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In his attempt to explain the unexplainable -- a three-way quarterback competition during Week 14 of a 17-week season -- New York Jets coach Rex Ryan dug deep into his near-empty bag Monday to pull out the only line left in a season of failed rhetoric.... more

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual... more

TAMPA, Fla. -- Each practice this year, when the Atlanta Falcons' first-team offense is relegated to the sideline while the defense is running its share of drills, the wide receivers and tight ends stand in a circle off to the side, tossing hard passes to... more

ST. LOUIS -- On the bottom shelf of New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's locker on Sunday, a football from this freshly minted 27-13 win over the St. Louis Rams was stuffed inside his black backpack. It was a reward for his performance, a symbol of... more

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn has been cleared to participate in game action after more neurological tests Thursday proved he isn't dealing with any side effects from his concussion, according to a team source. Harrison: Week 11 predictions... more

With his knee stitched shut and his ligaments back intact, Adrian Peterson remained in a deep sleep as the anesthesia kept the Minnesota Vikings running back in a rare state of sedation. His doctor, the doctor, esteemed orthopedic surgeon James... more

On third-and-4, with 66 seconds left, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow saw the blitz coming. The New York Jets sent eight defenders, attacking Tebow like a pack of dogs chasing a piece of meat, leaving three cornerbacks to protect the end zone. So... more

NEW ORLEANS -- The words began rumbling from my mouth like a train without brakes, and my mind knew the answer to the question I was about to ask before Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan even had a chance to respond. "Is there any relief in the wake... more

NEW ORLEANS -- On a wall in the back of FredRick's, a joint on St. Charles Avenue that sells some seriously fresh po' boys, there's a dated frame of LSU's 2003 schedule hanging to the left of a booth of slot machines. There isn't much other sports... more

LANDOVER, Md. -- Watching through a crowd of teammates who were standing along the sideline in front of his seat on the bench, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy saw all he needed to see. His offense, he thought, was giving the game away. Hardy... more

PHILADELPHIA -- They stayed in the stadium as rain drizzled down, the few remaining Philadelphia Eagles fans teetering between supportive and masochistic. There was no reason for them to stay, and there were many reasons for them to leave. But this crew... more

TAMPA -- On the eve of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in a conference room at the Grand Hyatt hotel where the New Orleans Saints held their team meeting, linebacker Jonathan Vilma didn't know he would be giving a speech. He wasn't... more

BALTIMORE -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did the right thing Sunday evening. He didn't publicly criticize the coach. He didn't throw his kicker under the bus. He didn't bemoan a dropped two-point conversion by his wide receiver. Really, truly, he... more

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens have managed to stay atop the AFC North with a 5-1 record despite fielding a suspect run defense that has at times been subpar this season. Maintaining that success likely became an even more improbable challenge Sunday.... more

BALTIMORE -- Midway through a conversation with a reporter at his locker Wednesday, Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard was spouting all sorts of knowledge when he spit out two words that caused a need for immediate application of the brakes: panic... more

NEW ORLEANS -- Joe Unitas was walking away from the New Orleans Saints bench, satisfied with the pregame hug and handshake he'd just exchanged with quarterback Drew Brees, even if they'd lacked any real intimacy as dozens of cameras clicked away. Then,... more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- In a pint-sized bathroom on a two-and-a-half hour flight from Ohio to Florida in early June, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline just wanted to be alone in his misery. The pain was excruciating, like nothing he'd ever... more

Despite reports that Peyton Manning has purchased part of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA franchise, sources close to the Denver Broncos quarterback say it's not his initiative, but instead a project being pursued by his wife, Ashley. Ashley, a Memphis... more

They marched one by one through the second floor of the Denver Broncos' training facility, each quarterback stopping first in offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's office to hear the same message that would then be echoed like a corporate line from coach... more

PHILADELPHIA -- Unfair as it often is, everything the Philadelphia Eagles do these days seems to be coated with a thick layer of cynicism. Win three games? Not by enough points. Too many turnovers. Too little balance. On Sunday, though, the Eagles might... more

Denver Broncos coach John Fox filed the necessary paperwork with the NFL on Friday to appeal his $30,000 fine for his conduct toward replacement officials in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, sources close to the coach said. Fox, who... more

It took three phone calls to his home in Arizona. Three phone calls to convince NFL referee Ed Hochuli, who'd finally received word from his union that a labor deal had been reached late Wednesday , to go on the record with his reaction to the big news.... more

A high-ranking NFL referee hasn't yet received any notification from his union regarding the end of the lockout, but he and his co-workers are continuing to "keep our fingers crossed," he told NFL.com at 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Rapoport: Week 4 game... more

The scenes of chaos flowed fast and furious Monday night, for once even more rapidly than social media's instantaneous appetite could possibly digest them. The gut-punched Green Bay Packers searched through bins of helmets to find their own, so that... more

DENVER -- Somewhere around the 48-yard line at Sports Authority Field -- depending on how far the force of Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays' hit might have sent it flying -- a piece of Matt Schaub's earlobe is now among the blades of grass. But don't... more

DENVER -- The impatience began to build after the season's second week. Chad Pennington, a new addition to the Miami Dolphins' roster in 2008, was averaging less than six yards per pass attempt. His longest of 36 completions went only 24 yards. Sure,... more

SAN FRANCISCO -- His chance for redemption occurred only four plays into San Francisco's first drive Sunday, a prime opportunity for 49ers tight end Vernon Davis to prove he'd learned his lesson. Davis just caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in stride ,... more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Within the shadows of the white steel beams that are slowly starting to resemble the foundation of a football stadium, within earshot of the echoes created by heavy hammers and giant drills, something else is being built. It is a... more

DENVER -- His burnt-orange sweater wasn't quite the right shade. It was also clearly too dated to have been purchased within the six months since his son, Peyton Manning, signed with his new orange-and-blue team. But Archie Manning, who arrived in the... more

NFL.com Illustration Patrick Willis, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Stafford and Justin Tuck have all accepted captain roles this season. On a Friday afternoon in 2007, Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was two games away from wrapping up a... more

In a scary disclaimer that's nothing to joke about, there's something I should tell you: Predicting the success of quarterbacks isn't my strong suit, a revelation that came largely from six seasons spent covering the Miami Dolphins. Allow me to explain... more

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Standing on the 27th floor with his back to a wall-spanning window overlooking the St. Johns River and downtown Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan delivered to reporters what he viewed as the day's big... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- As the sun rose on the Miami Dolphins' first day without wide receiver Chad Johnson in the mix, the first very-early-morning sentiments on Monday -- beyond the standard spokesman cliché -- came from the mouth of a team captain. Appropriate... more

Miami Dolphins quarterback David Garrard will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, he said in a text message Friday, hours before he was scheduled to start in the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Garrard, 34, was leading the Dolphins'... more

NEW ORLEANS -- A U.S. District Court judge didn't rule Friday on the NFL's motion to dismiss Jonathan Vilma's lawsuit, which seeks to overturn his season-long suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal. After hearing arguments... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- Bouncing to the beat of the jams thumping inside the Miami Dolphins' indoor training facility, cornerback Vontae Davis looked particularly jazzed as he warmed up Monday for his eighth practice since camp opened less than two weeks ago.... more

NFL.com has dispatched several writers to report on the 32 training camps. Jeff Darlington details his visit with the Denver Broncos. (Click here for the complete archive of Training Camp Reports .) WHERE IS NFL.COM? On one of the Denver... more

NFL.com has dispatched several writers to report on the 32 training camps over the next few weeks. Jeff Darlington details his visit with the St. Louis Rams. (Click here for the complete archive of Training Camp Reports .) WHERE IS NFL.COM? In... more

NFL.com has dispatched several writers to report on the 32 training camps over the next few weeks. Jeff Darlington details his visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Click here for the complete archive of Training Camp Reports. ) WHERE IS NFL.COM?... more

Brad Barket/Associated Press Jacksonville Jaguars CB Aaron Ross will be in London to cheer on his wife, Olympic runner Sanya Richards-Ross.   Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Ross isn't so sure his wife has the story exactly right. It is... more

ASHBURN, Va. -- Security guards lined the hotel property on a quiet Sunday night in Aurora, Ohio. Some were stationed at the entrance, others patrolling on foot -- each one ordered to make sure no strangers entered and no rookies left. But one player at... more

Brian Garfinkel/Associated Press After a long football dry spell, fans flock to NFL training camps to watch their favorite players at no cost.   It's time for them to kiss their wives and hug their babies. Time to pack their bags and head for... more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- When wide receiver Chad Johnson -- yes, Johnson -- first signed with the Miami Dolphins, he made it clear that he wanted to reconnect with his former self before he changed his last name to Ochocinco. On Monday, he took legal... more

BEREA, Ohio -- There's no way to know if it might have helped. No way of telling whether a rookie symposium could have altered the mindset of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon the night he was arrested for an aggravated DUI. The past is... more

CANTON, Ohio -- In a dimly lit hallway among the many twists and turns of this hallowed building, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is trailing near the back of the pack. He's taking his time, paying close attention to each mannequin he... more

BEREA, Ohio -- The football fields were packed with little folks Tuesday, each one managing to make even this crop of NFC rookies look like old, wise men during the NFL's "Play 60" youth event at the Cleveland Browns' training facility. These few hours... more

AURORA, Ohio -- There was a day spent behind the walls of Leavenworth federal prison that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will never forget. April 26, 2008. His mother's 45th birthday. The anniversary of his grandmother's death. And then... more

AURORA, Ohio -- He sat on the right side of the stage, his loose-fitting dress shirt tucked neatly into khaki slacks detailed with a Louis Vuitton belt and a pair of alligator skin shoes. This is today's portrait of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- Living nearly 20 miles south of here, more than two decades before the name change or the Twitter followers or the marketing wizardry, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Ochocinco always had a childhood team he favored above the rest. He... more

Brian Blanco/Associated Press Greg Schiano is entering his first season as Buccaneers head coach after spending the past 11 years at Rutgers.   TAMPA -- The punt sailed high, floating in space for what felt like three minutes, headed in the... more

When Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor infamously clashed in 2008 over Taylor's decision to spend his offseason on "Dancing with the Stars," it set an immediate precedent of expectations in the Miami Dolphins organization for the years to follow. Parcells... more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- He towered above fellow flyers as he waited in the security line at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Thursday, rocking a neon yellow Under Armour jacket with a purple hat and a pair of shades. Carolina Panthers quarterback... more

David Drapkin/Associated Press Contracts for referees expired after the 2011 season and negotiations on a new deal with the NFL are at an impasse.   During a recent conversation with a few other veteran players, Kansas City Chiefs right... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- Hard knocks? Oh, the Miami Dolphins have taken plenty of those over the last 18 months. They've been embarrassed, ridiculed, exposed -- enduring a number of public hits that have yielded one too-little, too-late explanation of context after... more

Miami Dolphins quarterback David Garrard is not in attendance at the team's OTA on Tuesday, but the quarterback told me there's no cause for concern. I just spoke to him on the phone, and he said he had to stay in Jacksonville with his wife because of... more

METAIRIE, La. -- Eight miles from the New Orleans Saints' training facility, on a football field at Tulane University last May, quarterback Drew Brees rallied 37 of his teammates together for what would be the most organized player-only workouts of the... more

ATLANTA -- Players use them on the high-school level. They use them in college, too. And now, in an effort to continue improving the safety of the game, the NFL will also begin requiring all players to wear knee and hip pads starting in 2013. Jeremiah:... more

ATLANTA -- Among the first few to arrive Monday in Atlanta for the league's spring meeting, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross looked, at least based on his superficial demeanor, like a man who has been here before. That makes good sense, of course,... more

ATLANTA -- Special master Stephen Burbank has granted the NFL's motion to dismiss the grievance filed by the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins regarding the salary cap situation that occurred during the league's uncapped year, league counsel Jeff... more

Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a contract Monday after meeting with the Bucs last week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Buccaneers later announced that Clark... more

ATLANTA -- Upon his arrival at the NFL's spring league meeting, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told NFL.com and NFL Network that he expects Matt Moore to be the starting quarterback when the 2012 season begins. "I don't think they're going to rush... more

Jason O. Watson/US Presswire The Raiders rocked the league at the trade deadline last season, acquiring QB Carson Palmer from the Bengals. ATLANTA -- The last time NFL owners converged on Atlanta for a set of meetings similar to this, tensions... more

The playful jabs started from five, maybe six, lockers away. New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott began digging into quarterback Tim Tebow, pestering him in a style that sent a jolt of hilarity through those close enough to witness the exchange. The... more

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press Bucs QB Josh Freeman followed up his 25-TD, 6-INT season in 2010 with a 16-TD, 22-INT performance in 2011. TAMPA -- Sweat beading on his noticeably skinnier face, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman was... more

Associated Press After recording 22.5 sacks the past two years, Cameron Wake was rewarded with a $49 million contract extension. Each new day last season, when the salt from his sweat layered his skin following another sun-soaked workout, Miami... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- The footballs flew deep and pretty toward their targets, one after another on an afternoon of tempered hope that still, of course, meant very little to the overall picture of the Miami Dolphins' future under quarterback Ryan Tannehill.... more

David Drapkin/AP Junior Seau played three seasons for the Dolphins, from 2003-05, between his years in San Diego and New England. PLANTATION, Fla. -- As former NFL linebacker Channing Crowder pulled up to Jacaranda Golf Club, a few miles from the... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- It only took a quick phone call before the blades of the helicopter were spinning at the Miami Dolphins' training facility Saturday, prepared to lift rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill high above his new city for an impromptu aerial tour.... more

Ron Chenoy/US Presswire Brian Dawkins (center) spent his final three seasons leading the Broncos' defense to cap off a 16-year career. When it came down to crunch time during Denver's memorable 2011 season, the Broncos often looked to Tim Tebow to... more

Associated Press (From left to right) Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III all have strong arms and elite athleticism. The man spent years in hundreds of homes across America, scouring high schools for top-tier prospects, searching for... more

Two days before he was scheduled to fly to Mexico to be married -- and three months before the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft -- quarterback Ryan Tannehill rolled to his left and squared up his shoulders on a normal passing drill while training in Florida.... more

In the months leading up to the 2006 NFL Draft, Mike Shanahan knew which quarterback he wanted. He did all the homework, watched all the throws. And his team was prepared to trade up in the draft, which it eventually did, to get his man. But one aspect... more

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press Gregg Williams (left) has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL for leading a bounty system for Saints players. For the past several months, we have attached a word to the New Orleans Saints' scandal that has... more

Ask Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland how he's doing these days in the wake of a tumultuous month that included an unsuccessful courtship of Peyton Manning and subsequent public scorn, and he'll shrug his shoulders. "I was a kicker in... more

Associated Press Bucs coach Greg Schiano (left) and Panthers QB Cam Newton could become the new faces of the NFC South. PALM BEACH, Fla. -- In the past 60 days, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano's schedule has been understandably hectic,... more

David Zalubowski/AP John Elway's courting of iconic QB Peyton Manning might have shifted the balance of power in the AFC West. PALM BEACH, Fla. -- He wanted to be happy for them. Really, he did. But when Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen saw his... more

The outcome was predictable, particularly for those who have seen this show before: Tim Tebow would walk to a podium, make a quick quip about the massive number of people in the room and politely answer a handful of questions while divulging little.... more

Associated Press Tim Tebow (left) is joining the Jets, who missed the playoffs last season for the first time under coach Rex Ryan. Once again, Tim Tebow found a way to make the fourth quarter interesting. In one of the strangest, most... more

NEW ORLEANS -- Since the NFL first dropped this Saints bounty bombshell three Fridays ago, we've been waiting for the league to drop the hammer on New Orleans. And over the past few weeks, it seemed reasonable to think that once the penalties were... more

On any number of the hundreds -- no, thousands -- of occasions when Tim Tebow has signed a photo or a football or left a message on Facebook or Twitter, he has often also tagged it with his 18-month-old trademark. GB2. It stands for God Bless and Go... more

From the beginning, it was always clear what Peyton Manning wanted. He was looking for comfort. For familiarity. For a place where he could finish his career without having to start something completely new. And although the Miami Dolphins always made... more

AP Joe Philbin (left), who worked with Matt Flynn in Green Bay, is looking for a QB at his new gig in Miami. DAVIE, Fla. -- During a brief conversation with Dolphins coach Joe Philbin at the NFL Scouting Combine , I asked the former Packers... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- After days of highly publicized meetings with the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals, Peyton Manning successfully escaped the spotlight for his third free-agent visit, this one with the Miami Dolphins. It required some covert operations... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- On his way home from this year's NFL Scouting Combine , seated in the second row of Flight 1120 from Indianapolis to Fort Lauderdale, Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin pulled out Pat Riley's autobiography, "The Winner Within," and began... more

The Miami Dolphins still feel confident they will get their meeting with Peyton Manning, but they have not yet firmed up a meeting time, team sources said Friday. Peyton Manning Stock Watch Who is the favorite in the race to sign Peyton Manning ?... more

DAVIE, Fla. -- These days, when Peyton Manning arrives in a city where he knows Dan Marino might be hanging out, he usually sends the Dolphins' Hall of Fame quarterback a quick text. It might be inquiring about meeting for dinner. For drinks. For golf.... more

Jonathan Bachman/AP Saints fans are coming to grips with the reality their team's 2012 season likely will be affected by bounty sanctions. NEW ORLEANS -- On the streets of this city, where beads still dangle from trolley lines and tree branches,... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL Scouting Combine is all about impressive feats. Dontari Poe's ability to carry his 346-pound body down a 40-yard track in 4.87 seconds? Impressive. David Molk's 41 repetitions in the bench press? Impressive. My ability to stuff... more

Ben Liebenberg/NFL After getting kicked out of Florida last April, cornerback Janoris Jenkins spent his senior season at North Alabama. INDIANAPOLIS -- He answered each question with a degree of candid honesty that's often praised at the NFL... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a hallway at Lucas Oil Stadium, just a few hours after Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III blazed 40 yards in 4.41 seconds on the nearby field Sunday, Rams general manager Les Snead had plenty of reasons to be happy. The first one?... more

David J. Phillips/AP LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers has shot up draft boards ever since declaring his eligibility. INDIANAPOLIS -- At 225 pounds, it was only natural that South Carolina DE/OLB Melvin Ingram played basketball in high school.... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- The first question was an easy one, and yet even in its simplicity, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III managed to eventually provide a masterful response. "What kind of socks are you wearing?" asked a reporter, referencing a sock... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- While delivering another nod of support in quarterback Tim Tebow's direction at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Denver Broncos vice president John Elway also maintained his previous stance that he'd like to work with Tebow to aid his... more

Bill Baptist/AP With potential free agency looming, future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning is the hottest topic at the combine. INDIANAPOLIS -- On one end of the Lucas Oil Stadium concourse where news conferences were conducted Thursday, New York Jets... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- A few miles from the Dolphins' training facility, facing east toward the interchange of I-595 and I-95, a billboard has been erected to send a message from a group of fans attempting to get Peyton Manning to South Florida. "Manning to... more

Jason O. Watson/US Presswire After recording just two sacks in his first two seasons, Illinois' Whitney Mercilus led the nation with 16 in 2011. PHOENIX -- Seated on a bench in the cafeteria at Athletes' Performance in Arizona, Illinois defensive... more

PHOENIX -- On a 40-yard football field at the Athletes' Performance training center, against the backdrop of the Arizona mountains, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw was beating up a tall, red blocking dummy like it just tried to steal his car. He... more

Matt Kartozian / US Presswire Brandon Weeden threw for 4,727 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading Oklahoma State to a 12-1 record. PHOENIX -- They left the baseballs at home and headed for the beach, a clan of minor league pitchers searching... more

It wasn't a newspaper columnist who said it. Or a fan. Or a coach. Or even his wife. Seven weeks after Joe Montana underwent surgery to repair a serious, career-threatening back injury in 1986, the quarterback's own orthopedic surgeon said Montana... more

It's hard to imagine what Ricky Williams must have been thinking as he browsed through a jade factory in Thailand nearly eight years ago, isolated from the sport he'd abandoned, rediscovering himself on the other side of the world. But we do have proof... more

Andrew Mills/US Presswire Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrated his second Super Bowl victory with his wife, Abby, and daughter, Ava. INDIANAPOLIS -- Enveloped by chaos for most of the night, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning escaped... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- As the final presenter of the evening, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning took the stage at the inaugural "NFL Honors" awards show Saturday night to a respectable ovation. He was there to present the 2011 Most Valuable Player... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- On a few random occasions this week, as the intensity of the Super Bowl media crush swarmed around her younger brother during his preparations for the biggest game in American sports, Nancy Brady's cell phone lit up with texts. They were... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- A day before one son plays in his second Super Bowl, Archie Manning also is making sure to maintain the confidence of another son, Peyton, as he endures the unresolved situation between he and the Colts. Archie said Saturday that Peyton... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- The coaches never knew what to do with him. When Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez arrived at Huntington Beach (Calif.) High School in 1990, he began as a running back (but another kid was faster). So he moved to fullback (that lasted... more

New York Jets assistant coach Mike Smith has decided to remain with team instead of taking a more prominent job at the University of West Virginia. Smith, who recently accepted the West Virginia assistant defensive coordinator job, said he was convinced... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- On the Tuesday before the Patriots played the Jets in last year's divisional playoff, wide receiver Wes Welker was on the phone with his good friend, Mike Smith, a Jets assistant who never passed up a chance at some good trash talk.... more

Matthew Emmons/US Presswire The Packers were one of the victims of Eli Manning and the Giants' current five-game winning streak. INDIANAPOLIS -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis won't get his shot this year. Despite a solid season, he won't get the... more

Justin Cote / TransWorld SURF Saints QB Drew Brees and world champion surfer Kelly Slater sit on their boards during a lesson in West Oahu. PUPUKEA, Hawaii -- From the perch of a backyard that sits above the beach where the world's most... more

HONOLULU -- Call it quarterback envy. Call it playful jealousy. Whatever you call it, Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall has caught a serious case of it during this week's Pro Bowl practices in Hawaii. Debate: Where will Flynn land? QB Matt... more

OAHU, Hawaii -- Standing on a makeshift football field in Hawaii having just spent a few hours preparing for what will be his 12th Pro Bowl, Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez's voice sounded as relaxed as the island vibe around him. So maybe we... more

Perry Knotts/NFL Drew Brees didn't get his first ring until his ninth season in the league, and now he's hungry for more. OAHU, Hawaii -- There once was a time, during a previous chapter of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' career, when... more

Perry Knotts/NFL Quarterback Drew Brees has been selected to six Pro Bowls during his 11 seasons with the Saints and Chargers. OAHU, Hawaii -- A few hours after he put down his bags, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton ventured into the... more

SAN FRANCISCO -- When he reached a crowded, chaotic visiting locker room at Candlestick Park on Sunday night, Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora sought out coach Tom Coughlin and plopped down in a seat next to him. If anyone could relate to this weird... more

SAN FRANCISCO -- The proof exists in every corner of the 49ers' locker room, one athlete after another providing validation of the draft picks and free-agent acquisitions once dubbed disappointing and inadequate. Look closely, Miami Dolphins. Get out... more

SAN FRANCISCO -- Quick. Name four San Francisco 49ers on the team's current roster. Was Alex Smith one? Maybe Patrick Willis? Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree might've also made your list. This all makes sense because all of those players, as former... more

Tim Heitman/US Presswire Rob Gronkowski hauled in three touchdowns in the Patriots' blowout of the Broncos in the divisional round. It was a beautiful thing , the way he pushed off the right foot of his 265-pound frame and stretched his massive... more

GREEN BAY -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning pulled one item at a time from his locker, emptying his road gear into a big blue duffle bag that would later be flown back to New York after Sunday's 37-20 win against the Green Bay Packers. First,... more

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With a strut as smooth as you'd expect, Tom Brady walked toward the players' parking lot at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night with wife Gisele Bundchen hanging gently on his arm, the perfect pair sporting their perfect smiles. To... more

Greg Trott/Associated Press Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has taken off since Dec. 1, averaging 108.7 yards per game. DENVER -- With a black sharpie in his right hand, Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas turned over his left arm... more

Associated Press Tony Sparano (left) and Rex Ryan could pair well together for the Jets. Five days before the Jets made their debut on HBO's "Hard Knocks" in August 2010, a reporter asked then-Dolphins coach Tony Sparano if he'd ever consider... more

DENVER -- Broncos coach John Fox said he wouldn't give any injury updates until Wednesday, but according to one team source, there's "no chance" wide receiver Eric Decker will be able to play in Saturday's divisional playoff game against the New England... more

US Presswire (From left) Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Frank Gore and Ray Rice are all rested up for divisional weekend. DENVER -- Maintaining a message of even-keeled confidence, Broncos coach John Fox on Monday didn't want to overstate Sunday's win .... more

DENVER -- He reached for the chain with the silver cross that was dangling in his locker and slipped it over his bowed head, one final touch as Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow finished getting dressed Sunday night. It hadn't been 25 minutes since the end,... more

DENVER -- On the day before the Broncos will play the Steelers in an AFC Wild Card Game, backup quarterback Brady Quinn remained in the same role he has all season: Watching mostly from the sideline, wondering if and when his chance will come. Quinn... more

DENVER -- While quarterback Tim Tebow's rough passing performance in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs did create some internal discussion about whether to prepare backup Brady Quinn during practice for possible action in Sunday's AFC Wild Card... more

US Presswire (From left) Calvin Johnson, Ray Rice, Andre Johnson and Darren Sproles could be superstars in the playoffs. It happens every year. Whether it's a known star, an unheralded veteran or a breakout youngster, somebody turns into a beast... more

Rocking a South Park hoodie in Denver's locker room after Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Broncos running back Willis McGahee likely had no intentions of sending a message to anyone with the words printed across his chest. After all, McGahee... more

Steven Senne/AP New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick (left) and owner Bob Kraft have won three Super Bowls together. Twelve years ago, shortly after New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft completed a deal to trade a first-round draft pick to the... more

DENVER -- As the Broncos continue their quest toward improving a passing game that's not going to cut it in the playoffs, some of quarterback Tim Tebow's more ardent supporters have wondered recently whether the play calls have fit his skill set. During... more

DENVER -- The chants ignited precisely on point. They swept through the stadium as the buzz began to grow and spines started to straighten. Just as he'd proven five previous times this season, this was his moment. This was his time. "Tebow! Tebow!... more

DENVER -- Inside the room where the Broncos' quarterbacks meet each day, the memories of Kyle Orton mostly have been erased by the team's seven wins since he was benched in favor of Tim Tebow on Oct. 9. But there still remains one minor outstanding debt... more

Hans Deryk / Associated Press Reggie Bush has a career-high 1,086 rushing yards in his first season with the Miami Dolphins. DAVIE, Fla. -- Under the hot August sun, when all his teammates understandably retreated to the locker room after practice,... more

The cynicism still resonated, even as the pain of the Week 14 loss had yet to subside. Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher's team had just suffered the strange and indescribable wrath of a Tim Tebow comeback, leaving the defense in a bizarre spot. Do... more

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The mirror in his motherâ??s living room is round, with a floral border, hung in a place where New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz couldnâ??t miss it on a lonely afternoon four years ago. He was passing through on his way... more

US Presswire The Colts, Vikings and Rams all have a shot at having the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. When the game was over, after Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky's pass landed in wideout Reggie Wayne's hands with 19 seconds left for a 19-16 win... more

DENVER -- For the first time in seven days, each of which I spent in Denver because of Tim Tebow's polarizing impact on the NFL, the Broncos' quarterback and I finally had the chance to exchange more than the daily salutations I'd come to expect from the... more

DENVER -- Broncos safety Brian Dawkins didn't participate in Saturday's walkthrough because of a neck injury, according to a source, and the team made him inactive for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots . Safety David Bruton (Achilles)... more

DENVER -- In 11 seasons, Patriots QB Tom Brady has orchestrated 31 game-winning drives. He has the best winning percentage (.772) of any quarterback in the Super Bowl era with at least 100 starts. Last year, he threw only four interceptions on 492 pass... more

Tim Heitman/US Presswire Traded to Denver from Cleveland in 2010, Brady Quinn has never taken a regular-season snap for the Broncos. DENVER -- For less than 30 seconds on Sept. 25, Broncos QB Brady Quinn believed his moment was upon him. His... more

DENVER -- Well before Tebow Time turned into a new pop-culture phrase to describe Tim Tebow's heroics in the closing moments of recent games, linebacker Von Miller already had two words inked into the skin of his right pectoral muscle as a play off the... more

Hans Deryk/Associated Press The Dolphins are 18-27 since Stephen Ross bought controlling stake in the franchise in February 2009. With only the sound of a jet engine squealing through the cool South Florida air on Jan. 7, 2011, I stood outside the... more

ARLINGTON, Texas -- As Giants owner John Mara passed through the visiting locker room at Cowboys Stadium late Sunday night, he detoured to a back corner where defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was packing his belongings for the plane ride home. Mara... more

Matthew Emmons / US Presswire Laurent Robinson has seven touchdowns in his past six games, leading the 'Boys to first place in the NFC East. IRVING, Texas -- Midway through a conversation with Cowboys wide receiver Laurent Robinson at his locker... more

Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press The Falcons' new-look offense, featuring Julio Jones (left) and Roddy White, has been inconsistent in 2011. Late in the third quarter Sunday, Falcons QB Matt Ryan dropped back with a purpose, knowing the... more

HOUSTON -- Texans rookie quarterback T.J. Yates did his part all week. He practiced hard. He remained calm. He didn't try to be anyone else, and he played within his own ability. It was every quality his veteran teammates hoped to see as they surged into... more

HOUSTON -- Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson sustained a left hamstring injury in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson has an MRI exam scheduled for Monday, but doesn't believe it's nearly as severe as the previous injury to his right... more

HOUSTON -- Texans linebacker Brian Cushing started the second half of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons after leaving with an apparent right knee injury earlier in the game. Cushing left the game during the second quarter and had to be helped... more

HOUSTON -- Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner and wide receiver Julio Jones are set to play Sunday against the Houston Texans , according to two team sources. Jones (hamstring) and Turner (groin) each missed practice Wednesday and Thursday,... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- While Colts quarterback Peyton Manning remains unwilling to discuss his future in Indianapolis or the 2012 NFL Draft, he was more than pleased Friday to disclose some encouraging information about the rehabilitation of his Sept. 8 neck... more

SAN DIEGO -- On Saturday, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow stood in front of his teammates, both offense and defense, to deliver a message that resonated deep into Sunday evening, long after the Broncos battled it out with the Chargers in overtime for a fifth... more

BALTIMORE -- The Ravens were within reach of this win, in control of another victory on a big stage that would shift the momentum of the AFC North, when linebacker Ray Lewis began working the sidelines with a message for his defensive teammates. "Hunt,... more

Way back in August, when Kyle Orton was on the trading block, frustrated fans in Miami spent the end of a practice chanting, "We want Or-ton!" Three months later, that might not be the case anymore. But we're wondering: Does anyone else? In the wake of... more

Kevin Terrell/US Presswire Jameel McClain has started every game at inside linebacker for the 7-3 Ravens this season.   These streets were tough. Not tough like the Ravens defense. Not tough like a goal-line stand or a hard hit on a wide... more

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In the spirit of celebrating a 17-10 win over the Giants on Sunday night, a jubilant chest bump turned into a bear hug as Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson met his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on his way to the locker room. Is this... more

Jeff Darlington/NFL John Fox has tweaked the Broncos' offense to fit his quarterback's skills. The result: two consecutive wins.   ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- In his office, where a wall of windows overlooks the Denver Broncos' practice fields and a... more

  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- He kept repeating that phrase, the one so often used around this time of the NFL season when teams begin to gain a clearer picture of their path toward the playoffs, almost as if it provided reprieve in the wake of this... more

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The street was dark. It was quiet and calm. And it was only sad if you understood the enormity of the situation enveloping the 84-year-old man who lives inside this small, one-story home on McKee Street. But if you didn't know, if... more

PHILADELPHIA -- It wasn't as if Bears quarterback Jay Cutler never felt the Eagles' pressure. Oh, he did. He escaped it once by throwing a missile off his back foot to Roy Williams. He evaded it another time after stumbling backward, regaining his... more

PITTSBURGH -- Walking toward the team bus early Monday with a John Varvatos duffle bag he got for free when he bought a bottle of cologne, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looked like a guy headed home after a workout at the local gym. He wore blue nylon... more

PITTSBURGH -- As anticipated, Steelers linebacker James Harrison is prepared to start Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens after missing the previous four weeks because of a broken orbital bone around his right eye, a league source said. Harrison... more

Only during this bizarre Miami Dolphins season would the team's best performance of the year occur days after the dramatics within the locker room reached a climax. Team sources said Sunday that several players spent a late night out in South Florida... more

The Miami Dolphins have their reasons for sidelining cornerback Vontae Davis for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs , and they're saying publicly that it isn't because his hamstring is too injured for him to play. Beyond that, however,... more

