guard, it was yet another difficult pass on fixing the

Atlanta Falcons guard Ben Garland and former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple are the finalists for the NFL’s Salute To Service Award.The recipient of the award T.J. Hockenson Jersey Mens , presented by USAA, will be revealed on Feb. 2 during the NFL Honors show when The Associated Press announces its annual league awards, including MVP.Garland and Hipple were selected for their efforts to support members of the military community.USAA, a provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient’s honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s donation to the award recipient’s military charity of choice.Garland attended the Air Force Academy and just completed his fifth pro season. He recently was selected to become a major in the Colorado Air National Guard.Garland is involved with helping veterans adjust to life after service and helping to raise awareness for PTSD. Last year, he participated in the Armed Forces Mission’s Georgia LOSS Walk, when he walked alongside veterans, service members and families for a program called “Turning the Tide on Veteran Suicide.”Participating in the military taught Garland lessons that have helped him as an athlete and vice versa.“Serving in the Air National Guard has been paramount to my development as a football player,” he said. “It has helped my leadership skills, mental toughness, how to work under pressure, and establish an Air Force core values mindset of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I also believe my NFL career has made me a better officer. Over my career Jahlani Tavai Detroit Lions Jersey , I have had the opportunity to play for some of the best coaches in the world and in doing so was able to study their leadership methods.”Garland works year-round with a number of military nonprofits: Merging Vets and Players, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, Shepherd Center SHARE Initiative and TAPS. He works with Pigskin Patriots to help raise funds and donate time for camps for military children and with Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation on granting college scholarship funds.Hipple retired following the 1989 season after 10 seasons in the NFL. Since his 15-year-old son Jeff’s suicide, Hipple has worked to build awareness and break down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses.In conjunction with NAVY U.S. Fleet Forces, Hipple has conducted workshops on suicide and destructive behavior prevention during the last decade, focusing on mental fitness. His book “Real Men Do Cry” received a publisher Presidential Award.After retiring from the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Depression Center, where he spent 11 years in outreach, Hipple serves as outreach specialist for Eisenhower Center’s “After The Impact” program, a neuro-behavioral residential treatment facility serving military veterans and former NFL players.“There are many similarities when working with military and NFL players in regards to their mental health,” he said. “Pressure of training, stress, performance, winning and the mission comes first and at all costs, risk of injury. Most of all, it is retaining their identity and locker room camaraderie after a career is over. Some of the pitfalls are depression, PTSD and substance abuse.”Hipple does suicide prevention workshops for U.S. Fleet Forces on Navy bases and Naval Air stations on the East Coast Jahlani Tavai Jersey 2019 , in Europe and the Middle East. He has been involved with the planning of the Real Warrior Campaign of Army suicide prevention and organized public service announcements with players supporting service members. In 2008, Hipple helped organize with the players’ union for NFL Legends to speak at Army bases throughout Texas, New York, Georgia and Mississippi during the NFL playoffs, and for the Real Warrior Campaign’s presentations place at Okinawa Marine base in Japan.Last October, the 32 NFL clubs nominated coaches, active and retired players, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community. Submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges, including last year’s award recipient, former Atlanta Falcons and current New York Jets receiver Andre Roberts, a 2018 All-Pro kick returner.Other previous winners were Falcons coach Dan Quinn, Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson, Bears defensive end Jared Allen, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Bears defensive back Charles Tillman and Titans owner Bud Adams. The Vikings defense gets even better."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsBreaking NewsIntroducing the 2019 Detroit Lions Draft Class! 脳NFL Draft2019 NFL mock draft: Minnesota Vikings select Christian WilkinsNew,11commentsThe Vikings defense gets even better.EDTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL mock draft: Minnesota Vikings select Christian WilkinsBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsThe Minnesota Vikings may have to nail the draft this year. They stretched every last penny of little cap space they had this season Color Rush Jahlani Tavai Jersey , and all they were were able to do is mostly retain players and pick up a single starting guard. After a disappointing 2018 season, the Vikings sit 18th in draft order with eight overall picks in the draft.In our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, commenter Matthew Hanczewski is charged with being the Vikings’ general manager. And with the 18th pick in the POD Community Mock, Matthew has selected Clemson DT Christian Wilkins. Here’s his explanation.“With the 18th pick I decided to draft Clemson defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins.Minnesota needs help in two main areas, along the offensive line and interior defensive line. I was hoping the versatile Jonah Williams would be available but he was drafted just a few picks prior. I considered Cody Ford or Garrett Bradbury here, leaning more towards Bradbury. He would have fit Minnesota’s zone scheme nicely while being able to play all three interior positions. Ford has met with Minnesota at the NFL Combine and had a private 30 visit. Being able to play tackle and guard, it was yet another difficult pass on fixing the offensive line early. I couldn’t ignore Wilkins was still on the board. He fits an area of need and is arguably the best player available.Christian Wilkins had a dominate year at Clemson. Finishing with a 90 or higher PFF grade in run-defense, pass-defense, and overall. Wilkins was so impressive, PFF ranked him third in their top-101 college players of 2018. He backed up his strong season with a quality showing at the combine. Posting an elite RAS with solid testing in all areas.With Sheldon Richardson leaving for the Cleveland Browns and Linval Joseph turning 31 soon after the season begins, I expect Wilkins to step right into the rotation at defensive tackle while playing a much bigger role in Minnesota’s future.Plus any man over 300 pounds that can do this鈥?Yikes!”Catch up on all of the picks with our Community Mock Draft Tracker