Falcons Team Report
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:35:30 PDT)

• Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will get to oversee the $75 million renovation of his unit.

The team went out and signed a cornerback, drafted a linebacker and defensive tackle, gutted the cornerback position and picked up new backups at safety.

Now it will be up to VanGorder, along with new secondary coach Tim Lewis, to whip all of the new parts into a much-improved unit.

With cornerback Dunta Robinson, defensive end John Abraham and safety Erik Coleman, the Falcons have three proven veterans.

In middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and safety Thomas DeCoud, they have two emerging players.

But they need to see more from defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and the rest of the unit.

Last season, the defense finished...

Teams denied in attempts to insure bonus money
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:00:00 PDT)
Contracts with language to eventually recover bonuses have been rejected by the NFL Management Council.

Falcons aiming high in Year 3 of Ryan era
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:48:34 PDT)
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons are aiming high in Year 3 of the Matt Ryan era.

Falcons agree to terms with Weatherspoon
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:30:42 PDT)
ATLANTA - First-round draft pick Sean Weatherspoon has reported for training camp after reaching an agreement on a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons aiming high in Year 3 of Matt Ryan era
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:19:20 PDT)
The Atlanta Falcons are aiming high in Year 3 of the Matt Ryan era. Ryan helped the franchise shed a 44-year-old burden by leading the Falcons to their first back-to-back winning seasons, including three straight wins to finish 9-7 last year. Falcons owner Arthur Blank says it's time for bigger goals in Ryan's third season as the starting quarterback.

Video: Samuel L. Jackson in new Falcons TV commercial
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:35:17 PDT)
The Atlanta Falcons debuted a new ad campaign on Monday featuring Samuel L. Jackson, a gospel choir and...

NFL preseason capsules
(Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:41:27 PDT)
NFL preseason capsules as training camps open: AFC EAST BUFFALO BILLS (6-10) OPEN CAMP: July 29 LAST YEAR: Popgun offense that Terrell Owens couldn't spark, instability at quarterback and inability to stop the run conspired to prompt yet another coaching change (Dick Jauron fired after 3-6 start) as bumbling Bills celebrated their 50th year by capping a decade of ineptitude and missing...

The Shutdown Corner Team Preview: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:25:19 PDT)
With training camps just on the horizon, it's time to preview the prospects of each NFL team.

Cutler, others under pressure going into camp
(Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:59:00 PDT)
The start of training camp means that Bears QB Jay Cutler is among those already feeling the heat.

The Shutdown Corner Team Preview: The Detroit Lions
(Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:25:28 PDT)
With the first rookie camp just around the corner, and the preseason soon after, it's time to start...

DB rankings: Here's why Jets top the Pack
(Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:43:00 PDT)
The Jets have the potential to feature a more frightening defense with the addition of Antonio Cromartie.

Vick trustee seeks repayment of millions
(Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:27:35 PDT)
RICHMOND, Va. - The trustee in Michael Vick's bankruptcy case is seeking repayment of at least US$2 million that the NFL quarterback doled out to friends and family members in the months before he was sent to federal prison for running a dogfighting operation.

Secondary is Ravens' primary concern
(Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:47:00 PDT)
Shotgun offenses thrived against the typically stingy Ravens defense in '09.

Vick a no-show at his own celebrity golf tourney
(Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:43:32 PDT)
TUCKER, Ga. - Michael Vick was a no-show at his celebrity golf tournament Sunday after probation officials restricted travel for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback this weekend.

Falcons linebacker Robert James suspended
(Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:38:33 PDT)
ATLANTA - The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons linebacker Robert James for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Falcons linebacker James suspended for 4 games
(Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:05:10 PDT)
The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons linebacker Robert James for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. A team spokesman confirms the suspension Thursday. The 26-year-old James played in only one game and did not record a tackle. James, from Arizona State, was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2008.

Source: Eagles may cut Michael Vick
(Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:22:40 PDT)
PHILADELPHIA - A person familiar with the team's thinking says the Philadelphia Eagles are strongly considering releasing Michael Vick.

Vick says he 'had nothing to do with' shooting
(Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:37:36 PDT)
RICHMOND, Va. - Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick says he was not involved with a shooting following his birthday celebration in Virginia Beach last week.

D-line rankings: 3-4 complicates evaluations
(Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PDT)
The varying roles and responsibilities of upfront defenders in a 3-4 vs. the 4-3 make assessing lines more difficult.