SB Nation Arizona: All Posts by Matt Verderame

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• Ben Muth: How to generate pressure with 4 rushers

Patriots, Brandon Spikes could part ways after 2013

2013-05-22T15:06:52Z

New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes is skipping out on non-mandatory OTAs, perhaps sending a message that he would like a contract extension, according to CSN New England.

This latest bit of news might mean that Spikes is on the way out of town after his rookie contract expires following this season. Spikes would be a hot commodity on the market at a reasonable price, but that's still something that is yet to be played out.

More: Extended Patriots coverage

Spikes came to New England as a second round draft pick in 2010 from the Florida Gators after winning two national championships with Tim Tebow in Gainesville.

In his first two seasons, Spikes showed flashes of ability but was inconsistent, registering 108 tackles in 20 games over that span while helping New England get to the Super Bowl in 2011.

Last season, Spikes burst onto the scene with 92 tackles and five forced fumbles, becoming one of the better inside linebackers against the run in the NFL.

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Matt Ryan expected to land $100 million extension with Falcons

2013-05-22T14:37:00Z

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is likely about to get paid in a big way, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Ryan is the next NFL player who is being predicted to earn a $100 million extension from his team after seeing Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco and Dallas Cowboys star Tony Romo get that type of money earlier this offseason.

Ryan is currently working in his rookie deal, which is six years and $72 million. Now, the Falcons would like to lock him up for the long haul with stars Julio Jones and Roddy White around him on the outside.

The thought in NFL circles is that Ryan will get somewhere around $35 million in guarantees and another five or six seasons tacked onto his deal.

Flacco was given six years and $120.6 million, a record-setting deal. Romo was paid out an astounding $108 million and $55 million guaranteed, only less than Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

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Aldon Smith injury: 49ers pass rusher still limited after surgery

2013-05-22T14:10:03Z

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker/defensive end Aldon Smith is still working his way back from a surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, according to the Mercury News.

It's not clear exactly when the injury was sustained, although it is certain that Smith suffered it during the latter part of the 2012 campaign as the 49ers marched toward the NFC title.

More: Expanded 49ers coverage

Last year, Smith was a dominant force on one of the best defenses in football, amassing 19.5 sacks in the regular season, a franchise record for a team that dates back to 1950. However, Smith was nothing more than a footnote in the postseason, rendered shockingly ineffective. Smith failed to earn himself even one sack in three playoff games.

Now, Smith continues to fight back from surgery, something that remains a work in progress for the youngster. He remains in-tune with everything going on, studying while he can't be on the field playing at full-speed. Per the Mercury News:

"I watch film, see plays, see what I did right," Smith said of last season. "I've got more plays in me."

In his two NFL seasons, Smith has taken the league by storm. In that span, Smith has made a pro bowl, been named to the first-team All-Pro squad, and accumulated 33.5 sacks. No player has ever had more sacks in their first two seasons than Smith, with Reggie White and Derrick Thomas coming in second and third.

Of course, Thomas and White are in the Hall of Fame, something that Smith wouldn't mind being a part of.

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Jimmy Haslam apologizes to fellow NFL owners for FBI probe

2013-05-22T13:28:04Z

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told his fellow NFL owners he was sorry on Tuesday for the FBI investigation into Pilot Flying J, of which Haslam is the CEO, according to Jarrett Bell of the USA Today.

Haslam is the newest of the 32 NFL owners, and he is still trying to make a good impression despite this sticky issue involving the FBI.

"I know he feels a sense of embarrassment," New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "He said they're going to do everything they can to get it under control and put it behind them, and that he felt bad for the attention that it brought to the Cleveland franchise and the NFL, and he was going to make it right."

Other owners also were impressed by what Haslam had to say.

"Personally, hearing Mr. Haslam explain his full situation, I was very touched by it," New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said. "The complexity of the situation, I don't fully understand. But he was open. I admire him for taking a very proactive position."

