SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Scott Schroeder

Tarvaris Jackson signs 1-year deal with Seahawks, per report

2013-06-13T23:36:05Z

Tarvaris Jackson will return to the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal, according to a report from 710 ESPN in Seattle, after being released by the Buffalo Bills earlier in the offseason. Jackson spent the 2011 season as the starting quarterback for Seattle, but was traded to Buffalo prior to last season for a seventh-round pick.

Jackson won't be the starter in Seattle this time around, as Russell Wilson has cemented himself pretty solidly in that role, but this should be a better opportunity for Jackson this time around now that the Seahawks traded fellow quarterback Matt Flynn to the Oakland Raiders.

It'll be interesting to see how Jackson responds to being a backup this time around, as he's been inconsistently used thus far in his NFL career. He played in just one game last year with the Bills after starting 14 games a year prior with the Seahawks. He also made 20 starts during his first five years in the league, all with Minnesota.

The 30-year-old quarterback has a career 59.4 completion percentage and 38 touchdowns compared to 35 interceptions.

More from SB Nation:

• Broncos release Willis McGahee

• What's next for NFL's at-risk coaches?

• Jason Peters arrested for drag racing

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

NFL OTA news: Practices canceled for some teams, QB battles heat up for others

2013-06-13T23:10:09Z

The New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals were among teams to end their OTAs earlier than planned this week by canceling practice Thursday. All of the teams had different reasons to do so, according to what the coaches told the media, but it seems that rest was likely a primary factor in each team's decision.

Bill Belichick canceled Thursday's practice for a second consecutive season, but Greg Knopping at Pats Pulpit is a bit perplexed by the decision. The Buccaneers took Thursday off too, although they were together as a team watching Brad Pitt's World War Z instead. There wasn't much regarding why the Steelers ended OTAs early, but they did it anyway. And last but not least in the world of early-ending OTAs, backup kicker Will Batson knocked through a field goal to end Cardinals practice early.

Eagles not close to deciding on quarterback

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely have a QB battle for the majority of the preseason, it seems, as they have a plethora of options. Michael Vick would seem to be the favorite, but Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, G.J. Kinne and Dennis Dixon are all still apparently at least sort of in the mix.

"[The QB competition] will be as long as you imagine. That's what Chip Kelly is," Dixon said. "He keeps everyone on their toes. As an athlete, you have to be ready. Whenever your name is called, you have to be ready."

It'll be very odd if it isn't Foles or Vick, but it sounds like anything is possible.

Jets working on wildcat formation

The New York Jets were said to be finding ways to get Geno Smith more involved in the passing game -- particularly with his legs -- and it sounds as though they found a way to do so by installing the wildcat formation during this week's OTAs.

The wildcat didn't go so well with Tim Tebow at the helm last season, but our friends at Bleeding Green Nation think it could be different this year.

I am sure the thought of more Wildcat will lead to some groans, but I think this is the right thing to do. There is just not enough talent on this offense for it to be successful playing straight up. There are going to need to be a few wrinkles, and the personnel seems better suited to playing power football than anything else.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this.

Jaguars quarterback competition wide open

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a quarterback competition brewing and things are all over the place as far as potential starters are concerned, according to a report from Big Cat Country.

Most believe that the competition is between Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert, but the fact that Mike Kafka is said to have just as good of an opportunity as the aforementioned favorites is a good thing, BCC's Alfie Crow writes.

I still think Blaine Gabbert winds up the opening day starter, but if the Jaguars' new front office and coaching staff are willing to let a guy claimed off waivers or an undrafted free agent win the starting job if they legitimately earn it, that's a good thing.

More from SB Nation:

• Broncos release Willis McGahee

• What's next for NFL's at-risk coaches?

• Jason Peters arrested for drag racing

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

NBA Finals 2013: Heat's Mike Miller may start Game 4 vs. Spurs

2013-06-13T18:44:47Z

The Miami Heat might turn to starting Mike Miller to provide a spark in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. There hasn't been any official indication from Heat officials, but not divulging that sort of information isn't rare when it comes to games of this importance.

More: Tony Parker will play in Game 4 for Spurs

Miller -- who had a couple of nice games with the Heat in last year's championship run -- hasn't been able to consistently stay healthy enough for the Heat to rely on him for offense. With Miami's offense struggling, however, the Heat might add the South Dakota native to their starting lineup. From Windhorst:

Looking to jump-start a sluggish offense, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is considering changing his starting lineup for Game 4 of the NBA Finals and inserting the hot-shooting Mike Miller, sources said Thursday.

