he sustained ”a stinger” for the first time in his ca

Patrick Mahomes has dazzled NFL audiences with no-look passes http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/sione-takitaki-jersey , left-handed throws and stellar performances in just his first full season as a starter.The dynamic Mahomes has the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) leading the AFC and he’s already earning top honors.Mahomes barely squeaked past Drew Brees as the NFL’s top quarterback in 2018 in voting released Friday by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press. Mahomes received six first-place votes, three seconds and one third. Brees got the other four first-place votes.“When Mahomes got off to a ridiculously good start, many wondered if he could keep up that pace. The answer has been a resounding yes, and the Chiefs’ gunslinger has shown no sign of slowing,” said New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr.Mahomes has 45 touchdown passes and a chance to become just the third player to reach 50. Peyton Manning set the single-season record with 55 TDs in 2013. Tom Brady had 50 in 2007.“The poster boy for wild creativity in the wide-open offensive environment that pervades the NFL, Mahomes has that star quality teams crave,” said New York-based Barry Wilner, who put Mahomes third behind Brees and Philip Rivers. “He also has the talent they desperately need to succeed.”At 39, Brees is having a sensational season. He already broke Manning’s record for career yards passing and surpassed Brett Favre’s mark for most completions. He’s on pace to break his own record for highest completion percentage in a season, and he has the New Orleans Saints (12-2) on the verge of securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed.“He’s taken his game to another level this year, posting some of the best marks of a brilliant career,” San Francisco-based Josh Dubow said.Rivers finished third in voting. The 38-year-old is having perhaps his finest season and has the Los Angeles Chargers (11-3) back in the playoffs with a chance to surpass the Chiefs for the top spot.“One of his generation’s most underappreciated players has finally begun to get the praise deserved for the Bolts’ 11-wins-and-counting surge,” said Minnesota-based Dave Campbell.Andrew Luck came in fourth after missing the entire 2017 season and returning to help the Indianapolis Colts get back into the playoff chase.“He’s back and so are the Colts. Wonder if Josh McDaniels has any regrets about reneging on that gig now,” said Denver-based Arnie Stapleton.Brady finished fifth in the poll after placing first in September.“Not the best season by his near-impossible standards, but the G.O.A.T. still has the Patriots a win away from yet another AFC East title,” said New York-based Simmi Buttar.Russell Wilson was sixth, followed by Aaron Rodgers Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson and Ben Roethlisberger. Wilson has helped the Seattle Seahawks (8-6) move toward a playoff berth in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.“Wilson has gone from a quarterback who rode a great defense to a Super Bowl title early in his career to one leading his team to a likely playoff berth this year,” Dubow said. “Few have the ability to extend plays like Wilson, who regularly turns what look like busted plays into big ones.”Rodgers has thrown only two interceptions, but he dropped in the rankings because the Green Bay Packers are 5-8-1 and cost coach Mike McCarthy his job. Rodgers hasn’t had a losing record since his first season as starter in 2008.“Having only two interceptions this season would be more impressive if the Packers were having more success,” Tennessee-based Teresa Walker said. “Instead, there’s not been much difference since firing Mike McCarthy.”Only 13 quarterbacks received votes. Matt Ryan was named on six ballots, Baker Mayfield was on three and Carson Wentz, who finished third in NFL MVP voting last season, made one list.The rankings:100<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj Mehta1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs2. Drew Brees, Saints3. Philip Rivers, Chargers4. Andrew Luck, Colts5. Tom Brady, Patriots6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers8. Jared Goff Kaleb McGary Jersey , Rams9. Deshaun Watson, Texans10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)Bills center Eric Wood’s plans to announce his retirement on Monday were sidetracked due to issues arising over what he is owed over the final two years of his contract, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. Instead of announcing his retirement in front of a large gathering of family, friends and teammates, the nine-year veteran instead spent less than two minutes reading from a prepared statement in which Wood stressed he is still on the team’s roster. ”Thanks to everyone who supported me throughout my career. And because of that, I am here today,” Wood said. ”I’m sure there are a lot of unanswered questions. I hope to address those at a later date. Thanks, and go Bills.” With that, Wood stepped down from the stage, picked up and kissed his daughter, Grace, and walked away behind a curtain. Wood will never play again after tests revealed he has two discs he said are ”dangerously close to my spinal cord.” According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, teams can ask for a portion of bonus money to be returned if a player retires before his contract expires. There is, however, a gray area if a player retires as a result of a career-ending injury. The person said the question over bonus money was the reason Wood held off on announcing his retirement as had been initially planned shortly after the player learned of his diagnosis following Buffalo’s 10-3 loss to Jacksonville in the AFC wild card playoff on Jan. 7. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because neither Wood nor the team commented on the matter that delayed the start of the news conference by nearly an hour. Wood has been informed by doctors that the injury is so severe he would no longer be cleared to play – even with surgery or further treatment. Bills general manager Brandon Beane declined to get into specifics when speaking with reporters. He said the lengthy delay in starting the news conference was the result of Wood’s late arrival and also due to a phone call the player had with his agent. Beane acknowledged a complication by saying the team has no room under the current salary cap to release Wood until the NFL’s 2018 business year opens in mid-March. ”It’s tough. There’s all sorts of things when you’re doing roster management and all that Kendall Sheffield Jersey ,” he said. ”He’ll be on our roster for a while until we figure things out.” Wood was entering the final year of his contract before signing a two-year extension in August. He has shied away from using the word retirement since news of his neck injury first surfaced Friday. In a separate development, the Bills announced defensive line coach Mike Waufle has retired after completing his 20th NFL season and first in Buffalo. The Bills filled Waufle’s spot by promoting defensive line assistant Bill Teerlinck. They also hired Aaron Whitecotton to take over as Teerlinck’s assistant. Rather than focus on Wood’s uncertain status, Beane was more interested in discussing the impact the 31-year-old had as a team leader and helping the Bills reach the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. ”This is Eric’s day. It’s about him and a heck of a career he had,” Beane said. ”It’s bittersweet, but we’re just trying to celebrate his career.” The news conference was held in the Bills’ practice facility rather than the team’s smaller media room to handle a crowd of about 100 people – not including members of the media – attending the event. Guests included Wood’s former teammates such as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and current Bills, including defensive tackle Kyle Williams and running back LeSean McCoy. Also on hand were members of his charitable foundation, The Eric Wood Fund, as well family members of people his foundation has supported. Wood opened the news conference by apologizing for the delay. He said was ”floored” when informed of the severity of his neck injury. Wood said he sustained ”a stinger” for the first time in his career during a 20-16 loss at Cincinnati on Oct. 8, and then a second one the following game. He said tests showed no significant damage. Wood is from Cincinnati and spent four seasons playing at Louisville before being selected by the Bills with their second of two first-round picks in the 2009 draft. Wood earned a starting job entering his rookie season and appeared in 121 career games, including one in the playoff. Wood was also popular in the community for his charitable work, and was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2015 and `16. Bills fans rallied to Wood’s support by donating more than $30,000 to Wood’s foundation, with the money going toward Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. — AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL