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Showing posts with label Start. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Start. Show all posts

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tim Tebow's First Start for Denver in Miami Commands Spotlight

(Reuters) - It says everything about Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow's stature that Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, featuring teams with a combined 1-9 record, is so anticipated simply because it is his first since being handed the starting job.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning leader of a great University of Florida team was named the new starting quarterback for the Broncos after replacing Kyle Orton against San Diego last week.

Coming into that game after the half, Tebow threw for 79 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 37 yards and another touchdown, providing instant energy that almost created a comeback win.

He is clean-cut, athletic and a practicing Christian -- all of which help his appeal -- but his popularity is also as much to do with his evident passion for the game, an approach that seems to be rooted in another era of American football.

Tebow started three games at the end of last season when the campaign was already well over for Denver and in various appearances in 12 NFL games he has passed for six touchdowns and run for seven.

Skeptics doubted whether Tebow had the ability to make the switch from the free-style, running and improvising approach he took, with spectacular results for the Florida Gators, to the more rigid, pocket-passing demands of the professional game.

However, it has been hard to judge when he has been restricted to cameo appearances.

"I believe that I've improved," Tebow told reporters this week. "Every day is a learning opportunity for me and I'm trying to get a little better every day.

"(I'm) constantly working on things, improving my decision making, my accuracy, my footwork and overall just leadership. Those are the main things I've been focusing on."

ACCURATE ASSESSMENT

Now he has been named as a starter, with all that entails in terms of preparation, and is up against a winless Dolphins team, there is a chance to assess more accurately whether the clean-cut, all-American boy has the right stuff for the NFL.

Such was Tebow's popularity at Gainesville, the Northern Florida campus town where he played, that thousands of Gator fans are expected to take the five-hour drive south to Miami for the game.

Many of those fans have already been encouraged by the Dolphins, who had already deemed Sunday's game an appreciation day for the 2008 national-championship winning Florida team that Tebow led.

It will be a strange atmosphere in the Miami stadium with so many fans rooting for the opposition quarterback -- as well as the inevitable mass media attention that follows Tebow.

Not that Tebow is likely to be fazed by the occasion.

"Something I learned in my freshman year at Florida is to only worry about what I can control because if you worry about the rest of it it's honestly going to give you a lot of anxiety and it won't help you at all," he said.

"That's kind of been my philosophy and kind of stuck to it."

Elsewhere the league's only unbeaten team, Super Bowl champions the Green Bay Packers, are at the Minnesota Vikings in one of the league's sharpest rivalries.

The New Orleans Saints hope to bounce back from last week's loss at Tampa when they host the winless Indianapolis Colts, who are suffering a nightmare season without their starting quarterback Peyton Manning.

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)


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Jets’ Tomlinson to start versus Chargers

NFL.com Staff | Tags: , ,

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With LaDainian Tomlinson set to face the San Diego Chargers for the first time since leaving the team after the 2009 season, Jets coach Rex Ryan has decided to start the veteran running back. Whether this is an actual change in New York’s backfield or Ryan just giving a nod to the longtime Charger remains to be seen.

Neither L.T. nor his running mate Shonn Greene have been terribly effective running the football this year — something that doesn’t bode well against a San Diego defense that has been stingy against fantasy running backs. The difference is that Tomlinson is far and away a better option catching passes out of the backfield.

There’s nothing about the matchup that makes either Tomlinson or Greene particularly attractive. But with byes cutting into fantasy rosters all over the place, consider L.T. at a flex spot if you’re struggling to find someone to plug into your lineup.

– Marcas Grant

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No Bradford: Feeley last won start in 2004


Quarterback Sam Bradford did not miss a snap during his 2010 rookie season with the St. Louis Rams.

Bradford did not make it through the Rams' first game this season, missing the final nine offensive snaps against Philadelphia after injuring a finger. The pounding Bradford has taken caught up with him Saturday when the Rams downgraded him to doubtful for their game against Dallas in Week 7.

A.J. Feeley will start. Signing Tom Brandstater from the practice squad indicates Bradford won't be available.

