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2021 NFL Preseason: These Are the Storylines to Watch

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2021 NFL Preseason: These Are the Storylines to Watch


The NFL preseason is designed to make us overreact to trivialities. The NFL wants our attention on football throughout the year, so the league (and those of us who write about it) will make a big deal out of pretty much anything it can. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Tim Tebow to play tight end in an offseason stunt, then cut him after one preseason game? It’s a huge story. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a somewhat heated battle for their backup quarterback job? A big deal. An Indianapolis Colts running back gets a preseason taunting penalty? That’s massive.

 

 

Bluster aside, the 2021 NFL preseason does have a few storylines that will have a major impact as the clock ticks toward the regular season. Here are four of the biggest questions to be sorted out over the coming weeks.

Will 2020’s injured quarterbacks make a healthy return?

The Cincinnati Bengals might take significant steps forward this year. They’ve been slowly accumulating talent, especially on offense, and that should make it harder for them to remain one of the worst teams in the league. They even have fresh new uniforms to mark a new era. But the Bengals are not going to be any good if 2020’s No. 1 overall draft pick, QB Joe Burrow, doesn’t rebound from the ACL and MCL tears he suffered nine months ago.

The Dallas Cowboys are a perpetual disappointment, but they do have lots of talent, and they play in a weak NFC East division that could be up for grabs this year. To win it, the Cowboys will need their QB, Dak Prescott, to be something close to his usual self. Prescott spent his offseason rehabbing from a right ankle fracture, and he’s now dealing with a shoulder ailment.

If Burrow is healthy, the Bengals could be one of the AFC’s surprise teams. If Prescott is healthy, the Cowboys could win their division. If they don’t make full recoveries, though, then both of those scenarios become much less likely.

Will the Chicago Bears let Justin Fields play?

Fields is the quarterback of the Bears’ future. Is he also the quarterback of their present? The answer will go a long way toward determining if Chicago can make the playoffs in his rookie year. The assumption earlier in the summer was that veteran free agent signing Andy Dalton would start the season under center. But Dalton is no one’s idea of an inspiring choice, and at any rate, he’s currently keeping Fields’ seat warm. If Fields is ready to go immediately, the Bears’ upside climbs a bit higher.

By every account, Fields has had an encouraging training camp. He also looked great in the Bears’ first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, completing 14 of 20 passes for 142 touchdowns and throwing in another TD as a runner. Reading into preseason results is not a great idea, but there are lots of other reasons to think Fields could be good quickly. Early excitement about him is more a reflection of his overall track record than his performance in one single game.

To what extent will the pandemic affect the season?

The NFL was determined to play every scheduled game in 2020 and did that despite COVID-19 forcing frequent postponements and rescheduled contests. In 2021, the situation should be quite a bit better. Fans will be allowed back—at full capacity—in every NFL stadium. In addition, the league says 90 percent of its players have been vaccinated, which should keep outbreaks to a minimum.

At this point, it’s easy to see the league playing an entire season as scheduled and doing it in a much safer way than in 2020. The preseason appears to be going well, even as some high-profile anti-vaccine players get headlines. Hopefully the Delta variant doesn’t alter the overall picture as the season ramps up.

What will the NFL and the Houston Texans do about Deshaun Watson?

There’s not much to say about Watson’s on-field situation at the moment, given that 22 women are suing him for sexual misconduct and the FBI has opened an investigation. The Texans seem committed to keeping Watson despite his wishes, which means he is still slated to be the team’s quarterback this season. But the NFL is also investigating Watson, and that will likely result in some kind of suspension—leaving the Texans to find a new QB.

The day is rapidly approaching when Houston’s management will have to decide if they’re OK with putting Watson on the field while he’s facing allegations from nearly two dozen women. It does not seem like a tenable situation, and unlike the course of COVID or teams’ on-field decisions, the NFL decides how it ends.


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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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