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Focus Features has set production with Gareth Neames Carnival Films on Downton Abbey 2.

The original principal cast will all once again return for the second film which began production last week and is set to release Christmas 2021 on December 22, 2021. Original stars includes Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Imelda Staunton and Maggie Smith.

In addition, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West will join the cast. Downton creator Julian Fellowes will once again write the films screenplay, with Emmy winners Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge back to produce with Fellowes. BAFTA and Emmy-nominated director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn)will join the filmmaking team to direct the sequel.

The first film, which took more than $230M and was based on the TV juggernaut of the same name, followed a Royal Visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England and ended with a ball fitting for the Royal Family.

Gareth Neame, the films producer and executive chairman of Carnival Films said: After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be re-united with the much beloved characters of Downton Abbey.

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski added: Theres no place like home for the holidays, and we cant imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, Gareth, and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawleys back home for their fans.

Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will distribute.

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Downton Abbey 2 Sets Release Date As Production Gets Underway With Original Cast Back & Dominic West Among New Additions - Deadline

Staff report| The Tuscaloosa News

The University of Alabama System board of trustees has approved commercial lease agreements that will bring Texas-based Whataburger and Mobile-basedMediterranean Sandwich Co. to UA-owned properties on the Strip.

The new restaurants will occupy suites on either end of the former site of Holler and Dash Biscuit House at 1130 University Blvd. Whataburger will be in Suite A5 and theMediterranean Sandwich Co. will be inSuite A1.

This will mark Tuscaloosa's third Whataburger: the area's first Whataburger opened in 2017 at 1301 McFarland Blvd. E, followed by the 2018 opening of the second location at 820 Skyland Blvd.

MORE: After A-Day weekend arrests, Tuscaloosa leaders consider limits on bar hours, alcohol sales

Whataburger serves fresh, made-to-order burgers in more than 810 locations. Its menu features burgers made with 100 percent pure beef and fresh-cut vegetables, along with chicken strips, French fries and milkshakes.

Right now, the Mediterranean Sandwich Co. operates fourrestaurants, three in Mobile and one in Daphne.

According to its website, the Mediterranean Sandwich Co.'s menu includes handcrafted gyros, stone-toasted flatbread paninis, signature wraps, fresh-cut salads, homemade soups and orzo pastas.

SPORTS: Meet The Tuscaloosa News Super 5 all-area high school boys basketball team for 2020-21

Other recent additionsto the Strip include plans to open a Jersey Mike's Subs at 1207 University Blvd. andPJ's Coffee of New Orleans, which has opened at 1201 University Blvd.

The UA System trustees approved the five-year commercial lease agreements for Whataburger and the Mediterranean Sandwich Co. at its April 9 meeting.

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Two new restaurants are coming to the Strip near the University of Alabama campus - Tuscaloosa Magazine

The clubhouse at Cherry Hills Country Club is getting a $50 million facelift.

The private club at 4125 S. University Blvd. in Cherry Hills Village is gearing up to demolish the south end of its clubhouse and replace it with a new two-story, 67,000-square-foot facility, according to a board member.

Renovations will include an indoor golf simulator, a fitness studio, meeting rooms and a new basement with around 10,000 square feet. The banquet facility for weddings and other events, which has been two separate rooms, will now be one larger room.

There will also be dining areas and an outdoor patio with western-facing views on the second floor, where employee offices used to be. The buildings footprint will remain largely the same.

The reason why I think our members believe its important is so we can continue to be relevant, said Charles Maguire, who sits on the clubs board and executive committee. We needed to upgrade our facilities and provide a better member experience.

He added, We see country clubs like ours are no longer joined based on the decision of a husband or wife, but it tends to be more of a family decision. So, we need to make sure were providing all the amenities families would like to see at country clubs.

The most recent renovation was the $12 million addition in 2005 of the 30,000-square-foot north end, which includes the mens locker room and an exhibit that recognizes famous players who have played at the club. That portion of the building is not part of the latest project.

Provided by Mark P. Finlay Architects

Maguire declined to disclose the project budget, describing it only as a substantial amount. Multiple sources familiar with the project told BusinessDen the budget is approximately $50 million.

Roughly half of the project will be paid for by the members, but the club has also secured a 20-year loan to finance the other half, Maguire said.

The initial clubhouse was built in the 1920s, and then there were a series of additions over the years. So, as a result, it had become a combination of additions onto the structure, Maguire said. Not all of the clubhouse had a basement, and there were varying heights, plus the ballroom portion of the clubhouse was built in the 50s. So, it had been put together in pieces over many years and didnt have a great flow.

More than 64 percent of the clubs 450 resident members voted in favor of the project in January 2020, according to Maguire. Cherry Hills hired Connecticut-based Mark P. Finlay Architects and Englewood-based JHL Constructors. The club is about to complete an asbestos abatement with plans to begin demolition next week.

Cherry Hills, which opened in 1922, features an 18-hole, par 72 regulation course, as well as a nine-hole par-three course. There are also tennis courts and a lap pool.

The total square footage of the clubhouse will be around 97,000 square feet when work is done. The club hopes to complete the project in November 2022, ahead of the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2023, which the club will host for the third time.

The clubhouse has been closed since pandemic restrictions increased in November, but the club has set up temporary facilities on the course chipping green including a pro shop.

Cherry Hills has also temporarily rented a property to act as a satellite clubhouse called Club 22, which opened last week, at 8100 E. Union Ave. in the Denver Tech Center, where McCormick & Schmicks previously operated.

Its a place where members can gather and dine and have meetings, and it also allows us to keep part of our staff employed during this time, Maguire said.

