http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl Recent articles about NFL en-us Justin K. Aller Pittsburgh Steelers scouts killed the NFL Draft this year This year the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted best player available through the entire draft, and from the first to the last pick they hit the hammer on the nail. I am a huge fan of this draft.  The Steelers did a great job in the 2013 Draft, find out why I believe they had the best draft in 2013. With their first pick in round one, the Steelers selected Jarvis Jones, who I had as the number one rated outside linebacker in the draft.  At pick 17 the Steelers had to make this selection, because Jarvis tore up the SEC.  This is the pick that the Dolphins should have made and instead they drafted an unproven athletic player, who in my opinion will never get the game. In the second round with the 48th pick the Steelers drafted Le’Veon Bell who fills the need of a power back.  While the Steelers have Jonathan Dwyer they did lose Rashard Mendenhall.  I can see Bell get a ton of carries for the Steelers and taking over t... Fri, 24 May 2013 19:47:26 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/pittsburgh_steelers_scouts_killed_the_nfl_draft_this_year/13689842 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/pittsburgh_steelers_scouts_killed_the_nfl_draft_this_year/13689842 Pittsburgh Steelers scouts killed the NFL Draft this year http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pittsburgh_steelers_scouts_killed_the_nfl_draft_this_year/13689842 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After the standout tight end had a fourth surgery May 20 on his forearm, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport now reports the New England Patriots “(don’t) know” how serious Rob Gronkowski‘s back injury is. Shelved for the entire 2009 campaign at Arizona following a back operation, the 24-year-old Gronkowski is again feeling “chronic” pain due to degenerative discs. Considering placing the 6-foot-6, 265 pound Neanderthal on the reserve/PUP list, Gronk may need to undergo the knife and miss the first six games of the season. “I wish I knew as much (about Gronkowski’s back) as you’d like me to know,” said Patriots … Continue reading → Fri, 24 May 2013 15:06:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/soon_to_be_walking_like_quasimodo_new_england_patriots_star_rob_gronkowski_will_be_forced_to_retire_prematurely_from_the_nfl/13688429 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/soon_to_be_walking_like_quasimodo_new_england_patriots_star_rob_gronkowski_will_be_forced_to_retire_prematurely_from_the_nfl/13688429 Soon to be walking like Quasimodo, New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski will be forced to retire prematurely from the NFL http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/soon_to_be_walking_like_quasimodo_new_england_patriots_star_rob_gronkowski_will_be_forced_to_retire_prematurely_from_the_nfl/13688429 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f0308bd2f75a692dcee184a45c7b22dd0631d040/mini/5826018.jpg The Pittsburgh Steelers closed out their first OTA session of the 2013 season on Thursday and below are ten things that we learned over the course of the week. Gilbert Makes Blind Side Debut  - It didn't take long to find out which tackle would get the first reps on the left side as the reports surfaced on day one that Marcus Gilbert was given the first crack at replacing the departed Max Starks at left tackle. Their is speculation that Mike Adams will get his chance on the left side in the future OTA sessions, but for now, Gilbert is the leader in the clubhouse. Beachum Finds His Center Read more [...] Fri, 24 May 2013 12:15:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/10_things_we_learned_from_the_steelers_first_ota_session_of_2013/13687094 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/10_things_we_learned_from_the_steelers_first_ota_session_of_2013/13687094 10 Things We Learned From The Steelers First OTA Session Of 2013 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/10_things_we_learned_from_the_steelers_first_ota_session_of_2013/13687094 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/6/f68ced1d6bbb196e2e2b685626d7d32893330d14/mini/6648432.jpg GREEN BAY, Wis. It wasn't the rookie season that Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry hoped for. Injuring his wrist in his NFL regular-season debut and being placed on injured reserve two months later never let the first-round pick display what made him such a valuable prospect. While Perry certainly isn't happy about the first impression he left in 2012, that experience is part of what's driving the 23-year-old as he prepares for a second chance to get his career going in the right direction. "I have a lot to prove," Perry said during the Packers' first week of offseason training activities. "I have to be out there on the field to help my teammates. I wasn't able to be out there on the field to do that. Most importantly, I have a chip on my