Miller has made eight consecutive shots from beyond the arc and has made 10-of-11 total thus far in the Finals. Combine that with Udonis Haslem struggling to get anything going for a sometimes-stagnant Miami offense and it seems as though the Heat will employ quite a bit more firepower in Game 4 of the seven-game series.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Jason Kidd admits he has a lot to learn about coaching

2013-06-13T18:26:12Z

Jason Kidd just recently talked to the media about retiring from playing basketball, but the future NBA Hall of Famer was the center of attention once again Thursday when the Brooklyn Nets held a press conference to announce their new head coach.

Kidd obviously doesn't have any head coaching experience, seeing as he announced his retirement at the beginning of the month, and acknowledged as much, saying that there might be some initial hurdles as he's transitioning from being one of the NBA's oldest players to becoming a rookie in the coaching realm.

More: Reviewing other players that went straight into coaching

The 40-year-old is confident his playing days will help him on that front, however -- specifically when it comes to his relationship with his point guard, Deron Williams.

"Yes, I have a lot to learn about coaching, but when I played the game I felt like I was an extension of the coach," Kidd said during Thursday's press conference. "Now I look to Deron to be that guy and to execute that game plan -- along with the rest of the team -- because I believe that we can win."

Nets general manager Billy King said Kidd is exactly what the team was hoping to get when hiring a head coach.

"When this process started and we talked with Mikhail and the ownership, we were looking for coach that brings great leadership, that can help build us to where we want to get to and can show us direction and help our players to compete," King said.

"We really wanted to resemble Brooklyn -- somebody that plays hard and that teaches hard to guys that play hard. Jason Kidd embodied everything that we were looking for."

Kidd talked numerous times about his excitement for the opportunity, mentioning Mark Jackson -- a fellow point guard and assists leader -- as one of those that helped paved the way so he could make the jump from playing to coaching.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

NBA free agency rumors: David West preparing to return to Pacers

2013-06-13T18:01:46Z

David West is technically going to be a free agent on July 1, but both he and the Indiana Pacers' front office are hoping that he returns to the team that almost upset the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals this season.

West, a 32-year-old power forward, just completed the two-year, $20 million deal he signed with the Pacers after a successful campaign with the New Orleans Hornets. West and the Pacers didn't come to an agreement on a contract extension during the season, but comments made to the media indicate that a deal will likely come soon after the free agency period begins.

More: West's thoughts on free agency after Pacers' elimination

Team president Donnie Walsh, general manager Kevin Pritchard and West all spoke on the record with the Indianapolis Star on Thursday to talk about the upcoming free agent conversations.

"We want him back as much as you can want anyone back," Walsh said. "We think he's one of the anchors of the team." Added Pritchard: "(West) knows we're in a great position moving forward. He's priority No. 1 and come July 1 (the start of free agency) we'll have a lot of conversations."

...

"I'm not (expletive) dumb," West told The Star. "I don't plan on going anywhere. This is my team. These are my guys."

Whether or not West and the Pacers are able to agree on a new contract is going to be interesting, but the two sides seem to at least want to be able to make a deal.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Tony Parker injury: Spurs' PG will play in Game 4 despite hamstring strain

2013-06-13T15:40:02Z

Tony Parker is expected to play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, according to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, despite a hamstring injury that caused the point guard to miss a portion of his team's Game 3 blowout victory over the Miami Heat.

Parker suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain and rested during Wednesday's practice, but the Frenchman is apparently ready to play Thursday night after participating in the morning shoot-around. Further details were hard to come by, however, as neither Parker nor his coach were willing to say much, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

More: Parker wouldn't have played if it was regular season

Popovich would only say that "He's ready to go," whereas Parker answered every question related to the hamstring issue with "I will be ready to go," not giving much to reporters clamoring for more details in preparation for Thursday night's pivotal Game 4.

If Parker's ready to go and plays his usual allotment of minutes, it will definitely be an extra boost to the Spurs' offense that has already gotten so much from role players like Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Gary Neal.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

NBA Draft rumors: Could Victor Oladipo go No. 1?

2013-06-13T15:26:58Z

Victor Oladipo is in the conversation to be the 2013 NBA Draft's top pick, according to ESPN's Chad Ford, after being much lower on most NBA draft boards heading into his junior season with the Indiana Hoosiers. At worst, it seems, Oladipo won't slide out of the top five when the draft commences later this month.

More: SB Nation's in-depth scouting report on Victor Oladipo

Oladipo, a 6'4 swingman known best for his defense and athleticism, is currently projected to be the second-overall pick in SB Nation's 2013 NBA mock draft. Our own Jonathan Tjarks has him ranked a much-lower ninth on his big board, but justified Oladipo going off the board at the No. 2 pick with the following analysis.

