Running backs take the spotlight for Saints, Falcons
Goodell signs five-year, $200 million extension
ATLANTA — If you like running backs, you’ve come to the right game.
When the first-place New Orleans Saints face the Atlanta Falcons tonight in an NFC South matchup with serious playoff ramifications, the spotlight will be on the guys in the backfield. All four of them. The Saints (9-3) boast the league’s most dynamic duo. Mark Ingram has rushed for 922 yards and nine touchdowns, while also being on the receiving end of 42 passes from Drew Brees.
But the big story in the Big Easy has been the emergence of rookie Alvin Kamara, who already has more than 1,200 yards running and receiving, along with 11 TDs.
“Boom and Zoom” is Ingram’s favorite nickname for the backfield tandem, though he went on to say it’s not entirely accurate.
“You really cannot label one of us,” he said. “Both of us have the complete package.”
The Falcons (7-5) have their own productive pairing. Devonta Freeman, the league’s highest-paid back, and Tevin Coleman had combined for more than 1,500 yards running and receiving, along with 12 touchdowns.
“Both teams have two really good running backs who like to get after it,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
The Saints claimed sole possession of the division lead with a victory over Carolina (8-4) last weekend, and they’re two games in front of the Falcons.
Atlanta desperately needs a win to have a realistic shot at a second straight NFC South title. GOODELL: Roger Goodell has signed a five-year contract extension to remain commissioner of the NFL through 2024.
A memo from the NFL’s compensation committee to team owners and obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press confirms that Goodell and committee chairman Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, have signed the extension.
That extension has been a source of controversy because Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones objected to the process.
All 32 owners approved in May the compensation committee’s power to negotiate and sign a deal with Goodell, who replaced Paul Tagliabue in 2006.
Since then, the league’s total revenues have more than doubled to over $13 billion.
A person familiar with the contract told The Associated Press it is worth almost $200 million, with a base of $40 million. But the deal is incentive-laden, the person added. TARGETING: The NFL will look into adding targeting as a specific category
for video review.
Troy Vincent, the league’s football operations chief, says it is on the agenda to discuss with the competition committee and the players’ union after the season. STEELERS: Linebacker Ryan Shazier has been transferred from a Cincinnati hospital to Pittsburgh to continue treatment for a spinal injury suffered during Monday night’s game against the Bengals.
The Steelers say Shazier was transported from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon and will continue to undergo tests before offering an update on his status.
PANTHERS: Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.
RAIDERS-CHIEFS: Oakland quarterback Derek Carr doesn’t expect Kansas City’s defense to change much without suspended cornerback Marcus Peters.
Peters is one of three defensive backs with two interceptions off Carr but he won’t be on the field for Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium. Peters was suspended for one game by Chiefs coach Andy Reid for throwing a penalty flag into the stands last week.
So the slumping Chiefs won’t have their two-time Pro Bowl cornerback against the Raiders in a game that will likely go a long way in determining the AFC West.
RAMS: Los Angeles is making contingency plans if the Southern California fires continue to affect air quality that prevents them from practicing at their Thousand Oaks facility in preparation for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia at the Coliseum.
On Wednesday, a day after smoke and ash were in the air, the conditions were clear and breezy. The Rams went through an extended walk-through but did not practice. They are scheduled to practice today at their facility, the team announced Wednesday night.
Coach Sean McVay said the team has arranged to work out at USC in the days ahead if it is determined that the air quality in Ventura County remains unhealthful for players.
“Seems like if things continue to improve, we’ll be able to go about our normal operating procedure and be out there,” McVay said. “If not, we have some contingency plans in place.”
TEXANS: Linebacker Brian Cushing said that his 10-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers stemmed from the use of an unapproved prescription to treat a mental issue.
Cushing would not divulge what he took or exactly what he sought treatment for.