News

For the second consecutive season, Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long will end his season on injured reserve. The team confirmed the move on Tuesday. It was reported Monday by NFL.com's Jeff Darlington that the Dolphins feared Long had suffered torn... more

Titus Young's disaster of a sophomore season has come to an end. The Detroit Lions placed their troubled wide receiver on injured reserve Tuesday, a convenient move that works for all parties involved. Young hasn't played since Week 12 against the... more

Responding to a viral campaign started Monday evening on Twitter, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow called an upstate New York teen who was seriously injured in a car accident, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Matt Hardy, a 17-year-old Shenendehowa... more

Robert Griffin III The New York Giants talked about how special Robert Griffin III was all week, then went out and watched Griffin and the Washington Redskins turn the NFC East into a legitimate race on Monday night . Safety Antrel Rolle... more

NFL.com Andy Reid is starting a dynasty in the ATL Warming Seat standings. Here's a list you don't want to be on. Every week, Around The League breaks down five coaches whose seats are warming up as the weather cools down. Is your coach... more

Brian Urlacher is suddenly a huge question mark for the Chicago Bears. The veteran linebacker could miss the remainder of the regular season due to the right hamstring injury he suffered Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Urlacher, an... more

Julian Edelman has played his final snap of the 2012 season for the New England Patriots. Edelman, the team's fourth wide receiver and primary punt returner, has a broken foot that could require surgery, according to WBZ-TV . Edelman was moved to... more

Harrison: Week 14 Power Rankings Entering the final quarter of the regular season, there's still plenty of movement in Elliot Harrison 's NFL pecking order. More ... Kerry Rhodes doesn't deny he and Arizona Cardinals teammate Darnell Dockett... more

It appears the Arizona Cardinals grew tired of waiting for the return of Todd Heap. The veteran tight end was released on Tuesday, the Cardinals announced in a release. Heap hadn't played since suffering a knee injury in Week 2. Week 14 Fantasy 101... more

The Chicago Bears might be preparing for life without Brian Urlacher on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that the team signed linebacker Dom DeCicco to the 53-man roster, bringing back DeCicco three months... more

Ben Roethlisberger is getting better, but Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't ready to say the quarterback will return this week. Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Roethlisberger had a successful throwing session on Monday and has improved in... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to make due without cornerback Ike Taylor for the foreseeable future. Charlie Batch Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Taylor has a right ankle fracture and will be out for at least two weeks.... more

Ndamukong Suh was criticized again this past week for his on-field behavior, but don't expect him to be fined for it. Indianapolis Colts right guard Mike McGlynn ripped Suh and other Detroit Lions players for their actions following an interception... more

The Seattle Seahawks will have cornerback Richard Sherman on the field for at least one more week. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirmed Tuesday that Sherman's appeal for his four-game suspension is scheduled for Dec. 14, according to a source close to... more

More details have emerged regarding the final hour of Jovan Belcher's life, and it's as disheartening as you might imagine. The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday that upon hearing gunshots, Belcher's mother ran from the kitchen and saw the Kansas... more

The Washington Redskins just blew the NFC East race wide open with a 17-16 win over the New York Giants on Monday night at FedEx Field. Robert Griffin III The Redskins, once left for dead at 3-6, have won three in a row and now sit only one... more

Terrell Suggs confirmed to NFL.com's Albert Breer on Monday that he has a torn biceps muscle, but the Baltimore Ravens linebacker believes he can play through the injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier Monday the team was encouraged Suggs... more

Greg McElroy helped drive the New York Jets to their only touchdown in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Was that enough to win him the starting quarterback job? Rapoport: McElroys avoid drama Greg McElroy and his father are taking a... more

People of the Atlanta metro area can unlock their doors: The egg tosser has been caught. (Actually, go ahead and keep those doors locked .) The person suspected of throwing eggs at the New Orleans Saints' charter bus last Wednesday has quit their... more

Jordy Nelson's latest injury likely will cost him more time on the bench. Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Nelson's hamstring injury isn't serious, but the wide receiver will be "hard pressed" to play Sunday against the... more

John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin weren't the only two NFL figures to share a notable postgame exchange Sunday. Following the conclusion of the Houston Texans' 24-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Jake Locker had some words for veteran... more

Things eventually will return to normal for Romeo Crennel and the Kansas City Chiefs, but not yet. It's been two days since linebacker Jovan Belcher committed suicide at the Chiefs' facility after murdering his girlfriend in their home. As expected,... more

Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is in too deep now to turn his back on Christian Ponder. Check out the best photos from the Week 13 matchup between the Vikings and Packers. Frazier has defended his quarterback all season, even as Ponder's... more

Timing is no friend of Tim Tebow. Rex Ryan finally benched  Mark Sanchez on Sunday, but New York Jets fans weren't chanting Tebow's name. Instead, it was "Mc-El-Roy," as in second-year quarterback Greg McElroy, who helped lead the Jets to a 7-6 win... more

It's still unclear if the Dallas Cowboys should be taken seriously in the NFC. But, warts and all, they're still in the mix. The Cowboys knocked off a stubborn Philadelphia Eagles team Sunday night, improving to 6-6 with a 38-33 win . Dallas now is... more

There's very little middle ground in discussions -- polite or otherwise -- involving Tony Romo. Some believe he's a top-10 NFL quarterback. Others see Romo as a major reason why the Dallas Cowboys have been perpetually mediocre in recent years.... more

Rex Ryan wouldn't announce the New York Jets' starting quarterback for next week's game, but the writing already is on the wall for Mark Sanchez. Ryan benched Sanchez for the first time in his NFL career, a seismic decision that could signal the... more

It won't rival what his brother pulled off in a similar situation last season, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh had his own terse exchange with a colleague Sunday in Baltimore . On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Pittsburgh Steelers' 23-20 win... more

The Denver Broncos backed into the AFC West title last season while on a three-game losing streak. They didn't back in this time. The Broncos won their seventh consecutive game Sunday, overcoming a slow start in a 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay... more

Adrian Peterson was the star Sunday at Lambeau Field, but it was the Green Bay Packers who were smiling at game's end. The Packers overcame a 210-yard rushing day from Peterson in a 23-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers (8-4) now have... more

Rex Ryan spent most of the season defending Mark Sanchez. On Sunday, he couldn't ignore his quarterback's struggles any longer. The New York Jets coach yanked an ineffective Sanchez midway through the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals.... more

Mark Sanchez wasn't able to move the New York Jets' offense Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, and coach Rex Ryan finally ran out of patience. Ryan benched Sanchez and inserted Greg McElroy at quarterback midway through the third quarter, drawing... more

The Green Bay Packers are playing without Jordy Nelson once again. The wide receiver did not return to 23-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a hamstring injury. His status was changed to "out" in the third quarter. Fox's Pam... more

As the 2012 calendar turns to its final month, we find ourselves squarely in the New England Patriots' hot zone. Since 2010, the Patriots are 19-0 in the last eight games of the regular season, averaging 412.8 yards per game. In that same span, the... more

We learned this week that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace had been demoted to "co-starter" status with Emmanuel Sanders, according to coach Mike Tomlin. Harrison: Week 13 predictions With only five games left in the regular season,... more

It has been a comeback for the ages for Adrian Peterson, who has football people rethinking what's possible in a season following reconstructive knee surgery. Peterson leads the NFL with 1,236 rushing yards through 11 games this season. He's on pace for... more

Joe Linta finds the truth hard to believe. Linta was Jovan Belcher's agent. His relationship with Belcher was a professional one, but he never suspected his client was capable of the violent acts he perpetrated Saturday morning in Kansas City. "Jovan... more

The Kansas City Chiefs will play their Week 13 game as scheduled Sunday after the suicide of linebacker Jovan Belcher. Take a look at photos of Jovan Belcher through the years. The Chiefs released a statement confirming the decision. "After... more

As expected, the Minnesota Vikings will be without wide receiver Percy Harvin for a third consecutive week. Jeremiah: Best Week 13 matchups Can the Seahawks' Richard Sherman slow down the Bears' Brandon Marshall? Daniel Jeremiah can't wait to find... more

Before Saturday's stunning events in Kansas City , we knew Jovan Belcher only as a football player. He was a find for Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, an undrafted free agent who signed with the team in 2009, built his reputation as a special-teams... more

The New York Jets began the season with suspect depth at wide receiver. They're paying for it now. 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 ...... more

It's not often that Drew Brees can be cited as the reason the New Orleans Saints lost. That was the case Thursday, however, as five Brees interceptions , coupled with an uncharacteristic clock-management gaffe before halftime, buried the Saints in a... more

You might remember our post in which we dug into the plight of young Peyton Manning, a 14-year-old Littleton, Colo., boy who was dealing with identity problems caused by his super-famous namesake. In a storyline that sounded ripped from the plot of a... more

Rolando McClain's disappointing run with the Oakland Raiders reached its nadir this week, when the linebacker was kicked out of practice for arguing with coach Dennis Allen and later suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team. Raiders... more

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham has to be just about set when it comes to talking about his team's 34-31 overtime loss to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving. Week 13 Like/Dislike Fantasy football hath no fury like a quarterback... more

Each week, Dan Hanzus sifts through the pro football landscape to bring you sublime subplots of NFL life. Some of it he loves. Some he does not. Other stuff, he can't quite decide. The ATL Buzz Report. 1. All wet in Miami If you're Sprinkler Timer... more

Dominic Raiola might not speak for the entire Detroit Lions organization, but the veteran center has had his fill of wide receiver Titus Young. Brooks: Bears or Packers? Chicago and Green Bay both look like Super Bowl contenders. Which one will take... more

Mohamed Sanu appears to have played his last snap of the season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Harrison: Week 13 predictions With only five games left in the regular season, it's must-win time for several clubs. Elliot Harrison provides his picks for... more

The San Francisco 49ers received some financial help from three veterans in locking up NaVorro Bowman to a contract extension this week. Brooks: The Kaepernick advantage Jim Harbaugh's decision to start Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith is bold, but... more

Andy Reid should survive the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the winds of sweeping change are blowing around the longtime coach. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport said Tuesday on "NFL Total Access" that a high-ranking official in the organization said the... more

The NFL has made no decision on Ndamukong Suh following his kicking incident involving Matt Schaub on Thanksgiving, but NFL.com's Ian Rapaport reports the expectation is that Suh will be fined. Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings Twenty-six of the NFL's... more

Dowell Loggains is getting his shot. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Tuesday on "NFL Total Access" that the Tennessee Titans have given Loggains what amounts to a trial run as the team's offensive coordinator. Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings... more

It remains possible the infamous challenge rule that burned  Jim Schwartz and the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving will be changed during the 2012 season. Harrison: Week 13 Power Rankings Twenty-six of the NFL's 32 teams are on the move -- some up, some... more

The Dallas Cowboys should get wide receiver Miles Austin back in the lineup for Week 13 . NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Austin is expected to recover from hip and back injuries in time to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night .... more

NFL.com Things keep getting worse for Andy Reid. This can't end well for the big man. Instant Debate: Time for Norv to go? The Chargers blew a late lead on Sunday. Should that finally mark the end of Norv Turner's tenure in San Diego? More... more

It's rare to see a player with a premium pedigree hit the waiver wire during the regular season, but that's the situation we have with Jason Babin, the defensive end released Tuesday by the Philadelphia Eagles. Babin's play had regressed this season,... more

Perhaps if safety Atari Bigby was on the field late in the fourth quarter during Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he could've been the man who stopped Ray Rice short of that fateful on 4th-and-29  run. Instant Debate: Time for Norv... more

It's safe to say Justin Tuck isn't looking forward to another afternoon trying to chase down Robert Griffin III. After the Giants narrowly escaped with a 27-23 win over the Washington Redskins in Week 7, the New York Giants defensive end said he was... more

Now that was the Cam Newton the Carolina Panthers have waited all season to see. Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more Monday night, leading the Panthers to a 30-22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Check out the best photos from the... more

Ndamukong Suh can't seem to avoid trouble on the football field . The same can be said when the Detroit Lions defensive tackle is behind the wheel. WJBK-TV reported Monday that Suh was ticketed in Lathrup Village, Mich., on Nov. 15 for "failure to use... more

DeSean Jackson made little more than a cameo on "Monday Night Football." The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver exited the team's 30-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers with what the team initially called a chest/collarbone injury. X-rays came back... more

Eric Wright lost his appeal for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, setting in motion the possibility of a devastating financial hit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on "Monday Night... more

A day will come when Jim Harbaugh will throw us -- members of organized society -- a bone regarding the San Francisco 49ers quarterback situation. The coach said Monday he will formally name a starter for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams by the... more

The reeling Pittsburgh Steelers are a team in desperate need of good news. Getting their first-round draft pick back in the lineup certainly qualifies. The Steelers activated offensive guard David DeCastro from injured reserve Monday, a move they... more

Stevie Johnson rocked the boat Sunday when he appeared to explain that Ryan Fitzpatrick, not head coach Chan Gailey, was the best fit to call plays for the Buffalo Bills' offense. Following the expected brushfire, the wide receiver told reporters... more

What's an NFL player to do while biding his time on injured reserve? Sure, plenty of hours can be allocated to rehabbing whatever physical malady has kept you off the field... but then what? In the case of Green Bay Packers running back Cedric... more

Adrian Peterson might be super-human on the football field, but time waits for no one. Neither does the team bus. Check out the best photos from the Week 12 matchup between the Vikings and Bears. A day after the Minnesota Vikings running back... more

The Chicago Bears -- already thin along their offensive line -- took another hit on Sunday when right guard Lance Louis was decked on blindside block by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen during an interception return. Check out the best... more

We should've seen this one coming. The New York Giants spent their bye week getting healthy while hearing plenty of chatter they were on a downward slide. With the rolling Green Bay Packers coming to town, panic in Gotham was one bad game away. But... more

Fireman Ed is no more at New York Jets games. In a guest column for Metro New York, Fireman Ed -- real name: Ed Anzalone -- explained that confrontations with fans at MetLife Stadium, not the Jets' epic struggles during a blowout loss to the New... more

Jim Harbaugh decides who plays quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He just doesn't like talking about it. Check out the best photos from the Week 12 matchup between the Saints and 49ers. After Colin Kaepernick's second consecutive strong... more

Where would the Baltimore Ravens be without Ray Rice? The star running back made one of the NFL season's signature plays Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, with a 30-yard catch-and-run on fourth-and-29 to help set up the game-tying field goal at the... more

The Denver Broncos didn't play their sharpest football Sunday. Then again, when you play the Kansas City Chiefs, that isn't necessarily a requirement for victory. The Broncos beat the Chiefs 17-9 at Arrowhead Stadium , winning their sixth consecutive... more

This wasn't a game that will turn doubters into believers for the Atlanta Falcons. Instead, it serves as yet another example of this team's ability to close. The Falcons visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and escaped with a 24-23 win Sunday, knocking off... more

When an elderly woman got after  Dexter McCluster this week about the struggles of the 1-9 Kansas City Chiefs, it was just the latest example of a frustrated fan base lashing out. Chiefs right tackle Eric Winston heard about fans dressing in black to... more

Turns out spraining your ankle in three places is not an easy injury to come back from when you're an NFL wide receiver. Percy Harvin will miss his second consecutive game when the Minnesota Vikings meet the Chicago Bears on Sunday , the team announced.... more

It appears the Chicago Bears will have Jay Cutler back in their lineup on Sunday. CBSSports.com and the Chicago Sun-Times reported Cutler has passed all concussion protocols and is expected to start against the Minnesota Vikings. Week 12... more

Antonio Brown has the type of injury that deserves extended rest. But with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a weakened state, Brown is pushing harder to return to the field. Brown told NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala on Wednesday that, under normal... more

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is making slow but steady progress in his recovery from a concussion. Take a look back at Michael Vick's career. Vick was ruled out for Week 12 by Andy Reid on Saturday, but head athletic trainer Rick... more

Don't expect to see Michael Vick or LeSean McCoy on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Take a look back at Michael Vick's career. Vick and McCoy -- who are both recovering from concussions -- sat out practice Saturday and won't... more

How bad is the clunky challenge rule that cost Jim Schwartz and the Detroit Lions on Sunday? The man who had a hand in creating it wants it to go away. New York Giants co-owner John Mara told USA Today in an email Friday that he will present the... more

The NFL has made a concerted effort to better protect skill players on offense, but can the same be said for players on the other side of the ball? Breer: Defenders cry foul over fines Albert Breer reports that discipline levied on Ravens star... more

It's safe to say Kansas City Chiefs fans are reaching critical stages of frustration with their 1-9 team. Remember, these are the same fans who dressed in black by the thousands for a recent home blowout. Then there was the guy whose obituary listed... more

If you're looking to Jim Harbaugh for answers on the San Francisco 49ers' murky quarterback situation, you're going to be disappointed. Despite a report stating that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, followed by safety... more

Well, the New York Jets finally did it. They broke Fireman Ed. Lombardi: Turkey Day lessons Michael Lombardi says all three Thanksgiving showdowns taught us something. Plus, 10 thoughts around the league. More ... Ed Anzalone, the most famous... more

Each week, Dan Hanzus sifts through the pro football landscape to bring you sublime subplots of NFL life. Some of it, he loves. Some, he does not. Other stuff, he can't quite decide. The ATL Buzz Report. 1. RG3 runs D.C. Jerry Jones is in awe .... more

The Cleveland Browns should have their best defensive player back for Sunday's AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cornerback Joe Haden, who was sidelined last week with an oblique injury, practiced Friday for a third consecutive day and... more

We wrote earlier Friday about the possibility the NFL will overturn the rule that prevents officials from reviewing plays if an absent-minded coach tosses his challenge flag on a scoring play or a turnover. Breer: Defenders cry foul over fines Albert... more

ESPN executives must have been excited at the thought of a late November Monday night showcase featuring electric Philadelphia Eagles stars Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy. Week 12 Like/Dislike Ravens QB Joe Flacco is like Anne Hathaway, writes Adam... more

It's becoming increasingly difficult to take the Dallas Cowboys seriously. Coach Jason Garrett's team could've firmly planted itself in the center of the NFC East race Thursday afternoon. All it had to do was take care of business against the Washington... more

Jim Schwartz's challenge-flag folly helped give Justin Forsett the longest run in Houston Texans history. Forsett isn't about to apologize for it. "I know now that I was down, but I didn't think I was during the play," Forsett said after the Texans'... more

Jim Schwartz knows he messed up. Take a look at photos from the Thanksgiving Day matchup between the Texans and Lions. The Detroit Lions coach admitted Thursday that he "overreacted" when he threw a challenge flag after game officials failed to rule... more

"Gangnam Style, " which sits somewhere between "Macarena " and "Achy Breaky Heart " in discussion of cringeworthy cultural phenomena, will build on its unlikely bond with the NFL next month. Buffalo Bills fans on the fence about hoofing it to Toronto to... more

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has plenty of talent. It's the staying-on-the-field part that's haunted his rookie season. The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that Jeffery will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday morning. It's... more

Robert Griffin III The injury gods seem to be calling out to London Fletcher, attempting to make the Washington Redskins linebacker appear mortal like the rest of us. Last month, Fletcher overcame balance and hamstring issues to keep his... more

As Rob Gronkowski exits the picture for the New England Patriots, Aaron Hernandez is re-emerging. Take a look back at this long standing NFL tradition. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Tuesday that, barring any late setbacks, Hernandez will play... more

Ed Reed had his one-game suspension cut down to a modest $50,000 fine on Tuesday , but he's still not happy. The Baltimore Ravens safety appeared at Ray Lewis' annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway later Tuesday, where he said "a lot needs to be done" to... more

Jermichael Finley doesn't sugarcoat it. He's been less involved in the Green Bay Packers' offense this season, and he believes a disconnect with Aaron Rodgers explains it. Coming off a promising game in which he caught his first touchdown pass since... more

It's nice that there's still hope in Arizona , but the Cardinals aren't going anywhere if they don't figure out their dire quarterback situation. John Skelton was benched with a double-digit lead Sunday, which tells you so very much. Rookie Ryan Lindley... more

Has Eli Manning been dealing with a tired arm? Manning never said so , nor has Tom Coughlin or any New York Giants official. Still, the speculation on Manning's arm has legs, helped along by the quarterback's decision not to throw during the bulk of... more

We've reached that time of year when the NFL's Goliaths of the regular season begin to close in on a playoff berth. Matt Schaub The 9-1 Houston Texans can be the first team to punch their ticket to the dance if the following goes down in Week... more

Plaxico Burress has found his way back on an NFL roster. NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala and Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday the veteran wide receiver has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team later confirmed the news. Power Poll: Who's No. 1? The... more

We already knew Aldon Smith was a scary good pass rusher for the San Francisco 49ers. We got a peek at the talented defensive end's ceiling on Monday night against the Chicago Bears. Instant Debate: Kaepernick or Smith? Given a chance to shine,... more

Take a look at the best images from Monday night's game. It remains to be seen if quarterback Colin Kaepernick won the starting job for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. We do know the quarterback sent a loud message to coach Jim Harbaugh.... more

With Ben Roethlisberger -- and now Byron Leftwich -- sidelined with rib and shoulder injuries, the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the hunt for more depth behind new starting quarterback Charlie Batch . To that end, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the... more

Andy Reid is unlikely to coach the Philadelphia Eagles beyond this season. But don't expect him to leave town before then ... at least under his own will. One day after the Eagles' 31-6 loss to the Washington Redskins -- Philadelphia's sixth... more

Mike Ditka suffered a minor stroke just three days ago, but the player-turned-coach-turned-analyst worked on ESPN's coverage of the "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. Take a look back at the Hall of Fame... more

Facing a depth issue at wide receiver, the Pittsburgh Steelers have extended an invite to a familiar face from their past. Take a look back at the career of Plaxico Burress. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Monday, via a source who has spoken with... more

A connection with a local family prompted J.J. Watt to alter his signature sack celebration Sunday. After the Houston Texans star brought down Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne during the fourth quarter of a 43-37 overtime win , Watt mimed the... more

Brandon Meriweather's debut season with the Washington Redskins is a total loss. The Redskins announced Monday that the strong safety will be placed on injured reserve after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Sunday's 31-6 win over the... more

Willis McGahee is no stranger to coming back from serious leg injuries. He's facing yet another challenge. Jeremiah: More than support Teams can't win behind a QB alone, Daniel Jeremiah says. They need studs at other positions, like Broncos LB... more

The Minnesota Vikings return from their Week 11 bye Sunday against the Chicago Bears. It's unclear if Percy Harvin will be on the field when that happens. Harvin wasn't on the field when the Vikings returned to practice Monday. The wide receiver... more

Darlington: Jets dial it down Jeff Darlington says Mark Sanchez and the Jets finally quelled the drama surrounding Gang Green with Sunday's win. More ... The New York Jets now are 4-6 after beating the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. This is the same... more

The Baltimore Ravens won't apologize for beating the Pittsburgh Steelers without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben or no Big Ben, going into Pittsburgh on Sunday night was a worthy challenge for coach John Harbaugh's team. The Ravens rose to that... more

It's been another lost season for the Oakland Raiders, and owner Mark Davis isn't happy. Davis briefly addressed the media Sunday after the Raiders dropped their third consecutive game. At 3-7, Oakland is in grave danger of missing the playoffs for an... more

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was excited when he learned Peyton Manning was coming to the AFC West. Think he still feels that way now? The Denver Broncos cruised to a 30-23 win over Rivers' Chargers on Sunday, completing a season sweep... more

Bart Scott has some interesting theories on how the New York Jets should combat criticism. You might recall the veteran linebacker declared a "media mutiny" back in September. We think he meant a boycott, but who really knows? Scott's mutiny took an... more

Matt Cassel and the Kansas City Chiefs were floundering again Sunday. At a certain point, the next chapter in a troubled marriage became inevitable. Coach Romeo Crennel brought out the hook early in the third quarter, benching Cassel with the Chiefs... more

The New York Jets seemed resigned to being a national punchline for most of the first half Sunday. There was a blocked field goal. An embarrassing blown coverage. Pass-protection breakdowns. A failed fake punt play ... on more Tim Tebow foolishness.... more

Talented but injury-prone wide receiver Danny Amendola returned to start and finish the second half of the St. Louis Rams' 27-13 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday after suffering an apparent right foot injury. Amendola headed to the locker room... more

Nick Foles will make his first NFL start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Judging by the latest update on Michael Vick, it could be the first of several starts for Foles this season. Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said Vick --... more

The Detroit Lions won't take any chances with the health of strong safety Amari Spievey. The team placed Spievey on season-ending injured reserve Saturday as he continues to deal with concussion issues, according to DetroitLions.com . Spievey has... more

Deion Branch's reunion with the New England Patriots didn't have legs. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Saturday that the Patriots have released Branch, per a source who has spoken with the player. The Patriots later confirmed  Branch's release.... more

Though it's not official, signs point to Alex Smith starting for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. The quarterback -- who suffered a concussion on Sunday -- practiced in a black (non-contact) jersey for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday,... more

You might believe it's business as usual for the New England Patriots' high-octane offense this season, but the unit has undergone a subtle philosophical shift. Maybe it's not that subtle. The Patriots are running the ball far more often, and with more... more

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden traveled with his team this weekend, but his availability is very much in doubt. Rapoport: Week 11 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 11 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his... more

It's not easy being a Miami Dolphins fan. Not in the post-Marino era, anyway. Ever since No. 13 took off his jersey for good, the franchise has struggled to find some measure of stability. The decision to draft quarterback Ryan Tannehill was supposed to... more

Mike Tannenbaum is in danger. He might not publicly acknowledge it, but his grasp on the New York Jets' general manager job is as slippery as ever. Jones: Jets are one big headache The New York Jets have become one giant headache during their 3-6... more

Jason Campbell: This is your life. The seventh-year quarterback took a pretty pay check this season to serve as Jay Cutler's understudy with the Chicago Bears. With Cutler recovering from a concussion, Campbell gets a shot -- perhaps his only shot --... more

Ah, rookie quarterbacks. For most defenses, it's the type of green, mistake-plagued player you love to see peering nervously over the line of scrimmage. But for the Washington Redskins, they're kryptonite. Since 2006, the Redskins are winless in their... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was back with the team on Friday, one day after he underwent a non-surgical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. "I'm glad to be back," Harbaugh said after coaching Friday morning's walk-through practice,... more

Darren Sproles has been listed as questionable for the New Orleans Saints' Week 11 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Brooks: Run, Saints, run! Drew Brees is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, but Bucky Brooks explains why the Saints must stress... more

Each week, Dan Hanzus sifts through the pro football landscape to bring you sublime subplots of NFL life. Some of it he loves. Some he does not. Other stuff, he can't quite decide. The ATL Buzz Report. 1. All in on AP On New Year's Eve, Adrian... more

The idea of "bad blood" between division rivals is often little more than a media-driven fantasy. But not always. Take, for instance, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, two teams that seem to genuinely dislike each other . Drew Brees... more

Doubt is growing that Jay Cutler will recover from his latest concussion without missing some time for the Chicago Bears. ESPN's John Clayton said on air Tuesday it's "doubtful" Cutler will play in Week 11's Monday night matchup against the San... more

Reggie Bush seemed to understand why Joe Philbin benched him following a first-quarter fumble in Sunday's 37-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Bush tweeted an apology to "Dolphin Nation" for his recent performance, and told a reporter from The Miami... more

Phil Simms needs to make up his mind about Eli Manning. Last summer, with Manning's second Super Bowl MVP trophy still fresh on the brain, the former Giants great said Manning and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin were destined for the Hall of... more

Eric Berry is a young, star safety for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's also deathly afraid of horses. Seriously. The man suffers from equinophobia . Breer: Midseason coach firings Do in-season head coach firings work? Albert Breer talked to six men who... more

NFL.com Andy Reid is feeling the heat, especially with QB Michael Vick out with a concussion. Welcome back to the ATL Warming Seat, where we discuss NFL coaches whose seats are heating up as the weather cools down. It was another dire week... more

A big play on defense saved the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. They'll need more of that if Ben Roethlisberger misses considerable time. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons' interception and 23-yard return set up the Shaun Suisham chip shot that... more

The 1929 Buffalo Bisons are popping the champagne in that great big tailgate party in the sky. When running back Jamaal Charles crashed into the end zone with 8:42 to go in the first quarter on Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs were in a position... more

Ray Edwards' disappointing run with the Atlanta Falcons has come to an abrupt end. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Monday that the Falcons released Edwards, their big free-agent signing in 2011. The team later... more

Marty Schottenheimer has been in contact with the Kansas City Chiefs, but don't expect "Marty Ball" to make a dramatic return to Arrowhead Stadium. An Internet brushfire started last week when it was reported -- erroneously, as it turned out -- that... more

Just about everyone -- New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum excluded -- seemed to know the Jets' acquisition of quarterback Tim Tebow was going to have a negative effect on starter Mark Sanchez. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll felt that way... more

We're running out of superlatives to describe Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson. With apologies to Peyton Manning, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year race is already over. All Day already has that in the bag -- or at least he should.... more

Alex Smith was one of three NFL quarterbacks to sustain a concussion on Sunday. A day later, San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Smith is feeling better. "(He's) doing much better, had a good night's sleep last night," Harbaugh said, via... more

If there's any team in the NFL that deserves the benefit of the doubt, it's the New York Giants. This was a group left for dead last December, only to raise the Lombardi Trophy in February. There's a healthy amount of rope that comes with an achievement... more

Andy Reid's announcement that Michael Vick has a "pretty significant" concussion already told us the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is likely out of the mix for multiple weeks. But could Vick's season be over? On NFL Network NFL Replay will... more

The Green Bay Packers will go the rest of the way without right tackle Bryan Bulaga. The team announced Monday that Bulaga has been moved to injured reserve, eight days after suffering a significant hip injury during a win over the Arizona Cardinals.... more

There was nothing pretty about the Houston Texans' 13-6 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Of course, that matters little to the Texans, who moved to 8-1 with a gut-check win in a hostile environment. This game wasn't brought home by the... more

Jay Cutler was knocked out of the Chicago Bears' 13-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday night after suffering a concussion. Cutler was injured on a jarring hit by Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins with 2:56 remaining in the second quarter. Dobbins was... more

Funny but true fact of NFL life: Overtime rules remain a shadowy area for many players. Donovan McNabb became the poster boy of this reality in 2008, when he admitted he didn't know a game could end in a tie. Four years later, a new overtime system is... more

The New York Jets' 28-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday illustrated all the problems that have sent this team disappearing into the darkness. Shoddy quarterback play. An inability to establish or stop the run. Killer special teams gaffes.... more

The New York Giants have slipped into their annual funk. In a listless effort that featured another poor performance by Eli Manning, the Giants were pushed around in a 31-13 loss to the previously slumping Cincinnati Bengals. The Giants have lost... more

The Atlanta Falcons still can't figure out the New Orleans Saints, and it's cost them a shot at an undefeated season. Matt Ryan threw for 411 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, but a late goal-line stand by the Saints' defense was the difference in a... more

Julio Jones suffered a leg injury early in the Atlanta Falcons' 31-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, but managed to return in the third quarter. Jones limped off the field after making a 3-yard reception in the first quarter. He was examined by... more

The 8-0 Atlanta Falcons might not have won over all their doubters yet, but they're certainly in the conversation of teams that have a legitimate shot to reach Super Bowl XLVII in February. Power Poll: Falcons lead the way The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons... more

New England Patriots fans can officially start worrying about tight end Aaron Hernandez. Harrison: Week 10 predictions Two of the NFL's best teams face off Sunday night. Who will prevail: Texans or Bears? Elliot Harrison provides his picks. More ...... more

Antonio Brown has officially been ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 10 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Rapoport: Week 10 game rankings Texans-Bears promises to be a defensive showdown. Where does it slot in Ian... more

The New England Patriots have enviable depth at tight end. They got even deeper Saturday by activating Visanthe Shiancoe to the 53-man roster from the injured-reserve list. Shiancoe gives the Patriots another option as they head into their Week 10... more

On the eve of their Week 10 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the Oakland Raiders have shaken up their secondary. Harrison: Week 10 predictions Two of the NFL's best teams face off Sunday night. Who will prevail: Texans or Bears? Elliot Harrison... more

Michael Vick's well-meaning brother wasn't the only one on Twitter who zeroed in on the porous Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line on Monday night. Rapoport: Week 10 game rankings Texans-Bears promises to be a defensive showdown. Where does it slot... more

Brandon Lloyd has experienced a culture shock in his first season with the New England Patriots. The wide receiver split last season between the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, two offenses we can safely assume won't be studied in Canton one day. Now... more

So you want to catch passes from Peyton Manning, do you? Your body better be prepared for it. The Denver Broncos quarterback has always operated a high-octane offense, and the up-tempo flow that defines the attack doesn't lend itself to players who... more

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hasn't been himself the past three weeks. Can that be explained by a tired arm? Schein: No swoon for Big Blue Adam Schein says there's no need to worry about the Giants falling apart -- not the way Tom Coughlin... more

Around these parts, Sunday's matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys has been dubbed the "Desperation Bowl." Quarterback Michael Vick might not sign off on that title, but he certainly realizes what's at stake. Lombardi: No... more

Each week, Dan Hanzus sifts through the pro football landscape to bring you sublime subplots of NFL life. Some of it he loves. Some he does not. Other stuff, he can't quite decide. The ATL Buzz Report. 1. Riley Cooper gets tricky The Eagles... more

Jake Locker is set to make his return to the Tennessee Titans. Coach Mike Munchak confirmed the expected on Friday, announcing that Locker will start in place of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck when the Titans travel to the "Sunshine State" to face the... more

The Carolina Panthers have taken a firm first step in their search for a new general manager. Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reported Friday the Panthers have hired former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi to serve as a consultant in... more

Harrison: Week 10 predictions Two of the NFL's best teams face off Sunday night. Who will prevail: Texans or Bears? Elliot Harrison provides his picks. More ... We've seen enough this season to know Randy Moss isn't going to be Randy Moss... more

The Philadelphia Eagles might be forced to go without right tackle Todd Herremans the rest of way. Two people familiar with his test results told CSNPhilly.com on Tuesday that the foot injury suffered by Herremans in Monday night's 28-13 loss to the... more

Marcus Vick made waves on Monday night when he used Twitter to criticize the Philadelphia Eagles' struggles to shield his brother from repeated hits. Good intentions aside, this was not what the Eagles quarterback needed. After being made aware of the... more

Chuck Pagano isn't able to work with his Indianapolis Colts players on a daily basis, but the coach's influence is still felt by the team. The evidence is right on top of their heads. The Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday that more than two dozen... more

Breer: Payton to Dallas possible Albert Breer explains why the idea of Sean Payton coaching the Cowboys is very much grounded in reality. More ... A host of factors must fall into place for Sean Payton to become a free agent in the offseason,... more

NFL.com Illustration It's not easy being Andy Reid. It's even harder being a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Welcome back to the ATL Warming Seat, where we discuss NFL coaches whose seats are heating up as the weather cools down. First, a... more

We've had plenty of surprises in the first half of the NFL season, but Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson's single touchdown through eight games ranks among the biggest. Power Poll: Falcons lead the way The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons remain at the top... more

Don't expect to see Mark Anderson back on the field any time soon. The Buffalo Bills defensive end -- who signed a four-year, $27 million deal with the team in March -- is unlikely to return to the lineup Week 10 against the New England Patriots and... more

Mike Shanahan said Monday he wasn't waving the white flag on the Washington Redskins' season with his comments following a dispiriting home loss to the Carolina Panthers. Some Redskins players expressed disappointment with Shanahan calling the season... more

It's a stretch to claim the New Orleans Saints are "alive and well" after their 28-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Just alive, though? You can give them that. The Saints took care of the imploding Eagles, winning for the... more

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason left the Superdome in an ambulance Monday night and was transported to a local hospital after having a health scare during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. According to the Saints, Gleason was... more

Michael Vick was being pounded by another defense during Monday night's 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints. And his brother wasn't happy about it. A Twitter user believed to be Marcus Vick sent out a series of tweets during the first half of the game... more

One day after Bud Adams dressed down his Tennessee Titans following an ugly home loss, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan addressed the struggles of his own team. Khan, appearing on a local television show, called the Jaguars' 1-7 start "sad and... more

NFL owners expect to win when they settle into their luxury suite for a home game. They certainly don't expect to get a 50-burger dropped in their lap. This is, as they say, bad business. Bud Adams knows this, which is why he put his entire organization... more

When Danny Amendola landed on his shoulder during a Thursday night game against the Arizona Cardinals last month, it didn't look good. NFL Network cameras caught the St. Louis Rams wide receiver flinging his helmet against the wall in disgust as he was... more

Christian Ponder is supposed to be the Minnesota Vikings' present and future at quarterback. He hasn't looked that way of late. The second-year pro has failed to eclipse 63 passing yards in two of the Vikings' last three games, a startling level of... more

The Green Bay Packers should have wide receiver Jordy Nelson back after their Week 10 bye. The same cannot be expected for linebacker Clay Matthews. Nelson and Matthews left Sunday's 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals with injuries. Nelson is dealing... more

