Blank comments on investigation of fake crowd noise in Atlanta

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Tuesday he has seen enough of the NFL’s investigation of fake crowd noise at Atlanta’s home games to acknowledge wrongdoing.

The NFL is trying to determine if the Falcons pumped artificial crowd noise into the Georgia Dome for home games the last two years. Apparently, the answer is yes.

Blank had a quick response when asked if there was a fine line for crowd noise not allowed by the league.

"It’s not really a fine line," Blank told The Associated Press. "I think what we’ve done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong. Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we’re opposed to, as a league, as a club and as an owner. It’s obviously embarrassing but beyond embarrassing it doesn’t represent our culture and what we’re about."

Read more from original source

Blank comments on investigation of fake crowd noise in Atlanta

Bengals" A.J. Green injures arm in Monday"s win

The Bengals lost a major playmaker in Monday night’s 37-28 win.

Wide receiver A.J. Green injured his right arm during the tilt against the Broncos.

Green hurt his arm earlier in the contest, but returned for the Bengals. Cincinnati later downgraded the receiver to questionable, but he never returned.

It was a night to forget for the star wideout. Green was held without a catch and was only targeted four times.

Read more from original source

Bengals" A.J. Green injures arm in Monday"s win

Ex-GM: Team judged OTs in draft off performance vs. Joey Bosa

NFL Media analysts had been told that Ohio State sophomore Joey Bosa is the nation’s best "combo" defensive end. Now comes news from former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, that one NFL team is judging offensive tackle prospects off their work against Bosa.

OSU’s Joey Bosa might be best DE in country. One NFL org told me they judged every OT in the 2014 #NFLDraft on his performance vs. Bosa.

Earlier this month, NFL Media analysts reported that the opinion of three NFL scouts who attended the Big Ten Championship Game was that Bosa does everything required of a defensive end equally well — plays the run and rushes the passer — and that there appear to be no concerns about his motor.

Read more from original source

Ex-GM: Team judged OTs in draft off performance vs. Joey Bosa

Watch Saturday's games on NFL Network and NFL Mobile

For the first time this season we’ll have a slate of Saturday games. Fortunately, both will be televised nationally on NFL Network. But if you’re not by your TV, you can still catch the games.

Verizon customers on The MORE Everything plan or with a Premium Subscription have access to both games via the NFL Mobile app.

The Philadelphia Eagles takes on the Washington Redskins at 4:30 p.m. ET and the San Diego Chargers faces the San Francisco 49ers at 8:25 p.m. ET in a game that carries playoff implications. 

Read more from original source

Watch Saturday"s games on NFL Network and NFL Mobile

Arizona Cardinals can beat Seattle Seahawks with elite defense

The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are out to prove that stellar defense can win championships in today’s NFL. While the ‘Hawks are aiming for their second Lombardi Trophy in as many seasons, the Cards are poised to make a deep postseason run despite a spate of injuries at the quarterback position (and elsewhere).

Arizona can actually clinch the NFC West — and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs — with a win in front of the home crowd on Sunday night. Of course, the naysayers doubt the Cardinals can beat the Seahawks with third-string QB Ryan Lindley under center. Seattle did beat Arizona 19-3 last month in the madhouse that is CenturyLink Field. But with the game shifting to University of Phoenix Stadium, where the Cardinals are a perfect 7-0, I believe Bruce Arians‘ squad can win behind a monster defensive effort.

After watching the All-22 Coaches Film of the Week 12 battle, I’ve come up with a game plan. Here’s how Arizona needs to approach Seattle in order to pull off the victory:

Read more from original source

Arizona Cardinals can beat Seattle Seahawks with elite defense

Cardinals, Colts, Lions among least convincing winning teams

Fifteen weeks into the 2014 NFL campaign, eight teams boast double-digit win totals:

» Arizona Cardinals (11-3)
» Denver Broncos (11-3)
» New England Patriots (11-3)
» Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
» Detroit Lions (10-4)
» Green Bay Packers (10-4)
» Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
» Seattle Seahawks (10-4)

But of course, not all double-digit winners are created equal. Which is the least-convincing team with 10-plus wins?

Read more from original source

Cardinals, Colts, Lions among least convincing winning teams

Road win over Eagles puts Cowboys into NFC East driver"s seat

This is the backstory to one of the great moments of Week 15, the Dallas Cowboys‘ refusal to crumble on the road in a pivotal NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys‘ rebound after blowing a 21-point lead, as well as the Arizona Cardinals clinching a playoff spot with a win over the St. Louis Rams despite numerous key injuries and the Buffalo Bills‘ upset of the Green Bay Packers are nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the week. Cast your vote for the GMC Never Say Never Moments of Week 15.