In November, BusinessDen reported thatCherry Hills general manager and head golf pro had lefttheir positions for other opportunities. Andrew Shuck, former head golf pro for Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina, started as Cherry Hills head golf pro this month. Maguire said the club is still searching for a general manager.

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Cherry Hills Country Club teeing off on $50M clubhouse renovation - The Denver Post

Terry Fontenot has been particular and exact with his free-agent signings in his first offseason as Falcons general manager. His type has usually been reliable veterans willing to sign one-year deals, but in the rare case, Mike Davis was signed to a two-year contract the most total capital Fontenot shelled out this offseason. The roster is now starting to take form a little over a week away from the draft, and Fontenot has kept true to his word that the Falcons will sign free agents from positions of need and draft based on the best player available. He has done a masterful job filling the holes on the roster to give himself the flexibility to take whichever path he sees fit come the draft.

The only new offensive addition since my depth chart analysis from a couple of weeks ago is Cordarrelle Patterson, who is listed as a running back on the team roster page. Since Ito Smith has now been released, the running back depth chart is Mike Davis RB1, Cordarrelle Patterson RB2, and Quadree Ollison RB3. The committee approach Arthur Smith has vowed to use in Atlanta will be spearheaded by Davis and Patterson, who I think can be an effective one-two punch in this system.

The guys that will be paving the way for those running backs seem almost set in stone, but the depth surely needs addressing. From left to right, the offensive line is comprised ofJake Matthews,Matt Gono, Matt Hennessy,Chris Lindstrom, andKaleb McGary the most competitive starting lineup the roster currently has to offer. Josh Andrews was brought in but has to be more of a camp body than anything. Dwayne Ledford is one of the best in the business, so I expect exponential improvement throughout the season from Hennessey and McGary, and Fontenot may add a body or two before the draft.

Theyll be protecting Matty Ice, who is the only quarterback on the roster. His backup will come from the fourth overall pick or a veteran free agent because I cant see Arthur Smith being comfortable with a late-round rookie as Ryans first replacement. The wide receiver group is as good as solidified with Julio Jones,Calvin Ridley, andRussell Gageas the starting X, Z, and Y positions, respectively, with backupsChristian Blake,Olamide Zaccheaus, andChris Rowlandalso under contract.

The last position group is the tight ends, which are good enough to go into Week 1 with but isnt a particularly threatening group outside of Hayden Hurst. The depth chart reads Hurst, Lee Smith, Ryan Becker, and Jaeden Graham in that order. Hurst is reliable in both the pass and run games, but the group would be much better if Smith were TE3 instead of TE2, which would signal another addition is needed.

Moving onto the defensive side of the ball, which needed the most help in terms of personnel. The secondary is starting to take shape as the front seven was already closer to completion with Grady Jarrett,Marlon Davidson,Tyeler Davison,Deadrin Senat,John Cominsky, Jonathan Bullard, andSteven Means the last two being the most recent additions. Dante Fowler is the only threat of an edge rusher on the roster, but hehasto improve drastically to have any chance of signing more than a one-year deal next free agency. Behind him is Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, and opposite of Fowler will be a combination of Barkevious Mingo and Brandon Copeland.

The second level of the defense is a bit top-heavy, though Copelands versatility enables him to play both outside and off-ball linebacker. Deion Jones will be commanding the Will and Foyesade Oluokunwill play the Mike. Mykal Walker will be the first man up and surely push for playing time as he showed well in limited snaps his rookie year. Dean Pees loves linebackers flexible enough to cover tight ends and running backs man-to-man, and Walker was one of the highest graded at just this at his position.

Moving on to the third level of Pees defense, which was the position group that neededthe mostaddressing, bar none. Fontenot signed Erik Harris earlier in free agency to a team-friendly one-year deal, and his ceiling is low meaning the Falcons know exactly what hell give them. Then the Falcons recently signed Duron Harmon to add to the safety room, and I couldnt be happier this from my piece on what Harmon brings to Atlanta:

Behind them is TJ Green a new addition and Jaylinn Hawkins, who shouldnt be written off even if hes only played 72 snaps at safety; hes a steady contributor on special teams and could compete for the fourth safety spot. The cornerbacks werent as glaring of a need as the safeties, but the starters arent entirely reliable. Fabian Moreau and A.J. Terrell will likely start as the boundary corners unless Fontenot drafts a cornerback in the first or second round, but neither has been consistent in defending elite wide receivers. Behind them will be a combination of Isaiah Oliver,Kendall Sheffield, and Ty Hall, who will compete for the nickel role. Fontenot has done a wonderful job rounding out the roster in anticipation of the draft. I tip my hat to the front office for finding reliable, cheap veterans who can be stopgaps in the meantime while Smith builds an adequate culture for the next class of free agents, who Fontneot could potentially spend more money on as the cap opens up next year.

Excerpt from:
Analyzing the Falcons depth chart a week away from the draft - Yardbarker

MACOMB It has been a whirlwind year for the Western Illinois mens basketball program.

In the last year, Rob Jeter and his staff took over the program and had to completely overhaul the roster, adding 15 new faces, all while battling COVID-19.

A year later, COVID-19 is still here and protocols are still in place, but with the roster about filled out and a new recruiting class signed and ready to go, Coach Jeter believes things are starting to get closer to normal, especially when it comes to recruiting and the offseason.

Nothing really changes, we just all adapt, the coach said. A lot of games are on TV or some kind of streaming platform so you can watch recruits play that way.

The guys we have coming in are three transfers and a freshman, so we were able to evaluate and do things the way weve always done in recruiting.

When it comes to recruiting, theway coaches see and contact players may change, there are still some things that always stay the same, and for Coach Jeter, its those tried and true methods that always make the difference.