The down time should be good for Bradford, who hasn't practiced since suffering a high-ankle sprain on the Rams' final offensive play against Green Bay last week. If he wasn't healthy enough to drop back and throw in practice Friday, the ankle wasn't going to let him scramble away from DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys' defense, either.

Bradford's injury comes just as the offense was showing signs of improvement with a 424-yard game against the Packers. Acquiring receiver Brandon Lloyd and welcoming back receiver Mark Clayton from injury (not this week, but soon) will give Bradford a better chance for success once he does return. High sprains can take weeks to heal, however. The injury could affect Bradford for the remainder of the season, but if he has receivers getting open and holding onto the ball, he'll be in better position to find them before pressure arrives.

The last time Feeley, 34, started in the regular season, he completed 19 of 42 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions for Philadelphia during a 2007 home defeat to Seattle. The last time he won a start was in 2004, for Miami. He has a 7-8 career record as a starter.


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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Three and out: Palmer to start for Raiders

NFL.com Staff | Tags: , , , , , ,

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Palmer taking first team reps: Barely 24 hours since joining the Silver and Black, Carson Palmer has already assumed the duties of Oakland’s starting quarterback and all indications are that he will be the man under center on Sunday against Kansas City. The Chiefs have been rather generous to fantasy quarterbacks this year, allowing more than 18 points per contest. But keep in mind that Palmer hasn’t thrown a pass in anger in more than nine months, so you can expect a reasonable amount of rust.

But it’s not all bad for the Raiders’ offense. After all, there’s still Darren McFadden, who is not only one of the league’s top runners, but has proven himself to be a capable receiver out of the backfield. And you shouldn’t be afraid to throw Darrius Heyward-Bey in your lineup. Palmer undoubtedly recognizes who his playmakers are and combined with K.C.’s horrid secondary, DHB should see a number of tosses in his direction.

Hillis still uncertain vs. Seattle: The weekly status of Peyton Hillis is quickly climbing the charts as 2011's Greatest Fantasy Headaches. Pardon us if you’ve heard this song before, but coach Pat Shurmur says Hillis isn’t a sure thing for this week’s game against Seattle. The hamstring that might (or might not) have been the reason for his extended stay on the bench last week kept him off the practice field on Wednesday. If he doesn’t go, it will be another week of Montario Hardesty. Even if Hillis is available, recent weeks have shown that he’s no lock to get most of the carries. Either way, the Seahawks have been pretty stout against the run, so you might want to skip a Browns running back altogether.

Addai misses practice: The status of Joseph Addai remains up in the air after sitting out practice with a tender hamstring. With Addai out last week, Delone Carter and Donald Brown split carries. And although neither did particularly well, keep in mind that it was against the very stout Bengals defense. Then again, Indy lines up against the Saints this week and New Orleans has been even tougher on fantasy running backs. If you’re desperately in need of a bye-week replacement at running back, Carter’s worth a flex look. But overall, you are better served by looking elsewhere.

– Marcas Grant

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Monday, October 17, 2011

49ers 25, Lions 19: 49ers Win One Battle With Lions, Then Start Another

This is now, when a melee breaks out after the game because the coaches — the head coaches — nearly come to blows. The 49ers’ 25-19 victory over the Lions on Sunday gave the Lions (5-1) their first loss and solidified the 49ers (5-1) as one of the biggest surprises of the season. It was messy (21 penalties) and it was physical (seven sacks).

And that was before the postgame handshake, which required a tale of the tape.

Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco’s coach, and Jim Schwartz, Detroit’s coach, briefly crossed paths much earlier in their careers when both were with the Baltimore Ravens — Harbaugh as a quarterback, Schwartz as a defensive assistant. Now they are widely respected young coaches leading teams on the rise. Their shared experience apparently did not ensure that they could get through the most rudimentary part of the game without incident.

Harbaugh, who also had a handshake kerfuffle with Seattle’s Pete Carroll when both were college coaches, was gleeful about his team’s victory as he approached Schwartz. That was when he wound up for a big, roundhouse hand slap, a haymaker of a handshake.

“It was totally on me — too hard a handshake,” Harbaugh said. “It was a strong kind of slap kind of handshake.”

Schwartz, looking a little stunned, apparently did not appreciate Harbaugh’s enthusiasm because as Harbaugh turned to run off the field, Schwartz gave chase and jostled with him.

“Didn’t expect an obscenity at that point, so it was a surprise to me at the end of the game,” Schwartz said. “Obviously, you win a game like that, you’re excited and things like that, but I think there’s a protocol that goes with this league.”

The new protocol could include having a buffer zone between coaches. As players from both teams headed for the tunnel to the locker rooms, the crowd — and the anger — grew. Finally, the 49ers public-relations official Bob Lange positioned himself between the two coaches and moved Harbaugh away while a 49ers player shoved Schwartz aside.

Harbaugh said that when he saw Schwartz in the tunnel, he told him that he shook his hand too hard and that the moment was his fault. He did not apologize. The N.F.L. said it would review the incident.

Harbaugh, who had been sought after by college and professional teams alike before leaving Stanford after last season to coach the 49ers, has transformed them in his image, infusing them with a confidence and commitment that his quarterback, Alex Smith, said he had never seen in the N.F.L. They are in prime position to win the N.F.C. West, which was won last season by Carroll’s Seahawks with a losing record as the 49ers finished 6-10.

“A year ago, games like this we lost,” said tight end Delanie Walker, who caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 1 minute 51 seconds to play that gave San Francisco the lead in the fourth quarter. “That’s the turnaround. All of it comes from the coach. The way he acts. He was sure fired up. Jim Harbaugh is one of those guys who is always fired up.”

Harbaugh had plenty to be fired up about. The 49ers sacked Matthew Stafford five times and forced him into off-kilter, off-target throws throughout the game. They neutralized receiver Calvin Johnson, who had entered the game with nine touchdown catches but was kept out of the end zone Sunday.

The 49ers also had a balanced offense that gained 203 rushing yards — exposing the Lions’ biggest weakness. And Harbaugh got a rocket of a touchdown pass from Smith to Walker. That reaffirmed Harbaugh’s decision to place the team in the hands of Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, even though his career had been largely left for dead by previous San Francisco coaches.

It all came together to give the 49ers their third fourth-quarter comeback victory on the road this season, prompting Harbaugh to say he feels “something special is brewing here.”

Perhaps so. This victory was a significant one for the 49ers — probably more important to them than it would have been to the Lions, who have already been accepted as legitimate contenders.

But it will be overshadowed, at least for a few days, by Harbaugh’s actions. Harbaugh was asked if his emotions might eventually undermine his coaching. A wide smile spread across his face.

“We’ll see; I don’t think I’m that emotional,” he started, before pausing. “I will say I was very emotional about our team. When you’re with a group of guys and you’re trying to do something special, to see your guys play that way — yeah, it fires you up. It fires me up. I don’t apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, so be it.”


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Saturday, October 1, 2011

Three and out: Broncos’ McGahee to start

NFL.com StaffNFL.com Staff | Tags: Three and out, Dallas Cowboys, Daniel Thomas, Denver Broncos, Dez Bryant, Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins, Willis McGahee

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McGahee, Moreno to share carries: Just like last week, Knowshon Moreno is expected to be active for the Broncos. And similarly, Moreno is expected to share carries with starter Willis McGahee. Then again, last week, McGahee got 22 carries to none for Moreno. It’s hard to imagine a repeat performance against Green Bay, but the news is enough to downgrade both backs in your lineup this week — especially against that Packers run defense. Still, if you must start one, McGahee is the way to go.

Thomas misses practice: Having gone from full participation in practice to sitting out altogether in just two days, Daniel Thomas’ hamstring is officially a concern for the Dolphins. Just when it looked like Miami had found its top running back, coach Tony Sparano may be forced to use Reggie Bush in a featured role this week. Bush’s unremarkable performance has been a major fantasy topic this season, but it’s been something of a chicken-or-egg argument. Has he underperformed because of a lack of touches? After getting 20 touches in Week 1, he’s had a combined 18 in the team’s next two games. Or is he not getting the ball because he hasn’t done much with it? He’s averaging just 3.7 yards per touch  in 2011. Whatever the reason, he’s best left on the bench against a Chargers defense that has allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to running backs this year.

