Alabama or Clemson? The debate over which team is superior has divided sportsbooks across the United States.

At New Jersey sportsbooks, Clemson is the betting favorite to win the national championship, while in Las Vegas, Alabama sits atop oddsboards at several casinos. Caesars Sportsbook and MGM, two bookmakers who operate in both jurisdictions, have Alabama and Clemson listed as co-favorites. It's close everywhere.

John Murray, sportsbook director for the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas, said he'd make Alabama a tiny favorite "-1 or -1.5" over Clemson, if the two teams were to meet on a neutral field this weekend.

"I would have the game extremely close, but I think the market would have Alabama as a small favorite," Murray told ESPN.

The bigger bets in Las Vegas have been on the Crimson Tide. The SuperBook took $20,000 and $10,000 bets on the Tide at 5-2 odds this week. Heading into Week 1, sportsbook operator CG Technology had taken 10 times as much money on Alabama as it had on Clemson on its odds to win the national championship, thanks to a five-figure bet and multiple four-figure bets on the Tide.

"I can't get a bet like that on Clemson," CG Technology sportsbook director Tony DiTommaso said.

However, at William Hill sportsbooks, more money has been bet on Clemson than has been bet on any other team, including a $6,000 wager on the Tigers placed Aug. 19 at a New Jersey shop. The average national title bet on Clemson is around $125, while the average bet on Alabama is around $75, according to data provided by William Hill.

Clemson smashed Alabama 44-16 in last season's championship game, handing the Tide their worst loss in the Nick Saban era. The Tigers bring back star sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence and a bevy of big-time playmakers.

Alabama also returns starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa among an abundance of next-level talent. ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has 10 Crimson Tide players in his top 103 eligible prospects, the most of any team.

While the gap between the two favorites is small, oddsmakers believe Clemson and Alabama are each at least a touchdown better than any other team in the nation. Both teams could be favored by double-digits in each of their games during the regular season. Clemson hasn't been an underdog in the regular season since Oct. 1, 2016 against Louisville. Alabama was last an underdog in the regular season on Oct. 3, 2015 against Georgia.

One of the most popular national championship betting options at the SuperBook has been Alabama and Clemson versus the Field. The odds opened at pick 'em, but the Alabama and Clemson side quickly became the favorite and got to as high as -190, before settling at the current price of -150.

"We took $10,000 bet and a $9,000 bet on [Alabama and Clemson] at -180," Murray said. "Then, we got pretty big back [on the Field] at +160. We've already written over $80,000 on the prop. That's an enormous number. We've got twice the money on that prop as we do on the Heisman Trophy."

Georgia, the third-favorite to win the national title, with odds around 6-1, is attracting significant action. At Caesars Sportsbook, more money has been bet on the Bulldogs to win the national champions than other team.

According to a study done by Microsoft, the average person's attention span these days is just eight seconds. I'm not sure when the study was done or any other details about it beyond that -- it was just the first thing that popped up when I googled "average person's attention span" and after I found that headline I got bored and clicked away. It had been eight seconds.

If you are one of those easily bored, TL;DR, "isn't there a YouTube video of this or something" types, then this is the column for you. Quickly perused nuggets. Bite-sized info-tainment. Just scroll down, see the category and read the names. Bingo, bango, you get it. If you need more, you can read what I wrote beyond the headline, but yeah, this one's for you, my attention-challenged internet pal. Often imitated, never duplicated, this is the 10th anniversary of this column, so let's get to this annual preseason favorite.

These are 10 lists ... of 10.

List 1: 10 preseason storylines I'm buying

1. The Jets will play with more pace this season

Previously the coaching equivalent of a human rain delay, Adam Gase's Dolphins played at an insanely slow rate. Gase is changing his ways, however, as the Jets' first-team offense has been effective so far this preseason and Sam Darnold has looked comfortable in the hurry-up. We've heard reports the team was focusing on tempo and running more no-huddle and both appear to be true, meaning there may be some 2QB-league value for Darnold and there will be more value in the Jets' skill players beyond Le'Veon Bell than originally thought.

2. Speaking of the Jets, Ty Montgomery is the handcuff you want for Bell

So many people are looking at Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire, but believe it or not, Ty Montgomery is the handcuff you want. And you do want one. Remember, Bell has played all 16 games just once in his career. In fact, NFL Nation Jets reporter Rich Cimini already suggested that Montgomery could share the backfield work with Bell early this season. For his career, Montgomery has recorded at least eight touches on 16 occasions, reaching double-figure fantasy points in 11 of those games and averaging 14.9 points per game.

3. Believe the hype on Chris Godwin

Godwin played every snap that Jameis Winston did this preseason and, with more than 170 targets available from the team, he led the NFL in passing yards last season. It's worth remembering that sometimes coaches tell the truth. When Bruce Arians says Godwin could catch 100 balls this year, I kind of believe him.

4. The Nick Foles-to-Dede Westbrook connection is real and it's spectacular

I already had Westbrook as a sleeper heading into the 2019 offseason and he made this year's "Love" list, and that was before offensive coordinator John DeFilippo called him the "best route runner" he has ever been around. Westbrook then saw seven targets and found the end zone in his first preseason action, further solidifying his connection with Foles. He's going to thrive out of the slot for the Jaguars this season, and as a 10th-rounder going as WR34 in ESPN leagues, he's a bargain.

5. Chris Carson will be used more in passing game and is massively undervalued at his current ADP

The ground game usage is obvious. Last season Seattle led the league in rush percentage and Carson ranked third among all RBs in carries per game. And now OC Brian Schottenheimer has come out and said he wants Carson's targets to be in the 50 range. Related: Tyler Lockett is the only healthy pass-catcher that Seattle has. Carson is an absolute steal at his early-fifth-round ADP right now.

6. James Conner is going to be a bell-cow RB

We heard a lot of reports about the Steelers potentially using more of a running-back-by-committee (RBBC) approach during training camp, but Conner's usage this preseason has solidified his feature-back status. Jaylen Samuels will have a role, but it's not going to be at Conner's expense. I expect Conner to once again see close to 20 touches per game, and he's a viable option toward the end of Round 1 and the start of Round 2.

7. Damien Williams will be a lead back and the guy you want in the Kansas City backfield

Lots of people are crowing about a RBBC in Kansas City and there certainly is no shortage of Carlos Hyde truthers yelling for him. Now, I'm not even sure Hyde makes the team. And I'm definitely not buying Andy Reid's comments about using a committee. Williams' strong finish to 2018 will get him first crack at lead-back duties on the league's best offense. Remember, last season in the six games Williams saw 10-plus touches (playoffs included), he averaged 24.4 fantasy points. And if you want some insurance, Darwin Thompson (not Hyde) is the guy you should target late in your drafts.

8. Michael Gallup is ready for a breakout season

All the talk about Ezekiel Elliott's holdout and Tony Pollard's impressive preseason has caused Gallup to fall completely under the radar. Last season, Gallup was 11th in air yards per target and, including the playoffs, had either a TD or at least seven targets in five of Dallas' final six games. His target share also jumped from 11% before the Cooper trade to 16% after. Dak Prescott's scramble on third-and-12 in the Cowboys' third preseason game to find Gallup for a touchdown was just one example of the connection between the two. With Amari Cooper already nursing a foot injury, Gallup is ready to make a leap to the next level.

9. The Ravens' offense is going to be more pass-happy and fantasy-friendly than people think

We know the Ravens will run, but Lamar Jackson recently said he's expecting to attempt about 30 passes per game. That may not sound like a crazy-high number, but it's going to make this offense far more exciting and multidimensional. Everything we've heard out of Baltimore this year is that its offense will shock those who are expecting last year's run-and-run-some-more approach. Baltimore is going to play up-tempo and give defenses many different looks. And I love all the young offensive talent this team added in the draft between Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin and Justice Hill.

10. Emmanuel Sanders is not of this earth

I'm not sure how a 32-year-old wide receiver comes back from a torn Achilles in eight months, but Sanders looks amazing. Normally a top-20 receiver, he was the 11th-best receiver in football before his injury last season. The injury has absolutely crushed his draft stock, but he's looking fully healthy and is a massive value at his current 10th-round ADP.

List 2: My 10 "chicken" players

Last year, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told his team not to eat chicken because it's a "nervous bird." In fairness, you'd be nervous, too, if you could be fried and eaten at any minute. But I digress. Here's 10 big-name players I am nervous about, either due to injury, the offense or players around them (QB, offensive line), or something else. All talented players, all ranked where they should be. But as I've been drafting, something about them gives me pause and when it comes to the point where they should be picked, I tend to go with a different, similarly ranked player.

1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Jets: Worse O-line and worse offense than he had in Pittsburgh, hasn't played football in more than a year and has played all 16 games only once in his NFL career (2014).

2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: He's the GOAT and the return of Josh Gordon certainly helps, but the Patriots had the fifth-highest rush percentage in the NFL last season and Brady was QB18 on a PPG basis. And that was with Gronk and most of Gordon. Everything I see indicates the Pats will continue to run. A lot.

3. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: He's one Tyler Lockett injury away from having to throw to himself.

4. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars: He looked awesome in his third preseason game, and no doubt there's volume and talent there for him to be a top-10 RB, but ... 11 missed games in two seasons and a whopping 3.7 yards per carry during that stretch makes me nervous. Nick Foles will boost this offense, but Fournette has just one five-catch game on his NFL résumé.

5. Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons: I'm not actively avoiding Freeman, I just don't seem to love the roster construction with him. He certainly could be awesome, but Ito Smith probably assumes the Tevin Coleman role this season, or something close to it, and with Freeman coming off of a groin injury that cost him 14 games last season for a team that ranked top five in both overall pass percentage and red zone pass percentage last season, I have my concerns about Freeman's ceiling. And it is worth noting that a healthy Freeman in 2017 ranked bottom five in yards per carry after first contact among running backs with at least 175 carries.

6. Antonio Brown, WR, Raiders: Feet, helmet and off-the-field stuff aside (for the record, you can't brush that stuff aside ... it's very possible the Raiders lose five of their first six games and things could get toxic if that's the case), this could be a clunky fit. Derek Carr ranked dead last in air yards per pass attempt last season. Dead. Last. Was that a function of the talent around him? Of course that played a role, but Big Ben to Carr is a downgrade, no matter how much you grade on a curve. Brown will be fine, but we are talking about a player who has had more than 100 catches with at least eight touchdowns in six straight seasons. I'm not sure he hits either threshold in 2019.

7. Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons: Talented kid, but he's being drafted as a fringe starter and that worries me. He had his moments as a rookie, but if you remove the Saints from his 2018 stat line, his per-game production dips by nearly 20%. I'm worried he's going to be a much better real-life NFL player than consistent fantasy asset.

8. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos: I think the Broncos backfield is much more of a time-share than last season, when Lindsay overachieved. I'm worried a healthy Royce Freeman gets the goal-line work and Theo Riddick will be back to steal some passing-down work at some point. Lindsay is a fine and a talented player, but I much prefer the other running backs going in his area.

9. Jared Cook, TE, Saints: He had a breakout year and now he's going to New Orleans. I get it on the surface, but even in a monster year last season he still had nine different games with fewer than 35 yards, making him pretty touchdown-dependent. He had six scores last season ... and six scores in his previous four years combined. By the way, Cook scored his six touchdowns on a 27.5% red zone target share. Since Jimmy Graham left town following the 2014 season, only once has a Saints tight end seen a red zone target share of better than 14.3% from Drew Brees. By the way, in 2018, the Saints were the fourth-run-heaviest red zone offense and last season was the first in which Cook topped 700 receiving yards since 2011. When you see him going ahead of Hunter Henry and Vance McDonald on ESPN, I'm like ... uh, yeah that's a pass.

10. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans: In games in which the Titans lost last season, Henry averaged seven points per game. Since he's not used in the passing game (zero or one catch in 11 of 16 games in 2018), it's worth noting our friends at Caesars Palace have the Titans over-under win total at 7.5. In the 16 games prior to Henry's Week 14-17 explosion he averaged 3.29 yards per carry. Too small a sample size of elite success, so he's going too high for me.

List 3: 10 "unsexy" players who are being undervalued

These players have no hype or buzz. When you draft them, no one will say, "Ooh, wow, great pick" or "Arggh, man!" ... But they will outperform their depressed ADPs.

1. Jared Goff, QB, Rams: Last year's seventh-best QB in fantasy now has My Little Cooper Kupp back, added big-play Darrell Henderson and is going as QB13 in the 11th round on ESPN?

2. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: Last year's third-best QB in fantasy lost Antonio Brown from last season, and that's a hit. ... But all the way to QB12 in the 11th round on ESPN?

3. Latavius Murray, RB, Saints: The Saints have led the NFL in rushing TDs for two straight years and he's going to be Mark Ingram (18 TDs the past two years) in this offense. He's also the most valuable handcuff this side of Tony Pollard. Going in the 12th.

4. Matt Breida, RB, 49ers: We know Kyle Shanahan loves his RBBC. Jerick McKinnon is hurt and Breida, who averaged 5.3 YPC last season, is going in the 13th round.

5. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers: All the buzz is on Chris Godwin (which I get and support), but no one is talking about Evans. He is being drafted as a WR2-type in the mid-third and, given this offense, his skill set and a little touchdown luck, he could easily be a top-three WR. I prefer him to Antonio Brown, who is being drafted ahead of him.

6. Robert Woods, WR, Rams: Last year's WR11 is going as WR17 despite being back with the same offense, same QB and same coach who has given him a 24% target share the past two seasons.

7. Delanie Walker, TE, Titans: Three straight years as a top-five fantasy tight end prior to last season. He's now fully healthy and, if you punt the position, he's dirt cheap.

8. Jack Doyle, TE, Colts: He was the No. 7 fantasy tight end with Jacoby Brissett under center in 2017 and actually had more routes run and more targets than Eric Ebron when both were healthy last season. He's going as TE20. Not a typo.

9. Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers: Yes, he's a serious injury risk, but that risk is baked into an ADP of TE13 for a guy that was TE8 when healthy last season and TE7 or better for five straight years prior to 2017.

10. Darren Waller, TE, Raiders: I've been screaming this guy's name since the NFL combine when Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson told me on our podcast to watch out for Waller -- that the team really feels like it found something with him. A 6-foot-6, 256 pound converted wide receiver who ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, Waller is the new starting tight end for the Raiders. You know, that same Raiders team that was top seven in both overall tight end targets and red zone tight end targets on their way to making Jared Cook a thing last season. Waller was being completely undrafted and I like to take some credit for getting his ADP up to TE22 in the 17th round. ESPN standard leagues have only 16 rounds, though. Sigh. Most people in your draft will be like "who?" when you take him, but they'll know soon enough who he is. I have him as TE13 and I'm probably not high enough. I want all the Waller this year.

List 4: The 10 best fantasy team names (that I can print) from users on The Fantasy Life App

1. Je Ne Saquon (App user: albert295)
2. Josh Jacobs Jingleheimer Schmidt (thememe)
3. One Nation Under Todd (jo47)
4. Shrimp Fried Guice (squeaks20)
5. Consummate Edelman (magicmephit5120)
6. Sting Like A.B. (beast24mode)
7. Our Gordon Savior (bpat)
8. Smoked Brissett (maintdawg)
9. Kelce Kapowski (jdepuy24)
10. Cohen The Distance (labrat)

List 5: 10 preseason narratives or theories I'm NOT buying

1. Andrew Luck's retirement will sink the value of the Colts' skill position players

Sure, I'm less excited about drafting Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell, but this doesn't hurt the value of Marlon Mack or T.Y. Hilton nearly as much as you might think. Jacoby Brissett, while not Luck, will be decent. He has been in the system for a while now, and has a great offensive line, play-caller and offensive talent around him. Hilton's fantasy points per target with Brissett are only .05 lower than with Luck, and again, I expect Brissett to be better than he was in 2017. Whatever efficiency is lost with the offense without Luck should be made up for in volume, as I'd expect Indy to run more with Mack. Hilton and Mack still take a hit, but I have both as top-20ish players at their respective positions. And as mentioned in List 3, Jack Doyle's value actually goes up (he had a team-high 23% target share and led all Colts pass-catchers in both targets and receptions per route run in 2017 with Brissett as the starter for 15 games).