Tony Romo

Just two weeks ago, the Cowboys suffered a humiliating 33-10 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in front of a turkey-stuffed national-television audience on Thanksgiving Day. Facing the daunting task of collecting an essential road win against the Eagles, the Cowboys stormed out to a 21-0 lead, allowed 24 unaswered points, managed to recapture momentum for a 38-27 win. That was huge, pushing the Cowboys from "In the hunt" status in the NFC playoff picture to in the driver’s seat for the NFC East title and a potential candidate to attain home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Read more from original source

Road win over Eagles puts Cowboys into NFC East driver"s seat

Report: Bo Pelini to coach FCS member Youngstown State

Bo Pelini, fired as Nebraska’s coach at the end of November, will be the new coach at FCS school Youngstown State, a report says.

The Youngstown Vindicator reported the news Tuesday morning. Pelini is a Youngstown native.

The Vindicator said a school spokesman could neither confirm nor deny the report, but also that the spokesman said the school "hopefully" would have an official statement later Tuesday.

Youngstown State’s president is former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who enjoyed great success as Youngstown’s coach in the 1990s.

Read more from original source

Report: Bo Pelini to coach FCS member Youngstown State

Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell killed in shooting

An Auburn freshman football player was shot and killed early Sunday morning at an apartment complex near the Auburn campus, according to AL.com.

Jakell Mitchell, who was expected to compete for a starting job in 2015, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the East Alabama Medical Center in Auburn, where he was pronounced dead. Police are treating the death as a homocide. No suspects or motives have been identified.

Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs acknowledged the death on his Twitter account.

The Auburn Family is grieving the loss of a teammate & friend Jakell Mitchell. We are praying for his family. pic.twitter.com/ZC5PP2nJ6u

Read more from original source

Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell killed in shooting

Virginia"s Eli Harold denotes via Twitter he"s turning professional

Virginia junior defensive end Eli Harold, an athletic advantage rusher who had seven sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss this season, announced via Twitter on Wednesday morning that he’s entering the NFL draft.

To all UVA Enthusiasts, my family, and my close friends and teammates it is been a great ride. I decided to enter the NFL Draft.

Read more from original source

Virginia"s Eli Harold denotes via Twitter he"s turning professional

Seahawks, Cardinals among roughest teams to confront at home

nfl.use(“nfl-video”, function (Y) (!supportsFlashVideo && !supportsHTML5)), srcId = “v0ap3000000441407″, srcNodeId = “#”+srcId, srcNode = Y.one(srcNodeId), width = Number(“450″), height = Number(“253″), vp, w, rsH, orH, updateSize; if(requireSizeAdjustment) updateSize = function() w = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); vp.get(“boundingBox”).setStyles( width: w + ‘px’, height: Math.round(w*(9/16)) + ‘px’ ); ; width = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); stature = Math.round(width*(9/16)); rsH = Y.on(“resize”, updateSize, window); orH = Y.on(“orientationchange”, updateSize, window); nfl.videoplayers = nfl.videoplayers );

Fourteen weeks in the 2014 NFL effort, four teams remain perfect at home:

» New England Patriots (6-0) » Denver Broncos (7-0) » Arizona Cardinals (7-0) » Green Bay Packers (7-0)

Hey, whaddya know: Those just so happen to be the top two seeds for every conference in the upgraded playoff image. One team that’s not on this list: the tremendously unsatisfactory New Orleans Saints, who have inexplicably dropped four in a row in the Superdome, which had been a house of horrors for competitors prior to the season.

Read more from original source

Seahawks, Cardinals among roughest teams to confront at home

Fortune rallies from slow beginning to produce stunning triumph

nfl.use(“nfl-video”, function (Y) (!supportsFlashVideo && !supportsHTML5)), srcId = “vid1″, srcNodeId = “#”+srcId, srcNode = Y.one(srcNodeId), width = Number(“615″), height = Number(“346″), vp, w, rsH, orH, updateSize; if(requireSizeAdjustment) updateSize = function() w = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); vp.get(“boundingBox”).setStyles( width: w + ‘px’, height: Math.round(w*(9/16)) + ‘px’ ); ; width = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); stature = Math.round(width*(9/16)); rsH = Y.on(“resize”, updateSize, window); orH = Y.on(“orientationchange”, updateSize, window); nfl.videoplayers = nfl.videoplayers );

Here Is the backstory to among the significant minutes of Week 14, the Indianpolis Colts’ come-from-behind triumph on the way over the Cleveland Browns in a critical AFC confrontation. The Colts last minute triumph, along with the Minnesota Vikings’ overtime triumph on the New York Jets as well as the Arizona Cardinals’ crucial triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs are nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Minute of the week. Cast your vote for the GMC Never Say Never Minutes of Week 14.

Andrew Luck

If he’s not already there already, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is on the verge of being considered one of the NFL’s prime minister (dare we say "elite") passers. Yet, for 50-plus minutes of a Week 14 confrontation with the up and coming Browns, Luck seemed little just like a blooming star and much more like a back-up quarterback thrown to the fire. Luck redeemed himself in epic style, and created a second that helps express Luck’s greatest guarantee.

