:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51671255/usa_today_9340656.0.jpg)
The 5 Toughest Receivers I’ve Ever Covered
A.J. Green is another receiver who varies his speed to great effect. But he can also jump out of the gym. Like Julio, his athleticism is off the charts. The thing about A.J. is that he’s not really a YAC guy. He does most of his damage before the ball gets to him. He’s always a threat deep down the field, and he’s able to elevate and catch the ball at its highest point.
Jackson III, Peerman bond over faith and wait on return from injured reserve
William Jackson III tucks a play sheet into his sweats, and then quickly fires his feet up, down, across the ladder laid out by Cincinnati Bengals director of rehabilitation Nick Cosgray. Cedric Peerman does the same, occasionally dropping down to do push-ups. They run sprints, and perform footwork drills in workout gear, on a field away from the rest of the team.
Signs point to Gilberry return Monday as defense mulls changes
All indications Thursday are that defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry is returning to the Bengals in an effort to beef up a rotation that is ranked just 18th in the NFL in sacks per pass and is part of a unit on pace to allow 4,000 passing yards for the second time in franchise history.
When you draft a team, all you see is the potential in your starters and the depth on your bench. The thing a lot of people don’t pay attention to though is, when are their byes? This week the Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Patriots, Texans, and Redskins are all on a bye, forcing fantasy owners to either hit the waiver wire and try to find replacements. Or, even worse, try and work out a trade in time for the players to be on their team for Sunday. Trading for a Falcon or Buccaneer is pointless, since they play Thursday night and there is no way the trade will go through in time (unless your league puts trades through instantly).
AFC North Bytes
Terrell Suggs educating young Baltimore Ravens on Steelers rivalry
Many of the marquee names who elevated the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry to the top in the sport are gone. The bone-breaking hits by Ray Lewis, the punishing blocks by Hines Ward and the game-changing interceptions by Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu are in the past.
How Corey Coleman's return vs. Cowboys will help Terrelle Pryor
Corey Coleman practiced full go for the first time Thursday since breaking his hand Sept. 21, and will play Sunday against his hometown Cowboys at FirstEnergy Stadium Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the first-round draft pick's return will be Terrelle Pryor, who's had to endure double-teaming for the past six games with Coleman sidelined.
Steelers notebook: Artie Burns will make his first NFL start against the Ravens
Rookie cornerback Artie Burns is in line to make his first NFL start Sunday against the Ravens and it could be the first step toward him taking over full-time for veteran William Gay. Burns confirmed after practice Thursday his role will be expanded. Gay will continue to play when the Steelers go to their nickel or quarters package with five and six defensive backs.
Random Bytes
MLB playoffs: Handing out grades for TV coverage
The Cubs ended their World Series drought with a dramatic Game 7 win over the Indians. Richard Deitsch looks back on the best and worst of TV coverage. There were plenty of great moments—and a few shortcomings—to grade.
Kam Chancellor still not practicing for Seahawks
Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor has missed Seattle’s last three games and appears to be on his way to missing a fourth game on Monday night due to a lingering groin injury.
Suspended LB Aldon Smith hopeful of Raiders comeback soon
Suspended Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith plans to return to football in two weeks, optimistic the NFL will grant his wish. "Hopefully, soon," he said Thursday night of being allowed back in the league.
Jameis Winston: 'I feel great' despite early injury exit
Jameis Winston missed the first snaps of his nascent NFL career after suffering a knee injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's 43-28 loss to the Falcons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' second-year quarterback took a punishing hit from cornerback Jalen Collins on a two-point conversion attempt when Atlanta was up 20 points in the fourth quarter. Winston did not return to the game after the hit.
Red-Hot Atlanta Offense Pushes Falcons to Legit Super Bowl Contender
Four days ago, Atlanta stopped a two-game skid with a thrilling victory over the Green Bay Packers—a victory spurred by quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and the Falcons offense. That win established Atlanta as the clear favorite in the NFC South. Thursday's 43-28 throttling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—that wasn't as close as the score—solidified its stranglehold on the top of the division.