Pilot Flying J is currently under investigation for defrauding clients, who claim the company knowingly short-changed their companies on fuel deals. An audit review is also taking place with Pilot Flying J in an effort to find out exactly what happened within the company.

Haslam believed it was important to clear the air with his colleagues in the NFL. He wanted to send a message personally from his vantage point, per the piece:

"I thought it was important," Haslam told USA TODAY Sports after the meetings adjourned. "We're partners in the NFL. I wanted to address them face-to-face."

For Haslam, he has said on numerous occasions that he isn't involved personally in any wrongdoing while also apologizing to Cleveland fans.

The Browns owner has been making headlines ever since he bought the team, letting the world know that he had been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan - the Browns main rival - before purchasing Cleveland's most beloved franchise.

Now, of course, Haslam says he bleeds orange and brown.

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Troy Polamalu injury: Steelers safety alters rehab to stay healthy

2013-05-22T12:45:40Z

After a frustrating season ruined by multiple injuries to the same calf, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is determined to stay healthy in 2013. The good news for the Steelers is that Polamalu is making every effort to alter his rehab schedule and methods to make sure an injury doesn't happen again, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"I have done quite a bit of different things this offseason," Polamalu said. "There are a lot of different rehabs and training I am doing. I feel good, thank God."

Polamalu arrived at Pittsburgh OTAs with a trim physique, surprising to some since he's not known to be a slender guy. The hard-hitting safety has shaped his body differently this year with the notion it will help avoid the small, nagging injuries that have bitten Polamalu in the past.

"I think last year was an injury that could've been avoided," Polamalu said. "There are times when people fall on my knee, and those type of freak accidents that can't be avoided. Last year was the first injury of my career that could've been avoided."

Behind The Steel Curtain: Tomlin not impressed with 'football in shorts'

Neal Coolong of SB Nation's Behind The Steel Curtain writes of Polamalu: "As long as he keeps working on that balky calf, and he can be on the field for more than 400 snaps this season, it makes no difference whether he attends OTAs.

Last season, Polamalu played in seven games, registering 34 tackles, the second lowest total of his career.

At 32 years old, Polamalu is the unquestioned quarterback of the defense, one that underwent some serious changes in the offseason with the drafting of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones to replace long-time stud James Harrison.

All this makes Polamalu's health more important than ever for a team that is ready to win now.

"Time is not stale," Polamalu said. "You have to continue to evolve as time evolves and your career evolves and your body evolves."

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Roger Goodell says London could host more NFL games

2013-05-22T12:33:50Z

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believes football can thrive in England, which is why he's considering expanding the overseas schedule. Goodell spoke on Tuesday at the Spring League Meetings and addressed the media's questions on the subject.

"Much to the disappointment of my staff when they told me the two games in London were sold out, I said, ‘Okay, what's next and what can we do to continue our progress, in the UK in particular and internationally in general?'" Goodell said.

"There are multiple things that our committee is doing and they reported on that today. Potentially going to three games is one alternative."

Currently, the NFL plays two games in London annually, but Goodell now believes that three games every season in Great Britain isn't out of the question.

England has certainly shown legitimate interest when games have been scheduled in London, selling out the events easily. The major problem for NFL franchises is travel, especially for teams that aren't on the East Coast.

Since 2007, the NFL has been playing one game in London per season, with 2012 being the first time two contests were hosted by Wembley Stadium. However, the notion of playing in England has been kicked around the league offices for decades.

Since the 1980s, NFL teams have played exhibition games in England, testing the waters for what takes place today. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the franchise most heavily invested in international play, agreeing to have a home game played in London every year through 2014.

While other alternatives are on the table in terms of developing overseas interest in the product, Goodell will likely announce some sort of measures soon, using the word "aggressive" to describe his efforts.

"We are going to be aggressive because we see the fans' reactions to football and we want to be there on a more regular basis."

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