FURMAN-STAFF CHANGES
Furman not bringing back 2 football assistants
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) β Furman coach Bruce Fowler is not bringing back defensive coordinator John Windham and special teams assistant Antonio Goss next season.
The school said Friday that Windham and Goss would not return to the staff for 2015. Windham also coached linebackers for the Football Championship Subdivision team while Goss worked with players at the nickel back position.
Windham and Goss had both finished up their fourth seasons with the Paladins.
Furman came into the season off a Southern Conference championship and a NCAA playoff spot. However, the Paladins (3-9) lost nine straight games during the year to finish sixth in the eight-team league.
Furman was in the bottom half of the league in overall defense and stopping the run. The team also struggled in several categories on special teams.
FALCONS-OFFENSE RISING
Falcons need big offensive showing against Packers
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β An impressive win over Arizona’s strong defense was a confidence-booster for running back Steven Jackson and the Falcons’ offense.
Atlanta will need to build on that win to help give the Falcons’ defense a chance in Monday night’s game at Green Bay.
Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers rank second in the NFL in scoring. That’s scary for the Falcons, who rank last in the league in total defense and against the pass.
The best hope for Atlanta’s defense will be minimizing Rodgers’ time on the field. That puts pressure on the Falcons’ offense, led by quarterback Matt Ryan.
Jackson ran for 100 yards for the first time in his two years with Atlanta in the 29-10 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
FALCONS-WHITE
Falcons’ White still sidelined by sprained ankle
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β The Atlanta Falcons are hopeful that Roddy White can shake off a sprained left ankle and play Monday at Green Bay.
White, a four-time Pro Bowl pick and the franchise’s career-leading receiver, hasn’t practiced this week. He missed last week’s home win over Arizona with the same ankle injury.
Falcons coach Mike Smith said White will try to practice on Saturday. The 10-year veteran caught a few passes before Friday’s session, but was unable to run fast and did not participate in team drills.
No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas returned to practice after missing Thursday’s session with a foot injury.
Since winning at Lambeau Field in 2008, the Falcons (5-7) have lost three straight, including a home blowout in the 2010 playoffs, to Green Bay (9-3).
BRAVES-MARKAKIS
Markakis: Signing with Braves ‘just felt right’
ATLANTA (AP) β Nick Markakis rattled off the names of Braves players he cheered for as a kid living near Atlanta.
Chipper Jones. Andruw Jones. David Justice. Fred McGriff. Greg Maddux. John Smoltz. Tom Glavine.
Markakis says the Braves teams of his youth played “the right way … it’s what they preach over here.” He says signing a four-year, $44 million free-agent deal with Atlanta “just felt right.”
Markakis spoke with reporters in the Braves’ clubhouse on Friday after passing a physical exam. He was assigned the No. 22 jersey that had been worn by Jason Heyward, who he’ll replace in right field.
The 31-year-old Markakis says he has “mixed emotions” leaving Baltimore, where he played his first nine seasons.
DOLPHINS INJURIES
Dolphins’ Finnegan doubtful Sunday against Ravens
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) β Miami Dolphins cornerback Cortland Finnegan is doubtful Sunday against Baltimore because of an ankle injury that has forced him to miss the past three games.
Finnegan was limited in practice this week. Safety Jimmy Wilson was added to the injury list Friday as probable with a hamstring injury, which could further deplete an already thin secondary.
Reserve offensive lineman Nate Garner (illness) and reserve linebacker Chris McCain (ankle) were listed as doubtful.
MARLINS NEGOTIATIONS
Marlins seek multiyear deals with several players
MIAMI (AP) β The Miami Marlins’ top baseball executive says it’s too early to tell whether the team will be able to reach agreements with several of their young players who have been offered long-term contracts.
The offers came after the Marlins sealed a record $325 million, 13-year deal with slugger Giancarlo Stanton last month. The Marlins seek more modest multiyear agreements with right-hander Jose Fernandez, left fielder Christian Yelich, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and center fielder Marcell Ozuna.
None is yet eligible for arbitration.
President of baseball operations Mike Hill says those negotiations are ongoing. Meanwhile, Hill and his staff are preparing for the winter meetings next week in San Diego, where they’ll be shopping for a first baseman and starting pitcher.
