Vikings stop Steelers, Jones
Banner touting Cowboys flies over Eagles practice
CANTON, Ohio — Backup quarterback Mike Kafka threw a touchdown pass and running back Joe Banyard ran for another score to help the Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 14-3 on Sunday night in the Hall of Fame game.
Most of the regulars watched from the sidelines in the annual exhibition opener, including Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger.
Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 5 of 6 passes for 44 yards in his one series of work. The reigning Rookie of the Year’s night ended when the Steelers stopped the Vikings on fourth down midway through the first quarter.
Peterson’s return from a lengthy suspension will have to wait at least one more week, if not decidedly longer. The running back hasn’t played in an exhibition in nearly four years, a streak likely to continue.
With Roethlisberger given the night off and usual backup Bruce Gradkowski dealing with a sore arm, the Steelers gave third-stringer Landry Jones an extensive look.
The former Artesia Bulldog is trying to convince the team to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. While coach Mike Tomlin said early in camp Jones was on the “incline” he was going to reserve judgment until after seeing Jones face guys in different-colored jerseys.
The early returns weren’t exactly promising. Jones completed 15 of 32 passes for 128 yards and an interception while taking nearly every Pittsburgh snap. He led the Steelers on their only scoring drive of the half, finding Shakim Phillips for a 35-yard strike that set up a 36-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.
Jones also moved Pittsburgh to the Minnesota 1 with less than 2 minutes to go before the break. Four snaps, however, produced zero points.
Jones ended the drive with three straight incompletions, the last a drop by rookie tight end Jesse James even as a wide-open C.J. Goodwin waved frantically for the ball in the end zone.
EAGLES-COWBOYS: A banner supporting the Dallas Cowboys flew over Eagles practice during the national anthem on Military Appreciation Day Sunday.
The banner read: “WE STILL DEM BOYZ! #SACKSCOMIN!”
The Dallas Morning News reported Greg Hardy paid $300 to help fund the project. Hardy is suspended for the first four games of the season for a domestic violence incident. The 26-year-old defensive end is new to the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry after playing his first five seasons for Carolina.
Fans at Lincoln Financial Field booed the plane.
“It’s no big deal,” Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. “We’re not concerned about them, but it seems like they’re concerned about us.”
BUCS: Lavonte David and Tampa Bay agreed to a five-year, $50.25 million contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL.
David, entering his fourth season, was a second-round draft choice in 2012. He’s the only player in the league with 10 or more sacks and six-plus interceptions over the past three seasons.
The 25-year-old was an All-Pro in 2013, when he had seven sacks and five interceptions.
PACKERS: Green Bay accomplished two goals with its annual Family Night practice.
The Packers entertained 67,191 fans for 90 minutes, and none of the players got hurt on Saturday night.
“It’s a win every single practice when you walk off the field and you don’t have a major injury. And that’s really how I view it,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
BRONCOS: Cody Latimer had to get past the fear and doubt that held him back his rookie season.
That process started with a coveted invitation to Peyton Manning’s annual passing camp at Duke, where hundreds of routes and countless catches began chasing away the butterflies, slowing his heartbeat and quelling his concerns.
“Last year I was down. I was always nervous about getting in the huddle with Peyton and not wanting to mess up,” Latimer said. “This year, it’s like, ‘Just go out there and play fast. If you mess up, you mess up.’ ”
RAIDERS: For all the good that Derek Carr accomplished as a rookie starting 16 games at quarterback for Oakland, there was one glaring negative: The inability to get the ball downfield.
Carr finished last in the league in yards per completion and yards per attempt as he too often threw short and was hampered by receivers unable to generate big gains after the catch.
But with a year of experience and a receiving group that has been significantly upgraded by the additions of rookie Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree, Carr is looking to improve on his rookie numbers.
The confidence in his role is evident as Carr has become even more vocal with a year of experience under his belt.
“He’s a pro. He’s a leader,” safety Charles Woodson said. “I think the guys on the team recognize him as a leader. You go out here to practice, he’ll come over to the sideline sometimes and ask me questions about what I see, so he’s hungry.”
BROWNS: Rookie running back Duke Johnson will not play in the team’s exhibition opener against Washington as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
RAMS: Alec Ogletree has led St. Louis in tackles both of his NFL seasons.
The outside linebacker has shed a few pounds this year in hopes of making it three in a row.
“I came in probably 10 pounds lighter than I did last year and I feel great,” Ogletree said. “I’m able to fly around.”