Ivory Instantly Looms As Gang Green's Most Physical Running Back

So much of what the New York Jets hope to accomplish on offense requires a healthy and reliable Chris Ivory in the backfield. Acquired in an April trade with the New Orleans Saints, Ivory instantly Looms as Gang Green's most physical running back, but he can't get on the field. One day after Ivory's troubled hamstring tightened in practice, Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters August 31: "I hope to get him out there soon. I thought it would be progressing a little bit better than it has."Hamstring issues have nagged Ivory before. During his first three seasons with the Saints, Ivory also missed time with knee, foot, groin, shoulder and concussion issues. In his absence, Jets backs Joe McKnight and Bilal Powell have failed to impress. Heath Evans watched New York practice Thursday and told NFL Network, "It lacked intensity, " while saying, "The run drills were lackadaisical at best, in my opinion."Camp coverage on NFL Network Watch "Inside Training Camp" this week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Complete training camp coverageIvory -- when healthy -- is a hard-charging runner who can wear down a defense. We made him one of our Making the Leap candidates for his style of play and the opportunity before him in New York.

The NFL Owners Have Seemed Adamant In

Since the negotiations for the latest CBA began, the NFL owners have seemed adamant in, at some point, splitting the preseason in half by going to an 18-game regular season schedule with only two exhibition contests.The players successfully fought against it, but as we detailed earlier on August 8th, 2013, commissioner Roger Goodell is still trying to tweak the preseason.As NFL.com reported, "The NFL still is looking at different formats for the split of regular-season and preseason games -- 18-and-2, 16-and-2 or 17-and-3” as well as possibly reducing the prices for those preseason contests.One thing, though. The NFLPA says it doesn't know a thing about it."We have not been approached about a change in the season, " NFLPA assistant executive director of external affairs George Atallah told the NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal. "We know the owners have wanted 18 games for a long time and as everyone knows, tried using a lockout to get it."Thus, the NFL can't adjust the season with the current CBA unless the NFLPA signs off on the deal. And since we know how well the two sides get along, it seems likely a preseason tweak likely won't be happening for some time.

Top 10 Metered Markets For Cowboys-Dolphins:1

Cowboys-Dolphins Telecast Posts Best Primetime rating in Adults 18-49 Demo Since NBA Finals STAMFORD, Conn. – August 6, 2013 – The Cowboys-Dolphins NFL/Hall of Fame game averaged 10.1 million viewers, leading NBC to a primetime victory for the night, according to official national ratings released today by The Nielsen Company. In addition, NBC’s telecast of the first game of the NFL preseason scored the highest rating in the Adults 18-49 demo (3.8) for any primetime telecast on any night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox since Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 20 (10.6). August 5th NFL preseason telecast was also #1 for the week in Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54 and all key Adult-Male demos. The 10.1 million viewers for Cowboys –Dolphins is the most in an NFL preseason game in two years, since Chargers-Cowboys on NBC (10.7 million, August 21, 2011). NBC’s second preseason game will air on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. ET and features Colin Kaepernick and the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers hosting the Minnesota Vikings, with 2, 000-yard rusher Adrian Peterson. Top 10 Metered Markets for Cowboys-Dolphins:1. Dallas, 17.0/30, 2. New Orleans, 15.1/22, 3.Austin, 12.2/21, 4. San Antonio, 11.5/19, 5. Miami, 11.3/17, 6. Norfolk, 11.0/16,

7. Charlotte, 10.8/18, 8. Oklahoma City, 10.8/17, 9. Albuquerque, 9.9/16, 10. Richmond, 9.6/15.

An His Stories Were Often Laced With Self-Depreciating Humor

NFL Hall of Famer Art Donovan died on August 5, 2013 at the age of 89. During his time in the NFL, Donovan played as a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, now the Indianapolis Colts. Daughter Kelly Donovan-Mazzulli announced that her father passed away from a respiratory ailment shortly before 8 pm. He was surrounded by 15 to 20 family members, including his wife Dorothy. Along with his career in the NFL, Donovan was also known for his storytelling, reports The Baltimore Sun. He appeared on Late Night with David Letterman 10 times to talk about growing up in the Bronx, his time in the Marines during World War II, and his experiences in the NFL. An his stories were often laced with self-depreciating humor. Born Arthur James Donovan Jr., the NFL Hall of Famer was the son of a famous boxing referee. But rather than following his father into the world of boxing, Donovan forged his own path. Despite an average career in high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. But he left after one year to join the Marines. After the war, he returned to college and ended up being drafted by the Colts in the 1950 NFL Draft. But the team folded at the end of the season, sending Art Donovan to The New York Yanks, then the Dallas Texans. He finally returned to the Colts in 1953 and stayed there until he retired. USA Today notes that Hall of Famer Jim Ringo once called Donovan “one of the greatest people I played against all my life.” Art Donovan also played in the 1958 championship game between the Colts and the New York Giants. The event has long been called The Greatest Game Ever Played by many football historians.

Ivory Also Missed Time With Knee

So much of what the New York Jets hope to accomplish on offense requires a healthy and reliable Chris Ivory in the backfield. Acquired in an April trade with the New Orleans Saints, Ivory instantly Looms as Gang Green's most physical running back, but he can't get on the field. One day after Ivory's troubled hamstring tightened in practice, Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters August 31: "I hope to get him out there soon. I thought it would be progressing a little bit better than it has."Hamstring issues have nagged Ivory before. During his first three seasons with the Saints, Ivory also missed time with knee, foot, groin, shoulder and concussion issues. In his absence, Jets backs Joe McKnight and Bilal Powell have failed to impress. Heath Evans watched New York practice Thursday and told NFL Network, "It lacked intensity, " while saying, "The run drills were lackadaisical at best, in my opinion."Camp coverage on NFL Network Watch "Inside Training Camp" this week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Complete training camp coverageIvory -- when healthy -- is a hard-charging runner who can wear down a defense. We made him one of our Making the Leap candidates for his style of play and the opportunity before him in New York.