Promising news out of Indianapolis: Colts coach Chuck Pagano's cancer is in remission. Pagano's doctors said Monday that the Colts coach has passed the standard test administered to leukemia patients "with flying colors," according to The Indianapolis... more

The New York Jets have been written off by many pundits after a 3-5 start, but safety LaRon Landry isn't ready to channel Mike Shanahan just yet. "We still can be in the playoff run," Landry said Monday, via the New York Daily News . "S---, if we don't... more

The New York Giants' four-game winning streak stopped Sunday with a 24-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive end Justin Tuck doesn't want this to be the start of another November swoon for Big Blue. "Let's not (repeat) history," Tuck said, via... more

With half of their regular season complete, the Atlanta Falcons are perfect. 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. » NFL Network schedule... more

Percy Harvin's frustration over the Minnesota Vikings' moribund passing game boiled over during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After a promising second-quarter drive stalled in the red zone, Harvin sought out Leslie Frazier and shouted... more

It's good to be the boss. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed as much during an interview with NBC's Bob Costas that aired before the team's "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. On NFL Network NFL Replay will... more

When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, the difference between the postseason and bust is Russell Wilson. You can stack their running game and special teams up against anybody in the NFL. The defense -- despite some ominous recent struggles to stop... more

If you've ever seen the original "Naked Gun" with Leslie Nielsen, you know the dangers of a hot mic. Referee Tony Corrente provided another reminder Sunday, in the fourth quarter of the Indianapolis Colts' 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins. It... more

Percy Harvin has emerged as one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL this season. The Minnesota Vikings were given a scare in the third quarter of their Sunday matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Harvin grabbed at his left ankle after being... more

The Green Bay Packers' bye week has arrived at the perfect time. Aaron Rodgers and Co. rolled to a 31-17 win over a stubborn Arizona Cardinals team Sunday, but the Packers didn't escape unscathed. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson was a surprise starter... more

Injuries continue to pile up for the Green Bay Packers on both sides of the ball. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson (ankle), linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (hip) all exited Sunday's 31-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.... more

A knee injury kept Calvin Johnson out of practice all week for the Detroit Lions, usually a sign a player won't suit up for the game that follows. Instant Debate: Contender problems The trade deadline has passed, but several contenders still have... more

A glance at last Sunday's box score might suggest the Pittsburgh Steelers uncovered a way to slow down Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who completed just 16 of 34 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in a 27-12 loss . But a closer... more

Tony Gonzalez made waves this week when he wondered why a 7-0 start hasn't led to heavy media coverage for the Atlanta Falcons. Wide receiver Roddy White has his own theory. It's an entertaining one, too. "'Cause we're the Falcons," a laughing... more

Chuck Pagano returned to the Indianapolis Colts' facility on Monday for the first time since being diagnosed with a form of leukemia Sept. 26. Instant Debate: Contender problems The trade deadline has passed, but several contenders still have major... more

The New Orleans Saints could be missing versatile running back Darren Sproles for some time. Instant Debate: Contender problems The trade deadline has passed, but several contenders still have major holes. What's the biggest? Let's debate! More ...... more

We learned earlier Saturday that Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix has no immediate plans to move on from head coach Chan Gailey. Nix would also like to make it clear he's not itching to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, either. Harrison: Week 9... more

Tight end Travis Beckum was last seen at Super Bowl XLVI , where he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the New York Giants' victory over the New England Patriots. Jones: A winning pair Ben Roethlisberger and Eli  Manning have one thing in... more

There's been plenty of coverage on the Pittsburgh Steelers' change in travel plans caused by superstorm Sandy, but members of the New York Giants have had considerable challenges of their own to contend with. Linebacker Mark Herzlich said via NFL.com... more

The Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals aren't known for their rich history together, but there was that play in the 2009 season opener. Brooks: Peyton power Well, that didn't take long. Peyton Manning has the Broncos firing on all cylinders. Bucky... more

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh believes the NFL injury report "has no value" as presently constituted, but it continues to come at a cost for teams that don't thoroughly populate it. Instant Debate: Contender problems The trade deadline has... more

Jahvid Best won't play for the Detroit Lions this season. It's fair to wonder if he'll ever play again. The Lions announced Friday that Best will remain on the reserve physically unable to perform list for the rest of the season as he continues to... more

Jordy Nelson's return to the Green Bay Packers' lineup remains very much in doubt. The star wide receiver missed practice for the third consecutive day and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Instant... more

The New Orleans Saints will be without running back Darren Sproles on Monday. His absence can linger well beyond that. Instant Debate: Contender problems The trade deadline has passed, but several contenders still have major holes. What's the biggest?... more

We don't imagine it's been a particularly comfortable week for Ryan Tannehill, but the Miami Dolphins are hopeful the rookie quarterback will be on the field against the Indianapolis Colts. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 9 Daniel Jeremiah identifies... more

Time to pump the brakes on Jonathan Dwyer's ascension to the top of the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back depth chart. Dwyer, who has been dealing with a sore quad muscle, missed practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's matchup against... more

When the Buffalo Bills handed out that huge contract to Ryan Fitzpatrick last October, general manager Buddy Nix proclaimed the Harvard product would be the team's quarterback "for a long time." Fitzpatrick has become something of an enigma since... more

The Minnesota Vikings got Percy Harvin back at practice Friday, but they were without their other dynamic playmaker on offense. Running back Adrian Peterson was absent from Friday's practice, ESPN Twin Cities reported. Peterson has been dealing... more

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll gave the media the answer that coach Romeo Crennel couldn't. Daboll was asked Tuesday why Jamaal Charles was given just five carries in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders. On Sunday, Crennel... more

Were the NFL trade deadline more like its MLB counterpart, Steven Jackson would be a good bet to be moved by the St. Louis Rams by Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. After all, Jackson is a name brand who now finds himself splitting carries with Daryl... more

DeAngelo Hall doesn't seem to get it. The Washington Redskins cornerback was ejected late in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when he went off on head linesman Dana McKenzie over an illegal block by wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The... more

It's no secret the Arizona Cardinals have serious issues along their offensive line. After the unit was routinely overpowered by the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, they might be ready to do something about it. Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings... more

Steve Smith might not be on the trade block, but contenders are sniffing around the Carolina Panthers just in case. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Tuesday that teams have called the Panthers to gauge interest in a... more

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith went 18-of-19 passing Monday night, finishing one completion shy of qualifying for the most accurate single-game performance in NFL history. Or did he? According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee,... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that questions of Alex Smith's confidence are nothing more than "gobble, gobble, gobble turkey from jive-turkey gobblers." Harrison: Week 9 Power Rankings What is the league pecking order through... more

NFL.com Illustration Norv Turner storms the top of the charts thanks to the Chargers' latest stinker. Welcome back to the ATL Warming Seat, where we discuss NFL coaches whose seats are heating up as the weather cools down. Norv Turner... more

Once upon a time, the Arizona Cardinals were the surprise darlings of the NFL. Their undefeated start seems like decades ago after a 24-3 drubbing Monday night at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. The victory proves the 49ers remain the class... more

Let us cease all discussion of an actual race in the NFC West this season. This division is Niners country, made obvious in San Francisco's 24-3 drubbing of the free-falling Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. This was a turkey shoot for the... more

What you're about to read is real. Bryant McKinnie is the target of a lawsuit that contends the Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman owes $375,000 for services accumulated at South Florida strip clubs between February 2009 and September 2010.... more

Could Sandy affect the timing of Greg Jennings' return to the Green Bay Packers' lineup? Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and a true freak of nature. More ...... more

Justin Blackmon's rookie season has been underwhelming to say the least, and the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver now is answering questions about his effort. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an... more

Ryan Tannehill is no lock to return to the Miami Dolphins' lineup in Week 9. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and a true freak of nature. More ... Tannehill's... more

Victor Cruz and the New York Giants are making progress toward a new deal for the playmaking wide receiver. Rap Sheet Rundown: Giant difference The Cowboys and Giants seem like similarly talented teams, but Ian Rapoport says Big Blue simply finds... more

DeAngelo Williams sounded as curious as anyone Sunday about the possibility that he'd played his final game as a Carolina Panther. Stick a fork in them: Carolina The Panthers had their guts ripped out by the Bears in a Sunday loss that effectively... more

Intent on proving more than one Jones can enter his opinion on the state of the Dallas Cowboys into the national dialogue, Stephen Jones wants you to know Tony Romo is "going to be just fine." On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the New... more

Nnamdi Asomugha hasn't made the impact the Philadelphia Eagles expected when they landed him on a fat free-agent contract in July 2011. Kriegel: Another Philly fiasco You couldn't help but root for Andy Reid this season, but Mark Kriegel says the... more

This season was supposed to be about the Carolina Panthers taking the next step. Instead, they've gone backward, and that's gone beyond quarterback Cam Newton and all the question marks that suddenly surround him. The Panthers were flirting with the... more

Jonathan Dwyer must represent a gift from the heavens for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Jeremiah: Week 8 revelations Daniel Jeremiah identifies three rising superpowers, an underachiever, an overachiever and a true freak of nature. More ...... more

Peyton Manning already has proven he's still a top quarterback in the NFL. With the personal end covered, his next step is taking the Denver Broncos to the playoffs. Do you doubt him? Manning easily outplayed Drew Brees on Sunday at Sports... more

The Dallas Cowboys won't survive too many more of these. When you come back from 23 points down to take the lead, you need to find a way to finish. The Cowboys couldn't Sunday, turning Jerry World into a mausoleum in a 29-24 loss to the New York... more

There was nothing particularly thrilling about the Oakland Raiders' 26-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Darren McFadden looked a bit more like himself with 29 carries for 119 yards, which was nice to see. Oakland's defense knocked... more

The New York Jets are a mess. That much is clear after Sunday's embarrassing 30-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins in front of a salty Meadowlands crowd that got its booing in before Hurricane Sandy sent them indoors. The Jets engaged in a war of words... more

The Chicago Bears had no business walking out of Soldier Field with a 23-22 win Sunday. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Chicago Bears' 23-22 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. ET. » NFL... more

Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill is on the Miami Dolphins' sideline after suffering a left quadriceps and knee injury during Sunday's 30-9 victory against the New York Jets. He is questionable to return. Tannehill was injured in the first quarter... more

Rapoport: Week 8 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 8 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his Rap Sheet Rankings. More ... The Dallas Cowboys have been undermined all season by the inability to do the little... more

Denver Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Saints, but sources tell NFL.com and NFL Network's Michelle Beisner that Porter is unlikely to play. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 8... more

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line has been the team's weak link this season. Things could get worse with Danny Watkins out of the lineup. The right guard's chronic ankle issues have designated him as doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the... more

Harrison: Week 8 predictions The Falcons are the last remaining undefeated, but trouble looms large on Sunday. Elliot Harrison forecasts Week 8. More ... London Fletcher has played in 231 consecutive games. He seems determined not to let that... more

Chuck Pagano likely won't return to the Indianapolis Colts until he finishes his second round of chemotherapy. But despite his ongoing battle with leukemia, the coach remains deeply connected to the team. Case in point: When quarterback Chandler Harnish... more

We've been treated to some nice build-up toward Sunday's key AFC East showdown between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. Jones: Tim Tebow, unleashed? Will Tim Tebow finally see extended action Sunday? Kimberly Jones writes the Jets are playing... more

Rex Ryan told the New York media this week that Rob Ryan -- his twin brother and defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys -- cried to him on the phone after star linebacker Sean Lee was lost for the season to a toe injury. Rapoport: Week 8 game... more

Why does "Tecmo Super Bowl" continue to resonate? Time should have forgotten it by now. Compared to the present-day "Madden" franchise, the 1991 release is positively primitive. And yet people don't romanticize early editions of "Madden" in nearly the... more

Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson have hit a groove the past two weeks. But Nelson might not be able to keep up the magic Sunday. Schein: Packers are covered The Packers will miss injured safety Charles Woodson. Adam Schein has the perfect replacement:... more

On the surface, all remains well for the Minnesota Vikings. Sure, they stunk up the joint Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but a 5-3 record at the halfway point of the season is nothing to be ashamed of. Considering what most predicted... more

Ed Reed's openness in discussing a shoulder injury has come at a price for the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL fined the team $20,000 on Friday for violating the league's procedures for reporting injury information. Reed said in an interview with a... more

Rashard Mendenhall won't get back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. The running back has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Washington Redskins. Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 8 Daniel Jeremiah identifies five... more

Trent Richardson wants to play for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday despite a lingering rib cartilage injury. Friday's practice was a positive development on that front. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the rookie running back finished three good days... more

Nobody expected Adrian Peterson to be this good, this fast. Well, nobody except Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings running back looked all the way back during a 153-yard effort against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday's 21-14 win . He's the NFL's... more

After playing in 231 consecutive games over 15 NFL seasons, London Fletcher has earned the benefit of the doubt. But two separate health issues have placed the Washington Redskins linebacker's amazing playing streak in extreme jeopardy.... more

Jerry Jones said last week that he saw the Dallas Cowboys as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Does he still feel that way as injuries have picked at his roster? Linebacker Sean Lee is done for the season with a toe injury. Running back DeMarco Murray... more

Juan Castillo's tenure as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator coincided with a disturbing number of blown leads in the fourth quarter. Rapoport: Week 8 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 8 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport... more

Each Sunday provides a smorgasbord of NFL action -- too much action to fully digest regardless of your remote-control skills. In ATL Game Rewind, we go back and take a closer look at one of Sunday's games. This week, Dan Hanzus re-watched the Green Bay... more

Chris Kelsay took the unusual step Monday of calling out his own Buffalo Bills teammates for not putting in the necessary effort. Mario Williams -- in the first year of a record-setting $96 million contract -- hasn't faced any accusations to that... more

NFL.com Illustration Pat Shurmur sits atop a list no NFL coach wants to be on. Welcome back to the ATL Warming Seat, where we discuss NFL coaches whose seats are getting warm as the weather cools. We have new company this week, thanks to... more

Dallas Cowboys standout linebacker Sean Lee is facing the prospect of season-ending surgery on his right big toe, NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday night. Lee injured his toe in the third quarter of Dallas' 19-14 win... more

The San Diego Chargers maintain they didn't use an illegal "stickum-type" substance in their game against the Denver Broncos last Monday. Now the Idaho-based towel company whose product is involved in an NFL investigation has come to the defense of the... more

Robert Griffin III says interesting things. He did it at Baylor on his way to the Heisman Trophy, and he's doing it now that he's making good on his franchise savior status with the Washington Redskins. Alfred Morris In a one-on-one interview... more

Victor Cruz is the best bargain in the NFL. In exchange for the (relatively) meager sum of $577,000, the New York Giants own the rights to one of the league's most explosive playmakers. For evidence, look no further than Sunday afternoon at the... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars have dodged a bullet regarding the health of Maurice Jones-Drew, but the star running back's immediate future remains foggy. A source briefed on the player's condition tells NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that... more

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler opted to play through pain after getting walloped by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on Monday night, so expect to do it again if he has to in Week 8 . "I know I'm not going to have any problems,"... more

Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon looks at Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and sees a competitor who needs to learn how to deal with the frustrations that come with losing. What he doesn't see is another Vince Young. That's a comparison that... more

Monday night won't go down as Jay Cutler's most prolific performance, but it certainly will be amongst his most memorable. The Chicago Bears' 13-7 win over the Detroit Lions was about survival for the quarterback and putting some unfair criticisms to... more

The Detroit Lions have struggled to recapture the magic they had on offense last season. That challenge will be tougher now that they've lost one of their leaders. Wide receiver Nate Burleson is done for the season after suffering a broken right leg... more

Jay Cutler is a tougher guy than he gets credit for. Ndamukong Suh put this quality to the test in Monday night's matchup between his Detroit Lions and Cutler's Chicago Bears. With less than six minutes to play in the second quarter and the Bears... more

The Minnesota Vikings continued to build on their status as the NFL's most surprising team with Sunday's victory over the Arizona Cardinals, but Christian Ponder's struggles had to give the team some pause. Ponder authored the worst performance of... more

After helping the Tennessee Titans to a 35-34 comeback win over the Buffalo Bills, Matt Hasselbeck will make another start at quarterback in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. Should we be reading into this? It's probably premature for that.... more

The Jacksonville Jaguars won't have Maurice Jones-Drew when they face the Green Bay Packers  next Sunday . It's possible they'll be without him far beyond that. Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey said Monday that team doctors haven't ruled out the... more

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera has been around this game long enough to know it's rarely good news for the coach when the general manager is shown the door . Brooks: Shakeup in Charlotte The disappointing Panthers fired GM Marty Hurney. Bucky... more

Does the clock operator at Gillette Stadium deserve credit for the New England Patriots' late comeback against the New York Jets on Sunday night? Breer: Jet fuel Despite dropping to 3-4, the Jets continue to exceed expectations heading into a crucial... more

Jonathan Vilma is appealing his season-long suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, but his seemingly endless legal battle hasn't changed his approach to football. Darlington: Vilma gives Saints a jolt Jeff Darlington says... more

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw has shed some light on exactly what he was barking at New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin on Sunday at the Meadowlands. Jones: Eli automatic -- as always As the Giants -- and their opponents -- know, QB Eli Manning defines... more

When Fred Davis went down with a season-ending Achilles injury Sunday, it was soon speculated that Chris Cooley could rejoin the Washington Redskins as his replacement. Speculation has become reality, as NFL Network learned Sunday night that Cooley has... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten really good at making people who count them out look really bad in recent seasons. If Sunday night is any indication, they're getting ready to do it again. Behind a smothering defense and revitalized running game,... more

For the second consecutive game, Cam Newton was in position to be the hero for the Carolina Panthers. The offense took the field with less than four minutes to play Sunday, trailing the Dallas Cowboys by two points. The Panthers had a first down at... more

Rex Ryan will remember this as the one that got away. The New York Jets could've turned the AFC East upside down had they finished the job against the New England Patriots on Sunday. They couldn't get it done in a crushing 29-26 overtime loss at... more

We already knew Adrian Peterson still was a playmaker for the Minnesota Vikings. Now we know he can carry the team all by himself if necessary. On a day when Christian Ponder finished with just 58 passing yards, Peterson ran for 153 yards and one... more

It wasn't the most impressive win for the Dallas Cowboys, but this wasn't about style points. The Cowboys just needed to figure out a way to get out of Carolina with a victory Sunday, and they did that. The 19-14 triumph over the Panthers moves the... more

Phil Costa's injury-plagued season just took its ugliest turn. The Dallas Cowboys center was carted off the field in Sunday's win against the Carolina Panthers with what appeared to be a serious right ankle injury. The Cowboys announced that Costa... more

