended up being a 30 x 60 feet, 1-minute train trip around the world.

"It's a beast we've built," said Vander Wall.

Each corner of the project is a different country or city. The trains, which operate by remote control, meander their way through Paris, France, the Netherlands and past the Egyptian Pyramids and the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

In between, he's created smaller slices of Americana such as farm country, churches, lighthouses and cars.

"It just sort of went as it went," said Vander Wall. "And fortunately this is what happened."

Vander Wall added the New York City portion of the project earlier this summer. He says that completed it, and now he will just spend time enjoying and maintaining it.

"I don't see me extending it any further," said Vander Wall. "We've spent hours and hours and hours on this and we're very happy with what it's turned into."

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ALL ABOARD: Jenison man transforms backyard into train trip around the world - WZZM13.com

The biggest question for roster construction of the Washington Football Team comes at quarterback, and in most ways, the question has been answered. With Alex Smith now on the active list, it's near impossible for him not to make the season-opening 53-man roster, and in turn, that means Washington keeps three QBs on the roster.

That has a massive trickle-down effect, particularly at running back and the offensive line. If just Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen make the team at QB, then Washington could keep five running backs and nine offensive linemen. That would be easy.

But with three QBs, Washington needs to find another offensive roster spot or carry more offensive players than defensive players. For this exercise, that's the plan. And it works because the questions at running back and offensive line present far more pressing concerns than carrying aseventh linebacker. And maybe, just maybe, there's a defensive lineman that can also help at linebacker and enough big-bodied wide receivers to help on special teams tomake this whole jigsaw puzzle work.

Here we go - Training Camp 53-man roster projection

QB (3)Dwayne HaskinsAlex SmithKyle Allen

Note - Now that Smith is on the active roster, Washington has very little choice but to carry three QBs. Maybe, maybe, Smith can revert back to IR but that would require an injury designation release that could create a major cap hit. Better off just to pay him and keep him on the 53 and make him inactive on game day. Unless hes active on game day... Stay tuned.

RB (5)Adrian PetersonBryce LoveAntonio GibsonJD McKissicPeyton Barber

Note -It's no sure thing this team will keep five running backs, and the two guys with the least secure roles are McKissic and Barber. But it's worth remembering that Peterson is 35 and Love hasn't played a football game since December 2018. Barber provides insurance for both of those guys. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner loves to throw the ball to his backs and McKissic might be the best pass catcher of this group; he played wideout in college. Gibson and McKissic will both be versatile players for this offense, and keep in mind McKissic was one of the first free agents signed by Rivera.

WR (6)Terry McLaurinSteve SimsDontrelle InmanAntonio Gandy-GoldenIsaiah WrightCam Sims

Note -The first four spots seem fairly locked in, and even undrafted rookie Wright seems close to a done deal. His special teams ability helps. In fact, expect every one of these players except McLaurin to play some role on specials. The sixth wideout spot could come down to Cam Sims, Trey Quinn or Darvin Kidsy, and Sims has the best size and special teams potential of the three. Jester Weah is another big wideout that could maybe land a practice squad role.

TE (3)Logan ThomasMarcus BaughJeremy Sprinkle

Note - Washington head coach Ron Rivera has talked about each of these three tight ends and the reps during training camp made obvious the hierarchy. Thomas has developed a real strong dynamic with Haskins, too.After the team moved Thaddeus Moss to injured reserve, tight end became one of the easiest groups to project.

OL (9)Morgan MosesBrandon ScherffChase RoullierWes MartinGeron ChristianSaahdiq Charles

Keith IsmaelRoss PierschbacherCorneilus Lucas

Note - The starting unit is locked in but there are very serious questions about depth. The team added veteran guard Wes Schweitzer in free agency but he's barely practiced so far. Can't make the club in the tub, and Washington spent a fifth-round pick on Pierschbacher last season. He's under team control for three more seasons so maybe O-line coach John Matsko could try to mold him into a useful player. It will also bear watching if or when Charles starts practicing. He's been dealing with a calf injury and has been on the shelf for all of training camp. If the injury lingers would Washington consider trying to move him to IR? Same question can be asked with Schweitzer.

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DL (8)Ryan KerriganRyan AndersonChase YoungMontez SweatJonathan AllenDaron PayneMatt IoannidisTim Settle

Note - No surprises here and this is the best unit on the team. The player that makes the uneven roster distribution work between the offense and defense is Ryan Anderson. He's taken some snaps at linebacker during training camp,and can probably help in that spot in goalline situations while being a pass rusher in other spots. It's not perfect but it allows for Smith, Barber and a fourth offensive tackle to make the Week 1 roster. Anderson's versatility is key, and Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio have mentioned it repeatedly this offseason.

LB (6)Shaun Dion HamiltonCole HolcombThomas DavisJon BosticKevin Pierre-LouisKhaleke Hudson

Note - This team could really use Reuben Foster but to this point he hasnt shown the same explosive athleticism that he displayed before blowing out his knee during OTAs in 2019. Maybe thats coming, but right now it might make sense to try and get Foster to the IR and give him more time to get up to speed. Hes been running with the third team in practice and has a balky brace on hIs knee.

CB (6)Kendall FullerRonald DarbyFabian MoreauJimmy MorelandGreg StromanAaron Colvin

Note - If Darby can stay healthy this unit could outpace expectations. Moreland has real ball skills. Colvin hardly has a lock on the sixth CB spot. Danny Johnson will fight for it, and keep tabs on Ryan Lewis and Simeon Thomas as well. The sixth, and maybe even the fifth, corner spotisprobably the most open competition remaining.

Safety (4)Landon CollinsTroy ApkeDeshazor EverettSean Davis

Note - Davis was the free agent addition but right now he might be lowest on the depth chart. Apke has been the big surprise so far. Don't sleep on Kamren Curl either; a seventh-round pick that has made a handful of impressive plays during training camp.

Specialists (3)LS - Nick SundbergK - Dustin HopkinsP - Tress Way

Note - Duh.

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Will Peterson finish with more rushing yards than Gore? - NBC Sports Washington

(Photo: cmannphoto, Getty)

Scarlet Nation's weekly collection of news, tidbits and interesting college football storylines returns as we highlight the latest from the college football landscape across the nation.

A Pac-12 defectionUCLAs two-year starting tackle, redshirt seniorJake Burton, entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. Its not too late for him to enroll andland on a team thats playing this fall. Late Tuesday, Burton confirmed he has transferred to Baylor.Will other Pac-12 and Big Ten stars follow this path?

More anger with the Big TenNebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos is stillseething over the Big Tens decision to postpone its fall football season to the winter or spring

I always thought the JV game was before the varsity game,Moos said, alluding to the fact the Big Ten will be playing after the other three power-five conferences finish their fall seasons.

FBS Opening KickoffThe first game involving an FBS team this season is nowscheduled for Sept 5 with SMU traveling to Texas State.The cheapest advertised ticket is $71.Two days later, Navy hosts BYU at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.

Opting in for the 2020 seasonEastern Kentucky University Football is opting in for fall football,unlike the rest of its Ohio Valley Conference members, who elected toplay in the spring. The Colonels will play an independent schedule this fall. EKU is a perennial power in the OVC, playing in the championship game every year since 1948. But not this year. No other EKU sports will be in action this fall.

A one-game seasonNorth Dakota State will play one game, and one game only, this fall. And that gamewill be a home game against Central Arkansas, to take place at the Fargodome on Oct 3.North Dakota State is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, who a week ago announced it would not play this fall.Quarterback Trey Lance, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, will get his chance to go out in style in front of his home fans.

Service Academy Fall FootballThe Mountain West postponed its season, but Air Force is still planning to play Army and Navy this fall.