2. The death of Dante Pettis' fantasy value

I was not as big a fan of Pettis as a lot of others coming into this season, but the pendulum has swung too far in the wrong direction. While the Niners have George Kittle, they don't have a lot of experience at wideout and my belief is that the preseason talk of Pettis losing his starting job was just talk: A coach trying to motivate a player having an inconsistent camp. Pettis has dropped all the way to WR45 on ESPN and is certainly worth a flier in Round 14.

3. Arizona's poor offensive line prevents Kyler Murray and David Johnson from having huge seasons

Kliff Kingsbury's offenses at Texas Tech always got the ball out quickly, and Murray's mobility will help him buy more time. Murray is a special player -- read more about my thoughts on him in Love/Hate -- and as for Johnson, much of my excitement about him this season has to do with his increased role in the passing game. He could catch 100 balls in this offense. Basically, Arizona's O-line struggles will hurt the team's overall success much more than it will the fantasy production of Murray and Johnson.

4. George Kittle and Zach Ertz are worth a pick in the first three rounds

They're great, but neither is likely to repeat the truly historic seasons they had last year. I expect volume to decrease for both, especially Ertz with more talented pass-catchers in Philly. And Kittle is unlikely to have three different plays of 70-plus yards this season (the last TE to have three gains of 70-plus yards in a CAREER was Marcus Pollard, who played 14 seasons from 1995 to 2008, and Kittle did it in one year). Drafting them in the second or third is paying full price for last year's production, and I much prefer the running backs and wide receivers available at that point in the draft.

5. Miles Sanders is the only Eagles RB you want this year

Make no mistake, Sanders is a talented rookie and I like him at his current ADP, but I also really like Jordan Howard at his current ESPN ADP of RB38 (13th round). Last season, the Eagles ranked eighth in red zone rush percentage and Howard has at least nine rushing TDs in each of the past two seasons. Doug Pederson has used multiple backs every year he has been with Philadelphia and I don't expect that to change. If Howard stays healthy, he's going to have a weekly fantasy-viable role.

6. The loss of Odell Beckham Jr. will hurt Saquon Barkley's fantasy value

In the four games Beckham missed last season, Barkley averaged 20.5 fantasy points. Yes, his efficiency took a hit, but the sheer volume and receiving usage will negate that. The Giants' offensive line is also much better, and though Eli Manning is terrible, if he's any worse than he was last season we're going to see Daniel Jones. Barkley should be the first player drafted in every league.

7. You should avoid Patriots RBs

To be fair that's a standard storyline in every preseason. But this year more than ever, I'm in on the Patriots' run game. New England had the fifth-highest run percentage in the NFL last season and that was before Rob Gronkowski retired. James White was the seventh-best RB in fantasy last season and is going as RB23 in a year where the Pats have fewer pass-catching competition. Sony Michel has looked healthy this preseason for a team that has been a top-two team in goal-to-go carries in each of the past three years. Michel, currently going as RB24 in the sixth round, has a legit chance to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns this season. And Damien Harris makes for a fine late-round flier, too.

8. Tarik Cohen's role increases now that Jordan Howard is in Philly

Not only will Cohen's role NOT increase, it's will actually decrease this year. Don't believe me? Fine. Will you believe head coach Matt Nagy? Nagy recently told the Chicago Sun-Times, "We moved [Cohen] around a lot last year, and I do feel like there was a time -- where we probably gave him a little bit too much."

9. There's no value in Washington's offense

People forget the Redskins were 6-4 and in first place in the NFC East when Alex Smith got hurt last season. They got there by running the hell out of the ball, not turning it over and playing good defense. That's exactly what the Skins will do this year and Derrius Guice, who looked awesome in his preseason debut, will get a majority of the work and remains a steal at his ninth-round ADP.

10. There's no value in the Bills' passing game

Look, we know Josh Allen likes to chuck it deep. So how about John Brown as a late flier? Brown's career average of 15 yards per catch is 18th best among 113 qualified wideouts. Remember, in nine weeks with Joe Flacco as his QB last season, Brown was the 22nd-best WR in fantasy in total points (WR31 on a PPG basis). He's going as WR60 right now.