AP Brandon Flowers of The Killers (left) is more popular nationally than the Chiefs CB with the same name.   Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers has a problem. It has nothing to do with his team, riding a four-game hot streak after Monday's... more

Nick Wass/AP Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers have bounced back after a 28-point loss to the Ravens in Week 1.   If you tie together all the self-deprecating words from Steelers' players and coaches, all of the admissions of struggles and... more

PHILADELPHIA -- Tucked to the side of a dark tunnel beneath the seats of Lincoln Financial Field, Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha knew it would be easier to talk here than down the hall, where a group of fans were waiting to greet him. It's a good... more

IRVING, Texas -- On another long run, this one a 43-yard burst that sent Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray over the top of Tony Dorsett for the franchise's rookie rushing record, the breakout star crumpled to the ground untouched. What happened? Did... more

US Presswire From left to right: Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer and Jay Cutler all quarterback three-loss teams. Comeback kids? It didn't take much homework to realize three losses by Week 8 puts a team in a tough spot for a Super Bowl run. It... more

David Duprey/Associated Press If the season ended today, the 4-2 Bills would be a wild-card team. Can they see it through to the end? ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The young wide receivers got the bunk beds. Third-year pro Steve Johnson headed for... more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The oddities of the day were everywhere, in as many forms as any football fan could fathom, when Dolphins coach Tony Sparano made it clear to everyone within shouting distance that he could feel that strange world collapsing around... more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- When Broncos coach John Fox walked off the bus into Sun Life Stadium on Sunday, he admittedly knew little of what to expect from his new starting quarterback, Tim Tebow. After all, Fox knows as well as anyone Tebow isn't the... more

Associated Press Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is not shy about sharing his faith. Comedian John Oliver starts the skit by making his ire clear: He hates Tim Tebow. Oliver, who won an Emmy in 2009 for his work as a "Daily Show"... more

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Staring into his locker in a rare moment of solitude on this hectic afternoon, Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer pulled down his massive playbook from a shelf and gazed for a moment at the cover. He then flipped through... more

As the NBA's long and reportedly fruitless mediation process enters another day of meetings Wednesday without much optimism, it might soon be time for LeBron James to turn last week's playful football chatter into a reality. I found one player -- a... more

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Marching out to the middle of the field for all of MetLife Stadium to see, Jets teammates Santonio Holmes and Brandon Moore joined each other as anointed honorary captains for Monday night's pregame coin toss. It was a display... more

Just as he'd done 31 other times in his career, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was in the process of creating another fourth-quarter comeback Sunday, completing one pass after another as the clock wound down inside a minute. Did anyone really need to... more

As Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow takes over the starting role in Denver, his former college coach at Florida remains adamant that Tebow has the skill set to succeed in the NFL. That's not the question, Urban Meyer said. Meyer wonders whether he'll also... more

Three months ago, when many expected Tim Tebow to be the Broncos' starting quarterback job before Kyle Orton's play in training camp dictated otherwise, the business side of the Dolphins' organization had an idea. They'd honor the University of Florida... more

ATLANTA -- The message didn't include any inspiring words. It wasn't a pep talk. It didn't come with any extra passion or zeal. Instead, Packers coach Mike McCarthy simply turned to Marshall Newhouse and told the player who started the season as a... more

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rocking a New York Titans fleece and a hat with the matching AFL throwback logo, Jets coach Rex Ryan subtly joked Thursday that he'd not thought anything about it when he selected his attire for the day. "I just thought it looked... more

The Miami Dolphins' climb from their place as one of four winless teams just became a whole lot more interesting: Quarterback Chad Henne will require surgery to repair a shoulder separation and miss the rest of the season, multiple team sources said... more

Jeremy Brevard/US Presswire Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall draft pick, threw for 1,000 yards faster than any rookie in NFL history. CHARLOTTE -- His intentions meant as nothing more than caring, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen approached his... more

The Miami Dolphins' attempts to turn their season around could get even more difficult in the wake of an injury suffered by quarterback Chad Henne during Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins currently are concerned about a separation... more

TAMPA, Fla. -- The grass-stained uniforms had already been picked up; the pads and equipment were almost entirely packed away. His last teammate took off 20 minutes earlier, but LeGarrette Blount remained. He was in no rush. The Bucs running back still... more

JACKSONVILLE -- Sucked into too many situations last season when seemingly inferior opponents stunned his Saints, coach Sean Payton had no interest Sunday in repeating that portion of the team's recent history. So he reminded the group last week. He... more

Steve Mitchell/US Presswire With the Dolphins off to an 0-3 start, coach Tony Sparano's job has been called into question. The flight was dark and quiet, much like the mood of the passengers on their way back to South Florida after a 31-10... more

Associated Press Washington quarterback Rex Grossman shields himself from negative feedback. "He really has no clue when it comes to anything being said about him," says Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. "He doesn't watch SportsCenter and... more