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The Denver Broncos have found an ally from Down Under. Coach John Fox and his players were visited last week by the St. Kilda Saints Football Club of the Australian Football League. Saints players and coaches soaked in practice at the Broncos'... more

Few players in the Cleveland Browns' locker room command more respect than Joe Thomas. The Pro Bowl left tackle has soldiered through a string of losing seasons without complaint. He isn't a guy to grab the spotlight, but Thomas had plenty to say... more

Records don't matter much to Greg Hardy, a man who sees the 2012 season through a different lens than the rest of us. The Carolina Panthers pass rusher told Steve Reed of The Associated Press that his 3-9 squad is superior to the 11-1 Atlanta Falcons.... more

What little support remains for Titus Young inside the Detroit Lions' organization appears to be fading fast. Lions coach Jim Schwartz told MLive.com on Wednesday that his exiled wide receiver is scheduled for upcoming knee surgery, "unless he doesn't... more

Chad Johnson's NFL career came to a crashing halt this summer following his arrest for domestic battery. The free-agent receiver is asking for one more chance on the field. Harrison: Week 14 Power Rankings Entering the final quarter of the regular... more

The Baltimore Ravens have kept quiet about Ray Lewis' possible return. No need to keep quiet anymore. Week 14 Fantasy 101 How can you strengthen your fantasy roster for the playoffs? Jason Smith suggests it starts with wide receivers. More ...... more

The Chicago Bears have watched their NFC North lead fizzle away. The loss of another key player won't help them regain it. Billick: Bears' D dominating Brian Billick explains how Chicago's defense thrives despite a pedestrian scheme, and offers other... more

Last summer's frantic concerns about Peyton Manning's future seem silly here in December. Worries over his arm strength. Concerns about his durability. Whispers he'd never be the same guy again. Take a look at the career of Peyton Manning. We asked... more

LeBron James is a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, but that hasn't clouded his opinion of Robert Griffin III. The Washington Redskins' rookie quarterback was courtside Tuesday night to see the struggling Wizards stun James and the visiting Miami Heat... more

When Travel Channel chose to take a stab at chronicling the ups and downs of an NFL team, it would have been a cinch to pick one of the league's overtly marketable franchises. Rapoport: Rebuilding the Browns How do you rebuild a team that's been so... more

Jim Harbaugh told reporters Monday that he hasn't changed his mind at quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers coach watched the tape of Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams and came away discouraged by the defeat but encouraged by the... more

The Detroit Lions have grown dangerously thin at wide receiver. Coach Jim Schwartz told reporters Monday that rookie Ryan Broyles will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Broyles suffered the injury... more

Only the Atlanta Falcons have clinched a seat at the NFC playoff table, but Week 13 helped a handful of contenders take an important step toward January football. We gained clarity Sunday , but plenty of drama remains. Here's what the week's results... more

When Jeff Fisher took over a struggling St. Louis Rams team last winter, Jim Harbaugh's empire-in-the-making already was underway in San Francisco. One year later, the Rams have played the 49ers as tough as any team west of the New York Giants, taking... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 13. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined the action. Impossible and tragic events in Kansas City made Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers an afterthought. The... more

Tim Tebow has faded into the background on a New York Jets offense that appears unsure how to use the backup quarterback in game situations. Brandt: Tebow not an NFL QB Tim Tebow has talent, Gil Brandt says, but if he wants to stay in the NFL, he'll... more

Peyton Manning is well known for the flood of pre-snap line adjustments and audibles he'll rattle off before picking apart a defense. During Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Denver Broncos starting quarterback also had a message for the... more

Tony Romo's exceptional night against the Philadelphia Eagles was the picture of a quarterback who trusted his pass-catchers. That hasn't always been the case for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's recent chemistry with Dez Bryant continued in the Cowboys'... more

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick returned to earth in Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams. His third NFL start wasn't a disaster , but Kaepernick was quick to accept blame for one ugly game-changing mistake. The... more

The chips are falling, one by one, for the Philadelphia Eagles. Monday's firing of defensive line coach Jim Washburn isn't especially surprising if you've been reading the tea leaves. Coach Andy Reid's 3-9 Eagles are in free fall, and this move was... more

Some undoubtedly will ponder Colin Kaepernick's performance in Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams and argue that he regressed in his third NFL start. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback struggled to move the offense for much of the... more

The St. Louis Rams have been an up-and-down affair this season, but they certainly seem to have Jim Harbaugh's number. Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers was the product of excellent coaching by Jeff Fisher, who will close out his... more

The Buffalo Bills are hanging on for dear life. Their fifth win of the season came easily in a 34-18 romp over the Jacksonville Jaguars, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive for another week. When the Bills' defense applies pressure on the... more

Ben Roethlisberger reportedly surprised his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates by refusing to push himself in practice in the days leading up to Sunday's showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported Sunday that... more

No controversy this time around. Brandt: Tebow not an NFL QB Tim Tebow has talent, Gil Brandt says, but if he wants to stay in the NFL, he'll have to try a different position. More ... New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow has been... more

The St. Louis Rams will try to beat (or, at least, tie ) the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday despite not having their most talented pass-catcher. Wide receiver Danny Amendola is inactive because of a foot injury, the Rams announced . Amendola... more

The Carolina Panthers' Facebook poll allows fans to call the team's coin toss for Sunday's game. Far too many decisions made by the 2012 Carolina Panthers have left their fans puzzled and wanting for more. Those faithful followers now have a... more

Alex Smith understandably is upset about being sent to the bench. Brooks: The Kaepernick advantage Jim Harbaugh's decision to start Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith is bold, but it's also correct. Bucky Brooks explains why. More ... The San... more

NFL Network's Charles Davis is embarked on a modern-day odyssey to bring football to the people. » Click here for larger version of image. I'm sitting here in the NFL newsroom watching the replay of Sunday's game between the Atlanta... more

Ryan Tannehill has surpassed expectations during his rookie campaign. The Miami Dolphins quarterback has shown plenty of ability on the field. Not so much when it comes to opining on the NFL's playoff picture entering Week 13. Ryan Tannehill... more

The Dallas Cowboys haven't been the same team without DeMarco Murray on the field. The second-year running back practiced Wednesday for the first time in over six weeks after a foot injury sidelined him in a Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The team... more

The Green Bay Press Gazette on Thursday cited growing concern that Cedric Benson's Lisfranc injury might prevent the Packers running back from making his return this season. The veteran back remains couched on the injured reserve/designated to return... more

Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings Twenty-six of the NFL's 32 teams are on the move -- some up, some down -- in Elliot Harrison 's updated pecking order. More ... The spiraling Arizona Cardinals are an easy target heading into a Week 13 against... more

Asking Brandon Marshall about the issue of Adderall use creeping up in the NFL this season produced a frisky response from the Chicago Bears wide receiver. Check out the best photos of Brandon Marshall. "I don't know too much about Adderall," Marshall... more

Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid hinted all week that rookie quarterback Nick Foles would make his third NFL start this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. That's all but certain now. Take a look back at Michael Vick's career. Jeff McLane of the... more

Matthew Stafford has endured an uneven campaign through 11 games after passing for more than 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns a season ago. Rapoport: Week 13 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 13 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a... more

It's that time of year in the NFL. Stories like this begin cropping up all over the map: Player X throws his support behind a struggling coach on a team resembling a sinking ship. Jeremiah: Plum coaching jobs Before firing season begins, Daniel... more

The Tennessee Titans haven't been very good on offense this season, but the deeper problems lie on defense. The team is on track to give up a whopping (and rare) 500 points this season, but coach Mike Munchak says he's not about to make any more... more

Count Jim Washburn among those unhappy -- and completely surprised -- to see pass rusher Jason Babin shuttled out of Philadelphia this week. The Eagles defensive line coach was "not pleased" when Andy Reid cut Babin, sources close to Washburn told Jeff... more

Linebacker Rolando McClain is lodged in the middle of an Oakland Raiders defense that ranks near the bottom of the NFL in most every major category. He sounds like a man who'd rather be anywhere else. "Officially no longer an Oakland Raider!!" McClain... more

The average professional football player isn't hurting financially, but forget all that for now. The siren's song of Wednesday night's $550 million Powerball drawing has echoed through the Miami Dolphins locker room and, almost to a man, the roster has... more

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth is still hot about the scuffle that broke out during Sunday's convincing win over the Oakland Raiders . BenJarvus Green-Ellis Whitworth fully expects to be fined after he and Raiders... more

Jared Allen has taken plenty of heat for Sunday's blind-side block on Chicago Bears guard Lance Louis. Now he's hearing it from the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings defensive end has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for the hit, Sean Jensen of the Chicago... more

Greg Trott/Associated Press In this week's edition of ATL Film Room, we took a closer look at San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith, a genuine menace to all men holding the job title of "NFL quarterback." Smith leads the league with... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters Wednesday he expects Tim Tebow to be cleared to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Whether the backup quarterback sees the field is another story. Brandt: Tebow not an NFL QB Tim Tebow has talent,... more

Cross one team off the list in the developing Jason Babin derby. NFL Network's Rebecca Haarlow spoke to a team source Wednesday who said the Atlanta Falcons have "zero" interest in acquiring Babin, the pass-rushing defensive end released by the... more

The San Francisco 49ers might not be done tweaking the starting lineup. Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings Twenty-six of the NFL's 32 teams are on the move -- some up, some down -- in Elliot Harrison 's updated pecking order. More ... The team... more

Here's where we're at in Florham Park: Jets players confirming they haven't given up on the season. New York is 4-7 and coming off a Thanksgiving Day beat down at the hands of the New England Patriots, but talk of players jumping ship is premature.... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh appears in no rush to name a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams. That awkward dynamic provides ample time for his players to talk. Offensive tackle Joe Staley told KGMZ-FM in San... more

The San Francisco 49ers aren't waiting around to lock down one of the game's top linebackers. Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings Twenty-six of the NFL's 32 teams are on the move -- some up, some down -- in Elliot Harrison 's updated pecking order. More... more

The landscape continues to shift in Philadelphia, where the Eagles on Tuesday announced the release of veteran defensive end Jason Babin. The move comes as a surprise by a team that could use more than a few helping hands on defense. It makes more... more

Jake Locker's uneven tenure in Tennessee took another turn on Monday when the Titans fired offensive coordinator Chris Palmer . Power Poll: Texans on top The 10-1 Houston Texans are still No. 1 in the latest NFL.com Power Poll, but which hard-charging... more

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson won't be back this season with the Philadelphia Eagles. It's remains unclear when -- and if -- Michael Vick will. Andy Reid told reporters Tuesday that rookie quarterback Nick Foles is likely to make his third consecutive... more

The long list of missing faces on offense for the Philadelphia Eagles continues to grow. Coach Andy Reid told reporters Tuesday that wide receiver DeSean Jackson is headed to injured reserve after suffering multiple rib fractures in Monday night's loss... more

The bad news keeps coming for the battered offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday that starting right tackle Mike Adams is expected to miss a significant amount of time after suffering a high ankle... more

This is the current temperature in Philadelphia: Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweeted Tuesday that Andy Reid will, in fact, coach the Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday , per a team source. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport,... more

Somewhere in the deep distance, Juan Castillo is smiling. Ever since Andy Reid made his former defensive coordinator the scapegoat for the raging dumpster fire in Philadelphia, the Eagles have only stumbled deeper into the pit. Especially against the... more

With Mike Holmgren out the door in Cleveland, the fates of his hand-picked hires rest on uncertain soil. Browns coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert have five more games to make their case. Logic would suggest new CEO Joe Banner is about to... more

After watching what's become of the Kansas City Chiefs this season, coach Romeo Crennel's offseason pursuit of Peyton Manning makes plenty of sense. Romeo, we're learning, is not the only man in the building who appreciates what Manning brings to the... more

Dallas Cowboys fans are calling on a higher power to erase Jerry Jones from the equation in Big D. Take a look at the long history between the Presidents of the United States and the NFL. The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that a man from Ft.... more

The Oakland Raiders have watched their Bay Area neighbors, the San Francisco 49ers, turn Colin Kaepernick loose to rave reviews . Breer: A position of strength Colin Kaepernick is the latest to benefit from 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's knack for... more

The San Francisco 49ers will finish the season without the services of Kyle Williams. The third-year wideout is out for the year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-21 win over the New Orleans Saints. Take... more

Mike Holmgren's rocky tenure with the Cleveland Browns is over and done with. Holmgren huddled with reporters one final time Monday to reflect on his uneven three-season run as team president. Friday will mark his final day in Cleveland before he... more

Week 12's slate of games only muddied an AFC playoff picture that -- behind four clear-cut division leaders -- offers a glut of bordering-on-mediocre clubs vying for wild-card spots. After taking a look at the NFC playoff portrait , it's time to examine... more

Ndamukong Suh's Thanksgiving Day footwork is reportedly scheduled for review by the NFL on Monday . No matter what the NFL decides, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub says Suh's style of play wouldn't fly on his team. "You don't want a player... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 12. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined the action. Note to the faithful reader: Many are shouting, "Where's the Ray Rice play?" That, friends, was a reception -- and a... more

It's not a football tale that promises to sit alongside the legend of The Four Horsemen, but the disappearance of Fireman Ed is a fitting symbol of this year's New York Jets. Ed Anzalone steps down as Fireman Ed but not as a Jets fan. Take a look back.... more

The 6-5 Pittsburgh Steelers sit three games behind the 9-2 Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. Until quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returns, that gap promises to grow. Take a look back at the best photos from this classic rivalry. Roethlisberger has... more

The Baltimore Ravens are 9-2 and have Ray Rice to thank for it. His 30-yard catch-and-dash on fourth-and-29 was the play of the day and propelled the Ravens to an overtime win against the San Diego Chargers to remain just one game behind the Houston... more

Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey isn't letting go of the playbook. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson lobbied publicly after Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to be given more play-calling power . Gailey says that's... more

When the Baltimore Ravens lost Ray Lewis to a torn triceps last month, many wondered if the celebrated 37-year-old linebacker would ever play again. Those questions should never have been asked. Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports cited more than a half... more

Stevie Johnson has seen enough from the Buffalo Bills' streaky offense to call for changes at the highest level. The wide receiver on Sunday asked for Bills coach Chan Gailey to give up at least some of his play-calling duties. Check out the best... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a vulnerable position. Check out the best photos from the Week 12 matchup between the Steelers and Browns. The rash of injuries to key players finally caught up with the team in Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Cleveland... more

The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, but their 34-10 victory didn't come without controversy. A nasty fourth-quarter fight led to Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth and two Raiders -- defensive linemen... more

The Cleveland Browns finished Sunday's 20-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers without starting quarterback Brandon Weeden. The rookie left in the fourth quarter after he was injured on a sack by Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds. Weeden's... more

Following a rash of rib injuries in recent weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers now are dealing with two bad ankles. Offensive tackle Mike Adams and linebacker LaMarr Woodley both left Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns with ankle injuries.... more

The Denver Broncos will lean on a familiar name to fill their Willis McGahee-sized hole in the backfield . Knowshon Moreno started Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, confirming NFL Network's Michelle Beisner's earlier report . The team later... more

Editor's note : A previous version of this story erroneously reported that Adrian Peterson missed the Minnesota Vikings' team bus. NFL Network's Stacey Dales had reported only that Peterson arrived at Soldier Field an hour and a half before kickoff, not... more

Julio Jones is questionable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a lingering ankle sprain. How much we see of the Atlanta Falcons wideout likely depends on how this NFC South battle unfolds. NFL Network's Jeff Darlington reported... more

It hasn't taken long for Plaxico Burress to settle back in with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Charlie Batch told NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala that Burress has looked sharp in practice since signing with the team Tuesday . The 35-year-old... more

The Houston Texans are 10-1 and control their own destiny in the playoff race, but all isn't sunny for these AFC heavies. Thursday's 34-31 overtime win over the Detroit Lions produced a pile of game film that promises to have Texans coach Gary Kubiak... more

Thanksgiving turned ugly in Detroit. Any remaining goodwill between the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans melted away late in third quarter of Thursday's game when the Texans were awarded a touchdown on what should have been ruled a mundane 8-yard run... more

Nick Foles should have another chance to build on his first NFL start. The Philadelphia Eagles plan to start the rookie quarterback Monday night against the Carolina Panthers while veteran Michael Vick continues to heal from a concussion, a source who... more

It was Thanksgiving Day, so families nationwide gathered around their television sets to watch Ndamukong Suh's foot go somewhere it shouldn't. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle became a household name last Turkey Day when he stomped on Green Bay... more

Suspended coach Gregg Williams is seeking answers about his future in the NFL. Harrison: Week 12 predictions No more bye weeks in the 2012 campaign. What can we expect with all 32 teams in action? Elliot Harrison provides his picks. More ...... more

Yesterday at this time, Alex Smith was the No. 1 quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. That was all put into question Wednesday night with the report that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints -- and possibly for the long... more

The Houston Texans face the challenge of shutting down Detroit Lions star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. They'll have to do that without their best cornerback. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Thursday that Johnathan Joseph has been ruled out of the... more

An attempt by the 2-8 Cleveland Browns to reward their loyal fan base has -- like much of this season -- gone woefully awry. Arrive early Sunday. All fans in attendance will receive a Browns Inflatable Flag courtesy of @NFLtixExchange.... more

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin wasn't exactly a household name when he rumbled for 135 yards on a Thursday night in October against the Minnesota Vikings. One month later, the young Bucs... more

Jim Harbaugh is perfectly content to keep the media guessing about who will start at quarterback Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Is a QB controversy brewing in SF. Take a look at our Top 10. The San Francisco 49ers coach told reporters that both... more

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is next in line to attempt what few coaches around the NFL have accomplished this season: shutting down Robert Griffin III. The Washington Redskins rookie quarterback gets his first taste of the Cowboys on... more

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't afraid to gamble with what remains of his team's wildly uneven season. Whisenhunt announced Wednesday that rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley will start Sunday at home against the St. Louis Rams.... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns wage war on Sunday . On Wednesday, both AFC North teams received news to be thankful for on the practice field. Schein: Big Ben or bust for Steelers Adam Schein handicaps the AFC wild-card race, and says... more

Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey isn't prepared to completely abandon the committee approach to his backfield, but he's inching closer day by day. Take a look back at this long standing NFL tradition. Gailey told reporters Wednesday that C.J. Spiller... more

For those of you still paying attention to the Kansas City Chiefs, we have more movement at the quarterback position. Harrison: Week 12 predictions No more bye weeks in the 2012 campaign. What can we expect with all 32 teams in action? Elliot Harrison... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars came into this season with high hopes for Blaine Gabbert, but the starting quarterback's second season is officially on ice. Justin Blackmon The Jaguars placed Gabbert on injured reserve Wednesday , citing the right... more

Matt Ryan's season was so flawless, so sturdy -- it bordered on boring. The came Sunday's five-interception debacle. Take a look back at this long standing NFL tradition. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback put up his worst game of the year in a 23-19 win... more

After hearing Ed Reed's side of the story, the NFL has decided to reduce his one-game suspension to a $50,000 fine. Ted Cottrell, the league's hearing officer in the appeal, held a telephone session with the Baltimore Ravens safety and the NFL Players... more

Like most highly drafted quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill was snatched up by an organization thin on blue-chip talent. The Miami Dolphins rookie passer has overcome that to produce an impressive body of work in Year One. ESPN's Ron Jaworski is a tireless... more

The Oakland Raiders have parted ways with Aaron Curry just one season after shipping a pair of draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks for the outside linebacker. The team confirmed that Curry was waived Tuesday not long after he fired off a string of... more

It's official. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich won't be on the field Sunday against the Cleveland Browns -- and he won't be the only backup in Pittsburgh. The Steelers signed Brian Hoyer, the former New England Patriots quarterback, a... more

Harrison: Week 12 Power Rankings Elliot Harrison reevaluates the NFL hierarchy yet again, with plenty of movement in the top half and a change at No. 32. More ... Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis voiced his displeasure Sunday with a 3-7 team he... more

We're planning to stick a fork in heart of the Arizona Cardinals later today, but the proud band of players on that team aren't sitting around clicking refresh on NFL.com -- and they haven't given up on the season. Linebacker Daryl Washington and... more

The one-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed raised plenty of questions about how today's defensive players are being asked to operate. Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, visited ESPN's "Mike &... more

The Chicago Bears can spin Monday night's 32-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers any way they'd like, but brutal honesty is always appreciated. Lombardi: The Bears' big problem Michael Lombardi says the Bears' fatal flaw has been an issue since last... more

Ed Reed's Sunday night hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders drew an unnecessary roughness penalty but will cost the Baltimore Ravens much more than that. The NFL suspended the veteran safety for one game without pay for what... more

The New York Giants faded into their bye week on a two-game losing streak, but despite the tumble, the defending Super Bowl champions don't suffer from a poor self image. Defensive end Justin Tuck said Monday that Big Blue might be, if anything, too... more

Eli Manning admits he feels stronger after the bye week, but the New York Giants quarterback shot down speculation he has played with a "dead arm" during his team's two-game losing streak. "I didn't think there was anything to it," Manning told Jorge... more

This will sound familiar: Coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't decided who will start at quarterback for his Arizona Cardinals when they play the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. John Skelton was pulled in the second quarter of the Cardinals' 23-19 loss to the Atlanta... more

Ben Roethlisberger isn't the only Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback dealing with upper-body pain. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported Monday the Steelers are concerned that Byron Leftwich might be "out for a while" because of the rib and... more

Dez Bryant produced the best day of his NFL career in Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Dallas Cowboys' 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 11 on Tuesday,... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 11. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined this weekend's action. The Carolina Panthers neutralized Doug Martin early, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie turned it on late... more

The Dallas Cowboys struggled to pull off a 23-20 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. They often made the task tougher than it needed to be . Case in point: Brandon Weeden's 17-yard touchdown pass to Ben Watson that handed the Browns a... more

After a week of encouraging signs for Alex Smith, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback needs more time to heal from the concussion he suffered eight days ago and will not start against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost Ben Roethlisberger at a most unfortunate time in their schedule. The starting quarterback missed Sunday night's 13-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and remains a huge question mark to play when the teams meet again two weeks... more

Mark Sanchez finally found his groove in Sunday's 27-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. The New York Jets' starting quarterback enjoyed one of his better days of the year in a game that barely involved Tim Tebow. Tebow took just three snaps with the... more

We posted earlier Sunday about the Dallas Cowboys sitting in perfect position to make a playoff run with five home dates over their final seven games. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Dallas Cowboys' 23-20 overtime victory over the... more

The surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been an offensive pace car for the past month, but Sunday's 27-21 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers revealed another side of Greg Schiano's young team: They can win ugly. This one felt like a letdown in... more

The Dallas Cowboys didn't have to play long without DeMarcus Ware against the Cleveland Browns. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Dallas Cowboys' 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 11 on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 9:30... more

The Atlanta Falcons are a tight-knit bunch this season, as exampled by this week's release of defensive end Ray Edwards. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Sunday the Falcons parted ways with Edwards on Monday... more

The Dallas Cowboys sport a losing record through nine games, but that won't prevent the pundits from linking the team to a playoff run. Harrison: Week 11 predictions Whole lotta intrigue in Week 11, including the latest installment of Ravens vs.... more

Kurt Warner turned heads in May when he admitted to having reservations about his sons pursuing a career in football . The former quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals is a household name because he played the... more

Wide receiver Julio Jones injured his ankle and missed 28 snaps Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, a factor in the Atlanta Falcons' first loss of the season. The second-year pro skipped practice for the second day in a row Thursday and looms as a... more

Woody Johnson has watched the New York Jets dissolve into a bickering mass of in-fighting this week, and he isn't thrilled with the carnival over which he presides. "I didn't sign up for a 3-6 season," the Jets owner said Thursday, via Manish Mehta of... more

Brad Childress, the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator partly responsible for Brandon Weeden's development, says his rookie quarterback will be judged over the final seven games of the season. 'TNF' Anxiety Meter Have worries about starting... more

The Dallas Cowboys haven't shut the door on running back DeMarco Murray seeing time against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Tony Romo The second-year pro suffered a sprained left foot against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 14 and hasn't played... more

All is quiet between Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the Philadelphia Eagles on the contract front, which has everything to do with the team's uncertain future. Brandt: Ranking the corners Gil Brandt crunches the numbers, using a statistical approach... more

Minutes after we reported that Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams attempted to hijack the "Optimus Prime" nickname from Richard Sherman, the Seattle Seahawks defender fired back. Brandt: Ranking the corners Gil Brandt crunches the numbers,... more

Andrew Luck's calm under fire during his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts has been talked about largely because of what he's doing with his arm. His footwork has been no less impressive. Luck ranks 10th among all NFL rookies (including... more

Roger Goodell is leaning on an old friend to sweep away what remains of the New Orleans Saints bounty mess. Drew Brees The NFL Commissioner told ESPN's "Mike and Mike" on Thursday that his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, will set the timetable on... more

Prepare yourselves, friends: Yet another football player is pretending to play the role of a looming, heroic robot. Russell Wilson With the Detroit Lions on tap for Sunday , Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has a message for receiver... more

Mike Shanahan's Washington Redskins lost their Week 8 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, but that wasn't all they lost. Schein: Do or die for Shanahan? Mike Shanahan hasn't won much with the Redskins. Adam Schein wonders if it's now... more

It really doesn't matter what the Minnesota Vikings accomplish this season if they haven't found their quarterback. There's little doubt they have their man. "I know everybody in this organization believes Christian Ponder is our guy," Vikings general... more

Eric Bakke/Associated Press "Around the League Film Room" is a new weekly series that uses Game Rewind and All-22 tape to dig deeper into the play of the NFL's heroes and goats. We open the series with a look at Von Miller. Von Miller has... more

Jay Cutler's concussion is costly for the Chicago Bears -- and for the man who caused it. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the NFL fined Houston Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins $30,000 for his hit on the Bears quarterback during the Texans'... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is tiring of the Tim Tebow questions. But they keep coming. Darlington: Tebow the Terrible The Jets are stunned Tim Tebow isn't a good practice player? Should have done their homework, Jeff Darlington says. More ...... more

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn said this week he has been cleared to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing two games with a concussion. His coach, Romeo Crennel, told reporters a different tale Wednesday morning.... more

Osi Umenyiora didn't take kindly to Cris Carter's take on why the New York Giants and November don't seem to go together. Rapoport: Week 11 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 11 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in... more

Romeo Crennel -- and all of television land -- had a tough time reconciling the image of his one-win Kansas City Chiefs dancing and prancing around Monday night after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Breer: Midseason coach firings... more

Ndamukong Suh continues to elicit contrasting opinions from players and personnel men around the NFL. Harrison: Week 11 Power Rankings Fluidity abounds in this week's league pecking order with a new team at the top. Elliot Harrison reshuffles the NFL... more

Jerramy Stevens appeared in a Kirkland, Wash., court in connection with a domestic violence case involving U.S. soccer star Hope Solo, who reportedly was supposed to marry the former NFL tight end Tuesday. SeattlePI.com reported that Stevens, who... more

People don't quickly forget about a man stomped into the ground on Thanksgiving Day. Evan Dietrich-Smith understands the lingering curiosity, but the Green Bay Packers offensive lineman would rather everyone stop with the questions about Ndamukong Suh's... more

The newest member of the Chicago Bears family has arrived -- finally. Harrison: Week 11 Power Rankings Fluidity abounds in this week's league pecking order with a new team at the top. Elliot Harrison reshuffles the NFL deck. More ...... more

The NFL coaching carousal is greased up and ready to go. No less than seven head coaches have been fired in-season since 2010, and those totals are almost certain to grow this year. Where teams go from there is another story. Albert Breer's latest... more

The Buffalo Bills will play without Fred Jackson against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night after the running back suffered a concussion in the final minutes of Sunday's 37-31 loss to the New England Patriots. More than a few Bills players are... more

Free-agent quarterback David Garrard was a preseason favorite to start for the Miami Dolphins. That was before Ryan Tannehill bloomed and a knee injury threw Garrard's comeback attempt off course. Fox Sports Insider and NFL Network contributor Jay... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for life -- or at least a few games -- without Ben Roethlisberger. NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday the organization is bracing itself for a serious injury to the quarterback's right shoulder,... more

Greg Jennings says he's ready to play. His doctor disagrees. The Green Bay Packers wide receiver told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he feels ready to go after surgery this month to repair an abdominal tear. Jennings is eyeing the New York Giants... more

Brady Quinn is back in the fold for a Kansas City Chiefs team that's still feeling around for its second win of the season. The quarterback told The Kansas City Star he's been cleared to return to practice and play Sunday against the Cincinnati... more

David Wilson entered the league this season as one of the more intriguing running back prospects around. Ten games in, the New York Giants rookie has some work to do. Power Poll: Who's No. 1? The Atlanta Falcons lost their first game, while the... more

There's concern in Tampa Bay that a neck injury suffered by Buccaneers linebacker Quincy Black could end his season. Black was hurt in Sunday's 34-24 win over the San Diego Chargers. He was taken to a local hospital and released Sunday night, but... more

Linebacker Brian Urlacher tweaked Chicago Bears fans Sunday night when he congratulated Danieal Manning after the Houston Texans safety picked off quarterback Jay Cutler. Urlacher was seen shaking hands with Manning after the play. They spent five... more

It started with a simple question. After Norv Turner's San Diego Chargers sunk to 4-5 on the year following Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the coach told the media his team would "respond" against the Denver Broncos in Week 11. That... more

Heads are rolling in Carolina. Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced Monday the team has fired special teams coordinator Brian Murphy. Rivera told reporters he relieved Murphy over "philosophical differences," but refused to delve into details.... more

Reggie Bush is taking Sunday's ugly 37-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans personally. He's also accepting the blame. The Miami Dolphins running back sought forgiveness from the fans after he was benched for a first-quarter fumble. "I have to... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 10. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined this weekend's action. Anyone still worried about Adrian Peterson's knee? Me neither. The Minnesota Vikings star pumped out 171... more

The New York Jets had little use for Danny Woodhead. The New England Patriots have turned him into a weapon. The diminutive running back scorched the Buffalo Bills for a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 37-31 win . He's been a reliable cog in New... more

Christian Ponder's recent slump had the pundits aflutter. Check out the best images as selected by NFL.com editors. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback was sharp and efficient during the team's 4-1 start, but appeared lost during a skid that saw the team... more

On any other Monday during the season, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler would diligently take to the mic for his regularly scheduled radio show. Check out the best images as selected by NFL.com editors. Not after the shot Cutler took in Sunday... more

Chris Houston is calling foul on the Minnesota Vikings. The Detroit Lions cornerback suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Vikings . Houston went down during Adrian Peterson's 61-yard touchdown run and says a Vikings player... more

Sunday's slate of games delivered the NFL's first tie in four seasons. The San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams battled through regulation and all of overtime to wind up knotted at 24-24 . NFL overtime games ending in a tie Date Home team Away team... more

The Buffalo Bills came out of Sunday's 37-31 loss to the New England Patriots with a fair amount of disdain for linebacker Brandon Spikes. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the New England Patriots' 37-31 victory over the Buffalo Bills in... more

Another win over the Buffalo Bills. That's nothing new for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, but Sunday's 37-31 squeaker came down to the final seconds because of a New England defense that can't close games. On NFL Network NFL Replay... more

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith suffered a concussion in the first half of Sunday's 24-24 tie with the St. Louis Rams and did not return. Smith was hit hard by Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar on a 4-yard run in the first quarter. He... more

The Baltimore Ravens have their issues this season, but that wasn't apparent against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The Ravens rained yardage and points in a 55-20 victory that marked the most points scored in franchise history. It was a performance... more

Mike Holmgren regularly told beat reporters in Cleveland he didn't want to coach the Browns during his three-year reign there because he didn't have the desire to return to the sideline. Harrison: Week 10 predictions Two of the NFL's best teams face... more