Read more from original source

Fortune rallies from slow beginning to produce stunning triumph

Ravens outclass Dolphins in critical AFC matchup

nfl.use(“nfl-video”, function (Y) (!supportsFlashVideo && !supportsHTML5)), srcId = “vid1″, srcNodeId = “#”+srcId, srcNode = Y.one(srcNodeId), width = Number(“615″), height = Number(“346″), vp, w, rsH, orH, updateSize; if(requireSizeAdjustment) updateSize = function() w = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); vp.get(“boundingBox”).setStyles( width: w + ‘px’, height: Math.round(w*(9/16)) + ‘px’ ); ; width = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); stature = Math.round(width*(9/16)); rsH = Y.on(“resize”, updateSize, window); orH = Y.on(“orientationchange”, updateSize, window); nfl.videoplayers = nfl.videoplayers );

The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins met Sunday in a matchup of wouldbe AFC rivals. Joe Philbin’s squad was totally coordinated in a 28-13 Ravens success.

1. Elvis Dumervil was the most effective player in the field Sunday, and Joe Flacco was a close second. Let us begin with all the Ravens’ defense. Despite losing two more cornerbacks to harm (Danny Gorrer and Anthony Levine), the Ravens just gave up three points in the last three quarters as a result of ferocious pass rush. Dumervil controlled Dallas Thomas for 3.5 sacks, quitting multiple drives. Terrell Suggs added 1.5 sacks. Ryan Tannehill regularly held the ball a long time, getting knocked down nine times.

2. Flacco has played near perfect soccer the previous couple of weeks. Torrey Smith was quite small due to harm (no catches) but Flacco kept converting third downs with throws on the move to Steve Smith, Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken and a person named Phillip Supernaw. Flacco is playing in the manner of a top-10 quarterback.

Read more from original source

Ravens outclass Dolphins in critical AFC matchup

Andy Dalton leaves Bengals" loss to Steelers in fourth quarter

Andy Dalton left the Bengals’ 42-21 loss against the Steelers late in the fourth quarter. Jason Campbell stepped in for Cincinnati’s starting quarterback.

Earlier in the last frame, Dalton was shaken up after a hit and missed one play, however he finally returned. The signal caller stayed out, leaving the match using the final score line in Pittsburgh’s favor.

When he departed for good, Dalton was 21-of-29 passing for 302 yards and two touchdown passes.

Read more from original source

Andy Dalton leaves Bengals" loss to Steelers in fourth quarter

Ravens outclass Dolphins, dent Miami"s playoff hopes

The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins met Sunday in a matchup of wouldbe AFC rivals. Joe Philbin’s squad was totally coordinated in a 28-13 Ravens success.

1. Elvis Dumervil was the most effective player in the field Sunday, and Joe Flacco was a close second. Let us begin with all the Ravens’ defense. Despite losing two more cornerbacks to harm (Danny Gorrer and Anthony Levine), the Ravens just gave up three points in the last three quarters due to a ferocious pass rush. Dumervil controlled Dallas Thomas for 3.5 sacks, quitting multiple drives. Terrell Suggs added 1.5 sacks. Ryan Tannehill regularly held the ball a long time, becoming knocked down nine times.

2. Flacco has played near perfect soccer the last couple of weeks. Torrey Smith was quite small due to harm (no catches) but Flacco kept converting third downs with throws on the move to Steve Smith, Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken and a person named Phillip Supernaw. Flacco is playing in the manner of a top-10 quarterback.

3. Ryan Tannehill’s inability to throw deep is the Achilles’ heel of the Miami offense. They assembled a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with short throws and inspired runs by Lamar Miller, but the Ravens sat to the brief stuff next. Tannehill however takes a long time to procedure and discover secondary choices, too generally looking in the manner of a statue. The Dolphins do not even attempt to throw deep.

Read more from original source

Ravens outclass Dolphins, dent Miami"s playoff hopes

Kirk Ferentz sees Brandon Scherff as first-round draft pick

nfl.use(“nfl-video”, function (Y) (!supportsFlashVideo && !supportsHTML5)), srcId = “vid1″, srcNodeId = “#”+srcId, srcNode = Y.one(srcNodeId), width = Number(“615″), height = Number(“346″), vp, w, rsH, orH, updateSize; if(requireSizeAdjustment) updateSize = function() w = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); vp.get(“boundingBox”).setStyles( width: w + ‘px’, height: Math.round(w*(9/16)) + ‘px’ ); ; width = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); stature = Math.round(width*(9/16)); rsH = Y.on(“resize”, updateSize, window); orH = Y.on(“orientationchange”, updateSize, window); nfl.videoplayers = nfl.videoplayers );

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz considers Hawkeyes offensive tackle Brandon Scherff compares favorably with a number of the top former Iowa linemen in the NFL, such as the Baltimore Ravens’ Marshal Yanda and former first-round picks Riley Reiff (Detroit Lions) and Bryan Bulaga (Green Bay Packers). And according to the Des Moines Register, Ferentz anticipates Scherff, a senior, to be a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, at the same time.