Its all about relationships, its always going to be about relationships and were always going to recruit that way, the coach said. It (streaming) does make it easier, it helps you identify players but when there is a relationship, that helps the recruit understand who you are.

Weve done that and thats what makes us excited about the guys were bringing in.

Jeter and the Leathernecks have added four players to the current roster, bringing in transfers Luka Barisic (Texas-San Antonio), Quinlan Bennett (Lamar) and Trenton Massner (Northwestern State) as well as freshman KJ Lee (Fort Zumwalt North).

With the majority of his team back from last year, Jeter had the luxury to recruit need and fit, instead of trying to fill out a roster, like last year.

Looking at our team last year, our guard play left something to be desired, it took us until the second part of the season to find a point guard in Colton and the guys we were bringing in off the bench were all new to us, Jeter said. We didnt really have complementary pieces, we had a lot of good bodies and guys who can play, so we put together a team thinking we knew what we had.

This second year, we know what we have, we have a core and now its about finding strong pieces who fit, more guard play, adding a stretch big, adding depth with the bigs we have in Tamell (Pearson) and Adam (Anhold). Now we have something new that we needed.

And while Jeter likes his roster, he admits the program may not be done with additions.

Western does have one scholarship available, but with plenty of capable players already in tow, the coach is plenty comfortable with his team as is.

We still have a scholarship, Im not quite sure what well do with it but ithas to be a piece that fits if that happens, he said. But you look at the guys we have, you want to make sure you give them a chance to show you they can be that piece. You dont want to over-recruit and create your own problems.

For us, we feel really good about where we are, we dont have a true point guard, but Colton did a good job with that and I think Trenton can come in and help us out there and KJ Lee as a true freshman has some experience there, so they could possibly be that piece. If not, I think we can be open to seeing what we can find if there is something out there.

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Roster and recruits ready, WIU men wade into offseason - McDonough Voice

Wednesday afternoon, West Virginia picked up former DePaul big man Pauly Paulicap via the transfer portal. He became the third player to transfer to West Virginia this offseason joining guard Malik Curry (Old Dominion) and forward Dimon Carrigan (Florida International).

With Taz Sherman, Miles McBride, and Sean McNeil having entered their names into the 2021 NBA Draft, the WVU roster is already starting to look a little different. Those three have left open the option to return to WVU and if at least two of them return, it could put the Mountaineers in great shape as a contender for the Big 12 title.

All that being said, there is still one question that no one has the answer to: Will Derek Culver return for his senior year? He is the only player on West Virginia's roster that has not publicly stated his future intentions and in a recent interview with Bob Hertzel of WVNews, head coach Bob Huggins said, Im not sure Derek knows what hes going to do."

The last day for players to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft is May 30th so although it seems like Culver is way behind on making his decision, he's taking his time with the process given that he still has a little over a month left to choose what he wants to do.

Earlier this offseason, Gabe Osabuohien announced that he would be exercising his extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA and return to WVU for the 2021-22 season. Osabuohien returning doesn't necessarily affect Derek Culver because they weren't on the floor at the same time for the majority of the season. Once Oscar Tshiebwe transferred to Kentucky and Isaiah Cottrell tore his Achilles, Osabuohien was the only experienced big left on the roster. This meant that Osabuohien would be the first guy into the game to give Culver a break or to relieve him from getting into further foul trouble.

What raised the eyebrows of some folks is Huggins bringing in two additional bigs in Dimon Carrigan and Pauly Paulicap. West Virginia had all sorts of trouble defending the paint this past season and some of that could be due to trying to stay out of foul trouble with the lack of depth in the frontcourt. Regardless, you knew Huggins and his staff were going to go out and find some help to protect the rim. They did so initially by landing Carrigan out of FIU who blocked 60 shots this past season, averaging over 2.5 blocks per game. WVU, as a team, blocked 82 shots on the season. By bringing in Carrigan, it seemed like the Mountaineers solved their issues in protecting the paint but not so fast as Lee Corso would say. WVU stayed on Paulicap and secured his commitment as well, meaning the Mountaineers now have two shot-blocking bigs to go alongside Osabuohien, Isaiah Cottrell, Seny N'diaye, and Derek Culver.

That's six bigs that could be rotated into the game and each of them has a different set of skills. Could doubling up on bigs in the portal be a safety blanket in case West Virginia does lose Culver? Possibly. Then again, I don't think Huggins is thinking of it that way. N'diaye is still a work in progress and Isaiah Cottrell is coming off a pretty nasty injury so you don't truly know what to expect out of either of those guys next season. Paulicap and Carrigan are interchangeable and can afford to be aggressive on the defensive end of the floor because the other can sub into the game without any sort of drop-off defensively. More importantly, if Culver returns, this now allows him to be more aggressive on the defensive end as well - something he couldn't do this past season.

The only thing a surplus of bigs could do to make matters worse is on the offensive end. Huggins tried to play Culver and Tshiebwe together and it just clogged up too much space in the middle of the lane and didn't allow either one of them enough room to operate. Once they transitioned to the four out, one in offense they became much more effective. It stretched the floor, allowed the guards to penetrate, and gave Culver the room he needed.

A lot of how West Virginia will play next season will come down to the decisions made by Sherman, McBride, McNeil, and Culver. Huggins will adapt to the personnel that he has and play the style that best suits that roster. The additions through the portal were likely going to happen regardless of what the aforementioned four chose to do. WVU needed another guard that can handle the point to replace Jordan McCabe and had no choice but to go get a rim protector. Instead of getting one, they landed two shot-blockers and feel much better about that problem heading into next season.

Culver may opt to forgo his senior season at WVU but the recent additions to the roster won't be the deciding factor.

