http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl Recent articles about NFL en-us The Pittsburgh Steelers started their off-season training program today with the first day of OTAs or “organized team activities.” These team workouts are the first look at how the team is shaping up for 2013 and are just a stepping stone towards the start of the 2013 season. Training camp will be the best indication of where players are; especially young players and rookies, but these OTAs will give us some insight into what the team’s looking like moving forward. Here are some important notes from today’s first workout: Marcus Gilbert - Gilbert lined up at left tackle for the Steelers today and will get the first look from that position. It has been rumored for most of the off-season that Gilbert and Mike Adams would compete for the spot this and they are expected to do just that. Adams will get looks on the left side during training camp as well and the Steelers will go with whoever looks better moving forward. However, most, including Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,... Wed, 22 May 2013 00:01:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/important_notes_from_pittsburgh_steelers_first_day_of_otas/13667989 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/important_notes_from_pittsburgh_steelers_first_day_of_otas/13667989 Important Notes From Pittsburgh Steelers First Day of OTAs http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/important_notes_from_pittsburgh_steelers_first_day_of_otas/13667989 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/6/f68ced1d6bbb196e2e2b685626d7d32893330d14/mini/6648432.jpg May 21th wasn’t just another day at the Oakland Raiders’ Alameda facilities. As the players prepared for their second OTA practice, roughly a hundred Raider fans gathered around the entrance of the team’s headquarters with one person in mind. In the words of their own message that flew all over the internet via social media, they were there to “woo [...] Tue, 21 May 2013 23:21:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/back_in_silver_and_black_raiders_sign_charles_woodson/13667848 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/back_in_silver_and_black_raiders_sign_charles_woodson/13667848 Back in Silver and Black: Raiders sign Charles Woodson http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/back_in_silver_and_black_raiders_sign_charles_woodson/13667848 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola learned Tuesday, the second day of organized team activities,  just how talented of a quarterback Tom Brady is. Amendola and Brady worked out together this offseason in Southern California, but that doesn’t mean he’s use to catching a ball from the future Hall of Famer. Tue, 21 May 2013 21:58:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/amendola_brady_darted_me_in_the_chest_with_one_ball/13667305 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/amendola_brady_darted_me_in_the_chest_with_one_ball/13667305 Amendola: Brady ‘darted me in the chest with one ball’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/amendola_brady_darted_me_in_the_chest_with_one_ball/13667305 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/1/b1f7e30086a7aa402220584528c5226a70d07135/mini/6742086.jpg Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger talked on Tuesday after the team’s OTA session and said he’s excited to be the veteran leader in the quarterback room. “I’m excited to be that guy that is a leader for those guys,” said Roethlisberger, Tue, 21 May 2013 18:15:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ben_roethlisberger_im_here_to_win_games/13666123 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ben_roethlisberger_im_here_to_win_games/13666123 Ben Roethlisberger: ‘I’m here to win games’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ben_roethlisberger_im_here_to_win_games/13666123 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/e/5e879a46246743274c95d3b1df880984607cff6f/mini/Cincinnati_Bengals_v_111f.jpg As veteran safety Charles Woodson returns for a second visit with the Raiders, many black and silver fans are holding their breath, hoping Woodson returns. One of those fans also happens to be coach Dennis Allen, who along with the rest of Raider nation are keeping their fingers crossed. “I want to do anything we can to help this team get better,” Allen said, via Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times. “So, we’ll see how that process goes.” Woodson also finds the prospect of coming back to the team he spent the majority of his NFL career with, ‘intriguing.’ Woodson would give the Raiders a veteran player to match up with strong safety Tyvon Branch on the last line of defense. “It would be a really big thing to go back to Oakland being that I played there really most of my career,” Woodson said. “I spent most of my career in Oakland and I still have a lot of friends there,” Woodson said. “I still know people in the organization. It would be a homecoming of sorts if it were to Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/dennis_allen_hopes_raiders_can_sign_charles_woodson_safety_finds_the_prospect_of_returning_to_oakland_intriguing/13664470 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/dennis_allen_hopes_raiders_can_sign_charles_woodson_safety_finds_the_prospect_of_returning_to_oakland_intriguing/13664470 Dennis Allen hopes Raiders can sign Charles Woodson, safety finds the prospect of returning to Oakland 'intriguing' http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/dennis_allen_hopes_raiders_can_sign_charles_woodson_safety_finds_the_prospect_of_returning_to_oakland_intriguing/13664470 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/0/9041373107d0d3ff5af4a2a94aeddabe318c2a7e/mini/Green_Bay_Packers_bf9e.jpg An Raiders fan posted a photo of a crowd of fans waiting for Charles Woodson to arrive in Oakland. @rapsheet Best fans in the NFL wouldn’t you agree!!! twitter.com/SJ82Ross/statu… — RatherUnique (@SJ82Ross) May 21, 2013 This is pretty impressive. Need NFL Tickets? The post Large crowd of Raiders fans show up to welcome Charles Woodson (Photo) appeared first on Pro Football Zone. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:50:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/large_crowd_of_raiders_fans_show_up_to_welcome_charles_woodson_photo/13664422 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/large_crowd_of_raiders_fans_show_up_to_welcome_charles_woodson_photo/13664422 Large crowd of Raiders fans show up to welcome Charles Woodson (Photo) http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/large_crowd_of_raiders_fans_show_up_to_welcome_charles_woodson_photo/13664422 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo posted a photo on Twitter showing off his new face mask. IM BAAAACKKKKK…..RedskinNation StandUp #HTTR twitter.com/rak98/status/3… — Brian Orakpo (@rak98) May 21, 2013 I just wonder if Orakpo has a doctors note to wear the dark face shield during games or if he only wears that during practice.  Nonetheless, he’s following the lead of both Justin Tuck and DeMarcus Ware who have similar face masks.   Need NFL Tickets? The post Brian Orakpo updates his face mask (Photo) appeared first on Pro Football Zone. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:23:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/brian_orakpo_updates_his_face_mask_photo/13664350 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/brian_orakpo_updates_his_face_mask_photo/13664350 Brian Orakpo updates his face mask (Photo) http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/brian_orakpo_updates_his_face_mask_photo/13664350 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/9/494124e20de1dcceda6e24cb811f8cef8920b580/mini/5751158.jpg Seattle Seahawks coaches and players are already impressed with their new talent at wide receiver as the first day of organized team activities got underway on Monday. Percy Harvin, who was acquired via trade with the Vikings, reportedly put a series of moves on third-year cornerback  Tue, 21 May 2013 13:37:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/russell_wilson_percy_harvin_is_off_the_charts/13663840 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/russell_wilson_percy_harvin_is_off_the_charts/13663840 Russell Wilson: Percy Harvin is ‘off the charts’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/russell_wilson_percy_harvin_is_off_the_charts/13663840 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/2/e2a43b55031a10ad8d43425a265a0a8d902e1057/mini/Vikings_vs_Seahawks_141d.jpg With Randall Cobb expected to have a larger role on offense the Packers will need to look for someone to replace him as a kick returner. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, they Packers may look to rookie running back Johnathan Franklin to help them in the return game. Over the past few weeks, another intriguing prospect has emerged in rookie running back Johnathan Franklin, a fourth-round pick and 4,400-yard rusher during his four seasons at UCLA who was never used in the return game.   During rookie orientation, however, McCarthy was optimistic about the 5-10, 205-pound speedster’s special teams potential given his highly touted agility, quickness and ability to make defenders miss.   “Frankly, I thought Franklin handled the ball on the punt and the kickoff,” McCarthy said. “I was excited about that, too, so he seems very natural.”   Need NFL Tickets? The post Packers may have Johnathan Franklin return kicks appeared first on Pro Football Zone. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:36:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/packers_may_have_johnathan_franklin_return_kicks/13663411 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/packers_may_have_johnathan_franklin_return_kicks/13663411 Packers may have Johnathan Franklin return kicks http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/packers_may_have_johnathan_franklin_return_kicks/13663411 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Why is someone like wide receiver Mark Harrison available to Patriots?--WEEI: He’s a great read published by Christopher Price explaining why Mark Harrison was available for the Pats.  At first glance, the numbers jump off the page. Wide receiver Mark Harrison was a three-year starter at Rutgers who finished his college career with 107 receptions for 1,769 yards and 18 touchdowns. A starter as a sophomore, he had 44 receptions for 829 yards and led the Big East with nine touchdowns. After struggling a bit as a junior, in 2012, Harrison played in 13 games with 11 starts, and he finished with 44 receptions for 583 yards and six touchdowns. Tue, 21 May 2013 11:22:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/why_is_someone_like_wide_receiver_mark_harrison_available_to_patriots_weei/13662805 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/why_is_someone_like_wide_receiver_mark_harrison_available_to_patriots_weei/13662805 Why is someone like wide receiver Mark Harrison available to Patriots?--WEEI http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/why_is_someone_like_wide_receiver_mark_harrison_available_to_patriots_weei/13662805 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore will be forever haunted by one play.   In the divisional round of the 2012-13 AFC playoffs, Moore gave up a 71-yard floating touchdown pass to the Baltimore Ravens Jacoby Jones. The fact that the play happened is bad within itself. Its the timing of the play that has subjected Moore to scorn. The play happened late in the game at a point in which the Broncos appeared to be advancing to the AFC Championship game. The Ravens went on to win the game in overtime. The reaction to the loss was not pretty. Moore talked about how it all went down. Please click here to read this story. The post Rahim Moore moving on from the play that sent the Denver Broncos home appeared first on Players View. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:35:02 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/rahim_moore_moving_on_from_broncos_tragic_loss/13661437 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/rahim_moore_moving_on_from_broncos_tragic_loss/13661437 Rahim Moore moving on from Broncos' tragic loss http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/rahim_moore_moving_on_from_broncos_tragic_loss/13661437 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/f/9f80b8bc5b039db75db1d04e8f333440cfc2909c/mini/6932524.jpg The first OTA session of the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers will get underway on Tuesday and I sure do hope that somebody gets rookie quarterback Landry Jones a Terrible Towel during the week, and more importantly, explains the history of it to him. Why? According to an interview that Jones did last week at the 17th Annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere, he doesn't know much about the famed Myron Cope creation. "Terrible Towel? I don’t know really much about the Terrible Towel, yet, but I'm sure me and Whitney (Jones' wife) will get one, and I think she'll be in the stands swinging it with all Read more [...] Tue, 21 May 2013 08:01:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/somebody_needs_to_get_steelers_rookie_qb_landry_jones_a_terrible_towel_pronto/13661314 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/somebody_needs_to_get_steelers_rookie_qb_landry_jones_a_terrible_towel_pronto/13661314 Somebody Needs To Get Steelers Rookie QB Landry Jones A Terrible Towel, Pronto! http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/somebody_needs_to_get_steelers_rookie_qb_landry_jones_a_terrible_towel_pronto/13661314 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png You can make the sour grapes argument; I will eat that. But also realize that what I say is accurate enough to make such bold proclamations, and that I hold the young Dolphin accountable for self-serving behavior while playing a on a team, in a team sport. I have zero respect for any athlete who gives up on a play, fizzles a route, takes a play off, or drops an assignment on purpose. Quite possibly the greatest play in NFL history is due entirely to not having given up until the whistle; The Immaculate Reception by the legendary Franco Harris. Mike Wallace held out and tried to force the hand of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an unwise move not recognizing they are an organization whose hand is not forced. In a statement move the Steelers went and signed Antonio Brown to a 5yr 42 million dollar contract. Wallace was gone in free agency 2013. Now he is a celebrity in the sun in Miami. Good Luck Dolphins. I hope for your sake the kid isn’t a One-Trick Pony as Mike Tomlin use... Mon, 20 May 2013 22:47:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/mike_wallace_is_not_an_athlete_but_he_plays_one_on_tv/13659916 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/mike_wallace_is_not_an_athlete_but_he_plays_one_on_tv/13659916 Mike Wallace is not an athlete but he plays one on TV http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/mike_wallace_is_not_an_athlete_but_he_plays_one_on_tv/13659916 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/d/bdf67b671eee61567e0fc10b2b6b95a6aebb534d/mini/6940506.jpg Seattle Seahawks quarterback Josh Portis was pulled over on May 5 for speeding. It was then that a Washington State Patrol officer noticied “a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle” and that the driver “had watery bloodshoot eyes.” Portis, 25, later submitted to two breathalyzers and his blood alcohol concentration readings were recorded as 0.092 and 0.078. The legal limit in Washington state is 0.08. He was expected to compete with Brady Quinn and Jerrod Johnson for the backup job behind Russell Wilson. Mon, 20 May 2013 21:59:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/seahawks_quarterback_arrested_on_suspicion_of_dui/13659658 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/seahawks_quarterback_arrested_on_suspicion_of_dui/13659658 Seahawks quarterback arrested on suspicion of DUI http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/seahawks_quarterback_arrested_on_suspicion_of_dui/13659658 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Can New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady become even better? He certainly thinks he can be. Brady explained that even in the wake of the passing of his mentor Tom Martinez, he continues to find ways to elevate his game. Please click here to read this story The post Tom Brady on his path to get better appeared first on Players View. Mon, 20 May 2013 07:46:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_his_journey_to_get_better/13653370 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_on_his_journey_to_get_better/13653370 Tom Brady on his journey to get better http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tom_brady_on_his_journey_to_get_better/13653370 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/4/e468f5a1f6d7e34922424ded272f261554b6b750/mini/6837128.jpg