Dein erstes Forum » Andrew BillingsWhen it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals

As Part 1 in a multi-part series D.K. Metcalf Jersey , Zero-Snap Spotlight takes a look at Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman there have been over a dozen intriguing names added to their talent pool through free agency and the draft. Those guys, as well as their incumbent stars, will garner much of the outside attention in the leadup to the season.There are plentyof other players who could be poised to make an impact who aren’t included in those groups, however. These guys may not get the headlines of their bigger-name teammates, but many of them have an opportunity to perform in key roles for the team this season.Article continues below ...With that in mind, it’s the perfect time to roll out what I call Zero-Snap Spotlight.These players are spread across practically every position on the roster, buteach of these guys have at least two things in common: they’ve already spent time with the team, but have never taken a snap in the NFL. This means that despite already accruing time in the league, they are essentially blank slates in terms of how they may perform and what they could become.To begin this series, I’m taking a look at a player who could quickly become a key cog on this Cincinnati defense: Andrew Billings.Billings was drafted by the Bengals prior to last season in what could surely be considered a steal. This was a guy who had gotten some buzz as a first-round selection, but ended up dropping all the way to the fourth round with seemingly little warning.Even now it’s worth looking back and questioning the thinking behind that. Based on what people like Ryan McCrystal of Bleacher Report could diagnose, there were three major theories to consider. Either there was a lingering knee injury that wasn’t widely discussed, his weight was thought to be a dire issue http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-cody-barton-jersey , or his skill-set just wasn’t valued despite his obvious strengths.More from NFL Spin ZoneMiami Dolphins Camp Battles: Interior offensive line18m agoFantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 17-1549m agoCleveland Browns: Ben Roethlisberger already eyeing Week 1 matchup1 h agoGreen Bay Packers: 5 Players headed for breakout seasons in 20171 h agoTennessee Titans: Jon Robinson might have made misstep with Eric Decker2h agoThe first partappears unfounded, but the latter two make sense to a degree. The NFL.com analysis after he was picked mentioned how he is a two-down nose tackle, further stating that those players tend to getpinned as not as valuable in a league weighted so heavily towards the passing game. This wouldn’t be the first time weight concerns with linemen caused teams to shy away, either.Still, to fall into being a Day 3 selection was pretty steep for someone with his abilities. Cincinnati won’t complain though; they got a guy who seemed immediately poised to have a major role with the team. The 6-1, 311-pound Billings brought a startling degree of power and speed (relative to his position) to the field in college, using it effectively to pick up 26 tackles for loss and eight sacks in his final two years at Baylor. Put thatnext to Geno Atkins, and your interior could be practically impenetrable.Going into last year, he still would have had to fight through veteranBengals Domata Peko and Pat Sims for rotational snaps on the interior, but he could have been penciled in for a decent share of field time before taking over for at least one of those guys long-term.Unfortunately, he then got hurt in the preseason, missing all of 2016.With him (and other pieces) missing the year, the depth on the defensive line cratered Gary Jennings Jr. Jersey , and the outcome was falteringoverall production. Atkins and Carlos Dunlap were stellar individually, but nobody around them could manage to play with any positive consistency; because of that, the Bengals defensive line dipped significantly in many of Football Outsiders’ run defense metricsto have their second-worst season in the Andy Dalton era (only the abysmal 2014 showing was worse — but not by all that much):DL Rankings (FO)Adj. Line YardsPower SuccessStuff Percentage2nd LevelOpen Field20115th23rd17th4th21st201216th32nd21st17th6th201315th10th29th5th3rd201427th23rd24th27th12th201514th10th11th16th26th201619th23rd22nd24th20thThough last season didn’t work out for Billings or his team, things appear to be on the right track in terms of the long-term goal regarding his spot on the team.More from NFL Spin Zone6/24 – Miami Dolphins Camp Battles: Interior offensive line6/24 – Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 17-156/24 – Cleveland Browns: Ben Roethlisberger already eyeing Week 1 matchup6/24 – Green Bay Packers: 5 Players headed for breakout seasons in 20176/24 – Tennessee Titans: Jon Robinson might have made misstep with Eric DeckerPeko was allowed to leave. Sims is still around, but has one year remaining on a cheap deal and could find himself on the chopping block. Besides Atkins, there aren’t any interior players who’ve locked themselves into starter or key rotational roles as of yet either. Of those who are fighting for time, Billings appears to be the best choice to take on Peko’s rescinded role.All signs point to the predraft size and weight concerns with Billings being vastly overstated, so that immediately helps his standing.Even better:this guy is still just 22 years old while already having a full year in the Bengals defensive system. He’s got plenty of time to grow and improve while having the talent tomake significant contributions right now.Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Best players by jersey numberIn my eyes, this spells out a starting role next to Atkins, handling the running downs for now. Should heimprove as a pass rusher and reach his ceiling, we’re talking Pro Bowl (and maybe even All-Pro) possibilities down the road, and a decent chance to become Cincinnati’s best defensive lineman as Atkins (29) and Dunlap (28) enter their 30s.Possibly getting that from a fourth-round pick? Quite a steal, indeed.This article originally appeared on Carlos Carrasco glanced briefly at his right elbow http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-phil-haynes-jersey , which no longer shows any signs of bruising.

