Slotmachines » 0 receiving yards in four of the past six seasons.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce feels the pressure is on them and not opponents Leicester going into their Super Sunday clash at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have drawn their last four matches in a row and go into the weekend four points behind Norwich, who play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Ed Chamberlin and Paul Merson look ahead to Super Sunday as leaders Leicester travel to Sunderland and Tottenham entertain Manchester United In contrast, Leicester are top of the table and pushing for their first Premier League title. Allardyce described their rise from relegation candidates last season to contenders this as Roy of the Rovers stuff, but he still feels his side has what it takes to defeat them.I hope we can perform this week like we did the last. Hopefully that will be enough to bring us our biggest three points of the season against the side at the top of the league who deserve to be where they are, he said.It would only be their fourth defeat. Hopefully we can be clinical enough. We are capable of doing it, I feel. Its Roy of the Rovers stuff for those that are old like me who remember Roy of the Rovers. Its a fairytale. After our game, I hope they continue to go on and win. But I hope we can stop them in their tracks first.Theres a lot more pressure on us than them, theres no doubt about that, with the position were in. Weve been able to handle that pressure very well in performance terms.Its a much bigger game for us than them on the basis of our Premier League status. It would still be an outstanding season if they finished second and not first.Its been interesting to see theyve mastered change of the tactics as the seasons gone on. When I was watching them in the early part they were much more open and counter attacking, which brought them lots of goals and comebacks. Charlie Nicholas reflects on Sunderlands draw with West Brom Now theyve mastered the way the opposition have set themselves up against them, dropping deeper and not allowing the space. Theyve still managed to break them down for the all-important 1-0s. The clean sheet ratio is fantastic too and thats why theyre at the top.If we are going to beat them we cant afford to miss the chances we had last week [when they drew 0-0 with West Brom], nor the chances Southampton made against them last week.Thats going to be very important for us. We have to try and be the team that scores first. When they score first, they are very difficult to break down. Theyre magnificent defensively.Allardyce and his coaching staff took the squad training on Sunderlands beaches this week and he felt altering their routine was helpful. Theres a lot more pressure on us than them, theres no doubt about that, with the position were in. Sam Allardyce A change of scenery is something we thought we needed. Although we have a fantastic facility here, you can get cocooned in it sometimes, he added.A fresh outlook was needed and quite a lot of our fans walking along didnt expect it and enjoyed watching, as did the players.The wet sand was actually a perfect surface for the players. The only thing we were missing was a good packet of fish and chips, which they cant have now. We could, but they cant.The Sunderland squad were also joined in training by their U8s side this week, who helped add an extra dimension to proceedings. Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce found their 0-0 draw against West Brom tough to take after a team display he described as magnificent The U8s were absolutely tremendous. There were such a lot of great little characters, who were not shy about telling the players what some of their dads had said about them, which was quite funny, said Allardyce.Its a huge commitment [to develop young players] but we take it upon ourselves that its the only way we can develop top level footballers now.But it needs a big effort from everybody and most importantly from the parents and the youngsters themselves. We try and make it as enjoyable as possible and training with the first team certainly sent them all home happy.Watch Sunderland v Leicester on Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 12:30pm, followed on the same channel by Tottenham v Manchester United at 3:30pm.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Sky Live: Sunderland v Leicester Mannone: Were out to save jobs Mersons predictions Sunderland fixtures Balenciaga Shoes Online Uk .com) - There may be a debate in Philadelphia about who should be the starting quarterback of the Eagles. Balenciaga Wholesale Uk . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. http://www.wholesalebalenciagauk.com/. -- Dane Fox scored his 61st and 62nd goals of the season and Brendan Gaunce had a goal and three assists as the Erie Otters downed the Kitchener Rangers 7-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Balenciaga Shoes Sales Uk . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday. Balenciaga Shoes Clearance .com) - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos had an arthroscopic procedure performed on his right elbow last week, the teams official site reported Wednesday.Dovetailing with the decline in 1,000-yard rushers, there are an increasing number fo 1,000-yard receivers in the NFL now, which offers more opportunity to find useful fantasy contributors. The best of the best remains Detroits Calvin Johnson, who is in another class, even when compared to the growing field of 1,000-yard wideouts. Last season, there were 24 wide receivers with at least 1,000 receiving yards, and seven of them had double-digit touchdowns. The year before, it was 19 1,000-yard receivers; then 17, 16, 20, 21, 20, 19, 19 and 23 over the past decade. With a few more reaching that threshold, there is opportunity to squeeze out some value later, but it doesnt hurt to get the big guns loaded. Over that period, there are 14 receivers with five 1,000-yard seasons, and three of them (Donald Driver, Chad Johnson and Derrick Mason) are out of the league, so its hard to bank on guys for year-in, year-out production. Nevertheless, Calvin Johnson has gone for more than 1,000 yards in five of the past six seasons and has double-digit touchdowns in four of those five seasons. Thats consistent enough to be the top fantasy option at the position and worthy of a mid-first-round pick in most formats. Beyond Johnson, there is still lots of talent. Denvers Demaryius Thomas has had back-to-back seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. The aforementioned Calvin Johnson is the only other active receiver with two seasons of at least 1,400 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. Beyond those two, Dallas Dez Bryant has 2,615 receiving yards with 25 touchdowns the past two years, and Cincinnatis A.J. Green has racked up 2,776 yards with 22 touchdowns. In some configuation, thats a pretty strong top four. Thats not to say that there arent more contenders for that kind of ranking, however. Green Bays Jordy Nelson missed four games in 2012, but in 2011 and 2013, he combined for 2,577 yards and 23 touchdowns. Being Aaron Rodgers preferred target has its benefits. Few receivers have been as consistently productive as Chicagos Brandon Marshall, who has seven straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, scoring 23 touchdowns in the last two combined. The trouble, if you want to call it that, is that Marshall is losing some looks to third-year wideout Alshon Jeffery, who had a breakout year in 2013, accruing 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns. While there is typically a reluctance to pick rookie wide receivers -- since 2000, there have been five first-year receivers with at least 1,000 receiving yards -- Keenan Allen, a third-round pick of San Diego last season was one of them. Naturally, then, expectations are high for Allen going into his second season. Tampa Bays Vincent Jackson has never had a double-digit touchdown season, but hes gone for 1,000 yards or more in five of the past six seasons. If he turned in a dozen touchdown year on top of a 1,200-yard season, that would be some serious value. The Atlanta Falcons offer up a pair of possible boucneback options. Julio Jones was running away from the competition last year, with 580 yards in five games before his season was ended with a foot injury. Across the field, Roddy White limped his way through much of the season with a high ankle sprain, finishing with 711 receiving yards, his lowest since 2006. White is 32, so predicting a bounceback gets a little dicey at that age, but he had 502 receiving yards in his last five games last season, presumably once the ankle had improved. The No. 1 target in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown is coming off a season in which he gained 1,499 receiving yards and figures to get at least as many looks this year with a less-than-inspiring supporting cast. One of the challenges when evaluating wide receivers is that they are going to be dependent on their quarterback for production. The Giants Victor Cruz has 3,626 receiving yards with 23 yards over the past three seasons, but if Eli Manning isnt on top of his game this season, that will llikely have an adverse effect on Cruzs production.dddddddddddd A similar issue could hang over the Texans duo of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopins. Johnson, the veteran, has never had a double-digit receiving touchdown season, but has more than 1,400 receiving yards in four of the past six seasons. Hopkins is going into his second season after a rookie year that had its ups and downs, but still finished with 802 receiving yards. The question for both is whether they can put up big numbers with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback. Larry Fitzgerald had a bit of a bounceback last season, when the Cardinals brought in Carson Palmer. Fitzgerald was held under 1,000 yards for the second straight season, but had his first double-digit touchdown season since 2009. Michael Floyd emerged, in his second season, as a strong option across from Fitzgerald, accumulating receiving 1,041 yards, so Floyd may be similarly valuable going forward. With DeSean Jackson off to Washington, Philadelphias top remaining wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper will have opportunities to put up strong stats. Maclin has yet to record a 1,000-yard season in his career, and missed all of 2013, but if he can stay healthy, he should get there this year. Cooper was a full-time starter last year, for the first time in his career, and had 835 receiving yards with eight touchdowns. 1,000 yards isnt necessarily out of reach for him either. San Franciscos receiving corps ought to be better this year, with Anquan Boldin the reliable veteran, but bolstered with a healthy Michael Crabtree, along with newcomer Stevie Johnson. Crabtree, who only played five games last season, but has played well with Colin Kaepernick under centre, could be primed for a bounceback campaign. There are some value shifts based on team changes, most notably for Eric Decker, leaving the high-octane Broncos for the New York Jets. Deckers value will drop, but he could still provide value if he drops too far; on the other hand, Emmanuel Sanders moves from Pittsburgh to Denver, replacing Decker, and that would seem to make it likely that Sanders will top last years career-best 740 yards and six touchdowns. One of the most popular breakout candidates at wide receiver this season is Minnesotas Cordarrelle Patterson, the second-year receiver who had 469 receiving yards and nine touchdowns (two on returns, three rushing) as a rookie. Can Matt Cassel take advantage of Pattersons deep speed? Baltimores Torrey Smith could take a further step forward, after putting up a career-high 1,128 receiving yards last season. Even with similar yardage, Smith could still add value if he scores more than the four touchdowns he had last year. When it comes to value plays, Seattles Percy Harvin offers high upside -- he had 1,312 yards from scrimmage in 2011 with Minnesota -- but he hasnt been able to stay healthy. At some point, his talent makes him worth a pick. Its tough to get value from rookie wide receivers (see the note associated with Keenan Allen) but this years crop is headed by Buffalos Sammy Watkins, Tampa Bays Mike Evans and, as something of a sleeper, New Orleans Brandin Cooks. Watkins and Evans are expected to start, with questionable quarterbacks, while Cooks has a chance, with his speed, to add a new dimension for an elite quarterback. Carolina may have the leagues worst receiving corps, but those expected to start, Jerricho Cotchery and rookie Kelvin Benjamin, are both intriguing when it comes to deeper leagues -- someone has to catch Cam Newtons passes. In any case, adding depth at the position remains important. Even if you secure blue-chippers for starting spots, there are bye weeks, injuries and flex spots that will require you to look deeper on the list of candidates. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Fantasy Football Report powered by Coors Light. ' ' '