List 6: 10 later-round RBs to target

1. Tony Pollard, Cowboys

2. Darrell Henderson, Rams

3. Kalen Ballage, Dolphins

4. Devin Singletary, Bills

5. Darwin Thompson, Chiefs

6. Alexander Mattison, Vikings

7. Ty Montgomery, Jets

8. Justice Hill, Ravens

9. Malcolm Brown, Rams

10. Justin Jackson, Chargers

List 7: 10 more of the best fantasy football team names (that I can print!) from those who follow me on Twitter @MatthewBerryTMR

1. Cobra Kyler (@jarrodkwilliams)

2. Saquonomatopoeia (@erichorvath_)

3. James White Claw (@gcohen)

4. Now I know my ADP's (@shockmeparasite)

5. Tenacious D/ST (@cupajoek)

6. N'Keal Patrick Harry (@2locksports)

7. Bell Biv Deebo (@Flyingsmores)

8. The Island of Foster Moreau (@MattWi77iams)

9. Raiders of the Lost Helmet (@davidehhorn)

10. Hand Over the Case, Stark (This may appeal to me only -- from @duanestephenson)

List 8: Just for fun, here are 10 blind resumes

1. Player A: 98 catches, 1,540 receiving yards, 1.8% drop rate and eight games with at least 17 points
Player B: 96 catches, 1,661 receiving yards, 5.9% drop rate and seven games with at least 17 points

(Player A is Kenny Golladay's first 26 career games. Player B is Calvin Johnson's first 26 career games.)

2. Player C: 63.8% completion rate, 12.02 yards/completion, 5.6% TD rate, threw 20 TDs and 0 INTs in the red zone
Player D: 63.6% completion rate, 11.84 yards/completion, 5.2% TD rate, threw 19 TDs and 0 INTs in the red zone

(Player C is Baker Mayfield in 2018. Player D is Aaron Rodgers in 2008, his first full season as a starter.)

3. Player E: 20.77 fantasy PPG, 298.0 passing yards, 3.2 TD/INT
Player F: 20.73 fantasy PPG, 260.3 passing yards, 2.9 TD/INT

(Player E is the per-game averages of Patrick Mahomes' WORST eight games last season. Player F is Deshaun Watson last season.)

4. Player G: 20+ points in 42.9% of games, 14.3% of carries gained 10+ yards and 4.93 yards per carry
Player H: 20+ points in 40% of games, 13.5% of carries gained 10+ yards and 4.72 yards per carry

(Player G is Joe Mixon in 2018. Player H is Ezekiel Elliott in 2018..)

5. Player I: 41 carries gaining 5+ yards, 527 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs
Player J: 27 carries gaining 5+ yards, 549 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs

(Player I is the final 100 carries of 2018 for Aaron Jones. Player J is the final 100 carries of 2018 for Saquon Barkley. Free Aaron Jones!)

6. Player K: 86 catches (one drop) for 1,219 yards and 6 TDs on 130 targets
Player L: 77 catches (three drops) for 1,052 yards and 6 TDs on 124 targets

(Player K is Robert Woods in 2018. Player L is Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.)

7. Player M: There were only seven QB games with 315 passing yards and 45 rushing yards in 2018. This player was responsible for three of them and was QB5 on a per-game basis from Week 4 on.
Answer: Mitchell Trubisky

8. Player N: 229.7 points, 13 games with 5-plus catches and 13 red zone targets.
Player O: 250.6 points, 12 games with 5-plus catches and 14 red zone targets.

(Player O is Keenan Allen in 2018. Player N is Christian McCaffrey's 2018 pass-catching stats only.)

9. Player P: 1.30 red zone targets per game and has caught a TD pass in 43.5% of games.
Player Q: 1.22 red zone targets per game and has caught a TD pass in 37.5% of games.

(Player P is my little Cooper Kupp from 2017-18. Player Q is Michael Thomas from 2017-18.)

10. Player R: At least 3 catches in 81.8% of games with 12.8% of his carries gaining 10-plus yards
Player S: At least 3 catches in 80% of games with 10.3% of his carries gaining 10-plus yards

(Player R is Dalvin Cook in 2018. Player S is Alvin Kamara in 2018.)

List 9: 10 later-round pass-catchers to target

1. Donte Moncrief, Steelers

2. Geronimo Allison, Packers

3. Anthony Miller, Bears

4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers

5. Jamison Crowder, Jets

6. Michael Gallup, Cowboys

7. Marquise Brown, Ravens

8. Rashard Higgins, Browns

9. Deebo Samuel, 49ers

10. Trey Quinn, Redskins

List 10: 10 of the best Kalen Ballage-inspired fantasy team names (I can print) inspired by this column

1. Kalen Me Smalls (many)

2. I Kalen Like a Wrecking Ball (many)

3. Ballage Don't Lie (@06010recap)

4. Big Ballage Brand (many)

5. Ballage Barrage (me)

6. A Ballage a Trois (many)

7. Ballage Mahal (me)

8. Ballagin' on a budget (@FAMoranjr)

9. Kato Kalen living at the Ballag-eo

10. Hate the Drake

Matthew Berry, The Talented Mr. Roto, couldn't find a stat-based list to fit Josh Jacobs on, but he remains his ride or die for 2019.

We need lower costs and a video review system, even for the Grand Masters
By GORDON KERR – Squash Mad Correspondent in Vienna

Without question the highlight of the 17 European Masters event finals (Men 35+ to 75+, women 35+ -to 70+ but no 65+ event) was the match between host nation Austria’s Clemens Wallishauser and England’s Mike Gregory.

Few of us had even heard of Wallishauser, but those who watched will remember his athleticism for a very long time. On a personal level I had not seen Mike for about ten years, since I last organised a semi-pro team in the Middlesex League; every time he played he served up treats.

What a spectacle was Saturday’s final. Mike Gregory is a rare talent, he possesses not only perfect timing, incredible skill, but also a unique imagination. Few in the crowd had any idea where the ball was going any of the time.