He’s healthy and the Cleveland Indians seem to be getting better and better.

Carrasco returned from the disabled list – and returned to the win column – as Jose Ramirez and Edwin Encarnacion drove in three runs apiece, leading the Indians to their fifth straight victory, 10-4 over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Making his first start since getting smacked with a line drive hit by Minnesota’s Joe Mauer on June 16, Carrasco (9-5) shook off two homers measuring over 900 combined feet in the first two innings. The right-hander struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings and showed minimal rust despite the layoff.

”He gave up a couple of home runs,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor, who stole home and scored three times. ”But, he settled down. He started making pitches. He started attacking guys. Throwing that curveball for a strike. He’s one of the best. He’s very successful when he’s doing those things. I’m glad he’s back.”

The AL Central-leading Indians have won eight straight home games. They improved to an MLB-best 56-21 at Progressive Field since the All-Star break last season.

Matt Olson and Dustin Fowler connected against Carrasco, but A’s couldn’t match Cleveland’s firepower and lost for just the second time in 10 games since June 25.

”They’re a hot-hitting team and when they get on a roll, a lot of good things happen,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. ”Not only do they hit, they put pressure on you on the bases, as well. That’s why they’re as good as they are.”

Carrasco’s comeback didn’t start ideally as he was quickly in a 2-0 hole.

Fowler connected on his fourth pitch, driving it 467 feet into the lower seats in right for his sixth homer this season and first of his career leading off a game.

Olson opened the second inning with a 438-foot homer into the shrubs in center field, giving him 19 this season and 43 in 157 career games – the fifth-fastest pace in MLB history. Only Rudy York (51) Ugo Amadi Jersey , Mark McGwire (49), Gary Sanchez (48) and Ryan Braun (47) have been more prodigious out of the gate than Olson.

But while he struggled to locate his fastball, Carrasco used his curve to keep the A’s off-balance.

Carrasco admitted being a little jittery on a ball hit toward him, but he’s now convinced the time off could help him in the long run.

”You don’t want to go to the DL, miss a couple weeks in there, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be worth it,” he said. ”From now to the last game of the season, I’m just going to go every five days, take care of myself, then we’ll see in the end.”

Oakland closed to 6-4 in the seventh and had the bases loaded with two out. But Neil Ramirez struck out A’s cleanup hitter Khris Davis to end the threat.

The Indians then put it away with four runs in the bottom half, highlighted by Lindor swiping home on the back end of a double steal. With one out, Ramirez broke for second and Lindor waited for catcher Jonathan’s Lucroy’s throw to go through before taking off and scoring with a headfirst slide.

”As soon as I become a runner, I’m trying to score Dwayne Haskins Jersey ,” Lindor said. ”As soon as I saw him (Lucroy) stand up and see the ball’s rotation, I just took off.”

Carrasco’s season nearly took a dramatic turn for the worst when he was struck by Mauer’s wicked comebacker. Luckily, he escaped with just a bad bruise and manager Terry Francona felt fortunate to have his No. 2 starter back.

”When I saw him, my eyes lit up,” Francona said before the game. ”He’s one of our mainstays.”

RUN, EDWIN, RUN

Encarnacion ignored third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh’s signal to stop and scored on Jason Kipnis‘ RBI single in the second.

It was his only option.

”I was coming hot,” the slugger said with a smile. ”Too late, I couldn’t stop.”

BIG O

The Indians have scored 10 or more runs an AL-high 11 times this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: LHP Brett Anderson (strained shoulder) threw a pregame bullpen session and could be activated this weekend. The 30-year-old has been on the disabled list since May 19.

Indians: Francona said OF Lonnie Chisenhall will miss ”considerable time” with his strained left calf. He was placed on the disabled list Tuesday in Kansas City. Francona said the club should have a better sense of how long Chisenhall will be out once he is seen by team doctors.

UP NEXT

Corey Kluber, who is 7-1 with a 1.60 ERA at home, tries to become the first Cleveland pitcher to win 13 games before the All-Star break since Gaylord Perry (15) in 1974. Oakland’s Edwin Jackson pitched into the seventh and beat the Indians on June 30.