off a conference championship and the expectations of win

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons still expect Kemal Ishmael will open the season as the fill-in starter at strong safety even though hell miss his third straight preseason game this week.Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday Ishmael wont play in Thursday nights final preseason game against Jacksonville. Ishmael, returning from a shoulder sprain, practiced on Monday and Tuesday but wont be able to replace injured rookie starter Keanu Neal this week as had been hoped.Neal is expected to miss at least the first two regular-season games after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday.Quinn said Ishmael should have no limitations next week.He practiced the last two days and hes just not quite ready with the time off that hes missed, Quinn said, adding Ishmael would have played this week if it was a regular game.Newly signed veteran safety Deshon Goldson will play against the Jaguars after quickly learning the defense.He did a good job this week in terms of learning and applying it, Quinn said. We wont overload him but we definitely want to give him some work.Quinn stressed on Sunday that Goldson, a 2012 All-Pro selection with the 49ers who started 15 games with the Redskins last season, was signed to play behind Neal and Ishmael.Ishmael said Tuesday he was ready to play when needed.Im feeling good, feeling real comfortable out there on the defense, Ishmael said.Ishmael, entering his fourth season with the Falcons, is preparing for a familiar backup role -- assuming Neal makes a full recovery from his knee injury.Ishmael made five starts in 2015 and a combined 15 in 36 games the last three years.Its all about selflessness, Ishmael said of his role. Its bigger than me. Its a team thing. ...Whatever role they want me to fill, thats what Im going to do and Im going to be happy with it.Wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle), defensive end Adrian Clayborn (shoulder) and running back Brandon Wilds (knee) also wont play this week. Quinn said rookie wide receiver Devin Fuller (shoulder) will be placed on injured reserve.Kicker Matt Bryant will return after missing two games with muscle tightness in his leg. Running back Terron Ward will return from an ankle sprain to play behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.Quinn said the final preseason game will be a really fun night for the guys as players compete for the final roster and practice-squad spots.Such starters as quarterback Matt Ryan should have extremely limited time as the focus is on younger players.Thats why its a fun night for us coaches to see the competitiveness, Quinn said. You get a chance to see who wants to go for it in the very biggest way. Its another opportunity to shine and do that.Game notes Quinn said he talked in a team meeting about the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernicks decision to sit for the national anthem before a preseason game. Quinn said he wanted to make sure players consult teammates before taking any similar action to make sure everything is about the team, especially when were at a ballgame as a team.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Willie-Snead-Jersey/ . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Chase-Daniel-Jersey/ . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Ken-Crawley-Jersey/ . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-John-Kuhn-Jersey/ . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Rickey-Jackson-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. LOS ANGELES -- All it took was three Pac-12 titles in four years for Stanford to finally get the nod in the preseason media poll.It marked a first for the Cardinal in the 56-year history of the poll, having previously never been slotted higher than second in the Pac-12 North in the five seasons since adding divisional play and a title game, a span that coincides with head coach David Shaws tenure.The newfound admiration is taking a little getting used to.It truly shows that you have no idea what you are doing, Shaw jokingly told reporters Friday.It feels strange, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas said. Were thankful for that, but were just going to keep our head down and have that tunnel vision.After years of finding reasons not to vote Stanford in the top spot ranging from the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the exit of quarterback Andrew Luck, the Cardinal seemingly have earned the benefit of the doubt despite losing four-year starting quarterback Kevin Hogan, three dominant offensive linemen and stalwart inside linebacker Blake Martinez. Shaw pointed to the back of the ballroom on the fifth floor of the Hollywood and Highland complex, where running back Christian McCaffrey was holding court, as the reason for that confidence.Its a sign of respect and I think it has a lot to do with the guy in the back left corner of the building there, but once we start practicing and playing games, all of that goes away, Shaw said.McCaffrey was the undisputed star of the otherwise sleepy Pac-12 media days, with last seasons Heisman Trophy runner-up detailing everything from his encounter with pro wrestler Ric Flair at the ESPY Awards earlier in the week -- I just shook his hand. I didnt whoo. I couldnt get it out. -- to his pet potbellied pig named Tarance.He died of obesity, McCaffrey said.McCaffrey shredded Iowa for a Rose Bowl-record 368 all-purpose yards in Stanfords dominating 45-16 win, finishing his sophomore season with 2,019 yards rushing.dddddddddddd Shaw expects opposing defenses to focus on McCaffrey, especially as redshirt senior Ryan Burns or redshirt junior Keller Chryst settles in at quarterback, but believes the presence of other returning skill position players could allow him to surpass his record-setting season.Thats why you have a great team, Shaw said. Having all those guys around him with experience, with playing ability . helps Christian be what Christian can be and maybe make him even more dangerous knowing that he has more dangerous guys around him.And while the Pac-12 negotiated for earlier television broadcast windows to avoid the stretch of late-night games Stanford had to play last season, McCaffrey had no interest in the idea that Heisman voters right actually see him play rather than just looking at highlights and box scores.As far as exposure goes, I could care less, McCaffrey said. Whether I have the greatest season ever and everybody sees it or I have the worst season ever and no one sees it, if Im playing football thatll bring me peace and thats where I am happy.That mentality of never being satisfied has been a constant during Stanfords football renaissance. McCaffrey said the underdog attitude that permeated the locker room and caught his eye as a recruit is still there, even coming off a conference championship and the expectations of winning another.Nothings changed, McCaffrey said.Maintaining such commitment might allow Stanford to avoid continuing the dubious history of the preseason media poll. Only two of the previous nine selections actually won the Pac-12 that season. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '