NFL | Matt Ryan rolls up 342 yards, Falcons now 8-0

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Matt Ryan rolls up 342 yards, Falcons now 8-0

Matt Ryan completed 24-of-34 passes for 342 yards in Week 9, helping the Falcons improve to 8-0 with their 19-13 win over the Cowboys.

Although Ryan failed to find the end zone, he relentlessly worked the Cowboys deep, trusting Julio Jones and Roddy White to win 1-on-1s. They consistently did, combining for 12 catches and 247 yards. Ryan survived a few thundering hits in the process, finishing with zero turnovers for the second consecutive week, and fourth time in eight games. With 50 percent of the season now in the books, Atlanta's fifth-year signal caller is on pace for 4,720 yards, 34 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. Both the yards and touchdowns would be new career highs. Ryan is a leading MVP candidate.

Sun, Nov 4, 2012 11:34:00 PM

Steelers mixing in ZBS concepts on offense

The Steelers plan to "supplement" their power-rushing attack with zone-blocking concepts in 2013.

It's one of the changes Ben Roethlisberger was hinting at. Per reporter Mark Kaboly, the Steelers are trying to take advantage of their "all-of-a-sudden big, nimble and young offensive line." The Steelers' rushing attack was ineffective under power plodders Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman last season, wheezing to 3.7 yards per carry and 96.1 yards per game. Pittsburgh has made no secret of its efforts to get more athletic up front, but new feature runner Le'Veon Bell is a better fit for a power offense on paper. That being said, Bell sometimes struggled to get more than what was blocked in college, so perhaps the ZBS will be an asset an outside runs.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

May 24 - 9:15 AM

Report: Falcons in talks with Richard Seymour

Fox Sports South reports the Falcons and free agent DT Richard Seymour are engaged in contract talks.

The Falcons are in win-now mode, and Seymour, at the age of 33, is likely only interested in playing for a contender. The four-time Pro Bowler has also been training in the Atlanta area this offseason, and he went to Georgia. Seymour, at 6-foot-6, 310, would bring some much needed beef to the interior of the Falcons' defensive line. The Falcons are up against the cap, but some money will be freed up in June due to Tyson Clabo's post-June 1 release designation.

Source: Fox Sports South

May 23 - 8:29 PM

Bills TE Chandler likely to be ready for camp

BuffaloBills.com reports that TE Scott Chandler (ACL surgery) is likely to be a participant in practice right from the start of training camp.

Chandler tore his ACL in Week 16 last season, and it's five months to the day since he underwent surgery. On Thursday, following the team's OTA practice, Chandler was on the field running routes and catching passes. The soon-to-be 29-year-old says he "feels good," and thinks it's "realistic" to be ready for camp. We're skeptical, but it certainly sounds like Chandler might be ready for Week 1.

Source: buffalobills.com

May 23 - 5:59 PM

Update: Garcon underwent minor labrum surgery

Updating a previous item, Pierre Garcon underwent "minor" labrum surgery in January.

Coach Mike Shanahan initially said Garcon underwent "chest" surgery. The labrum is part of the shoulder. Garcon is reportedly healthy right now, but he isn't participating in team drills at OTAs as a "precaution." Entering his age-27 season, Garcon should be all systems go for training camp.

Source: Rich Campbell on Twitter

May 23 - 3:06 PM

49ers confirm Crabtree has full Achilles tear

Updating a previous item, coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Michael Crabtree's Achilles' tendon was "completely torn" during Tuesday's OTA practice, and the injury was to Crabtree's right Achilles'.

So this wasn't a partial tear like Terrell Suggs' April 2012 Achilles' injury. For bookkeeping, we like to know which side of Crabtree's body was injured, the full extent of the injury, and all dates associated with his recovery, in order to provide accurate timelines in the future. Crabtree underwent surgery on Wednesday, May 22. Per Harbaugh, the full Achilles' tear occurred when Crabtree was "coming in motion and just planted and started a route, and it felt like someone kicked him in the Achilles'." The 49ers hope to have Crabtree back around Week 12.

Source: CSN Bay Area

May 23 - 12:02 PM

RG3 on the field and throwing passes Thursday

Robert Griffin III (knee) was throwing passes as the Redskins opened OTAs Thursday.

Griffin worked off to the side with other Redskins rehabbing from surgery. He dropped back, planted his leg and didn't appear to have any trouble moving or throwing. For a player not even five months removed from reconstructive surgery, it's impressive. All the whispers that Griffin is ahead of schedule appear to have merit.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

May 23 - 11:25 AM

James Casey undergoes scope, out until camp

Eagles TE/H-back James Casey underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean out loose cartilage in his right knee.

Casey, who signed a three-year, $12M contract in March, will miss the rest of spring workouts. He is expected to be ready for training camp. It's a setback for a player trying to learn Chip Kelly's offense and competing for snaps with both Brent Celek and rookie Zach Ertz. Casey was barely on the TE2 radar anyway.

Source: USA Today

May 23 - 11:19 AM

Chris Ivory locked in as Jets featured runner

The New York Post says Chris Ivory is sitting pretty as the Jets' feature back.

Mike Goodson's future is unclear following his ugly drug and weapons arrest, and Joe McKnight is reportedly not a favorite of new GM John Idzik. That leaves only Ivory and Bilal Powell, who has averaged 3.72 YPC through two NFL seasons. The Jets are going to have to lean heavily on the run game with their quarterback situation in shambles. Their offensive line has potential to be a top-10 unit in run-blocking. If healthy, Ivory will have RB1 upside.

Source: New York Post

May 23 - 9:27 AM

Marshawn Lynch's DUI proceedings delayed

Marshawn Lynch's motion to suppress evidence hearing stemming from his 2012 DUI has been delayed until July 5.

The motion was originally expected to be heard yesterday and a jury trial was scheduled for June 21. Now the entire case has been pushed back and there's no trial date set, making it possible that this bleeds into training camp. It creates a hairy situation for fantasy owners, as Lynch could be facing a suspension from the league if he's found guilty. Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are taking the reps at OTAs this week as Lynch trains on his own.

Source: Tacoma News Tribune

May 23 - 8:25 AM

Wes Welker expects reception total to dwindle

Wes Welker admitted that he expects his reception totals to drop significantly in Denver.

Welker averaged a mind-blowing 112.0 catches per season during his six-year stint with the Patriots. That's not going to happen in a Broncos scheme that not only emphasizes its talented outside receivers more so than the slot, but will be more balanced than the offenses in New England. "If I have to catch 112 balls," Welker acknowledged, "that probably means we're in trouble."

Source: Denver Post

May 23 - 8:19 AM

Vernon Davis to pick up slack for Crabtree?

CSN Bay Area considers Vernon Davis the "strongest candidate" to pick up the slack in the 49ers' passing game.

Over the final nine games of last season (including playoffs), Davis saw just 31 targets. Michael Crabtree, the apple of Colin Kaepernick's eye, saw 89 passes during that span. Now that Crabtree (Achilles') is out until at least Week 12 -- and possibly longer -- the Niners could build a tight end-heavy passing scheme centered around the freakishly talented Davis. They used a second-round pick on Rice TE Vance McDonald last month.

Source: CSN Bay Area

May 23 - 7:22 AM