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SPORTS Friday 6 december 2019
Interim coach Fewell to lead Panthers against Falcons

By CHARLES ODUM One reason is the instability Quinn has been unable to Turner replaces his father, after missing two games
AP Sports Writer of what he said is “a win- fix such nagging problems Norv, who was removed with a sprained foot.
ATLANTA (AP) — Former At- now league.” as a poor running game, from the role and will serve ALLEN REMAINS AT QB
lanta Falcons wide receiver The latest example of im- leaky protection for quar- as assistant to the head Fewell announced season-
Roddy White says he tells patience came when Pan- terback Matt Ryan and an coach. ending foot surgery for
players, “You’re always Cam Newton this week.
being evaluated, whether There has been no talk of
you’re winning or losing.” playing third-round draft
The same is true for NFL pick Will Grier, and Fewell
coaches. said the Panthers will stick
Panthers interim coach with second-year quarter-
Perry Fewell begins his audi- back Kyle Allen against At-
tion for the full-time position lanta.
when Carolina visits Atlan- Allen is 5-5 as a starter, but
ta, where Falcons coach has lost five of his last six
Dan Quinn’s status is uncer- starts. He threw four inter-
tain, on Sunday. ceptions and was sacked
“It gives me an opportunity five times in last month’s
to prove it, and it gives our loss to the Falcons.
players an opportunity to STILL UPBEAT
prove it,” said Fewell, who Ryan said the Falcons
took over for the fired Ron haven’t given up on the
Rivera on Tuesday. “That’s season. “I think the mindset
what we’re going to do. has been good,” he said.
We’re going to go out and “We’ve got a good group
prove that we can win a of guys in this building that
football game this Sunday, are committed to one an-
and then we will move to other and committed to
the next objective.” trying to play well for one
The Falcons (3-9) have Carolina Panthers’ Perry Fewell is shown during his first press conference as the NFL football team’s another.”
been eliminated from play- interim head coach, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. RUN DEFENSE
off contention. Quinn took Associated Press The Panthers’ poor run de-
the Falcons to the Super fense helped lead to Rive-
Bowl in 2016 and another thers owner David Tepper inconsistent pass rush. Ryan There won’t likely be whole- ra’s exit.
playoff berth the following fired Rivera, who has the was sacked nine times in sale changes to the Pan- Defensive coordinator Eric
year. This season will be his most wins of any coach in last week’s 26-18 loss to thers’ offense, but Scott Washington is expected
second straight with a los- Carolina history (76-63-1 in New Orleans. Turner will hope to be more to take over the play calls
ing record. the regular season). One of Atlanta’s few 2019 successful than his dad in against Atlanta with some
White, the Falcons’ all-time Fewell was Carolina’s sec- highlights was a 29-3 win at the red zone. Carolina’s input from Fewell. Signifi-
leader in receptions, will be ondary coach before be- Carolina on Nov. 17, leav- struggles near the goal line cant improvement may
inducted into the team’s ing named interim coach. ing Quinn 7-2 in the series. were a big factor in four be difficult with defensive
Ring of Honor on Sunday. Four straight losses left the The Falcons hope that losses this season. tackles Dontari Poe and
His 11 seasons with Atlanta Panthers (5-7) on the brink sweeping the season series HOPE FOR JULIO Kawann Short on injured re-
included Quinn’s 2015 de- of elimination from the with the Panthers could be Falcons wide receiver Julio serve.
but season. playoff race and prompt- the start of a strong finish Jones returned to practice The Panthers are allowing
“I think Dan is a good ed Tepper to move on to a disappointing season. this week after missing last 137.5 yards per game on
coach,” White said from Rivera so he could be- It’s not known if that would week’s game with a shoul- the ground and have sur-
Wednesday. “I really have gin searching for the next be enough to save Quinn’s der injury. rendered a league-high 22
respect for him and the coach. job. It was the first game Jones touchdowns rushing.
things he’s done for our or- Fewell was interim coach in NEW TURNER IN CHARGE missed since 2016. That could be good news
ganization.” Buffalo in 2009. Buried in the news of Rive- He hasn’t had a touch- for Freeman, who is still
White is an assistant coach “It helps that I’ve done this ra’s firing was that Tepper down catch since Week looking for his first rushing TD
at Johns Creek High School before,” he said. “I have promoted quarterbacks 3. Jones’ expected return of the season.
in the Atlanta area. He said this experience, so I know coach Scott Turner to of- would come one week af- Carolina has also allowed
he has “zero” interest in where to go, what to do fensive coordinator and ter running back Devonta 18 run plays of 20 or more
becoming an NFL coach. and how to do it.” play caller. Freeman made his return yards.q
8 finalists announced for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

NEW YORK (AP) — Veterans Adri- Matthew Slater; Detroit quarter- standing sportsmanship on the listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under
an Peterson, Calais Campbell back Matthew Stafford; San Fran- field. The award was created in the NFL Sportsmanship Award cat-
and Thomas Davis Sr. are among cisco offensive tackle Joe Staley; 2014 in honor of the late founding egory. Past recipients have been
the eight finalists for the NFL’s Art and Los Angeles Rams safety Eric owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Frank
Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Weddle. and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Gore, Charles Woodson and Larry
The league revealed the finalists Staley is a finalist for the fifth con- A panel of former players select Fitzgerald.
Thursday. Along with the Washing- secutive season, while Campbell the eight finalists from the 32 nomi- The winner, selected by the vote
ton running back, Jacksonville de- and Weddle are finalists for the nees. of the players, will be announced
fensive end and Los Angeles Char- second straight year. The panel is comprised of Hall of during the NFL Honors show Feb.
gers linebacker, they include Indi- Each NFL team nominates one Famer Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn, 1 , when The Associated Press
anapolis wide receiver T.Y. Hilton; man for the award, which recog- Karl Mecklenberg and Leonard NFL individual award winners are
New England special teams ace nizes players who exemplify out- Wheeler. The eight finalists will be revealed.q