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News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Is Bumrah Finished?' Why India's Star Bowler Missing The Oval Test Spooked Everyone
Jasprit Bumrah not playing the crucial Test between England and India at The Oval has worried cricket supporters. Here's why. Jasprit Bumrah, ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test Bowlers rankings, will not be playing the much-anticipated fifth and final Test between England and India at The Oval. Bumrah's exclusion from the playing XI has sent shockwaves through fans, as India makes a final push to level the thrilling Test series, which has captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide with its intense drama and the spirited antics of both competitive teams. Bumrah, according to reports, has been kept away from action to manage his workload and prevent any back injuries, thereby safeguarding him for a future in the longest format of the sport. While Bumrah's exclusion shouldn't come as a surprise as the bowler, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Shubman Gill had already announced that the premier pacer would only play three Tests during India's tour of England, the news of him missing out the crucial Test has raised several questions in the cricket side of the Internet. 'people always use the amount of games Anderson played as a detractor, but that level of longevity is a skill in itself. He may have been at a lower level than Bumrah in terms of wicket taking but 13 years of prime Anderson turning up and performing relentlessly is so impressive, (sic)" a user on X, responding to the news, questioned the fitness and longevity of India's star bowler. 'Kohli was right when he said bumrah is once in a generation bowler. Truly once in a generation who plays once in a generation, (sic)" another user sarcastically wrote. 'If ur premier fast bowler can't play the series decider where stakes are so high then maybe it's time to look for other options. I love bumrah as much as anyone but can't understand this logic (sic)." 'Worrying Signs" 'Some doubts over his Test future. I hope he plays for a couple more years of Tests but worrying signs. It feels as if it is getting tougher for him to snap his back and get it high up or bowl short these days. Signals…" a worried @Fancricket12 noted. '400-wicket Mark A Dream" 'Given the current state of things, the dream of Bumrah breaching the 400-wicket mark might remain a dream. Think that is the benchmark if you want to be in the conversations for greatest of all-time bowlers." Has IPL Hampered His Fitness? The argument that Bumrah's Test endeavours have been hampered by his IPL duties has been deemed flawed by a section of supporters who have backed the bowler with stats. They argued that his workload in IPL is a fraction of what he delivers, over after over, in all whites and with the red cherry. 'Bumrah bowled 47 overs across two months in IPL 2025. First Test: 44 overs Third Test: 43 overs Fourth Test: 49 overs How is this even comparable?" user on X, who goes by the handle @HitmanCricket, remarked. Needs Rest The man needs a breather. What's the point of Jasprit Bumrah appearing in every single match, pushing his body and physical limits, only to never play the format again? Give him time, support, and extend some empathy, opined a few. 'As disappointing as this is, do ppl really think he's just 'resting' for fun & it's not cuz the medical team adviced him to not push his body and hurt his back further given it can have long term consequences on his health? (sic)" 'The hate that a generational bowler like Jasprit Bumrah gets in India is unbelievable. Hearing and reading lot of criticism on him 'picking and choosing" Test matches to play. Are you guys serious? Don't you know that the BCCI medical team decides how many games he will play and not him?" an excerpt from @APTalksCricket's post read. Jasprit Bumrah, 31, has played 48 Test matches since his debut for India against South Africa in 2018. He has picked up 219 wickets at an average of 19.82. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : jasprit bumrah view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 30, 2025, 11:41 IST News explainers 'Is Bumrah Finished?' Why India's Star Bowler Missing The Oval Test Spooked Everyone Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Fox News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Lords of the Ringless: Ranking 10 QBs Poised for Super Bowl Breakthrough
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." — Gandalf, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." In the NFL, he with the ring rules. Quarterbacks are judged by the number of Super Bowl rings on their mantle, with the elites separating themselves from the pack by winning the title game in February. And yet, there are a surprising number of superstar quarterbacks without any bling on their resumes. So which ringless QB is best positioned to claim their first Super Bowl win this season? We rank them. 10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Todd Bowles has quietly assembled a title contender in Tampa with Mayfield leading the way. The former No. 1 overall pick has 73 touchdowns since his arrival, exhibiting the patience, poise and performance that few envisioned when he replaced Tom Brady as the Buccaneers' franchise quarterback. With general manager Jason Licht adding another electric playmaker (Emeka Egbuka) to a WR room that already features a pair of Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with extraordinary size and skill, the Buccaneers have surrounded Mayfield with a "basketball" team on the perimeter. Additionally, the emergence of the running game, spearheaded by Bucky Irving, forces the opponent to make tough decisions when crafting a game plan for the four-time defending NFC South champions. 9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers' disappointing 2024 season could lead to a worst-to-first bounce-back under Purdy's direction. The recalibration of an offense that is undergoing a makeover on the perimeter will put more pressure on the newest member of the "$50 Million Club" to put the team on his back this season. Though the presence of Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will help the 49ers wait on Brandon Aiyuk's return and Ricky Pearsall's on-field maturation, Purdy will need to find various ways to keep the offense on schedule with his pinpoint passes and exceptional game management. As the team rediscovers its identity as an "exotic smash mouth" team with a potent passing game, the 49ers' QB1 will need to show the football world he is more than a caretaker at the position. 8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals The extended holdouts of Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart could make it challenging for Burrow to lead the Bengals on a Super Bowl run. Though the offense is loaded with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked in on new deals, the lack of defensive support could force Burrow to throw the ball all over the yard to keep the Bengals in games. Moreover, the sixth-year pro has to play nearly flawless football to chalk up wins in the ultra-competitive AFC. Given the one-dimensional approach the Bengals must employ to win consistently this season, the odds are stacked against Burrow emerging as a Super Bowl champion in 2026. 7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans Do not let Stroud's so-called "sophomore slump" overshadow his potential as a franchise quarterback. The third-year pro carves up opponents with surgical precision, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and impeccable timing, throwing darts to Nico Collins and Co. With the team adding Christian Kirk and a couple of young playmakers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) to a group that features Tank Dell, John Metchie and Braxton Berrios, the Texans have a diverse group of pass catchers with the potential to create and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. As Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb command attention as rugged runners between the tackles, the Texans have the potential to combat any tactics with their collection of playmakers. Considering how Stroud has made H-town pop since his arrival, the Texans' supporting cast could enable the young QB1 to take another step in 2025. 6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Despite the loss of a brilliant offensive play-caller in Ben Johnson, the Lions should remain a viable contender with Goff leading the way as a pass-first point guard dishing the rock to a collection of dynamic playmakers. Whether throwing the ball around the yard to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta or handing the ball to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have the firepower to light up scoreboards around the league. Though it might take some time to adjust to new offensive coordinator John Morton's schematic tweaks, the Lions' superior personnel should make it a smooth transition for Super Bowl contenders. If Morton quickly adapts the call sheet to accentuate Goff's game, the Lions' QB1 will take his second NFL team to a Super Bowl berth. 5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers After reaching the playoffs five times in Matt LaFleur's first six seasons, the pressure is on the Packers to make a Super Bowl run behind an emerging superstar in Love. The sixth-year pro has shown flashes of brilliance as a two-year starter with 7,548 passing yards, 57 touchdowns against 22 interceptions in 32 starts. Though he put up those numbers without a true WR1 on the field, Love must take his game up a notch with Matthew Golden joining Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Savion Williams vying for pole position as the No. 1 option in the passing game. As the gunslinger finds his groove with his young receivers, while LaFleur takes advantage of Josh Jacobs' skills as a multi-faceted playmaker, the Packers have the pieces in place to make a move as a title contender. 