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What the Addition of Pauly Paulicap Means for Derek Culver, WVU - Yardbarker

The deterioration of Minnesotas defense last year weighed heavily on Mike Zimmer, the injuries and inexperience too widespread to be overcome by strategic acumen or sheer will.

Honestly, at the end of the season, I was kind of down in the dumps when I kept looking at the depth chart and knowing what kind of salary cap space we had, the Vikings coach said.

General manager Rick Spielman and his money man Rob Brzezinski, the executive vice president of football administration, still found some solutions.

Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Xavier Woods were signed as instant starters. Defensive end Stephen Weatherly and cornerback Mackensie Alexander returned as role players, and linebacker Nick Vigil was picked up. The return from 2020 absences of defensive end Danielle Hunter, linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive tackle Michael Pierce have also given this once-dominant group a needed boost.

Hey, the head coach is in a better mood, too.

Theyve gotten me rejuvenated, Zimmer said.

Now comes the draft and more limitations.

The Vikings have the 14th overall pick on April 29, but the offense has needs, too. Theyre lacking a second-round selection, thanks to the ill-fated trade with Jacksonville for six weeks of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

Last years drafting of cornerbacks Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler and defensive end D.J. Wonnum might have to cover for 2021, too, because Spielman only has so many assets available to maneuver his way through the three-day event.

The Vikings made 15 picks in 2020, the most by any team since the seven-round format was initiated in 1994.

Spielman has often made the quest for quantity into sort of a side project for the draft, the undercard to the annual hunt for high-impact quality. This time, the Vikings might need to be more willing to part with lower picks to maximize their return on play-right-away rookies.

Regardless of how their draft plays out, theres no doubt the defense will be better off this season.

Last year was an outlier for this team. I saw them in 2017 when they were No. 1 in the league, said Pierce, who signed in 2020 as a free agent but opted out because of COVID-19 concerns. He added: The additions and the health that were going to bring to the field this season, I think its going to be a lot more reminiscent of what you guys are used to.

FINDING AN EDGE

The Vikings are high on Weatherly and Wonnum, but they could use another defensive end to play opposite Hunter. Edge rushers who could fit with the No. 14 pick include Michigans Kwity Paye and Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau of Miami.

UP FRONT ABOUT IT

The cap space used for those upgrades on defense came with a cost, most notably the release of left tackle Riley Reiff. They also didnt do anything in free agency to help the offensive line, other than bringing back Rashod Hill and Dakota Dozier for depth.

USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is one player who would make plenty of sense with the 14th pick.

Vera-Tucker, hes one of my favorite players in the whole draft, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. He can play darned near anywhere. I think hes going to be an All-Pro guard. He can hold up at tackle if you wanted him to. But you want to get better along that offensive line, I think hes just one of the cleanest, safest picks in the whole draft.

UNDER CONSIDERATION

With Oregons Penei Sewell likely to be long gone, two other heralded tackles could be available to the Vikings at No. 14: Northwesterns Rashawn Slater and Virginia Techs Christian Darrisaw. Slater has a random connection to Minnesota: His father, former NBA player Reggie Slater, played for the Timberwolves in parts of two seasons.

TOP HALF

The Vikings have their highest slot at No. 14 since 2015, when they took cornerback Trae Waynes at No. 11. Center Garrett Bradbury (No. 18 in 2019) was the only offensive lineman theyve taken in the first round since Zimmer was hired in 2014.

Only four times in that span have they used any of the first three rounds for that position group, including tackle/guard Ezra Cleveland (second round, 2020), tackle Brian ONeill (second round, 2018) and guard/center Pat Elflein (third round, 2017).

PERFECT 10?

The Vikings will start the draft with 10 picks: one in the first round (14th overall), two in the third round (78th, 90th), four in the fourth round (119th, 125th, 134th, 143rd), two in the fifth round (157th, 168th) and one in the sixth round (199th). They acquired the additional third-rounder from Baltimore for Ngkaoue.

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With needs on both lines, Vikes have draft-pick limitations - The San Diego Union-Tribune

The 2021 NFL Draft will kick off in less than a week, so what better time to take stock of all 32 NFL rosters.

Below you will find every NFL roster ranked from No. 1 to No. 32. The list was heavily influenced by the two-year PFF WAR (wins above replacement) of the players who are currently on each roster, but it also had some subjective projection involved for those younger, emerging talents.

Its also important to note that this doesnt include anyone in the 2021 NFL Draft class, not even Trevor Lawrence on the Jacksonville Jaguars or Zach Wilson on the New York Jets. This is solely where each team stands entering Round 1, which will begin on April 29. We will revisit this ranking after the draft to see how much the NFL landscape changes.

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | iOL | DI | EDGE | LB | CB | S

Draft capital rank: 27th

The reigning Super Bowl champions did the inevitable, maneuvering around their minimal cap space and ultimately returning every single starter on both sides of the ball.

The Bucs fielded the third-most-valuable roster of the PFF era (2006-present) last season, according to total PFF WAR generated, finishing behind only the 2016 and 2007 New England Patriots. The Bucs were also the only team that ranked inside the top five in both successful pass play rate generated and allowed last season.

With Tom Brady leading the way, Tampa Bay has a shot at becoming the first back-to-back champion since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.

Draft capital rank: 16th

The Browns put on a clinic in free agency this offseason, signing top-tier players at positions of need and for a great price, too.

Safety John Johnson III and slot corner Troy Hill, both of whom come over from the Rams, might have been the two best signings of the offseason. Johnson was one of the league's five most valuable players on the defensive side of the ball last year, while Hill has been the highest-graded slot corner since 2019.

Down in the trenches, the Browns have arguably the best offensive line in the NFL and one of the league's best edge tandems in the form of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.

Looking solely at the PFF WAR generated by non-quarterbacks in 2020, the current Browns come in at No. 2 behind the Bucs. Cleveland has gone worst to almost first in just a few short years while building one of the best rosters in the league.

Draft capital rank: 22nd

The Chiefs current outlook at offensive tackle and edge isnt all that appealing, but when you have the leagues best quarterback, two of the most dynamic receiving threats in the NFL and a reliable secondary, it doesnt matter all that much.

Patrick Mahomes has been the most valuable quarterback in the league over the past three years. Tyreek Hill has been the fourth-most valuable wide receiver over that same span, while Travis Kelce has finished first among tight ends.

The secondary is really young outside of veteran Tyrann Mathieu, but they got the job done in 2020, earning the 10th-highest team defense grade in the league.

If they can select an offensive tackle at Pick No. 31, the Chiefs should be in a good spot to contend for the Lombardi once more.

Draft capital rank: 19th

According to PFF WAR, last years Packers fielded the NFLs most valuable quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. They also boasted the highest-graded safety room in coverage with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage Jr. leading the way, as well as the second-highest-graded tackle in the form of David Bakhtiari. So, all things considered, it's no surprise why Green Bay cemented a spot in the top five.

There are still a couple of gaping holes the Packers should look to address early in the 2021 NFL Draft: wide receiver and cornerback. The dream scenario for Green Bay is to secure prospects like Rondale Moore and Asante Samuel Jr. for those two positions.

Draft capital rank: 30

Josh Allens unbelievable turnaround in 2020 made Buffalo one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. Both Allen and his top target, Stefon Diggs, were among the five highest-graded players at their respective positions and led the Bills to their highest successful pass play rate of the last decade.

On the other side of the ball, Buffalo brings back TreDavious White, who is one of the top cornerbacks in the game and ranks sixth in outside coverage grade since entering the league in 2017. Buffalo also possesses one of the best safety tandems in the NFL with Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.

Itll be interesting to monitor how much Allen regresses in 2021, but this team is again looking dangerous and should have no issues repeating as AFC East champions.

Draft capital rank: 9th

Denver would be even higher if we removed quarterbacks from the equation. The Broncos secondary might be the best in the NFL, with Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby on the outside, Bryce Callahan in the slot and Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson at the two safety spots.

Unfortunately, Drew Lock has yet to show much in the way of promise. He is one of the three-lowest-graded passers over the last couple of seasons, while no quarterback in the NFL has thrown uncatchable balls at a higher rate.

Will things change on draft day? Only time will tell, but it is worth noting that the three most likely Broncos picks at this moment, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, are North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (+200), Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (+400) and Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (+600).

Draft capital rank: 24th

It currently lacks a No. 1 option at receiver, but there arent many bones to pick with the current shape of the Ravens roster outside of that. Baltimore ranks ninth in total WAR generated from current offensive players (outside of the quarterback), which is quite incredible given their current crop of wide receivers. Meanwhile, the front seven isnt going to set the world on fire any time soon, but in Wink Martindales defense, it doesnt matter because hes always going to scheme a way to get after the quarterback.

The defense ranked inside the top five in EPA allowed per pass play and will likely continue to lock down opposing receivers for as long as Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters lead the way.

Draft capital rank: 15th

The Football Team has a genuinely talented roster overall, but like the Denver Broncos, they have no long-term solution at quarterback. Old man Ryan Fitzpatrick is currently penciled in as the starter, and we know what we're getting with him at this point: a volatile yet average passer capable of wow plays over small stretches. Fitzpatrick ranks 18th among 32 qualifying quarterbacks in passing grade since 2019.

They will have to trade a haul of future draft capital to change that quarterback situation, but whats most likely is that they stand pat at No. 19 and take one of the premier tackle prospects, such as Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw.

Draft capital rank: 6th

Dallas lands at No. 9 solely because of the offense. Dak Prescott will be back and healthy, which means we should see the offensive production we saw in 2019 when the Cowboys fielded the third-most-efficient passing offense in the league. And Prescott will have one of the top wide receiver trios in the NFL with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb, who gave Dallas one of the five highest-graded receiving rooms when the quarterback was healthy in 2020.

Speaking of health, starting tackles Tyron Smith and Lael Collins, both of whom ranked among the top 15 players at their position in PFF grade last year, will also be back in 2021 after missing most of last season. The secondary has some concerns, but that should be addressed come Thursday when they are on the clock in Round 1.

Draft capital rank: 13th

Once San Francisco (hopefully) turns in that No. 3 overall pick for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, theyll hop up a spot or two on this list.

Theres not much to complain about on offense other than quarterback. The offensive line is one of the better units in the league and is led by the highest-graded tackle of 2020, Trent Williams. Tight end George Kittle is in the conversation for best at his position, too, as he leads that group in receiving grade since 2018. The wide receiver room also has a couple of dynamic weapons with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

The reason for concern emanates from the secondary. Jason Verrett was a top-10 player at the position in terms of PFF grade last year, but we all know about his injury history. The other spot on the outside is set to be manned by Emmanuel Moseley, but the former UDFA didnt play all that well on the job in 2020, earning a relatively poor 54.6 coverage grade.

Draft capital rank: 31st

Had the Rams re-signed safety John Johnson III and slot corner Troy Hill over edge defender Leonard Floyd, theyd be a few spots higher on this list. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald might just be the best player at his position the NFL has ever seen. He has generated 2.95 WAR since 2014, a full win more than any other interior defensive lineman and two wins more than all but seven players at the position.

In the secondary, the Rams still feature a quality outside cornerback duo in Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams. They ranked third and sixth, respectively, in WAR generated in 2020. On offense, Los Angeles traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will add a downfield passing element. He'll have Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp at his disposal, both of whom rank inside the top 30 in WAR generated since 2019. Los Angeles could still stand to add to its receiving unit, though.

Draft capital rank: 29th

Indianapolis is set to have another strong defense after the unit ranked 11th in EPA per play allowed and sixth in coverage grade in 2020. But the Colts' success, or lack thereof, will rest on the shoulders of Carson Wentz and the receiving unit. Its no secret that Wentz looked broken in 2020 with a 60.0 passing grade and league-leading 24 turnover-worthy plays.

As for the receiving unit, head coach Frank Reich will be counting on Parris Campbell to stay healthy and Michael Pittman Jr. to step up in his sophomore campaign. Campbell can be a slot weapon, but he has played in nine games over two years. Pittman posted a 62.3 receiving grade as a rookie. The Colts ranked inside the top 10 in 2020 WAR outside of the quarterback position but will need many players to step up to hold that spot.

Draft capital rank: 32nd

Seattles roster is rather top-heavy. Quarterback Russell Wilson leads his position in WAR generated since 2019, tackle Duane Brown is still producing at a top-10 level in PFF grade and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett ranked in the top 20 in WAR generated in 2020. On defense, linebacker Bobby Wagner and safety Jamal Adams are both among the six most valuable players at their respective positions since 2018. After those five, Seattle's talent drops considerably.

Draft capital rank: 25th

The Cardinals' strengths and weaknesses are clear. They have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL but lack another receiving threat. They have a strong safety duo on the backend, but their current cornerbacks are liabilities. They have a strong veteran edge duo in J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones, but the interior defensive line is weak.

In other words, there are a lot of options on the table for Arizona with their No. 16 overall pick. After Malcolm Butler, Robert Alford is the team's best cornerback, and he hasnt played a down of football since 2018 when he ranked 108th of 120 qualifying corners in coverage grade. That position might be the best bet for the Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Draft capital rank: 3rd

If quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose 63.9 passing grade ranked third among the three top-10 quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft, can make a Year 2 leap, Miami should be cooking in 2021. Hell have a strong wide receiver unit at his disposal, including DeVante Parker and Will Fuller V, both of whom are among the 25 most valuable wide receivers since 2019.

The Dolphins' outside cornerback duo of Xavien Howard and Byron Jones is also solid, ranking seventh and sixth, respectively, among those at that position in coverage grade since 2018. After that, though, Miami's talent dips considerably. The team's offensive line is still in a shaky state after ranking sixth-to-last in PFF grade a year ago. The Dolphins signed Matt Skura, but he was the third-lowest-graded center of 2020.

Draft capital rank: 26th

The Saints will be one of the more interesting teams to watch in 2021 due to the roller coaster that is Jameis Winston taking over the offense following Drew Brees retirement. Hell have one of the best receiving backs and wide receivers in the NFL to throw to in Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, respectively, but there is a glaring lack of depth otherwise.

New Orleans' next best receiver is perhaps TreQuan Smith, who owns a 64.1 receiving grade across his three NFL seasons. The Saints are also lacking in the cornerback department following Janoris Jenkins release due to cap constraints. Patrick Robinson, who owns a 62.8 coverage grade across 342 coverage snaps over the past three years, is projected to start opposite Marshon Lattimore for now.

Draft capital rank: 18th

Placing 17th may seem average, but for the New York Giants, this is big news. Their roster was among the worst in the league in the three years following their 2016 playoff appearance, but it took a step forward last year and took another big leap this offseason after two additions: wide receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerback Adoree Jackson.

Golladay established himself as one of the top deep threats in contested scenarios over the past few years in Detroit. His 53 contested catches and 1,072 deep receiving yards since 2018 are each a top-five mark at the position (keep in mind, he played in only five games in 2020).

Jackson was limited to four games due to injury in 2020, but he has still been one of the 15 most valuable cornerbacks since entering the league in 2017.

Draft capital rank: 21st

Pittsburgh's defensive line is easily the NFL's best. Bud Duprees replacement, Alex Highsmith, might even be better than the new Tennessee Titan. Highsmiths pass-rush grade as a rookie in 2020 was over 10 grading points higher than Duprees before he got hurt. The Steelers' defense as a whole should be soild, but the offense is on shaky ground, especially with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm.

Big Ben's decline in 2020 was apparent; his 68.3 passing grade marked his lowest-graded season since his 2006 campaign, and he relied on short, quick throws seemingly because of his waning arm strength.

Draft capital rank: 11th

The Vikings have one of the best, if not the best, wide receiver duos entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen ranked second and sixth, respectively, in PFF grade at the position in 2020.

It's a different story down in the trenches and at cornerback. The latter position is likely to play a massive part in defining the team's 2021 season. Right now, Minnesota is set to trot out veteran Patrick Peterson and 2020 third-round pick Cameron Dantzler as its two starting outside corners.

Peterson's decline last season was evident, with him recording a 53.1 coverage grade his lowest since his rookie campaign. Dantzler had two incredible outings in his rookie campaign that resulted in a coverage grade north of 90.0, but he fell flat otherwise. It was a promising season, but he still has a lot to prove.

Draft capital rank: 14th

Bill Belichick went all-in during free agency, handing out money left and right. Even after the heavy spending, the Patriots still have an average roster outside of their offensive line. Despite losing standout left guard Joe Thuney, they still have a top-10 unit.

The big concern with this team is at quarterback and wide receiver. Cam Newton ranked 24th in passing grade in his first season as a Patriot and struggled to push the ball downfield. His 2.8% big-time throw rate was a bottom-five mark among quarterbacks on the year. As it stands, New England's No. 1 wideout is Nelson Agholor, who is coming off a boom-or-bust campaign with Las Vegas where he was fed deep crossers and vertical routes. He ranked 45th of 99 qualifiers in receiving grade in what was his most productive year in the NFL. In the five years prior combined, he ranked second-to-last in receiving grade.

