Tony Gonzalez - Tony Gonzalez allowed to skip minicamp

Source: The Huddle

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said TE Tony Gonzalez has been excused from participating in the team's mandatory minicamp next week.
Huddle Up: You can bet the official okey-dokey for Gonzo to skip minicamp was in the contract he signed when he agreed to stave off retirement for at least one more season.

Falcons | Tony Gonzalez allowed to skip minicamp

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said TE Tony Gonzalez has been excused from participating in the team's mandatory minicamp next week.

Falcons | Roddy White in attendance

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White was not at organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 29, but he was back Wednesday, June 5, working with his teammates at the voluntary practice session. 'It's great to have Roddy here,' head coach Mike Smith said. 'I think we all know what Roddy means to this football team. He's a play maker. He's the mentor for a lot of these young guys so it's good to have Roddy here.'

First Down: Odds are strong Richardson will dog your fantasy team

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

In an ultra-fast game where violent collisions are commonplace, catastrophe is just off-tackle. Bone breaks, tendon tears and hamstring pulls are sometimes predictable, though those who fall victim to them often times are not.

Unless that player happens to be Ryan Mathews.

Placed on a pedestal by several fantasy pundits, including yours truly, last summer, San Diego's delicate flower had the outward appearance of a rusher on the brink of a breakout. Widely reported by writers walking the Chargers beat, he had a tremendous offseason, was in line to shoulder a three-down workload and was for all intents and purposes the centerpiece in a Norv Turner offense that helped elevate LaDainian

Steven Jackson - Falcons talking up Jackson's receiving

Source: The Huddle

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith called RB Steven Jackson a 'big strong running back that catches the ball extremely well. ... He's a guy who had close to 100 catches in a season, so he's a guy that we can use in the passing game.'
Huddle Up: Smith knows what he is talking about as Jackson has 217 catches over the past 5 seasons to rank sixth among all NFL RBs.

Falcons want to use Jackson in passing game - Steven Jackson | ATL

Source: Rotoworld Football

Coach Mike Smith singled out Steven Jackson's ability in the passing game as a "weapon."

Falcons | Mike Smith talks up Steven Jackson's receiving

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith called RB Steven Jackson a 'big strong running back that catches the ball extremely well. ... He's a guy who had close to 100 catches in a season, so he's a guy that we can use in the passing game.'

Falcons | Mike Johnson to compete for two spots

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said OT Mike P. Johnson will compete with OT Garrett Reynolds for the starting right guard job and with OT Lamar Holmes for the starting right tackle job during training camp.

Falcons | Two to compete for center job

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said C Peter Konz and C Joe Hawley will compete for the starting center job during offseason workouts and training camp.

Levine Toilolo a red-zone weapon

Source: Draft Sharks

The Falcons believe 4th-round rookie TE Levine Toilolo can be a weapon inside the red zone.  “Obviously, his efficiency in the redzone is well documented,” HC Mike Smith. “To throw the ball to a guy in the red zone, you want to make sure he’s going to catch the ball. I think that kind of says what kind of hands he has.”  10 of Toilolo's 50 career catches at Stanford went for scores.  At 6'8, he's the tallest TE in the NFL.  Toilolo is considered a block-first TE, though.  And with Tony Gonzalez still hanging around, he won't be a fantasy option in 2013.  Dynasty leagues with an open roster spot can stash him as we wait to see if he can develop into Gonzo's heir apparent.

Falcons | Pleased to land Desmond Trufant

Source: Footballguys.com

The Atlanta Falcons were happy to land CB Desmond Trufant with the 22nd pick overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. They moved up eight spots in the first round to get their man, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff was more than happy to do so. 'It's who we had focused on all throughout the offseason,' Dimitroff said Thursday, April 25. 'We were fortunate because it was a very eventful middle of the first round. It was very, very, very active with a lot of trade discussions.' Head coach Mike Smith said Trufant will compete for a starting position.

Mike Smith doesn't go into tank mode - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

If anyone on the Phoenix Coyotes has something to play for, it's goalie Mike Smith.

Mike Smith: (Lower Body) Starting Saturday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Mike Smith: Smith (lower body) will start in goal Saturday against the Blackhawks, Dave Vest of the Coyotes' official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Mike Smith could return for Coyotes Saturday - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith's status for Saturday's game against the Blackhawks will be determined prior to puck-drop.

Mike Smith skates, will travel with Coyotes - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith (lower body) will travel with the Coyotes on their upcoming three-game road trip.

Mike Smith gears up for lucrative stretch run - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith has been red-hot since coming back from his injury in April, and he could finish with the kind of run that will cost the Phoenix Coyotes - or some other team - a lot of money.