4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers As Jim Harbaugh transforms the Chargers into a title contender, the pressure is mounting on Herbert to perform like a top-five quarterback in premier games. Despite passing for the most yards by a quarterback in NFL history through five seasons, the Chargers' ball-control attack prioritizes efficiency over high-volume production. As the team breaks in a young collection of pass catchers (Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris) around Herbert, the new and improved run game could alleviate some of the pressure on Herbert to carry the team into the championship rounds. If Jesse Minter's defense continues to perform at an elite level, the Chargers' title hopes will hinge on their QB1's performance in the playoffs. 3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly carried the Commanders to a Super Bowl with a limited roster. Although Daniels relied heavily on Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, the addition of Deebo Samuel gives the offense an added dimension with the "catch-and-run" specialist. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly poised to upgrade the offensive line, the Commanders have the firepower to maximize the young quarterback's talents. As the defense rounds into form with Von Miller, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones,and Will Harris adding experience and expertise to a defense that should improve significantly in Dan Quinn's second season, the Commanders are built to make a deep postseason run in Daniels' sophomore season. 2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills The reigning MVP is a "one-man show" who can win with or without a stellar supporting cast. Last season, he carried the Bills to the AFC Championship Game without an established WR1 on the perimeter. Although Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are a formidable quartet, the addition of Josh Palmer should enable Allen to pick apart opponents with a "dink-and-dunk" approach that stretches the defense from sideline to sideline. Moreover, defensive coordinators struggle defending a mobile playmaker who runs from the pocket or on the perimeter as a rugged runner with a nose for the goal line. 1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens It is "now or never" time for the two-time MVP. Jackson steps into 2025 with the best roster in football, including a former NFL rushing champion (Derrick Henry) and a prolific pass catcher (DeAndre Hopkins) with exceptional hands and ball skills. Throw in a handful of emerging offensive playmakers (Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman), and the Ravens are loaded with enough firepower to set the NFL ablaze. If the defense continues to progress under second-year coordinator Zach Orr, the Ravens should make an early RSVP to the Super Bowl with a QB1 boasting a .744 winning percentage and an electric game. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
Fox Sports
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lords of the Ringless: Ranking 10 QBs Poised for Super Bowl Breakthrough
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." — Gandalf, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." In the NFL, he with the ring rules. Quarterbacks are judged by the number of Super Bowl rings on their mantle, with the elites separating themselves from the pack by winning the title game in February. And yet, there are a surprising number of superstar quarterbacks without any bling on their resumes. So which ringless QB is best positioned to claim their first Super Bowl win this season? We rank them. 10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Todd Bowles has quietly assembled a title contender in Tampa with Mayfield leading the way. The former No. 1 overall pick has 73 touchdowns since his arrival, exhibiting the patience, poise and performance that few envisioned when he replaced Tom Brady as the Buccaneers' franchise quarterback. With general manager Jason Licht adding another electric playmaker (Emeka Egbuka) to a WR room that already features a pair of Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with extraordinary size and skill, the Buccaneers have surrounded Mayfield with a "basketball" team on the perimeter. Additionally, the emergence of the running game, spearheaded by Bucky Irving, forces the opponent to make tough decisions when crafting a game plan for the four-time defending NFC South champions. 9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers' disappointing 2024 season could lead to a worst-to-first bounce-back under Purdy's direction. The recalibration of an offense that is undergoing a makeover on the perimeter will put more pressure on the newest member of the "$50 Million Club" to put the team on his back this season. Though the presence of Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will help the 49ers wait on Brandon Aiyuk's return and Ricky Pearsall's on-field maturation, Purdy will need to find various ways to keep the offense on schedule with his pinpoint passes and exceptional game management. As the team rediscovers its identity as an "exotic smash mouth" team with a potent passing game, the 49ers' QB1 will need to show the football world he is more than a caretaker at the position. 8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals The extended holdouts of Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart could make it challenging for Burrow to lead the Bengals on a Super Bowl run. Though the offense is loaded with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked in on new deals, the lack of defensive support could force Burrow to throw the ball all over the yard to keep the Bengals in games. Moreover, the sixth-year pro has to play nearly flawless football to chalk up wins in the ultra-competitive AFC. Given the one-dimensional approach the Bengals must employ to win consistently this season, the odds are stacked against Burrow emerging as a Super Bowl champion in 2026. 7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans Do not let Stroud's so-called "sophomore slump" overshadow his potential as a franchise quarterback. The third-year pro carves up opponents with surgical precision, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and impeccable timing, throwing darts to Nico Collins and Co. With the team adding Christian Kirk and a couple of young playmakers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) to a group that features Tank Dell, John Metchie and Braxton Berrios, the Texans have a diverse group of pass catchers with the potential to create and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. As Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb command attention as rugged runners between the tackles, the Texans have the potential to combat any tactics with their collection of playmakers. Considering how Stroud has made H-town pop since his arrival, the Texans' supporting cast could enable the young QB1 to take another step in 2025. 6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Despite the loss of a brilliant offensive play-caller in Ben Johnson, the Lions should remain a viable contender with Goff leading the way as a pass-first point guard dishing the rock to a collection of dynamic playmakers. Whether throwing the ball around the yard to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta or handing the ball to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have the firepower to light up scoreboards around the league. Though it might take some time to adjust to new offensive coordinator John Morton's schematic tweaks, the Lions' superior personnel should make it a smooth transition for Super Bowl contenders. If Morton quickly adapts the call sheet to accentuate Goff's game, the Lions' QB1 will take his second NFL team to a Super Bowl berth. 5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers After reaching the playoffs five times in Matt LaFleur's first six seasons, the pressure is on the Packers to make a Super Bowl run behind an emerging superstar in Love. The sixth-year pro has shown flashes of brilliance as a two-year starter with 7,548 passing yards, 57 touchdowns against 22 interceptions in 32 starts. Though he put up those numbers without a true WR1 on the field, Love must take his game up a notch with Matthew Golden joining Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Savion Williams vying for pole position as the No. 1 option in the passing game. As the gunslinger finds his groove with his young receivers, while LaFleur takes advantage of Josh Jacobs' skills as a multi-faceted playmaker, the Packers have the pieces in place to make a move as a title contender. 4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers As Jim Harbaugh transforms the Chargers into a title contender, the pressure is mounting on Herbert to perform like a top-five quarterback in premier games. Despite passing for the most yards by a quarterback in NFL history through five seasons, the Chargers' ball-control attack prioritizes efficiency over high-volume production. As the team breaks in a young collection of pass catchers (Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris) around Herbert, the new and improved run game could alleviate some of the pressure on Herbert to carry the team into the championship rounds. If Jesse Minter's defense continues to perform at an elite level, the Chargers' title hopes will hinge on their QB1's performance in the playoffs. 3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly carried the Commanders to a Super Bowl with a limited roster. Although Daniels relied heavily on Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, the addition of Deebo Samuel gives the offense an added dimension with the "catch-and-run" specialist. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly poised to upgrade the offensive line, the Commanders have the firepower to maximize the young quarterback's talents. As the defense rounds into form with Von Miller, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones,and Will Harris adding experience and expertise to a defense that should improve significantly in Dan Quinn's second season, the Commanders are built to make a deep postseason run in Daniels' sophomore season. 