shoulder. I want to be out there and help any way I can and be a force out there on the field." Though there's still plenty of time for it to happen, the Packers drafted Perry with the expectation that he would co Fri, 24 May 2013 12:11:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/packers_perry_eager_to_prove_himself/13687016 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/packers_perry_eager_to_prove_himself/13687016 Packers' Perry eager to prove himself http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/packers_perry_eager_to_prove_himself/13687016 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady didn’t talk to the media during the Patriots Organized Team Activities, instead he chose to discuss the busy offseason with Dennis & Callahan on WEEI radio in Boston on Thursday morning. The biggest question for Brady was how he felt about the departure of one of his favorite weapons – Wes Welker. Fri, 24 May 2013 11:51:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_welker_those_feelings_are_very_personal_to_me/13686815 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_welker_those_feelings_are_very_personal_to_me/13686815 Tom Brady on Welker: ‘Those feelings are very personal to me’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tom_brady_on_welker_those_feelings_are_very_personal_to_me/13686815 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/8/78a5a1799bf777356ca90e1536f6f20d147f3a2f/mini/Baltimore_Ravens_v_e13d.jpg San Francisco receiver Mario Manningham understands exactly what happened to fellow receiver Michael Crabtree, and he knows it’s a long process coming back. Manningham injured his knee which ended his 2012 season in a December game against the Seattle Seahawks. While Crabtree is just starting the rehab process, Manningham is working toward ending his. He has a great opportunity as the injury has changed the landscape of the 49ers passing game. Someone has to step up and take the role of the possession receiver, "It's sad to see somebody get hurt that's a great value to our team," Manningham said, via Cam Inman of the Mercury News. "But the next person has to step up, man. We all know injuries are a part of the game." On his rehab is going on his knee: "I have started and running cutting and doing little things," Manningham said. "When you have knee injuries, you can't really take any time off. Every time I think about it... Fri, 24 May 2013 11:28:02 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/49ers_receiver_mario_manningham_on_michael_crabtree_injury_next_man_up/13686617 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/49ers_receiver_mario_manningham_on_michael_crabtree_injury_next_man_up/13686617 49ers receiver Mario Manningham on Michael Crabtree injury: ‘next man up’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/49ers_receiver_mario_manningham_on_michael_crabtree_injury_next_man_up/13686617 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/4/d43c55da3d959081b297c0c18ddb90419b494b39/mini/6503580.jpg Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher hung up the cleats this week, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Urlacher couldn’t find the price he was looking for and decided it was time to go, but if there was a team he was interested in it would have been the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are switching over to the same defense (Tampa 2) as Urlacher played in Chicago and it would have been an easy transition, but the Cowboys have two young linebackers and Sean Lee is an emerging star inn the NFL. However, one can’t help but to think Urlacher letting that info out the bag could be a set up for a training scenario if someone goes down due to injury. "If I could have picked a spot, it would have been Dallas," Urlacher said, via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. "(The Cowboys) run our defense. They took our D-coordinator (Rod Marinelli). That would have been ideal. But they have two really good young linebackers."   Fri, 24 May 2013 10:58:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/brian_urlacher_would_have_chosen_cowboys_had_he_not_retired/13686395 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/brian_urlacher_would_have_chosen_cowboys_had_he_not_retired/13686395 Brian Urlacher would have chosen Cowboys had he not retired http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/brian_urlacher_would_have_chosen_cowboys_had_he_not_retired/13686395 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/c/0cd88f154195c15db350b1d3395ab1d4ab07a8b3/mini/Chicago_Bears_v_517d.jpg Wasn’t it just a couple of weeks ago that Browns former number one draft pick Trent Richardson was telling all of us how good it was to be healthy and how much his healthy condition was going to help him have a great 2013 season. The Browns held some OTA’s and all that good health that Richardson had, is suddenly missing. The guy could practice and he could be questionable for the Browns next round of mini camps. Richardson is already suffering with lower leg problems. Head coach Rob