PROFILES » nent to play with his brother, Stephen.Melb

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- There were two new pingpong tables in the Falcons locker room on Wednesday, bringing the total to three.Matt Ryan walked past them all without even a glance.Ryans new locker-room neighbor can confirm Atlantas quarterback is not going to spend time hitting pingpong balls or dunking on the mini-basketball goal attached to the locker room door. At least not on a work day.Pretty business-oriented, said center Alex Mack when asked to describe Ryan. Hes in here to do business.If so, Ryan is a successful businessman.Ryan leads the NFL with 2,980 yards passing and 23 touchdowns -- with only four interceptions. He is enjoying an impressive career rebirth as the Falcons prepare for Sundays game at Philadelphia. For Ryan, its a return to his hometown where he cheered for quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.I dont think anybody growing up in that area is a fan of anything other than Philadelphia sports, Ryan said Wednesday. Theyve got some pretty passionate fans up there. I grew up pulling for the Eagles and Phillies and Flyers and Sixers. ... Donovan McNabb was the guy, man.Only one year ago, some wondered if Ryans time as the Falcons guy was drawing to a close. There were questions about his arm strength and his ability to fit in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahans scheme. Some even wondered if it was time for the Falcons to think about drafting his replacement after he threw only 21 touchdown passes, his low since his 2008 rookie season.Ryan, 31, has silenced his critics. His 42 passes of at least 20 yards are the most in the league and the Falcons (6-3) lead the NFC South.Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Ryan is definitely playing Pro Bowl-caliber right now.Obviously, you learn from experiences and rely on those a little bit, Pederson said Wednesday. I think Matt is taking care of the football and hes just letting the game come to him. Hes not pressing any issues. Hes an accurate passer. Hes big and tall and strong in the pocket, and hes just utilizing the strength of his offense.Ryan threw for 344 yards with four touchdowns in last weeks 43-28 win over Tampa Bay. He was named NFC offensive player of the week on Wednesday after being named player of the month for September.Coach Dan Quinn said Ryan is all-business on the practice field, just like in the locker room. He said Ryans success on the field came from extra work in practice.I think its a lot due to the deliberate practice that Matt applies himself to, whether its a certain route he wants to throw or the timing with the receiver, Quinn said. Its the extra work that goes in thats kind of unseen.Ryan insisted he finds time for fun with all the extra work. He said he likes to play pingpong -- just not on days the team is practicing and his focus is on football.I like pingpong, Ryan said. But ... especially when were going (to practice) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I like to be as efficient with my time inside the building as I can be. Thats something Ive learned throughout my career, so when we get in here Im trying to be as productive and get myself as best prepared as I can for the game that week.Game notes DE Dwight Freeney (quad), RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring), CB Desmond Trufant (shoulder) and TE Jacob Tamme (shoulder) did not practice. We expect some back as the week goes on, Quinn said. Rookie Austin Hooper likely would start if Tamme misses his second straight game. Hooper and another backup tight end, Levine Toilolo, had TD catches last week.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Hines Ward Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Authentic Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysauthentic.com/ . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Authentic Mason Rudolph Jersey . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. Cheap Steelers Jerseys . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. With rival clubs readying recruiting raids, Greater Western Sydney will again be a key player in the AFL trade period.That wont be news to the talent-laden Giants, who are already resigned to losing homesick forward Cam McCarthy to a Western Australian club - most likely Fremantle - and promising key-position player Caleb Marchbank, who has requested a trade to Carlton.With the dust still settling on the Western Bulldogs stunning grand final win, attention will quickly turn to the trade period that runs from Monday October 10 to Thursday, October 20, and the free agency signing period, that starts on Friday October 7 and runs for 10 days.GWS played hardball with McCarthy a year ago when he requested a trade to his native Perth, with the talented forward choosing to sit out the AFL season when a trade didnt materialise.Marchbank, the sixth overall pick at the 2014 draft, put in a trade request to return to Victoria, with the Blues his desired destination.The club will work closely with both Greater Western Sydney and Calebs management to come to a suitable arrangement, Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said in a statement.That pair wont be the only Giants enquired about by other clubs, with Adam Tomlinson, Jack Steele and Will Hoskin-Elliott also likely to attract interest.GWS are also reportedly interested in dealing with Essendon to secure the No.1 pick at this years draft, which would be the fourthh top overall pick in the clubs short history.ddddddddddddThe coming trade and free agency periods promise to be amongst the busiest ever seen.Jaeger OMeara and Dion Prestia both want out of Gold Coast, with Hawthorn and Richmond their respective destinations of choice.The Hawks will need to be adequately compensated by Fremantle if Brad Hill is to get his wish to cross the continent to play with his brother, Stephen.Melbourne say they are comfortable with where Jesse Hogans contract situation sits, but speculation continues that both Perth clubs will try to make the Demons an offer they cant refuse for the talented young forward.Intrigue also surrounds the futures of North Melbourne trio Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo and Drew Petrie, who were all let go by the Roos.Petrie has attracted interest from West Coast, while Harvey and Dal Santo are still considering their futures.Harvey had been linked with a move to Collingwood but coach Nathan Buckley categorically denied that was the case during grand final week.The Magpies will also be a club to watch, with Dockers forward Chris Mayne and Kangaroos veteran Daniel Wells reportedly targeted.Travis Cloke is contracted for next season but has been strongly linked to the Bulldogs after announcing his desire to start afresh elsewhere. 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