In our new Around The League series, "Stick A Fork In Them," we choose one flailing team each week whose season we deem to be effectively over. Our next edition won't be posted until Monday, but the Carolina Panthers are in danger of joining the Kansas... more

The New York Jets' offense was presumed to be hopelessly adrift when wide receiver Santonio Holmes went down for the season with a foot injury in Week 4. But on the eve of an AFC East showdown with the New England Patriots, cornerback Devin McCourty... more

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed has no role in the Major League Baseball playoffs. So don't expect his shoulder injury to affect his playing time Sunday against the Houston Texans. "I didn't drop any bombshell," Reed told NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian... more

Jay Cutler is not your average franchise quarterback. That's a big reason why so many people are fascinated by him. From an outsider's perspective, Cutler can appear cocky, moody, even petulant -- a reputation solidified this season by nationally... more

In Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, the Seattle Seahawks have two big cornerbacks who use their size and strength to gain advantages over receivers near the line of scrimmage. Can Alex Smith be trusted? The 49ers are atop the NFC West, but all... more

It seems more and more likely that linebacker Jonathan Vilma will make his season debut Sunday for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate Vilma for the Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , but a... more

Entering Week 6 against the New York Giants, Alex Smith was the No. 1-rated passer in the NFL. Things have changed in a hurry following back-to-back subpar outings by the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback. The Niners had a much more conservative game... more

In a move that represents dropping to one knee and holding a clenched fist to your forehead -- while jumping a shark -- Tim Tebow officially has trademarked Tebowing. Breer: Jets still standing Rumors of the Jets' demise have been greatly... more

The Dallas Cowboys are 2-3 and seem to share some of the same middling DNA that's haunted the franchise in recent years. Jerry Jones came out this week and said he still believes the Cowboys are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Schein: How to fix... more

Dez Bryant is coming off his biggest receiving game of the season for the Dallas Cowboys. But will he be in the lineup Sunday? Schein: How to fix the Cowboys The bad news? Dallas has many problems. The good news? Adam Schein says one simple solution... more

It's patently absurd that the NFL record for longest field goal continues to stand at 63 yards. Tom Dempsey originally set the mark in 1970, and it has been equaled by several others, most recently by David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers in... more

The challenges never cease for the beleaguered Pittsburgh Steelers running game. Rapoport: Steel City friction The Steelers' offense has yet to find its rhythm. Ian Rapoport asks if Todd Haley 's intense personality is to blame. More ...... more

Tom Brady can move the New England Patriots' offense so quickly, it looks illegal. Harrison: Week 7 Power Rankings After a wild Week 6, change abounds in the league hierarchy. Elliot Harrison has new teams at the top and bottom. More ... Or at... more

Philip Rivers has been around long enough to know criticism was on its way after the San Diego Chargers' Monday night meltdown against the Denver Broncos. Jeremiah: Is Philip Rivers done? Chargers QB Philip Rivers has been roundly criticized for his... more

All things considered, the Buffalo Bills have to be fairly thrilled to be 3-3. Their season has been one of ghastly losses: 48-28 to the New York Jets in the opener, 52-28 to the New England Patriots in Week 4 and 45-3 to the San Francisco 49ers seven... more

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith said this week that he believed Ed Reed would fill the leadership void left by linebacker Ray Lewis. Lombardi: What's next for Ravens? Without Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, Michael Lombardi writes, it's time... more

Pierre Garcon finds himself in a very frustrating position. Rapoport: Week 7 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 7 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his Rap Sheet Rankings. More ... The Washington Redskins... more

His reputation as a football mind has taken a hit in recent years, but Scott Pioli still knows when the general manager needs to go into damage-control mode. His Kansas City Chiefs are 1-5, and Pioli knows many people believe the team's struggles point... more

Jonathan Vilma returned to practice with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, a huge step toward his goal of making his season debut as soon as Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Vilma back on the field, the Saints now have a three-week... more

Fullback John Conner was waived by the New York Jets on Wednesday after reaching an injury settlement with the team. Shonn Greene Conner has been banged up this season, dealing with a medial collateral ligament sprain and a hamstring injury. A... more

It's not easy being Mr. Irrelevant. Chandler Harnish, the former Northern Illinois quarterback who earned fame in April when he became the final pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, has been waived by the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts also waived outside... more

An injury has once again moved DeMarco Murray out of the Dallas Cowboys' lineup. There are differing opinions on how long the running back will be absent. According to ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys are concerned Murray's sprained foot could result in... more

National Football League Beyoncé will be headlining Super Bowl XLVII's halftime show in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2013. As you've probably heard by now, Beyoncé will serve as the halftime performer at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on... more

Tim Tebow took the Denver Broncos -- and, let's face it, America -- on a wild ride last season. Tebowmania took hold of just about everybody ... well, besides Bill Belichick. The New England Patriots beat Tebow's Broncos twice last season, including a... more

Terrell Suggs is ready to take another step toward his return for the Baltimore Ravens. The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that Suggs is expected to come off the physically unable to perform list this week and join the Ravens in practice on an... more

Eric Decker has a simple explanation for the reason that -- with nothing but sod and glory ahead of him -- he crashed to the turf Monday night. If yall didn't see, they had trip wire out there tonight. I reported it to the NFL so an investigation is... more

Last week, we wrote about five coaches whose seats are starting to warm as the weather cools. Let's make this a weekly segment, shall we? Three of the five coaches on our list last week picked up much-needed victories in Week 6. For Chan Gailey and Rex... more

Monday night was supposed to be a showcase of two of the best quarterbacks in the AFC. Peyton Manning kept up his end of the bargain (and then some). Philip Rivers didn't come close. On NFL Network NFL Replay will re-air the Denver Broncos'... more

Perhaps years from now, Eric Decker and Peyton Manning can laugh about that night in San Diego when Decker tripped over the 46-yard line. In the moment, there was nothing funny about it for the Denver Broncos. Midway through the second quarter Monday... more

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament this week. He's predicting big things once he returns to the field. "Once I get back to 100 percent, to me there's no question I (will)... more

The neck injury that Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita suffered in Week 5 against the New York Giants could be a career-ending issue, a source who has spoken with the player told NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. ESPN's Chris Mortensen... more

Matt Hasselbeck will lead the Tennessee Titans for another week. Coach Mike Munchak announced Monday that Hasselbeck will make his third consecutive start in place of Jake Locker when the Titans visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 7. The Titans... more

During a cursory scan of my Twitter timeline on Monday morning, I came across the following tweet from NFL.com colleague Daniel Jeremiah: A league exec to me last night... "Can we stop debating who the best coach is in this league? It's Tom Coughlin... more

The lights are back on for "Lights Out." Shawne Merriman agreed to a deal to return to the Buffalo Bills following a workout Monday, according to Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer. The Bills -- who cut Merriman back on... more

The Dallas Cowboys made a concerted effort to focus their Sunday game plan around DeMarco Murray. Now it looks like they'll be forced to survive without him for the time being. Darlington: 'Boys clinging to hope Jerry Jones has faith in the Cowboys,... more

Kevin Kolb is back in injury limbo for the Arizona Cardinals. Jeremiah: Big Blue statement Daniel Jeremiah says the Giants' thrashing of the 49ers was, hands-down, the most impressive win of the 2012 season. More ... One day after Kolb was... more

Associated Press Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Kanye West, Justin Bieber and No Doubt are all viable options for Super Bowl XLVII. When the Foo Fighters announced they were going on hiatus , I was crushed. No, I don't have a Dave Grohl shrine... more

Don't look now, but Aaron Rodgers has clicked into that next gear. The reigning NFL MVP was completely unstoppable Sunday night, throwing a career-high six touchdown passes in a 42-24 statement victory over the previously undefeated Houston Texans.... more

In another time, the Washington Redskins would've figured out a way to lose Sunday's game . A 19-point advantage had been whittled to five in the fourth quarter. The Minnesota Vikings had swung the momentum in a big way. In the bad old days, this all... more

If they ever make a Disney movie about the life of Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein, Sunday's events either will be ignored in the script or used as the dramatic inciting moment at the end of the first act. The One They Call Legatron entered Week 6's game... more

"Ground and Pound" has emerged from the ether for the New York Jets. Led by 161 yards and three touchdowns from Shonn Greene, the Jets finally figured out a way to dictate the pace of a game with their rushing attack in a 35-9 win over the Indianapolis... more

On Sunday , the San Francisco 49ers will try to do what they couldn't in January -- beat the New York Giants on their own turf. The 4-1 Niners have improved their offense significantly since the last time these teams met, including adding two players... more

In their grand master scheme entering the season, the New York Jets imagined their two-quarterback approach with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow as the type of gameplan that could keep an opposing defensive coordinator up at night. Five weeks into the... more

Wide receiver Andre Johnson is off to a pedestrian start for the Houston Texans, typified by his one-catch performance Monday night against the New York Jets. At 31, it's fair to speculate leg injuries have robbed Johnson of the explosiveness that... more

Entering the season, few players in the NFL had as much positive buzz as DeMarco Murray. It was widely believed that Murray would build on an excellent (if not abbreviated) rookie season, becoming the Dallas Cowboys' first true star at running back... more

The issue of ball security has haunted Michael Vick this season. He's taking extreme measures in an attempt to fix the problem. According to NFL.com and NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabawala, Vick carried a football with him all week at Philadelphia Eagles... more

Bad things must happen in threes for Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. First, an anonymous general manager called him overrated . Next, there was yet another fender-bender . Now, he's being sued. Harrison: Week 6 predictions Will the... more

The injury-ravaged Pittsburgh Steelers have received some good news on running back Rashard Mendenhall. NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Mendenhall's Achilles injury is minor, according to a person who has spoken with the player.... more

We learned Monday of the tragic story of a Chicago Bears fan murdered at a bar in Jacksonville. Chris Pettry had traveled to Florida to see his favorite team play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday . The night before the game, he had his throat slit by... more

Robert Griffin III practiced in full Friday, another promising sign he'll play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Gbajabiamila: Free-agent desperation Life on the fringe of an NFL roster is tough. Right, T.O.? Akbar Gbajabiamila has been there... more

Rex Ryan's Super Bowl dream for Darrelle Revis is no more. The New York Jets coach announced Friday that his star cornerback will be moved to season-ending injured reserve to give his roster added flexibility. Jones: Jets searching for answers... more

Things continue to look positive for Hakeem Nicks returning to the New York Giants' lineup Sunday. Jones: A fight to behold It doesn't get more physical than Giants vs. 49ers. Kimberly Jones says the defending champs face more questions. More ...... more

The Houston Texans' offense is known for its "Big Three" ... but is that really the case anymore? Quarterback Matt Schaub is playing at an All-Pro level, and Arian Foster is entrenched as the NFL's preeminent workhorse back. Wide receiver Andre Johnson... more

Are you still stumbling around this morning like an extra from "The Walking Dead" after that ridiculously narrow defeat in your NFL.com fantasy league ? Are you plotting revenge against the buddy who sent you that obnoxious email Tuesday morning? Well,... more

Cam Newton says he isn't going to change who he is to make other people happy. "I am who I am and I know what got me to this point," the Carolina Panthers' quarterback said this week, per The Associated Press. Luke Kuechly Cam's father, Cecil... more

Terrell Owens' NFL comeback with the Seattle Seahawks didn't pan out . But the man deserves points for determination. As the New York Jets' offense stumbled toward another loss Monday night , Owens took the opportunity to pitch himself to Gang Green.... more

Unless you happen to be Brian Hartline's mother, there's no way you thought the Miami Dolphins wideout would be leading the NFL in receiving entering Week 6. Darlington: Heart to Hartline Miami's Brian Hartline is the NFL's leading receiver. Jeff... more

If you had Week 6 in the Brandon-Jacobs-Expresses-Disillusionment-With-His-Current-Team pool, well, feel free to break into your signature victory dance. Alex Smith Jacobs has yet to play a game for the San Francisco 49ers this season after... more

Drew Brees made NFL history Sunday night when he threw a touchdown pass in his 48th consecutive game . The New Orleans Saints quarterback broke a Johnny Unitas record that some compared to Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak with the New York Yankees.... more

Matt Slauson threw the cut block that ended Brian Cushing's season. The New York Jets guard has been surprised by the fallout. "I don't know why this is a big deal," Slauson said Wednesday, via the New York Daily News . "I feel bad Cushing got hurt."... more

Just three NFL coaches have been with their teams longer than Lovie Smith has been with the Chicago Bears. Hired in 2004, Smith has been a source of stability in the organization for nine seasons. Bears teams under Smith have gone 75-58, including a 4-1... more

We learned Tuesday that San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers hopes to bust out his imitation salsa dance on Sunday against the New York Giants, whether Victor Cruz liked it or not. Rapoport: Week 6 game rankings What's the best game on the... more

Forgive battered New York Jets fans for assuming they'd seen the last of Nick Mangold as he was carted to the locker room with an ankle injury on Monday night. Unlike star teammates Darrelle Revis and Santonio Holmes, Mangold survived the cart. He even... more

Rex Ryan entered the season believing the New York Jets had a top five defense in the NFL. Through five weeks, it sure hasn't looked that way. The Jets possess the league's 20th-ranked defense -- struggling particularly to get to the quarterback and get... more

Robert Griffin III could be taking a promising step toward playing for the Washington Redskins in Week 6 . The Washington Post reported that Griffin has been given clearance and is expected to participate in practice on Wednesday on a non-contact... more

We've already heard from Will Smith , who has vowed to fight on after the NFL re-issued a four-game ban against him on Tuesday. Now it's time for Jonathan Vilma to vent. Like Smith, Vilma's suspension time -- in his case, one year -- is unchanged.... more

The NFL re-issued modified discipline to two players involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty program, but the situation remains unchanged for defensive end Will Smith. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reduced punishments for linebacker Scott Fujita... more

By my count during periodical trips to area Barnes & Noble establishments, New York Giants players and coaches have written 33,000 books on the team's Super Bowl runs in 2008 and 2012. Alex Smith Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz became a... more

The Houston Texans' fears have been realized in regard to the health of linebacker Brian Cushing. Citing a source who spoke to the player, NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Cushing tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Monday... more

The Washington Redskins are changing kickers ... again. The Baltimore Sun reported that the Redskins will cut Billy Cundiff and sign former UCLA kicker Kai Forbath on Tuesday. The Redskins later confirmed the moves. Breer: The evolution of RG3... more

The Tennessee Titans have been one of the NFL's worst team's this season, losing four of their games by at least 20 points. Even worse, the Titans' biggest star doesn't sound confident the team will figure it out any time soon. "I don't believe... more

It's tough to be a head coach in the NFL. Sure, there's the chance you get doused with a red sports beverage and carried off the field in February, but it's far more likely you'll eventually be kicked to the curb. With Week 5 just about complete, we... more

When the Seattle Seahawks selected defensive end Bruce Irvin with the 15th overall pick in April's draft, it was hardly considered a home-run pick. It was common to hear the pick described as a reach. It appears Pete Carroll and Co. knew what they were... more

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith got himself disqualified from Sunday's 30-7 win over the Tennessee Titans after making contact with an official. It appears he'll avoid serious punishment for his actions. Rapoport: Colts win one for Chuck... more

Troy Polamalu's return to the Pittsburgh Steelers' lineup was short-lived. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Polamalu has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Tennessee Titans after re-aggravating his right calf injury... 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 ... If the New York Jets still view Mark Sanchez as both the present and the future of their franchise,... more

Mike Shanahan gave Washington Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff a vote of confidence last week by not exploring other options following Cundiff's 1-for-4 kicking day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After Cundiff missed his second 31-yard gimme in as many... more

The New York Giants waited a month for second-round draft pick Rueben Randle to make an impact. Randle -- who entered Week 5 with one reception all season -- stepped up during the Giants' 41-27 win over the Cleveland Browns with six catches for 82... more

Face it: The NFL wasn't the same last season without the annual showdown between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Tom Brady New England Patriots versus Indianapolis Colts was the matchup of the aughts, must-see TV that almost always lived up to... more

The most upsetting news of the week came Tuesday morning, when it was announced that Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano was taking a leave from the team after being diagnosed with leukemia. Brandt: Biggest surprise players Plenty of players have... more

There will be no uncertainty about Greg Jennings' status this week. The Green Bay Packers already have ruled out the wide receiver for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Jennings reaggravated a groin injury last Sunday during the Packers'... more

In his first four years in the NFL, Jake Long garnered a reputation as perhaps the league's preemiment left tackle. Rapoport: Week 5 game rankings What's the best game on the Week 5 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport puts them in order in his weekly Rap... more

In his role as a radio analyst for the Seattle Seahawks, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has gotten a very good look at Russell Wilson this season. Moon sat with Wilson on the Seahawks' team plane following an ugly three-interception outing... more

In a perfect world for Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice, ESPN cameras don't catch Jay Cutler ignoring him following a series Monday night . But Tice knows how this all works. While we're sure he wasn't thrilled with Cutler's actions toward... more

Don't expect to see Aaron Hernandez on the field against the Denver Broncos, but a return to the New England Patriots' lineup is on the horizon for the tight end. NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Thursday that Hernandez is a virtual... more

Playing for the first time since injuring his knee, Reggie Bush wasn't his explosive self in the Miami Dolphins' 24-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. Bush wasn't terrible by any means -- rushing for 67 yards on 17 carries -- but he played at... more

Rueben Randle isn't sure what Cris Collinsworth is talking about. During NBC's Sunday night broadcast of the New York Giants' 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Collinsworth said Randle's work ethic has "been questioned a bit with the Giants." He... more

In a perfect world, Aaron Kromer would ride in on his white horse and rescue the New Orleans Saints from a rudderless demise. Brees game-by-game Drew Brees stands to break Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive games with a TD. Pro Football HOF breaks... more

The Kansas City Chiefs' offense took a substantial hit Wednesday with news that tight end Kevin Boss was placed on injured reserve because of concussion issues. The Kansas City Star reported that doctors told Boss he would not be cleared for the rest... more

The New York Giants' depth chart at wide receiver could face another challenge Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Ramses Barden wouldn't practice Wednesday after he suffered a concussion late in last Sunday's 19-17 loss... more

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had just one catch in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Carolina Panthers, not exactly the type of production you expect from one of the game's brightest young stars. Matt Ryan There's a reason for that.... more

For people who picked Tony Romo to be the NFL MVP this season (Dan sheepishly raises hand ), Monday night was not promising. Rapoport: Cowboys at crossroads The Cowboys head into a bye week 2-2 and fresh off an embarrassing loss. Ian Rapoport takes... more

