Patriots' Belichick fined $50,000

The NFL fined New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick $50,000 and Washington Redskins assistant Kyle Shanahan $25,000 Wednesday for their conduct toward replacement officials.

The fines come as the league and its referees' union are meeting amid reports they are close to ending the lockout of the regular officials.

Belichick grabbed an official's arm at the end of Sunday night's game after the Ravens kicked a winning field goal. Shanahan was cited by the league for "abuse of officials" in Washington's loss to Cincinnati.

"Whatever the league decides to do, I'll respect and just try and do my job," Belichick said before his fine was announced.

Shanahan, the son of Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for berating officials in the final seconds of the Redskins' 38-31 loss. He also confronted an official in a stadium tunnel after the game.

New York Jets running back Joe McKnight will start working "a ton" at cornerback to help offset the loss of all-pro Darrelle Revis, who is likely out for the season with a knee injury.

Coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that McKnight, whose role on offense has been limited this season, has "everything you look for in a corner."

McKnight, who played the position in high school, practiced at cornerback in Week 2 when Revis was sidelined by a concussion.

Revis tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Miami on Sunday, and will be replaced by Kyle Wilson as a starter. The athletic McKnight gives Ryan another option in the secondary.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan still won't criticize his NFL colleagues for leaving him off a list of the league network's top 100 players this summer.

Yet Ryan has turned that slight to his favor. He has emerged as the NFL leader in passer rating, completion percentage, and touchdowns. Now in his fifth year, the Penn Charter graduate finally has a top cast of playmakers and a steady play-caller in place.

Falcons coach Mike Smith said quick starts on offense allow Ryan to settle into an early, confident rhythm. Atlanta (3-0) has scored touchdowns on the opening possessions of the first three games.

Golden Tate said that if he repeated many of the things that showed up on his Twitter time line after his disputed catch that lifted Seattle past Green Bay it would be a series of bleeps.

Tate's reception set off a storm of criticism and debate about the replacement officials who awarded him the touchdown and did not give an interception to Green Bay defensive back M.D. Jennings.

Tate admitted he fouled Sam Shields when he shoved the defender to the ground before leaping to try to make the catch. But the outcry from angry fans startled Tate, who said he's been called, "a cheater, I don't have any dignity, I'm not a Christian, a lot of hurtful things."

The Washington Redskins signed running back Ryan Grant and placed running back Roy Helu Jr. on injured reserve.

Grant is expected to back up rookie starter Alfred Morris. He spent five seasons with the Green Bay Packers but has been looking for work since the team opted not to re-sign him after last season.