Oladipo is an elite athlete with a high motor who plays with a ton of polish. Given how much he improved during his last season in college, it's hard to put a ceiling on how good he can become at the next level.

That's apparently what the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and even the Phoenix Suns think, too, as Ford wrote that a workout between Oladipo and Shabazz Muhammad (scouting report) -- fellow top prospect Ben McLemore (scouting report) was in Phoenix the same day, but declined to work out against his fellow projected lottery picks -- apparently helped cement his status as a top-five pick.

By all accounts the Suns (like just about every other team) were impressed. Sources say that Oladipo has moved into the Cavs' conversation for the No. 1 pick and also is under heavy consideration from the Magic at No. 2. Sounds like it would be a surprise if he goes past the Suns at No. 5.

Whether he goes No. 1, No. 5 or anywhere in between, it seems Oladipo has set himself up very well for a solid NBA career.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

NFL OTA news: Steelers plan to throw deep, Jets plan to throw less and Jaguars could keep 5 QBs

2013-06-12T23:29:19Z

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't relied on throwing the longball much in the past, but it seems Ben Roethlisberger might be airing it out a bit more this season. Pittsburgh began their OTAs this week and, after a reporter noticed that the Steelers seemed to be throwing further down the field, Roethlisberger was secretive with his answer.

"I don't know," said a coy Roethlisberger. "We are going to have to wait to see what happening in game one. I don't want to unveil any secrets yet."

It's a bit odd that the Steelers might plan to throw further now that Roethlisberger lost his fastest receiver in Mike Wallace, but our friends at Behind the Steel Curtain view the OTA deep-passing preview as a welcome one.

It's enticing to think about designed deeper passing with the speed they have in Markus Wheaton, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders in a three-wide receiver formation. While none of them have the blazing speed of departed WR MIke Wallace, the ability all of them possess with inside route running can set up double-moves aimed to get the ball deep and exploit softer coverage on any of them.

Jets expected to install option package for Geno Smith

Geno Smith isn't slated to start in front of Mark Sanchez, but that apparently hasn't stopped the New York Jets from experimenting with finding more ways to get the rookie quarterback on the field. The most likely option seems to be that Smith will be a more successful version of Tebow in the read-option game.

"I know what everybody's thinking if we did that - didn't we try that last year?" Ryan said. "I think certainly that's a possibility. To probably make assumptions now probably isn't the thing to do but we'll let this thing work out and pan out and we'll see."

Our friends at Gang Green Nation believe that this will be good for the Jets, but it could be even better if Smith is the starting quarterback, so it adds to the element of surprise.

Jacksonville Jaguars could take five quarterbacks to training camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had quarterback problems for quite awhile and, although it seems as though Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne will be the starter, there are quite a few other options waiting in the wings. Surprisingly, it seems as though the team could bring three additional options to training camp, not counting the aforementioned starting candidates.

Big Cat Country brings news that Matt Scott, Jordan Rodgers and Mike Kafka could all be invited to training camp after proving their abilities as roster-worthy quarterbacks early on in mini-camps and OTAs.

Buffalo Bills narrowed starting QB competition to two

The Buffalo Bills took Tavaris Jackson out of the competition for their starting quarterback when they released him earlier this week. That leaves Kevin Kolb and rookie E.J. Manuel as the two candidates to start the season under center. Buffalo Rumblings breaks down the snap counts early on in the OTAs.

For the mathematically disinclined: Kolb is getting roughly half of the reps early in this minicamp, Manuel is getting a healthy 40 percent, and Jeff Tuel is taking the leftovers. That's a significant departure from when Jackson was still on the roster, when he and Kolb split a large chunk of reps and Manuel was left as an also-ran in many cases. Now, the rookie is getting much more practice time, while still riding second in the pecking order behind Kolb.

It'll be interesting to keep an eye on that battle, as it seems as though Manuel is increasing his popularity.

New York Giants practicing more than fighting in OTAs

Ed Valentine of Big Blue View has been attending the Giants' OTAs and, unfortunately, the big news has been the scuffles that have surrounded practices rather than practices themselves.

It appeared that offensive lineman Bryant Browning was involved in both scuffles. tangling first with rookie defensive end Damontre Moore and then with cornerback Charles James. After the second scuffle, which saw both players hit the ground, head coach Tom Coughlin screamed at his players to simply "execute the play."

The fisticuffs seemed extremely unusual for a no-contact practice held without pads or shells. Coughlin said after practice that "there's no place for that."

A pair of fights in a non-contact practice seems odd, but tempers are likely flaring as players vie to improve their stock heading into training camp.

More from SB Nation:

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• NFL Pulse: Tebow, Te'o and rookie QBs

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• This is real life: Patriots sign Tim Tebow

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest