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FLASHUPDATE WEEK 4 TEAM NOTES/Wednesday, 24 September, 2014
Compiled By FlashUpdate Editor Bob Harris
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ARIZONA CARDINALS
AsAssociated Presssports writerBob Baumnoted, three times already this season, the Cardinals have fallen behind only to rally to victory in the second half.
The latest comeback came in Sunday's 23-14 win over San Francisco, a team Arizona had beaten once in its last 10 tries.
Heading into a bye week, head coachBruce Arianssaid that show of resiliency stands out above everything else.
"The biggest thing is they respect the process," he said Monday. "They come to work every day. They focus on that day and we get better each day and we don't look to the future. We have to guard against that as we get better and people start patting you on the back."
The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 30-0 in the fourth quarter.
Arizona really isn't sneaking up on anybody. Dating to last season, the Cardinals have won 10 of their last 12, tied with Carolina and Philadelphia for the NFL's best record in that span. They are the only team in the past two seasons to win at Seattle.
But a series of misfortunes seemed to make a fast start this year unlikely.
First, they lost defensive tackleDarnell Dockettto a season-ending knee injury in training camp, then outside linebackerJohn Abrahamshowed up late for camp after attending alcohol rehab. Abraham went down with a concussion in the season opener, one so severe that he is out for the season.
Backup running backJonathan Dwyerwas arrested on domestic violence charges and is on a non-football illness list, meaning he's out for the season.
And quarterbackCarson Palmerdamaged a nerve in his throwing shoulder in the opener and has not been able to throw a pass since. EnterDrew Stanton, Palmer's backup who had not taken a snap in a regular-season game since 2010 or, as he put it, "a well-documented 1,100 days."
All Stanton did was direct Arizona to a road win over the New York Giants, then throw a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes to rookieJohn Brownon Sunday against San Francisco. In that third quarter, he was 5-for-7 for 102 yards. Stanton has yet to be intercepted.
"He does more than manage the game," Arians said. "He gave us a chance to win the game, especially with those throws in the red zone."
Just how much longer Stanton will be the No. 1 quarterback is an open question.
Palmer said he didn't stumble across a miracle cure, but he toldArizona RepublicstafferKent Somerson Tuesday that the shoulder was finally responding to all the treatment he's been getting and he's close to being back to 100 percent.
"It's better. It's much, much better," Palmer said of his right shoulder.
Asked whether any one form of treatment seemed to help awaken the nerve and get it firing again, Palmer shook his head.
"It wasn't any one thing, just tons of treatment multiple times per day and it's really helped," he said. "It's way better now. It's feeling really good."
According to Somers, Palmer was seen throwing only one pass during the portion of practice that was open to reporters on Tuesday. He was asked if he's now able to throw the football with authority like he did before the nerve problem occurred.
"Not yet, but I'll get there shortly," he said.
If Palmer's not ready, Stanton will be back at the controls when the Cardinals venture to Denver to face the Broncos on Oct. 5.
Whoever is the quarterback has an array of targets. VeteranLarry Fitzgerald, who didn't catch a pass until the fourth quarter but still extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 152, is no longer the only option, often not even the second or third one.
Michael Floydhas taken Fitzgerald's spot as the most dangerous wide receiver. He caught five for 114 yards on Sunday, his second 100-yard receiving game this year. Tight endJohn Carlsonhad a big catch in a first-and-long situation. And then there's Brown, the diminutive speedster from little Pittsburgh State who has been a sensation since the day he stepped on the training camp field.
"He's very mature, very mature," Arians said. "And he came in with a quick understanding of what we're trying to get done. Very few rookies can adapt that fast, not only to the speed of the game but to the volume of information getting thrown at you."
The defense, despite significant personnel changes, has shown its trademark ability to stop the run and make halftime adjustments under coordinator Todd Bowles.
And Stanton impressed Cardinals fans and players with his toughness after taking a series of fierce hits.
But the biggest takeaway? The Cardinals are 3-0 for only the third time in the past 41 years (2012, 1974), and they beat the 49ers after a tumultuous week.
Backup running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested at the team facility on Wednesday on domestic abuse charges. On Friday, outside linebacker John Abraham was placed on injured reserve due to a severe concussion.
"They are just bumps in the road," Arians said. "Everything is not going to come easy. The harder they get, the easier they are for us now. There are no excuses. Nobody wants to hear them.
Other notes of interest. ... As theSports Xchangepointed out, all 23 of the team's points against the 49ers were scored by rookies: two touchdowns by Brown and three field goals and two extra points byChandler Catanzaro.
Brown has been sensational and given the Cardinals speed at a position where it was badly needed.
"He's so smooth, in and out of stuff," Stanton said. "You almost want to tell him to slow down at times because he runs through zones. You're like, 'if it's man, run away from that guy; if it's zone, then find that zone and stay here.' He's getting it and he understands it. ..."
According toESPN.com'sJosh Weinfuss, Fitzgerald has been targeted more in the last two weeks after a firestorm erupted in Week 1, but it hasn't been enough, especially early in games. Weinfuss contends that Arizona can spend the off week working on getting Fitzgerald involved in the game plan earlier. If there was a game to get Fitzgerald involved again, Denver would be it.
When Fitzgerald is involved in the first-half offense, the Cardinals can move the ball more efficiently and score at a higher clip -- as was evident again in Week 3, when Arizona scored just six points in the first two quarters, when Fitzgerald was targeted just twice. It's easy to say Fitzgerald is involved in the offense, but when you compare Weeks 2 and 3, the lack of his presence is obvious. Against New York in Week 2, the Cardinals scored 10 points in the first half after targeting Fitzgerald seven times. ...
Also according to Weinfuss,Ted Ginn's ability in the return game and as a receiver were well known, which is why Arizona signed him during free agency. But what he's added in other facets has been a bonus. He threw a pass Sunday -- 10 yards to Floyd for a first down -- and he was used on a jet sweep that he cut inside. ...
Tight endRob Housler, who missed last week's game with a hip injury, should be able to practice this week. ...
And finally. ... Arizona swooped in Monday and plucked rookie running backMarion Griceoff the San Diego Chargers' practice squad, according toU-T San Diego'sMichael Gehlken. The move was of interest because with injuries toRyan MathewsandDanny Woodhead-- out for the season -- Grice was a likely candidate to be elevated to the Chargers' own 53-man roster.
Instead the sixth-round pick out of Arizona State reportedly took a physical and is signing a two-year contract with the Cardinals -- a practice-squad player may sign on any team's active roster. Arizona targeted Grice after placing Dwyer on the NFI list following his arrest. Grice ran for 79 yards on 17 carries against the Cards in the two teams' final preseason game. Clearly Cardinals brass liked what it saw.
Knowing San Diego's injury situation, the Cardinals flew after the rookie running back before the Chargers could make the move.
The team released running backJalen Parmaleeon Tuesday.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 CT
The Cardinals are idle this week due to the NFL bye.
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ATLANTA FALCONS
As theSports Xchangesuggested,Matt Ryanis once again making a statement that he should be a part of the conversation as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.
After looking less than pedestrian while throwing three interceptions against Cincinnati, Ryan missed on only three of his pass 24 attempts while leading the Falcons to a 56-14 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Thursday night.
Ryan was not pleased with how things went in Cincinnati.
"We talked about all week that we wanted to start fast and rebound from last week," Ryan said. "I thought we did a great job of that collectively, all three phases. With that being said, even as good as tonight was, I think there are areas where we can improve and get better. All in all, there was really good effort. I loved the energy from all three phases. We got the job done."
After playing three games in the first twelve days of the season, the Falcons will have had ample time to face theAdrian Peterson-less Minnesota Vikings.
Ryan passed for a career-high 448 yards in leading the Falcons to a 37-34 overtime win over the Saints. Against the Bengals, he threw three interceptions and had a sub-50 passer rating for just the fourth time over his first 96 regular season game.
Against Tampa Bay, Ryan had a record-breaking night. He passed for 286 yards with three touchdowns and a career high 155.9 passer rating.
Ryan's 87.5 completion percentage and his 155.9 quarterback rating set new single-game franchise records.
Ryan previously shared the club record for completion percentage with quarterbackSteve Bartkowskiat 85.7. He broke quarterback Wade Wilson's single game passer rating mark of 154.5.
"Absolutely, I think in this league there are going to be weeks where it's tough, especially on the road," Ryan said. "Sometimes you don't play as well as you like. Good teams respond and good teams come back and play better the following week."
The Falcons' 21 first-quarter points against Tampa Bay was tied for most in the first quarter in team history. It was the fifth time the Falcons have scored 21 points in the first quarter. The last time was Jan. 1, 2012 against the Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome.
The game also marked the 21st time that Ryan has thrown three touchdowns. He is 20-1 when that happens. The Falcons also improved to 36-2 when he records a passer rating of 100-or-higher.
Bottom line? Ryan made another case for himself to be considered with the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Since 2012, Ryan has thrown 65 touchdown passes, which ranks third in the NFL during that span. Ryan trailsPeyton Manning(98) andDrew Brees(85). He has thrown 160 career touchdown passes and ranks 12th among active players and sixth since 2008.
Also worth noting, Ryan was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season in the wake of this one. ...
The team is getting more out ofDevin Hesterthan most people expected. He broke the touchdowns returned record of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Falcon cornerbackDeion Sanders.
Hester has returned 14 punts, five kickoffs, and one blocked field goal for touchdowns. His 14 punt returns are also an NFL record.
His effort against the Bucs earned Hester NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Meanwhile, Hester has played into a role on offense that will only be growing thanks to his contributions in the first two games. AsProfootballtalk.comnotes, Hester has 126 receiving yards, 20 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with a punt return touchdown and offensive coordinatorDirk Koettersaid Tuesday that his initial reticence about using Hester on offense has gone away.
"The thinking is simple: All players usually get what they deserve. Devin has played his way into more plays. I've told you before, when Devin signed here, I was thinking, ‘Chicago didn't use him. Why are we going to use him?' And [coach Mike Smith] was talking to [wide receivers coach]Terry[Robiskie] and I saying, ‘Hey, we've got to find some stuff for Devin,'" Koetter said. "Devin has totally earned everything he's got by how he plays in practice.
"It's true of any player, it just happens that Devin [is] the greatest kick returner in league history. ..."
Wide receiverJulio Jonescaught nine passes for 161 yards with two touchdowns the sixth multi-touchdown game of his career, and his yards receiving were the second highest single-game yardage total of his career. (regular season). Jones posted 182 yards against the St. Louis Rams last season and notched 182 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. ...
Looking for negatives?
ESPN.com'sVaughn McClurebelieves the offensive line's run blocking has to continue to evolve. Head coachMike Smithwasn't happy with the run blocking against the Buccaneers when the Falcons went into their four-minute mode to milk the clock. RookieDevonta Freemanhad nine carries for seven yards in the fourth quarter. Throw outAntone Smith's 38-yard touchdown in the third, and the Falcons gained just 21 second-half rushing yards.
Still,Steven Jacksonpunched in a one-yard touchdown for his first score of the season and the 63rd rushing touchdown of his career. Jackson has scored seven rushing touchdowns as a Falcon. He has 72 total touchdowns which ranks tied for the seventh most among active players. ...
Other notes of interest. ... As the Falcons returned to practice Monday, the wide receiver trio ofRoddy White,Harry Douglas, and Hester were without helmets coming off injuries.
White missed last Thursday night's game with a hamstring injury, while both Douglas and Hester both exited the game early. Douglas injured his left foot, but tests on the foot came up negative. Hester was pulled from the game due to cramps.
Smith indicated White was close to playing against the Buccaneers, and White expects to play in Sunday's road game at Minnesota. He appeared to have added protection supporting his right left on Monday. White wears a compression sock sleeve on his left leg to protect his banged up knee. White also spent Wednesday working on the side with trainers.
Douglas' was back on the practice field Wednesday. Hester's situation seems to be more about rest than anything since cramps appeared to be his only issue.
Also, Antone Smith was without a helmet at the start of Monday's practice. The initial word is he suffered a right hamstring injury, the extent of which is unknown.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 CT
QB:Matt Ryan, T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree
RB:Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Devonta Freeman, Antone Smith, Patrick DiMarco
WR:Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Devin Hester, Courtney Roby, Eric Weems
TE:Levine Toilolo, Bear Pascoe
PK:Matt Bryant
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BALTIMORE RAVENS
AsESPN.com'sJamison Hensleypointed out Sunday night, no one expected the running back position to be one of the deepest on the Ravens after the team parted ways withRay Rice. But you could make that argument right now.
Three games into the season, the Ravens have watched three running backs not only lead the team in rushing but gain at least 70 yards in a game. The latest surprise came in Sunday's 23-21 win over the Cleveland Browns, where rookie fourth-round pickLorenzo Taliaferroran for 91 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.
The Ravens' situation at running back will become more complicated ifBernard Piercecan return this week after sitting out Sunday with a thigh injury. But this is really a good problem to have from the Ravens' standpoint.
Pierce was on the practice field Wednesday.
Sure, trying to figure out the Ravens' featured back each week is a nightmare for fantasy owners. As far as the Ravens' needs, this has been the best-case scenario because all three running backs have been so productive.