Smith lifts Yotes with SO in return - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith made 24 saves for the shutout in his return to the Coyotes lineup on Saturday which brings the team to within two points of the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Mike Smith (upper body) will start Saturday - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith (upper body) will return on Saturday.

Falcons | Tony Gonzalez felt wanted

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez said returning for the 2013 season was the right thing to do after talking to teammates, coaches and team personnel. 'Matt Ryan, Arthur Blank, Mike Smith, Roddy White, all the guys really want me back,' Gonzalez said. 'I went home thinking it was over, and I talked to my family and really sat down with them and discussed the pros and cons of returning, and really, I couldn't think of too many cons ... You know what? We've got a great football team, and I look forward to seeing what we can do this year.'

Mike Smith may return from UBI Saturday - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith may return from his upper-body injury as soon as Saturday's match-up against Colorado.

Mike Smith won't join Coyotes for Sat.'s game - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith (upper body) will not join the Coyotes in San Jose for Saturday's game.

Mike Smith is expected to miss next two games - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith (upper body) is expected to miss at least Phoenix's next two games.

Coyotes place Mike Smith on injured reserve - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Phoenix Coyotes place Mike Smith (upper body) on injured reserve.

Mike Smith won't suit up Monday due to UBI - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith is being listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

NHL suspends Alexander Edler for two games - Alexander Edler | VAN

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler has been suspended two games for charging into Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith.

Alexander Edler: Next Two Games Off

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Alexander Edler: Edler has been suspended two games by the NHL for his hit on Coyotes goalie Mike Smith on Thursday, according to The Score. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Alex Edler faces hearing for hit on Smith - Alexander Edler | VAN

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Alexander Edler will have a disciplinary hearing over the phone Friday afternoon for his hit Thursday night on Phoenix goalie Mike Smith.

Mike Smith: Leaves After Collision

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Mike Smith: Smith was run into by the Canucks' Daniel Sedin in Thursday's loss and ultimately left the game. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Mike Smith (undisclosed) leaves after 2nd - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith was replaced in net for the start of the third period Thursday due to an undisclosed injury.

It's deja vu as G Mike Smith beats Anaheim - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Goaltender Mike Smith turned aside 27 of the 31 shots he faced in regulation and overtime to help the Phoenix Coyotes edge the visiting Anaheim Ducks in a shootout Monday night.

Atlanta Falcons dumping Turner, 2 others

Source: Draft Sharks

The Falcons will cut RB Michael Turner, DE John Abraham and CB Dunta Robinson today to create $15.9 million in cap space. None of the moves is surprising. The Turner release had been previously reported. Rumors had surfaced of the same for Abraham and Robinson. Turner's performance and position come nowhere close to matching what his 2013 salary would have been. Robinson is a solid corner but not special. He was in the middle of a 6-year, $57 million deal signed in 2010. Abraham remains the most effective of the 3, but he'll turn 35 in May and doesn't play every down. The Falcons might look to bring him back, just as they did after he hit unrestricted free agency last spring. Abraham took less money to return then than he could have

Shuffle Up: The year Ryan Miller broke

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You should know the Shuffle Up rules by now, but we'll do a quick refresher. What's happened to this point is merely an audition; we're trying to rank the players based on how they'll play for the balance of the season. Consider basic Yahoo! scoring categories as we do this dance: wins, shutouts, save percentage and goals-against average. There are also contextual factors to consider, of course (supporting cast, job security), not to mention age and career arc and injury concerns.

Injured goalies are kept off the list, which is why Miikka Kiprusoff isn't here. (The way he's been playing, no big loss. We don't miss you, Kiprusoft.)

[Baseball 2013 from Yahoo! Fantasy Sports:

Multiple reporters think RB Steven Jackson will join Falcons

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

NFL free agents will be able to sign wherever they want two weeks from today. Until then, all we've got is speculation as to where these players will next call home. And we've got some matching speculation from Rams beat writer Jim Thomas and Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole. Both of them wrote Tuesday that the Atlanta Falcons are one of the most -- if not the most -- likely landing spots for Rams running back Steven Jackson. Thomas reported Monday that Jackson will become a free agent by voiding the final year on his current contract. The Falcons will have an opening for a bulky veteran back as they are expected to cut Michael Turner soon. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Jackson will turn 30 in July had has more than 2,700 touches on his record, so he is not

Jacquizz Rodgers "can handle all 3 downs"

Source: Draft Sharks

Falcons HC Mike Smith reiterated that RB Jacquizz Rodgers is capable of being a 3-down back.  “We found out very quickly that even though he is short, he is not little," Smith said. "He can handle all three downs and he does a very good job for us returning kicks."  This isn't the first time the boss has endorsed 'Quizz as a 3-down back.  But actions speak louder than words.  And most Falcons insiders believe the team will add a bigger back this offseason to share the workload with Rodgers.  The latest rumor has Atlanta interested in free agent Shonn Greene.  We'll see what the next few months bring to the backfield.

