Red-Racers Forum » k in four of the past six games. --J.M. ' ' '

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Standing atop the medal podium for the 23rd time, Michael Phelps teared up, bit his lip and gave a little nod.This was how he wanted to go out: on top of his game in the water and totally content away from the pool.It turned out pretty cool, Phelps said with another gold medal around his neck. Its just a perfect way to finish.Phelps put the United States ahead to stay on the butterfly leg of the 4x100-meter medley relay, which gave the most decorated athlete in Olympic history his 23rd career gold medal Saturday night.If that was the end -- and Phelps insists it is -- the numbers are simply astonishing. No other Olympian has more than nine gold medals. With 28 medals in all, Phelps is 10 clear of anyone else.Its not even once in a generation, said his coach, Bob Bowman. It might be once in 10 generations that someone like Michael Phelps comes along.As Nathan Adrian touched the wall to finish the victory, Phelps gathered the other relay swimmers, Ryan Murphy and Cody Miller, in his arms. One night after his only setback of the games, an upset loss to Joseph Schooling in the 100 fly, Phelps was back on top.At age 31, he leaves Rio with five golds and a silver.I wouldnt change anything, he said. This is the best place Ive ever been in my life.In the stands, his fiancée, Nicole Johnson, bounced along to the music with their son, 3-month-old Boomer, cradled in her arms. Phelps is eager to spend a lot more time with them. He plans to marry Johnson after the Olympics and said he wants to watch his son grow -- and maybe even dole out a swimming lesson or two.What if Boomer wants to take all those medals to show-and-tell someday?I might let him take one, Phelps said with a grin.Maybe a bronze, Bowman chimed in.Most of the U.S. swim team was in the stands to watch Phelps finale, including the biggest female star at the pool, Katie Ledecky. The 19-year-old Ledecky joked that she was proud to be part of Phelps final Olympics -- twice. He initially retired after the 2012 London Olympics, only to decide about a year later to return.The comeback endured a huge setback with his second drunken-driving arrest in 2014, which led to Phelps being banned from the world championships last year. But it also sparked a turnaround in his personal life. He entered six weeks of inpatient therapy, and he got in touch with some of the issues that seemed to lead him astray.He quit drinking, reconnected with his estranged father, got engaged, moved to Arizona along with Bowman and became a father for the first time. Phelps sounds much more adamant this time when he says his swimming career is over.These games really showed his growth, teammate Anthony Ervin said. That human spirit, that capacity to heal, I think it showed in his swimming, it showed in his demeanor, and it certainly showed in his leadership on the team.Phelps was elected a team captain for the first time in his fifth Olympics and truly seemed to enjoy being around his fellow swimmers. He was still the same ruthless competitor, but he was also willing to join in when some of his younger teammates made a carpool karaoke video at their final training camp in Atlanta. He took a starring role, in fact.Being Michael requires such isolation, Ervin said. Other people respect that. They give him that space because he is the greatest. But this time around, he started reaching out, reaching out to other people, bringing them closer, letting that gap be bridged. That was special.On a victory stroll around the pool, Phelps and his teammates grabbed a sign that said, Thank You, Rio.No matter what country you swim for, youre indebted to Michael Phelps for bringing a lot of exposure to the sport and making it a little more mainstream, Murphy said. If this is the end, that was a great way to cap off an incredible career.Murphy, who won two backstroke golds in Rio, put the Americans out front with a world-record split -- it counts because he was leading off -- before Britain surged ahead on the breaststroke with its own world-record holder, Adam Peaty.Phelps dived into the pool in second place. He wasnt there for long. On the return lap, Phelps powered through the water with his windmill of a stroke and surged ahead of James Guy to pass a lead to anchor Adrian.The race wasnt in doubt after that. Adrian pulled away on the freestyle to win in an Olympic-record time of 3 minutes, 27.95 seconds. Britain held on for silver (3:29.24), with Australia nabbing bronze (3:29.93).I think you could tell: I was more emotional after the relay this time than I was the last time, Phelps told NBC after the race. Its been an honor to be a part of all these relays. ... Ive had the opportunity to be on some of the greatest relays of all time. Its been an honor.Phelps leaves the pool with a record 23 Olympic gold medals in 30 Olympic finals.Watching his first gold medal in Athens, [Phelps] is someone Ive looked up to my whole life, Murphy said. To swim that last race with him and get gold, its really a dream come true.Phelps has maintained that Rio will be his final Olympic Games. After Saturdays race, he told NBC, Im just ready for something different. My swimming career might be over, but I have this future ahead of me, and I can just turn the page and start whatever I want.Its not the end of a career. Its the beginning of a new journey. Im really looking forward to that.?Saturdays victory came just minutes after the womens medley relay gave the United States its 1,000th Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games. The U.S. has won 33 swimming medals at Rio 2016, its most since 33 at the Sydney Games in 2000.The final two individual golds of the games went to?Pernille Blume of Denmark in the 50m freestyle, her countrys first swimming victory since 1948, and Italys?Gregorio Paltrinieri?in the grueling 1,500m free.?Connor Jaeger of the United States took silver in 14:39.48, while the bronze went to another Italian, Gabriele Detti, in 14:40.86.But the night belonged to Phelps, who walked out of the arena for the final time carrying the American flag that his mother handed him from her front-row seat, right next to Johnson and little Boomer, with a gold medal around his neck.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.Devin Mesoraco Mets Jersey . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Pedro Martinez Mets Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. http://www.metssale.com/customized/ . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Darryl Strawberry Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Mike Piazza Mets Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers.Each week of the NFL campaign, we will sift through the deeper options at each position with an eye on identifying streaming fantasy commodities with valuable matchups to consider.Do you need replacement options for this first heavy bye week in fantasy football competition? We have some choice names to consider for those seeking widely available options at each position.QuarterbackBrock Osweiler, Houston TexansDespite only throwing one touchdown in his last two games, Brock Osweiler is a candidate for streaming this week for those looking for a desperation play. Osweiler has eclipsed 240 passing yards in each of his last two games and will face a Green Bay Packers secondary that has allowed opposing QBs to post an average passer rating of 102.5 through Monday nights game. That ranks 501 of 511 team performances since the start of the 2001 NFL season, which means the Packers passing defense isnt just bad, its historically bad. Look for Osweiler to finally find success in such a favorable matchup, which bodes well for DeAndre Hopkins and C.J. Fiedorowicz as well. --K.D.Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York JetsFitzpatrick is undoubtedly an embattled signal-caller, as he leads the NFL in interception rate, but hes also enjoyed some success of late, as he hit on 6-of-11 passes of at least 15 yards downfield for 151 yards and a touchdown in Week 12, his second-most such completions in a game this season, per ESPN Stats & Info. The Colts are an inviting matchup for opposing arms, as theyve produced the sixth-lowest pressure rate on opposing passers, creating a hit, hurry or sack on just 22.3 percent of dropbacks. Indy ranks 32nd in pass rush and pass coverage on Pro Football Focus this season and have ceded the second-most fantasy points to opposing arms in ESPN standard leagues. --J.M.Running BackKapri Bibbs, Denver BroncosIf you are looking at the batch of running backs that are owned in less than 20 percent of ESPN.com leagues, you will not find any saviors. The best option of the bunch is Kapri Bibbs, if only because you can count on him receiving at least seven touches. As Bibbs has averaged 3.3 yards per carry, that still will only get you two fantasy points. However, Bibbs offers upside beyond that, as Devontae Booker isnt exactly dominating during his rush attempts since Booker also averages less than 4 yards per carry. Factor in that Bibbs could also see double-digit touches if Booker is limited by any injury, and Bibbs is worth a flier in most leagues. --K.D.Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore RavensDixon played the most snaps of the Baltimore backfield and earned more touches and total yardage than Terrance West in the process. A gifted receiver out of Louisiana Tech, Dixon led all draft-eligible backs last season in yards per route run, per College Football Focus. With steady surges in snaps and touches as the season progresses, flexing Dixon is a viable path to respectable yardage results, as hes produced 80 yards from scrimmage in two of the past three games. --J.M.Wide ReceiverMalcolm Mitchell, New England PatriotsWhile early reports suggest Rob Gronkowskis back injury shouldnt cause him any significant loss of time, the emergence of Mitchell against the New York Jets should give the New England Patriots confidence that they have another viable red zone target. The rookie Mitchell was a second-round draft pick whose incorporation into the Patriots offense was stalled due to a substantial elbow injury during the preseason. Mitchell averaged just 23 snaps per game through Week 10, but his workload has doubled over the last two weeks. During those games, hes been targeted a total of 12 times, which resulted in nine catches, 140 yards and three touchdowns. Look for Josh McDaniel to continue Mitchells increasing usage in the Patriots offense. --K.D.Marquess Wilson, Chicago BearsOn a depleted offense and with a rewarding rapport with signal-caller Matt Barkley, Wilson set career highs in targets, catches and yards, as he was third in the NFL in receiving yardage for Week 12. Opportunity is an asset, and one that Wilson appears to claim, given he led the team in targets and produced a 72.7 percent catch rate in the process. The 49ers have yielded the most touchdowns per game to opposing receivers, as Wilson is a strong streaming option to consider this week.dddddddddddd--J.M.Tight EndLance Kendricks, Los Angeles RamsKendricks again leads the group of tight ends owned in 20 percent or less of ESPN.com leagues. Since Jared Goff was named the starter for the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago, only six tight ends have more receiving yards than Kendricks 89. The Rams will travel to New England this Sunday to face the Patriots, who allow five receptions per game to opposing tight ends. Since Kendricks is averaging more than 10 yards per catch, projecting 50 yards for him is reasonable. Additionally, Kendricks scores a touchdown one time for every 200 receiving yards, which places his scoring likelihood near 25 percent if he can attain those 50 yards. Kendricks should be rostered in all leagues, not just used as a streaming play this week. --K.D.Josh Hill, New Orleans SaintsHill played on 78.4 percent of the teams offensive snaps in Week 12, his second-highest play rate of the season. The increase in on-field exposure led to Hill producing a season-high 74 yards and 51 yards after the catch. Coby Fleener was limited to a season-low 18 of the teams 74 snaps in the win over the Rams, suggesting Hill could command an enduring role in the offense going forward. The Lions, meanwhile, have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. --J.M.D/STTampa Bay BuccaneersIll be completely honest: I actually considered recommending the Cleveland Browns defense this week because they will guarantee a zero this week as they are on bye. Among the defenses owned in less than 20 percent of ESPN.com leagues, I dont have a strong level of confidence that any will score positive fantasy points this week, but the best of the bunch is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers just played their best game of the season against the Seattle Seahawks and will face a San Diego Chargers team that permits opposing defenses to score 6.45 fantasy points per game. If you need to roll the dice, the Buccaneers are your best bet among a bunch of long shots. --K.D.Cincinnati BengalsThis one is all about the matchup the Bengals enjoy at home this Sunday. Since Week 5, when the Eagles offensive line took a sizable hit with the suspension of right tackle Lane Johnson, opposing defenses have averaged the 12th-most fantasy points facing Philly. Opponents have also enjoyed a sack on 6.6 percent of Carson Wentzs dropbacks over this stretch, the 11th-hik in four of the past six games. --J.M. ' ' ' ghest rate in the league. The Eagles offense has sputtered in recent weeks, as they are 25th in points per drive since Week 5 and have the fourth-highest turnover-per-drive percentage in the league. Facing a depleted passing offense led behind a rookie behind a thin offensive line is a nice combination of trends for a streaming fantasy defense. --J.M.Individual Defensive PlayersLinebackerLawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh SteelersAvailable in 80 percent of ESPN leagues and with 45 tackles over his past five games, Timmons is a high-floor linebacker to consider for this potential shootout with the Giants in Pittsburgh this Sunday. Were also impressed by San Diegos Korey Toomer, as hes assumed the play-calling inside linebacker role for the Chargers and has 24 tackles over his past two outings. --J.M.Defensive BackByron Jones, Dallas CowboysA superb athlete and versatile safety, Jones has produced at least seven fantasy points in four of the past five games thanks to an uptick in tackle production. With the Vikings offense prone to passing underneath, Jones could enjoy another strong day in the tackle department. Detroits Tavon Wilson is another safety to consider, as he faces the pass-happy Saints and has produced at least seven fantasy points in four straight. --J.M.Defensive LineDerek Wolfe, Denver BroncosBack from an injury, and with a huge game in Week 12, Wolfe is a fine IDP commodity to consider at this shallow position. With steady tackle opportunities as the edge-setter on the line for Denver, Wolfe is a high-floor end to stream this week. We also find Andre Branch of the Miami Dolphins surging, with at least a half sack in four of the past six games. --J.M. ' ' '