"It Is not about the combine items, although Brandon’s got freakish strength and explosion," Ferentz said. & quot;But lots of men can not take that to the field. Brandon’s got the power to do this, also. He is a rare man."

Uncommon enough to earn Big Ten Rimington-Rate Offensive Lineman of the Year honours with a vote of the league’s coaches. In a league known for road-grading offensive linemen, Scherff beat out the likes of Wisconsin’s Rob Havenstein, Michigan State centre Jack Allen and Ohio State guard Pat Elflein for the award.

Read more from original source

Kirk Ferentz sees Brandon Scherff as first-round draft pick

Chargers gather monumental road win over playoff-quality team

nfl.use(“nfl-video”, function (Y) (!supportsFlashVideo && !supportsHTML5)), srcId = “vid1″, srcNodeId = “#”+srcId, srcNode = Y.one(srcNodeId), width = Number(“615″), height = Number(“346″), vp, w, rsH, orH, updateSize; if(requireSizeAdjustment) updateSize = function() w = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); vp.get(“boundingBox”).setStyles( width: w + ‘px’, height: Math.round(w*(9/16)) + ‘px’ ); ; width = srcNode.get(‘offsetWidth’); stature = Math.round(width*(9/16)); rsH = Y.on(“resize”, updateSize, window); orH = Y.on(“orientationchange”, updateSize, window); nfl.videoplayers = nfl.videoplayers );

Here Is the backstory to among the significant minutes of Week 13, the San Diego Chargers’ frenzied final-minute road win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Chargers’ thrilling triumph, along with the finest comeback triumph in Jacksonville Jaguars history as well as the Green Bay Packers’ fending away from the powerful New England Patriots are nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Minute of the week. Cast your vote for the GMC Never Say Never Minutes of Week 13.

Philip Rivers

One could easily create a claim that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is having an MVP season. The astonishing seasons of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady — not to mention the havoc-wreaking ridiculousness that’s J.J. Watt’s campaign for the Houston Texans — tend to overshadow what Rivers has done this season. Rivers hammered that point home having a come-from-behind road win against a playoff-quality team, a success that force the Chargers to the center of the AFC playoff race.

Read more from original source

Chargers gather monumental road win over playoff-quality team

NFL leading attempts to give to charity on Giving Tuesday

Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing improves morale and makes the holidays exceptional rather like giving.

together with the coming of Giving Tuesday, the NFL is diving headfirst into charity. While the league has been associated with the yearly day of offering for the past couple of years, it is taken another thing in 2014. The NFL has joined a #GivingTuesday effort developed by CrowdRise to improve their attempts, supporting both NFL Play 60 associate St. Jude Children’s Charity, plus the NFL players’ and trainers’ foundations (such as Bill Belichick, J.J. Watt, Torrey Smith and Andy Dalton).

To join the league in the NFL’s not-for-profit efforts, visit CrowdRise’s landing page to give to among the aforementioned organizations, or into a bevy of individual foundations created by present and previous players.

Read more from original source

NFL leading attempts to give to charity on Giving Tuesday

Report: UAB to lose football plan

The University of Alabama-Birmingham has fired sports manager Brian Mackin and means to shut down its football plan amid extensive changes to a financially struggling fit section, according to multiple media outlets.

The school will declare the move, which trainer Bill Clark had indicated he firmly worried, in a news conference Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated. The Blazers defeat Southern Miss, 45-24, on Saturday to become bowl-eligible with a 6-6 record under first year coach Bill Clark.

Atlanta Falcons star receiver Roddy White is the most notable NFL players from UAB. He caught 163 passes for 3,112 yards and 26 touchdowns at the school from 2001-2004 to become a first-round pick by the Falcons in the 2005 NFL Draft.

White expressed his support for the plan Saturday after the triumph over Southern Miss:

Read more from original source

Report: UAB to lose football plan

Ray Rice wins appeal, instantly permitted return

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has taken a huge step nearer to a potential return to the NFL.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport first reported Friday that Rice won his appeal and has had his indefinite suspension in the league overturned, according to a source directly associated with the specific situation. Rice is instantly eligible to return by winning his appeal, Rapoport reports.

The NFL Media Group got Judge Barbara S. Jones’ overview and selection:

"In this arbitration, the NFL claims that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of most the evidence, I’m not swayed that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and should be vacated."

Read more from original source

Ray Rice wins appeal, instantly permitted return