2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills The reigning MVP is a "one-man show" who can win with or without a stellar supporting cast. Last season, he carried the Bills to the AFC Championship Game without an established WR1 on the perimeter. Although Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are a formidable quartet, the addition of Josh Palmer should enable Allen to pick apart opponents with a "dink-and-dunk" approach that stretches the defense from sideline to sideline. Moreover, defensive coordinators struggle defending a mobile playmaker who runs from the pocket or on the perimeter as a rugged runner with a nose for the goal line. 1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens It is "now or never" time for the two-time MVP. Jackson steps into 2025 with the best roster in football, including a former NFL rushing champion (Derrick Henry) and a prolific pass catcher (DeAndre Hopkins) with exceptional hands and ball skills. Throw in a handful of emerging offensive playmakers (Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman), and the Ravens are loaded with enough firepower to set the NFL ablaze. If the defense continues to progress under second-year coordinator Zach Orr, the Ravens should make an early RSVP to the Super Bowl with a QB1 boasting a .744 winning percentage and an electric game. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking every safety in the NFC South after Tyrann Mathieu retires
A division full of ball-hawks and physical enforcers As we wrap up our series ranking players at each position in the NFC South, we turn our attention to the back end of the defense -- the safety position. This group features some of the league's premier playmakers, a collection of All‑Pros and Pro Bowlers who have built reputations on taking the ball away and changing games. Alongside them are rising young talents eager to leave their mark and elevate their teams' defenses in the years ahead. The talent at safety in this division is truly unmatched and could be the difference that pushes a defense over the top. With ball‑hawks patrolling deep and physical enforcers roaming underneath, some of these safeties have the ability to change momentum in an instant and set the tone for their entire unit. Here are our rankings for the top safeties in the NFC South now that Tyrann Mathieu has hung up his cleats: 8. Demani Richardson, Carolina Panthers A young box safety with downhill pop and physicality. He has the tools to grow into a key piece of Carolina's secondary. 7. Jordan Howden, New Orleans Saints A versatile safety who has been a reliable depth piece early in his career. With Tyrann Mathieu's retirement, he's likely to step into a larger role. 6. Jordan Fuller, Atlanta Falcons Fuller provides a steady, dependable presence on the back end. He is rarely out of position and brings stability to Atlanta's defense. 5. Tykee Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Smith is a rising young talent who plays with toughness at the line of scrimmage. His ball skills and physicality could make him one of the league's most intriguing names soon. 4. Trevon Moehrig, Carolina Panthers Moehrig is a rangy center fielder with sneaky effectiveness as a blitzer. His versatility will be vital in the growth of Carolina's defense. 3. Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints Reid is a versatile, physical tone‑setter who can thrive in multiple roles. His presence adds flexibility and strength to the Saints' secondary. 2. Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons Bates is one of the premier ballhawks of his era, known for elite instincts. He anchors Atlanta's secondary with consistent playmaking. 1. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers Winfield is a dynamic, versatile star who excels in every phase of the game. In coverage, run support, and as a blitzer, there are no weaknesses to his All‑Pro skill set.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL one-hit wonders: Olandis Gary was Broncos' glorious outlier
NFL stardom is fleeting, even for some of the world's best players. A sport based on contact forces its talent to burn bright while it can. Aging, injuries and off-field issues can strike down a player at his peak. Sometimes, those players are the most interesting. Let's look into the Pro Bowlers and All-Pros who scraped the face of immortality only to come crashing back to earth after making a name for themselves. Franchises penciled these players in as answers, only to wind up asking the same question a few years, or even months, later. And, in many cases, they're the guys who derailed your otherwise infallible fantasy football roster. It's the offseason, which is a wonderful time to remember some guys. Let's take a look at The Outliers -- the players who rose to prominence for one or two seasons, then crashed back to earth. And let's start at the position that is gonna show up here so often it may as well have its own theme song; tailback. Olandis Gary: Denver Broncos, 1999 The Denver Broncos had won back-to-back Super Bowls before drafting Gary. They were also making the swap from a future Hall of Fame quarterback (John Elway) to second-year passer Brian Griese. What followed was mostly underwhelming. Despite starting the season as a +500 pick to three-peat, Denver struck out to an 0-4 start. After throwing three touchdowns in a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Griese had one in the three defeats that followed -- games in which the Bronco offense scored three total touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns belonged to another Hall of Famer. Terrell Davis wasn't yet 27 years old and coming off a 2,000-yard campaign in the previous season's Super Bowl defense. But a heavy workload (1,310 carries the prior three seasons) was beginning to catch up to him. His yards per carry (YPC) dropped from 5.1 to 3.1 before a torn ACL and MCL -- suffered chasing down a Griese interception -- ended his 1999 and, frustratingly, portended the end of his career as an elite tailback. This was Gary's opportunity. The fourth-round pick was Denver's seventh selection of that year's draft and was inactive for the first four weeks of the season. Suddenly, he was competing for snaps with 31-year-old Derek Loville. Loville was a useful platoon mate who averaged a career-best 5.1 YPC that fall, but was best deployed as a guest star rather than as a member of the featured cast. Gary was a bit of a lottery ticket. He had transferred up from then Division I-AA Marshall to Georgia after playing sparingly for the Thundering Herd. He platooned with fellow outlier candidate Robert Edwards (a 1998 first round selection of the New England Patriots) and led the Bulldogs in rushing yards (699) the following year despite underwhelming NFL speed (a 4.71-second 40 at the 1999 NFL Scouting Combine). Gary had potential and confidence; Davis' injury gave him opportunity. Gary, to use a technical term, ruled. The Broncos offense was messy around him. Griese threw 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 games even with Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey in the lineup. But even with limited threat of the pass the rookie found room to thrive. He had 150 total yards (124 rushing) in his second game as a pro, toppling the Green Bay Packers 31-10. He was an engine head coach Mike Shanahan could trust to grind clock; Gary had at least 20 carries in eight of his 12 games that season. Denver went 6-2 in those games and 0-8 the rest of the season. That included a 185-yard rushing performance against the Detroit Lions and a 183-yard showcase against the Seattle Seahawks where he broke free for a 71-yard run to set up the Broncos' eventual overtime win. Gary finished his rookie season with 1,159 rushing yards in 12 games. He missed a quarter of the season and still finished the year as a top-15 fantasy football back. Spaced over a full season, his 229-point non-PPR pace painted him as a potential top five RB around the time fake football became an indelible part of the gridiron landscape. That all depended heavily on Davis' return. Even so, the hype was enough that the Broncos put a first round price tag in trade talks for a player they thought could be the league's top tailback in the near future. He'd finish 2000 with nine total fantasy points. What happened? Gary made it 13 carries into 2000 before Denver's devastated tailback corps gave way to another Broncos outlier. Davis suffered a foot/ankle sprain in the season opener that returned the onus to the second year back. Gary ran for 80 yards and added three catches out of the backfield before a torn ACL ended his season. This wasn't his choice mind you -- he still wanted to play despite missing the ligament that lets you go side-to-side -- but his encore performance had to wait. In his stead -- and with Davis still working back toward 80 percent of his peak -- sixth round rookie Mike Anderson kept Denver's tradition of mid-draft running back studs alive. The former Utah star ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL running back debut, helping the Broncos crush the Atlanta Falcons 42-14. He finished the season with nearly 1,500 yards and, whoops, Denver suddenly had three running backs capable of averaging almost 100 yards per game in its lineup. Gary returned for nine weeks in 2001, but his attempts per game dropped from about 23 in his rookie campaign to 6.3 in his third season. His YPC dropped to 3.7 post-ACL, which wasn't catastrophic in the early 2000s NFL (that's what Eddie George averaged en route to 1,500 rushing yards in 2000) but portended the end of his career. By 2003 he was facing a roster crunch in Colorado and was traded to the Detroit Lions for a seventh round draft pick. His usage picked up a bit, but his platoon with Shawn Bryson was utterly forgettable for a bad Detroit team. Five years after his breakout rookie season, Gary was out of the NFL. Now he's coaching high school football at his alma mater in the Washington D.C. area and appears to be thriving. Was he as good as you remember? Yes, but with an asterisk. Gary thrived in Shanahan's run-heavy approach. He did the work, but the success of Davis before him and Anderson after points to an offense that wanted to relieve the pressure from both an aging quarterback (Elway) and a new starter (Griese). Gary made the most of his opportunity, but he may not have had his near-1,200 yard breakthrough had he been drafted by, say, the San Diego Chargers. Still, the man had the vision and power to emerge as a proud link in that chain of Shanahan running backs. His 2000, with Davis battling injury and the RB1 role lined up for him again, is one of the more interesting but overlooked "what if"s of the last 25 years.