He produced at least four shots that I had never even previously imagined. Wallishauser, although clearly more agile, did not underestimate and covered the court with an agility that defied his age , 45+.

Outrageous shot of the match was played by Gregory mid way through the 4th game. The ball was close to the left hand wall but of poor length. Everything Gregory did shouted cross court – he physically swung across the court, racket, body, head. Yet he left his wrist late on the ball and popped it straight. Wallishauser was fooled. To enhance the effect Gregory even deliberately stumble-walked straight up the left wall, barely (but carefully) just missing the ball with his body as it floated back down the left-hand wall.

What a pity that this match, which was surely in any event going Wallishauser’s way, was ended early by a refereeing shocker with the Austrian leading 2–1 and by 6 points to 7 (Gregory serving) in the fourth. Trapped in the front right corner Wallishauser stumbled, off balance after an amazing retrieval into Gregory’s arms. Mike, his racket almost touching the ball was unable to swing. No let.

Not one to hide behind my pen I approached the referee straight afterwards and explained my and the crowd’s disappointment. She is a charming, noble lady whom I have met many times before, mainly in Scotland. It was clear that she believed Gregory could not have played the ball – too far in front. Squash needs a cricket style DRS (Decision Review System) if Masters Squash is to survive and thrive. 

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To report on all 15 final events would be boring, so I highlight only the most noteworthy. The day opened with the mens +75 final. Ken Reid of Scotland defeated Bertil Walli of Finland with some great retrieving and well timed floating shots into the rear corners.

In the 70+ event Howard Cherlin was on top form. With near perfect touch and spin control he floated and dropped the ball to all four corners and Scotland’s Ian Ross had to settle for second place.

In the 65+ event Stuart Hardy pushed favourite Stephen Johnson hard, but predictably Johnson prevailed in five. In the 60+ , defending champion (2017) Mark Cowley started strongly against Wigan’s Allen Barwise.

Once again a refereeing intervention spoiled the match. Perfectly poised at one game apiece and 9-9 in the third, everybody knew that the next couple of points were important.

Having forced Barwise, in trouble, to boast from the back left hander Cowley played a trickle boast in the front right. Not his best but it wrong footed Barwise who clattered into Cowley with his racket prone in front of him.

The ball was far from dead, bouncing rather high across the front wall but going in the opposite direction. I suppose a purist would agree that the decision was either stroke or no let, but what a generous stroke it seemed.

The next point produced another soft decision and the game was over; the match effectively dead. No disrespect to Barwise, who played superbly and would probably have won anyway, but what a shame that refereeing decisions played a material part in the most crucial moments.

In the 55+ final Sweden’s Jonas Ulvsback was again beaten by countrymate Fredrik Johnson.

The stand out performance in the ladies’ matches came from Andrea Santamaria, who defeated Germany’s star Masters player Simone Korell comprehensively in the 50+.

Andrea is a bit of a female Clark Kent. I wonder how many ordinary burgers of Pontefract have bumped into her doing their weekly shop in Morrison’s supermarket and thought nothing of her? I can imagine that, not being particularly tall, when dressed in ordinary clothes and a warm jacket, they would never suspect that this lady is a supreme athlete.

But once the tracksuit comes off and she enters the court wearing her squash gear and her game face, Andrea is transformed into a lioness. Muscular definition in her shoulders was visible even from the back of the crowd as Andrea hammer-volleyed any loose balls either deep into the corners or cross court into the nicks. Korell had no chance.

Another impressively athletic contest was fought between Keeley Johnson, again defending her 2017 title, and Poland’s Dominika Witkowska. Johnson won. Three 2019 titles for Johnsons.

Hats off to Hungarian/ English lady Reka Gay who came second in the ladies 35+ event; but it has to be said that the standard of play was not earth-shattering. In truth, the standard is only genuinely elite in the Men’s events in the age ranges 40+ to 60.

There are indeed a number of very high standard ladies, such as Field, Hume and Akin, regularly competing in these events, but too few opponents of quality to really endorse the winner as the true champion of Europe. Why so few players outside of these few men’s events? I have personally enjoyed participating in six world and European masters in the last ten years and my worry is that, owing to a combination of trends, participation is reducing. Chief among them is cost. We want these events to attract the best players from across Europe.

However this year’s entry fee, 150 euros, is about one third of the average monthly wage for Bulgarians, and double the monthly average wage of Ukrainians. No wonder so many titles were won by UK based players; many Eastern Europeans were simply priced out. But will the wealthier Brits, Scandinavians, Dutch and Germans commit to future events if other less attractive features are to be repeated?

This year’s location, Club Danube, is a hospitable venue with 15 courts but ten of them are squeezed into the back of the venue with such a narrow access corridor that refereeing is difficult. The temperature was blisteringly hot and the courts grubby and dark.

In Cologne in 2010 the players’ dinner and awards was held in a magnificent venue, a grand hall that truly fitted the occasion. In Vienna we were asked for 50 euros for an ‘all you can’ eat buffet in a sweltering venue which, although covered, was basically a cheap restaurant in a theme park reminiscent of Southend.

I have huge admiration for Pavel Sladecek and the team, but they need support from those running the sport. The entry fee should be cut to 20 euros or less, subject to entrants demonstrating that they play to at least amateur “A” grade in their home country. Funding should be solicited from European pots. Plenty are available.

Squash is the most magnificent advertisement for human health and fitness, for delaying the onset of old age. I have for years been unimpressed with those administering the sport both in England and at the ESF. Yet again, this year they did nothing to help showcase the sport.

Pictures courtesy of Gordon Kerr 

‘I’ve been working hard and I’m looking forward to it’
By SEAN REUTHE – Squash Mad Correspondent

Three-time champion Gregoire Marche is looking forward to competing at this year’s Open de France – Nantes 2019 Presented by Tailor Capital when the biggest PSA event in France takes place from September 9-14 at the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne.

The Open de France – formally known as the Open International de Squash de Nantes – has this year upgraded to a PSA World Tour Silver event after featuring on the PSA Challenger Tour in 2018 and will use a best-of-three game format up to and including the quarter-finals, before reverting to the traditional best of five format for the semi-finals and beyond.

Marche won the title for three years in a row from 2015 – 2017, but last season crashed out at the quarter final stage to eventual champion Declan James. However, the Frenchman insisted he has been working hard in the off-season to be ready for his home tournament next month.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s only three weeks away now,” said the 29-year-old.

“The end of last season was pretty good for me, I played some good squash, had some good wins and finished at No.16, which is my highest ranking. It’s a different feeling for me, and I decided especially this year to have a big push this summer, and have a tough training preparation.

“I started on July 1, so it’s a long time, more than two months to get ready, and I feel like I’m getting ready physically, I just need to play more matches and get more squash specific stuff.

“My training has been good, I’ve been doing some different things for more than a year now, and it’s started to pay off.

“It’s never easy to play the first event of the season because you don’t know what to expect from the other players. Last year I didn’t play that well against Declan [James] in the quarters, but in the years before I enjoyed it. It’s close to home, there’s a bit more pressure on you, but at the same time it gives you more motivation.”

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The French tournament is renowned for its innovative locations and spectacular shows which accompany the squash and this year will be no different, with the tournament being held in the picturesque Chateau des ducs de Bretagne.

“I enjoy playing the new venues every year, they do a great job to organise the event, it’s not only about squash, it’s also about putting on a real show for the people who don’t know squash at all, and in Nantes, squash is getting really popular,” Marche continued.

“Even though it’s the same city, it’s a different atmosphere every year and they try to do something besides squash. Last year it was the music with the opera, the year before they had all the light shows.

“People come to watch the squash, but it’s not only about that, and I think the crowd are really happy about this. It’s great to see different things, as a player you just think about squash, but when you watch the other games and relax, you can enjoy it a bit more compared to other tournaments.”

Marche has become the new men’s French No.1 since compatriot and former World No.1 Gregory Gaultier sustained a knee injury at the 2018 US Open, and Marche admitted it brings a different kind of pressure.

“They work so hard in Nantes with the settings, the music and lights– it’s a different atmosphere every year”

“It’s a different feeling for me to be the French No.1 and top 16 in the world. I have been working with my mental coach to become more relaxed and more confident in my squash. That’s what I’ve done for the past year, but it’s not easy every day.

“Some days it’s easy to do what you’ve learnt, but other days you feel stressed and under more pressure. I have the keys now to relax as much as I can. It’s more pressure but I like to be in that place and it’s more fun sometimes.

“It’s not easy to control, but that’s what I’m training for every day and we’ll see how it goes in Nantes.

“I played pretty well from January to the end of the season, I had some good points, but not until January last season, I didn’t play very well.

“I have nothing to lose, I’m going to stay relaxed and if I play well then the ranking is going to go higher of course. I’m not thinking too much about the ranking, my goal is to reach top 10 because I know I can do it, it’s really possible.”

The Open de France features equal prize money for the first time, with $147,000 up for grabs across both draws. La Maison du Squash will host round one matches, while round two matches will be split between there and the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne. The Chateau des ducs de Bretagne will host all matches from the quarter finals onwards.

All of the action from the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne will be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world), Eurosport Player (Europe only) and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour between September 10-14.

Tickets are available for purchase via the tournament’s official website. 

Report by SEAN REUTHE (PSA). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.

Pictures courtesy of PSA 

After the nervous laughter settled down, James Haskell realised the proposition to sign him up as a professional mixed martial arts fighter was a serious one.

Haskell only called time on his 17-year professional rugby union career in May but has dived straight back into elite sport after agreeing a deal with MMA promotion Bellator.

The 34-year-old has 77 England caps under his belt but admits when the time comes to step into the cage next year - with a date for his debut still to be decided - he will be scared.

"Mike Tyson said it: Everyone has got a plan until you get hit in the face. But for me it is a test, it's a journey," said Haskell.

"I'm not messing around with this. There has been overwhelming support but some people think it's a bit like a scene out of Rocky III.

"I'm dedicating my life to this. I want to make sure I am in the best possible shape and whatever happens at the end of it I am going to put as much dedication into this as I did into rugby.

"I'm deadly serious about it. I don't want it to be the case where I get into the cage and I look like I've never taken a punch before, it looks like I'm just here for fun. I'm not about that."

'My wife looked at me like I was mad'

Haskell is not new to MMA. The ex-Wasps and Northampton Saints flanker first started working with London-based MMA gym Shootfighters a decade ago to improve areas of his game such as tackling and has previously worked as a television pundit on shows.

But the training has intensified over the past month since he got a call from Bellator to say they wanted to sign him as a heavyweight fighter.

