Chiefs following patchwork O-line into Super Bowl vs Bucs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to have a talented lineup of millionaires, each a seasoned veteran of the rough-and-tumble NFL, protecting their half-billion dollar quarterback as they defended their Super Bowl title this season. Instead, they’ll have a motley cast of late-round draft picks, journeymen and castoffs making up their offensive line. The Chiefs lost Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher to a torn Achilles’ tendon in their AFC championship win over Buffalo, which means they are headed to the Super Bowl next weekend with just one starter playing his original position.

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Falcons hire former backup QB Yates as passing specialist

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) T.J. Yates is returning to the Atlanta Falcons as a coach. Yates, a native of suburban Atlanta who spent one season backing up Matt Ryan, was announced Saturday as the passing game specialist for new head coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons also hired Lanier Goethie as a defensive assistant and Nick Perry as the assistant defensive backs coach.

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Cal McNair makes only a cameo appearance at David Culley’s introductory press conference

The Texans have become widely regarded as the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL. Friday’s press conference introducing David Culley as the team’s new head coach provided the organization with an opportunity to undo that perception. Owner Cal McNair opted not to participate. His deliberate decision to avoid the potential for questions about pressing topics [more]

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CDC endorses NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 efforts for use in other settings

The NFL has managed to play a full season, with one game to go, amid a pandemic that continues to show no signs of subsiding. The NFL’s efforts to function in this environment have gotten the attention, approval, and active cooperation of the CDC. Earlier this week, the CDC and NFL-NFLPA medical experts jointly published [more]

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Robert Tonyan talks about Packers culture and his breakout year

Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Terez Paylor spoke with Green Bay Packers TE Robert Tonyan about the Packers tough loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship, how the Packers culture helps the team move on quickly, and how he had such a breakout season this year. Robert Tonyan joins Yahoo Sports on behalf of Sleep Number.

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The Rush: Derrick Henry on Deshaun Watson’s next team and why Barry Sanders should be an agent

Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry joins The Rush to give his thoughts on whether the Kansas City Chiefs will be able to repeat as Super Bowl champs, where he’d like to see Deshaun Watson end up, rushing for more than 2000 yards in 2020 then getting praised by Barry Sanders for it, the chance he wins a second straight FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year award, and representing the AFC in the Pro Bowl by playing this year’s game on Madden. PLUS: Where did he learn his legendary stiff arm? How did he avoid becoming a defensive lineman? And is he worth $400 million? 

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