Army has added an Oct 10 home game versus The Citadel and an Oct 17 and a road trip to UTSA, bringing its schedule to 11 games. Click here for a primer on how the Black Knights rebuilt their schedule rather quickly.

Rutgers Football HistoryRay Lucas scored the first touchdown at the new Rutgers Stadium on Sept 3, 1994 against Kent State on an 8-yard run. Rutgers won the game 28-6.Bob Sneathen recorded the first sack.Steven Harper caught the first TD pass (60 yards).

Pre-Season All-AmericansCBS Sports released its Preseason All American team from the conferences still planning on playing in the fall. Rutgers punter Adam Korsak was a second-team preseason All-American on the AP version, which was released yesterday.

CFP Rankings release dateThe College Football Playoff selection committee will begin its first of six weekly rankings for the 2020-21 season on Tuesday, Nov 17, the CFP announced Monday.Without the Big Ten and Pac-12 playing this fall, the Group-of-Five conferences could actually sneak a team into the four-team playoff for the very first time.

Recent Big Ten CommitsRutgers - 3 star DE Ryan KeelerMichigan State - 4 star OL Geno VanDeMark,Minnesota - 3 star CB Justin Walley,Nebraska - unrated S Koby Bretz

NJ Quarterbacks slated to start for Power 5 teams in SeptemberJarrett Guarantano, Tennessee (Bergen Catholic) - The redshirt senior coming off a 2019 season with 19 TDs passing and 8 INTs. Guarantano increased his weight to 230 pounds for the upcoming season from last seasons 213 according to 247s Pat Brown.

Tommy DeVito, Syracuse (Don Bosco Prep) - The redshirt junior is coming off a 2019 season with 19 TDs passing vs 5 INTs.

Kenny Pickett, Pitt (Ocean Township) - The senior is coming off a 2019 season with 13 TDs and 9 INTs.

Devin Leary, NC State (Timber Creek) - The redshirt sophomore is coming off a 2019 season with 9 TDs vs 5 INTs.He started the final five games for NC State in 2019. Leary became the first redshirt freshman to start at quarterback for NC State since Russell Wilson in 2010.

Recruiting RankingsAs of Aug 26th, the top 3 Group-of-Five schools in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings for the class of 2021 are No.42 Memphis, No.46 Cincinnati, and No.52 Florida Atlantic. The bottom three Power-Five schools are No.97 TCU, No.90 Stanford, and No.85 Utah.

Did you know---Instant replay made its American debut in the 1963 Army-Navy game. The game was a legacy to President John F. Kennedy, who'd been assassinated in Dallas 15 days earlier and whose family had insisted the teams play on. Navy was 8-1, Army was 7-2. A crowd of 102,000 fans filledPhiladelphia's Municipal Stadium for the game. Navy won a classic nail biter 21-15 led by Heisman winning QB Roger Staubach and the victory sent Navy to the Cotton Bowl, where it lost to No. 1 Texas, 28-6.

---According to this CBS Sports article, Baylor University spent $600 to $700 per college football helmet, while Mississippi State spent close to $600 per helmet. Business Insider says the University of Nebraska spends about $340 on its helmets, including the decals.

---These college football coaches have something a bit interesting in common: Mike Leach (Mississippi State), Hugh Freeze (Liberty), David Cutcliff (Duke), Sonny Dykes (SMU), Bobby Hauck (Montana), and Bill Clark (UAB). None of them ever played Football before getting into coaching.

Who let the dogs out? Today (Aug 26) is National Dog Day.The following FBS teams pay tribute to their canine mascots:

UGX, University of Georgia, BulldogDubs II, University of Washington, Alaskan MalamuteReveille IX, Texas A&M University, CollieSmokey X, University of Tennessee, Bluetick CoonhoundKohl, Boise State University, Labrador RetrieverJonathan XIV, University of Connecticut, Siberian Husky

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Tidbits and Rumblings around the College Football Landscape - 247Sports