"I thought maybe they were going to offer me some more work, then they dropped the bombshell they wanted me to fight," explained Haskell.

"Once I had stopped nervously laughing it piqued my interest. I went back to my wife, Chloe, but she didn't find it as funny. She looked at me like I was mad.

"The first thing I did was pick up the phone to the guys at Shootfighters and ask: 'What do you think of me taking this on?'. They unanimously came back and gave me their support."

Gyms, DJing and being backed by Richard and Judy

Haskell says he enjoyed some time off - with holidays and DJing among the many things to keep him busy - but missed the discipline and dedication of professional sport. Now MMA is his full-time job.

"My training and conditioning is hard and intense, but it's clever," he added. "They dictate everything. I just come in and go 'yes, coach. No, coach' and I try not to cry.

"When I left rugby and bought my first commercial gym membership it was a shock to the system. I went in there and saw people training and thought 'I've got to get out of here and get in a proper gym'."

Haskell admits the coaches at Shootfighters have "already started flogging me" but stresses he won't be doing "spinning back kicks or axe kicks if I can't do it".

"There is a lot of hard work to be done and a lot of hours to be put in, but I am excited about it," added Haskell, who expects to make his debut against a fighter of similar experience.

His decision to come out of retirement was greeted with support from his family and friends, as well as his in-laws - TV presenters Richard and Judy.

"I don't think my mum fully understands what I have agreed to do. Which is kind of a good thing," Haskell told BBC Sport.

"My dad loves anything like this. Chloe is unbelievably supportive and her folks have been incredibly supportive. Richard is great - we will see if we can get him along to a fight."

'This is no PR stunt'

But the former rugby star is keen to distance himself from the idea this is a PR stunt or merely a brief crossover into combat sports as has been seen before, such as cricketer Freddie Flintoff's brief foray into boxing.

"People keep making comparisons to me and Freddie. He was one of my sporting heroes when I was growing up and had an amazing career," said Haskell.

"I think to do this sport you have to give up your life and be pretty dedicated. A lot of people when they prepare for these fights it's like they have never been punched before.

"By the time I get in that cage, if I am still alive to tell the tale, I will have had a number of fights and will be well prepared."

The individual nature of stepping into the cage alone is one of the attractions of MMA for Haskell, who has spent a lifetime playing team sports.

"It must be very daunting being an individual sportsman," added Haskell, who dismissed rumours his training will be interrupted by an appearance on 'I'm A Celebrity' this year.

"I was only thinking during Wimbledon while I was watching Federer and Djokovic play that I wonder what it's like to be an individual sportsman at the highest level, when you have to look after yourself and don't have team-mates to fall back on?

"While I'm nowhere near their league in any aspect, I am going to see what it's like and see if I can be mentally tough enough to deal with it. I have no idea whether I will be or not."

ALGER, Wash. – Shane Stewart will not return to CJB Motorsports following the conclusion of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season.

The news was confirmed in a press release sent out Wednesday by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series previewing upcoming events in Washington.

“We weren’t meshing together,” said Chad Clemens, co-owner of CJB Motorsports. “It’s business. Shane knows the deal. We know the deal. He’s a great guy. Great family. But we’re not meshing as a team. When that happens you have to make changes and that’s pretty much what we chose to do.

“I felt like I gave him plenty of time, you know I didn’t hold it from him for another month or two or whatever and throw it on him. I gave him enough time, out of respect to him, to say, ‘Hey listen, we’re going in a different direction’ and that’s what we chose.”

Stewart joined CJB Motorsports this year after five years with Kyle Larson Racing. Expectations were high for the combination, but the results simply haven’t come for Stewart and CJB Motorsports.

The team currently sits seventh in the World of Outlaws point standings and Stewart has scored one win this year, which came in June at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville in Tennessee.

Stewart recently lost crew chief Barry Jackson, who will be working with affiliated KI Crossbow-sponsored driver Kerry Madsen for the rest of the season. Jackson will still be available to help, especially when Madsen is racing with the World of Outlaws, Stewart said, but the it’s up to him and his crew to set up the car and figure out the shock package.

Jackson went off the road to get a head start on the 2020 season, Clemens said. The team felt working with Madsen and his team for the rest of the season would be a good test to try different things for next year. Jackson will be back with the CJB Motorsports No. 5 car next year.

CJB Motorsports has yet to decide on who will replace Stewart next year and Stewart has not landed a deal for 2020 as of yet either. A decision on who may replace Stewart at CJB Motorsports may come in the next 30 to 60 days, according to Clemens. The team is also exploring the possibility of a second car that may run about 60 races next year.

“That’s sort of just talk,” Clemens said about a second car. “Nothing etched in stone.”

For the remainder of the year, Clemens said he would like to see Stewart win races, be in the top-five and gain some confidence for himself.

“Hopefully we can finish the year strong and we can all kind of separate and go our own ways on good conditions, good faith and chalk it up as a good experience that we’ve all learned a lot from,” Stewart said.

“The thing is, sprint car fans, sprint car mechanics, owners, you’re only as good as your last race out here,” Stewart said. “My name hasn’t been mentioned too many times this year. And that’s one thing I’ve got to concentrate on and get good strong finishes. And get my name back up to where it used to be. And where it should be. And where it needs to be. That’s just one thing I’m going to try and focus on real hard and try to accomplish.”