Draft capital rank: 7th

The Bengals roster is on the rise and will only improve after the 2021 NFL Draft with the potential addition of wide receiver JaMarr Chase (remember, this ranking does not reflect that). If they do draft him fifth overall, hed join a receiving unit that already boasts Tyler Boyd, who was one of the five highest-graded slot receivers in 2020, and Tee Higgins, who was one of the 20 highest-graded outside receivers as a rookie.

Joe Burrow, last years No. 1 overall pick, was one of the cleanest passers in the league on non-deep passes in 2020, ranking sixth among all quarterbacks in passing grade on throws 20 yards or fewer downfield.

Draft capital rank: 17th

Tennessee has the quarterback, the running back and the WR1, but there are some big question marks outside of that. Three of their six most valuable players over the last couple of years wide receiver Corey Davis and cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson are no longer on the roster. Neither is quarterback Ryan Tannehills No. 3 target, tight end Jonnu Smith, the defenses second-highest-graded player, edge defender Jadeveon Clowney, and starting slot corner Desmond King II. They did make a good move by bringing in veteran corner Janoris Jenkins to help fill one of those outside starting spots, but the rest of the positions are likely to see a drop-off in production.

Draft capital rank: 23rd

Chicago no doubt has a ferocious defensive front with Khalil Mack the highest-graded edge defender of 2020 leading the way, but that can only get you so far. A potent passing offense is key, and Chicago still is no bueno in that department. Quarterback Andy Dalton is a modest improvement over Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Folesbut still a below-average passer. He ranked 22nd in passing grade when filling in for Dak Prescott in Dallas last season and did that with a better supporting cast than Chicagos. I'm bullish on Jaylon Johnsons future in the NFL, but the secondary is likely to take a step back without Kyle Fuller. No team has more riding on the 2021 NFL Draft than the Bears.

Draft capital rank: 5th

The current construction of the Falcons roster is fascinating. Just look at all of that high-quality green and below-average red in the image below from the 2021 PFF NFL Draft Guide. Even with one of the 10 highest-graded passers and two of the 15 highest-graded wide receivers, the Falcons still have a ton of below-average contributors on the current roster. Tight end Kyle Pitts may be alluring with the No. 4 overall pick, but trading down to gain more assets is the smarter move considering how many holes they have on the roster.

Draft capital rank: 12th

The Chargers offensive line has undergone a complete makeover this offseason, and understandably so; the 2020 group was the second-lowest-graded of the last decade. New signees Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler, along with a healthy Bryan Bulaga, should move this group closer to average and help quarterback Justin Herbert avoid major regression in Year 2, as a lot of his rookie success came in unstable areas like pressured passing. The concerns really lie on the defensive side of the ball. Edge defender Joey Bosa and Derwin James are both clearly among the best at their respective positions when healthy, but things look rough outside of those two. The Chargers rank among the bottom five teams in the NFL when it comes to 2020 WAR on their current defense.

Draft capital rank: 4th

Theres rightful concern with the current outlook of the Eagles roster at the most important positions on the field. They arguably have the worst offensive skill position group in the league, and their crop of cornerbacks outside of Darius Slay needs help. When looking at the three most important positions on the field quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback Philadelphia's 2020 WAR generated comes in at -0.2 WAR. Thats the worst in the entire NFL by 0.7.

Draft capital rank: 2nd

There was an argument to be made prior to the start of free agency that the Jets had the worst roster in the NFL. They did have a lot of money to spend, and they clearly seized the opportunity by bringing back safety Marcus Maye and signing wide receiver Corey Davis, edge defender Carl Lawson and safety Lamarcus Joyner. Maye, Davis and Lawson each were among the 15 most valuable players at their respective positions in 2020, and Joyner is being moved back to his natural position of safety. He last played there in 2017 and 2018 when he ranked 10th in PFF WAR at the position. Despite these massive additions, there is a lot of work to be done in the draft. The good news is the Jets have a boatload of capital to use.

Draft capital rank: 20th

The Raiders rank 31st in 2020 WAR currently on the roster outside of QB. There are two areas of weakness in particular: the secondary and the offensive line. The Raiders have had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL in each of the three years of the Jon Gruden era. During that time span, they rank dead last among the 32 teams in coverage grade. Thats likely not changing in 2021 after they made no major improvements in free agency. The offensive line, which ranked 18th in pass-block grade in 2020, was gutted this offseason by trading away center Rodney Hudson, guard Gabe Jackson and tackle Trent Brown and now desperately needs an infusion of talent.

Draft capital rank: 10th

There are numerous areas of concern for Carolina, none more than the offensive line. Right tackle Taylor Moton is one of the better players at the position, but the rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired. That's why they are a prime candidate for generational tackle prospect Penei Sewell with their No. 8 pick. Also, newly acquired quarterback Sam Darnold really isnt much of an upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater. Darnolds passing grades as the Jets starter were 62.9, 64.3 and 52.7 all lower than Bridgewaters 66.4 mark in 2020.

Draft capital rank: 1st

Jacksonville entered free agency with more money to spend than any other team, but they fell flat. The Jags franchise-tagged tackle Cam Robinson, who ranks dead last among left tackles in PFF grade since entering the league, and handed out a puzzling contract to safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin is certainly an upgrade, but making him the 11th-highest-paid player at the position on a per-year basis was questionable considering he has just one season with a coverage grade above 65.0 in four years. The good news is that they are about to land the best prospect PFF has ever seen in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but they have a lot of work to do with the rest of their draft capital.

