Doug Farrar

    Doug Farrar is the editor of Shutdown Corner, Yahoo! Sports’ NFL blog.

  • Riley Cooper, how dumb people learn, and racism in the NFL

    It’s a good thing for Kerry Collins that Twitter wasn’t around in the late 1990s. The 17-year NFL veteran was the first player selected in the history of the Carolina Panthers franchise, but he’s perhaps best known for something that … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/08/01/riley-cooper-how-dumb-guys-learn-and-racism-in-the-nfl/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Seahawks camp report: Stephen Williams could solve some of Pete Carroll’s sudden receiver needs

    RENTON, Wash. – The news was not good for the Seattle Seahawks’ hypothetical receiver corps on Tuesday. On the same day that head coach Pete Carroll told the media that number-one target Sidney Rice was in Switzerland undergoing “some sort … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/30/seahawks-camp-report-stephen-williams-could-solve-some-of-pete-carroll%e2%80%99s-sudden-receiver-needs/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Packers rookie RB Eddie Lacy might have put on a few pounds in the offseason

    The Green Bay Packers were tired of their inconsistent running game over the last few seasons, so they looked to do something about it with authority in the 2013 NFL draft. General manager Ted Thompson and his staff selected Alabama … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/29/packers-rookie-rb-eddie-lacy-seems-to-have-put-on-a-few-pounds-in-the-offseason/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Shutdown Countdown: Texans add to air attack, hope a deep playoff run is the result

    With all the talk about today’s NFL being a game in which quarterbacks rule the day and everything else runs one step behind, the Houston Texans have built a consistently winning team with a decidedly old-school archetype. Their best player … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/29/shutdown-countdown-texans-add-to-air-attack-hope-a-deep-playoff-run-is-the-result/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner Interview: Dorsey Levens

    The transition from professional football the life after the game can be difficult for many players, and none more so that those who face an uncertain future with the aftereffects of head injuries suffered during their time between the lines. … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/27/the-shutdown-corner-interview-dorsey-levens/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Countdown: Cincinnati Bengals look strong, but the time is now for Andy Dalton

    It’s been an up-and-down decade for Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who has had as many four-win seasons as 10-win seasons (two each) in the last half-decade. The formerly cheapskate franchise recently made a new commitment to scouting and … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/27/the-shutdown-countdown-cincinnati-bengals-look-strong-but-the-time-is-now-for-andy-dalton/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Seahawks camp report: Percy Harvin’s injury could be Golden Tate’s opportunity

    RENTON, Wash. -- When the Seattle Seahawks traded their 2013 first-round pick and two other picks to the Minnesota Vikings for the services of receiver Percy Harvin, and then signed Harvin to a six-year, $67 million contract with $25 million … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/25/seahawks-camp-report-percy-harvins-injury-could-be-golden-tates-opportunity/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Encore demands: For Joe Flacco, the pressure’s on like never before

    Coming into his sixth NFL season, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is a Super Bowl MVP, the man behind one of the greatest sustained postseason passing performances in NFL history, and the proud owner of a six-year, $120.6 million contract. … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/23/encore-demands-for-joe-flacco-the-pressures-on-like-never-before/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Countdown: Chicago Bears look to solve old problems with new math

    It was probably the oddest firing of an NFL head coach since A.J. Smith canned Marty Schottenheimer after Martyball led the San Diego Chargers to a 14-2 record in the 2006 season. When the Chicago Bears let Lovie Smith go … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/23/the-shutdown-countdown-chicago-bears-look-to-solve-old-problems-with-new-math/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Veteran linebacker Shaun Phillips could be crucial for Denver’s pass-rushing potential

    The true value of a pass rusher comes not just in his sacks, but also in his ability to pressure quarterbacks in all sorts of ways. Hits and hurries, tabulated by formal and informal game-charting services, can be just as … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/23/veteran-linebacker-shaun-phillips-could-be-crucial-for-denvers-pass-rushing-potential/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Robert Griffin III reveals that he’s been cleared to practice for Redskins training camp

    Good news for Washington Redskins fans -- on Monday morning, quarterback Robert Griffin tweeted out the news you've all been waiting to hear. Doctors cleared me to practice. Coach is going to ease me in. Thank you for your support … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/22/robert-griffin-iii-reveals-that-hes-been-cleared-to-practice-for-redskins-training-camp/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner NFC East Draft Review Podcast with Greg Cosell

    After a brief hiatus, our good buddy Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN's NFL Matchup is back to talk a little football. And with the preseason just around the corner, it's time to finish up our draft review podcasts by division, … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/21/the-shutdown-corner-nfc-east-draft-review-podcast-with-greg-cosell/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Jim Harbaugh’s jab at Seahawks rings hollow after Eric Wright trade

    The rivalry between Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh is well-documented, and goes back to a specific "What's your deal?" incident when both men were coaching in what was then the Pac-10. Now that Harbaugh has taken the San Francisco 49ers … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/19/jim-harbaughs-jab-at-seahawks-rings-hollow-after-eric-wright-trade/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Shutdown Countdown: Detroit Lions are in transition, and it starts at the top

    The NFL season is approaching and Shutdown Corner is previewing all 32 teams, counting down our power rankings with one team a day until No. 1 is unveiled on Aug. 4, when the preseason kicks off with the Hall of … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/19/shutdown-countdown-detroit-lions-are-in-transition-and-it-starts-at-the-top/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner Interview: Charles Tillman

    With so many weird and outright horrible stories regarding the NFL this offseason, it's good to talk to those NFL players who just make you feel better about the game. Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman is most definitely one of … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/18/the-shutdown-corner-interview-charles-tillman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • Second-year slumpbusters: Russell Wilson

    The 2012 NFL season may have given us more impressive performances by first-year starting quarterbacks than any previous season in the league's long history. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick all took their teams at either … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/16/second-year-slumpbusters-russell-wilson/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner Interview: DeMarcus Ware & Wes Welker

    With all the talk this offseason about NFL players who really don't know how to handle downtime, it's good to catch up with a couple of guys who really get it -- on and off the field. Dallas Cowboys defensive … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/15/the-shutdown-corner-interview-demarcus-ware-wes-welker/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Countdown: Will the Philadelphia Eagles’ new boss be better than the old boss?

    The NFL season is approaching, and Shutdown Corner is previewing all 32 teams, counting down our power rankings with one team a day until No. 1 is unveiled on Aug. 4, when the preseason kicks off with the Hall of … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/13/the-shutdown-countdown-will-the-philadelphia-eagles-new-boss-be-better-than-the-old-boss/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner AFC East Draft Review Podcast with Greg Cosell

    After a brief hiatus, our good buddy Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN's NFL Matchup is back to talk a little football. And with more than a month passed since the draft, we thought it would be interesting to … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/12/the-shutdown-corner-afc-east-draft-review-podcast-with-greg-cosell/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>

  • The Shutdown Corner AFC North Draft Review Podcast with Greg Cosell

    After a brief hiatus, our good buddy Greg Cosell of NFL Films, ESPN's NFL Matchup, and Shutdown Corner is back to talk a little football. And with more than a month passed since the draft, we thought it would be interesting to review that … <a href="http://blog.tools.news.yahoo.com/sptusnflexperts/2013/07/10/the-shutdown-corner-afc-north-draft-review-podcast-with-greg-cosell/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>