Falcons QB Matt Ryan has increased his arm strength this year.

“Matt, I think, has really progressed,” Mike Smith said. “I think you can see it physically that he’s bigger. I think his arm strength is much-improved from the first four years.”

Some of the major differences in the passing attack will be more vertical routes with an emphasis on getting the ball to receivers on the move. Also, the team will implement a package heavy in screen passes.

If fantasy owners miss out on the top 5-6 QBs (Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, and perhaps Michael Vick) in the first three or four rounds, there's no reason to panic and draft a QB before the 6th or 7th round where Ryan should be available. He finished QB8 last year, and the Falcons are going to a more pass-heavy attack that will utilize his improved arm strength.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley wants to find chemistry with QB Aaron Rodgers. They don't necessarily hang out much off the field. Finley respects the fact that Aaron Rodgers prefers to keep to himself. He's the league's most valuable player, the one under constant surveillance.

The lack of chemistry Finley often speaks of is strictly related to timing. He doesn't blame Rodgers. He blames the lack of a full off-season.

Finley plans on flying out to California for three days after minicamp this week to work with Rodgers.

"Having an off-season, having chemistry with your quarterback is a big key to success," Finley said. "I promise you."

More than six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Green Bay Packers running back Alex Green is running four days a week. He recently met with the team's physician, Dr. Pat McKenzie, who is hopeful Green will be ready for training camp. Green has stayed ahead of schedule all off-season.

With Ryan Grant’s future still in limbo, that's key. Late July remains Green's target.

“My speed is picking up daily,” Green said Thursday. “Every day, I’m running at a faster pace. It’s going pretty good right now. I’m definitely excited with where I’m at.”

Green was just starting to find his place within the Packers’ offense when he tore the ACL in his left knee Oct. 23 at Minnesota while blocking on a kick return. Two weeks prior, he caught a third-down pass at Atlanta. And, most importantly, his comfort level in the scheme was high. Coaches like his vision and ability to maneuver in space.

The Packers haven't shown much interest in signing a veteran RB to join James Starks, Green, Brandon Saine and John Kuhn in the backfield, so they must feel pretty good about Green's prospects for 2012. If the team doesn't sign another RB, Starks would project to be the starter, but his upside is limited due to the pass-heavy nature of the offense and Kuhn's presence as the team's goal line back. Aaron Rodgers is also a threat to steal a few TD runs.

When we last checked in on Chad Clifton, it was clear the Green Bay Packers were hoping to find a way to get their veteran left tackle back for 2012. At the NFL owners meetings, coach Mike McCarthy termed Clifton's future "a medical decision" after postseason back surgery.

The Packers made that decision Monday and it ended an 12-year run that included a Pro Bowl berth as recently as two years ago. Just as important, the move should save the Packers more than $5 million against the 2012 salary cap.

In truth, the Packers' pending release of Clifton -- as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter -- has been building for years. The team essentially extended his career by limiting practice time to help manage knee, shoulder, back and hamstring ailments. But the back issue developed last season while rehabilitating a hamstring injury, and it was fair to question whether the Packers could rely on a left tackle in his condition who will turn 36 in June.

Marshall Newhouse is the favorite to replace Clifton. Aaron Rodgers had this to say about Newhouse: "Starting the season out, I didn't look at Marshall the way I look at him now. I look at him now as a guy who really has a strong, legitimate chance to be the left tackle of the future. I think he has the personality makeup to do that, the athletic ability to do that, the feet and the smarts to be a very, very solid left tackle for us."

While it's important that Newhouse has the endorsement of Rodgers, he was not well rated by Pro Football Focus in 2011. In fact, he had the lowest overall rating of any tackle that played at least 25% of his team's snaps. This is definitely something to watch -- Rodgers won't be as effective if he has to worry about his blind side.

Matt Flynn has agreed to terms with the Seahawks on a contract worth up to $26M with $10M guaranteed.

With just two starts in his NFL career, the book on Flynn is thin, but it's a very good read. In 2010, with Aaron Rodgers sidelined due to a concussion, Flynn completed 24-for-37 passes for 251 yards, three TDs and an interception in a near-upset of the Patriots in Foxboro. Last season, with Rodgers resting in Week 17, Flynn had a record-setting day, throwing for 480 yards and six TDs (with just one pick) against the Lions in not-so-great conditions at Lambeau Field. He joins a Seattle offense that has a few good weapons in the passing game, including Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate and Zach Miller. Rice's health will be key. While Flynn doesn't have an overpowering arm, he's accurate and is very poised in the pocket. He'll likely be a middle round fantasy pick (going in the 10th-12th rounds) best suited for spot duty in a Quarterback By Committee (QBBC).

The Green Bay Packers kept their promising young tight end by re-signing Jermichael Finley to a two-year deal worth just less than $15 million Wednesday.

The deal seems to be a middle-of-the-road agreement between Finley, who turns 25 next month, and the organization. Finley wanted a long-term deal. But he also dealt with injuries in 2009 and a season-ending knee injury in 2010.

Finley (6-foot-5, 247 pounds) finished this season with 55 receptions, 767 yards and eight touchdowns. The eight scores were the third most in the NFL behind the Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski (17) and the Saints’ Jimmy Graham (11). Eleven drops were an issue and some coaches wondered if it was a mental issue considering he is one of the best natural pass-catchers on the roster. Along with Graham, Gronkowski and Davis, Finley is one of the new breed of tight ends that is a nightmare matchup for defenses — too big for a cornerback or safety and too fast for a linebacker.

Finley’s receptions and yardage were career-highs, but were not among the league leaders at the position. That’s what made it complicated to measure his worth. Finley’s presence on the field opens things for Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and the other receivers.

This is obviously great news for Aaron Rodgers and the entire Packer offense. Sure, Finley had his issues with drops, but as the article states, he demanded a lot of attention from the defense which opened things up for Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. If he can limit his drops, he should eventually make the Pro Bowl. Fantasy-wise, he'll likely hold 6th/7th round value heading into 2012 drafts.

Packers RB Ryan Grant will test free agency, and he is unlikely to return unless there's little interest on the open market.

James Starks will be given an opportunity, but may be over-drafted in 2012. He still has little touchdown upside with Aaron Rodgers and John Kuhn taking most of the opportunities.

Packers GM Ted Thompson has several tough personnel decisions to make. Veteran LT Chad Clifton and WR Donald Driver both have a year left on their contracts, but capable -- and perhaps more effective -- youngsters are already waiting in the wings. FS Nick Collins suffered an early season neck injury, and his loss was a major blow to the defense. He plans to tell the team prior to the draft if he'll be able to continue his career. TE Jermichael Finley and C Scott Wells can both be free agents and would seem like top priorities for retention, though backup QB Matt Flynn is likely headed for a lucrative career as a starter in another city.

The running game ranked 27th (97.4 ypg) and rarely provided explosive plays. RB Ryan Grant is another of the team's free agents, however Alex Green could get a longer look in 2012 after a torn ACL scuttled his rookie year. The free agent market at the position could be bountiful, but Thompson rarely wades into those waters. Still, the record-setting Saints offense provides a prime example of what a more-balanced approach might do for QB Aaron Rodgers and Co.

Aaron Rodgers doesn't trace his distaste for turnovers back to that frigid NFC championship game against the Giants — "That game, I was just trying to stay warm most of the time," he joked — or any other moment he spent behind Brett Favre.

Instead, Rodgers said it goes back to his days at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif..

"I mean, that's No. 1, it really is — really going back to my freshman year of high school, when I actually threw more interceptions than touchdowns," Rodgers said. "Just making a conscious decision to be smart with the football. Since then, I haven't had any of those years."

If Matt Flynn is in another uniform next season, what kind of compensation can the Packers get for him?

The 2012 draft is a good one for quarterbacks. But if Flynn reaches free agency, someone will pay him huge money to be their starter and the Packers will receive only a 2013 compensatory pick, which can't be higher than a third-round selection.

Green Bay could place the franchise tag on Flynn, a move that would pay him $14 million in 2012. That could be tricky, though, with Aaron Rodgers slated to make $8 million in 2012.

If Green Bay tagged Flynn, they'd only be doing so to eventually trade him. Back in 2008, the Packers placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Corey Williams, then traded him to Cleveland 10 days later for a second-round draft choice.

There's also some precedent for teams tagging one quarterback when they already have a superstar at the position.

In 2009, the New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel even though they had Tom Brady. The Patriots eventually traded Cassel to Kansas City for the 34th-overall pick in the 2009 draft.