Falcons head coach Mike Smith says RB Jacquizz Rodgers can be a 3-down player

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers is five-foot-six and weighs less than 200 pounds. That certainly doesn't sound like the body type of a player who can physically handle carries on first, second and third downs. But head coach Mike Smith said he can do it. quot;We thought he was only going to be a change-of-pace back," Smith said of Rodgers via the team's official website. "We found out very quickly that even though he is short, he is not little. He can handle all three downs, and he does a very good job for us returning kicks." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Rodgers had 89 carries last season, up from 57 in his rookie campaign. He has thick legs, but he is still too small to be considered a true three-down back. But I figure the team has to talk

NFL | Brent Grimes doing well in rehab

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Friday, Feb. 22, that impending free-agent CB Brent Grimes (knee) is doing well in his recovery from knee reconstruction. The timetable is usually nine months, and it is uncertain how that will affect Grimes in free agency.

Smith shuts out Calgary in 4-0 win - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season, taking down the Calgary Flames 4-0.

Tony Gonzalez - No timetable for Gonzalez's decision

Source: The Huddle

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the team does not have a timetable for when they would like TE Tony Gonzalez to make a decision on his future.
Huddle Up: The Falcons will need to have some idea of Gonzo's plans prior to free agency and the draft, which in turn provides fantasy owners with more than enough time to slot him accordingly on (or remove him entirely from) their draft boards.

Matt Ryan - Matt Ryan recovered from injury

Source: The Huddle

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said QB Matt Ryan has recovered from the sprained AC joint he suffered during the NFC Championship game. Smith said Ryan started working out in the weight room this week.
Huddle Up: There was no question Ryan would be back at work in plenty of time for the 2013 season, and now you have your proof.

Matt Ryan's shoulder fully recovered

Source: FFToday

QB back in the weight room

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has fully recovered from the sprained left AC shoulder joint he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on Jan. 20. After the game, Falcons coach Mike Smith said that Ryan's recovery was expected to be three to four weeks and that Ryan would have played had the Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XLVII. No surgery was required. "He's started working out in the weight room," Smith said on Wednesday. "He's moved from the rehab part of it to working in the weight room, which is a good thing." (

Matt Ryan recovered from shoulder injury

Source: Draft Sharks

Falcons QB Matt Ryan is fully recovered from the sprained shoulder he suffered in the NFC Championship Game.  The injury was never much of a concern.  It was to his non-throwing shoulder; surgery wasn't required; and HC Mike Smith said Ryan would have played in the Super Bowl had Atlanta beat San Fran.  “He’s been working in the training room and this week he started working in the weight room,” Smith said. “He’s recovered and we absolutely expect him to well beyond 100 percent when we start our offseason program.”  Consider Ryan's shoulder a non-issue as we look towards the 2013 season.

No timetable for Tony G. decision

Source: FFToday

Falcons tight end contemplating retirement

[Head coach Mike] Smith also said that team does not have a timetable for tight end Tony Gonzalez to decide if he's going to retire or return to the team. "I don't that there is anything concrete in terms of a timetable," Smith said. "But I think that conversation will take place. I had a conversation with him the week after the season and we'll probably have another here real soon." (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

FF Today's Take: Gonzalez stated during last

Falcons | No timetable for Tony Gonzalez's decision

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the team does not have a timetable for when they would like TE Tony Gonzalez to make a decision on his future.

Falcons | Matt Ryan recovered from injury

Source: Footballguys.com

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said QB Matt Ryan (shoulder) has recovered from the sprained AC joint he suffered during the NFC Championship game. Smith said Ryan started working out in the weight room this week.

Falcons: 'No timetable' for Gonzalez decision - Tony Gonzalez | ATL

Source: Rotoworld Football

Falcons coach Mike Smith reiterated Wednesday there's "no timetable" for free agent Tony Gonzalez to reach a decision on his NFL future.

Mike Smith shuts the door on Sharks Saturday - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith made 33 saves for the Coyotes through regulation and overtime and he stopped both shootout attempts in a 1-0 win against San Jose Saturday.

G Mike Smith stands out as Coyotes beat Wild - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith turned in his second consecutive gem as the goaltender turned aside 21 of 22 shots to spark the Phoenix Coyotes to a 2-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

M. Smith (lower body) likely to start Friday - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Look for Mike Smith (lower body) to start on Friday.

Mike Smith set to return Friday from LBI - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Mike Smith is expected to be back in the Phoenix crease on Friday against Dallas.

Report: Mike Smith should return this weekend - Mike Smith | PHO

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Coach Dave Tippett said Mike Smith could be on track to return this weekend from a lower-body injury.