Of all the annoying and meaningless rituals associated with the NFL preseason, this ones my favorite: the annual parade of players proclaiming with 100 percent certainty, and for all the world to hear, that they are, without a doubt, in the Best Shape of their Lives.If youre also a connoisseur of football clichés, of exaggerated, unfounded and ultimately hollow declarations of elite fitness and impending greatness, it will come as no surprise that the biggest training camp BSer (Best Shape) of 2016 was none other than the Dallas Cowboys -- a team that prints money and is everyones surprise playoff pick for the 20th year in a row despite the fact that no one in Jerrys World has sniffed a Super Bowl in two decades.Way back in May, in fact,?Dez Bryant got the annual training camp platitude parade started early when he proclaimed: I am in the best shape that Ive ever been in just a few days after Dallas VP Stephen Jones mentioned that the teams All-Pro wideout might not have been in, ya know, his best shape last year. Then, just before camp opened, Dallas defensive back Orlando Scandrick, coming back from a major knee injury, got in on the action, claiming that, wouldnt-ya-know-it, he too is in the best shape of my life. A few days later, after an unflattering photo made Tony Romo look as if he had arrived at fat camp instead of football camp, Jones quickly declared with the utmost confidence that the pear-shaped Romo was -- wait for it -- in some of the best shape hes been in.Well, of course he is. And so is Terrell Suggs. Sure, hes 33 and playing on two surgically repaired Achilles tendons. But he recently cut out pizza, fried food and gefilte fish and, wham, is now ready to declare himself in the BSL (Best Shape of his Life). Brandon Marshall? Yep, BSL. Heck, even the doughy Jay Cutler is in the BSC ( ... of his Career) according to reports from camp, where, I bet, Cutler is also the happiest hes ever been, the most focused on winning hes ever been, the most confident in his supporting cast hes ever been, the most comfortable with the offensive scheme hes ever been, the closest hes ever been with his head coach, and the warmest, most humble and approachable hes ever been.After all this BS talk, we decided to investigate all the other Best Shape of my Life claims that were made this summer.Tim TebowBS Line: Im in the best shape Ive ever been in, Tebow declared at the end of July in yet another attempt to return to the NFL.BS Level: 10. Tebow -- the guy who is willing to do anything on earth to make his QB dreams come true (except, ya know, go play in the CFL) -- was so confident in his life-altering conditioning that shortly after this statement he quit football altogether to pursue a baseball career.Knile DavisBS Line: He came back in the best shape of his life, said Chiefs special-teams coach Dave Toub at the start of camp.BS Level: 3. Seems legit, at least to Toub, who added: The conditioning test, I think he was first out of all of those guys. Hes lean, hes ready to go, hes focused and hes ready to compete.LeVeon BellBS Line: Im in the best shape Ive ever been in, Bell declared on his Facebook page this summer.BS Level: 0. Uh, have you seen the workout videos the Steelers running back posted? A few examples: here, here and here. Have you seen him run during camp? But last year, the 244-pound Bell posted a medical report that listed his body fat as 2.9 percent. Now, who actually believes hes in better shape this season? Well, me for one.Rob GronkowskiBS Line: This is actually the best shape Ive been in for the beginning of camp for the first five days, Gronk told Sirius Radio during camp.BS Level: 8. The proof Gronk used to back up his claim? He really got intense and super-focused with his training for the entire two weeks before camp opened.Darren SprolesBS Line: Enters his 11th NFL season feeling in the best shape he has in some time, stated a recent CBS report in Philadelphia.BS Level: 6. The 33-year-old Tank says he dropped his body fat but kept his weight the same, in part, by cutting out candy. Id give this a higher BS Level, but the wording leaves it unclear whether this is the best Sproles has felt in the past 11 years or the past 11 hours. ?NaVorro BowmanBS Line: Chip Kelly will make the 49ers the best in-shape team in the NFL, Bowman told the NFL Network this offseason.BS Level: 9. Sorry, but Chip Kelly doesnt look as if he has jogged around anything but a buffet table. Although I do give Bowman credit for expanding the boundaries of this camp cliché to an entire team.Anthony DavisBS Line: Im in the best shape Ive ever seen, the 49ers tackle said after his first practice since 2014.BS Level: 6. After a year of retirement, hes down 35 pounds and, remember, he is on the best in-shape team in the NFL.Jameis WinstonBS Line: Just having the opportunity to get in shape, with this being my first [NFL] offseason, was very important to me, Winston said this offseason. ?BS Level: 2. The Buccaneers QB showed up to camp 20 pounds lighter and without the doughy dad midsection that went viral before the draft.Aaron RodgersBS Line: I would say this is the best shape Ive seen him in, coach Mike McCarthy said at the start of camp.BS Level: 3. Rodgers reported at 218 pounds, his lightest since his rookie season and well below the 230 pounds he has sometimes carried. And the Packers QB did it while eliminating dairy from his diet, no easy task when you play in Wisconsin.Jaelen StrongBS Line: This is probably the best shape Ive been in, the Texans wideout told reporters at the start of camp after wowing the not-easily-wowed Bill OBrien.BS Level: 1. Strong reported 33 pounds lighter than he did as a rookie.Terrance WestBS Line: I would say hes in the best shape of his life, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters about his running back in June.BS Level: 7. This is the same coach who says his players are like family to him, right before running them through an extra unsanctioned practice in pads.Kyle Van NoyBS Line: The Detroit linebacker is in the best shape of his professional career, the Lions team website reported, a statement backed up by coach Jim Caldwell.BS Level: 6. Saying hes in the best shape of his professional career doesnt really mean much. He was injured as a rookie and played 7.6 percent of the teams snaps last year.Todd GurleyBS Line: Hes in great shape right now, said Rams coach Jeff Fisher.BS Level: 8. Of course one of the games best RBs is in great shape. This statement from Fisher means almost as much as when he vowed not to go f---ing 7-9 again at the start of camp after, ya know, six straight non-winning seasons.C.J. AndersonBS Line: His conditioning level is the best Ive seen it since Ive been here, Broncos coach Gary Kubiak says of the now 217-pound back. I also saw a report that says Anderson is in the best camp-opening shape of his career, in an effort to become more of an every-down back.BS Level: 6. It makes me suspicious when a guy credits the heat in Houston for his newfound physique. I mean: Vince Wilfork lives in Houston.Adrian PetersonBS Line: Asked by the Pioneer Press whether hes perhaps in the top shape of his career, the Vikings RB replied, Ill say that.BS Level: 4. If theres one player who can reverse the trend of a running backs production dramatically declining after the age of 30, its Peterson. ?Branden AlbertBS Line: Right now Im in the best shape Ive been in a long time, the Dolphins left tackle told reporters in May after the team drafted a tackle in the first round.BS Level: 4. Albert has worked hard to come back from knee surgery; they moved that rookie to guard; and, really, who doesnt love the fact that an offensive lineman can be considered svelte at 313 pounds?Ray RiceBS Line: Im happy. Im in the best shape of my life, and I know if it doesnt happen this year its probably something I have to deal with, the former starting running back told NJ.com in July.BS Level: 2. I wholeheartedly believe Rices assessment of his physical condition, and at 29, he might still be able to help a team. But Rice also acknowledged that hes mostly training for life at this point, which is probably a smart move on his part.Orlando FranklinBS Line: The big thing for me was to be in the best shape of my life this year, Franklin told San Diegos KLSD.BS Level: 8. Just before saying this, the Chargers O-lineman admitted hes been hurt, heavy and not all that flexible in the past.Jordan PoyerBS Line: Feel good, feel great, probably the best shape Ive ever been in, the Browns DB told reporters in camp after explaining hes gained about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason.BS Level: 1. Although most of these BS declarations are wild speculation, this one is a scientific fact, thanks to the Browns new commitment to sports science and wellness. This includes players logging into terminals all over the facility to record everything from bench-press numbers to increases in REM sleep, which typically skyrockets for Browns fans at the start of every fourth quarter.Von MillerBS Line: I havent been in shape like this since coming out of college, the Super Bowl MVP told reporters at the start of camp after a jam-packed offseason spent away from the facility.BS Level: 8. Dancing With the Stars is a vigorous workout, Im sure, but, uh, Von already said he was in the best shape of his life -- in 2013. Patrick Mahomes Jersey .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Kendall Fuller Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-andrew-soroh-jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Chase Litton Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Alex Okafor Jersey .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Jim Sterk will become Mizzous new Athletic Director, University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley announced today.Sterk, who joined San Diego State University in 2010, has overseen the most successful five seasons in SDSUs athletic history with 32 team conference championships for the Aztecs since the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic year and the fourth-highest combined winning percentage in the country in football and mens basketball. In addition, SDSU is one of only four schools nationally to have appeared in six consecutive NCAA tournaments and have its football team play in five straight bowl games.This is a wonderful day for Mizzou and Tiger fans everywhere, Foley said. Jims leadership in intercollegiate athletics is unparalleled, and we are thrilled he is going to bring his talents, energy and passion for working with student-athletes to Columbia. He is just what Mizzou needs at this time.This past year SDSU set a school record with 13 programs setting multi-year highs in the Academic Progress Report released by the NCAA with 313 individuals honored for their academic achievements. The athletic department also is coming off a record fundraising year for scholarships and a new basketball facility. He was named the 2015-2016 Under Armour AD of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, which highlights the efforts of athletic directors for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities. Sterk was also recently named to the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Committee.My passion is building upon the successes of good athletic programs and helping to make them great, Sterk said. Whether it is guiding and mentoring student-athletes, working with coaches to ensure they have the resources they need or cheering with the fans, I realize that athletics is one of the most visible programs at a university. Mizzous recent entry into the SEC makes it highly visible, and I am excited about the opportunity to help continue to lead it on the national stage.Foley says Sterk was chosen from a varied and impressive field of candidates with input from an advisory committee composed of faculty, staff, students and athletic supporters. Sterks seven-year contract was approved by the Board of Curators earlier this evening. He will be paid a base and guaranteed salary of $700,000 and will officially start on or before Sept.dddddddddddd 1.Mizzou athletics-and all of Mizzou Nation-will benefit from having someone of Jims caliber on board, Foley said. He has a superb winning record, is committed to the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts and will help restore pride and confidence in an athletics program that is working to overcome a challenging year.Jim elevated SDSU to a respectable level both athletically and academically, said Marshall Faulk, a member of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame and former St. Louis Ram and SDSU Aztec. His leadership was instrumental in the rise of SDSU success. How we cared for our student-athletes was his No. 1 concern. While Im sad to see him go, I am equally happy for Jim and his family, and I told him he is going to love the people of Missouri. Mizzou, you hired a man with impeccable integrity.Before joining SDSU, Sterk was Athletic Director at Washington State University, where in his last three years, 13 Cougar teams competed in NCAA postseason tournaments, including back-to-back trips by the mens basketball team, while womens rowing earned five NCAA championship bids. Sterk began his AD career at Portland State University and also has held positions at North Carolina, Maine, Seattle Pacific and Tulane.Simply put, Jim Sterk is a highly seasoned leader who has taken both of his previous institutions into rarefied air, said Dr. Kevin White, Director of Athletics at Duke University. Those storied programs enjoyed unmatched success under Jims uniquely gifted and talented mentoring. He will bring inordinate passion for the entire athletics enterprise, which will unequivocally reinforce the distinct mission and commitment to excellence that defines the University of Mis