Chudznksi had this to say about the man people call T-Rich; “It’s precautionary, we’re holding [Richardson] out,” Chudzinski said. “We’ve got minicamp in a week and a half. He may miss that. I’m not sure we’ll just play it day by day.” Is Trent Richardson durable enough to play in the NFL? The guy can’t make it through a practice without getting injured. Last year we watched in awe as Trent Richardson missed the entire preseason because of knee problems. What does this guy do in the off-season? Perhap Fri, 24 May 2013 07:02:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/browns_barely_moving_and_trent_richardson_is_already_suffering_an_injury_they_dont_make_them_like_they_used_too/13684934 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/browns_barely_moving_and_trent_richardson_is_already_suffering_an_injury_they_dont_make_them_like_they_used_too/13684934 Browns barely moving and Trent Richardson is already suffering an injury. They don’t make them like they used too. http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/browns_barely_moving_and_trent_richardson_is_already_suffering_an_injury_they_dont_make_them_like_they_used_too/13684934 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/3/63ed0d1c9eae612bbb0c2616c504b8308b4fade7/mini/6698872.jpg Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is pumped up to help the New Orleans Saints defense return to form after a significantly bad 2012 season. As Saints DC, he also has extra motivation, courtesy of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. "I don't like getting fired," Ryan said, via the AP / NFL.com, during his first meeting with reporters since he was hired for the job,  "I know I got my feelings hurt and so did our players. We're looking to do something about it." He's looking to guide a defense on a winning team, something he's had a hard doing with his previous coordinator gigs in Dallas, Cleveland and Oakland. "I just feel like a sense of urgency," Ryan added. "I can't wait to give everything I have to this organization. I know everybody is on the same path." That brash demeanor and edge is why Saints head coach wanted Ryan for the job. He's more on par with former DC Gregg Williams, sans the whole bount... Fri, 24 May 2013 06:51:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/rob_ryan_on_the_warpath_i_dont_like_getting_fired/13684907 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/rob_ryan_on_the_warpath_i_dont_like_getting_fired/13684907 Rob Ryan: 'I don't like getting fired' http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/rob_ryan_on_the_warpath_i_dont_like_getting_fired/13684907 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/d/1d2ba53ae24ebf3283437f37529e659da618281b/mini/ryan.jpg Tyrann Mathieu is on top of the world tonight after surviving a rough year in a half, and finally agreeing to an NFL contract, after signing a four-year $3.052 million contract with the Cardinals. Mathieu may have made it through the initial rough patch, but according to Around The League, things are just starting to get difficult for Mathieu. According to reports, Mathieu has already been entered into the NFL’s drug-testing program and could be subject to up to 10 tests per month, according to a source close to the situation. Mathieu for his part, has welcomed al drug testing, and actually agreed to be tested once per week after he was drafted by the Cardinals. Because he’s in the league’s drug testing program, he’ll have no choice. Mathieu’s agent, Pat Lawlor, told Rapoport that “both sides understood the issues we were dealing with.â€* As it was reported earlier, Mathieu did receive a portion of his signing bonus up front, $265,000, with the rest coming to him over the remaining three years â Thu, 23 May 2013 21:54:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tyrann_mathieu_could_be_drug_tested_10_times_per_month/13683641 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tyrann_mathieu_could_be_drug_tested_10_times_per_month/13683641 Drug testing terms for Mathieu decided http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tyrann_mathieu_could_be_drug_tested_10_times_per_month/13683641 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/b/2b04ba07e5b8838f518d2e467b9921377bc19b86/mini/163623665.jpg New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will spend this season answering Wes Welker questions. Welker has been Brady’s most reliable target over his Hall of Fame career and the two are incredibly close personally. When Welker walked out of New England under terse circumstances, Brady was the man in the middle. He spoke with WEEI, Brady was very frank. Brady also spent time discussing Welker’s replacement Danny Amendola. Please click here to read this story. The post Tom Brady on Wes Welker, Danny Amendola appeared first on Players View. Thu, 23 May 2013 19:20:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_wes_welker_danny_amendola/13682483 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_wes_welker_danny_amendola/13682483 Tom Brady on Wes Welker, Danny Amendola http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tom_brady_on_wes_welker_danny_amendola/13682483 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/b/bb6eac29ddaa60494c89aa57b3af278f8ed1c504/mini/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f93510493.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0B1E2399AF3EB6277C2353A9D63BB5DED9A116350E5DAB73D.jpg The New York Jets have to make a move with Mark Sanchez and the outcome of their quarterback challenge and they needed to do it yesterday. Once again the players are declaring open season on each other in the media under the cloak of darkness that comes with not allowing one’s name likeness to be attached to a quote. As the new front office regime sorts out how the Jets will conduct themselves, they can not be happy that at least one player has already disregarded owner Woody Johnson’s gag order. Please click here to read this story. The post Unnamed player says 80-90 percent of the Jets want Mark Sanchez out appeared first on Players View. Thu, 23 May 2013 16:54:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/unnamed_player_says_80_90_percent_of_the_jets_want_mark_sanchez_out/13681676 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/unnamed_player_says_80_90_percent_of_the_jets_want_mark_sanchez_out/13681676 Unnamed player says 80-90 percent of the Jets want Mark Sanchez out http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/unnamed_player_says_80_90_percent_of_the_jets_want_mark_sanchez_out/13681676 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/5/05214238fb238ba6be590e23b03251cde0d80478/mini/6407650.jpg Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that he hopes Brett Favre’s No. 4 can be retired by the team before the former quarterback is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rodgers said in a radio interview with “The Jim Rome Show” that it’s time for the “healing process to begin” between the Packers and Favre. Thu, 23 May 2013 13:29:31 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/aaron_rodgers_pack_should_retire_favres_no_4/13679966 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/aaron_rodgers_pack_should_retire_favres_no_4/13679966 Rodgers to Pack: Retire Favre's #4 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/aaron_rodgers_pack_should_retire_favres_no_4/13679966 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/7/e76cedc076b944ac78a71bff8885591e1ab6ce0c/mini/favre-rodgers.jpg Remember when everyone was gushing over Aaron Curry as a future NFL star and arguably the top defensive player and safest pick heading into the 2009 NFL Draft?  Whatever happened to him and how did all of the “experts” get it so wrong? Like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, it turns out the former 2009 first round pick (No. 4 overall) out of Wake Forest let things go to his head, admitting that the money changed him and caused him to lose his motivation. “Early in my career, I was just selfish and self-centered,” Curry said via the Newark Star-Ledger. “I was more about me than I was the Seahawks at the time. I was more focused on my own desires versus the franchise and the team. It was immaturity, and I’m glad I got past that stage.” Photo Credit: Giants.com Curry signed a six-year, $60 million deal with $34 million guaranteed in 2009.  He appeared in 35 contests (30 starts) and registered a total of 156 tackles with just 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in almost two and a ... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:00:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/aaron_curry_admits_money_changed_him/13676399 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/aaron_curry_admits_money_changed_him/13676399 Aaron Curry: Money changed me http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/aaron_curry_admits_money_changed_him/13676399 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/6/a6af11a39bd411f5b7b84ce8d64a9a4f80202ee9/mini/ac.jpg A number of designers have taken their shot at redesigning the Oakland Raiders helmets and uniforms to their liking. Could you imagine Matt Flynn, Josh Cribbs, or Darren McFadden wearing something like this? Featured are a number of Oakland Raiders’ helmets, uniforms, and logo designs. Some are interesting options that fans may like and others may strike  a nerve with some fans. Images are by multiple authors including, Charles Sollers, a photographer from Missouri for Rivals.com. By now you have probably seen some of Sollers work as he also has provided numerous images of college helmets and uniforms... Read more Thu, 23 May 2013 00:54:33 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/oakland_raiders_helmet_uniform_logo_concept_design/13676282 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/oakland_raiders_helmet_uniform_logo_concept_design/13676282 Oakland Raiders helmet, uniform, logo concept design http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/oakland_raiders_helmet_uniform_logo_concept_design/13676282 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png