Bryant not practicing: The Cowboys wide receiver woes are still alive with Dez Bryant sitting out Friday’s practice due to a lingering thigh issue. Combine that with his limited participation on Thursday and it’s not looking good for the second-year receiver on Sunday. With Miles Austin already out of action, it puts an increased burden on Kevin Ogletree and Laurent Robinson to make plays in the passing game. Not a welcoming thought against the Lions, who have given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers this year.

– Marcas Grant

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Friday, September 23, 2011

Texans’ Foster misses practice; Tate might start

NFL.com StaffNFL.com Staff | Tags: Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Houston Texans

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Here we go again in Houston.

It looks like Arian Foster fantasy owners will be on alert this week to see if the running back is available for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. Ben Tate has already proven that he’s a worthy replacement for Foster and is quickly moving up the ranks as a fantasy commodity. After he was forced out of last week’s game after aggravating his injured hamstring, Foster shouldn’t be counted on for big production this week, even if he does play.

Considering that Foster earned the starting job last season because of injuries to others, it’s not unreasonable to think the same thing could happen to him.

- Marcas Grant

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Monday, September 12, 2011

Cooley makes start for Redskins

NFL.com StaffPublished: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins, Week 1 injuries 2011

When the Redskins took the field for their first offensive drive of Sunday’s game against the Giants, TE Chris Cooley was back in his usual spot in the starting lineup.

Cooley, who missed the entire preseason because of a sore and swollen knee, officially was questionable for the game but was kept off the inactive list.

– Frank Tadych

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Kansas City Hoping QB Cassel Can Recover to Start at QB Sunday


It is sounding more and more like QB Matt Cassel will be a wild card for his status Sunday when the Chiefs play at St.Louis against the Rams. Coach Todd Haley said it is a “day-to-day” situation with Cassel and they won’t have a definitive answer until later in the week.

As far as starting the practice week, Cassel is officially “limited” in practice. Cassel, who is just over two weeks removed from surgery, said that he is going to do whatever he can to get on the field. And he better after watching the Chiefs get pounded in San Diego Sunday 31-0.

“I think, medically, there’s a number of different issues that come up with a procedure like this but in terms of how I feel, if i can go there and do everything I want to do without any discomfort or without any pain, I’m going to go out there and play,” Cassel said.

Friday will be the key day for Cassel, as if he can get out there and throw the ball around and be somewhat close to 100 percent, it would be hard to see him not playing Sunday after last weeks showing by the Chiefs offense.


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Saturday, December 4, 2010

You have to start Peterson out of obligation

Adam RankPublished: December 3rd, 2010 | Tags: Adrian Peterson, Adrian Peterson, Leslie Frazier, Percy Harvin, Toby Gerhart

The Vikings have officially listed RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. But coach Leslie Frazier told reporters that Peterson is probable to play (via the Pioneer Press).

“He did a much better job than we thought he would today, so we’re optimistic,” Frazier said.

And we know how this will fall out. Everybody will start Peterson, who will give it a go, before having to sit out after the first quarter. Then Toby Gerhart – who nobody is playing — will come in and have a great game. But you have to stick with your stud if he is going to start. Benching Peterson and watch him go nuts is much worse than starting him and having him do nothing. Though, not by much.

Vikings WR Percy Harvin (illness) is also listed as questionable for the Vikings. He is a good start if he is able to go.

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Friday, November 26, 2010

Lions RB Best to play, not a good fantasy start

Adam RankPublished: November 24th, 2010 | Tags: Detroit Lions, Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris

Lions rookie RB Jahvid Best is expected to play Thursday against the Patriots, but he is still a huge fantasy risk. Best has shown some true grit battling through his turf toe injury, but he has been a pain for fantasy owners wanting to believe in him. Best rushed just three times on Sunday at Dallas for two yards.

Lions RB Maurice Morris is an interesting play this week, as he figures to get the bulk of the carries. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most points to running backs this season.

And hey, who doesn’t want to sit around on Thanksgiving Day and root for a member of the Lions?

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Palmer expected to make start for Bengals

Frank TadychPublished: November 25th, 2010 | Tags: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, Kara Henderson, Marvin Lewis

UPDATE: Palmer is active for the game.

Carson Palmer‘s status for Thursday night’s meeting with the Jets was believed to be a game-time decision, but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis didn’t need that much time.

Lewis told NFL Network’s Kara Henderson hours before the game that the QB will start.

Palmer, who was listed as probable on the Bengals’ injury report, returned to practice Wednesday after missing the previous two days because of a foot injury he aggravated during last Sunday’s loss to the Bills. Sources close to the team told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi on Wednesday that the injury still hadn’t healed.

But Palmer is going to give it a go.

The Bengals’ biggest injury concerns are on defense. Starting FS Chris Crocker (right knee) was placed on injured reserve, DE Antwan Odom (wrist) and SS Roy Williams (concussion) already have been declared out, and CBs Johnathan Joseph (ankle), Brandon Ghee (groin) and Rico Murray (ankle) are all questionable.

We’ll have more updates when the inactives are announced.

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Woody active, expected to start for Jets

Frank TadychPublished: November 25th, 2010 | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Damien Woody, Johnathan Joseph, New York Jets, Thursday Night Football, Week 12 inactives

Jets starting RT Damien Woody is active and expected to start in Thursday night’s game against the Bengals.

There had been some question whether or not Woody, who didn’t practice this week and was listed as questionable, would be able to play after injuring the medial collateral ligament in his right knee last week. But Woody worked out on the field with offensive line coach Bill Callahan before the game and appears to be ready to go.

The Bengals, who already were without FS Chris Crocker (right knee), DE Antwan Odom (wrist) and SS Roy Williams (concussion), deactivated starting CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle) as well as Brandon Ghee (groin) and Rico Murray (ankle). Jonathan Wade, who was signed Monday, is expected to make the start.

Full inactives list:

Jets
Kellen Clemens (No. 3 QB)
CB Dwight Lowery
CB Marquice Cole
LB Jamaal Westerman
TE Jeff Cumberland
WR Jerricho Cotchery
DT Marcus Dixon
DL Matt Kroul

Bengals
Dan LeFevour (No. 3 QB) 
CB Brandon Ghee
CB Jonathan Joseph
S Roy Williams
CB Rico Murray
C Reggie Stephens
OT Kirk Chambers
DE Antwan Odom

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Friday, November 19, 2010

Redskins RB Williams could start again

Michael FabianoPublished: November 18th, 2010 | | Tags: Clinton Portis, Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams

A report on TBD.com suggests that Ryan Torain (hamstring) “doesn’t appear likely” to play in Week 11. He was unable to practice on Thursday.

With Clinton Portis (groin) also at less than 100 percent, it looks like Keliand Williams is destined to see a featured role against the Titans. He’s coming off a huge performance against the Eagles, posting 31.90 fantasy points on NFL.com, so he’s a viable flex option in most leagues against the Titans.

A free agent in close to 95 percent of NFL.com leagues, Williams should be a hot name on the waiver wire.

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BYU nearly bowl eligible after 1-4 start

Six weeks ago, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said he needed to uncover the heart and soul of his football team. [+] EnlargeBronco Mendenhall AP Photo/Jim UrquhartAfter a rough start, Bronco Mendenhall's Cougars have won four of their past five.His Cougars, so used to winning and winning consistently, had just lost to Utah State for the first time since 1993. The Aggies stormed the field around the bewildered BYU players, who had lost four straight for the first time in their careers, dropping to 1-4.

The following day, Mendenhall fired defensive coordinator Jamie Hill and took over. He also announced he would take a more hands-on approach to his team.

He has captured something all right. BYU has won four of its past five games since that low point, with the lone loss coming at No. 3 TCU. The Cougars (5-5, 4-2) need a win Saturday against New Mexico (1-9, 1-5) to become bowl eligible, a thought that seemed so far from their minds in early October.

"It is as gratifying, if not more, than any season I have coached here,” Mendenhall said earlier this week. “Because, again, of where we have come from, and the improvement I see and the change in the players -- not only how they are playing, but the way they carry themselves. I have always just kind of professed that coaching is nothing but teaching, and teaching is service-driven. And that’s to help the players.

“And when you see them growing in confidence, and just their spirit and how they are walking around, it is fun. And that’s more important to me than the scores. But let’s be honest, without the scores being on our side, sometimes they won't get to that point.”

BYU was decidedly un-BYU like early on for several reasons. First, the opening stretch of the schedule was brutal. After beating Washington to open the season, BYU had to play at Air Force, at Florida State, and then Nevada. Mendenhall also could not decide on a starting quarterback, so he went with two – Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps.

That hamstrung the once-prolific BYU offense and made it difficult to get anything going offensively. After Nelson went out for the season, the true freshman Heaps had to handle the entire offense himself. No playmakers emerged at receiver. About the only thing working was the run game behind J.J. DiLuigi.

But perhaps all Heaps needed was a little bit of time, and for some players to step up around him. One of those receivers has been Luke Ashworth. In the first five games of the season, he totaled 11 catches for 53 yards. In the last three, he has 15 catches for 253 yards, including 113 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 49-10 win against Colorado State.

“I took it upon myself to step up and practice extra hard,” Ashworth said in a telephone interview. “We were pretty frustrated when we were at that low point, especially the seniors. I thought we were going to do a lot better. But being a young offense, we’ve progressed a ton since that point. The bowl game is in the back of our minds, but we’ve been really focused on each game in front of us.”

Both the offense and defense have improved since the 1-4 start. Here are a few examples to prove it:

After averaging 15.2 points over the first five games, BYU has averaged 31.2 points over the last five. On defense, BYU allowed 28.8 points in the first five but has improved to allow 17.8 points over the last five.

In the last five games the Cougars have held their opponents to first quarter rushing totals of minus-10 (San Diego State), 20 (TCU), minus-31 (Wyoming), zero (UNLV) and 8 (Colorado State) yards, respectively.

BYU led UNLV 38-0 in the first half, and then Colorado State 35-0 in the first half in the last two games, marking the first time the Cougars scored at least five first half touchdowns in consecutive games since getting seven against Tulane and five against Nevada to open the 2001 season.

Heaps has thrown for 536 yards in the last two games. Mendenhall said it was a matter of finding balance in the offense.

“It has kind of been a progression to being able to run the football, to run it with a little play-action, and then to be able to make some short throws, and now being able to make some intermediate throws with more consistency -- now sprinkled with a few plays over the top that help us score points,” he said.

As for what that slow start did for the team, Ashworth said, “It was almost like a character, attitude goal-setting check, just seeing that we were at the bottom of the barrel compared to last year. It’s been a huge growing experience.”

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Panthers’ Williams to IR, Goodson to start

Adam RankPublished: November 17th, 2010 | | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Tony Pike, Jimmy Clausen, Steve Smith South, Tyrell Sutton

The Panthers have placed RB DeAngelo Williams on the IR, and Mike Goodson is expected to start this week vs. the Baltimore Ravens. RBs Jonathan Stewart (concussion) and Tyrell Sutton (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday.

Not an ideal matchup for Goodson, who rushed for 100 yards against the Buccaneers last week. Goodson, however, is a good grab and stash guy off the waiver wire.

QB Jimmy Clausen also did not practice on Wednesday, and the team could turn to QB Tony Pike. That thing you see sinking out there … that’s WR Steve Smith‘s remaining value.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Start Falcons’ White, Turner against Ravens

Adam RankPublished: November 9th, 2010 | | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Steve Wyche, NFL Network Thursday Night Football

Falcons WR Roddy White missed practice on Monday, but told our Steve Wyche that he will be ready to go against the Ravens on Thursday night. That game will be broadcast on NFL Network.

White told Wyche that he sustained a bruised right knee during the first quarter of Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the Buccaneers. Wyche did note that White did not have a noticeable limp on Tuesday.

Start White and RB Michael Turner this week. Turner is a matchup-proof runner, and while the Ravens have held opposing running backs to just over 11 fantasy points per game this season, some runners have had success. Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown was having a nice game last week until Miami fell behind and had to throw the ball. Browns RB Peyton Hillis also smoked the Ravens for 180 total yards and a touchdown in Week 3.

And make sure your lineup is set for that Thursday start.

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