Draft capital rank: 30th

Houston was one of the more interesting teams in free agency, handing out a plethora of cheap one- and two-year deals to veterans. They were essentially screaming we are rebuilding, which is the correct route. Outside of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, theres nothing to get excited about down in the trenches. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks is fresh off ranking inside the top 25 in receiving grade, but he's the lone reliable receiving threat on the roster. In the secondary, they have an above-average outside corner in Bradley Roby (17th among outside corners in coverage grade in 2020) but a full-blown liability opposite him in Vernon Hargreaves III (sixth-to-last in coverage grade among that same group). There's not enough talent and far too many glaring holes.

Draft capital rank: 8th

Detroit comes in dead last in total non-QB WAR on the 2020 roster, and it really isnt close. The teams top two wide receivers Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams each have only one season with a PFF grade above 70.0 in six years in the NFL. The secondary has some potential but is young, and the early returns have been uninspiring. Their projected outside corners, 2019 fifth-round pick Amani Oruwariye and 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah, ranked 91st and 118th, respectively, among qualifying cornerbacks in coverage grade a season ago. There really isnt a position group of great strength, and I wouldnt be surprised if we see them claim the No. 1 overall pick in 2022. Dont be bummed, Detroit fans, this is a fantastic thing for the franchise long-term.

Read more here:
Ranking all 32 NFL rosters ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics - Pro Football Focus

The combination of first-rate knowledge of the build process along with high levels of customer service are the solid foundations for the specialised services that ICW offers. From new builds to renovations, large or small scale, we evaluate projects carefully to ensure the right service is recommended, providing total peace of mind for all parties involved.

As well as delivering A-rated warranties, ICW offers building control services to clients in England and Wales, presenting one point of contact onsite for the duration of a project.

ICW has built a reputation for the personal touch of our customer service. We dont just say were customer-focused, value-driven and quality-led. We genuinely are, every step of the way. We work hard to ensure that we can meet and exceed our clients expectations and continue to push ahead with new customer service initiatives. As such, this year ICW has launched a new client portal for warranty clients and brokers

With access to the ICW client portal, clients and brokers will have an overview of current projects to manage site paperwork, view survey reports and book surveyor visits with ease. The portal is accessible via smartphone, tablet and desktop, so that clients and brokers can log in to securely access project information from any location.

Introducing our client portal is a proactive move that will help empower our clients to access the information they need at a time that suits them.

Aaron McCarten, chief operating officer at ICW Group, said: There is a growing demand for self-service tools that help to streamline the customer experience.

We understand that digital is now an essential means of doing business and we have developed this bespoke online portal to support our clients and brokers, offering an enhanced, efficient and effective service. This is just one of the many positive developments that we are looking forward to this year.

2021 has seen many housebuilders returning to pre-covid levels of operations, buoyed by a stable demand for new homes and the governments post-pandemic recovery drive for the construction industry. Continued support for the sector, including funding for modern methods of construction, will ensure that there is a focus on building good quality sustainable homes that people want to live in for the future.

There has been a marked increase in the number of residential developments adopting modular or offsite methods of construction across the UK. MMC is becoming more standard on build projects due to the fact that it offers faster build times with potentially increased value, helping to deliver better quality, more affordable homes.

Indeed, there is a reported growing demand from homebuyers for greener, more sustainable homes, and using MMC can help achieve such aims. As plans are approved for modular developments, this provides a welcome boost in confidence throughout the supply chain for those involved in the manufacture or supply of MMC materials and systems.

ICW Group supports housebuilders by providing a product approval service that will smooth the way for using MMC on build projects. The ICW approval process has been designed to assist manufacturers through a framework of inspections to gain product approval, ensuring that architects and specifiers can be confident about the quality and suitability of products used onsite.

ICW Group is committed to working in partnership with builders, developers, brokers and homeowners to provide excellent warranty and building control services with enhanced customer service, from initial enquiry through to project completion. To find out more about the range of services that ICW Group offers, please visit i-c-w.co.uk or get in touch on info@i-c-w.co.uk.

ICW Group

Tel: +44(0) 208 0991 393

info@i-c-w.co.uk

http://www.i-c-w.co.uk

Twitter:ICW_GroupLTD

Please note: this is a commercial profile.

Link:
ICW Group supporting clients every step of the way - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

The vast majority of basements have unfinished basements or no basement at all. According to U.S. Census Bureaus Survey of Construction, larger and high-end homes have the highest percentage of finished basements at 18 percent (with smaller homes around only 5%.)

Brothers Basement Remodeling in Minneapolis, Minnesota has a (somewhat humorous) mission to finish every basement in their city and surrounding areas. Matt Brown says Its just plain wrong that people are buying these premium homes, and then a large portion of them isnt improving their quality of life.

That extra living space can be used as an extra living room, a recreation space, a guest bedroom, a teenagers room, a home gym, home office, sauna, theater or basement bar. Many owners of high-end homes choose 3-5 of these elements, and ask how does making this investment increase the value of my home, and increase the quality of life of my family?

Certainly the answer to these two questions is becoming increasingly obvious, with the percentage of basements being turned into usable space going up the last couple of years.

To join the cadre of smart homeowners doing basement remodeling HGTV shared, The last annual Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine put the average basement remodel at $61,303 with a 70.3 percent payback, which made it among the smartest redos, along with an attic bedroom, minor kitchen redo, deck, and new entry door.

For more information, visit https://mplsbasementremodeling.com.

About Brothers Basement Remodeling

Brothers Basement Remodeling is a basement finishing company out of Minneapolis, Minnesota that prides itself on customer service, high-quality materials, and friendly staff.

Read more from the original source:
The Percentage of Finished Basements are Rising, Particularly Among High-End Homes Says Brothers Basement Remodeling - Press Release - Digital Journal