Darlington: Coaches lack loyalty Sean Payton might not bolt the Saints for the Cowboys, but it won't be because of loyalty, Jeff Darlington writes. More ... More than a few NFL teams will replace their current coach with somebody new after the... more

Joe Banner has been on the job for just a few weeks, but the new CEO of the Cleveland Browns faces no shortage of major decisions ahead. The questions begin at quarterback. Banner told Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer that he and owner Jimmy Haslam... more

ATL colleague Dan Hanzus recently floated his "25 percenter" theory . According to the man we call "Zeus," just eight of the NFL's 32 teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl. Harrison: Week 10 predictions Two of the NFL's best teams face off Sunday... more

Megatron: I feel all right It's been a season littered with injuries, but Calvin Johnson says his health is improving as time goes on. More ... Calvin Johnson missed Thursday's practice because of a lingering knee injury, but the Detroit Lions... more

A rash of NFL players have been suspended by the league this season for using the prescription drug Adderall. New York Giants safety Will Hill received a four-game suspension in October for Adderall use, which violates the NFL's... more

Roddy White has thrown down the gauntlet. The Atlanta Falcons wide receiver believes his undefeated team can turn 8-0 into 16-0. "I think we got the pedigree to do it," White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . "You know how we are on offense and... more

Antonio Cromartie has been the bright spot on a New York Jets team that's trapped in the AFC East basement. Cromartie is playing at a level with the NFL's best cover corners this season, and he has taken more of a leadership role since Darrelle... more

Aaron Rodgers isn't thrilled with the final cut of a "60 Minutes" segment that attempted to chronicle the life and times of the Green Bay Packers quarterback. Rodgers was featured for 11 minutes on an episode that aired Sunday. He told ESPN... more

Shad Khan arrived in Jacksonville as an energized new owner promising to turn around the fortunes of the floundering Jaguars. One year in, Khan has some big decisions to make. The team is 1-7 and showing too many of the same weaknesses that made last... more

The New York Jets guarded their plans for Tim Tebow's Wildcat offense like a state secret. In the days and months before the season, the expectation was that something special was about to happen in Florham Park. But that hasn't been the case. Tebow... more

The Tennessee Titans are a team without a spark. Jake Locker is being asked to flip the script on their 3-6 season. Titans coach Mike Munchak told reporters Wednesday that Locker is expected to start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Locker hasn't... more

The Tennessee Titans are damaged goods, but there's still plenty of football left to play. The expectation is that quarterback Jake Locker will lead the way from here on out. Titans coach Mike Munchak told reporters Wednesday that Locker is expected... more

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath has remained quiet during the New York Jets' disappointing run this season. We knew that couldn't last forever. Watching Rex Ryan's Jets lose their footing in the AFC East, Namath emerged this week to rip the front... more

Rex Ryan's rough-and-tumble season took a hit Tuesday when a players' poll ranked him as the most overrated coach in the NFL . The New York Jets coach dominated with 35 votes, more than doubling the (surprising) second-place finisher, Bill Belichick... more

Marcus Vick irritated the wrong people Monday night when he hopped on Twitter to rip the Philadelphia Eagles for failing to keep his brother safe during a 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Lombardi: No confidence in Philly If Eagles fans could... more

The Chicago Bears might face their toughest test of the season without their best player. Jay Cutler Cornerback Charles Tillman told WSCR-AM in Chicago he won't play in Sunday night's game against the 7-1 Houston Texans if his wife goes into... more

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones frequently is asked to comment on the on-field (and off-field) handiwork of wide receiver Dez Bryant. Breer: Payton to Dallas possible Albert Breer explains why the idea of Sean Payton coaching the Cowboys is very... more

Every year around this time, the coaching rumor mill kicks into gear. As flailing teams watch the season slip away, a handful of doomed head coaches know they're not for long , soon to be replaced by The Next Guy. Nobody benefits more from this... more

Let's start at the top. Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams is watching. Closely. His team is floundering under a second-year coaching staff coming up short on both sides of the ball. Forget the postseason down on old Rocky Top. At 3-6, coaches and players... more

Brandon Weeden has grown this season, but the losses are taking a toll on the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback. "I think I'm frustrated because I knew what kind of questions I was going to get and I came in prepared," Weeden told The Plain Dealer on... more

The secondary of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues its struggles away from the field. Buccaneers safety Ahmad Black was cited for marijuana possession by Hillsborough County police last week, the Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday . Doug Martin... more

Jerry Jones said he'd fire any general manager who produced the same bleak results he had in recent years, but the Dallas Cowboys owner isn't about to replace to himself. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Atlanta Falcons' 19-13 win... more

The Philadelphia Eagles appear bound for offseason changes, but the future of at least one high-ranking official appears secure. Lombardi: No confidence in Philly If Eagles fans could vote on their team, Andy Reid and Michael Vick would be gone,... more

After more than a hundred NFL players voted Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons and Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans as the league's most underrated coaches , it triggered a natural question: Who's the most overrated? The same 103 players from 27 teams... more

Flip through any phonebook and you'll discover page after page filled with Mike Smiths. Some are plumbers, others tend bar -- a few of them teach mathematics to young people. But only one Mike Smith has guided an NFL team to a league-best 8-0 mark at... more

The 3-5 Dallas Cowboys are on the brink of elimination in the NFC playoff hunt. Facing the equally lost three-win Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday , the Cowboys might be asked to save their season without the help of their best running back. On NFL... more

If John Fox were built a little differently, this week would have a potential for ugliness. Schein: Broncos can't lose -- really Adam Schein makes his bold predictions for the second half, and sees big things for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. More... more

The Oakland Raiders might not have to wait long for Darren McFadden. X-rays and an MRI on the Raiders running back's injured ankle came back negative Monday, coach Dennis Allen said, via Comcast SportsNet Bay Area . Allen said McFadden hasn't been ruled... more

The 1-7 Kansas City Chiefs got an early jump Monday on what promises to be an offseason flush with change. Romeo Crennel started with the man in the mirror. The embattled coach stepped down from his role as defensive coordinator and named assistant... more

Losing wide receiver Percy Harvin for any amount of time is an unrewarding scenario for the Minnesota Vikings. The team's most electric performer on Monday underwent an MRI that revealed an ankle sprain, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told reporters.... more

Gather the children around the fire and listen up: Flex scheduling is back. The NFL on Monday announced a change to its Week 11 slate of games, shifting the Sunday, Nov. 18 affair between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots from 1 p.m. ET... more

The Tennessee Titans were shredded in a 51-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It was the type of comprehensive defeat that leaves an organization asking deeper questions -- and the owner circling the wagons . Bud Adams is not a young man. The... more

The Baltimore Ravens aren't about to change the way they do business. Talk all you want about the team's foray into the no-huddle offense, but Sunday's 25-15 win over the Cleveland Browns was a game we've seen many times over from the Ravens,... more

Our world and this website were quieter Sunday with the New York Jets hidden away on their bye week. The already super-hushed Tebow Zone came to a grinding halt; the weekly picking apart of quarterback Mark Sanchez was set aside for more productive... more

Chuck Pagano has become a point of inspiration for the 5-3 Indianapolis Colts, but he's still the team's coach. And they're planning for his return. "The goal is to get Chuck on the field December 30th," interim coach Bruce Arians told SI's Peter King... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 9. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined this weekend's action. Eight games into his rookie campaign, Doug Martin is torching the record books . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers... more

Jerry Jones was a picture of frustration following Sunday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Atlanta Falcons' 19-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. ET. »... more

One frightening concept surrounding the Green Bay Packers: It appears they're just heating up. They made it look easy in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals . That had everything to do with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who rained four... more

Doug Martin is torching the record books just eight games into his rookie campaign. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back barreled 25 times for 251 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday's 42-32 win over the Oakland Raiders. Martin's outburst... more

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday's 42-32 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter . McFadden is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, according to Schefter.... more

The under-the-radar Chicago Bears don't get enough respect. Despite Chicago's 7-1 start, some are reluctant to call them Super Bowl contenders. Following Sunday's 51-20 scattering of the Tennessee Titans , it's time for the Bears to be taken seriously... more

There was no shortage of ill news for the Tennessee Titans during Sunday's 51-20 loss to the Chicago Bears. Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright injured his right elbow in the third quarter of the game and did not return. Wright leads the... more

Victor Cruz said earlier in the week that his representatives have agreed on the "structure" of a new contract with the New York Giants. That comes down to the definition of the word "structure." Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Sunday... more

If we learned anything from last year's New York Giants, it was the value of peaking at the right time. This year's Denver Broncos appear to be doing just that. Are they the team to beat in the AFC? The "NFL GameDay Morning" crew debated the topic... more

It isn't easy for Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh to revisit last season's AFC Championship Game , but he toughed it out in the name of player safety. Harbaugh joined a handful of players and coaches who took part in "Championship Football," a... more

As Thursday's extended NFL trade deadline came and went, the Carolina Panthers are stood pat. "We are not trading anyone," Panthers interim general manager Brandon Beane told The Associated Press prior to the deadline passing. Teams came calling... more

You've heard this one before: The Baltimore Ravens haven't been the same team on defense this year. Opponents have preyed on this once-dominant unit, pouring out yardage and points on a defense that spent the past nine seasons ranked in the top 10.... more

It's been a grim season for the 1-6 Kansas City Chiefs. Check this out: They've played through seven games this year without holding a lead at any point during regulation. ESPN's Adam Schefter points out they're the first team to achieve that... more

Leave it to Robert Griffin III to put his own spin on Halloween. Rapoport: Week 9 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 9 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his Rap Sheet Rankings. More ... The Washington... more

Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey believes the sky's the limit for Ryan Tannehill. "I think he's the best rookie quarterback in the NFL right now," Pouncey told Fox Sports Florida . Pouncey made his comments before the Dolphins beat up on the New... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars are choosing to trust Mike Thomas. The Jaguars traded the fourth-year pro to the Detroit Lions this week. The move didn't steal headlines, but the timing was interesting because the teams play each other Sunday in... more

Andy Reid is sticking with Michael Vick for another week, but the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback remains under fire on a team that has failed to live up to expectations. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio received a text from Vick on Thursday that summed up the... more

Ben Roethlisberger had a thing for Eli Manning way back when. They entered the NFL together in 2004, but Manning was snatched up 10 spots above Roethlisberger. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback admits he wanted to outshine Eli early on, but now he's... more

LaDainian Tomlinson possesses firsthand knowledge of how coach Norv Turner operates the San Diego Chargers. The retired running back played under Turner for three seasons and spent much of his career in San Diego under the reign of general manager A.J.... more

The Green Bay Packers aren't the same team without Jordy Nelson. The wide receiver's sore hamstring forced him to miss Sunday's 24-15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and his absence stole fire from the Packers' passing game. Nelson again missed... more

Plenty of quarterbacks hit roadblocks during their sophomore seasons in the NFL. Cam Newton, in that sense, is no different. His record-setting rookie outing generated towering expectations for Year 2, but Year 2 has been filled with problems for the... more

Dear Washington Redskins faithful: Your team's throwback uniforms have arrived. The Redskins practiced in their new duds Wednesday and told NFL.com and NFL Network that they will wear them in Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers .... more

The Cincinnati Bengals have watched their 3-1 start fizzle away with three consecutive losses that have the team grasping for relevancy in the AFC North. Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings What is the league pecking order through eight weeks of play?... more

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier tested the boundaries of reality Wednesday by suggesting that college power Alabama not only could compete with an NFL team but could knock off some of the NFL's bottom-feeders. Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings What... more

Mario Williams and the Buffalo Bills were a beautiful marriage in the making back in March, but their first year together has been a rough-and-tumble affair. Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings What is the league pecking order through eight weeks of play?... more

Whether or not the Jacksonville Jaguars are interested in acquiring quarterback Tim Tebow, their current starter isn't losing any sleep over the matter. Blaine Gabbert told the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday he isn't threated by the idea of Tebow or... more

The NFL's replacement officials were more trick than treat, but we've finally found a use for them. At least Demaryius Thomas has. The Broncos wide receiver is wandering the streets of Denver dressed as a fill-in zebra for Halloween. Larry Brown... more

When the NFL travels to London, it goes to Wembley Stadium. That might not always be the case. London mayor Boris Johnson has spoken with league officials about hosting regular-season games at the city's Olympic Stadium, which is set to reopen in 2014.... more

The New York Giants are taking steps to lock down Victor Cruz to a long-term contract. The electric slot receiver went public this month with his desire for a new deal. On Tuesday, he told WFAN-AM in New York that negotiations continue to progress.... more

The Detroit Lions aren't giving up on this season. Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings What is the league pecking order through eight weeks of play? Elliot Harrison reshuffles the NFL deck yet again. More ... NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed Carl Nicks on injured reserve Tuesday, losing the services of their best offensive lineman for the remainder of the season. Nicks has battled through a toe injury for most of the season. It's a serious loss for this... more

People left the Indianapolis Colts for dead. Instant Debate: How far will Colts go? Andrew Luck and the Colts were supposed to be rebuilding, not winning, in 2012. Can they make the playoffs? More ... When Peyton Manning ventured west to join... more

The Detroit Lions apparently are shopping for bodies in the secondary. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Tuesday that Lions brass is concerned about safety Louis Delmas' health. With time running out, they're dialing around for options ahead of... more

There's more than one way to look at the 5-3 New England Patriots: (A) They're much better than their record, having lost all three games by a total of four points. (B) They can't close games. (C) They're right where they should be. Tom Brady... more

When the term "players' coach" is tossed around, Mike Tomlin's name sits atop the list. He's beloved by his Pittsburgh Steelers players as a man, but sometimes the hammer must drop. Tomlin told reporters Tuesday he was agitated with Antonio Brown's... more

We're right back where we started in Kansas City. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel announced Tuesday that Matt Cassel will start at quarterback Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. Brady Quinn has been ruled out after suffering a head injury... more

Bryant McKinnie says his latest financial entanglement is pure fiction. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and a true freak of nature. More ... We told you Monday... more

Tennessee Titans tight end Jared Cook reportedly wants out of town , but coach Mike Munchak isn't about to make a move ahead of Thursday's extended NFL trading deadline . "I am not going to comment on that. That is not my decision to make, but I don't... more

The Atlanta Falcons continue to operate under the radar despite being unbeaten and untied through seven games. Power Poll: Falcons solidify lead The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons remain at the top of the latest NFL.com Power Poll, but where does our panel... more

Good luck poking holes in the New York Giants these days. They're 6-2 and running away with the NFC East. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the New York Giants' 29-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.... more

The 2012 season is becoming more complicated by the day for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright. Coach Greg Schiano told reporters Monday that Wright is dealing with an Achilles injury. Wright didn't practice Monday after playing in Thursday... more

The Kansas City Chiefs are uncertain if quarterback Brady Quinn will be ready for Thursday night's game against the San Diego Chargers. Coach Romeo Crennel told The Associated Press on Monday that Quinn is being evaluated for a possible concussion.... more

Michael Vick has stayed healthy enough to start every game this season for the Philadelphia Eagles, but whispers about his job security aren't going away. Kriegel: Another Philly fiasco You couldn't help but root for Andy Reid this season, but Mark... more

As the San Diego Chargers' season turns uglier by the minute, questions continue to mount about the future of coach Norv Turner. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and... more

The Miami Dolphins are hopeful Ryan Tannehill won't be lost for long. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and a true freak of nature. More ... The rookie... more

Fans pounced on Tony Romo early in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the New York Giants. After the Dallas Cowboys quarterback tossed three interceptions in the first 16 minutes to stuff his team into a 23-point hole, Romo knew what was coming. On NFL Network... more

Trent Richardson spent Sunday answering his critics and making peace with one of them. The Cleveland Browns running back pounded away at the San Diego Chargers for 122 yards on the ground. He was the difference in Cleveland's second win of the... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 8. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined this weekend's action. Jonathan Dwyer isn't going away. This young back is exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for: He... more

Let's be clear about something: We have a mess in Kansas City, where the Chiefs are 1-6 and shifting into free-fall mode. Much was made of Brady Quinn taking over at quarterback, but he didn't last more than a quarter into Sunday's 26-16 loss to the... more

The New York Jets are sticking with Mark Sanchez. For now. Coach Rex Ryan issued a vote of confidence for his quarterback-under-fire after yet another scattered performance in Sunday's disastrous 30-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Kriegel: Time for... more

The San Diego Chargers drifted away from their embarrassing Monday night loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6 with plenty to prove. The schedule set them up to right the ship. Following a bye week heavy with soul searching, the Chargers were handed the... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't allow a rainy, wind-whipped afternoon sidetrack an offense that finally has found its rhythm. Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley oversaw an attack that pumped out 355 yards and kept the points coming Sunday in a... more

DeAngelo Hall didn't see the end of Sunday's ugly 27-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers . The Washington Redskins cornerback was ejected late in the fourth quarter after jawing at an official, who flagged Hall for unsportsmanlike conduct. The... more

Ryan Clark officially was ruled out Sunday against the Washington Redskins because of a concussion. The Pittsburgh Steelers safety suffered the head injury on a third-quarter tackle. Clark was replaced by Ryan Mundy, leaving Pittsburgh without both... more

Trent Richardson said all along that he wouldn't allow a nagging rib injury to pull him off the field again. So far, so good. The Cleveland Browns running back is active for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, the team announced.... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers this month lost cornerback Aqib Talib to a four-game NFL-imposed suspension for Adderall use. He might not be alone. Fox Sports Insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Bucs cornerback Eric Wright... more

Jordy Nelson won't be on the field when the Green Bay Packers face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Schein: Packers are covered The Packers will miss injured safety Charles Woodson. Adam Schein has the perfect replacement: Aaron Rodgers. More ...... more

The combination of Tim Tebow and Tony Sparano was intriguing back in March. Instant Debate: Gauging the market The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching. Will the Jets shop Tim Tebow ? Which other deals make sense? More ... That's when the New... more

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman fashioned himself a new nickname this week . Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson isn't buying it. Lombardi: Lions stuck in a stall In 2011, the Lions went from bad to good, but since then, Michael... more

Jonathan Dwyer is closing in on his second career start for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The third-year pro returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session for personal reasons. Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times reports Dwyer will get... more

The New Orleans Saints have a crowded backfield, but they aren't about to shop Chris Ivory. "Chris ain't going nowhere," Saints interim coach Joe Vitt told reporters Thursday, via Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune . Drew Brees Despite... more

After Rex Ryan and Reggie Bush reopened their early season "hot sauce" debate this week, players from the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are chiming in. Instant Debate: Gauging the market The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching. Will the Jets... more

Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel believes in taking small steps. His Thursday news conference opened on an odd note, with reporters asking why he removed a sign outside the locker room that read "Eliminate Bad Football" and replaced it with... more

The Cleveland Browns need rookie running back Trent Richardson on the field Sunday if they hope to move the ball against the San Diego Chargers' second-ranked run defense, which is allowing just 71.2 yards per game. Richardson is coming off a nagging... more

Matthew Stafford's mediocre start to the season hasn't helped in Detroit, where the Lions are 2-4 and barely a factor in the NFC playoff picture. Lombardi: Lions stuck in a stall In 2011, the Lions went from bad to good, but since then, Michael... more

Danny Amendola returned to practice with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday, just three weeks after suffering a serious shoulder injury that threatened to keep him off the field until late in the season. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said the receiver was... more

Any hopes of a drama-free buildup to Sunday's game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets were dashed Wednesday. On the same day Jets coach Rex Ryan reopened his thorny dialogue with Reggie Bush , Gang Green safety LaRon Landry expressed little... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's complaints about Seattle's physical defense didn't sit well with Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. When reporters asked why Seattle's secondary wasn't repeatedly flagged in last Thursday night's loss to San... more

Trent Richardson was back at practice Wednesday, three days after the Cleveland Browns running back was benched in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Browns coach Pat Shurmur told reporters the rookie participated in a morning walk-through... more

According to a recent study, a certain Pittsburgh Steeler is the most popular player in football. Schein: The Steelers' saviors The Steelers have flaws. They also have Big Ben and Mike Tomlin. And that, Adam Schein says, means they have a shot. More... more

Rex Ryan isn't finished with Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush. The New York Jets coach told reporters Wednesday he's still waiting for Bush to apologize to Darrelle Revis after suggesting the cornerback's season-ending knee injury was karmic... more

Say what you must about Jay Cutler. The Chicago Bears quarterback has come across as cranky at times, but the man has a heart. Cutler invited the family of a Bears fan murdered in Jacksonville, Fla., earlier this month to attend Monday night's win over... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers will break out their new old threads Sunday when the Washington Redskins come to town. Marking their 80th season in 2012, the Steelers are choosing to revisit an ensemble last worn in 1934 by a team that went 2-10 (and looked... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to run the ball this season, but Jonathan Dwyer's breakout performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night offers hope. Jonathan Dwyer Dwyer's 122 yards on the ground were the most by a Steelers... more

Danny Amendola was back at practice with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday, just three weeks after suffering a serious shoulder injury that threatened to keep him off the field until late in the season. Coach Jeff Fisher told reporters that the wide... more

The Cleveland Browns are the youngest team in football. That doesn't mean they're a good one. The Browns' inexperience has been a fatal potion in 2012. There's reason for hope, assuming the Browns' collection of rookies and relative newbies continue to... more

Mike Holmgren mastered the art of the press conference long ago. The outgoing president of the Cleveland Browns proved that again Tuesday, meeting with reporters to reflect upon his brief, uneven stint with the organization that once viewed him as a... more

We have good news and we have bad news for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers. First, the bad news. Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that safety Troy Polamalu will miss Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins with the nagging calf injury that's... more

The Baltimore Ravens aren't laughing about Sunday's 43-13 loss to the Houston Texans , but we can. At least at a snippet of audio pulled from the wreckage of that Baltimore defeat. NFL Films wired Texans defensive end J.J. Watt for "Sound FX,"... more

Ndamukong Suh's jarring hit on Jay Cutler left the Chicago Bears quarterback huddled on the ground in pain, but it won't generate a fine. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle wasn't flagged by officials and the league confirmed to NFL Network and... more

Guess what? Victor Cruz isn't going away. Victor Cruz The New York Giants receiver leads the team and ranks third in the league with 50 receptions through seven games. He's on pace for 114 catches, 1,433 yards and 16 touchdowns in just his... more

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh can't do much to fight public perception. He's seen by many as a dirty player, but he doesn't view himself that way and he isn't apologizing for the bone-crushing, second-quarter hit he laid on Chicago... more

Back in the lazy days of summer, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took the mic and promised fans that his team would "beat the Giants' ass" at home this season. The New York Giants are 5-2; Jerry's team sits at .500 and looks the part heading into... more

It hasn't taken long for the Jacksonville Jaguars to shift into tailspin mode following a couple of injuries to high-profile players. A team source told NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that the Jaguars believe preliminary results from an MRI... more

With the San Diego Chargers under investigation by the NFL for using an illegal "stickum-type" substance against the Denver Broncos last Monday night , coach Norv Turner says his team is innocent . Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips also disagrees... more

They don't win often, but when they do, the Oakland Raiders use the no-huddle offense. The Raiders shifted into no-huddle mode to score a pair of second-half touchdowns and a field goal in Sunday's overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars . This came... more

After Chris Williams was sent packing by the Chicago Bears last week, it didn't take long for the dispatched offensive lineman to find a new home. The St. Louis Rams on Monday signed the former first-round draft pick to an undisclosed contract, the team... more

As the NFL continues its investigation of the San Diego Chargers for using an illegal "stickum-type" substance against the Denver Broncos last Monday night, the team's coach claims there's nothing to investigate. "Nobody from the San Diego Chargers... more

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley aren't about to swap friendship bracelets, but they continue to win games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that might be enough. Big Ben is constantly asked about perceived friction... more

The Green Bay Packers have improved their defense, but they now face the heart of their schedule without one of their best players. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Monday that safety Charles Woodson will miss six weeks... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was tweaked about the physical coverage provided by Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner in his team's 13-6 win . Lombardi: Passing concern The 49ers and Seahawks waged a blue-collar... more

Coach Romeo Crennel is banking on a quarterback switch to reverse the fortunes of a Kansas City Chiefs team that has been asleep at the wheel since this season began. Crennel on Monday named Brady Quinn his starter, ending -- for now, at least -- a... more

The bye week can't arrive soon enough for a Baltimore Ravens squad that finds itself at a crossroads. Rapoport: Texans rule AFC ... for now The Texans seized AFC supremacy, but Ian Rapoport warns against dismissing the Ravens. Plus, NFL-wide notes.... more

The Buffalo Bills won't be the next team featured in our "Stick a Fork in Them" series , but hope is diminishing in upstate New York. Buffalo's frustrating loss to the Tennessee Titans was symptomatic of a team not ready to discuss a playoff push. The... more

The tipped pass never has been this popular. Not in Houston, at least, where the Texans' defense has made deflecting throws a weekly habit during their 6-1 start. In Sunday's emphatic 43-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens , the Texans tipped five Joe... more

New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw didn't want to talk about the confrontation he had with coach Tom Coughlin during the second half of Sunday's win over the Washington Redskins . Neither did Coughlin. On NFL Network NFL Replay will... more

The New England Patriots are winning and losing games close this season. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the New England Patriots' 29-26 OT win over the New York Jets in Week 7 on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET. » NFL Network... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 7. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined this weekend's action Chris Johnson's baffling season is trending upward. The Tennessee Titans running back was a hot/cold act... more

The Tennessee Titans' second consecutive win -- a 35-34 victory over the Buffalo Bills -- was fueled by the legs of Chris Johnson. The streaky Titans running back exploded for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. One of those scores -- an... more

The lingering knock on Joe Flacco is one of consistency. Hot one week, ice-cold the next. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has flown above his critics during the team's promising start this season, but his play in Sunday's 43-13 loss to the Houston... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have grown accustomed to playing through injuries and setbacks on their offensive line. That trend continues heading into Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kinkhabwala: Panic in Pittsburgh? With the Steelers... more

When the schedule was released in April, Thursday night's game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks didn't make many top-10 lists. Here in Week 7 , it looms as a doozie in the revived NFC West. The 49ers are playoff contenders, to... more

Adrian Peterson missed practice again Thursday with an injured left ankle that's sorer than it was a week ago. The Minnesota Vikings running back downplayed the injury to ESPN Twin Cities , saying he's resting for the team's upcoming two-game stretch... more

Trent Richardson practiced Thursday and expects to play through a rib cartilage injury against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he won't do it alone. The Cleveland Browns running back will wear a flak jacket to protect his sore rib area, Nate... more

It certainly pleases Rex Ryan that Bill Belichick is locked away right now, in some back room, trying to crack the code on Tim Tebow. Breer: Jets still standing Rumors of the Jets' demise have been greatly exaggerated. Albert Breer lauds a resilient... more

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed acknowledged Wednesday that a torn labrum in his shoulder is "maybe" affecting his play. Lombardi: What's next for Ravens? Without Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, Michael Lombardi writes, it's time for Baltimore to turn... more

Fourteen-year-old Peyton Manning has discovered that sharing the same name as the legendary Denver Broncos quarterback isn't a bed of roses. Let's start here: Young Peyton can't convince the eggheads at Facebook he's a real person. "People don't... more

After spending the summer celebrated as potential playoff material, the Carolina Panthers have been one of the NFL's biggest disappointments. Their 1-4 start has a lot to do with a defense that can't stop opponents -- ranking 23rd in the league -- but... more

If there was any creeping sense of concern surrounding the Green Bay Packers, it was lifted Sunday night when Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a 42-24 whipping of the previously undefeated Houston Texans. Aaron Rodgers That output quieted the... more

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert didn't expect to hold that position for much longer, according to reports this week . Breer: Haslam to the rescue Do long-suffering Browns fans have a savior in Jimmy  Haslam? Albert Breer chats with the... more

Five games into their 1-4 season, the Oakland Raiders are struggling for relevancy in the AFC and staring up at teams in their division. With the equally desperate Jacksonville Jaguars visiting Sunday , Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer put it on the... more

The New York Giants have watched the tape on Robert Griffin III. The Washington Redskins rookie has been nothing short of sensational through six games, willing his team to victory and bringing never-before-seen heroics to the quarterback position. With... more

Three days before facing the New England Patriots, New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie is ready to share the secret behind his strong play this season. Breer: Jets still standing Rumors of the Jets' demise have been greatly exaggerated. Albert... more

Danieal Manning's decision to start swinging his fists during Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers was an expensive one. Instant Debate: Fraud squad? Which team isn't as good as its record suggests: Joe Flacco 's Ravens, Atlanta, Houston or... more

The Kansas City Chiefs found out Sunday that inserting your backup quarterback into the lineup doesn't always solve the world's problems. With Matt Cassel sidelined with a concussion, Brady Quinn started and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cassel... more

Romeo Crennel has a steadily blooming quarterback quandary on his hands. The Kansas City Chiefs coach told reporters that Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn "got an equal number of reps" in Wednesday's practice. Crennel previously said Cassel would... more

Paul Ryan , the boyish GOP vice presidential candidate, would have done well to study the Cleveland Browns' roster before dropping in for a visit with the team Wednesday. Breer: Haslam to the rescue Do long-suffering Browns fans have a savior in... more

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is convinced Blaine Gabbert is making strides, but he's still a work in progress. Mularkey told reporters Tuesday he'd like to see the quarterback use his athletic ability to extend plays on the ground.... more

Their seasons have looked nothing alike, but the New York Jets and New England Patriots sport identical 3-3 records after six weeks of up-and-down play. Harrison: Week 7 Power Rankings After a wild Week 6, change abounds in the league hierarchy.... more

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson was back at practice Wednesday after leaving Sunday's 34-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a rib cartilage injury . Browns coach Pat Shurmur told reporters his rookie runner would take part in... more

Free agent Chris Williams will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, proving that offensive linemen have nine lives in this league. The Chicago Tribune reported that Andy Reid and Co. will welcome Williams less than 24 hours after the Bears... more

Minutes after Joe Banner was introduced as CEO of the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, he extended an olive branch to a battered fan base with little cheer in recent years. Breer: Haslam to the rescue Do long-suffering Browns fans have a savior in... more

Robert Griffin III's 76-yard touchdown burst in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings was the longest run by an NFL quarterback since Kordell Stewart ate up 80 yards on the ground in a 1996 game. QB Performance Faceoff Rookie QBs Russell Wilson... more

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert doesn't believe he's going to be the Cleveland Browns general manager for very long. Heckert is telling those close to him he expects to be fired after the season, multiple sources told FOXSportsOhio.com on... more

The Chicago Bears on Tuesday terminated the contract of Chris Williams, who was drafted to become a bookend tackle for the team, but failed to pan out. The Bears made Williams the 14th overall pick in 2008 with hopes he could protect the quarterback for... more

Dear Jimmy Haslam III, No small task you've inherited, sir. In your hands, you hold the future of a team that's wandered the wilderness for decades. The franchise's recent accomplishments -- breaking hearts, shredding hopes and losing 14 out of 15... more

One week after Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson talked about playing through a concussion , James Harrison talked about playing through many of them. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker told The Associated Press he's battled through "double... more

Comparisons between Robert Griffin III and Michael Vick are dubious. They're also inevitable. As Griffin's body of work expands, it's clear how different the Washington Redskins rookie is not only from Vick -- but from anyone. Robert Griffin III... more

Hours after Jimmy Haslam III was voted in as the new owner of the Browns, the changes continue in Cleveland. Haslam told reporters Tuesday that Mike Holmgren will step down as team president and retire at the end of the season. Former Philadelphia... more

Peyton Manning was pure magic down the stretch. Philip Rivers -- like the rest of us -- could only watch the lead slip away as the Denver Broncos turned a 24-0 deficit into a 35-24 win over the San Diego Chargers. The most ghastly showing of Rivers'... more

The hits keep coming for the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore Ravens with and without Ray Lewis With Without Win-loss record 128-100-1 17-16 Points allowed per game 17.8 21.0 Yards allowed per game 297.8 308.0 Rushing yards allowed per game 92.1 105.8... more

Special to NFL.com Phil Dawson must feel fresh-faced at 37. He's a mere child next to his 129-year-old quarterback. If Brandon Weeden remains a little sensitive about his age, the Cleveland Browns aren't helping matters. Josh Gordon... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 6. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined Sunday's action What a difference a week makes. Seven days after Robert Griffin III was sent packing with a concussion, the... more

The Baltimore Ravens are 5-1, but their defense is a shadow of what it was and now moves forward without one of its best players. A team source confirmed Monday to NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Jeff Darlington that cornerback Lardarius Webb suffered... more

After the New York Giants nipped the San Francisco 49ers in last season's NFC title game, the Bay Area was left with a nagging string of what-ifs and a desire for revenge, but payback is on hold. There was little question about the better team in New... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' second win of the season -- a 38-10 decision over the Kansas City Chiefs -- shared similarities with their first. Coach Greg Schiano surprised observers when he muzzled Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in the opener. Tampa... more

Richard Sherman, you're on our radar. After the Seattle Seahawks cornerback embarked on a trash-talking spree targeting Tom Brady and his New England Patriots on Sunday, Sherman set his sights on NFL Network. On NFL Network NFL Replay will... more

The Dallas Cowboys were a maddening outfit in Sunday's 31-29 loss to the Baltimore Ravens . Darlington: 'Boys clinging to hope Jerry Jones has faith in the Cowboys, Jeff Darlington reports, even if something seems to be seriously off with the team.... more

We saw plenty of hot-and-bothered defenders Sunday. Rap Sheet Rundown: Rodgers' rise Ian Rapoport assesses Week 6's big developments, including Aaron Rodgers' fantastic performance on Sunday night. More ... On the same day Seattle Seahawks... more

Carson Palmer brought his Oakland Raiders to the brink against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but it wasn't enough in a 23-20 loss. Palmer's 353-yard day was obscured by an errant pass that floated into the hands of Falcons cornerback Asante... more

The New York Giants did more than beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Big Blue's 26-3 triumph provided the rest of the NFL with a clear blueprint for taking down Jim Harbaugh's prized possession. The 49ers were built to pound the ball, and they... more

Brandon Weeden isn't getting any younger, and he hasn't stopped growing. The Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback turned 29 on Sunday, an afternoon when he won his first NFL game, 34-24 over the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns are... more

Kansas City Chiefs fans were desperate to see someone other than Matt Cassel behind the wheel of their team's milquetoast attack. In Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , backup quarterback Brady Quinn wasn't able to make a difference, and... more

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is fully expected to start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but the NFL hasn't closed the book on the rookie's recent head injury. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 6 Daniel Jeremiah identifies... more

We're learning something about the competitive nature of NFL newcomer Robert Griffin III. Harrison: Week 6 predictions Will the Texans and Falcons remain perfect? Can the 49ers exact revenge on the Giants? Elliot Harrison forecasts Week 6. More ...... more

The Houston Texans must travel the rest of the way without linebacker Brian Cushing, who's out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Monday night's 23-17 victory over the New York Jets. Billick: Texans won't skip a beat... more

After Drew Brees made NFL history Sunday night by throwing a touchdown pass in his 48th consecutive game, most were happy for the New Orleans Saints quarterback. After all, it was a lonely bright spot during the team's 1-4 start, and Brees ranks among... more

Sunday's affair between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants vibes like two agitated heavyweights preparing for battle. That game will grab the headlines, but the most fascinating matchup of the week is the New England Patriots at the Seattle... more

Maybe it has something to do with seeing their Bay Area brethren running rampant over opponents. Whatever the reason, the Oakland Raiders are preaching a renewed commitment to the ground game. Across the waters, the San Francisco 49ers possess a stable... more

The New York Jets continue to lose players during a season that threatens to float off the rails. Nose tackle Kenrick Ellis will miss four to six weeks with the medial collateral ligament injury he suffered against the Houston Texans on Monday night.... more

Maybe too much was made of the fragile new relationship between Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his new offensive coordinator. Todd Haley hit town amid concerns that he was plotting to de-emphasize Big Ben's gifts in an offense... more

Not all of Brandon Weeden's NFL-leading nine interceptions have been his fault, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback admits he has made a handful of rookie mistakes. Weeden is using this week to usher in what he described as a paradigm shift. More... more

Calvin Johnson plays in a NFL that has clamped down on head injuries. The Detroit Lions wide receiver spoke frankly this week about staying on the field after a vicious helmet-to-helmet collision with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway back in... more

New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie heard the doomsday talk when teammate Darrelle Revis was lost for the season to a knee injury. Revis, after all, is not only his team's best player, he's arguably the finest shutdown corner in football.... more

The Baltimore Ravens have struggled against the run this season, but linebacker Ray Lewis says that won't be the case against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday . Count Cowboys fullback Lawrence Vickers among those unshaken by Ray Ray's boasts. Rapoport:... more

It didn't take long for Ndamukong Suh to fire back at the anonymous general manager who took him to task in a Pro Football Weekly article . The Detroit Lions defensive tackle is no stranger to being analyzed by media and football types, but Suh didn't... more

A lively 5-0 start by the Houston Texans was tarnished Monday night when linebacker Brian Cushing shattered his knee against the New York Jets. Billick: Texans won't skip a beat Brian Cushing's season-ending injury hurts, but if any team can handle... more

It's Wednesday, which means we got our first look at this week's injury report. Here were our big takeaways: 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without LaMarr Woodley against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night . The veteran linebacker is... more

Green Bay Packers running back Cedric Benson was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, but he isn't done for the year. Rapoport: Week 6 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 6 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his Rap... more

Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was back at practice with the Washington Redskins on Wednesday, three days after he suffered a concussion. Rapoport: Week 6 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 6 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides... more

The Tennessee Titans are looking to build rhythm on offense, a challenge for a team short on playmakers. Kenny Britt's steadily improving health is a boost. The veteran receiver practiced Wednesday and he's expected to play in Thursday night's game... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are growing accustomed to playing without their full complement of defensive starters this season. Brooks: Thursday night primer Bucky Brooks provides four key questions heading into Thursday night's bout between Pittsburgh... more

The Cleveland Browns haven't won a game since before last Thanksgiving. After last year's 3-3 start, coach Pat Shurmur's team is a mind-bending 1-14 since, and tension is building around a coaching staff that can't buy a victory right now. The Browns... more

The young Indianapolis Colts have been doing more with less all season long. That theme will have to continue. Running back Donald Brown will miss two to three weeks after tearing cartilage in his knee, Colts interim coach Bruce Arians told reporters.... more

Russell Wilson is making progress as a quarterback, but the Seattle Seahawks rookie is operating out of scheme that's hemmed in his passing attempts to reduce risk. Harrison: Week 6 Power Rankings With five weeks in the books, the league hierarchy... more

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was lauded before the season for slimming down in an effort to improve his pass protection against the league's wave of up-tempo, no-huddle air attacks. Now he's catching heat for it. In Baltimore's narrow win over... more

Tony Romo's five-pick night against the Chicago Bears in Week 4 was further soiled by another slap in the face at Cowboys Stadium: The steady sound of cheering for the Bears. Chicago's faithful showed up in force and could be heard over the Dallas... more

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell re-issued a wave of suspensions Tuesday for the four players punished in connection to the New Orleans Saints "bounty" scandal. We're five weeks into the NFL season and these four players -- Saints linebacker Jonathan... more

Kyle Williams won't soon forget the last time his San Francisco 49ers hosted the New York Giants. Neither will millions of Niners fans worldwide. Alex Smith The 49ers receiver became a household name after his two botched punt returns sunk San... more

Robert Griffin III ran with fearlessness through five games before a concussion knocked him out of Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Breer: The evolution of RG3 Albert Breer talks to Mike Shanahan about the continuing growth of Robert Griffin... more

If the New York Jets have any interest in Terrell Owens, it's buried far below the ground. After coach Rex Ryan told reporters on a conference call that he'd "never say never" to adding T.O. to his paper-thin cast of receivers, it appears this isn't to... more

Before Cam Newton's early-season troubles gained a foothold, few questioned his trajectory as the NFL's next superstar. Newton's rookie campaign was a revelation. The Carolina Panthers quarterback blazed into uncharted territory and left us with nobody... more

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker isn't healthy enough to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night , but his return is not far off. Coach Mike Munchak said Locker's separated left shoulder, suffered against the Houston Texans... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters Tuesday that he's sticking with Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Jones: Jets searching for answers Onside kick? Fake punt? Gadget plays? The Jets will try anything -- except starting Tim Tebow, Kim Jones... more

Jones: Jets searching for answers Onside kick? Fake punt? Gadget plays? The Jets will try anything -- except starting Tim Tebow, Kim Jones writes. More ... In the middle of their Monday night loss to the Houston Texans, the New York Jets heard... more

Cam Newton is under the microscope in Carolina, but the Panthers youngster remains one of the game's elite athletes. He can do things other quarterbacks cannot. Luke Kuechly Case in point: Newton has been nearly automatic leaping up and over... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars are searching for answers on the heels of their 41-3 loss to the Chicago Bears, but coach Mike Mularkey isn't giving up hope. Power Poll: Texans on top The Houston Texans check in at No. 1 in the NFL.com Power Poll for the... more

No Darrelle Revis. No Santonio Holmes. No chance. We get it. What's left will decide how this year's New York Jets are remembered. And if they play the way they did in Monday night's tight 23-17 loss to the Houston Texans, Rex Ryan's team can still win... more

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy already confirmed that running back Cedric Benson won't play Sunday against the Houston Texans after he injured his left foot against the Indianapolis Colts. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the... more

The Houston Texans lost linebacker Brian Cushing to a left knee injury that came off an egregious chop block by New York Jets left guard Matt Slauson during Monday night's 23-17 win. It was a flagrant low strike in which Slauson came from behind and... more

Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing suffered a left knee injury during the second quarter of Monday night's 23-17 victory over the New York Jets and didn't return. Jets left guard Matt Slauson cut down Cushing from behind on a chop block... more

Whispers filtered out of Florham Park earlier Monday that Tim Tebow might see a larger role against the Houston Texans . ESPN New York's Rich Cimini is on hand at MetLife Stadium and believes the Jets' backup quarterback is warming up for something... more

On a day when the San Francisco 49ers pumped out a franchise-record 621 yards , Randy Moss remained a ghost. Alex Smith The veteran receiver was touted by coach Jim Harbaugh as a starter before the season, but Moss accounted for just one catch... more

The Denver Broncos prepared for speed, but what they encountered in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the New England Patriots exceeded all expectations. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the New England Patriots' 31-21 win over the Denver Broncos in... more

The Kansas City Chiefs were bound to reach this place one way or another. Coach Romeo Crennel told The Associated Press on Monday that Brady Quinn will prepare to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after quarterback Matt Cassel sustained a... more

In theory, playing a football game on the national stage is a positive development for a Tennessee Titans team hoping to make some noise in the AFC South. But with Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers fast approaching, the Titans'... more

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday that running back Cedric Benson won't play against the Houston Texans on Sunday after injuring his left foot in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. On NFL Replay NFL Replay... more

New York Giants safety Will Hill has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, a league spokesperson confirmed Monday. Jeremiah: NFL's most underrated? Ben Roethlisberger owns two... more

The winless Cleveland Browns haven't had much to smile about, but the return of their best defensive player is a start. Jeremiah: NFL's most underrated? Ben Roethlisberger owns two Super Bowl rings, but is the Steelers QB overlooked? Daniel Jeremiah... more

Last year's Super Bowl run for the New York Giants was characterized by clutch play down the stretch from quarterback Eli Manning and late-season dominance from the team's deep defensive line. Manning has picked up where he left off, but the Giants... more

Reuter: Jets' best chance? The Jets will need a miracle against the Texans. Chad Reuter says Tim Tebow might be Gang Green's only hope. More ... No matter what the New York Jets plan to do with Tim Tebow on Monday night , the key to beating the... more

On a special night for Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints won their first game of the season and watched their quarterback make NFL history. That can't be taken away from this team, but it's hard to believe this can last. The Saints played with... more

It hasn't been an easy season for the New Orleans Saints, but for a brief moment during Sunday night's game against the San Diego Chargers, the breaking of an NFL record shoved aside an ugly offseason and a forgettable 0-4 start. Darlington: Passing... more

Maybe that lonely September loss to the Minnesota Vikings someday will be remembered as a blessing in disguise. The San Francisco 49ers have been in a deadly trance ever since, slashing through victims on a two-week spree in which they outscored the... more

Say what you want about Matt Cassel. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was a mess in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He didn't perform well, but neither did elements of Arrowhead Stadium. A handful of fans could be heard cheering as Cassel... more

The real officials are back, and they made their presence felt in the Metrodome. Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith was ejected during the second quarter of Sunday's 30-7 win over the Tennessee Titans after he pushed a referee. After Vikings... more

The New York Giants can be had early. We learned that again in the opening minutes of Sunday's 41-27 win over the Cleveland Browns. The heavily favored Giants stumbled out of the gate in the first quarter as the Browns turned an Ahmad Bradshaw fumble... more

An ugly afternoon for Matt Cassel came to a crashing halt Sunday as he left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with what the team called a head injury. As the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback vanished into the locker... more

Ben Roethlisberger went to college in Ohio, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has spent the better part of his career dashing hopes and killing dreams in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Kinkhabwala: Real Steel It's been a quiet start to the season in... more

When the Detroit Lions traded running back Jerome Harrison to the Philadelphia Eagles last season, heads were turned when the deal was voided. Eagles team doctors determined the running back had a brain tumor. Darlington: Heart to Hartline Miami's... more

The New York Jets are 2-2, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. The ominous tone to their season has something to do with how they've played through four games, and a lot to do with moving forward minus Darrelle Revis and Santonio Holmes. Tebow Zone... more

We'd like to imagine a world where Tom Brady and Peyton Manning -- admittedly pals -- have each other on speed dial, talking long into the shadowy night about life and their shared first love: destroying defenses. It's not quite that mystical, but... more

We're still growing accustomed to seeing Jeff Saturday in a Green Bay Packers uniform. He'll return home when the Cheeseheads visit the Colts on Sunday, but this might not be the final noise the veteran center makes in Indianapolis. 'NFL GameDay... more

Ahmad Bradshaw's starting role isn't in question, but the New York Giants running back could have company in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns . 'NFL GameDay Morning' Watch "NFL GameDay Morning" at 9 a.m. ET every Sunday for live coverage of... more

How close we came to avoiding a circus in Florham Park. When the New York Jets face Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on Monday night , they'll come face to face with what could have been. Tebow Zone Tim Tebow's highlights need a home. Tebow... more

It's tough to poke holes in what the Atlanta Falcons have done out of the gate. They're 4-0 and quarterback Matt Ryan is enjoying an MVP-level season in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's unhinged, no-huddle attack. 'NFL GameDay Morning' Watch "NFL... more

Robert Griffin III has already shown tremendous ability to extend a play using his mobility and rare creativity at quarterback for the Washington Redskins. His offensive line has been asked to play a different style of football in recent weeks as the... more

Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Charlie Johnson doesn't expect the masses to buy into the team's 3-1 start. The franchise was dismissed before the season started, but it has been competitive in every outing, and turned heads after knocking off the San... more

The Kansas City Chiefs have been handing games away all season, one reason behind their tumultuous 1-3 start. With an NFL-worst 15 turnovers, the Chiefs have watched their gaffes materialize into 58 points for opponents . At the heart of this is... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers will finally look like the Pittsburgh Steelers again when the Philadelphia Eagles visit on Sunday . With the return of outside linebacker James Harrison and strong safety Troy Polamalu, this team regains two players that have... more

When Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday , they'll be without their coach and leader, Chuck Pagano, who has been diagnosed with leukemia . Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 5 Daniel Jeremiah provides the six... more

After Andre Brown blew up against the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants running back saw his "Madden NFL 13" rating hiked up by programmers in what appeared to be a harbinger of things to come. Two weeks later, he's finding out about the... more

New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is using the words of Carlos Rogers to inspire his drifting defense. Tebow Zone Tim Tebow's game highlights needs a home. Tebow Zone compiles every highlight, from every game for your viewing pleasure.... more

We have a slightly tedious scenario out of San Diego, where Chargers coach Norv Turner is keeping quiet about his plans at running back leading up to Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Saints . Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 5 Daniel Jeremiah... more

A season ago, Chan Gailey's Buffalo Bills parlayed a sensational win over the New England Patriots into a 5-2 start. We all know what happened from there. Harrison: Week 5 predictions Elliot Harrison gives his picks for every Week 5 bout, including... more

Trent Richardson believes there's a shot to run the ball against the New York Giants on Sunday . Like the rest of us, the Cleveland Browns running back watched LeSean McCoy and the Philadelphia Eagles barrel for 191 yards against Big Blue in Week 4 , and... more

The rosy full-page ad taken out by Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil this summer guaranteed a Super Bowl appearance for his young team. Harrison: Week 5 predictions Elliot Harrison gives his picks for every Week 5 bout, including the 13th meeting... more

On the heels of Thursday night's emphatic 17-3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, there's a lot of excitement inside St. Louis Rams headquarters. Lombardi: The Fisher factor The Rams are over .500 for the first time since 2006. Michael Lombardi... more

We're not going to see the New England Patriots' offense in all its glory until Aaron Hernandez is back on the field. That's no lock for Sunday's showdown with the Denver Broncos. Breer: The men behind the rivalry Tom Brady-Peyton Manning is the NFL's... more

The St. Louis Rams believed Danny Amendola might be lost for a major chunk of the season with a possible broken collarbone suffered in Thursday night's 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The news isn't quite that grim. Lombardi: The Fisher factor... more

The Tennessee Titans have grown accustomed to life without Kenny Britt in the lineup. This time around, his banged-up ankle is the culprit. Harrison: Week 5 predictions Elliot Harrison gives his picks for every Week 5 bout, including the 13th meeting... more

Injuries have ravaged the landscape for the New York Jets, who now confront the remainder of their schedule minus Darrelle Revis and Santonio Holmes. That isn't all. Darlington: Tebow Time is inevitable It's coming, Jets fans. Are you ready? Jeff... more

We won't see the Dallas Cowboys again until Oct. 14, but it's hard to forget what went down on Monday night. Harrison: Week 5 predictions Elliot Harrison gives his picks for every Week 5 bout, including the 13th meeting between Peyton Manning and... more

Six weeks ago, Adrian Peterson was trotting through practice drills with a "Do Not Touch" sign attached to his surgically repaired left knee. Harrison: Week 5 predictions Elliot Harrison gives his picks for every Week 5 bout, including the 13th... more

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos advanced the ball at will in Sunday's 37-6 pounding of the Oakland Raiders . From wire to wire, the Oakland defense was outplayed, raising pressing questions about the blueprint in place. Power Poll: Houston Texans... more

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made a very Pete Carroll-esque move when he named Russell Wilson his starting quarterback before the season. Despite a rocky start, Carroll's sticking with the rookie. "We're going with Russell right now," Carroll... more

As coach Chuck Pagano begins his fight against leukemia , the Indianapolis Colts plan to honor him every step of the way. Interim coach Bruce Arians spoke a little about football and a lot about Pagano when he met with reporters Monday. Rap Sheet... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have learned to live without linebacker James Harrison, but his return sounds imminent. "God willing, I will be playing Sunday against the eagles!" Harrison tweeted . Debate: Quarter-pole Super Bowl Our analysts provide Super... more

San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner earned his third victory of the season Sunday, but that's not what people wanted to discuss. Debate: Quarter-pole Super Bowl Our analysts provide Super Bowl picks with four Sundays in the books. Matt  Schaub 's... more

With four subpar games under his belt, Matt Cassel is catching heat for the Kansas City Chiefs' ugly 1-3 start. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported the fourth-year starting quarterback is "losing confidence from players and many others in the... more

Even if the Seattle Seahawks wanted to turn to Matt Flynn at quarterback, coach Pete Carroll says that isn't an option right now. Carroll continues to back rookie Russell Wilson, out of choice and necessity. He told ESPN Seattle on Monday that a... more

Anyone who watched the Tennessee Titans play Sunday saw a team manhandled by the Houston Texans and their near-dominant defense. Titans guard Leroy Harris is a voice from the wilderness, saying that inside the wreckage of Tennessee's 38-14 defeat , he... more

Michael Vick's health has been a subplot for the Philadelphia Eagles all season, but he escaped Sunday night's win over the New York Giants in one piece. For the most part. Darlington: Eagles misunderstood? Despite a 3-1 record, the Eagles still... more

Colin Kaepernick on Sunday was everything the New York Jets hoped Tim Tebow would be. The San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback was at the center of a dominant ground performance that chewed up 245 yards en route to a 34-0 win on New York's home turf... more

Sunday's games are in the books for Week 4. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined Sunday's action Tom Brady and the passing game have hogged the attention in New England for years, but that wasn't the case in... more

It didn't take long for Ryan Tannehill to rewrite history. Most passing yards by an NFL rookie in one game Year Player Team Opponent Yds 2011 Cam Newton Panthers Packers 432 2012 Ryan Tannehill Dolphins Cardinals 431 2011 Cam... more

Here's the thing about this year's Arizona Cardinals: Give them enough time, and they'll find a way. That's what the Miami Dolphins discovered Sunday after falling to the Cardinals 24-21 in overtime . Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb was erratic and... more

Russell Wilson was one of the early season's bright narratives. The Seattle Seahawks' rookie quarterback turned his dazzling preseason into a starting job, but Wilson didn't look the part in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Gone is the... more

Is there a better team in the AFC than the Houston Texans? Not a chance. The Texans were barely tested in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. This one had a similar feel to Houston's first three wins, and we're still waiting for this... more

The Tennessee Titans went into Sunday's game against the Houston Texans without their best receiver, Kenny Britt. Before the first quarter was over, quarterback Jake Locker left the game with an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder. Locker... more

Gregg Williams hasn't fought his indefinite suspension from the NFL. We don't know when he'll coach again, but the exiled defensive coordinator will be in the stands when his team, the St. Louis Rams, host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday . NFL.com... more

The New York Jets aren't giving up on cornerback Darrelle Revis. NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Sunday the Jets will wait until after Revis undergoes surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament before deciding whether or not... more

Kenny Britt's status was hazy heading into Sunday, but the Tennessee Titans receiver won't be ready to go against the Houston Texans on Sunday. The team listed Britt among their inactives . Jeremiah: Six pivotal matchups Can the Saints avoid 0-4?... more

The Buffalo Bills have two dangeorus running backs in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Getting them in a game at the same time has been a puzzle for this team, but one will do for now. Fred Jackson is close to playing Sunday against the New England... more

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush was back at practice Thursday after suffering a knee injury in last Sunday's overtime loss to the New York Jets. Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post reported Bush was limited to non-contact drills , but his... more

We're hours away from a "Thursday Night Football" meeting between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, two AFC North rivals treading different paths this season. Brooks: Thursday night fight The Browns are winless, but Bucky Brooks explains why... more

The Philadelphia Eagles have a winning record after three games, but the level of play from quarterback Michael Vick and many of his teammates hasn't lived up to preseason expectations. Darlington: Both sides win Widespread interest in the lockout... more

Rex Ryan has been subtly and not-so-subtly prodding his northern rival, the New England Patriots, for years. We don't place the following in that category, but when asked to name the game's finest tight end, the New York Jets coach didn't pick a certain... more

Less than 24 hours after agreeing to a deal with the league's 122 officials, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to reporters on a conference call Thursday and expressed remorse for an uneven start to the season. 'TNF' Xtra NFL Network isn't the... more

Matthew Stafford was back at practice Thursday, squelching concern the Detroit Lions starting quarterback might not be ready for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday . Stafford missed Wednesday's practice to rest a sore right hip, but Chris McCosky of... more

It was crystal clear from the first game of this new season the Pittsburgh Steelers weren't ditching the air attack. The arrival of offensive coordinator Todd Haley had ushered in talk of a renewed commitment to the run, but the team has all but fizzled... more

The names below aren't normally celebrated. They will be tonight. Thursday night's meeting between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, airing on NFL Network, will mark the return of the NFL's 122 officials. 'TNF' Xtra NFL Network isn't the... more

Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons was reportedly among a handful of owners at the heart of this week's negotiations to help usher in the return of the NFL's 122 officials in time for "Thursday Night Football." The return of Ed Hochuli and his men... more

Our beloved officials are returning on white horses. Darlington: Both sides win Widespread interest in the lockout proved that the NFL's hold on the public is stronger than ever, Jeff Darlington writes. More... As the national drama of the... more

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without Rodney Hudson for the rest of the season after their starting center broke his leg in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints, the team reported . Hudson was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and that... more

Every Wednesday, Around the League throws a handful of players, coaches and NFL-oriented hot messes into our theoretical doghouse. This ugly dreamscape is reserved for those who simply didn't get it done over the past seven days. Fail-level: HIGH. This... more

Matt Forte is back in the fold. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported the Chicago Bears running back practiced Wednesday and hopes to play Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys . Harrison: Week 4 Power Rankings The Houston Texans are... more

One takeaway from Robert Griffin III's performance Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals was the high level of abuse he took from the opposing defense. The Washington Redskins rookie quarterback ran a version the triple option through much of the second... more

We should have seen this one from a mile away. Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported Wednesday that the NFL's locked-out officials have been preparing for their eventual return. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the Baltimore Ravens'... more

According to the logic system of Reggie Bush, losing Darrelle Revis for the year is a fitting destiny for the New York Jets . The Miami Dolphins running back argued the disastrous setback for Rex Ryan's defense serves Gotham well after the coach... more

So much has happened since the New York Giants last faced the Philadelphia Eagles. Gotham fell 17-10 on that chilly Sunday last November, but Justin Tuck says Big Blue isn't sweating the rivalry. Schein: Giants rule NFC East The NFC East might look... more

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford didn't practice with his teammates Wednesday, but no determination has been made about his status for Sunday's NFC North confrontation with the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Free Press reported . Instant... more

Some of you snubbed your noses last week at our developing man-crush on Christian Ponder . Then the Minnesota Vikings quarterback went out and slayed the San Francisco 49ers, leading the brain trust behind "Madden NFL 13" to hop on the bandwagon.... more

Monday night's hot-button affair between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers has people cycling back through the ages to pinpoint another game as riddled with officiating blunders. There isn't one, but the Seahawks -- once again -- came close in... more

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt waited until the eleventh hour before the season to name John Skelton his starting quarterback. In the end, it meant little. Jeremiah: Birds of a feather? The Cardinals and Falcons are both 3-0. But are they for... more

We've heard plenty of chatter about players treating the replacement officials like "substitute teachers." If teams are, in fact, attempting to get away with more than the rules allow, the Dallas Cowboys appear willing to go to battle with less. Tim... more

The long-simmering feud between LeSean McCoy and Osi Umenyiora has faithfully reappeared in the days leading up to their clash Sunday night. The bickering between these two once was confined to Twitter, but McCoy, the Philadelphia Eagles running back,... more

If Josh Sitton had his way, the Green Bay Packers would do more than forgive and forget a string of outrageous gaffes by the replacement officials in Monday night's controversial loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers offensive guard would walk off... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- We ran into Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the hallway Tuesday morning, and he told Around the League that concern over the replacement officials isn't limited to the players and coaches of the Green Bay... more

So the NFL has filed its statement on the matter, but readers are still asking about a portion of the NFL rulebook that appears to suggest Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to overturn Golden Tate's controversial game-winning touchdown catch... more

Outrage over Monday night's replacement referee meltdown has reached the highest levels of government. Sort of. New Jersey State Senate president Steve Sweeney has announced plans to introduce legislation to ban professional sporting events manned by... more

The Green Bay Packers' fan base has never been accused of apathy. On the morning after the Monday night debacle , a handful of fans were seen gathering outside Lambeau Field in protest of their team's bitter loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Call it a... more

Even before Monday night's drama , frustration surrounding the shaky performance of NFL replacement officials had reached a fever pitch. Three games in, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has seen more than enough to draw a conclusion. Lombardi:... more

When NFL Network analyst LaDainian Tomlinson joined the "NFL Fantasy Live" crew Monday, his list of the weekend's top-flight runners didn't include embattled Tennessee Titans back Chris Johnson, who instead received a scolding from the former San Diego... more

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn has been placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury, the team announced Monday. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported the second-year defender tore a ligament in his right... more

With Sunday's game against the New England Patriots looming, the Buffalo Bills are busy sorting out who -- if anyone -- will start in their banged-up backfield. C.J. Spiller was injured during last Sunday's 24-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. But... more

There are lingering questions about the health of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, but his coach, Jim Schwartz, wasn't in the mood to provide answers on Monday. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the Tennessee Titans' 44-41 win... more

Less than 24 hours after Darrius Heyward-Bey was knocked unconscious against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders wide receiver was released from a local hospital Monday, the team announced. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the... more

Greg Little's choice to strike an Usain Bolt pose following a humdrum catch in the middle of another Cleveland Browns' loss? Suspect at best. The receiver's knack for dropping far too many of the remaining passes thrown his way? That could cost him his... more

A Carolina Panthers team that appeared on the edge of great promise is three weeks into the new season and struggling with in-house issues between its two star players. Coach Ron Rivera expressed dismay on Monday over receiver Steve Smith's public... more

We mentioned that running back Mikel Leshoure's 100-yard debut for the Detroit Lions is the most for this team since Billy Sims rumbled for 153 yards during his rookie campaign way back in 1980. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan met with reporters Monday to announce that All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis would require surgery for the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins. The Jets' worst... more

It was clear to the New York Jets that earning a win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday hinged on shutting down Reggie Bush. The Dolphins running back ran wild in a Week 2 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He's Miami's best player and was up to... more

Lost in the mire of Pittsburgh's loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday was a Steelers offense that continues to dispel the rumor that it's married to the ground game. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the Oakland Raiders' 34-31 win over... more

Fifteen games are in the books for Week 3. What plays will we remember? Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined Sunday's action Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was a ghost in Week 2, vanishing from the lineup in the second half... more

On a day that featured Ben Roethlisberger throwing for 384 yards, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers' vaunted defense that became the story in a 34-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders . On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the Oakland Raiders' 34-31 win... more

A physical contest between the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers slowed to a pause Sunday when Darrius Heyward-Bey was carted off the field seconds into the fourth quarter with a neck injury. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the... more

Donovan McNabb made news in the offseason when he suggested that Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan might not be willing to shape his offensive philosophy around Robert Griffin III's talents. Shanny blew the doors off that conversation Sunday in a... more

If Sunday was any indication of Jay Gruden's master plan, the Cincinnati Bengals faithful are in for a treat. Gruden, the Bengals' offensive coordinator, dipped into his bag of tricks time and again in a 38-31 win over the Washington Redskins. A... more

The Buffalo Bills are paper thin at running back after C.J. Spiller suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out for most of Sunday's 24-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns . Bills coach Chan Gailey said after the game that Spiller didn't suffer a... more

What a difference one grueling, nationally televised loss has made for Cam Newton. Chris Mortensen reported on ESPN's "Sunday Countdown" that the Carolina Panthers are "privately concerned" about their quarterback's mental makeup in the wake of... more

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie has been activated for Sunday's meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars , the team announced. Mike Chappell of The Indianapolis Star reports that receiver Donnie Avery will start over Collie, who... more

Those expecting a new-look offense from Todd Haley and the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't seen much evidence of change through two weeks of this young season. Billick: Thoughts around the league Brian Billick provides his early impressions on rookies... more

Lawrence Timmons' hit on quarterback Mark Sanchez cost the Pittsburgh Steelers a 15-yard penalty in Sunday's 27-10 win over the New York Jets. That wasn't the only price to pay. The Steelers linebacker told Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review... more

Jonathan Stewart will be a no-show for Thursday night's game against the New York Giants, NFL Network's Stacey Dales reports. The Carolina Panthers running back will be inactive with a toe injury that's plagued him all week. Rivera said Stewart... more

Maybe it's just one former college coach looking out for another, but Pete Carroll is siding with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Greg Schiano on this whole Victory Formation fracas . Marshawn Lynch "I'm glad it was brought up like this," the Seattle... more

Free-agent tight end Chris Cooley is open to playing football this season, but he doesn't expect it to be with the Washington Redskins. Cooley told The Washington Post his old team isn't likely to call unless there's a significant injury to starting... more

Stop us if you've heard this before: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu didn't practice. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's on the rise, and who's on the decline after two games? Elliot Harrison ranks all the... more

The Baltimore Ravens already have the New England Patriots' attention. Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork is part of a Patriots team that snuck past the Ravens in January's AFC Championship Game. That playoff loss seemed to galvanize Baltimore, and Wilfork... more

After two weeks of football, we're gaining some clarity on the league's heavyweights and pretenders. Billick: Thoughts around the league Brian Billick provides his early impressions on rookies Andrew Luck, Trent  Richardson, Ryan Tannehill and many... more

The New York Jets' defense wasn't the same beast against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday without Darrelle Revis on the field. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's on the rise, and who's on the decline after two games? Elliot Harrison ranks all... more

Tony Dejak / Associated Press Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson sliding in the snow during a home game. There's a lot to like about incoming Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III. His energy and fire are needed at the head... more

One week after silencing Rey Maualuga and the Cincinnati Bengals, Trent Richardson is about to face another critic who's been slow to climb aboard his band wagon. The Cleveland Browns running back will meet with Hall of Fame legend Jim Brown before... more

The Oakland Raiders were a step behind the Miami Dolphins all Sunday, but Rolando McClain had an excuse. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's on the rise, and who's on the decline after two games? Elliot Harrison ranks all the NFL teams, Nos. 1-32.... more

The masterminds behind "Madden NFL 13" are watching and tweaking -- always. On the heels of C.J. Spiller's monstrous start to the season, programmers at EA Sports have upped his player rating, The Buffalo News reported . Brooks: Third year's a charm... more

We're watching pass rushers rack up quarterback sacks in a flurry this season. Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers has had six in two games and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leads a laundry list of players with three. Lombardi: What to make... more

Count us among those who could use more -- not less -- Dennis Miller in this life. He is the rare man who seamlessly shifts from chatter of Tim Tebow to comparing this season's replacement refs to members of the Warren Commission wading through looped... more

NFL defenses are learning about the innate talents of Robert Griffin III, and Robert Griffin III is learning about the innate nastiness of NFL defenses. The Washington Redskins rookie quarterback knew they were coming for him, but RG3 was surprised by... more

The Minnesota Vikings are about to open their doors to a wildebeest Sunday when the San Francisco 49ers come roaming into town. As part of their act, the 49ers will tote Randy Moss back into the Metrodome. Moss was a scarier proposition five years ago,... more

After shredding the New Orleans Saints on the ground last week, the Carolina Panthers might be a man down in the backfield for Thursday night's meeting with the New York Giants. Running back Jonathan Stewart is questionable with an ankle injury, but... more

We didn't expect to see Ahmad Bradshaw on the field for the New York Giants against the Carolina Panthers on "Thursday Night Football ," and those suspicions have been confirmed. But the Giants dropped a bombshell later on Wednesday when they downgraded... more

The Dallas Cowboys aren't about to part ways with embattled running back Felix Jones. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's on the rise, and who's on the decline after two games? Elliot Harrison ranks all the NFL teams, Nos. 1-32. More ...... more

Christian Ponder continues to fly under the radar. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback is growing steadily, but he's growing steadily on a team that hasn't been very good since the Brett Favre Project fizzled out. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's... more

The Kansas City Chiefs were a hot pick in the AFC West, but two weeks into this young season, many of the so-called experts are jumping ship. Instead of darlings, Romeo Crennel's team has been outplayed in losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo... more

With the Washington Redskins driving for what appeared to be a game-tying field against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, the relatively anonymous Josh Morgan became a household figure for all the wrong reasons . With the game on the line, the Redskins... more

Blake Baratz, the agent to Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, doesn't view quarterback Aaron Rodgers as a leader of men . Packers wide receiver James Jones has little doubt. "He's a natural-born leader, not just by what he says but how... more

Two days before taking on the Carolina  Panthers on the national stage, the New York Giants spent Tuesday openly questioning the competence of the NFL's replacement officials. Multiple players shared with Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News... more

Despite a win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday , Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland remains an unpopular figure in South Florida among a burgeoning portion of the fan base. According to The Miami Herald , one Dolphins fan's encounter with... more

On Monday, we posted our five runs that defined Week 2 . Many of you felt we'd left an important chapter of the story on the cutting room floor. Specifically the work of Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush, who rolled like a one-man show in Sunday's... more

Christian Ponder knows his role as a starting NFL quarterback comes with a few embedded perks. Cash. Wheels. Women folk. But maybe not in that order -- and maybe not at all. "I'm a lone wolf right now," Ponder told The Star Tribune . "Football is my... more

Week 2 was not a high point for the league's band of replacement officials. We saw a tonal shift in Sunday's games; and Monday night's messy affair between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos seemed to cap it all off. Philadelphia Eagles running... more

Blake Baratz, the agent for Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley, probably delighted Packers fans with his online criticism of Jay Cutler. His related sideswipe at Aaron Rodgers -- a god in Milwaukee -- wasn't received as warmly. Baratz lashed out at... more

As it turns out, the Dallas Cowboys still have a few items to work on. That was apparent in the Cowboys' 27-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a defeat that wiped away the sheen of a season-opening conquest over the New York Giants. Instant Debate: More... more

Randy Moss hasn't exactly exploded onto the scene with the San Francisco 49ers. The 35-year-old receiver has been nothing more than a bit player in the team's physical, old-school offense, but he's OK with that. "Nobody around here ever gets... more

The New England Patriots will go without one of their dangerous pass-catching tight ends for at least a month. Tight end Aaron Hernandez will miss four to six weeks with a low ankle sprain, NFL Network has learned from a source briefed on the injury.... more

Parity. A buzz word in league circles for years is now closer to reality than ever before just two weeks into this NFL season. Instant Debate: More troubling loss? The Pats and Tony Romo 's Cowboys were riding high after Week 1, but both teams... more

The Detroit Lions continue to search for a more compelling mix in the backfield. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Monday that free agents Ryan Grant and Steve Slaton will work out for the team this week. The Lions leaned heavily on... more

The offense of the Kansas City Chiefs vanished in Sunday's 35-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was among the missing. Charles carried the ball only twice in the second half, which coach Romeo Crennel attributed... more

A season of promise for the Washington Redskins has taken a cruel turn with injuries to Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker on defense. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan confirmed Monday that Orakpo, his star outside linebacker, tore his left pectoral in... more

Blaine Gabbert didn't make it through Sunday's 27-7 loss to the Houston Texans, but there's no quarterback controversy brewing in Jacksonville. The Jaguars starting quarterback was pulled in the second half by coach Mike Mularkey to rest what the... more

15 games are in the books for Week 2. What plays will we remember? Gregg Rosenthal brought you his five passes of the week and now Marc Sessler chooses the five runs that defined Sunday's action The New Orleans Saints were exposed Sunday by a Carolina... more

A fair amount of mirth was derived from Brandon Weeden's encounter with a mammoth-sized American flag two Sundays ago. His debut for the Cleveland Browns, of course, was no laughing matter. On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the New... more

The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0, but Sunday's 24-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens came at a high price. Center Jason Kelce might be lost for the season after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a partially torn anterior cruciate... more

Robert Griffin III's second game as a pro ended in a 31-28 defeat against the St. Louis Rams, but for anyone tracking this young quarterback's progress, Sunday's showing was a reason for hope. Breer: Do defenses stand a chance? There was a record... more

We saw an overspill of physical play in Philadelphia Eagles' 24-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. When punches -- and yellow flags -- weren't flying between Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson and Ravens cornerback Cary Williams , Baltimore's... more

For the past eight seasons, Steven Jackson has operated as the heartbeat of the St. Louis Rams. Through an era that saw the team crumble away from prominence, Jackson was always the guy you could count on to keep defenses honest. That hasn't changed, so... more

With his team driving into field-goal range -- and precious seconds ticking away against the St. Louis Rams -- Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan turned a third-down catch into the boneheaded play of the year. Washington's first loss of the... more

Through two weeks of this young season, the Houston Texans have arrived as advertised. Facing a soft early schedule, Houston beat up an iffy Miami Dolphins squad in the opener and kept the party going Sunday in a 27-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.... more

A rough outing for Blaine Gabbert ended painfully Sunday. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback departed a 27-7 loss to the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter with what the team called a hamstring injury. Gabbert walked off the field under his own... more

James Harrison isn't expected to play against the New York Jets on Sunday, and we might not see the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker before the end of the month. Breer: Week 2 predictions Can the high-flying Falcons and tough-as-nails Niners win in... more

Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback John Skelton has been ruled inactive for Sunday's meeting with the New England Patriots , the team announced. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 2 Daniel Jeremiah has Week 2's top battles, including Ray Lewis vs.... more

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh represents a major headache for offenses around the NFL. When he lines up against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, Jim Harbaugh and Co. plan to deliver a headache of their own. The 49ers won't dance... more

If nothing else, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga added a little spice to Sunday's "Battle of Ohio" against the Cleveland Browns. Everything to prove Follow along the year-long stories of 11 high-profile rookies including Andrew Luck and... more

Now things are getting interesting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hours after Steelers linebacker James Harrison said he'd play in Sunday's home opener against the New York Jets, he missed yet another practice Thursday and he wasn't alone. Lombardi:... more

Tony Avelar/Associated Press The Oakland Raiders "Black Hole" hopes to be a lot safer this year, as the team has bolstered security in the stadium. More than a few Oakland Raiders were caught off guard by heightened security prior to Monday... more

Nate Burleson has played alongside both Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss. Badgered by reporters for ages to pick between the two, the Detroit Lions wideout has finally come clean with his opinion: It's Megatron over Moss . Brooks: Niners getting ...... more

Three days before hosting the Baltimore Ravens , the Philadelphia Eagles went through practice without their top two receivers on the field Thursday. Brooks: Three keys to Philly's D The Eagles' defense took plenty of heat in 2011, but Bucky Brooks... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers toiled through their first game of the season without the services of linebacker James Harrison. That might change Sunday. Rapoport: Week 2 game rankings Week 2 offers a bevy of highly enticing matchups, and Ian Rapoport is... more

Tim Tebow has gone about his job as backup quarterback for the New York Jets without complaint, but will that change? Gary Myers of the New York Daily News argued this week that Tebow could be one-and-done in Gotham. He spoke to an NFL source who... more

In the minutes after a tight loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden made the rounds in the locker room to apologize to teammates for his four-game suspension. Haden was penalized by the league on Monday for testing... more

As you cheer on Peyton Manning and his Denver Broncos this season, don't forget about the men and women of section 306. Tucked away inside Sports Authority Field, paying customers in these seats received more than they bargained for in Sunday's... more

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Seattle for the first time in six seasons on Sunday. Tony Romo would rather forget the last voyage west to play the Seahawks. After all, that was the scene of the quarterback's botched hold that nullified a potential... more

Matthew Stafford has the chance to make a little history on Sunday. The Detroit Lions quarterback tied Drew Brees' record with his fourth consecutive 350-yard passing game in a win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 1 . Stafford would become the first... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't started a season 0-2 dating back to 2002, a figure that will be tested when the New York Jets visit on Sunday . When NFL Network and NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala reminded LaMarr Woodley about the streak Wednesday, the... more

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was kept out of Wednesday's practice, the team announced . Megatron missed the session with a foot injury, but coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't say much more. 'There are games you circle' Calvin Johnson had his head... more

On Tuesday, we brought you news of the Philadelphia Eagles releasing safety Jaiquawn Jarrett , their second-round draft pick from a season ago. Rapoport: Week 2 game rankings Week 2 offers a bevy of highly enticing matchups, and Ian Rapoport is here... more

In one of life's inevitable moments, Kevin Kolb is back at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. John Skelton's injury was just the latest development in a roller-coaster ride that's seen both players spin in and out of the starter's job. We knew this... more

When the Dallas Cowboys knocked off the New York Giants last week, it set in motion an ugly chain of events for one of Big Blue's more daring fans. After Joe Nathan, a closer for the Texas Rangers, lost a wager on the game to teammate Mike Adams -- a... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan faces his stiffest test of the young season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Subtracting cornerback Darrelle Revis from the equation won't help his chances. Mark Sanchez Ryan told reporters Wednesday that... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan met with reporters Wednesday and gave the lowdown on where a handful of his banged-up players stand for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers . Mark Sanchez We'll bring you more from that session later today,... more

Corneback Mike Jenkins is one step closer to finally taking the field for the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo Coming off shoulder surgery, the team's former first-round pick has dressed for three practices and hopes to play Sunday against the Seattle... more

Call it icing on the cake. Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in a 40-32 win over the New Orleans Saints, the league announced Wednesday.... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars are waiting on MRI results to spell the fate of running back Rashad Jennings, who injured his knee in Sunday's overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Harrison: Week 2 Power Rankings After the season's opening week, changes... more

Outside of maybe Stevie Johnson and Santonio Holmes, the New England Patriots are fortunate enough to play in a division short on dangerous pass catchers. Chandler Jones Coach Bill Belichick will face one of the finest in the NFL on Sunday when... more

Bart Scott believes this season's New York Jets defense will be the best in franchise history . His teammate, Mike DeVito, won't go that far, but he's on the record with a prediction of his own. Mark Sanchez The defensive lineman told WFAN-AM... more

One year after our proud nation came to grips with #Tebowing, a new Internet meme is sweeping the land. #Griffining has entered the lexicon. "What are you doing?" "Just Griffining at the Airport" --> twitter.com/Griffining/staâ?¦ â?? Griffining... more

The Philadelphia Eagles have given up on defensive back Jaiquawn Jarrett, their disappointing second-round draft pick from a year ago who failed to emerge in a crowded secondary, the team announced Tuesday. Jarrett was given multiple chances to win... more

The first week of the regular season exists somewhere between fantasy and reality. Half the league is undefeated. The other half finds itself picking up the pieces. Mark Sanchez Early wins and loses stir up an unfortunate amount of panic and... more

Trent Richardson's debut for the Cleveland Browns -- like the rest of the offense -- was an underwhelming affair. Everything to prove Follow along the year-long stories of 11 high-profile rookies including Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, as they... more

ESPN's dangerous, decade-long crush on Ray Lewis was in full swing Monday night. This time around, we were on board. The Baltimore Ravens linebacker put on a show, recording 14 tackles, one sack and forcing a fumble in a resounding 44-13 blowup of the... more

Ryan Tannehill walked away from Sunday's 30-10 loss to the Houston Texans holding a laundry list of to-dos. Rap Sheet Rundown: Week 1 A faster Patriots D and a scary-good Texans offense were among the things that stood out to Ian Rapoport in Week 1.... more

If you're waiting around for more handshake drama Sunday night, don't hold your breath. San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and his Detroit Lions counterpart, Jim Schwartz, already have buried the hatchet following their messy postgame confrontation... more

Matt Forte isn't the only one hoping for an adjustment in the red zone. The Chicago Bears running back wants to see more carries at the goal line . His coach, Lovie Smith, is simply hoping for a little room to think. "When we have the ball... more

On NFL Replay NFL Replay will re-air the Denver Broncos' 31-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 9:30 p.m. ET. » NFL Network schedule Caleb Hanie is about to get a second chance as Peyton Manning's... more

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson is expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks after injuring his right knee during Sunday's 48-28 loss to the New York Jets, NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Monday, citing a source who has spoken with the... more

The Buffalo Bills' ugly 48-28 loss to the New York Jets came with more bad news Monday. Bills wide receiver David Nelson has been lost for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported, citing a source... more

Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton suffered a low ankle sprain in Sunday's 20-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters Monday. "I'm not going to get into how long it's going to be (recovery-wise),"... more

It's a quarterbacks' league, but the San Francisco 49ers continue to pound the ball at defenses like it's 1933. Coach Jim Harbaugh lured in receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in the offseason, but the new toys on offense were mere bit players in... more

Matt Forte pumped out 80 yards off 16 carries Sunday, but the Chicago Bears running back was more concerned about the touches he didn't receive in the team's 41-21 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Namely those money-in-the-bank opportunities down... more

Michael Vick had his issues on Sunday. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback needed the entire 60 minutes to break out of a four-interception funk before executing a game-winning drive that halted the Cleveland Browns 17-16 in a contest that nobody... more

We used up a lot of precious ink (well, server space) in the offseason telling you about the glorious rebuilt defense of the Buffalo Bills. Wave upon wave of defensive linemen -- led by the uber-pricey Mario Williams -- were in position to topple... more

In terms of NFL beginnings, Brandon Weeden's first showing at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns was statistically significant. Not in a good way. According to league research, Weeden's 5.1 passer rating in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Philadelphia... more

It's just one contest in a long, winding campaign, but the San Francisco 49ers' 30-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers had the feel of a game that will loom large on the mind deep into the season. Last year we saw the Packers turn a season-opening... more

Michael Vick spent the quiet hours of this offseason perched on a chair in a dark room. Poring over game film, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback drank in every one of his 14 interceptions from last season. Over and over. Vick's intended endgame was... more

The San Francisco 49ers struggled mightily in the red zone last season. Randy Moss was wrestled out of the wilderness to remedy this, and the old veteran receiver delivered early in Sunday's 30-22 win over the Green Bay Packers. In his first action... more

The San Francisco 49ers capped a strong first half against the Green Bay Packers with a little bit of NFL history. As the half ticked away to nothing, 49ers kicker David Akers brought Lambeau Field to its knees with a 63-yard field goal, tied for... more

It didn't take Adrian Peterson more than a few minutes to erase any doubts about his rebuilt knee. Capping a long, painful offseason return from surgery, the Minnesota Vikings running back rumbled for 84 yards on 17 carries Sunday. He scored twice and... more

The Cleveland Browns went into Sunday having dropped seven straight home openers. That streak grew uglier by one against the Philadelphia Eagles, who -- behind quarterback Michael Vick -- turned a rather messy performance into a 17-16 win . It didn't come... more

No doubt about it, Adrian Peterson is back. Scoring two touchdowns and rumbling for 84 yards in the Minnesota Vikings' 26-23 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Peterson capped a long fight back from the nasty knee injury that put his... more

An offseason rich with speculation about the playing status of running back Adrian Peterson has been put to rest. The Minnesota Vikings made it official Sunday, fewer than two hours before hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener :... more

Nobody expected to see Jonathan Vilma roaming the Superdome grounds Sunday. Days ago, the New Orleans Saints' linebacker was the Invisible Man, set apart from his teammates, but his fortunes rapidly have changed. Ed Werder of ESPN reported Sunday that... more

Mike Shanahan would prefer that his plans for the Washington Redskins' backfield remain under lock and key, but that's harder than it used to be in an ever-churning news cycle. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 1 Enticing subplots abound heading into the... more

The Cleveland Browns will honor their former longtime owner Art Modell with an "appropriate recognition" during Sunday's pregame lead up to playing the Philadelphia Eagles. Sessler: Modell a major figure He's villified in Cleveland, but Art Modell... more

Next on Calvin Johnson's to-do list? The record books. The Detroit Lions receiver is hungry to shatter the NFL's single-season receiving mark en route to crossing 2,000 yards. "It'd be great if I could do that," Johnson told the Detroit Free Press... more

Jake Locker's first NFL start Sunday will be as much a mental war as it is physical. The Tennessee Titans' second-year pro quarterback will face the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick, a coach with an impressive resume when it comes to toying with... more

The same Forbes study that listed the Dallas Cowboys as the most valuable franchise in the NFL issued a gloomier forecast for the Buffalo Bills. Jones: The return of Fitz-magic? The Bills started last season hot, but then they fell apart. Kim Jones... more

The party is over in Gotham, where the New York Giants find themselves picking up the pieces after a 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night. Jeremiah: True grit After watching Dallas' win over the Giants, Daniel Jeremiah says there's... more

Knowshon Moreno was pegged in the offseason as a man on the bubble , a figure fighting for his career. The Denver Broncos running back -- on the road back from surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament-- is now listed as the team's No. 2 man... more

Woody Johnson watched his New York Jets toil through an ugly preseason, but he's not ready to push the panic button just yet. Asked to comment on the future of coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets owner preferred to say nothing.... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are days away from facing the Denver Broncos, but the status of James Harrison remains hazy. The All-Pro linebacker was limited in practice Wednesday and did not participate in Thursday's session after undergoing knee surgery... more

Jim Brown can't find an ill word to say about Art Modell, who passed away early Thursday at the age of 87 . The Cleveland Browns legend played for Modell from 1961 to 1965 and recalls the team's former owner as a man who cared about his players. "It... more

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie agitated teammates this summer when he called himself the second best receiver on the New York Jets. Evans: Jets must start Tebow Heath Evans explains why Tim Tebow is the only New York Jets quarterback who can lead Gang... more

At some point this year, Ben Roethlisberger will become a father. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback hasn't shared the due date, but his son is expected to arrive smack-dab in the middle of the football season. Harrison: Power Rankings What is the... more

The Dallas Cowboys are a unique organization in that their owner, Jerry Jones, is also the team's general manager, presiding over a streamlined front office that answers to one man, and one man only. Jeremiah: True grit After watching Dallas' win over... more

Tony Romo was a quarterback on the run in Wednesday night's 24-17 win over the New York Giants. Jeremiah: True grit After watching Dallas' win over the Giants, Daniel Jeremiah says there's something different about these Cowboys. More ... The... more

Rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon was a revelation for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the preseason, and the team is hoping their first-round draft pick can keep it going Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Blackmon suffered an ankle injury in... more

Victor Cruz was money in the bank down the stretch last season, playing hero for the New York Giants in their improbable Super Bowl frolic. Jones: Easy 'E' You know Eli Manning as a two-time Super Bowl champ. The Giants know him as "E," a calm leader.... more

As NBC's cameras panned to Jerry Jones in the closing seconds of Wednesday night's 24-17 win over the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys owner peered down on MetLife with fire in the eyes. For a night, he was back on top. Jones is fully obsessed... more

It was just one game in a long, winding season, but the Dallas Cowboys answered many questions in Wednesday's resounding 24-17 win over the New York Giants. Rapoport: Ranking Week 1 games Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order of Week 1 contests, as... more

The people of Baltimore will hail Art Modell as the man who brought football back to Charm City in 1996. Lombardi: For better or worse? Michael Lombardi predicts whether each team will exceed or fall short of its regular-season record from 2011. More... more

On the heels of a confusing week for Bryant McKinnie, the Baltimore Ravens left tackle is ready to expend a little energy on the Cincinnati Bengals. McKinnie agreed to restructure his contract Tuesday , mere hours after tweeting that he wasn't in... more

On the heels of an arguably meaningless holdout , Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew knows he won't be handed the world without a fight. "I have to work to get my job back," Jones-Drew told The Florida Times-Union after... more

Another day, another practice for Trent Richardson. The Cleveland Browns running back tangled with defenders again on Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reported . Richardson returned to practice Monday after missing the entire preseason... more

Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is ready to pull the training wheels off Adrian Peterson -- sort of. Harrison: Power Rankings What is the NFL pecking order entering Week 1 of the 2012 campaign? Elliot Harrison ranks every team, from 1 to 32.... more

If former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb is planning a comeback, he's walking a circuitous route. The six-time Pro Bowl passer has joined the NFL Network broadcast team, along with former players LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sharper and Shaun O'Hara, the... more

Bernard Scott isn't ready for the Baltimore Ravens. Harrison: Power Rankings What is the NFL pecking order entering Week 1 of the 2012 campaign? Elliot Harrison ranks every team, from 1 to 32. More ... The Cincinnati Bengals running back told... more

Following a devastating preseason with the New York Jets, Wayne Hunter counts himself among the lucky to wake up in a new city, with a new job. "I'm so happy for a fresh new start," Hunter told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Tuesday. "I think it's what... more

The New York Jets want to return to their punishing ground-and-pound roots of old, and running back Shonn Greene is being asked to lead the way. Greene is the bell cow in Gotham, but when he's not on the field -- and Tim Tebow isn't spinning his gold --... more

St. Louis Rams fans haven't had much to smile about in recent years. The team has been beaten around on the field like a drunken boat on the waves, but there is finally something to celebrate. Rank: Best mustaches Adam Rank combs through an... more

The Oakland Raiders come into this season with a crowded but intriguing group of young receivers. How many of them will be ready for the San Diego Chargers on Monday night remains a mystery. Jacoby Ford hasn't practiced in weeks and jogged for the... more

We saw next to nothing from Randy Moss in the preseason, but Jim Harbaugh has gathered more than enough evidence. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver is listed as a starter on the team's official depth chart , according to Matt Maiocco of Comcast... more

When the San Diego Chargers placed receiver Vincent Brown on injured reserve Tuesday , they made some NFL history in the process. By tagging Brown with the "designated to return" option , the Chargers became the first NFL team to pull that lever,... more

It wasn't long ago that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was viewed as a shoe-in to start the regular season on the outside looking in. General manager Kevin Colbert talked openly about Mendenhall landing on the reserve/PUP list for... more

Jason Witten will travel to New York with his Dallas Cowboys teammates, but the veteran tight end is no lock to play against the New York Giants on Wednesday night. Jeremiah: Kickoff preview Daniel Jeremiah gets you ready for the opening-night tilt... more

Quarterback change is nothing new in the NFL, and we're going to see plenty of it this season. Patience at the position has fizzled to zero. Young, inexperienced passers are now expected to produce immediately, a near-impossible request considering some... more

The Houston Texans have taken the leap from playoff hopeful to a team widely viewed as a heavyweight contender in the AFC. Jeremiah: Inside intel Daniel Jeremiah grilled 20 NFL personnel officials about the 2012 season. Some of their insights might... more

Hours after the New England Patriots traded for Greg Salas from the St. Louis Rams, the Pats made room for their new wide receiver by cutting linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the team announced Saturday . Cut tracker Former New England Patriots wide... more

The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran tight end Kellen Winslow, the team announced Saturday. NFL Network and NFL.com's Albert Breer first reported the transaction, citing a source with knowledge of the situation. Danny O'Neil of The Seattle... more

Sam Bradford is learning his third offense in as many seasons with the St. Louis Rams, but the team remains confident that he's due for a breakout campaign. They must be, because as of Saturday, Bradford's only backup on the 53-man roster was Austin... more

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson spent Saturday's practice riding a stationary bike . The team hopes their first-round draft pick will do more than cycle nowhere before the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. Instant Debate: Worst team in... more

Anyone feel like playing linebacker for the Cleveland Browns? The team's already depleted defensive unit could now be without rookie James-Michael Johnson for up to four weeks, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland reported Saturday . Instant Debate: Worst... more

Stephen McGee made a case for himself in the preseason, and the Dallas Cowboys thought enough of the backup quarterback to keep him on their 53-man roster. For a day. Schein: Nine sizzling predictions Bored by all the vanilla predictions on the eve of... more

Mike Kafka is without a home, but that might not last for long. After Kafka was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, the third-year quarterback is already generating interest, according to Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com . 2012 NFL predictions... more

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Darryl Tapp has reportedly chosen a pay cut over playing somewhere else. There was speculation Tapp might be among Friday's cuts, but Reuben Frank of Comcast SportsNet Philly cited a league source to report the veteran... more

It seems everyone has advice for New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, so why not Joe Theismann? The former Washington Redskins signal-caller believes Sanchez has spent the offseason dancing around his true feelings about Tim Tebow's descent on... more

After Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas endured a scolding by his coach, Joe Philbin, on last week's episode of "Hard Knocks," he admitted the televised dressing down put him on high alert. Thomas told The Miami Herald the incident "was... more

From the looks of it, the Kansas City Chiefs might have their hands on Peyton Hillis 2.0. The battle-tank runner is two years removed from causing a sensation in Cleveland before fizzling out with the Browns a season ago. After 1,177 yards and 11... more

Waiting deep into Friday night to announce their cuts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers produced a list short on surprises but long on heartbreak for Jordan Shipley. The third-year pro was let go by the Buccaneers, along with 21 other waived players and two who... more

The Curtis Painter Experiment is over in Baltimore. The Ravens announced the release of the perennial backup quarterback after he failed to overtake Tyrod Taylor for the No. 2 spot behind starter Joe Flacco. Painter spent most of last season... more

Mixed into a torrent of roster cuts Friday, we saw a low-level trade go down between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Philadelphia -- on a day it used to reshape the defensive backfield -- acquired safety David Sims from Cleveland in... more

The New Orleans Saints hoped rookie Nick Toon would give Drew Brees yet another toy to play with in their pass-happy attack. Those plans are on hold. Toon was placed on injured reserve Friday, ending his rookie season, the Saints announced . Cut... more

When Marvin Lewis signed undrafted Vontaze Burfict in April, the Cincinnati Bengals coach took a chance on a player nobody else wanted. Cut tracker Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch was just one of Friday's many releases. Who... more

The Denver Broncos are moving forward without veteran cornerback Drayton Florence. Cut tracker Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch was just one of Friday's many releases. Who else was cut? More ... The Broncos announced Friday... more

In something of a surprise, the Buffalo Bills are holding on to both Tyler Thigpen and Tarvaris Jackson as backup quarterbacks behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, a team source told Tim Graham of The Buffalo News . The Bills later confirmed the moves.... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ready for battle. After placing rookie linebacker Sean Spence on injured reserve, the Steelers announced the release of an additional 21 players to thin their roster to 53, well ahead of Friday's league deadline (which we... more

By midday Friday, the Miami Dolphins housed more quarterbacks (four) than cornerbacks (three) on their ever-evolving roster. That ratio isn't for long in South Beach. Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post reported Friday that the Dolphins have received... more

Colt McCoy said he wanted to stay in Cleveland, despite a volatile offseason in which he lost his starting job to rookie Brandon Weeden and endured a summer's worth of trade whispers and lukewarm praise. McCoy will get his wish. A source told NFL... more

Sean Spence was being counted on to add depth to a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that is light at linebacker heading into the season. That plan took a hit Friday. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cited a source in reporting that Spence will miss... more

The St. Louis Rams watched with concern as Michael Brockers was carted to the locker room during Thursday night's 31-17 preseason victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie defensive tackle left the game with a right ankle injury late in the first... more

Breathe easy, Cincinnati. Starting quarterback Andy Dalton won't skip a beat after being sidelined with an "arm bruise" minutes into the Bengals' preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts. Dalton left Thursday's game -- ultimately won 20-16 by... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars hoped to exit this preseason journey with a more game-ready Blaine Gabbert under center. Things got off to a bad start Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons. On Jacksonville's first offensive play, Gabbert's pitch to Rashad... more

The summer's last remaining quarterback battle is finally nearing an end. Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to pick between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton on Friday, Kent Somers of Sporting News reported Thursday . Whisenhunt has... more

The New York Jets' offense has been the subject of much abuse this preseason. Some coming from us , plenty from those who cover the game league-wide. Instant Debate: The next big thing? Which player is poised for a breakout season? Our analysts... more

On Wednesday, we told you about Marcus Thomas, the New York Giants' defensive lineman upset with the makers of "Madden NFL 13" after they botched his photo in the latest edition of the popular video game. Now an entire franchise has reason to gripe.... more

As Hurricane Isaac cut its path across New Orleans, the city and its football stadium were spared from the type of devastating wreckage left by Hurricane Katrina seven years ago. The Times-Picayune reported Thursday that the Mercedes-Benz Superdome... more

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has pumped millions into a team that's failed to score a touchdown in three preseason games. Thirty-five painful possessions. Not a sniff of the end zone. Rapoport: Forward thinking Teams soon will start chasing a... more

If Tony Romo has trouble spotting the sun, it's because Troy Aikman's long shadow has blotted it out. Breer: Disappointment in Big D Jerry Jones tells Albert Breer last season was "the most disappointing year" of his entire Cowboys tenure. More ...... more

Mainly because Robert Griffin III operates under an electron microscope, we have the following: The Washington Redskins' rookie quarterback -- like many of his peers -- has a habit of wearing headphones before games. In pregame warm-ups before facing... more

Last season's New York Jets tumbled down the stretch with a three-game losing streak, characterized by confusion on the field and fighting off of it. As he walked away from the burning wreckage, Rex Ryan spoke of bringing his locker room back together.... more

Tony Romo receives high levels of unjust criticism, but this time around, he has heaped the pressure on himself. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has teamed with Starter on a print and digital ad campaign that aims a hot light on the steel vice... more

We enjoy Pete Carroll because he's a transaction-obsessed visionary. You might not agree with every lever he pulls, but the Seattle Seahawks coach cannot be accused of laziness. Carroll and general manager John Schneider went on a spree this summer in... more

Tasked with the near-impossible job of finding a replacement for injured center Kyle Cook, the Cincinnati Bengals rummaged through the free-agent pile to sign veteran Jeff Faine on Wednesday, Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported . The Bengals... more

Associated Press/US Presswire Marcus Thomas (left) is out of the NFL. Marcus Thomas (right) is a Giant who's wrongly pictured in "Madden NFL 13." With Tuesday's release of "Madden NFL 13," millions have found their bliss. Their happy place.... more

Wherever the New York Jets wandered last season, Joe Namath wasn't far behind. The team's former star quarterback chimed in regularly -- often critically -- about a Rex Ryan-led squad that, by season's end, appeared lost at sea. Namath was back at it... more

Brandon Jacobs has 16,000-plus followers on Twitter. Not all of them are friendly. After the San Francisco 49ers running back injured his knee against the Houston Texans earlier this month, the MRI came back negative. When Jacobs tweeted about the... more

On Monday, our nation watched gripped as Aaron Rodgers absorbed a shaving cream pie in the face . On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers quarterback assured us he can take a little ribbing. Lombardi: Best of the best Michael Lombardi identifies blue-chip... more

It's unclear how the New York Jets -- or the St. Louis Rams -- improved themselves by swapping Wayne Hunter for Jason Smith . It's the equivalent of two friends swapping a pair of jalopies. For better or worse, Mike Tannenbaum agreed to pull the... more

We've spent a lot of time analyzing this year's rookie quarterbacks . What about last year's rookies? The NFL's crop of second-year quarterbacks, entering pivotal sophomore campaigns, altered the landscape a season ago. Cam Newton raised the bar --... more

The injury-ravaged Detroit Lions are shopping for a running back, according to a report on Tuesday. This late in the game, the pickings are slim. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew missed his chance to pounce on Cedric Benson in free agency and he... more

With their season opener just 12 days away, the Detroit Lions are paper-thin -- and getting thinner -- in the backfield. Detroit's big vision hasn't panned out. The way general manager Martin Mayhew saw it, fleet-of-foot Jahvid Best and the physical... more

After spending all summer tweaking their offense, the Atlanta Falcons are making some final adjustments at the quarterback position. Longtime veteran Chris Redman was released Tuesday to make room for the signing of journeyman Luke McCown, the team... more

The Kanas City Chiefs have emerged as a popular dark horse selection in the AFC West. One reason for the love is the team's young defense, which coach Romeo Crennel hoped would improve with the drafting of nose tackle Dontari Poe. Patience is... more

We shut down last week's post with an ode to Russell Wilson . Let's stay on topic, shall we? We argued six days ago the Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback was being overlooked. That shouldn't be a problem from here on out. Russell -- a longshot just... more

The fine people of Denver were waiting for this. On Sunday, Peyton Manning shrugged off a pair of ho-hum preseason performances to produce his best outing yet against the San Francisco 49ers . The Denver Broncos quarterback finished 10-of-12 passing for... more

As Nick Foles Fever bubbles up in the streets of Philadelphia , Eagles starting quarterback Michael Vick confirmed Sunday that he would be ready for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 9. Instant Debate: Philly's biggest fear Can... more

New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller left Sunday night's 17-12 loss to the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring, the team announced . Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported he won't return. Team doctors examined Keller after he was seen... more

Seven years ago to the day, on August 26, 2005, weather blogger Charles Fenwick wrote a disturbing post about Hurricane Katrina's march toward New Orleans. That storm -- and the wreckage it generated -- changed the city and our nation forever. New... more

The quarterback carousel is spinning in Buffalo. NFL.com and NFL Network's Michael Lombardi and Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the Bills will acquire Tarvaris Jackson in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, according to sources with knowledge of the... more

Peyton Manning played only one quarter of football Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers were happy to see him go in their 29-24 preseason victory over the Denver Broncos. Breer: Elway's plan for Manning How will John Elway turn Peyton Manning into the... more

In the end, Jim Irsay's whisper campaign told us everything we need to know about this year's Indianapolis Colts. By shopping two picks -- including a 2013 second-rounder -- to the Miami Dolphins for cornerback Vontae Davis, the Colts are shedding... more

According to Terrell Owens, he is no longer a member of the Seattle Seahawks. The 38-year-old receiver spread the news via Twitter on Sunday: I'm no longer a Seahawk. I THANK the organization 4 the opportunity, I'm truly blessed beyond belief. My... more

David DeCastro's knee injury represents a costly setback for a Pittsburgh Steelers team that dedicated the offseason to rebuilding their patchwork offensive line. It's no secret that DeCastro and fellow rookie Mike Adams were struggling in camp. We saw... more

The San Francisco 49ers have become the first NFL team to record a video condemning anti-gay violence and bullying. San Francisco defenders Donte Whitner, Ahmad Brooks, Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois appear in the spot as part of the "It Gets... more

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need Mike Wallace in Saturday's 38-7 preseason romp over the Buffalo Bills, but the team's best wide receiver won't be a luxury come September. Wallace informed teammates that he plans to sign his... more

With 15 days to go until his team plays a meaningful game, Ben Roethlisberger already was in regular-season mode. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback sunk a knife into the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night with a two-minute drill for the (preseason)... more

The New Orleans Saints faced an atypical scenario in Saturday night's 34-27 preseason victory over the Houston Texans. Two head coaches. One sideline. Interim coach Joe Vitt and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer -- who will replace Vitt during his... more

Seabass has been grounded. Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski left Saturday night's 31-20 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions with a groin injury, according to the team . The injury occurred on a double-whammy of a play for the... more

It's going to be a challenge for anyone on the Washington Redskins' roster to steal attention from Robert Griffin III , but rookie Alfred Morris is doing what he can. The rookie running back carried the ball 14 times for 107 yards and one touchdown... more

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie guard David DeCastro suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in Saturday night's preseason game and will be out awhile, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL.com and NFL Network.... more

While Andrew Luck prepared to carry the Indianapolis Colts into battle Saturday , team owner Jim Irsay was back on Twitter, filing his latest in a series of mysterious tweets about a pending trade. No,trade winds still howlin'...but only time will... more

Does the name Randy Hanson ring a bell? He's the former Oakland Raiders assistant who suffered a broken jaw and two cracked teeth in an alleged August 2009 brawl with then-head coach Tom Cable. Hanson now faces assault and battery charges stemming... more

Brandon Weeden has the unenviable task of facing the Philadelphia Eagles again in two short weeks. The Cleveland Browns quarterback struggled with rookie mistakes during Friday night's 27-10 preseason loss , and part of the problem was a running game that... more

You might have missed this touchdown strike from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to wide receiver Roddy White, but Larry Fitzgerald did not. After White hauled in the score to give the Falcons a 13-point lead in Friday night's 23-6 preseason... more

Bid farewell, ladies and gentlemen, to tight end/accountant Les Brown. If you've been following HBO's "Hard Knocks," you're familiar with the patchwork group of tight ends struggling to make the final cut with the Miami Dolphins. Brown was a long... more

A promising preseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars came to a crashing halt in Thursday night's 48-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Breer: Outside perspective on MJD What do opposing league execs think about Maurice  Jones-Drew's stalemate with the... more

When we drew up defensive power rankings earlier this month , a lot of thought went into the top of the list. Mayock: Preseason observations Mike Mayock had a busy summer, traveling from camp to camp to scout players and teams. What did he learn?... more

Al Everest didn't see it coming. The former special teams coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers was fired by coach Mike Tomlin after Thursday's practice, just two days before the team's third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills . Everest, who... more

The scheduling gods enjoyed a hearty laugh when they pieced together this season's slate of games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Instant Debate: Philly's biggest fear Can the Eagles make the playoffs if Michael Vick isn't healthy... more

Tucked away in the injury notes for this week's slate of preseason games: the return of Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Coach Ron Rivera announced that Davis would start Sunday's game against the New York Jets, Joe Person of The Charlotte... more

When the Dallas Cowboys unveil their rebuilt defensive backfield against the New York Giants on Sept. 5, cornerback Mike Jenkins might not be part of the show. Jenkins hasn't been cleared to practice following offseason shoulder surgery and team owner... more

In a perfect world, backup quarterback Graham Harrell figures to be a largely anonymous figure for the Green Bay Packers this season. The general idea is that Aaron Rodgers goes wire to wire -- throwing for roughly 45 touchdowns and 5,000 yards -- as the... more

It's hard to imagine Tom Brady playing for anyone other than Bill Belichick, but the New England Patriots quarterback is determined -- after 12 seasons in the NFL -- to continue on for another decade. Brady and Belichick make up arguably the most... more

In a bit of poetic justice Thursday night, Cedric Benson's new start in the NFL began against his team of old. Schein: Why Packers will win XLVII Adam Schein provides six reasons why Aaron  Rodgers and the Packers will win it all in New Orleans in... more

The New York Jets soothed a melting fan base Thursday with the benching of embattled right tackle Wayne Hunter, but coach Rex Ryan is unwilling to label his replacement -- the untested Austin Howard -- an opening day starter. The Jets haven't... more

. Former New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason went rogue earlier this month when he suggested his old team should wash its hands of Tim Tebow. Esiason accomplished his task (generating headlines), but Tebow's predictably saccharine response put the... more

The third preseason tilt is the closest most teams tread to a regular-season dress rehearsal, but not in San Diego, where Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is among a handful of starters who won't play Friday night against the Minnesota Vikings .... more

The NFL preseason isn't exactly rich with tales of revenge, but Cedric Benson's return to Cincinnati came close enough for August football. Schein: Why Packers will win XLVII Adam Schein provides six reasons why Aaron  Rodgers and the Packers will... more

The injury bug continues to nibble away at the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Manny Lawson left Thursday night's game against the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury, the team announced . Lawson was hurt in the first half and his... more

In a Chicago Bears backfield that already includes Matt Forte and Michael Bush, there was little room for Kahlil Bell -- at least not at the price he demanded. Bell was waived by the Bears on Thursday, the team announced . Entering his fourth season,... more

Pete Carroll loves competition. As much as any coach in the league, the leader of the Seattle Seahawks doesn't shy away from pitting established starters and veterans against newbies and nobodies. Schein: NFL's most fascinating team Seahawks training... more

Even if Maurice Jones-Drew returns to the fold with the Jacksonville Jaguars in time for the season opener, it's unlikely we'll see the same back from last year. Darlington: Listen up, MJD If Maurice Jones-Drew thinks the Jaguars are going to cave to... more

Large chunks of the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises" were shot in the city of Pittsburgh, not to mention a mind-warping sequence that left viewers to question the fate of Hines Ward's doomed teammates ? All this big-screen attention for the... more

The Detroit Lions have learned not to expect much from Jahvid Best, the team's concussion-addled running back who's started just 15 games over two seasons. Best hasn't been cleared to practice and he's still on the mend from a concussion he suffered... more

Evan Royster looms as the favorite to start in a crowded Washington Redskins backfield that's long on names, but short on a clear-cut leader. Royster won't have a chance to further that argument Saturday when the Redskins host the... more

If everything goes according to plan, Brock Osweiler won't see the light of day this season. The Denver Broncos don't want to their rookie quarterback touching the field outside of lighthearted mop-up work following yet another Peyton Manning... more

After an offseason spent in bubble wrap, Adrian Peterson is seeing his first action on the field in nearly eight months following surgery to repair his shattered left knee. Jeremiah: Preseason Week 2 review What did Daniel Jeremiah learn in Week 2 of... more

The third preseason game traditionally is when teams veer as close to a regular-season look as we're going to get before the real games begin. Debate: Preseason Week 3 spotlight Week 3 games are the most important of the preseason. Who has the most at... more

The New York Jets aren't the only team with problems bubbling up along the offensive line . Instant Debate: Philly's biggest fear Can the Eagles make the playoffs if Michael Vick isn't healthy for the entire season? Our analysts share their thoughts.... more

Gerald McCoy's not-so-covert man crush on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady rages on. It was just last summer when the defensive tackle admitted his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates weren't prepared for the speed of New England's spread... more

Somewhere on the outskirts of the standoff between Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the collective psyche of millions of fantasy football enthusiasts hangs in the balance. Darlington: Listen up, MJD If Maurice Jones-Drew thinks the... more

We knew all along that Aaron Kromer was in the running to guide the New Orleans Saints while interim coach Joe Vitt served his six-game suspension from the NFL . Taking plenty of time to ponder the move, the Saints made it official Wednesday , naming... more

Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer played alongside Chad Johnson for seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, forming one of the better QB-WR combos in franchise history. Johnson's rather epic free fall from grace has him looking for work, but... more

Barring unforeseen disaster, Brandon Weeden will line up under center when the Cleveland Browns host the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener. Who Weeden will hand off to remains as cloudy as ever. Rookie running back Trent Richardson hasn't... more

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was a no-show at Wednesday's practice and is unlikely to face Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears on Friday. Coach Tom Coughlin told The Star-Ledger that Pierre-Paul is dealing with back spasms, and the team... more

Not a dull month for Jeff Demps. After winning silver in London, the Olympian was subject to a free-agency frenzy that led to him signing with the New England Patriots for a nice pile of guaranteed greenbacks . Demps practiced with the team for... more

Peyton Manning's handiwork through two preseason games has given us hints of the past, present and future. The Denver Broncos quarterback has shown himself to be the same cerebral, intense player of yesteryear, but signs of rust remain. Rapoport: Two... more

The Tennessee Titans have seen enough in Jake Locker to boldly (and finally) name him their starting quarterback. Instant Debate: Youth movement The first five quarterbacks taken in the 2011 draft will start in Week 1. Who will win the most games?... more

Training camp ends early for Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden, who was removed from practice Wednesday morning for "being a little too rough," according to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com . Coach Pat Shurmur lost his temper and removed Haden from... more

The NFL preseason rages on . The sheer value of these contests rests firmly in the eye of the beholder, but try telling Wayne Hunter they don't matter after the New York Jets' right tackle went down in a ball of fire against the New York Giants .... more

Once again, it's Wayne Hunter vs. the world . The New York Jets right tackle did nothing to silence his detractors in a disturbing performance Saturday night against the New York Giants . Mark Sanchez paid the price as Hunter allowed no less than four... more

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown left Saturday night's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys with a left ankle injury and will not return, the team announced . Brown was carted off in the third quarter after catching an 18-yard... more

Gang Green's two-headed passing monster was far from a thing of beauty Saturday night. Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow were put on display -- warts and all -- by the New York Jets in a 26-3 loss to the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Rex Ryan and his... more

San Francisco 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs was helped off the field Saturday night against the Houston Texans with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Jacobs remained on the ground after he took a direct hit to his left knee from Texans... more

We have our first injury update from the prestigious MetLife Bowl . Breer: Ready, steady ... Eli! Eli Manning is unemotional, focused and, yup, pretty bland. Albert Breer says this is why Eli's perfect for the Giants. More ... New York Giants... more

The Houston Texans have spent the past week nursing themselves into a healthy state, and they welcomed two key pieces back to the field Saturday. Super Bowl or bust for Texans Once perennial cellar-dwellers, the Houston Texans feel pressure to win it... more

Jake Locker on Friday did little to clear up the million-dollar quarterback question for the Tennessee Titans. Instead of shining in his first official start, the second-year passer was sloppy and less productive than age-old Matt Hasselbeck. Titans... more

The New Orleans Saints planned well for life without the suspended Jonathan Vilma, but he's not the only linebacker about to miss significant time. Harrison: Power Rankings With preseason action heating up, Elliot Harrison delivers his first Power... more

Andrew Luck -- like the rest of us -- has watched the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense punish quarterbacks since he was a child. Unlike the rest of us, the Indianapolis Colts rookie now prepares to face them in the flesh Sunday night . Pittsburgh's trickery... more

The NFL slapped a $21,000 fine on Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Friday for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich in in the Eagles' 24-23 victory last week. Rodgers-Cromartie was flagged for a 15-yard... more

We caught a glimpse of Peyton Manning a week ago. The Denver Broncos are about to give us a longer look. Manning led only one drive in the preseason opener , but the Broncos' starting passer is expected to take the field for an entire quarter and... more

Ryan McBean's season is over before it began. The Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle had surgery this week to repair the broken ankle he suffered in the team's preseason opening win to the Atlanta Falcons, the team's official site reported. Breer:... more

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson terrified fantasy football loyalists everywhere when he muddled through a five-carry, eight-yard performance in the team's preseason opener. Debate: CJ2K or All Day? Chris Johnson and Adrian  Peterson... more

Tim Tebow came calling, but Bill Belichick's siren song has won again. NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Olympic sprinter Jeff Demps signed a three-year contract to play for the New England Patriots. The Patriots were among... more

The New England Patriots plan to lean on Stevan Ridley in the backfield this season, but those plans will have to wait. The second-year runner left the field with a knee injury during Thursday's practice, but it doesn't appear to be serious, the Boston... more

The New York Giants have one of the league's top receiving tandems in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Competition for the team's third wideout spot is unresolved, and it appears the choice won't come down to just one guy. Quarterback Eli Manning hinted... more

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has endured and created his share of headaches this offseason. Constant chatter of windows closing, "beating the Giants' ass, " and the typical drama from Dez Bryant have made for a colorful summer. And now this.... more

The Cleveland Browns gave Colt McCoy a chance to show off in Thursday night's preseason win over the Green Bay Packers . Last year's starter -- and now Brandon Weeden's understudy -- moved the Browns down the field on a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive.... more

It was impossible not to notice Chandler Jones in his preseason debut for the New England Patriots. The rookie defensive end was less a newbie and more a swarm of arms and legs flying toward New Orleans Saints quarterbacks . It's early, but Bill... more

On a Monday night way back in 1987, the (then Los Angeles) Raiders got the best of an overhyped Seattle Seahawks linebacker named Brian Bosworth in front of a national television audience. Brooks: Raiders training camp report Bucky Brooks reports on... more

When Dr. Neil Ghodadra sat down with "NFL Fantasy LIVE" guru Jason Smith this week, a healthy dose of doom and gloom was dumped upon the viewing public. Harrison: Power Rankings With preseason action heating up, Elliot Harrison delivers his first... more

As NFL front offices swoop in to eyeball Olympic silver medalist Jeff Demps, the New York Jets are preparing to unleash their secret weapon on the recruiting front. You guessed it -- Tim Tebow. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reported the Jets are... more

The Miami Dolphins are preparing for a heavy dose of Ace Boogie come Friday night . Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera plans to play starting quarterback Cam Newton through the entire first half, Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer reported .... more

Condoleezza Rice isn't afraid to show her true colors. The former U.S. Secretary of State and lifelong Cleveland Browns fan is among a flock of luminaries supporting their favorite team as part of the league's new print campaign for women's NFL apparel... more

Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones needed to tear up the landscape at training camp to hold onto his starting job. The early reports out of Oxnard, Calif., aren't promising. Jones "hasn't really impressed," according to Calvin Watkins of... more

The Mike Wallace watch stretches on in Pittsburgh, but inside the Steelers' locker room, the wide receiver's teammates believe he's about to show his face. That's according to plan. Wallace is expected to rejoin the team before the start of the season... more

Ryan Mallett turned heads during his rookie preseason with the New England Patriots last summer. Bill Belichick appeared to have found a successor to Tom Brady (at very least, a very tradable Matt Cassel 2.0). Perception shifted following Mallett's... more

The New England Patriots haven't employed a game-changing deep threat since the days of Randy Moss. This offense has been anything but vulnerable, but the lack of a field-stretching receiver plagued New England in Super Bowl XLVI. With Rob Gronkowski... more

The Seattle Seahawks haven't stopped moving at quarterback. After acquiring Matt Flynn in free agency and drafting Russell Wilson, the team reportedly is shopping last year's starter, Tarvaris Jackson. Reuter: Newbies not looking back Melvin Ingram... more

Time creaked to a stop Wednesday afternoon in the NFL Media newsroom -- for baseball. This doesn't happen often, but neither does a perfect game. When Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat in a 1-0 victory over... more

The Indianapolis Colts get the picture: People aren't expecting much from this young team. Peyton Manning is gone. With him, a boatload of star power that helped deliver nine straight double-digit-win seasons. Harrison: Power Rankings With preseason... more

In a press conference dominated by questions about Jason Witten's spleen, Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett fielded an inevitable inquiry about Chad Johnson. Dallas has a pronounced hole at receiver behind Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, both of whom are... more

In theory, the Detroit Lions have a solid one-two punch in the backfield with Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure. In reality, that pairing of choice remains an illusion. Brooks: Backup plans Bucky Brooks analyzes the impact of early injuries to notable... more

Robert Griffin III marches to his own drumbeat. This is established. The Redskins' starting quarterback boasts a sock drawer that rivals anything produced by your run-of-the-mill, pop-culture-obsessed second-grader. His workspace, reportedly, is no... more

The writing is on the wall in Seattle, where Tarvaris Jackson's days as a starting quarterback for the Seahawks are all but over. Seattle's front office is "talking to a couple of teams" about trading Jackson, a source with knowledge of the situation... more

The Denver Broncos held the Chicago Bears to 36 rushing yards in the preseason opener , a positive development for a defensive line that loomed as a suspect unit entering the season. Tuesday's injury to starting defensive end Jason Hunter puts a... more

The Cleveland Browns have shown a knack for stumbling upon concussion-related drama. Last year the team drew the attention of the league for its handling of Colt McCoy's season-ending concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers. One week into the... more

With teams returning to the field, the offseason's dominant narrative -- the "bounty" scandal surrounding the New Orleans Saints -- slowly fades into the background for many. But not for the Saints, who prepare to wade through this season minus Sean... more

After six weeks of marriage, Evelyn Lozada has filed for divorce from Chad Johnson, NFL.com confirmed Tuesday. On the heels of Johnson's arrest on a domestic violence charge, the "Basketball Wives" star filed documents with Broward County Court that... more

The situation at wide receiver grows darker for the New York Jets. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie elicited laughter -- and some hurt feelings -- when he labeled himself the Jets' second-best receiver after moonlighting at the position during training... more

The Houston Texans enter this season a confident bunch, and for good reason. After years spent in the wilderness of the AFC South, they've emerged as the division's team to beat -- and they're thinking far beyond that. Super Bowl or bust for Texans... more

Terrelle Pryor showed signs of youth and inexperience in a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. After his first significant playing time as a pro, the Oakland Raiders second-year quarterback emerged as his own worst critic. "I'm angry at... more

Three days after Chad Johnson was arrested on a domestic violence charge , his wife, Evelyn Lozada, has released a statement about the incident. Darlington: Never on the same page The Dolphins cut Chad Johnson, but Jeff Darlington says the arrest... more

The meaninglessness of the NFL preseason has been drilled into our heads from early on. Only a fool falls for this mistress of August. Only a simpleton is swayed into believing his team is either a disaster (when it's not) or untouchable (when it's... more

When the Cleveland Browns drafted Trent Richardson, they did so with an eye toward the past and the future. Since Cleveland returned to the NFL from its hiatus in 1999, the absence of a franchise quarterback has doomed the Browns. The persistent... more

There won't be any shortage of reaction to Chad Johnson's Saturday arrest on a domestic violence charge. Johnson arrested Chad Johnson was arrested Saturday night in Davie, Fla. on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, police confirmed.More ...... more

It took about 45 seconds for Kevin Kolb's preseason to barrel off the rails , but the Arizona Cardinals haven't given up on the man previously hailed as their franchise quarterback. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed to KGME-AM on Saturday that... more

The New York Jets could be without the services of safety Eric Smith for the remainder of the preseason, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported Saturday. Smith, a Rex Ryan favorite, suffered a left medial collateral ligament injury and a hip... more

Rookies deserve time and patience. They won't get either around here. Football fans want to see the new kids make an immediate impact. Rookies are judged by their coaches out of the gate, and we've already seen a handful of newbies show significant... more

David Garrard's hold on the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback job is in peril , but after having arthroscopic surgery on Saturday to clean up "loose things floating around" in his knee, the veteran passer sounded ready to get back to work.... more

Brian Urlacher was back at camp with the Chicago Bears on Saturday, but the status of his problematic right knee remains a mystery. The eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker huddled with teammates, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, but it's... more

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson vows to be on the field for the team's regular-season opener. With four weeks to go, he remains stashed away on the active/physically unable to perform list, but his status might change this weekend.... more

Friday night offered a full slate of preseason games, which means we're back with another round of must-see moments. Our NFL.com video vault is bursting, so let's take a look some of the evening's best plays. (And in case you missed it, here's our... more

Maybe the New York Jets believe stunning chunks of yardage will come from their not-so-secret Wildcat package this season. They better hope so. Very little was produced out of their base offense during Friday night's 17-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh worked overtime this offseason to convince us his new toy on offense, Randy Moss, was back and better than ever. The wide receiver who dominated NFL defenses for the better part of 13 seasons might be back, but he... more

Brandon Weeden's first meaningful test arrives Sept. 9, when the Cleveland Browns face the Philadelphia Eagles' deep (and likely irate) defensive line. The rookie quarterback displayed a live arm during Friday's preseason-opening 19-17 victory over the... more

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi saw parts of his previous two seasons wiped out by concussion-related symptoms. This season has picked up where those campaigns left off. Massaquoi exited Friday night's preseason-opening 19-17... more

The Green Bay Packers are closing in on Cedric Benson, the veteran running back who "probably" will sign with the team, NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday , citing a source with knowledge of the player's plans. Benson has been linked... more

Coaches don't roll the dice in the preseason. That's one reason you won't see Brian Cushing play against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. Breer: Texans training camp report The Texans enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2011, but Albert Breer... more

Now for something we didn't learn on this week's "Hard Knocks." Miami Dolphins quarterback David Garrard didn't start Friday night's preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his NFL comeback -- after one year away from the game -- has... more

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken clavicle suffered in Thursday's win over the Green Bay Packers. While he heals, the team's stable of backs will be asked to fill the void. Instant Debate:... more

Thirty-two NFL teams passed on Vontaze Burfict in the NFL draft. His first chance to prove 31 of them wrong comes Friday night, when the Cincinnati Bengals host the New York Jets . Bengals coach Marvin Lewis signed Burfict in April and the team has been... more

With access to the finest in nutrition and conditioning, today's NFL players hover at the boundary of human strength and fitness. Then there's Thomas Keiser. The Carolina Panthers defensive end, in an effort to stay hydrated during camp, has taken to... more

Life is busier now for the hard-working band of beat writers covering the Seattle Seahawks. That's what happens when Terrell Owens is brought in to bolster a rather sleepy band of receivers. Nothing is under the radar from here on out. There is no... more

The NFL is reviewing a failed test by Browns cornerback Joe Haden for the prescription drug Adderall, which could result in a four-game suspension, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland reported Wednesday, citing multiple sources. Grossi reported that Haden... more

With Mark Sanchez looking on, New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow took a pair of first-team snaps on Wednesday. Now here's the catch: It doesn't matter. "It was just two more plays," Tebow, told Jenny Vrentas of the The Star-Ledger . "Try... more

Breathe easy, Cleveland. Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his sore right knee, but a source told Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland it's "not that big a deal." The Browns are expected to provide an... more

With Rashard Mendenhall likely to miss the first six weeks of the season and Mike Wallace a complete mystery, the Pittsburgh Steelers have bigger issues on offense than the perceived chilliness between Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator... more

The Cleveland Browns are hoping their version of "The Triplets" -- quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Trent Richardson and wideout Josh Gordon -- can awaken an offense that's slept soundly for years. All three are rookies, so don't expect it... more

The Detroit Lions aren't a team that can afford to lose key players in the secondary, but safety Louis Delmas was a no-show at practice Monday after undergoing an operation on his left knee. "Louis Delmas had a surgical procedure done yesterday by... more

Aaron Rodgers was chosen by his peers as the finest player in the land in NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012." A recent report out of Green Bay suggests the quarterback might have some in-house competition. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal... more

The early reviews on Jimmy Haslam III are rock-solid. Hours after hitting town, the new owner of the Cleveland Browns was seen at practice, strutting around, shaking hands, drinking it in. It's a new world for Browns fans, who watched Randy Lerner... more

Brandon Weeden has been named the starting quarterback in Cleveland, but running back Trent Richardson was drafted to be the Browns' workhorse. It appears he won't be let out of the stable just yet. Richardson sat out Tuesday's practice with a... more

We're one step closer to unlocking the mystery of the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback race. Or maybe not at all. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll announced Tuesday that Matt Flynn will start Saturday's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans .... more

We heard a collective sigh from Arizona Cardinals fans after quarterback Kevin Kolb was pounded into the dirt during Sunday night's preseason loss to the New Orleans Saints. Kolb left the game with a rib contusion, but he told Around the League... more

It's a quarterback's league, and that remains the case in the "Madden" video-game universe , but a grinding, dominant running back can chew up yardage, eat up the clock and keep the ball out of your opponent's hands. The featured back remains alive and... more

The New York Giants refuse to rush Hakeem Nicks back into action, but after breaking his foot in May, the veteran wideout is making progress on his vow to start the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Nicks told Ralph Vacchiano of the New York... more

Mike Martz won't be in Jay Cutler's ear this autumn, but he'll be in yours. After parting ways with the Chicago Bears, Martz will serve as a game analyst for the NFL on FOX, the network announced Tuesday . Teaming with play-by-play man Ron Pitts, Martz... more

If everything goes as planned, Robert Griffin III will be throwing the ball in a Washington Redskins uniform for the next decade-plus. His cast of receivers, however, still is being sorted out. RG3's rare skills prompts change Robert Griffin III has... more

With contract talks at a standstill between Mike Wallace and the Pittsburgh Steelers, don't be surprised to see the team go fishing for another wide receiver. The pool is thinning. The Seattle Seahawks have gone on a torrid run of late, swallowing up... more

CANTON, Ohio -- The offense of the New Orleans Saints was in midseason form with Drew Brees under center in Sunday's Hall of Fame Game. One drive, one touchdown, and it looked easy. We asked earlier how this offense will adjust during Sean Payton's... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Quick follow-up to our report on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb's injury, which he confirmed to Around the League has been diagnosed as bruised ribs and a bruised diaphragm . I spoke with Kolb after Sunday night's 17-10... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Football is back. That alone makes this opening preseason affair between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals different than the rest. The Hall of Fame Game didn't paint a complete picture about the teams playing in the Saints'... more

CANTON, Ohio -- One immediate question facing the New Orleans Saints is how the team -- and its quarterback, Drew Brees -- will adjust to suspended coach Sean Payton's absence. Brees and Payton have been joined at the hip during their six seasons... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb barely got started against the New Orleans Saints, leaving Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game with a rib contusion, the team announced . Kolb was slammed to the ground by Saints defensive tackle... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Sunday's Hall of Fame Game wasn't just a dress rehearsal for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. It also was a trial run for a crew of replacement officials standing in for the NFL's regular referees, who currently are engaged... more

CANTON, Ohio -- One day ago, these shelves were empty. Today, they house history. NFL.com photo guru Ben Liebenberg was on the scene Sunday to capture the Class of 2012 busts placed for eternity inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There's nothing... more

The Seattle Seahawks have released wide receiver Antonio Bryant, the team announced Sunday. Bryant, who hasn't played in the NFL since the 2009 season, signed with the Seahawks last month , but he was slowed by a hamstring injury. He was kept out of... more

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins left training camp Sunday to have his right shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews, according to Josh Ellis of the team's official website . Jenkins is on the mend from offseason shoulder surgery. He reported... more

No quarterback in NFL history has won more regular-season games over his first four years in the league than Joe Flacco. Still, the Baltimore Ravens starter isn't mentioned among the elite passers. He's an enormous physical presence with a cannon arm,... more

CANTON, Ohio -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is a busy man, especially here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where everyone wants a moment with the game's high king. Goodell will be on hand Sunday night to watch the New Orleans Saints take on the... more

CANTON, Ohio -- As Joe Namath makes his way from one end zone to the other at Fawcett Field on Saturday night, I place the handshake count at roughly 230. The legendary New York Jets quarterback is flocked by admirers the entire way. - "Joe, Joe," a boy... more

CANTON, Ohio -- The Pro Football Hall of Fame has grown by six. The Class of 2012 -- Willie Roaf, Jack Butler, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson and Curtis Martin -- made it official before an intimate crowd at Fawcett Stadium. Saturday... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Another day, another batch of images from my traveling partner in crime, NFL.com photographer Ben Liebenberg . We toured the grounds of the Pro Football Hall of Fame early Saturday and later attended the induction ceremony, and -- honestly... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Canton's charms require more than words. Thankfully we have NFL photographer Ben Liebenberg, who lives by the mantra, "The best camera is the one you have on you." With his high-octane Canon at a distance, Benny's gone beast mode on... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Tom Dempsey is remembered by old-schoolers for the mind-melting 63-yard field goal he booted on November 8, 1970. His kick helped the New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions as time expired and stood alone as an NFL record for 28 years.... more

CANTON, Ohio -- To the casual observer, it's just a lonely patch of ratty turf. To the Pittsburgh Steelers faithful, you're looking at liquid gold. This is the swath of Three Rivers Stadium carpet where Steelers running back Franco Harris pulled in the... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly was a major headache for quarterbacks during his 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. We caught up with Lilly here in Canton and asked "Mr. Cowboy" himself about -- you guessed it -- Tony Romo.... more

The Oakland Raiders have plenty of young receivers, but quarterback Carson Palmer lacks a clear-cut No. 1 target out West. Plaxico Burress isn't going to solve that problem, but he's available and he's expressed a desire to play for the Raiders (along... more

The offseason addition of receiver Brandon Marshall makes the Chicago Bears an intriguing entry in the rugged NFC North. The popular assumption is that quarterback Jay Cutler finally has a soul mate to throw the ball to. Marshall did nothing to temper... more

Ben Liebenberg/NFL The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 received their gold jackets at a ceremony on Friday night.   CANTON, Ohio -- We are one step closer to turning six former NFL players into permanent members of the Pro Football... more

Ben Liebenberg/NFL When they're not cheering on the Browns, members of the "Pumpkin Patch" play in a Browns-themed band.   CANTON, Ohio -- NFL.com photo guru Ben Liebenberg and I are tearing up some forgotten Canton backstreet as the... more

"Mean" Joe Greene's menacing nickname of yesteryear doesn't fit anymore. At least not this weekend. The Hall of Fame defensive tackle was a gentle giant during his chat with Around the League on Friday. No head slaps, no swim moves, no kicks to the... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Canton's charms require more than words. Thankfully we have NFL photographer Ben Liebenberg, who lives by the mantra, "The best camera is the one you have on you." With his high-octane Cannon at a distance, Benny's gone beast-mode on... more

CANTON, Ohio -- Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell is waiting for the next dominant running back to step up, but he's not holding his breath. "I think it's because the way the game has changed, to where all of them just look like they're... more

CANTON, Ohio -- It's not every day you have the opportunity to talk football with Gil Brandt. The former vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys is moonlighting this weekend as the mayor of Canton. When he's not huddled with Bill... more

Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com The newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will receive their tailored jackets Friday. CANTON, Ohio -- Tailors have been hand-crafting Hall of Fame jackets for nearly half a century. In an effort to streamline the... more

CANTON, Ohio -- We're here in the McKinley Grand Hotel in downtown Canton, where this year's class of enshrinees -- Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin and Willie Roaf -- are about to make an off-the-radar group... more

CANTON, Ohio -- We've just arrived in Canton. As you pull into this town, it doesn't take long to see what football means to the people here. We're bathing in it deep. A few early Canton-esque takeaways: 1. It's still sleepy on the streets, but with... more

Mike Wallace remains a training camp no-show for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes his best receiver will eventually return to the fold. Lombardi: 32 teams, 32 questions With training camps beginning across the... more

Arian Foster will earn at least $17.5 million this season. His backfield partner, Ben Tate -- the NFL's most prolific backup in 2011 -- will take in just $490,000. This after Tate produced 942 rushing yards last season, only 290 fewer than Foster.... more

Two days after Adrian Peterson was rushed to the hospital after a run-in with a pile of bad seafood, we have this out of New York Jets training camp: Joe McKnight had food poisoning after eating at Applebee's. Has been throwing up a lot and needed... more

The impending sale of the Cleveland Browns to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam III comes at an interesting time for the franchise. Two seasons into Mike Holmgren's reclamation project, the Browns are poised to blow up the machine all over again.... more

It's been a while since Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen faced an offensive lineman in practice (or a game, for that matter) who could slow him down. Rookie left tackle Matt Kalil did his homework before squaring off against last year's... more

Trust us: Somebody is going win the backup quarterback job for the Buffalo Bills. Days into camp, however, this race is off to a troubling start. Contestant No. 1, Vince Young, has struggled to grasp coach Chan Gailey's shotgun-heavy spread offense.... more

Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles have never won a Super Bowl, but that didn't stop the quarterback from suggesting the franchise is inching toward a dynasty . Eli Manning has guided the New York Giants to a pair of championships, but has shrugged... more

In the months leading up to last season, New York Jets running back Shonn Greene was paraded around town as the Jets' "ground and pound" bell cow. Debate: Where's the love for Eli? Eli Manning has two rings. So why is he completely overshadowed by... more

Training camp is finally almost here. They allow tackling there and everything. Around the League will count down the top 30 position battles to watch throughout the preseason. No. 13: Chicago Bears left tackle â?¢ The offensive line of the... more

Strong safety Adrian Wilson has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals, NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer confirmed Tuesday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation. Brooks: Kolb vs. Skelton: Who'll win?... more

The Tennessee Titans are preparing for Kenny Britt's potential suspension this season following his (outrageous) eighth arrest in just three NFL seasons. Brooks: Would Titans miss Britt? Legal trouble might force the Titans to be without Kenny Britt... more

Training camp is finally almost here. They allow tackling there and everything. Around the League will count down the top 30 position battles to watch throughout the preseason. No. 14. Jaguars: No. 2 wideout â?¢ The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't... more

Tim Tebow is about to wear many hats with the New York Jets. Lombardi: 32 teams, 32 questions With training camps beginning across the league, Michael Lombardi has pressing questions for all 32 franchises. More ... Manish Mehta of the New York... more

The early reports on San Francisco 49ers rookie A.J. Jenkins were troubling. After the team spent a first-round draft pick on the wide receiver, his suspect conditioning became a popular topic during offseason workouts. Lombardi: 32 teams, 32 questions... more

Last week, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith said he regularly lied about concussions to stay in games. Another runner about to be enshrined in Canton has a similar story to tell. Curtis Martin recently told ESPN.com , "I became an expert at... more

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck saw his sack total fall from 11.5 in 2010 to just five takedowns last season. His team won the Super Bowl, but Tuck, personally, waded through an injury-plagued campaign. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty?... more

Mike Holmgren is scheduled to be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame on Saturday night, so it only makes sense he's peppered with questions about the man who helped get him there: Brett Favre. Favre teamed with his old coach to win Super... more

The Philadelphia Eagles are crossing their fingers that Michael Vick will start and finish this season in one piece, but he hasn't played a full 16-game slate since 2006. Jeremiah: Intriguing camp battles Who will the Patriots start at RB:... more

Tennessee Titans safety Anthony Smith has announced his retirement, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Saturday. Smith was viewed as a potential long-term answer at free safety when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in third round... more

A recent piece on SI.com featured a roundtable with three of the game's top running backs: Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner. SI's Dennis Dillon asked a bunch of questions, but this one stuck out: Would you rather take a dangerous... more

Contract talks are at a standstill between the Cleveland Browns and the No. 3 overall pick, running back Trent Richardson, a league source told The Plain Dealer on Friday. Rapoport: What's the holdup? The new CBA was supposed to make rookie deals... more

The Atlanta Falcons don't open training camp until Thursday, but linebacker Lofa Tatupu has already been added to the walking wounded. "Lofa sustained a pectoral injury while working out recently (Thursday)," coach Mike Smith told the team's official... more

Training camp is right around the corner, meaning we can finally witness some of these quarterback competitions we've been prattling on about for months. One under-the-radar battle is about to take place in Buffalo, where Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen... more

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith started 219 games in the NFL and absorbed abuse in every one of them. When you rush the ball 4,409 times, you're going to take a beating. Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu estimated this week that... more

Michael Vick would like to add a caveat to his declaration that the Philadelphia Eagles are a dynasty in the works. Debate: Biggest preseason question Are Michael Vick and the Eagles really on the verge of a dynastic run? Our analysts provide... more

We have a mysterious tweet on the Darrelle Revis front: Darrelle Revis' biz mgr. Hmmm. RT "@JohnGeiger_: Where is a good place to stay in Cortland? - Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 20, 2012 John Geiger, the marketing and business manager for the... more

Training camp is finally almost here. They allow tackling there and everything. Around the League will count down the top 30 position battles to watch throughout the preseason. No. 21 New York Giants No. 3 WR: Rueben Randle vs. Jerrel Jernigan vs.... more

Sounding a little less conflicted than his teammate Jason Witten , Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo voiced support for Dez Bryant following the wide receiver's arrest for domestic violence last week. ATL: Bryant discipline complicated Dez Bryant... more

Chan Gailey wasn't an exciting hire on paper. The Buffalo Bills could have pursued a flashier name, but they went after a coach with a track record for tutoring quarterbacks and playing dynamic offense. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game... more

We can't believe we're typing this: The Brett Favre Watch is back on. The ol' gunslinger is considering a return to the field, but not as a player. Favre is expected to be named the offensive coordinator at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss.,... more

John Elway understands the curiosity surrounding Peyton Manning. The Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations believes we're in for a treat -- but not without a supporting cast. Rap Sheet: Elway knows balance The Denver Broncos... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agree to terms with No. 7 overall draft pick Mark Barron, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported Friday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation. According to Lombardi, the fully guaranteed deal is worth $14.5... more

Three NFL passers shattered the 5,000-yard mark in 2011. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building blocks to become a modern dynasty? Our analysts like Aaron  Rodgers ' Packers. More ... Green Bay Packers... more

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has issued an apology for his Saturday morning arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Rapoport: Arrested development Dallas and Seattle were rolling ... until Dez Bryant and Marshawn Lynch... more

The Indianapolis Colts are counting on rookie Andrew Luck to take control of their offense from the first snap. It's a different scheme than what he mastered at Stanford, but there's reason to believe Luck won't skip a beat. First-round signings Is... more

Tom Hauck / Associated Press Demaryius Thomas' 80-yard TD was one of the greatest finishes in NFL playoff history. Elliot Harrison's "Top 20 Games of 2011" are in the bank. Naturally, we disagree with a smattering of his picks, but Harrison... more

The Green Bay Packers rolled through last season's regular season. Aaron Rodgers directed a passing attack that rained points and made it look easy when every step required work. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building... more

And now the dominoes will fall. The Indianapolis Colts signed No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck, NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the situation. According to Breer, the fully guaranteed deal... more

New York Giants wideout Victor Cruz emerged from the wilderness last season to become of the league's most explosive slot receivers. And a pretty good dancer, too. Cruz's end-zone salsa act (initially entertaining, but -- let's be honest --... more

The fat jokes no longer kill in East Rutherford. New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan told "Fox & Friends" on Thursday that he's "down 105 pounds" in his quest to shed bulk. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to... more

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is backtracking from comments Tuesday in which he compared football players to our nation's troops . "I made a poor analogy, by saying that the psychological adjustments they have to make from their contests to normal society... more

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush already told us that rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill won't be thrown into the fire. We've heard all along that veterans Matt Moore and David Garrard will battle for the starting role, something general manager... more

Buffalo Bills Behold, Buffalo Bills fan Robert J. Hall's masterpiece: a Lego replica of the Ralph Wilson Stadium. If you didn't play Legos as a kid, you don't exist to us. If you don't play Legos as an adult, we're fine. Robert J. Hall -- a... more

The Cleveland Browns can't predict what they have in rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon, but the team burned a 2013 second-round draft pick in hopes of something special. How does a young Randy Moss sound? Hold your laughter. One NFL executive told... more

Training camp is finally almost here. They allow tackling there and everything. Around the League will count down the top 30 position battles to watch throughout the preseason. No. 28. Denver Broncos RBs: Knowshon Moreno vs. the "bust" label â?¢... more

Troy Polamalu has waged war throughout his nine NFL seasons. According to the Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Pro safety, he has suffered just as many concussions. Polamalu told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday he has endured eight or nine recorded... more

Dumbness on Twitter: Case 743.B -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy riled up his roughly 2,500 followers Monday after posting an image of his Bentley's speedometer cracking the 100 mph mark in broad daylight. "Ride n in the big B," Hardy... more

Indianapolis did an exceptional job hosting Super Bowl XLVI. Now it wants to prove this wasn't a one-hit wonder. Mayor Greg Ballard confirmed Wednesday that the city will bid to host Super Bowl LII in 2018, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported .... more

When Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies gathered Wednesday for a week of off-the-field work before training camp opens July 27, the head of their class was nowhere to be seen. S Mark Barron, the Bucs first-round draft pick, is not among the rookies who... more

A tightly knit band of Atlanta citizens is pumping the brakes on plans to rename a local street Cam Newton Drive, after the Carolina Panthers quarterback. Darlington: Cam in Year 2 Cam Newton doesn't hear questions about his ability any longer, but... more

At least one person close to Ed Reed says the Baltimore Ravens safety isn't about to sit out training camp in pursuit of a new contract. "Everyone is talking about a holdout," one of Reed's family members told Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com . "Ed... more

Despite three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Cedric Benson remains a man without a team. We've heard for months that the Oakland Raiders are eyeing the former Cincinnati Bengals running back, but the Silver and Black, along with the rest of the... more

Matt Barkley reshuffled NFL draft boards nationwide last year when the USC quarterback decided to return for his senior season. We'll never know where he would have been selected in 2012, but Barkley -- sounding pretty sure of himself -- said Tuesday he... more

Butch Davis says his coaching days aren't finished. One year after the University of North Carolina fired the former head coach amid an embarrassing NCAA investigation, Davis finds himself entrenched with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, serving as a "special... more

When a reporter from Outsports.com asked Rob Gronkowski at last week's ESPY Awards if he'd accept a gay teammate, the New England Patriots tight end initially balked at the question. Gronk -- aware that his response would be analyzed and picked to... more

Tony Romo can't seem to please his critics on the football field, but his reputation on the hardwood is rising. When the Dallas Cowboys quarterback searched for a basketball league to join this offseason, Romo went big-fish/small-pond, embedding himself... more

A career with the Pittsburgh Steelers has its benefits. Days before the rest of us are privy to "The Dark Knight Rises," the Steelers will pack a dark theater Tuesday to preview the final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Not fair at... more

Matt Forte earned this one. The Chicago Bears running back has agreed to terms on a four-year contract, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer on Monday. The Bears later confirmed that Forte... more

Sean Payton won't be seen on an NFL sideline this year, but he's already landed his next job. Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in the NFL, so why don't you? Sign up to play the NFL's official free fantasy football game.... more

Charlie Weis has bounced around in recent years, from Notre Dame to the Kansas City Chiefs, and then from Florida to Kansas. The longtime coach has worked with an impressive line of quarterbacks, but he can't stop talking about one in particular. Brady.... more

Franchise players across the NFL are running out of time. Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril is among a group of players facing Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline to sign a multiyear contract extension, or play the season on a one-year deal. Avril --... more

Matt Forte is making steady progress in his quest for a new contract. The Chicago Bears running back is "extremely close" to a long-term deal with the team, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Saturday.... more

One knock on Michael Vick is his inability to start and finish a season. He was knocked out of three games last year with the Philadelphia Eagles and hasn't played a 16-game slate since 2006. It's a challenge to plan around a quarterback who can't stay... more

The Dallas Cowboys could use a third wide receiver, but they don't appear desperate enough to pursue the services of an old, familiar face: veteran wideout Terrell Owens. There's plenty of reasons the 38-year-old Owens is out of work. In Dallas, he's... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the few teams allowing Nike to shake up their look.  Take a look at this sneak preview of Jacksonville's third jersey: Jags black alternate jersey has leaked, and I can confirm that it's legit:... more

After Hakeem Nicks broke his foot in May, the New York Giants receiver said he'd be back for the start of training camp. We're weeks away, but Nicks isn't. He told teammates Victor Cruz at Wednesday's ESPYs that he's aiming to be on the field for New... more

The clock is ticking on a pair of premier running backs who have yet to sign their franchise tenders in hopes of sealing up long-term contracts. We told you Friday that Matt Forte was planning to spend the weekend on the phone with the Chicago Bears in... more

Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch has agreed to a four-year deal with the team, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported Saturday. Branch had already inked his $6.212 million franchise tender, but the sides were interested in an extension to help lower... more

Six years ago, Drew Brees languished in a hospital room. Coming off surgery to repair the torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, the former San Diego Chargers quarterback was at a crossroads. No contract. No team. No idea if he would play quarterback... more

When the Minnesota Vikings went in search of a headlining act for their in-house rookie symposium, they were ultimately won over by a gentleman with "Former owner, Lollipops Gentlemen's Club" on his resume. Sean Bishop, unofficially known as the strip... more

If you had plans with Matt Forte this weekend, they're off. The Chicago Bears running back has until Monday to work out a long-term extension. With the clock ticking, Forte plans to spend the weekend talking shop with Chicago's front office.... more

The Buffalo Bills didn't bite on the NFL's relaxed blackout policy, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will, thank you very much. The Bucs have struggled to attract ticket-buyers in recent years. Under the new measure, selling 85 percent of tickets -- as... more

When filmmaker Sean Pamphilon released his audio bomb of Gregg Williams riling up the New Orleans Saints before the team's NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the San Francisco 49ers, one phrase stuck with us: "Kill the head and the body will die."... more

Gregg Williams remains a man in exile. Suspended indefinitely by the NFL for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal, Williams' career on the sideline hangs in the balance. Williams hasn't spoken to Commissioner Roger Goodell since his... more

Chase Daniel is back where he belongs. After Drew Brees agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal with the New Orleans Saints on Friday, any lingering fantasies about Daniel leading this team into battle were flattened by reality. Daniel is a... more

Are the Miami Dolphins heading for a makeover? Team owner Stephen Ross -- hell-bent on turning the Dolphins into the talk of the town -- went public last month with his desire to overhaul Miami's uniforms and logo . He wasn't kidding around. Ben... more

In an offseason filled with bad dreams for the New Orleans Saints, agreeing to terms on a new contract with Drew Brees on Friday brings this franchise one step closer to normalcy. We expected a deal to be completed, but the burning question was when.... more

High hopes surround the Detroit Lions. Coming off their first playoff appearance since 1999, the young team remains a popular pick to drive deep into the postseason in 2012. Rapoport: Decoding Chad Ochocinco Chad Ochocinco can be very hard to read.... more

The NFL's relationship with the United Kingdom stretches back decades. Those ties grew stronger this week. When the London Warriors, an amateur football team, went looking for a guest speaker and coach, they aimed high. Ridiculously high. They went... more

The big knock on the Cleveland Browns coming out of April's NFL draft was the team's failure to secure a game-changing wide receiver, when it loomed as such an obvious need. The Browns saw enough in Josh Gordon to use a second-round pick in Thursday's... more

The Cleveland Browns used a second-round pick in the NFL's supplemental draft Thursday to select former Baylor and Utah wide receiver Josh Gordon, the league confirmed. Jeremiah: Instant-impact rookies Four rookies made NFL Network's "Top 100" list.... more

This time around, Jets West has an Eastern Bloc feel. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has tightened security around his annual California practice session with fellow New York Jets skill players. Grainy footage of Tim Tebow prancing around will require a... more

When a 6-year-old fan shipped his life savings -- all $3.36 of it -- to Brandon Jacobs, in an effort to keep him from leaving the New York Giants, we couldn't help but smile. Breer: West Coast worries San Francisco was the feel-good story of 2011,... more

Jerry Rice is often asked about today's young receivers. According to the Hall of Fame wideout, the next big thing is playing down in Atlanta. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to Coaches Film , which includes... more

Many of us watched former All-Pro running back Priest Holmes slice through defenses for years, but we never saw the game through his eyes. Holmes says he suffered multiple head-to-head shots during his days with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City... more

There's at least a few of you who want to see the Minnesota Vikings play their games outdoors again, in the grim winter weather of the north. Debate: Can Vikings right the ship? Questions abound for the Vikings. After the 3-13 debacle of 2011, what... more

As NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport made clear Wednesday , Chad Ochocinco isn't for everyone. Rapoport: Decoding Chad Ochocinco Chad Ochocinco can be very hard to read. Ian Rapoport offers a guide to understanding the Dolphins' new wideout. More ...... more

When the Baltimore Ravens held Bryant McKinnie out of minicamp practices for conditioning purposes last month, the offensive lineman's weight was blamed as the culprit. McKinnie reportedly hovered close to a lissome 360 pounds following the Ravens'... more

When the Baltimore Ravens held Bryant McKinnie out of minicamp practices for conditioning purposes last month, the offensive lineman's weight was blamed as the culprit. McKinnie reportedly hovered close to a lissome 360 pounds following the Ravens'... more

LaDainian Tomlinson no longer hangs his cleats in East Rutherford, N.J., but the former New York Jets running back is just a few months removed from life inside that (sometimes chaotic) locker room. On the heels of his retirement from the NFL, L.T. sat... more

As ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski progressed through his list of the NFL's top quarterbacks, little was left to the imagination after Jaws named Tom Brady at No. 3 and Drew Brees his No. 2. Jaworski -- in ranking 30 NFL quarterbacks -- agreed with today's... more

The Green Bay Packers don't strike us as a panicky bunch, but here's something to ponder: Mike McCarthy's team is one Aaron Rodgers injury away from starting Graham Harrell at quarterback. Breer: Singing a different tune Last year, Aaron Rodgers... more

We're one day away from the NFL Supplemental Draft and the buzz surrounding former Baylor and Utah wideout Josh Gordon -- who didn't play a snap last season -- continues to build. Our very own Daniel Jeremiah listed five potential fits for Gordon: The... more

Rex Ryan has spoken at length about going into this season with an us-against-the-world locker room, one that won't be torn apart by off-field distractions. Jeremiah: Bounce-back candidates Which players are in line for a bounce-back season in 2012?... more

Not enough attention is paid to the warriors of old, who delighted us on Sundays, but now -- away from the lights and adoring crowds -- struggle to function through the day, mere shadows of what they once were. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars are committed to Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, but if he looks anything like he did last season, it won't be long before Chad Henne sees the field. Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in the NFL, so why... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- I'm traveling down a corridor Tuesday with Warren Moon, a man who -- as I admit to him -- ruined many a Sunday during my childhood. Growing up a Cleveland Browns fan, the enduring image I have of Moon is that of a quarterback who... more

We now have living, breathing proof that Robert Griffin III is one of the NFL's more cerebral young passers. Jeremiah: Instant-impact rookies Four rookies made NFL Network's "Top 100" list. Daniel Jeremiah identifies four who could make it from the... more

Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff hasn't missed a game in his NFL career, but the four-time Pro Bowl selection has been hobbled in recent months after suffering a torn plantar fascia at the beginning of the Cowboys' offseason program. Ratliff told... more

New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson won't miss any time after being involved in a late-June car crash that shook him up but didn't result in a major injury. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to... more

A tumultuous offseason hasn't quenched the optimism surrounding the Detroit Lions, who return 21 of 22 starters from last year's playoff squad. This type of roster consistency is unusual in the NFL, but it might not last for long. Breer: Risky business... more

The Buffalo Bills have an enviable problem on their hands: two talented running backs, one football. Wyche: Summer subplots We've reached the dog days of summer, but Steve Wyche has five tantalizing storylines to follow into training camp. More ...... more

Forget Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady. Super Bowl XLVI pitted the New York Giants and the league's worst rushing attack against the New England Patriots and their 31st-ranked defense. You don't often see that, but even championship teams have a weakness.... more

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder was caught off-guard by reports of Adrian Peterson's arrest at a Houston nightclub early Saturday. "He's one of our biggest leaders ," Ponder told The Star Tribune . "Adrian is a great guy. Maybe it was... more

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan believes an old teammate of his, Amani Toomer, could use some help. After Strahan heard Toomer call Tony Romo -- not Eli Manning -- the NFC East's best quarterback , all the warning signs were there:... more

Nick Fairley on Saturday met with reporters for the first time since being arrested twice in the span of a month. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle was charged with possession of marijuana in April and, in May, driving under the influence and... more

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was arrested early Saturday at a Houston nightclub on a charge of resisting arrest, a spokesperson at the Houston Police Department told NFL.com and NFL Network. Peterson was arrested around 2:30 a.m. CDT.... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We now dig our claws into the NFC West and the Arizona Cardinals. Ryan Williams ready to begin again in... more

We experienced inner-core rumblings in the fantasy football world this week when Houston Texans running back Arian Foster announced to society that he'd become a vegan. Officially a vegan now. We'll see how this goes. But week one down. So far, so... more

We told you Friday about Jeff Faine cutting against the grain to tell a Tampa Bay radio station the Buccaneers made the "right decision" to release him this offseason. Wyche: Summer subplots We've reached the dog days of summer, but Steve Wyche has... more

Roster moves have screeched to a halt and practice fields have gone silent, but Amani Toomer has not. On back -to-back days this week, Toomer took to the mic to praise Tony Romo's statistics and hoist up the Dallas Cowboys starter as the quarterback du... more

The Houston Texans' defense made a lot of noise last season. Rookie cornerback Brandon Harris did not. The team used a 2011 second-round pick on Harris, who figured to see the field early and often. He played less than 30 snaps, fading into the... more

The Cleveland Browns drafted Brandon Weeden to play the role of a big-armed, franchise quarterback on a team that's gone without one for decades. It's evident where this leaves Colt McCoy in the equation -- a trade feels imminent -- but the team has... more

Tony Kurdzuk/US Presswire Jets and Giants fans getting along? Giants' Mark Herzlich says civic pride trumps any sort of rivaly.   Unlike 31 other teams, the New York Giants aren't sitting at home, wringing their hands and pondering what could... more

Tom DiPace/ Associated Press Jeff Faine complimented Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik for his honesty when the team cut him.   Free-agent center Jeff Faine walks the bread line today, but insists the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thinking... more

Percy Harvin last month turned an otherwise milquetoast Minnesota Vikings minicamp into a 72-hour drama that placed his future with the team in question. With any luck, training camp will be less eventful. Brooks: Top multi-purpose weapons With... more

"NFL Total Access" continues with its "32 teams in 32 days" series. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. Steelers' young defenders... more

NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah listed Chris Johnson as one of his bounce-back candidates for 2012, and we've heard from the player himself that a better season -- LeBron James-like, he claims -- is on the horizon. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com... more

Todd Heap memorabilia. Not the first words that come to mind of when you conjure up images of a thief's bounty, but times are changing. Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in the NFL, so why don't you? Sign up to play the NFL's... more

Rob Gronkowski has money, a car and a steady job. This does the trick for most guys, but the New England Patriots tight end remains a single man. Gronk's quest for a meaningful romantic relationship recently landed him on "The Choice," a dating show... more

A troubling offseason continues for the New Orleans Saints. Linebacker Lawrence Wilson has been suspended for the first game of the season and fined an additional game check for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, a league spokesman confirmed to... more

The Green Bay Packers rained down points last season, almost in spite of the team's unrewarding ground game. James Starks was the best back on the roster, but he only had 578 yards, and the Packers finished 27th in rushing. It makes what Aaron Rodgers... more

Chad Ochocinco married Evelyn Lozada on Wednesday. You weren't invited, but we now bring you the next best thing: The Miami Dolphins receiver live-tweeted his own wedding. According to Ochocinco, the nuptials took place on a tucked-away island location... more

Independence Day marks our nation's launching point, but it's also the birthday of former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who passed away on October 8, 2011. His friends and family gathered Wednesday to remember Davis in a memorial service in Las... more

Frank Gore is slated to enter the boxing ring Saturday, but San Francisco 49ers fans won't need to fret over his well-being. Jeremiah: Return trips unlikely How hard is it to make it to the AFC or NFC Championship Game two straight years? Daniel... more

Tom Coughlin turns 66 in August. He's entered a stage in life when lesser men punch the clock one final time, shift comfortably into beach furniture and spend the next three decades complaining about the Knicks. Not Coughlin. The New York Giants... more

Associated Press Bob Harlan (left) regretted the appointment of Mike Sherman (right) as the head coach/general manager.   Former Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan spoke openly this week about his desire to bring Brett Favre back into the... more

Chad Ochocinco takes his fair share of abuse on this website and others, but his latest antics deserve only praise. One day before his wedding to Evelyn Lozada, Ochocinco received a tweet from a woman named Cheryl Minton, who asked the Miami Dolphins... more

We haven't seen Peyton Manning throw a touchdown pass since January 8, 2011. That's when the New York Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC wild-card playoff game, long before a string of neck surgeries led to Manning's year-long hiatus and a major... more

After eight seasons spent with three teams, running back Derrick Ward said Tuesday that his NFL career has come to an end. To all my fans just wanted to let u know its been a great ride the last 9yrs but I'm calling it a career. I thank u all for... more

Bob Harlan hatched a solid plan to pull Brett Favre back into the fold of the Green Bay Packers, but the ol' gunslinger remains elusive. Mike Holmgren is set to be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame on July 21. Harlan, the retired team president,... more

The Dallas Cowboys have won just one playoff game since 1996, forcing Jerry Jones to ask if he'll ever return to the Super Bowl as something other than a passive observer. Jeremiah: A championship quality What is the common theme among recent Super... more

Haloti Ngata ranked higher than any other member of the Baltimore Ravens on NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2012" when his peers voted him No. 9 player. The defensive tackle insists there's been a mistake. "I don't think I'm the best Ravens... more

To help celebrate Social Media Day (yes, it exists), Around the League took your NFL questions over Twitter for an impromptu weekend mailbag. Let's get started, shall we? Q: Will the St. Louis Rams go after Terrell Owens? - @nprams77 If this... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We've wrapped up the AFC. Now to the NFC, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Mychal Kendricks leads LB revival in... more

After a "Mad Men"-like hiatus, HBO's "Hard Knocks" returns in mere weeks. We're about to cozy up to the Miami Dolphins. The Ochocinco deluge is assured, but the steady beeline through this narrative will be coach Joe Philbin, a man the general public... more

The people in charge of fake holidays have informed us that today is Social Media Day . We'll play along with an offering from the Twitter account of Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews: Kid Rock RT @crlpackers: Proof that @ClayMatthews52... more

Associated Press See where Romeo Crennel (left) and Jeff Fisher rank among the seven NFL coaches in new places in 2012. When Jeff Fisher assumed command of the St. Louis Rams, long gone were the veteran players he relied upon during his 17 years... more

It's no secret that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a fondness for Tony La Russa. The feeling is mutual. The former St. Louis Cardinals manager has spent hours huddled with Belichick, talking shop, which might lead you to believe La... more

Colorado has been ravaged by wildfires this week, leaving two dead and hundreds homeless. The Denver Broncos aren't the first item on people's minds right now, but the team is doing what it can to help. Defensive lineman Ben Garland was one of four... more

Brian Urlacher is fed up with so-called experts fawning over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Instant Debate: Lord of the ringless LeBron James finally won his first title. Which NFL player without a ring is under the most pressure to win a... more

Troubling moment for humanity this week, after an online poll revealed that thousands of married women would invite an extramarital affair with Tim Tebow. AshleyMadison.com, a website that promotes cheating on your spouse, asked more than 13,500 women... more

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte admitted Friday he's been backed into a corner, with no option but to suit up for the season. Briggs feels Tebow's adulation Bears LB Lance Briggs tells NFL.com's Ian Rapoport what it feels like to be a personal... more

"NFL Total Access" continues with its "32 teams in 32 days" series. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on what each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. Jake Locker belongs on the field... more

Tom DiPace/ Associated Press Chris Clemons, upset with his contract, has already skipped mandatory minicamp. Chris Clemons doesn't sound happy with his employer -- or what they're paying him -- but he could soon be back with the Seattle Seahawks... more

The Cleveland Browns are counting on Brandon Weeden to turn around a decade-plus of sadness on the shores of Lake Erie. The first step is getting Weeden under contract, but there's a holdup on that front, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We've wrapped up the AFC. Now to the NFC, where we next visit the Washington Redskins. Leonard Hankerson set... more

When the Atlanta Falcons brought in Dirk Koetter to replace departed offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, we expected tweaks -- not wholesale changes -- to the attack. A heavier dosage of Matty Ice, more no-huddle offense, and less emphasis on Michael... more

Cedric Benson has tales to tell about the paper-thin market for aging running backs, but the Oakland Raiders might ride to his rescue. Benson, 29, remains on the team's radar, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday. Schefter suggested Oakland could float... more

Last year, we had the lockout and its endless legal twists and turns. One year later, unfortunately, we have Fred Davis. The Washington Redskins tight end is serving as his own lawyer in a civil suit that's stretched on for 18-plus months and pits Davis... more

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press A video-game addiction took Quinn Pitcock out of the NFL. Now teams are hesitant to bring him back. According to Quinn Pitcock, if he struggled with alcohol or drugs, NFL teams wouldn't flinch. Those issues are... more

We saw the Baltimore Ravens employ plenty of two-tight-end sets last season, and that should continue in 2012. Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta give quarterback Joe Flacco a pair of productive targets. The team's official website pegs Dickson as the starter... more

Quarterback of yesteryear dismissing a hated rival, Take 3: Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly isn't sold on the Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow union in Florham Park. He sees chaos on the horizon. "I gotta be honest: I don't know what (the New York Jets) really... more

Cliff Avril is a veteran presence on a Detroit Lions team riddled with offseason arrests. He's asking people to take it easy with the simple assumption that the franchise has spun out of control. "You can't label us by a few young guys getting in... more

The Houston Texans found a way to win without Matt Schaub down the stretch last season. It was a nice story, but we're left wondering what could have been with the veteran quarterback under center. Schaub, on the road back from a season-ending Lisfranc... more

It's possible we've filed our final story about Terrell Owens on a football field. That doesn't mean we've heard the last from T.O. away from it. It never does. The former NFL wideout says he's being extorted by a woman who claims she owns nude photos... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. Up next: the Denver Broncos. Demaryius Thomas will step up -- or else Here's the mind-set Demaryius Thomas... more

One of the better Jim Harbaugh moments from a year ago: Just months into the job, the San Francisco 49ers coach spurred on his players by screening footage of nature's angry honey badger . In essence, some unsuspecting A/V guy inside the organization was... more

Mike McCarthy isn't one for bombast, but he recently told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that this year's Green Bay Packers look to be his most experienced and talented team. Quick refresher: They were 15-1 last season, so ... "I think we're... more

Because the city of Cleveland hasn't endured enough slings and arrows in recent years, there's this: Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez believes the city's sports fans have issues. Deep issues. Case in point: The Indians hover above .500, playing... more

Keep in mind that we're hearing this from a member of the New York Giants, but Chris Canty believes his quarterback, Eli Manning, has left Tony Romo in the dust. Canty told ESPN Radio this week that Manning "absolutely" was the guy you want in the... more

Looking back, it feels as though Rodney Harrison played forever, but he believes his career could have been longer in today's NFL. The NBC Sports analyst actually played 15 seasons, but points to the new collective bargaining agreement, which limits... more

It was a scene out of an alternate reality: Robert Griffin III, darting around the practice field at the Cleveland Browns facility in June. Brooks: Top multi-purpose weapons With Percy Harvin in the news, Bucky Brooks decided to compile a list of... more

The New York Giants defensive end Chris Canty played with a collection of talented defensive lineman during his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. However, his current team might have the best line in football. When asked to name the most... more

Joe Flacco's enduring struggle for respect hasn't gained the traction it deserves, but Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice believes his quarterback's performance in last season's playoffs tells the real story. "It was his show," Rice recently told... more

We're mere weeks away from the start of the New Orleans Saints' training camp, and Drew Brees remains in limbo. Brees said Tuesday he's "confident" a long-term contract will be worked out with the team. We've heard this for months -- and so have the... more

Just when you thought you'd never have to hear about Osi Umenyiora's contract ever again -- here we are, talking about Osi Umenyiora's contract. Wyche: Summer subplots We've reached the dog days of summer, but Steve Wyche has five tantalizing... more

At one stage earlier this month, the Detroit Lions accounted for five of the 21 player arrests in the NFL this offseason. They've just added a sixth. Lions cornerback Aaron Berry was arrested early Saturday morning in Harrisburg, Pa., on suspicion of... more

When we last checked in with Brian Banks, he was departing rookie minicamp with the San Francisco 49ers without a contract. Banks, one of the brighter narratives offered up this offseason, says his story isn't over: I have a month to train, GET... more

The league claims suspended New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove chanted "give me my money" after learning that quarterback Brett Favre had been knocked out of the NFC Championship Game in January 2010. Hargrove passionately denies it was... more

The B-side to this disastrous offseason for the New Orleans Saints offers up a slow, haunting melody of ongoing contract talks between the team and its star quarterback. Locking down Drew Brees means an obvious and much-needed dose of good PR for this... more

The New York Jets are flocked by questions heading into training camp. Shaquille O'Neal sees only sunshine. The former NBA superstar cozied up to Tim Tebow this week off the field and tweeted out a photo of the Jets backup quarterback's not-small... more

Cover your ears, San Diego. Five days after LaDainian Tomlinson announced his retirement from the NFL as a member of the Chargers, the (former) running back admits there was only one team he would have considered playing for in 2012. Hint: It's not... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We next take a look at the Baltimore Ravens. Torrey Smith will stretch defenses In the 16-year history of the... more

We were treated to a jet stream of hot air from the Dallas Cowboys' defense last season. Primary culprit: Rob Ryan. The message this time around is different. After the team failed to make the playoffs, nose tackle Jay Ratliff and teammates are adopting... more

When Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers in January's NFC Divisional Playoff Game, the offseason narrative for the NFC South champions appeared obvious. Fix the mistakes and reload for another Super Bowl run.... more

We've stumbled upon more off-field news for Brandon Marshall. A civil suit filed by a former girlfriend, which accused the Chicago Bears wideout of abusing her, was dismissed last month, according to the Chicago Tribune . Rasheedah Watley accused... more

Matt Forte's contract situation with the Chicago Bears remains a prickly thorn in the side of a team with high hopes for 2012. Forte twisted that thorn Friday night. The Bears running back told WSCR-AM in Chicago he likely will skip training camp... more

We don't have access to the backroom negotiations between Andrew Luck's people and the Indianapolis Colts, but it was strange to hear his contract was being held up by marketing language . Jim Irsay claims a deal is close. The Colts owner on Saturday... more

As Chris Johnson watched LeBron James win an NBA title this week, he couldn't help but think of someone else -- himself. The Tennessee Titans running back continues to beat his drum on this subject , telling us he's football's version of the NBA... more

Jonathan Vilma has grabbed his share of headlines this offseason, to the degree where it's easy to forget about the other three players punished in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" case . Wyche: Show and tell Does the NFL have proof that the Saints... more

While Eisen's away, the mice will play. Perhaps not a fair characterization, considering his loyal podcast producers Chris Law and Chris Brockman, with Rich out of town, stepped in to take command of this week's edition of "The Rich Eisen Podcast."... more

It's not often a member of the San Francisco 49ers draws applause in Washington, not with the Redskins down the street. Tight end Vernon Davis pulled it off Friday, after delivering a fiery speech to students at Coolidge High School. After telling his... more

Terrell Suggs continues to back away from his original prediction of a November return. After the Baltimore Ravens linebacker tore his Achilles' tendon during an April workout (which absolutely did not involve a fadeaway jumper), he predicted he'd... more

Everybody else has weighed in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal, so why not Brett Favre. The retired quarterback sat down with NFL Network's Deion Sanders on Friday, and said he hasn't given much thought to being targeted as quarterback of the... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We next take a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Isaac Redman will carry the load We all know the story.... more

All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha irritated thousands of Bay Area loyalists earlier this month when he suggested his old team, the Oakland Raiders, would have been satisfied with an 8-8 record , while his current team, the Philadelphia Eagles, never... more

We here at Around the League have a lot to say about football, less to say about romance. With that said, we tend to believe many women dream of the day Mr. Right will get down on one knee and propose. Darlington: Welcome (back) to Miami Can... more

The deep pool of LeBron James jokes were put to bed Thursday night with the crowning of the Miami Heat. LeBron's stock is at an all-time high, and his status as one of the sporting world's great love/hate figures has only intensified. Something about... more

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will be hunted by dangerous foes throughout his rookie campaign. Jason Pierre-Paul, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Babin are enough to keep you up at night, but none pose the threat of a man-eating minx from the... more

The Oakland Raiders have a hero in their midst. Raiders assistant athletic trainer Chris Cortez and his neighbor, Taryn Griffin, teamed to rescue a woman from a sinking car in the Oakland estuary on Saturday. Cortez was driving home from dinner with... more

The San Diego Chargers have mystified followers over the past two seasons. Nine wins in 2010, eight last year and nothing in the way of a postseason berth. The upshot: A talented roster with little to show for it. More troubling, these wasted years have... more

Ninjas are diminutive and typically mysterious. When not on rooftops, they drift in the shadows with the best of them. Kamerion Wimbley is none of these things, but he continues to dream. The Tennessee Titans defensive end taped a segment for... more

D'Brickashaw Ferguson is no different than anyone else on the New York Jets. Get him in front of a microphone, and all anyone wants to hear about is Tim Tebow. The veteran left tackle obliged our friends at WFAN-AM this week, recalling the reaction... more

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. First up: the New York Jets. Muhammad Wilkerson ready to anchor Jets' D We told you earlier this month about... more

We were surprised to learn that running back LeGarrette Blount took the majority of first-team reps with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. When coach Greg Schiano drafted Doug Martin in the first round, the rookie was projected to step in and take... more

Turning to the next chapter in this week's ongoing Percy Harvin drama: The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver will participate in the team's final day of minicamp on Thursday, according to coach Leslie Frazier. Rapoport: Calm amid chaos Amid the... more

Taking a look at the players ranked from 20 to 11 in the "Top 100: Players of 2012," I'm not sure there's another 10-spot that could undergo as big a shake-up when we stage this exercise a year from now. Every one of these players are household names.... more

We spend all day long talking about the NFL here, but word that the BCS commissioners have reached consensus on a model four-team seeded playoff is enough to pull us away for a moment. Football fans have been throwing pebbles at this darkened window... more

The Percy Harvin drama has taken another step forward. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver wasn't present at Wednesday afternoon's mandatory minicamp practice, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. This comes hours after Harvin requested a trade from... more

After a rocky first act to his offseason, A.J. Jenkins officially is a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Brooks: San Francisco's new treat Bucky Brooks explains why San Francisco will field one of the NFL's most explosive offenses this season. More... more

Joe Vitt, the interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints, issued a statement Wednesday denying that he pledged money to the team's "bounty" program. Wyche: Show and tell Does the NFL have proof that the Saints implemented a "bounty" program? Steve... more

One of the league's most enticing quarterback battles is shaping up as a nonissue in Tennessee. As Gregg Rosenthal mentioned earlier, the Tennessee Titans don't appear desperate to shove second-year quarterback Jake Locker into the starting lineup.... more

Clinton Portis marches to the beat of his own drum, has for many years. The former Washington Redskins back was "heartbroken" when the team released him in 2011, but he hasn't officially called it quits from the NFL. He'd like another chance, but says... more

Jim Brown's on-again, off-again offseason tirade against the Cleveland Browns has been laced with repeated jabs at Trent Richardson, the rookie being counted on to produce some of Brown's ancient magic on the field. Brown downplayed Richardson as an... more

Plaxico Burress has spent roughly a third of his waking hours this offseason telling a variety of radio and television men where he'd like to play come September. As sales pitches go, the effort has fallen flat, but the free-agent wideout isn't giving... more

When New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning labeled himself an "elite" quarterback last summer, few took him seriously. In the end, however, Eli was right. Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is hoping this device will work in Big D. Rapoport:... more

When the Arizona Cardinals drafted receiver Michael Floyd in the first round of the draft, he was labeled by many as a plug-and-play starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website sees things in a different light. In... more

Brett Favre's messy departure from the Green Bay Packers left a sour taste with that loyal fan base, but the team's former general manager believes the quarterback's place in history is solid. Ron Wolf calls Favre the best Packer in history. "To me,... more

Darren Woodson believes his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, has one major weakness on defense. The Cowboys "are garbage at tackling," Woodson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this month. "They won't hit a soul." Woodson's comments were packed... more

We've got the NFL's version of "rich-people problems" cropping up in Green Bay. The Green Bay Packers are deep at wide receiver, to the point where James Jones is wondering how to get noticed. "At times -- I ain't going to lie to you -- it does get... more

There hasn't been much interest in Cedric Benson this offseason, but we expect a suitor to come calling before training camp. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the Oakland Raiders are intrigued by the former Cincinnati Bengals running back.... more

The plot thickens in the increasingly twisted road of the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal. Wyche: Show and tell Does the NFL have proof that the Saints implemented a "bounty" program? Steve Wyche got a good look at the evidence. More ...... more

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with veteran free safety Michael Griffin on a multiyear contract Tuesday. A source with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport that Griffin's deal is worth a little more than $7... more

Chad Ochocinco can't afford a slow start with the Miami Dolphins. After fizzling out with the New England Patriots amid whispers he couldn't grasp the playbook, the veteran wideout's NFL shelf life is on the rocks. Early reports Tuesday out of South... more

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has been a willing participant at the team's mandatory minicamp, but training camp could be a different story. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport was with the Vikings on Tuesday and confirmed reports that Harvin is... more

Imagine this: It's early Tuesday morning and you're slowly steering your woebegone vehicle to work. First critical stop: coffee. Just like any other day, you bang a right into the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru. The line is moving painfully slow this... more

When Forbes dropped its list of highest paid coaches for 2012, let's just say Around the League had a few issues with the rankings . For starters, Forbes placed Bill Belichick at the top of the heap, when his contract remains a national secret. Suspect... more

More than a few NFL players have come to the conclusion that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is simply too powerful. Eric Winston isn't afraid to say it. The Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle regrets the NFL Players Association didn't do more to... more

When Tom Brady was asked to name his enduring Super Bowl memory at a charity event Friday night , the possibilities seemed endless. After all, the New England Patriots quarterback has won three title games and been to five -- fertile ground to mine for a... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have used this offseason to groom running back Isaac Redman for the starting role. It's not how they planned to enter the year, but with Rashard Mendenhall still on the mend, Redman's promotion is quickly becoming a reality.... more

What's Saturday without a Tebow-Sanchez post that has essentially nothing to do with football? We're here to help. Our friend Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweeted out this photo from a sporting goods store. Apparently Nike, if not the... more

We've haven't seen Shawne Merriman operate at full throttle in nearly half a decade, but the Buffalo Bills defensive end says he's ready to make a difference on a defense that's learned to play without him. "One hundred percent," Merriman told The... more

Very little is expected of newborns. For the most part they don't accomplish much in the way of sophisticated human achievement. Baby Flacco has arrived with an agenda. Little Stephen Flacco, the son of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, has... more

Rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick isn't being asked to start right away for the Cincinnati Bengals. That might be a good thing. The team's first-round pick excelled at Alabama, but entered the pros missing one important on-field skill. "I never... more

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. At least that's what Colt's brother, Case McCoy, believed after reading a tweet from a phony ESPN Twitter account on Friday, according to The Plain Dealer . Colt remains... more

We're starting to believe the New York Giants have come to us from the future. Justin Tuck's facemask is Exhibit A. Totally not from this age . Exhibit B: An array of new technology popping up at the Giants' facility in East Rutherford, N.J. Before... more

The San Diego Chargers are losers. These are the words of A.J. Smith, the team's longtime general manager who doubles as his own worst critic. "I've failed in every single attempt, and that kills me. I hate to lose. Hate it," Smith told U-T San Diego... more

Terrell Suggs is months away from taking the field for the Baltimore Ravens. How many months, we don't know, but until he returns, his replacement will continue to receive attention. Rookie Courtney Upshaw has impressed coaches this offseason and looms... more

Who knew a facemask could generate such a stir ? Justin Tuck and his busy grille took center stage at the New York Giants' minicamp this week. The veteran defensive end was tired of opponents yanking him by the mask last season and -- not unlike... more

With Miles Austin in the house, Dez Bryant might not be the best receiver on the Dallas Cowboys, even if the team insists otherwise . Hall of Fame wideout Jerry Rice sees what most of us see, a great talent in the making, if Bryant wants to be. "I had... more

The Philadelphia Eagles will go only as far as Michael Vick can take them in 2012. Last year's 8-8 campaign was a pure disappointment, but if Vick were healthier and more careful with the ball, this team could have done more. There's optimism in... more

"NFL Total Access" kicked off its "32 teams in 32 days" series last week. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. Jacksonville must... more

A 45-minute video chronicling the aftermath of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Justin Blackmon's June 3 aggravated DUI arrest now is available for viewing. First Coast News in Jacksonville obtained the video from the Stillwater Police Department in... more

If you have a moment this weekend, and especially if you live in Green Bay, you want to take a look at Albert Breer's piece on Mike McCarthy. Breer: Packers still stewing Mike McCarthy's still stewing over the playoff loss to the Giants, telling... more

A Las Vegas court ordered Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones to pay $11.7 million in damages to three people for his alleged role in a 2007 strip-club shooting. Jurors at the Clark County court voted 7 to 1 on the verdicts Friday. Jones... more

At some point here, we're going to reach the regular season. When we do, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be scrutinized and picked apart by experts and fans alike. Breer: Everybody loves Luck Getting a late start on offseason practices hasn't... more

When Chicago Bears cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman was asked for an autograph at a recent charity event, a nice moment turned into just another log on the fire of his team's rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. Tillman was stationed at a Chicago-area... more

Steve Smith is invested in our nation's youth. He's not so hot on mouthy rookies. At his football camp Friday, the Carolina Panthers wideout dished out a private lesson to first-year cornerback Josh Norman out of Coastal Carolina. The fifth-round pick... more

LeBron James and the Miami Heat dug themselves out of a hole Thursday night by holding off a furious rally from the Oklahoma City Thunder. LeBron's 32 points helped deliver a win in Game 2 to tie up the NBA Finals, but it won't be enough. Anything less... more

Donovan McNabb said earlier this spring he felt sorry for Robert Griffin III. The former NFL star suggested the Washington Redskins would find a way to temper their rookie quarterback's gifts by squeezing him into their offensive scheme. Jeremiah:... more

When Kevin Ellison jumped from his burning third-floor apartment Thursday, he told police he ignited the fire with a marijuana blunt on God's orders. Ellison, a linebacker/defensive back for the Arena Football League's Spokane Shock -- and a former 2009... more

You normally know what you're getting in Pittsburgh, but this year's Steelers squad comes gift-wrapped in mystery. The intrigue stems from changes on offense, where quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is working with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley on a... more

We told you earlier this week about a comeback story in Seattle. No, not the touching post-big house tale of Brian Banks , but the return of Antonio Bryant. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals wideout, who hasn't played in a game... more

Bryant McKinnie is a large man. Perhaps too large for the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-foot-8, 360-pound (and sometimes pudgier) veteran left tackle was held out of the team's mandatory minicamp this week for "conditioning purposes," according to coach John... more

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spent ample time last season telling us the Dallas Cowboys would be a whirling force on defense. Rob Ryan said a lot of things. The Cowboys instead fell apart down the stretch. Let's be clear: Ryan's defense deserved a... more

Our very own Gregg Rosenthal turned heads when he predicted the Carolina Panthers would be the next NFL team to win its first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Pockets of you (almost exclusively in Charlotte) agreed; many of you did not.... more

After grabbing headlines all spring, the New York Jets will scatter for a brief summer vacation before next month's training camp. Kenrick Ellis is headed somewhere else. The second-year defensive tackle is slated to report to a Virginia jail Friday to... more

The Tennessee Titans are counting on first-round draft pick Kendall Wright to help unleash their passing attack this coming season. For now, that project is on hold. The rookie wide receiver left Thursday's practice with a shoulder injury, according... more

Terrell Suggs continues to zero in on his return to the field. Amid questions whether that will happen this season, the All-Pro linebacker left little mystery on Thursday about his intentions. "I will be in a Baltimore Ravens uniform in 2012," Suggs... more

Years of ill fortune for the Cleveland Browns will continue unabated until the organization locates a franchise quarterback. Team president Mike Holmgren gets it. The Bernie Kosar -sized void on this roster is what compelled the Browns to pick Brandon... more

The Patriots come across as a serious bunch. So what exactly is going on in New England this week? We caught word that coach Bill Belichick cancelled the team's Thursday minicamp practice . The Boston Herald reported it was the first time Belichick... more

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots received their AFC championship rings Wednesday. The jewelry was dispensed minus any sense of fervor or uproar. "Bittersweet," is how Belichick described the moment, on the heels of losing Super Bowl XLVI to... more

What a difference a year has made for the Houston Texans. NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported Thursday that Texans coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith have agreed to contract extensions , citing a source with knowledge of the situation. The... more

The reach of former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis was extensive. Davis was famous for breaking down tape on a daily basis and dipping his hands into every facet of the organization. Defensive back Michael Huff confirms something we've long suspected:... more

Do you find yourself lying awake at night, itching for just one more rap album pieced together by a professional athlete? You'll soon get your wish. DeSean Jackson and the stable of talent he's gathered under his Jaccpot Records label are preparing to... more

  "NFL Total Access" kicked off its "32 teams in 32 days" series last week. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. Time for... more

It's not a complete coincidence, but soon after signing running back Ronnie Brown , the San Diego Chargers are trying their hand at the Wildcat offense. Chargers coach Norv Turner told U-T San Diego on Wednesday that he has toyed with the idea of... more

This just in: Tom Brady remains human. Coming out of Wednesday's mandatory minicamp, the New England Patriots' All-Pro quarterback says he's still working out the kinks in his game here in June. Whether or not you believe him, Brady says he's not even... more

The Dallas Cowboys kick off the 2012 regular season against an old foe, the New York Giants, on Wednesday, Sept. 5. That game will take place on the national stage, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't keen on letting this opportunity slip away -- even if... more

When San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh denied courting Peyton Manning this offseason, we didn't buy a word of it . Harbaugh took offense to the notion his team was "flirting" with the quarterback for his services, calling that a "phony" accusation.... more

According to Tedy Bruschi, we're long overdue for a healthy stretch of radio silence from Tim Tebow. The former New England Patriots linebacker, now paid to discuss football on ESPN, believes Tebow is hurting the New York Jets through regular sessions... more

Arian Foster is a rarity among young running backs in that he was fortunate enough to score a big-money contract this offseason. The Houston Texans workhorse signed a five-year, $43.5 million deal in March, but don't expect the greenbacks to change the... more

Expectations have been kept to a minimum at Green Bay's mandatory minicamp this week, as revealed by Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang. Well nobody got shot today. #success - TJ Lang (@TJLang70) February 14, 2012 That's the hopeful update after... more

A tumultuous offseason for the New Orleans Saints has spilled over onto the practice field this week. We first learned Wednesday that Chase Daniel went down with a broken right thumb. On the heels of losing their backup quarterback, the team announced... more

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones saw his early NFL career derailed by a rash of arrests and off-field chaos. Many of his previous sit-downs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have been unpleasant, but he's being given a chance to turn... more

Here in 2012, Ray Lewis doesn't have to prove his worth to anybody. Twelve Pro Bowl selections in 16 seasons says it all, but Lewis isn't sitting tight. The Baltimore Ravens linebacker has watched the NFL morph into a pass-happy carnival ride and he's... more

Nick Fairley generated noise this offseason for all the wrong reasons, but the Detroit Lions believe the second-year defensive tackle is about to cause a great disturbance on the field . General manager Martin Mayhew on Wednesday listed Fairley along... more

He spent a decade-plus catching passes from Peyton Manning, so let's forgive Reggie Wayne if he's still getting to know Andrew Luck. Luck is present at this week's mandatory minicamp with the Indianapolis Colts after missing the team's recent string of... more

At some stage along the way, Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown hopped off the Trent Richardson bandwagon . (Or, more accurately, he never climbed aboard to begin with.) Wyche: Back in style In a QB era, Steve Wyche identifies five running backs who... more

Finally a moment of peace in Detroit, where the young Lions have turned out more than enough drama this offseason. Louis Delmas and Titus Young were seen together at a celebrity softball game Saturday, just weeks after a skirmish between the two led... more

It's far early to make predictions about rookie quarterbacks, but if you had to project the top passer from this year's crop, would it be Ryan Tannehill? NFL Network's Heath Evans believes the Miami Dolphins signal-caller could outshine the likes of... more

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has gone out of his way to create a sense of competition at quarterback this spring. We've heard a lot about field work being split equally between last year's starter Tarvaris Jackson, rookie Russell Wilson and the... more

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril has yet to sign the team's $10.6 million franchise tender. He's been a no-show at Detroit's voluntary workout program and doesn't figure to make an appearance at next week's mandatory minicamp. Albert Breer... more

It's only June, but it's never too early to fan the flames of discord between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. These teams have been waging war for decades, dating back to their bitter dispute in the old days of the AFL. Tight end Kevin... more

Amid the heady expectations surrounding Robert Griffin III's arrival in Washington, one group has been overlooked: the 52 other Redskins. Kinkhabwala: A perfect match They only just met, but Robert Griffin III and Mike  Shanahan are smitten with... more

Gregg Williams is tucked away somewhere in the distance. That's been the case for months. In his role as public enemy No. 1 in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal, Williams could use a good PR man right about now. His former Saints players appear... more

After the New England Patriots released Chad Ochocinco on Thursday, we couldn't help but ponder if the veteran wideout had reached the end of the line. ATL: Ochocinco Stock Watch Chad Ochocinco has been released by the Patriots, but who benefits... more

Now for an update in the unlikely journey of Brian Banks. Wrongly imprisoned for rape for five years , the former high school football star is now free to pursue his NFL dream. More than a few teams have come calling. Add the Kansas City Chiefs to that... more

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley plans to put his stamp on the Pittsburgh Steelers with an attack centered on the ground game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is learning to accept the transition away from last year's pass-happy scheme, but do the... more

The Chicago Bears' offensive line has received its share of criticism in recent years. Much of it is deserved. Jay Cutler has tried to toe the company line while discussing the unit's woes, but when you've been sacked 110 times in three seasons, holding... more

Chad Ochocinco is looking for a new home, but NFL teams aren't breaking down the door for a 34-year-old wideout who appeared lost in New Englandâ??s offense last season. Ochocinco's on-field confusion with the Patriots is well documented. Greg A.... more

"NFL Total Access" kicked off its 32 teams in 32 days series this week. Around the League will write an accompanying post each night, focusing on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. So far we've handled the Colts , Rams , Vikings... more

It's been a solid week for Tom Coughlin. The New York Giants coach signed a contract extension and spent Friday hanging out with President Barack Obama at the White House. Debate: Still no respect for Eli? After not making the list at all last... more

The Cleveland Browns were never serious about Robert Griffin III, according to a report this week . As the story goes, they viewed him as "too small" and "eager to show how fast he was." They forgot about his arm. RG3 now resides in our nation's... more

Matt Forte's nettlesome contract situation with the Chicago Bears sits on the horizon as a growing nuisance. Jay Cutler believes his workhorse back understands what he means to Chicago's quest for a title. The team's starting quarterback predicts Forte... more

We spent time this week talking about the crop of failed wideouts drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the years. The team they entered the NFL with in 1995, the Carolina Panthers, have a few pass-catching busts of their own, including receiver... more

The champion New York Giants continued an NFL tradition Friday with a trip to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl XLVI title with President Barack Obama. Our president is a noted Chicago sports fan, but spared us of any Bears-related... more

Not exactly a banner offseason for Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams. Facing a six-game suspension for failing a performance-enhancing drug test, Williams must now answer to Jack Del Rio & Co. for tweeting out a photo of the team's defensive... more

Ed Reed liberally tossed around the "R" word last month. The Baltimore Ravens star safety said he was contemplating retirement and might back out of the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp. Reed -- as he is known to do -- backpedaled from those comments... more

Colt McCoy has never publicly accused Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison of dirty play. The Cleveland Browns quarterback suffered a nasty concussion after Harrison leveled him with a helmet-to-helmet hit during a Thursday night game last... more

If everything goes according to plan, we won't see Brock Osweiler take a meaningful snap for years. The Broncos rookie quarterback is receiving the Aaron Rodgers treatment in Denver. Tucked away from civilization, Osweiler is learning the pro game from... more

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington wasn't surprised to hear New Orleans safety Roman Harper's name mentioned in connection with the Saints' "bounty" scandal. Washington last season called Harper a dirty player after Tennessee's Week 14 loss... more

"NFL Total Access" kicked off its 32 teams in 32 days series this week. Around the League will write an accompanying post each night, focusing on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. So far we've handled the Colts , Rams and... more

A report on Thursday hinted the Cleveland Browns might be for sale, but a team spokesman has put that rumor to rest: BREAKING: Browns Spokesman Neal Gulkis: "the Cleveland Browns are not for sale" - Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 7, 2012... more

With the media on hand to watch the New York Jets get down to business during Thursday's OTA session, the duel between Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow was shoved under the electron microscope -- again. We've been here before. We've warned you not to read... more

Don't read too much into this, but the New Orleans Saints have signed quarterback Luke McCown, according to his agent Mike McCartney. McCown signed a one-year minimum salary deal, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. The team later confirmed the move... more

We took issue with Cam Newton's assessment last month that he was a "bad teammate" during his heady rookie campaign with the Carolina Panthers. When Newton landed at No. 40 on the NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012" , we viewed it as a reflection... more

No surprises out of Cleveland, where Pat Shurmur hinted Thursday that Trent Richardson is closing in on the team's starting running back job. The Browns coach told The Plain Dealer it's "probably safe" to assume the first-round pick will sit atop the... more

We talked on Wednesday about the Minnesota Vikings having to plan for life -- at least temporarily -- without Adrian Peterson. The All-Pro running back has made it crystal clear he plans to return for the team's opener, but burning him out early could be... more

Could the New York Giants go from first to worst in the NFC East? NFL Network's Heath Evans offered Wednesday's most surprising prediction when he picked Big Blue over any of last season's division winners to nosedive in 2012. "Really only because of... more

Tim Tebow's weight room swagger has already turned heads in Florham Park. Mark Sanchez confessed feeling like the new dude at the gym after catching a glimpse of Tebow pumping iron, labeling his New York Jets backup "The Incredible Hulk." Atlanta... more

Jim Harbaugh is adding yet another old-school wrinkle to the San Francisco 49ers. In an age when players are shuttled on and off the field almost obsessively to confront specific scenarios, Harbaugh is looking for 60-minute men. Two-way players. And... more

Are we comfortable with Cam Newton being voted the 40th best player in the National Football League by his peers? I think so. If you're building a team from scratch, there's no way you go 40 deep before plucking this unusual behemoth of a quarterback.... more

"NFL Total Access" kicked off its 32 teams in 32 days series this week. ATL will write an accompanying post each night, focusing on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1. So far we've handled the Colts and Rams . Vikings must move... more

When Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports digs into the troubling odyssey of filmmaker Sean Pamphilon and his hot-to-the-touch Gregg Williams audio, we listen. Nestled within Silver's Wednesday piece about Roman Harper and former Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn... more

When Sean Pamphilon aired his infamous Gregg Williams audio for league security officials last month, one particular sound clip turned heads at NFL headquarters, according to the filmmaker. During a portion of the tape, the former New Orleans Saints... more

Like you, we're eager to turn our attention to what the New York Jets finally do on the field. In a meaningful game. We're not there yet, but Mark Sanchez's annual "Jets West" passing camp is a clear sign we're closing in. This much we know:... more

Earlier today, Hanzus touched on Gary Kubiak's latest challenge down in Houston. After the Texans tasted the playoffs last season, Kubiak sees a team needing to be tweaked and motivated in different ways than before. Here in 2012, we don't doubt... more

In a week that saw Osi Umenyiora finally smile over a contract offer from the New York Giants, Matt Forte is still waiting for the Chicago Bears to furnish the long-term deal he believes he deserves. As we've mentioned, Forte could be waiting for a... more

Nnamdi Asomugha's finest work came during his first eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders. His debut with the Philadelphia Eagles last year was a mixed bag, but the two-time All-Pro cornerback has no desire to return to his old stomping grounds. The... more

The Cleveland Browns could name Brandon Weeden their starting quarterback sooner rather than later. Coach Pat Shurmur told Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer on Wednesday that he'd like to name his starter "sooner rather than later" and targeted the... more

Wade Davis tells an NFL story that, in many ways, is no different than that of thousands of other undrafted players struggling to make a team. Despite stints with the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, the former defensive back... more

Rob Ryan's constant chatter last season would have bordered on entertaining if he'd backed any of it up. After telling us the Dallas Cowboys had the NFL's most talented defense, it was discovered almost immediately they possessed nothing close. Ryan's... more

As it stands, we'll never know what a Google search for "Lauren Tannehill and Maxim" could have meant for this proud nation. The wife of Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill generated just a little bit of buzz after photos from her recent... more

The Seattle Seahawks will forfeit two scheduled organized team activities after the NFL found they engaged in live contact during a recent practice session, which violates the collective bargaining agreement between the league and players. The NFL... more

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Shanle acknowledges mistakes were made within the framework of the team's pay-for-performance program, but he believes the NFL has blown the matter out of proportion in order to scare the rest of the league straight.... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Arizona Cardinals. Under Pressure: Kevin Kolb As we voyage from team to team as part of our "Under Pressure" series, the natural... more

With the Ricky Stanzi Project gaining steam in the streets of Kansas City, we've learned of yet another quirky Chiefs backup passer threatening to outshine Brady Quinn. The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent quarterback Alex Tanney on Tuesday.... more

Trent Richardson wasn't drafted third overall by the Cleveland Browns to be squeezed into a committee of ball carriers. The former Alabama star was brought in to carry the rock morning, noon and night. We expect that to be the case, but coach Pat... more

We're catching up with a heavy bundle of Detroit Lions news this Tuesday morning. While we're at it, let's check in with Ndamukong Suh. Word out of Detroit is that Suh is being used creatively on the defensive line. After two seasons planted at the... more

The Detroit Lions' 2011 draft class -- led by Nick Fairley -- has generated as much havoc off the field as on it. The Lions are hoping this year's haul is lighter on the drama, heavier on the production. Breer: Risky business Detroit took many risks... more

Nick Fairley has spent most of this offseason generating headaches for the Detroit Lions. The organization has been criticized for failing to discipline the second-year defender for multiple arrests, but defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham plans to... more

The New York Jets took a chance on Aaron Maybin last season, pulling the former Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick off the scrap heap and giving him a place in the lineup. The outside linebacker responded with six sacks in 13 games, helping to peel... more

We encountered a new Osi Umenyiora on Monday. With his long-running act as a disgruntled New York Giants defensive end in the books, Umenyiora has moved on to play the role of "delighted company man," happy with his refurbished contract and singing the... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Philadelphia Eagles. Under Pressure: Juan Castillo During a trouble-filled campaign in Philadelphia last season, defensive... more

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora has been allotted a generous portion of real estate on this website today. More precisely, it's his contract we can't stop talking about. We told you Wednesday morning about teammate Justin Tuck speaking out... more

Justin Tuck vouched for teammate Osi Umenyiora in his quest for a new contract, but the New York Giants aren't biting. Not yet. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported Wednesday that Umenyiora and the Giants remain "very far apart" in talks for a new deal,... more

We learned that Brandon Weeden took the majority of first-team snaps with the Cleveland Browns during Wednesday's organized team activities. An obvious next question: Where is Colt McCoy's head at right now, after he was described last week as "a very... more

Prepare yourself for an onslaught of analysis around the early field work of Robert Griffin III. The Washington Redskins rookie instantly has become the focal point of a team that went for years without an exciting starter under center, and he will play... more

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon -- perhaps as much as any rookie in this year's class outside of a handful of quarterbacks -- is being asked to step in and solve problems for his new team right away. At the very least, the expectation... more

We haven't seen the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins rivalry reach fever pitch in many moons. With the Cowboys a Super Bowl no-show since January 1996 and the Redskins missing out since January 1992, the list of recent, season-defining games between... more

Hakeem Nicks' recovery from a broken foot was expected to take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, but the New York Giants are tempering hopes for the wideout's hasty return from surgery . Team spokesman Pat Hanlon told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio on Wednesday that... more

The Minnesota Vikings are toiling through this week's organized team activities without two of the cornerstones of their offense on the field: All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson and Pro Bowl runner/receiver/returner/everything-man Percy Harvin.... more

It's not every week we hear players specifically address a teammate's contract, but there has been plenty of this lately. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher last week supported Matt Forte in the running back's quest for a new deal (which we feel is... more

Popularity contests don't generate touchdowns, but the early reception for rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III suggests the Washington Redskins might have something special on their hands -- at least from a marketing perspective. RG3 owns the league's... more

We're in a stretch of the offseason made rich by the sheer number of project players and castoffs -- especially quarterbacks -- looking for new life in the NFL. Case in point: Troy Smith. The 2006 Heisman Trophy winner hasn't played in the NFL since... more

It almost doesn't matter what Tony Romo does on the field. He's among football's better quarterbacks statistically, but his critics are never far behind. You hear it all the time: The Dallas Cowboys' starting signal-caller is a bumbler down the stretch.... more

Alex Smith turned heads last week when he defended his rather average passing numbers , calling the current trend toward heavy yardage through the air a "totally overblown stat." The San Francisco 49ers quarterback took a swipe at Cam Newton's 4,051... more

Good luck poking holes in what Cam Newton did last season. As a rookie, the young quarterback transformed Carolina's offense almost single-handedly and turned the Panthers into a team nobody wanted to deal with down the stretch. There's not much room... more

Titus Young and Nick Fairley were whisked past reporters as the Detroit Lions finished practice Tuesday. The duo artfully dodged questioning, but coach Jim Schwartz took time to talk about two of his young players who have generated headlines for all the... more

The Philadelphia Eagles tied the Minnesota Vikings for an NFL-best 50 sacks last season. Jason Babin led the way for the Eagles with 18 individual takedowns. Trent Cole was second with 11, but he isn't eyeing another silver ribbon in 2012. "Eighteen... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Kansas City Chiefs. Under Pressure: Eric Berry The Chiefs suffered devastating injuries on both sides of the ball last season.... more

We have a Dexter McCluster-sized puzzle in Kansas City, where the Chiefs are searching for ways to squeeze the most talent out of their jack-of-all-trades weapon. McCluster is being used at wideout this offseason after carrying the ball 114 times in... more

As the NFL continues to mine for information about the health risks associated with concussions, Randall Gay has learned enough. The former cornerback for the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints retired in 2011 while fighting his own battle with... more

It's going to be a challenge for Sean Pamphilon to top his most recent performance as an NFL documentarian, but the filmmaker is pressing on with his opus, "The United States of Football." Pamphilon turned heads when he released an audio recording of... more

Not everyone is willing to forgive Michael Vick for the sins of his past. Vick was in Henderson, Nev., this week to help kick off a youth football camp. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback stopped at a local car dealership to sign autographs and take... more

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith won the hearts of statistically average humans everywhere this week. "I could absolutely care less on yards per game," Smith said Wednesday of his ho-hum passing totals, before arguing (quite soundly, we might... more

At age 42, Jeff Garcia says he's not done playing quarterback. After spending 2006 and 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he's lobbying the organization for another chance to make the roster. "Philly's the team my wife will let me go back and play for,"... more

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks underwent successful surgery on his right foot on Friday, the New York Post reported . Renowned specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performed the operation in Charlotte, N.C., inserting a screw into the wideout's foot to... more

One early hint the New Orleans Saints weren't chalking this season up as a lost cause was the ample work they performed at linebacker in preparation for Jonathan Vilma's suspension . They signed Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain to... more

It's Saturday, which means we're destined for a Tim Tebow piece completely absent of Xs and Os. This week, 17-year-old high school senior Chuck Shriner was temporarily denied his diploma after Tebowing during his graduation ceremony at Bishop Verot... more

Knowshon Moreno is working his way back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in 2011, but where he'll play in 2012 remains in question. The Broncos running back is "fighting for a roster spot," according to Lindsay Jones of The Denver... more

It's fair to say most football fans could stand to learn more about offensive line play. With increasing numbers drawn to the game through fantasy, these big uglies appear doomed for obscurity. Rosenthal reviewed Chris Brown's new book The Essential... more

We posted a story Friday about Bernard Pollard and the Baltimore Ravens closing the book on last season's disappointing loss in the AFC Championship Game. Coach John Harbaugh spoke carefully this week about going "back to work" while quarterback Joe... more

As we continue to adjust our eyes to Peyton Manning in orange, navy and white, it's challenging to imagine Brian Urlacher wearing anything other than a Bears jersey. Urlacher's contract is set to expire after this season, his 13th in Chicago. At 34... more

The Houston Texans continue to fine-tune their stable of running backs. Former Seattle Seahawks tailback Justin Forsett is scheduled for a tryout with the team on Wednesday, a league source told ProFootballTalk.com . Forsett just missed our list of... more

Brian Urlacher is no different than most of his Chicago Bears teammates. The decorated linebacker has watched running back Matt Forte anchor the team's offense for the past four seasons, only to have his request for a new contract ignored by the front... more

The St. Louis Rams are leaning on a pair of rookie receivers to help Sam Bradford awaken a passing attack that slept soundly through most of last season. Brian Quick and Chris Givens participated in organized team activities this week after missing two... more

It's not the first football list we've seen this offseason and it won't be the last, but when Sporting News ranked NFL head coaches from top to bottom on Thursday, it brought back memories of Super Bowl XLVI. Tom Coughlin has beaten Bill Belichick once... more

For those of you furiously clicking refresh for more on the Minnesota stadium odyssey: We thought this story was over . It wasn't . Until now. The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 on Friday to reallocate a sales tax to help fund the stadium... more

Mike Vanderjagt's brief run as a middle-school soccer coach is on the ropes. The former Indianapolis Colts kicker has been suspended from that role after a March incident in which Vanderjagt allegedly grabbed a student by the throat at Charter Middle... more

One consistent theme from this week's league-wide onslaught of organized team activities: unbridled overreaction. The latest example comes to us from Baltimore, where observers at Ravens workouts have picked apart the play of rookie wideout Tommy... more

The NFL and NFL Players Association are searching for a new candidate to run a population study prior to players being blood-tested for human growth hormone, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told The Washington Post on Thursday. The hunt for a... more

NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reported Thursday on the Baltimore Ravens' seamless transition on defense from Chuck Pagano to new coordinator Dean Pees. Coming out of this week's OTAs, the Ravens have begun the process of shredding the memories of... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: the Pittsburgh Steelers. Under Pressure: Todd Haley In the quiet moments after Wednesday's voluntary practice, Pittsburgh Steelers... more

When the San Francisco 49ers added Randy Moss to their stable of wideouts this offseason, nobody quite knew which Randy Moss would show up. The man who torched defenses for a decade-plus? Or the Moss who floated from team to team in 2010 before retiring.... more

The quarterback derby in Seattle was initially pitched as a competition between Tarvaris Jackson -- the Seattle Seahawks' starter last season -- and free-agent addition Matt Flynn. Here in May, a third name has entered the fray . Russell Wilson, the... more

There was talk after the New England Patriots lost Super Bowl XLVI that guard Brian Waters might be done. After taking time to mull his future, the 35-year-old Waters decided against retirement. Waters is a no-show at this week's organized team... more

Chad Ochocinco was a man set adrift in the offense of the New England Patriots last season. The light never went on. With a full offseason to pore over the playbook, the veteran wideout is running out of excuses. Ochocinco, however, "seemed to pick up... more

Early footage of Robert Griffin III working out with the Washington Redskins depicts the rookie quarterback wearing "GRIFFIN III" emblazoned on the back of his practice jersey. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. It's unprecedented. As pointed out by... more

Springtime tidbit out of Cleveland: If 28-year-old rookie Brandon Weeden wins the quarterback derby for the Browns, he'll start the 2012 season as the second-oldest player in the team's projected starting offensive lineup. Check out the legwork done... more

The New Orleans Saints are a tight-knit bunch here in May. Constant pounding from fans and the media will do that to an NFL team. Interim head coach Joe Vitt on Wednesday talked about the relief of getting back to football . During organized team... more

Matt Forte's contract war with the Chicago Bears might take an ugly turn. With two years remaining on the five-year, $50 million extension Jay Cutler signed in 2009, there is speculation the quarterback -- not Forte -- could be next in line for a... more

The standoff between Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints burns on our radar, but he's not the only veteran unhappy about being slapped with the franchise tag. In a revealing column by NFL Network's Albert Breer, we learned that defensive end Cliff... more

With another round of names unveiled in NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012" on Wednesday, we can't help but ask: Where will Cam Newton land? Fifty players are off the board including a handful of household names at the quarterback position.... more

No surprise here: The Denver Broncos have emerged as the hot pick in the AFC West. This is what happens when a playoff team from a year ago solves its quarterback problem with Peyton Manning. Heavily ignored in the fanfare surrounding Denver is the rest... more

With the first snap of the ball at organized team activities, the New Orleans Saints were finally able to exhale: Football again. It's been a dark offseason for an organization that, just months ago, was a formidable playoff entry, a team hailed for its... more

Wednesday's scouting report on Tony Romo describes a quarterback throwing the ball with velocity and accuracy. The Dallas Cowboys starter looks comfortable in his own skin. Ready, at last, to lead this team where Jerry Jones says it belongs. Sounds... more

The NFL has never had an openly gay player. While former players have shared their sexual orientation after hanging up the cleats, the NFL locker room doesn't historically make the list of welcome havens for gay athletes. Perceptions might be changing... more

The ink is barely dry on Steve Smith's four-year, $37.75 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. The three-year extension he signed last month includes $16.8 million guaranteed, with a $10 million signing bonus, but Smith doesn't plan to flaunt it. The... more

For those of you hoping for a breezy, milquetoast version of Jim Harbaugh here in May, we have some bad news: He hasn't changed a bit. The San Francisco 49ers coach was in midseason form Wednesday, presiding over a squad that came within one game of the... more

The sophomore jinx has struck again in Cleveland. Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor is on the mend from surgery to repair the torn pectoral muscle he suffered lifting weights earlier this month. Taylor is projected to return In 2012, but his second... more

Quick nugget out of Arizona, where cornerback William Gay was seen lining up across from Patrick Peterson with the Cardinals' starting unit this week, according to the team's official website . After five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gay signed... more

Rough-and-tumble Wednesday in the world of Chad Ochocinco. The New England Patriots receiver has been robbed. "This is total bull droppings," Ochocinco tweeted . "They broke in my Escalade rent a car.. they took my (expletive) Starbucks cards."... more

Jay Cutler finally has an arsenal of tall, rangy weapons to spread the ball to. The Chicago Bears were aggressive in their pursuit of Brandon Marshall and used a second-round pick to acquire rookie Alshon Jeffery, but Cutler tipped his hat to an old... more

Around the League will examine one key player under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. So far we've tackled the Jets , Dolphins and Patriots . Next up: The Cleveland Browns. Under Pressure: Mike Holmgren Let's step away from the... more

The Denver Broncos have acquired a Gronkowski brother. Denver completed a trade with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, landing fullback Chris Gronkowski in exchange for reserve cornerback Cassius Vaughn. John Elway announced the deal on Twitter and... more

Where in the world is Osi Umenyiora? Newsday scribe Bob Glauber pinpointed one place he isn't: Giants' OTA is voluntary. Osi Umenyiora not volunteering. - Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) May 23, 2012 Umenyiora was a no-show Wednesday as the New York... more

Andy Dalton doesn't live in a bubble. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is aware of the debate about his arm strength, but it won't shake his confidence after last season's successful rookie campaign. "I'm comfortable with (my arm strength)," Dalton... more

The Philadelphia Eagles never asked for the "Dream Team" label. The doomed nickname was the product of an ill-fated riff from backup quarterback Vince Young on the heels of a free-agency shopping spree that colored the team as a Super Bowl contender.... more

Let's cycle back to Monday's trade that sent Kellen Winslow to the Seattle Seahawks. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shipped the tight end to the Pacific Northwest for a conditional pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the move came as no surprise. Bucs coach... more

Around the League will examine one key player under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. We kicked things off with the New York Jets on Tuesday and now continue our travels through the AFC East with a look at the Miami Dolphins . Under... more

San Francisco 49ers wideout Kyle Williams has patiently waited for a chance to erase the memories of January, when his two fumbled punt returns contributed to the team's loss in the NFC Championship Game. It's unfair to blame Williams for a game the New... more

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross pointed to quarterback Matt Moore as the team's likely starter heading into the season. Popular thinking suggests Moore's top competition will come from rookie Ryan Tannehill, but another quarterback showed promise... more

It's not uncommon for a handful of players on every team to undergo surgery at the end of a season after playing through injuries. These procedures are typically downplayed and listed as "minor," but sometimes the evidence hints otherwise. Running back... more

After the NFL suspended Houston Texans punter Brett Hartmann for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy, the league has given him permission to use the very substance he was penalized for using. Hartmann told KRIV-TV in Houston that he will... more

Let's not make excuses for Blaine Gabbert, but how many rookie passers compared favorably to Cam Newton last season? Not Andy Dalton, they aren't the same guy. The Carolina Panthers quarterback set the earth on fire and rocked expectations for first-year... more

Scott Fujita is standing his ground in the face of a three-game suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal. The Cleveland Browns linebacker plans to appeal his punishment from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, telling The... more

Tom Brady and his supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, are expecting their second child, according to BrazilianDispatch.com, via NESN.com . When we last checked in with the couple, Brady was sporting a highly questionable "sidehawk" at a Met Gala event... more

After alternating snaps on the field Tuesday, Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy spoke with reporters about a quarterback competition that's already dominating headlines for the Cleveland Browns. "I have to earn that job," Weeden told John Telich of WJW-TV .... more

By the end of last season, the Philadelphia Eagles began to play the way people expected. Drifting out of the playoff picture, the team closed with four straight wins to finish 8-8, putting a positive spin on an otherwise uneven campaign. Turnovers... more

After nine outrageously successful seasons in the NFL, Troy Polamalu has earned the right to manage the offseason any way he chooses. This time around, the All-Pro safety is breaking from his normal program to join the Pittsburgh Steelers for organized... more

After what we heard from general manager Tom Heckert on Monday, the starting quarterback role for the Cleveland Browns sure sounds like Brandon Weeden's job to lose . For the record, however, Colt McCoy was under center for the Browns' first full-team... more

When the Pittsburgh Steelers gather for Tuesday's organized team activities, they'll be asked to tread new ground. After five seasons running Bruce Arians' offense, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. will begin to install a new attack under coordinator Todd... more

Joe Flacco isn't perfect. Study his tape from last season and you'll find a handful of rock-solid starts mixed with a rash of mysterious outings. One week he's shredding the Pittsburgh Steelers, crashing the elite-QB conversation; the next he's frazzled... more

Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor remains a mystery. Not so much because of what we've seen -- but what we haven't. After the team used a third-round pick to acquire the former Ohio State star in the 2011 supplemental draft, Pryor missed most... more

Advancing the ball a few inches in the slightly ponderous case of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow vs. the "My Jesus" T-shirt manufacturer: Darlington: Another Tebow takeover? Yes, it's happening again, people ... Jeff Darlington believes... more

Jack Del Rio has taken over a Denver Broncos defense that finished last season ranked 20th overall in the NFL. The team's new defensive coordinator is challenging his players to reach higher in 2012. "We're looking for guys who are gonna give it up for... more

Reggie Bush dodged his share of defenders last season, but was unable to skirt a security delay at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Friday. Bush was on hand when an aerosol can discharged at a checkpoint inside one of the... more

Scanning through a few items from Jim Harbaugh's interview with KNBR-AM in San Francisco this week: â?¢ The 49ers coach has repeatedly praised Randy Moss for his speed and production on the field during practice, but we know Harbaugh prizes... more

Our friend Ian Rapoport recently summed up the general mania and anticipation that most Washington Redskins fans feel for Robert Griffin III: Caps lose a tough one to the Rangers. Washington DC bar immediately starts chanting "RGIII! RGIII!" ...... more

Wes Welker has shifted into good-soldier mode, telling reporters he will report for organized team activities with the New England Patriots on Monday. The wide receiver met with the media on Saturday at his football clinic in Peabody, Mass., and it... more

Steve Weatherford has learned something this week: Riffing on Mark Sanchez makes headlines. The New York Giants punter generated controversy after suggesting his former New York Jets teammate has failed to develop as an NFL passer. Weatherford took... more

Jim Harbaugh is arguably among the top five coaches in the NFL right now. His transformative work with the San Francisco 49ers last season was no fluke. Harbaugh is inventive, a master motivator and just a little bit obsessed with scattering the... more

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha headlined a horde of free-agent acquisitions in Philadelphia last offseason that, at first blush, transformed the Eagles into a Super Bowl contender. They played nowhere near that caliber last season, and Asomugha's early... more

There's something ugly about the thought of Lawrence Taylor's Super Bowl XXV ring being auctioned off to a wealthy bidder. We learned Friday that Taylor's son is behind the online sale , with his father's permission. The Hall of Fame linebacker gifted... more

The New York Jets continue to linger on the fringe of the "Hard Knocks" derby. At various points, we've heard that owner Woody Johnson hopes reprise his team's starring role on the HBO series, while coach Rex Ryan remains lukewarm. The New York Daily... more

The St. Louis Rams notched 39 sacks in 2011, tied for 15th in the NFL. Coach Jeff Fisher is raising the bar for 2012. In his first season guiding the team, Fisher is asking the St. Louis defense to chase down the opposing quarterback 73 times, according... more

When the Philadelphia Eagles begin their 2012 season, Michael Vick will be more than their starting quarterback: He'll be a married man. Vick is scheduled to wed longtime fiancée Kijafa Frink in Miami Beach on June 30, according to the New York Post .... more

Editor's note: Since Monday night marks MLB's "Home Run Derby", we thought it would be worth revisiting this Around the League missive from back in May when Calvin Johnson cracked a bomb during Detroit Tigers batting practice. Do you think Megatron would... more

Jim Harbaugh has seen his share of talented wide receivers. He was a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts when a young Marvin Harrison was a newbie. Later, as an assistant with the Oakland Raiders, Harbaugh helped groom a roster that included Tim Brown.... more

NFL Network is unveiling its "Top 100: Players of 2012" in a dramatic, week-by-week lifting of the veil that already has people talking. Our friend Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com, not known for his subtlety, unleashed his list in one titanic bomb drop,... more

This is what drafting a quarterback can do for you. A recent poll in The Palm Beach Post hints at a striking turnaround in the public perception of Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland. Suddenly he's Mr. Popular. As we go to press with this... more

As the Jacksonville Jaguars press on with this week's voluntary practices, Maurice Jones-Drew remains a no-show. The team's workhorse back reportedly wants a new deal, but the Jaguars aren't itching to furnish him with one . On the field, coach Mike... more

They are fondly remembered as the Triplets. Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin won three Super Bowls together as members of the Dallas Cowboys, but the famed trio have rarely sat down together before a camera to share about the team's reign... more

Wes Welker woke up Friday morning to a report suggesting the New England Patriots are displeased with their wide receiver. The Boston Globe reported that Welker's offseason media tour -- featuring a heavy dose of honest feelings about his contract... more

Ryan Tannehill has turned heads in South Beach. Veteran quarterback David Garrard claims he's never seen a young quarterback pick up the playbook so quickly -- faster than some of his elders -- and center Mike Pouncey believes the Dolphins have found "a... more

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made waves last week when he suggested the San Francisco 49ers might have targeted his sore left ankle in their Monday night meeting last December. Defensive end Aldon Smith, who terrorized Big Ben with... more

A trio of marijuana-related arrests for the Detroit Lions this offseason is indicative of a more widespread problem plaguing the league, according to one former NFL offensive lineman. Lomas Brown, now an ESPN analyst, claims at least 50 percent of NFL... more

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys knew Morris Claiborne would require time to heal after pre-draft surgery on his left wrist. The expectation all along was that the sixth overall pick would be ready for training camp in late July. Claiborne, mostly a... more

DeSean Jackson told LeSean McCoy not to stage a holdout in anticipation of a new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles -- in essence, not to make the same mistake he made. None of that will be necessary after Shady inked a five-year, $45 million... more

When ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd unveiled his list of the most delusional fan bases in sports, he surely lost a few listeners. Give him this much: It's an intriguing topic. For Dallas Cowboys fans, however, it touches a nerve. The Oakland Raiders... more

The New York Giants are thinking dynasty. Defensive end Justin Tuck is saying it. "You get that (ring) the first time, you're in awe," Tuck told the New York Post on Wednesday after the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI ring ceremony at Tiffany & Co. in... more

Adrian Peterson has shown resilience in battling back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his left knee last December. The Minnesota Vikings running back is gunning to take the field Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but cast... more

Say what you want about Tim Tebow, but the New York Jets quarterback remains amiable to the circus that followed him from Denver to Gotham. Tebow, a devout Christian, doesn't attack his critics or grow defensive in the face of constant -- often silly --... more

The offense of the Jacksonville Jaguars was not a pretty picture last season. Only three teams scored fewer than Jacksonville's 15.2 points per game and if you remove Maurice Jones-Drew from the mix, the air show is exposed for what it was: dead on... more

The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback David Garrard to bring a dose of veteran security to a position that loomed as a question mark before the draft. After the organization grabbed Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick, Garrard's place in the QB... more

We heard a fair amount of chatter before the draft about Kansas City pursuing a young quarterback. Perhaps it was posturing, but the Chiefs appeared ready to make a run at Ryan Tannehill if he fell to them at No. 11. Miami put that plan to bed,... more

Ahman Green hasn't appeared in an NFL game since January 2010, when the Green Bay Packers fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC wild card. Green retired from the league in August 2011 -- or did he? The 35-year-old running back says he isn't done.... more

Another twist in the slightly ponderous feud between New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. Umenyiora on Thursday apologized for the "Happy Mothers Day" tweet he directed at McCoy on Sunday, which... more

Eli Manning did a fine job on "Saturday Night Live," but we're starting to wonder if he's run out of jokes this offseason. In a city where the back pages appear dangerously obsessed with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, the New York Giants quarterback said... more

The New York Jets have hired yet another quote machine (not that they needed one). Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo landed in Gotham this offseason after three years with Tony Sparano in Miami. DeGuglielmo met with reporters for the first time... more

Andrew Luck has stepped into a larger world. After experiencing life as savior of the Indianapolis Colts, he returned to the quaint alleyways and classrooms of Stanford and found them, well, small. "Coming back from minicamp was tough," Luck told... more

Brandon Weeden is admittedly a little tired of hearing about his illustrious "maturity." Yes, he's 28 years old, surrounded by NFL rookies six or seven years his junior, but he's not Father Time roaming midfield. "Yeah, I'm more mature maybe than some... more

In most rooms, Russell Wilson blends in just fine. At 5-foot-11, he's by no means a shrimp, but in the buildup to the NFL draft, Wilson's "height issue" dominated scouting reports. His promising 72.8 completion percentage as a senior at Wisconsin was... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have used this offseason to aggressively patch up an offensive line that stood out as perhaps the team's greatest weakness in 2011. First-round pick David DeCastro is an immediate starter at right guard. The team's second-round... more

Brian McIntyre gave us the lowdown Tuesday on the absence of Maurice Jones-Drew at the Jacksonville Jaguars' voluntary offseason workout program. MJD's seeking a contract extension, but the team isn't jumping at the chance to lock down last year's... more

When the New York Giants are presented with their Super Bowl XLVI championship rings on Wednesday night, defensive end Justin Tuck harbors some serious expectations. "(Former Giants defensive lineman Michael Strahan) talked about the '10-table ring,' "... more

Jacoby Jones' five-year run with the Houston Texans ended somewhat notoriously on a January winter day in Baltimore. His muffed punt return early in the Texans' AFC Divisional meeting against the Ravens struck an ugly chord. Baltimore recovered the... more

When the Buffalo Bills signed Vince Young, it was easy to dream up scenarios where Ryan Fitzpatrick's grasp on the starting quarterback role might be in danger. Bills general manager Buddy Nix made it clear to Fitzpatrick his role was safe from the... more

Something about the Silver and Black has older pass-catchers flocking close. Long before Plaxico Burress declared his interest in playing for the Oakland Raiders, rumors flew of another veteran wideout closing in. None other than Terrell Owens. ... more

Last season was not a pretty picture for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense, and the injuries -- still mounting -- didn't help. Tampa's league-low 23 sacks in 2011 contributed to a 10-game losing streak that saw the Bucs fall to pieces on the defensive... more

Ever since Peyton Manning joined the Denver Broncos, the rest of the AFC West has been mentioned as an afterthought by many onlookers. After all, if last year's 8-8 squad won the division and a playoff game without Manning, it should only improve with the... more

The early returns on Tim Tebow out of Florham Park are positive and gaining steam. Nobody knew what to expect when the New York Jets traded for the former Denver Broncos starter, but Tebow told reporters last week he's played exclusively under center... more

A judge has placed suspended Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly on "shock probation" just months into his six-year jail stay. "Shock probation" provides first-time inmates early release after "experiencing the shock or trauma of being in... more

We're starting to see signs of the Peyton Manning Effect in Denver, where the Broncos quarterback (by the way, that still sounds strange to us) is working closely with skill players to install an offense certain to look different in 2012. Denver's... more

The Denver Broncos believe they've acquired a secret weapon in the form of rookie running back Ronnie Hillman. At first blush, Hillman isn't your typical John Fox back. He doesn't project as a bruiser between the tackles, but his ability to catch the... more

Vince Young isn't calling himself the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback. Not yet. He's been brought in to compete with Tyler Thigpen for the backup role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, but it won't change Young's approach to the game. "It's not about me,"... more

Jay Cutler is tweaked about the state of the Chicago Bears' offensive line, and we don't blame him. One item he's not losing sleep over? The absence of Matt Forte. Cutler believes the workhorse running back isn't about to skip games, even if he's a... more

One of the big questions entering the 2012 campaign is how the New Orleans Saints will respond to one of rockiest offseasons in memory. Losing your head coach for the season might whip another team off the tracks, but the Saints insist Sean Payton's... more

It's been a top-shelf week for Calais Campbell, Arizona's defensive end who signed a five-year, $55 million contract extension with the Cardinals on Thursday. With the ink still drying on the contract, Around the League spoke via phone with Campbell,... more

253 draft picks transformed the NFL in a matter of days. Around the League will examine the aftershocks by asking one post-draft burning question for all 32 teams. Did Panthers find their Superman on defense? The Carolina Panthers couldn't have hit... more