With Santonio Holmes possibly out for the season , the New York Jets need to add a wide receiver. Just don't expect it to be one of the high-profile names on the free-agent pile. Are the New York Jets in free fall? Rex Ryan and the Jets had high... more

Could the feud between New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy finally be over? (Please let it be over. Please let it be over. Please let it be over.) As you might recall, McCoy has tweeted that... more

The Oakland Raiders' bye week has come at an ideal time for wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Power Poll: Houston Texans rule For the second straight week, the Texans are a unanimous No. 1 in the NFL.com Power Poll. Where did our experts rank your... more

Saddled with expectations for the first time since the era of Zubaz , the Detroit Lions certainly qualify as one of the NFL's biggest disappointments of the season's first month. Power Poll: Houston Texans rule For the second straight week, the Texans... more

The Miami Dolphins shook up their wide receiver unit on Tuesday, releasing Legedu Naanee and signing Jabar Gaffney. Ryan Tannehill Gaffney, 31, spent last season with the Washington Redskins, where he set career highs in receptions (68) and... more

With the Dallas Cowboys suddenly at a crossroads , expect to hear plenty of speculation about the job security of Jason Garrett. Garrett has been teflon in his first two years as coach, but don't expect him to survive the offseason if Dallas misses the... more

The legend of RG3 swelled ever more on Monday with the news that a headset malfunction forced Robert Griffin III to call his own plays late in Sunday's 24-22 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robert Griffin III And while Griffin deserves... more

The way this season has gone for the New York Jets, how could they expect anything else but the worst-case scenario regarding wide receiver Santonio Holmes? Holmes was carted off with a foot injury in Sunday's 34-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. On... more

If the NFL were reality television -- and let's face it, it kind of is -- Jay Cutler would be its greatest villain. Cutler is the bad guy with charisma. He's the heel who moves the needle. How can it be a coincidence that he's making babies with Kristin... more

The Chicago Bears played a complete game on Monday night in Dallas, consistently hitting on big plays on offense and forcing game-changing turnovers on the other side of the ball. Here's what else we learned in the Bears' resounding 34-18 win over the... more

The Tennessee Titans might be forced to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings this week without quarterback Jake Locker. Chris Johnson ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday night that Locker isn't expected to play Sunday after separating his left... more

Let's face it: Life is markedly better now that replacement officials have been replaced by the real deal. This goes beyond the obvious upgrade in competence we saw on display Week 4. If the fake refs were still working on Monday night, then this... more

Arian Foster leads the NFL with 103 carries through four games. That puts him on pace for 412 rushes this season. That's a lot. Only five players have reached the 400 Club. Unless your name is Eric Dickerson or perhaps Eddie George, you're never the... more

Mike Shanahan didn't get off to a great start with the Washington Redskins. Shanahan's Redskins took up residency in the NFC East cellar in each of his first two seasons with the team. He also publicly staked his reputation behind the relative merits of... more

Brandon Meriweather was prepared to make his season debut Sunday before his situation took a bizarre left turn two hours before kickoff. The Washington Redskins' safety was running down a pass toward the end zone when he collided with teammate Aldrick... more

Just 10 months ago, Adrian Peterson's left knee was shredded. With one hit, his future had been rendered a complete mystery. The Minnesota Vikings star vowed he'd never miss a game. He said he'd still be productive when he returned. He was going to be... more

Of all the indignities suffered by the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon , perhaps the worst was Jim Harbaugh schooling Rex Ryan on the intricacies of the Wildcat. Colin Kaepernick rushed for more yardage than the entire Jets team in a humiliating 34-0... more

If Andy Reid could bottle a performance by Michael Vick, Sunday night's might be it. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback didn't make any plays that will end up on a highlight reel, but Vick delivered a smart, efficient performance in a 19-17 win... more

What started as a seemingly innocuous poke in the eye led to a trip to the locker room for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on Sunday night. The Eagles originally announced Asomugha had been taken to Wills Eye Hospital for further... more

It's very rare that you get to watch a man's career hanging in the balance before your very eyes. But that's what unfolded Sunday night, as Washington Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff lined up for his final field-goal attempt against the Tampa Bay... more

The Denver Broncos' domination of the Oakland Raiders on Sunday did more than move them back to the .500 mark. It also reaffirmed their status as the AFC's biggest wild card as the 2012 season begins to take shape. We've seen good, bad and ugly... more

It's too early to say if this is the season the Atlanta Falcons finally show up in the playoffs. But through four games, we're seeing signs this could be a different team. On Sunday, the Falcons were backed up on their own 1-yard line and trailing... more

An odd story coming out of Tampa Bay, where Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson and strong safety Brandon Meriweather are both inactive Sunday following a collision during pregame warmups. According to The Washington Post, Robinson... more

Every Sunday, NFL Network reporters are dispatched across the country to cover the biggest games on the schedule. Here at Around the League, we'll share some of their reporting on the eve of gameday coverage. New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers... more

In an expected move, the Oakland Raiders have downgraded wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to out for Sunday's division showdown against the Denver Broncos. Heyward-Bey was hospitalized on Sunday  after absorbing a vicious hit from Pittsburgh... more

It remains possible the Chicago Bears will welcome Matt Forte back to the lineup when they visit the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night . Forte was listed as questionable on the team's injury report released Saturday. Forte practiced this week and... more

How worried should the New York Giants be about wide receiver Hakeem Nicks? Nicks was downgraded to out on the team's injury report Saturday, a day after the team said Nicks developed swelling in his knee. Nicks won't travel with the Giants on... more

When an out-of-work NFL kicker gets a call requesting his services, you can guarantee he'll move fast. In the case of Nick Novak, he probably should've looked first. Novak had a little mishap after the San Diego Chargers called him about... more

The return of NFL game officials went off without a hitch Thursday night, but one Cleveland Browns player believes the referees missed some unsavory behavior by the Baltimore Ravens. "I know that they were playing dirty on offense," Browns safety Ray... more

On Sunday, the New York Jets had Darrelle Revis, the most dynamic cornerback on the planet. On Friday, they met with Aaron Berry, best known as the guy who allegedly pointed a gun at people in a parking lot before he was dumped by the Detroit Lions in... more

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says star linebacker Terrell Suggs will be back this season. The question is when? Harbaugh said Friday that Suggs has targeted a specific week to make his season debut. Harbaugh wouldn't say which week that was.... more

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed has earned a reputation for playing his position with skill and integrity over the course of his NFL career. But no one is safe from the fine monster. Reed was fined $21,000 by the NFL for his hit on wide receiver Deion... more

It has been just over a year since former Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins suffered a frightening season-ending neck injury. It might be the last time we see Collins on an NFL field. Collins' agent, Alan Herman, told CBSSports.com's Jason La... more

Maurice Jones-Drew's monster 177-yard performance against the Indianapolis Colts last weekend proved he's back to peak form, but it sure sounds like his 38-day holdout from the Jacksonville Jaguars remains a sore point. "I came to the realization... more

What are we to make of Brandon Weeden? This week on ATL Debate Club, Marc and I discuss the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback's uneven Thursday night performance, the New York Jets' new goals in a Darrelle Revis-less world and the outlook for... more

It appears the New York Giants will be without wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for a second consecutive week. The wide receiver, who's already dealing with an ongoing foot issue, is doubtful to play this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles after... more

The Buffalo Bills might have both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson on the field in Week 4 . It's also possible they'll have neither. With a matchup against the New England Patriots on tap, Bills coach Chan Gailey is giving us his best Bill Belichick... more

In a more volcanic world, Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley would war through the season like the NFL's version of Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and his new offensive coordinator got off to a well-documented rocky... more

Golden Tate was credited with the game-winning touchdown catch Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, but his week hardly has been an extended victory lap. The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver has dealt with plenty of negativity since he got... more

Green Bay Packers safety M.D. Jennings became a household name overnight simply for being on the losing end of one of the craziest plays in NFL history. Jennings believed he had sole possession of the game-ending interception in the Packers' shocking... more

Rex Ryan sure had an interesting way of telling New York Jets running back Joe McKnight he was moving to the secondary . "Rex walked in the room and said I got traded, I got traded to the defense," McKnight said, via Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com.... more

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Mundy delivered one of the meanest hits of the season Sunday, and now he's going to pay for it. Mundy has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius... more

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith doesn't regret his decision to get in Cam Newton's face during the quarterback's pity party last Thursday night . He does regret making the media aware of it. "I shouldn't have said anything," Smith said... more

Each Sunday provides a smorgasbord of NFL action, too much action to fully digest regardless of your skills with the remote control. In ATL Game Rewind, we go back and take a closer look at one of Sunday's games. Dan Hanzus re-watched the Dallas Cowboys'... more

With Darrelle Revis on the shelf for the balance of the 2012 season, the New York Jets have no choice but to take some chances. Case in point: Rex Ryan announced Wednesday that running back Joe McKnight will have an increased role at cornerback going... more

Green Bay Packers guard (and freshly bronzed Twitter icon ) T.J. Lang painted a picture of a Green Bay Packers team flirting with desperate measures as they flew home from Seattle on Monday night. Lang, a guest on WXYT-FM in Detroit on Tuesday,... more

The NFL waited a full week before announcing fines for Denver Broncos coaches John Fox and Jack Del Rio for their treatment of replacement officials last Monday night in Atlanta. The league is acting quicker following incidents with officials in a... more

As Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers arrived back at Lambeau Field at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, they were met by picketing fans still outraged about the events of the previous night. This was no ordinary loss . McCarthy's job right... more

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate secured himself a nice little place in NFL lore Monday night as the man who inadvertently set off the replacement official apocalypse. As you might imagine, the controversial nature of Tate's Hail Mary... more

Darrelle Revis' season is almost certainly over for the New York Jets. But the star cornerback is making sure his fate is sealed. Revis will seek a second opinion on the left knee injured during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins, according to... more

If you were hoping Pete Carroll would somehow dismiss Monday night's victory, or admit his Seattle Seahawks didn't earn what came their way against the Green Bay Packers, think again. In an NFL Network interview that aired Tuesday on "NFL Total... more

Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays has been suspended one game and fined $50,000 by the NFL for his brutal hit on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on Sunday, according to NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer. The league confirmed the decision... more

You know it's an election year when the President of the United States is tweeting about the NFL's referee apocalypse . NFL fans on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon. -bo - Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 25, 2012... more

Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor would like to point out the last play of the game wasn't the only egregious blown call by replacement officials during Monday night's win over the Green Bay Packers. im tired of them lame dudes talking, if it... more

We wondered what would happen when a error by replacement officials cost a team a game. We're about to find out. Golden Tate's controversial, 24-yard touchdown catch as time expired set off one of the strangest end-of-game sequences in NFL history.... more

Sometimes complicated things can be explained in simple ways. Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang managed to put his team's crushing, controversial 14-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night in 140-character form. "Got f----- by the refs," Lang... more

The Seattle Seahawks' defense went off on "Monday Night Football ." In a stunning show on the national stage, the Seahawks sacked Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers eight times in the first half. It was a perfect half for Pete Carroll's... more

C.J. Spiller was carted off the field Sunday after suffering a shoulder injury . These situations rarely end well. Fortunately for the Buffalo Bills, Spiller appears to have dodged major injury. Bills coach Chan Gailey said Monday that the running... more

What are we to make of Jason Witten's dreadfully slow start for the Dallas Cowboys? Witten tells us the spleen injury he suffered in the preseason is healed. But through three games, the tight end has eight catches for 76 yards and no touchdowns. In... more

Note: What you're about to read is an unadulterated pity party by Dan Hanzus, Around The League's resident tortured New York Jets fan. No one has seen him blink since Rex Ryan's press conference Monday morning. In terms of shocking injuries in Jets... more

Darrelle Revis made no secret he wanted a new contract in the offseason. The New York Jets weren't interested in renegotiating the "band-aid" deal signed in 2010. Revis swallowed hard, reported on time and began a new season playing under the terms of a... more

Bryan Thomas' blink-and-you'll-miss-it absence from the New York Jets is over. The Jets re-signed Thomas on Monday, two days after they released him. The 33-year-old linebacker had been the Jets' longest-tenured player before his surprising departure.... more

Austin Collie's NFL career has taken yet another disappointing turn. Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano announced Monday that the wide receiver suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee during Sunday's game, according to The Indianapolis... more

In what should be a recurring theme this week, the NFL has fined Denver Broncos coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for their dealings with replacement officials last Monday night . Fox was fined $30,000 and Del Rio $25,000, according... more

The New York Jets built their blueprint for success in 2012 around the potential of Shonn Greene and the return of "ground and pound." With Greene struggling through three weeks, Jets coach Rex Ryan acknowledged "it's possible" Bilal Powell and Joe... more

The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens lived up to the hype Sunday night. The Ravens erased a nine-point deficit with less than five minutes to play in a rematch of the AFC Championship Game. Here's what we took out of Baltimore's wild 31-30... more

Torrey Smith's decision to play for the Baltimore Ravens one day after his brother died was commendable. His performance was remarkable. The second-year pro hauled in two touchdown passes Sunday night, finishing with six catches for 127 yards in the... more

Are the Arizona Cardinals the most surprising team in football? You certainly can make a strong case. Ken Whisenhunt's team dominated the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in a 27-6 win , moving to 3-0 on the season. It's the Cardinals' first 3-0 start... more

Randy Moss returned to the place where he built his legend Sunday, but the wide receiver appeared to be little more than a nostalgia act. Moss started against the Minnesota Vikings and was targeted six times, more passes than he'd seen in the San... more

One day, historians will look back at the idea of "icing the kicker" the same way we view the medical treatment of injured soldiers during the Civil War. Well-meaning but primitive. Joe Philbin became the latest to be burned by the misguided strategy.... more

Other young quarterbacks in the NFL get more headlines, but it's time to start paying attention to Christian Ponder. The Minnesota Vikings were given little chance against the San Francisco 49ers and their fearsome defense. But Ponder played the type of... more

The New York Jets are holding their breath on Darrelle Revis. The star cornerback suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee Sunday late in the third quarter of the Jets' 23-20 overtime victory over the Miami Dolphins . He did not return to the game... more

Mark Sanchez remains the New York Jets' choice at quarterback, but Tim Tebow got in the mix in his own way on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. With the Jets trailing 10-0 midway through the second quarter and facing a fourth-and-3 at their own... more

We're getting close to another Sunday of glorious football. Here are some subplots to watch for: »   Deion Branch is back in the fold for the New England Patriots, but we'd be surprised if receiver Wes Welker doesn't see his most playing time of the... more

We've already been treated to the entire "Mark Sanchez Experience" in two weeks this season. Good throws. Bad throws. Great throws. Dreadful throws. Impressive victory. Alarming defeat. Rapoport: Week 3 game rankings What's the best matchup of Week... more

It's not often that a player is celebrated by teammates for committing a personal foul penalty, but we're coming to expect oddity in matters involving defensive back Prince Amukamara and his New York Giants teammates. Lombardi: Deep Blue The Giants... more

New York Jets linebacker Garrett McIntyre played like a man with something to prove last Sunday. Breer: Week 3 predictions Albert Breer examines the bizarre situation of Wes  Welker in New England and provides picks for all 16 Week 3 games. More... more

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley would like you to know the opinions of his agent don't reflect the views of the players he represents. Especially when said opinions involve Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers. Blake Baratz, Finley's agent,... more

Friday already has given us news on the end of one grudge between Marcus Allen and the Oakland Raiders . How about Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers? In a podcast interview with ESPN's Mike Tirico , Favre reminisced about his time in Green Bay and... more

Al Davis is gone. And so, too, apparently is the long-running feud between the Oakland Raiders and one of their greatest stars. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reported Friday that Marcus Allen will light the Raiders' ceremonial flame in honor of the late... more

The sideline cameraman whom New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle collided with Thursday night was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The same could be said for Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations. Lombardi: Deep... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the part of aggressors in that infamous final kneel-down at the Meadowlands last Sunday, but the New York Giants are the ones paying the price. The NFL fined offensive linemen David Baas and Kevin Boothe $7,875 apiece for... more

I watched the New York Giants flatten the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night at a crusty beach bar in Marina del Rey, Calif. I didn't want to be there. I had a headache. Who goes to a bar with a headache? Then again, I didn't have much of a choice.... more

Greg Jennings is confident he'll be on the field when the Green Bay Packers meet the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night . How realistic that is remains to be seen. Brandt: Special attention In the wake of a brilliant fake field goal and a rash of... more

Steve Mitchell/US Presswire Lauren Tannehill is the wife of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but she's her own star. Lauren Tannehill doesn't quite understand why people make a big deal about her. "It's crazy," she told NFL... more

Cam Newton's on-field demeanor once again is a talking point for the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver Steve Smith lit into Newton late in the Panthers' 36-7 loss to the New York Giants on Thursday night, unhappy the quarterback chose to sit on the... more

The legal portion of Chad Johnson's ongoing nightmare is over. In a press release headlined, "Judge approves plea for former football player" (Editor's note: Ouch ), it was announced that a Broward County judge OK'd a plea agreement between state... more

Which version of the New York Jets offense will show up on Sunday in Miami? Will we see the explosive unit that blew the Buffalo Bills out of the Meadowlands in Week 1? Or will it be the lethargic walkers who couldn't move the ball for most of Week 2?... more

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate earned himself a FedEx envelope for his crushing block of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee on Sunday, but he doesn't appear to be a man wallowing in regret. 12th man thank you for your support thru these... more

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush had a starring role in the seventh season of "Hard Knocks" this summer. That doesn't mean he's going to sugarcoat the HBO reality show's effect on his team. "I don't think it helped us," Bush said Wednesday, via... more

Eli Manning knows from experience that it's tough being a rookie quarterback in the NFL. During a sitdown with NFL Network's Deion Sanders this week, the New York Giants star recalled the worst game of his life. It was on Dec. 12, 2004, a Week 13... more

Alex Smith is free to root for the San Francisco Giants. He just needs to be more subtle about it during his postgame media availability. Smith recently explained that he was fined $15,000 last season for wearing a Giants cap on the postgame podium. It... more

One St. Louis Rams player recently referred to an NFL with replacement referees as "lawless country." It's unclear if he meant that as a good thing or bad. At least we know where cornerback Cortland Finnegan stands on the issue. On NFL Replay NFL... more

The walls of his financial house might be crumbling around him, but Vince Young wants you to know he's doing OK. The free-agent quarterback found himself in the news Tuesday, after a report by The Associated Press painted his life as a tangle of... more

Two days after his arrest on DUI and speeding charges , Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner is in the "Somber Public Apology" phase of his fallout. "Any time that you're in a situation like this, you don't want this to happen," Turner said... more

Brandon Marshall wore a white T-shirt on Wednesday with the words "God is Awesome" across his chest. Unfortunately, not even the big guy upstairs could spare Marshall from Jay Cutler's fury last Thursday night. Harrison: Week 3 Power Rankings Who's on... more

As you may or may not be aware, Marc Sessler and I have become regulars on "The Dave Dameshek Fooball Program," available at Shek's blog or on iTunes. On Tuesday, Marc and I joined Dave and Adam Rank to break down the New York Jets' stinker against... more

Are you ready for more quarterback kneel talk? You're not? OK, that's understandable. We debated not even writing this post, because really, how much more do we really need to talk about the most fundamentally boring play in professional football? Right... more

What happened to Vince Young's money? In an Associated Press report that includes quotes like, "I would just say that Vince needs a job" and "You'd think it would be hard to blow that much money," an increasingly bleak picture is being painted about... more

Brock Osweiler was set to replace Peyton Manning on Monday night. He never got the chance. Had the Denver Broncos forced a punt in the final minute of Monday's 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Osweiler was in line to make one final desperation heave... more

Deion Branch has been reunited with the New England Patriots. A source with knowledge of the deal confirmed Branch's return to the Patriots to NFL.com and NFL Network on Tuesday. The Boston Globe first reported that Branch signed with the... more

Brian Banks was unable to land a job in the NFL following his release from prison, but he's managed to secure a gig playing professional football nonetheless. CBSLA.com reported Tuesday that Banks has signed with the United Football League's Las Vegas... more

The echo of the kneel-down controversy between Tom Coughlin and Greg Schiano has reached the walls of JerrahWorld. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't take sides in the postgame drama between the two coaches on Tuesday, diplomatically stating "that... more

It's not uncommon in the NFL for a starting running back go down to injury only to have his reserve step into the spotlight and make a name for himself. We're seeing this with the Buffalo Bills, for whom C.J. Spiller is mounting a handsome Wally... more

Jay Cutler has his own radio show in Chicago. We can't say this is a great situation for the Chicago Bears, but it's certainly entertaining for the rest of us. The quarterback is coming off one of those games , the ones during which Cutler gets his... more

If you were kid growing up in the 80s, Steve Sabol was nothing less than the keeper of the gate for the NFL and its rich history. One of my fondest sports memories is waking up at dawn every Super Bowl Sunday, turning on ESPN and watching the NFL Films... more

The Atlanta Falcons made certain the Peyton Manning Comeback Tour won't be without its share of adversity. Manning's three first-quarter interceptions set the tone for a frustrating evening for the Denver Broncos, who couldn't overcome a 20-point... more

Peyton Manning's first two games with the Denver Broncos have played out like one of those old "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. Week 1 was the happy ending . Manning operates like a surgeon out of the no-huddle, generates four consecutive scoring... more

Matthew Stafford chose to focus on the positives after the Detroit Lions' 27-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Rap Sheet Rundown: Week 2 The Eagles' defense is looking good in 2012. Ian Rapoport explains why, and runs down other... more

Really now: If New England Patriots fans had to choose a geographic pinpoint as the worst spot in the world, wouldn't it be those blasted steps going down to the locker room at Gillette Stadium? Instant Debate: More troubling loss? The Pats and... more

Tom Gannam/Associated Press Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered the first loss of his NFL career Sunday. This Robert Griffin III character is deadly serious about brand loyalty. During on-field warmups prior to the... more

When it comes to Darrelle Revis, there sure seems to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding a guy who suffered a "mild" concussion. A day after the star cornerback sat out the New York Jets' 27-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rex Ryan made no... more

Kevin Kolb was the man behind center when the Arizona Cardinals shocked the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Based on Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt's update on injured starter John Skelton, Kolb could have the opportunity to... more

Reggie Bush made it no secret his goal was to lead the NFL in rushing in 2012. Through two weeks, Bush has run for 241 yards. Only the Buffalo Bills' C.J. Spiller (292 yards) is ahead of him. So yes, Bush is living up to his own hype so far. He... more

The Detroit Lions came into Candlestick Park looking to put their powerful offense on display in primetime. Instead, they became the latest NFC power to be humbled by a scary good San Francisco 49ers defense. Here's what else we learned during San... more

Wes Welker isn't sure why his role has changed with the New England Patriots. He knows better than to publicly state his displeasure. Welker's strange season took another left turn Sunday, when he found himself on the bench behind Julian Edelman to... more

A critic of the Pittsburgh Steelers might say their 27-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday didn't tell us much. After all, the Steelers were at home, coming off a tough loss, and playing a Jets team that was without its best player in Darrelle... more

How do you make sense of what happened Sunday afternoon in Foxborough? The New England Patriots were stunned in a 20-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, snapping a streak of 10 consecutive victories in home openers. The Patriots lost despite an... more

Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz don't meet again until Sunday night, but Tom Coughlin and Greg Schiano provided a nice undercard of squabbling coaches at the Meadowlands. Fox cameras captured Coughlin jawing at Schiano seconds after the New York Giants'... more

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 20-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and didn't return to the game. X-rays on Hernandez's ankle were negative, and the Patriots believe the injury to be a high ankle... more

Charles Woodson isn't done having his fun with Jay Cutler. On Thursday night, the Packers safety made headlines by explaining Cutler's performance in Green Bay's 23-10 win over the Chicago Bears as "same old Jay ." Lombardi: Room for improvement... more

So there I was, toiling away like a good ATL writer, when the following tweet pops up on upper-right corner of my screen: Stat of the week: 49ers QB Alex Smith has now thrown 185 straight passes without an INT. That's better than Young (184) and... more

It's been a bumpy week aboard the Michael Vick bandwagon. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has faced a steady stream of criticism following an uninspired performance in a narrow Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. Vick finished 29-of-56 passing... more

With Matt Forte on the shelf -- potentially for some time -- the Chicago Bears are poking around for running back help on the NFL free-agent pile. A league source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune that the Bears plan to bring in veteran Steve Slaton for... more

Jake Locker is expected to return to the lineup for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but to whom will he throw? Jeremiah: Key matchups in Week 2 Daniel Jeremiah has Week 2's top battles, including Ray Lewis vs. LeSean  McCoy and Peyton Manning vs.... more

Last sunday afternoon had to be a surreal experience for Sean Payton. Breer: Week 2 predictions Can the high-flying Falcons and tough-as-nails Niners win in Week 2? Albert Breer thinks so. See who else he likes. More ... The exiled New... more

We now know the New York Jets will be without All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday . After Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley finished their Irish jig of celebration, a reworking of the offensive gameplan couldn't be... more

Tim Tebow would like you to pay no mind to any talk he's already plotting his escape route from the New York Jets. Schein: Still skeptical about Jets? Mark Sanchez and the Jets proved critics wrong in Week 1 win. Can they do it again? Adam Schein... more

The New York Jets' task Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers just got a lot tougher. In a surprising development, Jets coach Rex Ryan announced at a news conference Friday that cornerback Darrelle Revis won't travel with the team and will miss Week... more

The New York Jets limit Santonio Holmes' availability to the media, a strategy meant to minimize the brush fires his words tend to set off. This is an imperfect science, of course. Holmes still finds his way into the headlines, like last week, when he... more

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hasn't given up hope that James Harrison will play Sunday against the New York Jets . He'll need the veteran linebacker to get back on the field first. Harrison -- dealing with irritation in his surgically repaired... more

Despite a holdout that wiped out training camp and the entirety of the preseason, Maurice Jones-Drew said he was ready to carry the load in the Jacksonville Jaguars' season opener. Actually, Jones-Drew said he could've handled three weeks worth of work.... more

Given some actual regular-season substance to feed its engine, the RG3 Hype Machine is now running at full-bore. It may even be self-aware . John Madden made it exceedingly clear he's a believer after watching Robert Griffin III shred the New Orleans... more

It's been a long week for New York Giants running back David Wilson. The rookie put the ball on the carpet in just his second NFL carry last Wednesday in the Giants' 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys , earning him a spot on the bench. To make matters... more

Kenny Britt's one-game suspension is over, but don't expect him to instantly step into a starring role on the Tennessee Titans' offense. Rapoport: Week 2 game rankings Week 2 offers a bevy of highly enticing matchups, and Ian Rapoport is here to rank... more

In what qualifies as the least surprising news in the history of the world ever, the Oakland Raiders appear to be taking steps to address their long-snapper position. Former UMass long snapper Travis Tripucka tweeted Tuesday (via the Bay Area News Group... more

If you watched as much of the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal coverage as us, the video of Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith getting clobbered by Saints safety Roman Harper is burned into your mind. Harrison: Week 2 Power Rankings After the... more

It's unlikely Greg Jennings will be part of the Green Bay Packers' game plan Thursday night. The wide receiver, dealing with a groin injury, has officially been listed as doubtful to play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Packers coach... more

Fact: When "Pimp with the Limp" DJ Laz talks NFL with the President of the United States, we're listening. In a 10-minute interview that aired Tuesday on WRMA-FM in Miami, President Barack Obama discussed both his re-election bid and his confidence in... more

The Miami Dolphins have closed the doors on "7-Eleven." The Dolphins terminated the contract of wide receiver Chris Hogan on Tuesday, a little more than a week after signing the HBO "Hard Knocks" star to their practice squad. Breer: 'Hard Knocks'... more

No-show in Week 1 aside, any NFL defense is better with linebacker Mario Williams involved. That said, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt doesn't sound too despondent about Williams taking the money and running to the Buffalo Bills in March.... more

The San Diego Chargers dared Carson Palmer to beat them deep Monday night . Without Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford at his disposal, the Oakland Raiders' quarterback leaned on Darren McFadden like a crutch. Palmer could get Moore back next week. Ford is... more

Jay Cutler has beaten the Green Bay Packers just once in six tries during his time with the Chicago Bears. The Packers have found success disrupting Cutler's rhythm by playing physical against smaller Bears wide receivers. That won't be nearly as easy... more

Brett Favre's brilliant NFL career came to a somewhat ignominious conclusion in 2010, as scandal, injury and a crummy Vikings team coalesced to take the skip out of the Ol' Gunslinger's victory lap. Favre believed he'd walked away from a Vikings team... more

For New York Jets fans looking to give thanks for their team's commanding opening act, perhaps start with the New York Post. Mark Sanchez It was the paper's front-page cover last Tuesday -- Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow depicted as... more

On Monday, the Detroit News provided a juicy quote attributed to Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston in regard to Randy Moss. We wrote about it here . According to a tweet by News reporter Josh Katzenstein, Houston said the San Francisco 49ers... more

Think of the worst nightmare you ever had. Now imagine how it would feel if you woke up and everything in that nightmare really happened. This is the fate that awaits Travis Goethel on Tuesday morning. After Oakland Raiders long snapper Jon Condo... more

General football truth: If you combine rudderless offense with abominable special teams, your fans aren't going to go home happy. The Oakland Raiders proved as much in a troubling opening performance against the San Diego Chargers on "Monday Night... more

You know what they say: Never agree to a bet with the members of Boyz II Men. Actually, no one says that, but Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in a difficult position nonetheless after foolishly challenging the seminal R&B balladeers.... more

The Baltimore Ravens never have a problem putting their defense on the field to start a game. On Monday night, Joe Flacco got first dibs. "It was pretty much of a statement," coach John Harbaugh said of the Ravens' decision to receive after winning the... more

The Baltimore Ravens looked every bit the part of an AFC favorite Monday night, lighting up the rival Cincinnati Bengals in an impressive debut. Here's what else we learned during the Ravens' 44-13 rout in Charm City : » Joe Flacco (21 of 29, 299... more

Randy Moss scored a touchdown in his NFL return Sunday, but one upcoming opponent said the receiver isn't the epic playmaker you remember. Six days before the San Francisco 49ers meet the Detroit Lions, cornerback Chris Houston called Moss a "possession... more

Richie Incognito admits he earned every bit of his reputation for being a dirty player. But the Miami Dolphins guard says he's a reformed man. "It's a label that has been with me since I was a younger player, when I quite frankly did play dirty and I... more

Darrelle Revis suffered a "mild concussion " on Sunday, but the New York Jets expect to have their star cornerback against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. Jones: Opening statement The Jets have been treated like a circus sideshow, but Kimberly... more

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady doesn't know if he broke his nose Sunday. He doesn't sound like a guy who cares to find out. "It doesn't look pretty, but it probably looks a lot worse than it feels," Brady told WEEI on Monday. "Logan... more

Football came back to us in earnest on Sunday, a showcase of God-like strength and eye-popping athleticism from some of America's greatest athletes. There was other stuff, too. We like the other stuff. Here are the top five bloopers from Sunday's games:... more

Ty Warren's mind is willing. His body seems to be sending him a different message. Denver Broncos coach John Fox announced Monday that Warren re-tore his triceps tendon in Sunday's 31-19 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is likely a... more

The Atlanta Falcons will be forced to go the rest of the way without cornerback Brent Grimes. In a surprising development, Grimes is done for the season after suffering an Achilles injury on Sunday, coach Mike Smith announced Monday . Grimes... more

Jeremy Maclin led all Philadelphia Eagles' receivers Sunday, but there's no guarantee he'll be on the field for Week 2. Maclin had seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns, but also played through a right... more

It's not just that Peyton Manning's back. It's like he never left. Manning (19 of 26, 253 yards, 2 TDs) was in complete control Sunday night, picking apart the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense in a vintage performance. With one commanding performance, the... more

Mario Williams -- the Buffalo Bills' $96 million man -- barely registered in the box score of Sunday's 48-28 loss to the New York Jets. The Pro Bowl linebacker believes incompetence on the part of replacement referees explains why. "You tell somebody... more

Fresh off a rewarding blowout victory, the New York Jets took the reserved approach in comments to the media Sunday. Wait. Of course they didn't. Remember who we're talking about here? Santonio Holmes told NFL.com and NFL Network's Kim Jones that... more

Tampa Bay was in rollover mode for the last two months of the 2011 season, but a different Buccaneers team showed up Sunday with Greg Schiano at the helm. Here's what else we learned during the Bucs' 16-10 home win over the Carolina Panthers: »... more

Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets sent a simple message Sunday to their legions of doubters: How do you like us now? The first-team offense that couldn't score a touchdown for an entire preseason set a franchise record for opening-day scoring in a... more

Who said the New York Jets were in trouble on offense? After the first-team offense was blanked for the entirety of the preseason, Mark Sanchez & Co. set a franchise record for points scored in a season opener. Here's what else we learned during New... more

An otherwise gleeful opener for the New York Jets was tempered Sunday when cornerback Darrelle Revis left the game with an apparent head injury. Revis was injured while making a tackle of Bills running back C.J. Spiller in the fourth quarter. While... more

The Atlanta Falcons' new-look offense lived up to sky-high expectations on Sunday at Arrowhead. The Falcons' defense clamped down on the Chiefs in the second half, turning a tight game at halftime into a laugher. Here's what else we learned during... more

Fred Jackson missed the final six games last season with a broken leg. On Sunday, he suffered another leg injury that took him out of the game. The running back exited the Buffalo Bills' season opener against the New York Jets after suffering a lower... more

The first Sunday of the NFL season is so close we can taste it. So what are some pressing preseason questions that could be answered as soon as 24 hours from now? Here are five ... The Tebowcat -- fact or fiction? The New York Jets have been... more

Let's get one last update on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ahead of Sunday's regular-season opener, courtesy of Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press. Sounds like Peterson still game-time decision. I'm told staff wants to get one last... more

Aaron Rodgers could be wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey next week. Before Green Bay Packers fans choke on their pre-kickoff bratwurst, let's clarify Rodgers is going nowhere. But according to a report by TMZ, Rodgers has agreed to wear an Alex... more

A day after the Cleveland Browns announced they would provide "appropriate recognition" on the passing of Art Modell prior to their regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the team has scrapped its plans. Lombardi: I'll miss... more

Had the Dallas Cowboys lost their regular-season opener against the New York Giants , it's unlikely Jerry Jones would fancy talking about the moment NBC cameras captured a man in his luxury box cleaning his eyeglasses Wednesday night. Jeremiah: True... more

It's been a difficult year for Colorado, which has been affected by the senseless violence of the Aurora movie theater shooting and the devastation of multiple wildfires. To honor the victims of the tragedies and show their support for the state, the... more

Despite breaking his clavicle in the San Diego Chargers' preseason opener, Ryan Mathews spent the last month telling us he'd be ready for Week 1 . On Friday, Mathews finally abandoned his optimistic personal timetable. "I haven't been cleared for... more

Stay strong everybody. There will be a time when we'll no longer speculate about Tim Tebow's playing time. We're getting close ... but we're not there. In "Shawshank Redemption " terms, we're roughly halfway through the raw sewage pipe. Smith: Jets... more

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had to know the question was coming. Perhaps that's why it bothered him. An ankle injury likely will keep Ted Ginn out of Sunday's season opener against the Green Bay Packers. His replacement waiting in the... more

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch remains an unknown entity heading into Week 1 . Lynch (back spasms) was a limited participant in practice for a second straight day, but is listed as questionable on Friday's official injury report. Seahawks... more

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo has been outspoken for several years now on issues concerning gay rights in America. But a single letter by a Maryland politician has pushed Ayanbadejo's beliefs into the national news cycle. It all... more

Perhaps Daniel LaRusso's not ready to fight , after all. Despite practicing all week with the Pittsburgh Steelers, running back Rashard Mendenhall has been listed as "doubtful" on the team's official injury report released Friday. Rapoport: Ranking... more

When Colin Kaepernick faked a handoff to LaMichael James, then bolted around the right end for a 78-yard touchdown run in the San Francisco 49ers' preseason opener last month, the Green Bay Packers officially were put on notice. Breer: Week 1 picks... more

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has no doubt he'll play Sunday. His coach isn't so sure. Gary Kubiak said Foster is a game-time decision for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Jon McClain of the Houston Chronicle. McClain said... more

It appears the Pittsburgh Steelers will be without linebacker James Harrison when they open their season Sunday night. Breer: Week 1 picks Albert Breer provides his predictions for the opening week of the season, giving one rookie quarterback a road... more

With a new stadium project in the works, the Minnesota Vikings now turn their eyes to football's biggest stage. Lester Bagley, the team's vice president of public affairs and stadium development, confirmed Thursday the Vikings have submitted a bid for... more

If you've ever wondered who would win in a game of H-O-R-S-E between Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson -- and we know you have -- you'll want to check out the above video. In the video -- likely shot last spring -- Griffin once again displays his... more

Could the NFL cut the preseason schedule in half? Commissioner Roger Goodell made it sound like a possibility on Thursday. Speaking at the Bloomberg Sports Business Summit, Goodell said the preseason could be altered to include just two games for each... more

Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer admitted last week he needed "a ton of work" with wide receivers Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford, both sidelined by injuries for the bulk of training camp. Rapoport: Ranking Week 1 games Ian Rapoport provides... more

The NFL dodged a major bullet in Wednesday's regular-season opener between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys , as replacement officials avoided the mishaps and confusion that became commonplace during the preseason. Jeremiah: True grit After... more

Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has been openly optimistic about the chances of wide receiver Austin Collie playing in Week 1. Collie himself isn't so sure. Calling his concussion-related issues "frustrating" and referring to his status as... more

Two days after a tabloid front page depicted New York Jets coach Rex Ryan as the driver of a rollicking green clown car, Ryan shot down the notion a circus is in full operation at Florham Park. Evans: Jets must start Tebow Heath Evans explains why... more

So far, so good for replacement officials in the regular season. The seven-man crew working the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys opener on Wednesday night was far from perfect, but that wasn't expected, either. The bar is set at general competence, which... more

It must have felt all-too-familiar for the Dallas Cowboys. Late in the game. Tension running high. The difference between victory or defeat hanging on a small handful of plays. Last season, Dallas found a way to lose too many of these games. In... more

The New York Jets don't let Santonio Holmes talk to the media much anymore. Luckily for us, the wide receiver makes the most of his limited opportunities. During his weekly availability with the media Wednesday, Holmes discussed Mark Sanchez's reaction... more

Aaron Rodgers loves throwing to Greg Jennings, but it sure sounds like the Green Bay Packers quarterback believes this season will be his last opportunity to do it. "I think you have to be realistic about it and think that it might be (our last year... more

Jahvid Best expects to be ready to return to the Detroit Lions when he's eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list next month. "Yes," Best said Wednesday, via the Detroit Free Press . "My mind frame hasn't changed since the beginning."... more

Brian Urlacher vowed he'll be on the field when the Chicago Bears open their season Sunday . Rapoport: Ranking Week 1 games Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order of Week 1 contests, as well as storylines to follow in each matchup. More ... The... more

Last week, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson told us "you can never have too much Tebow." Mark Sanchez had a sharp counter to his owner's opinion Wednesday. "Selling seats, man," Sanchez said with a grin, according to the New York Daily News.... more

Bringing back memories of the "Daniel LaRusso is gonna fight! " scene from "The Karate Kid," it's becoming more and more possible Rashard Mendenhall will be on the field when the Pittsburgh Steelers open their season Sunday night . Mendenhall didn't... more

A cursory search of the Internet is bound to turn up Chris Kluwe's opinion on something . Wednesday gave us the Minnesota Vikings punter's take on replacement officials. Instant Debate: Replacement refs Will replacement officials be a problem in Week... more

Rex Ryan has been with Mark Sanchez since the beginning. Ryan was a rookie head coach in 2009 when Sanchez was a rookie quarterback. They rose up the NFL ranks together, and both took a reputation hit after last season's 8-8 disappointment. If Ryan were... more

For most television shows, the season finale provides the payoff for everything that came before it. "Hard Knocks" is the same way ... to a point. Plotlines for fringe players are tied up neatly, the final cutdown day representing the climax of... more

If you thought "Hard Knocks" was done with Chad Johnson just because he's no longer on the Miami Dolphins, think again. HBO couldn't say goodbye to its star who went away too soon (Episode 2, to be exact ), so producers shoehorned an update on the... more

Don't expect to see Sean Payton much over the next year. The suspended New Orleans Saints coach has turned down all TV work, and is content to be closer to home during his forced time away from the game. In a wide-ranging Q&A with Mike Triplett of The... more

It's been a few weeks since the Robert Griffin III hype machine took a lap around the NFL landscape. Luckily, Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan is here to serve as your conductor. "He's as fast as Michael Vick but he can make all the throws... more

T.J. Conley thought he avoided The Turk during training camp. He thought wrong. The New York Jets released the punter on Tuesday, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. In a corresponding move, the team signed former San Diego Chargers... more

Could the Seattle Seahawks be without Marshawn Lynch this weekend? The Pro Bowl running back is dealing with back spasms that might sideline him against the Arizona Cardinals , according to ESPN's Adam Schefter . Schein: NFL's most fascinating team... more

New York Post The New York Post clearly doesn't see the Jets in the same class as the Giants this season. Poor Jets fans. A year ago, your team was a popular buzz pick to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since the moon landing.... more

When Chad Johnson got himself booted off the Miami Dolphins' roster last month, the wide receiver wasn't the only one bummed out about it. Consider the good people behind HBO's "Hard Knocks," who lost their most recognizable and magnetic star when Joe... more

It's difficult to discern the internal dynamic between a coach and general manager, even when you're talking about a team as media-friendly as the New York Jets. We haven't heard any reports of discord between Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum, but comments... more

Chris Hogan, renowned for his abilities to always be open, similar to select 7-Eleven franchises, has landed on his feet. Two days after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, the "Hard Knocks" star was signed to Miami's practice squad, the team... more

Peyton Manning still remembers the throw he made to longtime friend Todd Helton. It was during last summer's NFL lockout, months before he underwent spinal fusion surgery on his neck. In the indoor batting cage at Coors Field, Manning cut loose a throw... more

If the Pittsburgh Steelers had their way, Max Starks would be ancient history by now. They've made several attempts to slide him out of the picture in recent years, but each time Starks re-emerges. He's the Jason Voorhees of Pittsburgh's offensive line.... more

Hakeem Nicks said Saturday he just needs to "deal with the pain " in his surgically repaired foot this season. A day later, he sat out practice for the New York Giants, according to the New York Post . Jeremiah: Five deepest teams Daniel Jeremiah... more

What should we make of Bart Scott this season? We've heard the New York Jets linebacker is primed for a bounce-back season, how shedding 15 pounds has allowed him to regain the burst that will keep him on the field on third down in 2012. But we hear... more

When Maurice Jones-Drew finally reported to Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, it could be perceived as a victory for Shad Khan, a man who's had his share of conquests in the business world. The Jaguars released a statement from their owner on Sunday,... more

The phone isn't ringing for Plaxico Burress. The longtime NFL wide receiver sits at home in New Jersey, three days from the start of the regular season, with no team to call his own. Burress is disappointed, no doubt. But this is the same man who also... more

Jason Witten's availability for Wednesday's NFL opener is shaping up as one of the great mysteries of our time. Witten, who missed the majority of the preseason with a lacerated spleen, seemed to be a longshot to play in Week 1 against the New York... more

Declaring himself game-ready and prepared to put the past behind him, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew spoke out on Sunday after ending his 38-day holdout . "Sorry it's so tense in here," Jones-Drew told reporters. "Let's make... more

The Carolina Panthers got two big pieces of the puzzle back on the field Sunday. Wide receiver Steve Smith and middle linebacker Jon Beason both returned to practice after extended absences, the Carolina Observer reported . Smith has been out of... more

James Ihedigbo earned his first trip to the Super Bowl earlier this year when the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Now the safety is switching sides. Two days after he was released by New England, Ihedigbo... more

There was once a time when it appeared a foregone conclusion that Colt McCoy would be traded by the Cleveland Browns. After the team named Brandon Weeden the starting quarterback without having seen the aged rookie play a single game, a hurt McCoy... more

Dez Bryant returned to the practice field on Saturday following a two-week absence. This is obviously a good sign for the Dallas Cowboys, who should have their dynamic wide receiver on the field when they begin the regular season against the New York... more

The New York Jets have parted ways with Marcus Dixon, releasing the veteran defensive lineman on Saturday. Dixon's agent confirmed the somewhat surprising move . Dixon appeared in all 16 games for the Jets last season, serving as a utility player on Rex... more

This is really going to happen, isn't it? Let's face it: The replacement officials stink. A collective statement, no doubt, but one that's easy to stand behind if you watched the preseason at all. I'm sure there are officials working these games who... more

The New York Jets are keeping their former rugby star in-house. Hayden Smith, the former English Premier division lock forward-turned-NFL tight end, didn't break camp on the 53-man roster, but the team has assigned him to the practice squad, Manish... more

A.J. Jefferson is getting a fresh start with the Minnesota Vikings. The cornerback was traded by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. Cut tracker Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch... more

Jimmy Clausen survived the Carolina Panthers' cut to 53 players. Panthers coach Ron Rivera confirmed Clausen made the team Friday, according to Tim Baier of News 14 Carolina. Rivera said he's happy with how Carolina's quarterback room has developed.... more

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said it was "a tough call" choosing between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb, and we believe it. This wasn't a quarterback competition that produced a clear winner. Neither player ran with the opportunity, leaving... more

DeMarcus Ware has been nearly invincible during his celebrated career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he can't forget the moment it all nearly ended. During a 2009 game against the San Diego Chargers, Ware's helmet collided against the hip of an offensive... more

Tanard Jackson is about to disappear again. The Washington Redskins free safety has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse, according to Fox NFL Insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer. Cut tracker... more

Rex Ryan is out of the Super Bowl prediction business. Based on the personnel concerns on display during an 0-4 preseason for the New York Jets, that's probably for the best. This is still Rex Ryan, however, a man who always believes his team is on the... more

Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe had an opportunity to remain on the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. His body just wouldn't allow it. Atogwe was among a list of 19 players released by the Eagles on Friday, one day after he strained his hamstring during the first... more

D.J. Ware appeared lost in the New York Giants' running back shuffle this summer. Now he has been removed from the equation entirely. The Giants cut Ware on Friday, Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger reported , ending the back's run with the team after... more

The Washington Redskins have decided to move on without Tim Hightower. The Washington Post reported the running back was released Friday, part of the Redskins' push to cut their roster to 53 players by the 9 p.m. ET deadline. The team later... more

After coaching his last game for the next two months, New Orleans Saints interim coach Joe Vitt was unable to hide his emotions Thursday night. "I just told the guys it's been my honor and my pleasure," Vitt said, via The Times-Picayune . "It really... more

If replacement referees remain entrenched by Week 1 of the regular season, Shannon Eastin will make NFL history once again. Earlier this month, Eastin, 42, became the first female to work on an NFL officiating crew in the preseason. On Sept. 9,... more

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt was thrilled to learn the NFL had suspended him for only one game in connection with his July DUI arrest, calling the ban "a gift from God" on Thursday, according to the National Football Post . Britt likely... more

Week 4 of the preseason is generally viewed as a competitive wasteland, and rightly so. After all, a long snapper was rested on Wednesday. A long snapper, people . On Thursday, we saw some name brands, if only for a series or so. Matthew Stafford and... more

Will Adrian Peterson be in uniform for the Minnesota Vikings in their season opener? You'll have to wait to find out. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Thursday night he expects Peterson will be a game-time decision for Week 1, according to The Star... more

Graham Harrell did himself a big favor on Thursday night. The Green Bay Packers backup quarterback has become a much-scrutinized figure in Cheesehead Nation, his ugly play in the preseason leading to speculation he'd lose his job as Aaron Rodgers'... more

In the 1995 Smashing Pumpkins' classic "Tonight, Tonight ," Billy Corgan sings, "The impossible is possible tonight." We thought of that lyric Thursday when the New York Jets scored their first touchdown of the preseason. It came against the... more

Jerry Jones isn't ready to concede that Jason Witten will be on the sidelines when the Dallas Cowboys open the season against the New York Giants on Wednesday. "It's certainly not impossible to think he could be in the game," Jones told USA Today on... more

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when an NFL quarterback's rookie season served as a glorified 12-month prep course. That structure has loosened in recent years, and 2012 might be remembered as the year the mold was broken entirely. Five... more

"When I was in camp last year in New England, I had a roommate, fourth day of camp, just gone. I was like, 'Where's Mike?' All his stuff was gone. I was like, 'Damn, that's how it happens?' ... I learned quickly." -- Miami Dolphins tight end Will Yeatman... more

New York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano has spent his career -- like all coaches -- hearing reporters tell him how he should do his job. On Tuesday, he turned the tables. "We want touchdowns, not field goals," he said, via ESPN.com's Rich... more

Making like a tank with no reverse gears, Mike Wallace reported to Pittsburgh Steelers facilities with no regrets about his extended absence from the team. For Wallace, there's only the here and now. He's not even worried about the scant amount of time... more

As you know by now, Russell Wilson beat out Matt Flynn for the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback job. Schein: NFL's most fascinating team Seahawks training camp has had a bit of everything, and Adam Schein couldn't be more intrigued by Pete ... more

Greg Schiano knew LeGarrette Blount was unhappy to learn he'd lost his starting running back job to Doug Martin this week, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach said Blount himself couldn't deny the story told by the tape. Brooks: Preseason Week 3 thoughts... more

The memory of one the most gruesome injuries in recent memory is still fresh on his mind, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Marc Mariani isn't feeling sorry for himself. Mariani isn't soon to forget the events of last Thursday in Tennessee, when he... more

Carson Palmer's bumpy preseason has to be an internal cause for concern for the Oakland Raiders. Palmer has some concerns himself. The quarterback -- who's thrown four interceptions and no touchdowns in three preseason games -- said Monday that it's... more

Apparently, the first Dez rule is you don't talk about "The Dez Rules." Two days after Jerry Jones appeared to confirm a strict set of behavior guidelines for troubled wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys owner said he's not sure how the media... more

Now that Mike Munchak has decided to hand the keys to the Tennessee Titans' offense over to Jake Locker, don't expect the coach to go back to Matt Hasselbeck. Munchak all but closed the door on that possibility during a Tuesday conversation with Steve... more

Expressing a warm-but-stern level of No. 88 Big D brotherhood, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson has come down against the so-called "Dez Bryant Rules." It was reported on Sunday that a strict set of off-the-field guidelines have been in... more

The Miami Dolphins tried to make things work with former first-round draft pick Vontae Davis, but the team ultimately decided it was better off having the cornerback play somewhere else . Miami had its reasons, but it leaves the team with some... more

Wes Welker finds himself in a strange position with the 2012 season soon to be underway. He's in his prime at 31, and he's put up one of the most statistically impressive five-year stretches in the history of the wide receiver position. And yet, the New... more

Perhaps led down Nostalgia Boulevard by the Aaron Rodgers shaving cream pie incident captured above, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took a moment Monday to remember his own locker room victimization early in his career. We'll let the folks... more

The New York Jets acquired St. Louis Rams tackle Jason Smith on Monday, a source with direct knowledge of the talks told NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer. The much-maligned Wayne Hunter will be sent to the Rams to complete the deal. The teams... more

Terrell Owens was unable to hold onto his ticket to an NFL return, but don't assume his well-chronicled personality ticks played a role in his release from the Seattle Seahawks. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll provided a glowing defense of the wide... more

With Week 3 of the preseason completed, most regulars are done with live action until the real games kick off next month. Some players used these games to endear themselves to coaches and carve out defined roles with their team. Others did not. Here's... more

The Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) during practice Monday and is expected to be fine by Week 1 , a source told Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post. The Miami Herald reported Long was protecting... more

In obvious news that also provides context to just how long this mess has dragged on, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey said Monday that running back Rashad Jennings likely will start in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9 .... more

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt would love to have picked a starting quarterback by now. He really would. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to Coaches Film , which includes camera angles previously only... more

If you're in the market for a large pizza with up to five toppings and a 2-liter bottle of Pepsi, or you just always wondered what kind of flow Jerry Jones had, please indulge in the video above. Jones' rapping career isn't just for fun, mind you. He... more

Austin Collie is coming back, and probably sooner than you thought. Despite suffering a concussion last week -- Collie's fourth in the past 15 months -- Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Monday the wide receiver should be ready for the... more

If you thought Thursday night would provide some clarity to the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback battle, think again. John Skelton got the start against the Tennessee Titans, but did nothing to cement himself atop the Cardinals' depth chart. Skelton... more

If you didn't see the injury suffered by Marc Mariani on Thursday night, consider yourself lucky. Brandt: Proving ground in the AFC Gil Brandt identifies two players -- one offensive and one defensive -- with something to prove on each AFC team. More... more

You have to love Jim Irsay. There are many NFL owners, but only one who sends out tweets like this: SERIOUS TRADE WINDS Swirling! We're talking given up high pick for SERIOUS Vet/Starter!.. these deals often crumble n don't reach completion â?? Jim... more

Santonio Holmes could be back sooner than you think. The New York Jets wide receiver said the back, rib, and hamstring issues on his left side are "clearing up." Don't expect him to play on Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers , but it sounds like... more

Here we are, set to begin Week 3 of the preseason. The big show is approaching. How amped are you? Before the action starts, let's kill a little time with an Around the League mailbag. As always, these are actual questions from our Twitter followers:... more

It's not easy being Wayne Hunter. After the right tackle played the two worst quarters of his football life on Saturday against the New York Giants, Hunter's abilities -- or lack thereof -- became the dominant talking point surrounding the New York... more

Michael Vick's public persona is like the weather in Texas. If you don't like it, wait five minutes and it's sure to change. Instant Debate: Philly's biggest fear Can the Eagles make the playoffs if Michael Vick isn't healthy for the entire season?... more

The Terrelle Pryor Experiment in Oakland remains very much a work in progress. "Progress" might be too strong a word at this juncture, at least in terms of live action. Pryor admitted himself that he played like "dog crap" in the Oakland Raiders'... more

It's officially put up or shut up time for the Buffalo Bills. The offseason is over, a stretch of months that saw the team spend big money to retain its offensive core (Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson) and rebuild a suspect defense (Mario Williams, Mark... more

Well, it's come to this for the Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo's No. 1 wide receiver target is -- wait for it -- Kevin Ogletree. Rosenthal: Cowboy clunkers Jerry Jones says last year was his most disappointing. Gregg Rosenthal disagrees, providing five... more

Cullen Jenkins found himself in the 24-hour news cycle this week when his sideline yelling match with Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid was captured by cameras during ESPN's "Monday Night Football" telecast. Reid brushed off the argument as a product... more

Vernon Gholston has risen once more. The 26-year-old linebacker, on the short list of greatest draft busts of the past decade, has signed with the St. Louis Rams, the team announced. Breer: New offense, new hope Can Sam Bradford bounce back in 2012?... more

On Tuesday, we theorized that the New York Jets could fit as a potential suitor if the Jacksonville Jaguars actively attempted to trade running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Well, let's go ahead and cross Gang Green off the list. Manish Mehta of the New... more

Tiquan Underwood has moved on from his Super Bowl sadness. You remember Tiquan Underwood, right? He was the New England Patriots wide receiver who was released by Bill Belichick the day before the Super Bowl in February. Underwood didn't get arrested,... more

Steve Smith has been a durable wide receiver during his NFL career, but a foot infection has shut the Carolina Panthers star down for the time being. Instant Debate: Youth movement The first five quarterbacks taken in the 2011 draft will start in Week... more

Brian Urlacher might have had a pioneering procedure on his ailing knee this spring, but the Chicago Bears linebacker isn't talking about it. At least not now. "I didn't think there were any quotes from me, or anybody else for that matter?" Urlacher... more

Before the "bounty" scandal sent Gregg Williams backpacking through Thailand , his jump from the New Orleans Saints to the St. Louis Rams was portrayed as a lateral move for a defensive coordinator looking for a fresh start. Not so, according to Yahoo!... more

The Seattle Seahawks signed Terrell Owens on Aug. 6, one week after signing Braylon Edwards. On the surface, it appeared to be a duplicative move by the team. Edwards and Owens are essentially the same type of player, veteran pass catchers who don't... more

Don't get me wrong, I was as gripped as you were by Episode 2 of "Hard Knocks," which included both the emotional story of Joe Philbin's family tragedy and Chad Johnson's arrest and subsequent release. But we like our "Hard Knocks" football-heavy with a... more

We begin with a disclaimer: It's highly unlikely the Jacksonville Jaguars will trade running back Maurice Jones-Drew. There are a whole mess of reasons, all stated eloquently by our own Gregg Rosenthal . But just for fun, I took a spin through the... more

Prince Amukamara will not find sympathy from New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott. Scott said he "heard about" the now infamous video of the New York Giants cornerback being thrown in a cold tub by Jason Pierre-Paul, but he's not ready to engage in... more

As you watch this great collection of outtakes from DirecTV's new "NFL Sunday Ticket" campaign, keep in mind that you're witnessing legitimate comedic chops from Peyton Manning. Everybody is doing good work here -- Eli Manning, Deion Sanders, The... more

Michael Strahan gained fame and fortune in New York as a defensive end for the New York Giants. Now the city will be home to the next phase of his career. Broadcasting & Cable reported Tuesday that Strahan is set to join Kelly Ripa as the permanent... more

Julio Jones has emerged as a hot buzz pick to be the NFL's breakout star of 2012, and with good reason. Jones showed flashes of his enormous potential as a rookie (54 catches, 959 yards, eight touchdowns), and the Atlanta Falcons have a new offensive... more

Felix Jones has not had an impressive preseason. It started with the failed conditioning test. He eventually cleared that embarrassing hurdle, but has looked sluggish during the preseason (five carries, 14 yards, two drops). Breer: Disappointment in... more

Steve Gleason was back in the news this weekend, when HBO distributed comments by the former New Orleans Saints special teamer taken from an upcoming episode of their "Real Sports" series. In the quotes released to the media, Gleason acknowledged that... more

Andy Reid had to know he would get some serious face time during ESPN's "Monday Night Football" telecast when he started jawing with defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins on the Philadelphia Eagles' sideline. Reid had just witnessed a collection of backup New... more

Michael Vick has started 16 games just once in nine NFL seasons. After two injuries in as many preseason games, how confident can Andy Reid be that his quarterback will survive 2012 unscathed? Last week, Vick underwent X-rays on his throwing thumb after... more

In judging Peyton Manning's preseason to date, it's all about perspective. In one sense, it's been a smashing success. Manning's arm strength is good and he's been as accurate as ever. Most importantly, his body has held up, even after taking his first... more

With their linebacker corps decimated by injury and suspension, the New Orleans Saints have traded an undisclosed future draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced... more

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is the latest prominent Philadelphia Eagles player to leave Monday night's 27-17 win over the New England Patriots with an injury. Rodgers-Cromartie wanted to return to the game but was held out by the coaching staff, Eagles... more

For the second time in two preseason games, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has been sidelined by injury. Vick was knocked out of the Eagles' 27-17 win Monday night against the New England Patriots in the first quarter after taking a hard... more

In the hours after he learned he'd begin the 2012 season as a backup, Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck didn't sound like a guy ready to downshift into the "cagey veteran sage" role at age 36. Hasselbeck faced the media Monday, saying all the... more

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is in an interesting place as he enters his third NFL season. Suh gained notoriety as a talented young defender with a mean streak during his hugely successful rookie year in 2010. His sophomore season was a... more

With a long week ahead for his team, Bill Belichick is taking a cautious approach for the New England Patriots' Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL Network has learned the team will rest several key players, including Tom... more

Aaron Berry doesn't have a job in the NFL, but he still was hit with a three-game suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy, according to NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer. NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported, via... more

Let's admit it: We all want Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck to become the "Magic & Bird" of the NFL. The background is already in place. Two highly accomplished college players. One black, one white. Both taken at the top of the draft. Each tasked... more

After injuring himself during a practice drill Monday, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant underwent an MRI on his right knee, which only revealed patellar tendinitis, according to Rowan Kavner of DallasCowboys.com . Breer: Disappointment in Big D... more

Steve Gleason didn't authorize documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon to release the audio of Gregg Williams' speech to the New Orleans Saints on the eve of last season's NFC divisional playoffs. But the former Saints special teams ace can't defend what... more

Andrew Luck didn't have the prettiest numbers in the Indianapolis Colts' 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, but there's mounting evidence the No. 1 overall pick will be an immediate contributor in his rookie season. Colts coach... more

Another scary moment for Austin Collie in a career that's had too many of them. Rapoport: Colts feelin' Luck-y Life after Peyton looks pretty promising for the Colts. Ian Rapoport marvels at Andrew Luck's preseason debut. More ... The... more

The Adrian Peterson comeback train continues to rumble full-speed ahead. Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told reporters Sunday he wouldn't rule out Peterson playing in Friday's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers . "We'll probably... more

The San Diego Chargers suffered a painful blow Saturday when Vincent Brown broke his ankle, but the team should still get a contribution from the promising wide receiver this season. Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reported Sunday it's expected that... more

The magnetic resonance imaging scanner continues to be a friend of the Washington Redskins. Earlier Sunday, it was reported that an MRI showed no serious damage to the shoulder area of star linebacker Brian Orakpo. Another MRI has alleviated fears... more

In a financial decision likely to lead to 3-to-5 days on the couch, an eBay shopper has dropped $1,500.00 for a crude drawing by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. In May, a collectibles company presented index cards to a group of high-profile... more

The Washington Redskins can breathe easy with Brian Orakpo. The Washington Post reported Sunday that an MRI exam taken on Orakpo's left shoulder area showed "nothing serious at all," according to Ben Dogra, the linebacker's agent. Orakpo -- who... more

It turns out the Jets aren't the only New York team dealing with drama after Saturday's preseason meeting between interstate rivals. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is unhappy after a video of cornerback Prince Amukamara being thrown into a cold tub... more

The Green Bay Packers struggled to get to the quarterback last season, finishing dead last in sack percentage. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building blocks to become a modern dynasty? Our analysts like Aaron ... more

After Mark Sanchez's second-quarter pick six resurfaced his troubling flair for the traumatic, the stage was set for Tim Tebow to create a media feeding frenzy in Saturday night's preseason game against the New York Giants. Had he marched the New... more

Earlier Thursday, we heard from a former team doctor of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls who said Ryan Mathews' clavicle injury could keep him out of game action until October. Brooks: Backup plans Bucky Brooks analyzes the impact of early... more

The Cleveland Browns gave erstwhile starting quarterback Colt McCoy exactly one series to make an impression on Thursday night. That's all he needed. McCoy led the Browns on a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that covered over seven minutes of the third... more

If Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are viewed as the game's best QB/WR tandem, let's call Andy Dalton and A.J. Green genuine threats to the throne. The Cincinnati Bengals teammates showed off their tantalizing potential again on Thursday in the... more

Outside of family members, T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't believe anyone knows Chad Johnson as well as he does. Gbajabiamila: Chad needs F.B.I. help Chad Johnson must increase his F.B.I. -- football intelligence -- if he wants to play again, writes Akbar... more

Jermaine Gresham has become the latest Cincinnati Bengals player to exit a preseason contest due to injury. The tight end appeared to hyperextend his right knee at the end of a 25-yard catch-and-run midway through the first quarter of the Bengals'... more

Back in May, the NFL surfaced a study by the The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that found football players in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were dying far less frequently than men of similar ages and races in the general population.... more

In a perfect world for Vince Young, he plays lights out on Friday, proves he's the man for the backup quarterback job in Buffalo, and perhaps puts a bug in Chan Gailey's ear if Ryan Fitzpatrick were to struggle. A guy can dream, can't he? "I would... more

Other than that terrifying banner hanging inside their practice bubble (DO YOUR JOB!), Sean Payton exists mostly as a memory for the New Orleans Saints these days. The coach will be back, though it's unlikely to happen until 2013. The Saints have... more

Mark Sanchez has plenty of doubters these days. Bart Scott is not one of them. The New York Jets linebacker likes what he's seen from his teammate this summer. Scott believes expectations are in place for Sanchez to become a top-10 quarterback in the... more

Jacoby Ford provided an example of how not to handle a golden opportunity on Monday night. With Denarius Moore sidelined, Ford slid into the starting lineup in the Oakland Raiders' preseason opener . Carson Palmer targeted Ford three times. The result... more

In a development seemingly lifted from the first act of a straight-to-DVD Steven Seagal classic, exiled St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has set out on a journey of self. Williams is using his time away from the NFL as "a mission of... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are acting aggressively in dealing with linebacker James Harrison's lingering left knee issue. Harrison underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday, a source with knowledge of the surgery told NFL.com and NFL... more

Santonio Holmes sat out New York Jets practice again Wednesday and already has been declared out for Saturday's preseason matchup against the New York Giants. Brooks: Backup plans Bucky Brooks analyzes the impact of early injuries to notable... more

Chad Johnson has spent the majority of his NFL career looking for the cameras. He did it again in Tuesday's episode of "Hard Knocks," but for far different reasons. Episode 2 of the HBO documentary series concluded with Johnson's final meeting with... more

James Harrison has yet to practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers this summer. Irritation behind his ailing left knee could put his status for the beginning of the regular season in jeopardy. The Beaver County Times reported Tuesday that continued... more

Andrew Luck was successful in his preseason debut. Brandon Weeden decidedly less so. But both rookie quarterbacks firmly remain in the learning stage "I think you just try and get better," Luck said Tuesday. "Obviously, it was nice to go out and play a... more

Adrian Peterson is a running back. His job is to find holes -- big and small -- created by his offensive line. It would seem physical contact on the practice field would be an assumed part of the gig. But then you wouldn't know the new AP Rules at... more

We don't know if you've noticed, but this is shaping up as the greatest Comeback Player of the Year race in NFL history. By definition, the CPOY Award is given to a player who "shows perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the... more

Chad Johnson has released his first statement since his arrest and subsequent release from the Miami Dolphins. The statement, in full, which was posted Tuesday on OCNN.com : Darlington: Never on the same page The Dolphins cut Chad Johnson, but Jeff... more

The New York Giants can take down Tom Brady, but they can't seem to get a comfortable night of sleep at training camp. At least five Giants players have come down with sore backs at SUNY Albany, a list that includes offensive tackles Will Beatty and... more

Larry Fitzgerald is set to begin his third season since the retirement of former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. That Fitzgerald has remained one of the game's elite playmakers without his famed teammate is something to be proud of. Despite... more

Tim Tebow turned 25 on Tuesday. It will be an important year for the New York Jets' backup quarterback, whose NFL career enters a strange state of limbo in his third professional season. Tebow is the most famous player on his team. He's probably the... more

The 911 call made by the neighbor of Chad Johnson and Evelyn Lozada was released on Monday by the Broward Sheriff's Office and Davie Police Department, shedding more light on the incident that preceded the wide receiver's arrest on Saturday night. As... more

When Jon Gruden reminisced of calling Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler "Beavis & Butthead" during their time together in Oakland, it might have been the only moment of merit in ESPN's "Monday Night Football" telecast. It was that rough for the... more

T.J. Lang, the NFL's CEO of common sense , is getting his payday with the Green Bay Packers. Lang's agent, Mike McCartney, announced Monday that the left guard has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Packers. Terms of the deal were not... more

Adrian Peterson was cleared for practice on Sunday, the latest stage in what has been a speedy recovery for the Minnesota Vikings star. Perhaps too speedy, according to Jerry Rice. On Monday, the Hall of Fame wideout discussed his own accelerated... more

In news sure to put a crimp in Victor Cruz's salsa , it remains possible that replacement referees could be used during the regular season. ESPN reported Monday that the NFL and the NFL Referees Association aren't making progress toward a new deal,... more

Jake Locker is about to have his best shot at snatching the Tennessee Titans' starting quarterback job. Titans coach Mike Munchak announced Monday that Locker will start in the Titans' Friday preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.... more

It's generally understood that Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware cannot be stopped by conventional weapons. Tyron Smith is doing a pretty good job slowing him down, however. Ware heaped some serious praise on the 21-year-old tackle Monday,... more

In the wake of Chad Johnson's arrest on a domestic violence charge, VH1 has buried a reality show that was to feature Johnson and his wife, Evelyn Lozada. The New York Times reported Monday that VH1 has shelved the reality show, "Ev & Ocho."... more

Chuck Pagano said this weekend the Indianapolis Colts were "hoping and praying" Pat Angerer's foot injury wasn't too serious. Breer: A beautiful mind New Colts coach Chuck  Pagano is blown away by the football aptitude of rookie QB Andrew Luck,... more

The release of Chad Johnnson creates a unique problem for Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin. It's not often that your No. 1 wide receiver is wiped clean off your depth chart for non-injury reasons. The Dolphins were already paper-thin at the... more

The high scrunity of NFL replacement officials continues, this time via New York Giants star Victor Cruz. The wide receiver told The New York Times he noticed officials were flustered during the Giants' preseason opener against the Jacksonville... more

The San Diego Chargers were dealt a rough blow when Ryan  Mathews broke his clavicle on his first carry of the preseason, but the running back has taken a very optimistic approach to his recovery. Mathews said Sunday he plans to be on the field when... more

In terminating the contract of Chad Johnson on Sunday, Joe Philbin made the first substantial move of his NFL head coaching career. The Miami Dolphins had a one-strike arrangement in effect with Johnson, according to ProFootballTalk.com . Of... more

One day after his arrest on a domestic violence charge , the Miami Dolphins have said goodbye to Chad Johnson. That according to NFL Network contributor and Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer, who first reported Sunday the team cut the veteran wide... more

The training wheels are already off for Justin Blackmon. The rookie wide receiver worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars' first unit in practice on Sunday, according to the Jags' official team site. Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey said the idea is to... more

It's safe to say there will be no shortage of storylines for the next episode of "Hard Knocks." We know all about the ugliness surrounding Chad Johnson right now, but we also have a quarterback race that's turned into a wide-open affair. Sessler: QB... more

Don't expect Maurice Jones-Drew to show up at Jacksonville Jaguars training camp any time soon. Citing a source familiar with the situation, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Jones-Drew's holdout is expected to last at least until the end of... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers soon will be in the market for a new lead blocker out of the backfield. Starting fullback David Johnson suffered what coach Mike Tomlin called a "significant knee injury" during the first quarter of the Steelers' 24-23 preseason... more

Peyton Manning's return was the biggest news to come out of the Denver Broncos' 31-3 victory over the Chicago Bears in the teams' preseason opener , but it wasn't the only quarterback storyline. Following a Bears turnover in the first quarter, Caleb... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a calculated risk by starting rookie left tackle Mike Adams in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The results weren't good. Adams, the Steelers' second-round draft pick, had a debut to... more

After 557 days away from live action, Peyton Manning made his return Thursday night at Chicago's Soldier Field. The Denver Broncos quarterback played only one series, marching his team 50 yards over 11 plays before his final pass was tipped and... more

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie delivered the season's first egregiously illegal hit during Thursday's preseason matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. With 1:12 remaining in the first quarter of what would become a 24-23... more

After a shaky debut at the Hall of Fame Game last weekend, replacement referees will be under increased scrunity in the first weekend of preseason action. Things got off to an ominous start in Thursday's early game between the Washington Redskins and... more

The true beginning of the Robert Griffin III era in Washington doesn't happen until Sept. 9 at the Superdome, but Redskins fans got a taste of the quarterback's poise in Thursday's preseason opener . Griffin played the first three offensive series... more

The Seattle Seahawks continue to show a very loose grasp of the rules contained in the collective bargaining agreement. According to The Seattle Times , the Seahawks acknowledged they violated the CBA by allowing Terrell Owens to practice in shoulder... more

Cam Newton is coming off arguably the greatest rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history. So what do you do for an encore? Jeremiah: Superman returns Cam Newton took the NFL by storm in 2011. The scary thing for opponents: He's rapidly improving.... more

The Seattle Seahawks acted fast to get Terrell Owens involved in their offense. Brooks: A plan for Terrell Owens The Seahawks' addition of Terrell Owens wasn't a publicity stunt. Bucky Brooks reports from training camp that the veteran could be a key... more

Brian Cushing remains out of commission for the Houston Texans after being hospitalized with what the team calls a "minor" virus. Cushing fell ill during a team meeting on Tuesday night. He remained in the hospital as of Wednesday afternoon. "He's... more

When it comes to Kenny Britt, it's safe to assume what you're about to read will leave you scratching your head. On the same day the Tennessee Titans wide receiver discussed his return engagement at the NFL's version of the principal's office , he used... more

Every season of "Hard Knocks" features at least one player who isn't presented in a flattering light. Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis was that guy in Tuesday's season premiere of the popular HBO documentary series. HBO cameras showed... more

Kenny Britt expected a lot of unpleasant questions from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. It sounds like he got them. The Tennessee Titans wide receiver spoke at training camp for the first time Wednesday, declining to get into specifics on his recent... more

Adrian Peterson remains determined to play in the Minnesota Vikings' season opener. He needs to get on the practice field first. Peterson, who tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee last December, has yet to be fully... more

If you guarded Michael Jordan in practice every day, it would make you a better player. Your ego would be bruised, and you'd probably dread scrimmages on some level, but the end result of those beatings ultimately would help your career. Players Only... more

The New York Jets will be without Santonio Holmes when they open their preseason schedule Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini . Schein: Why Rex will get a ring Rex Ryan is truly the perfect coach to lead the New... more

On the day Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid returned to practice , Michael Vick discussed how the events of the past four days has changed the team's vision. "Our entire season will be dedicated to Garrett," Vick said Wednesday, via Phillymag.com... more

"Hard Knocks" is back. And not a moment too soon. After a two-year lockout-induced hiatus, the acclaimed HBO documentary series returned Tuesday night for a seventh season. As I've stated often on Around The League , "Hard Knocks" is -- without a... more

A minor miracle out of San Francisco 49ers camp, where Michael Crabtree spoke to the media for the first time since January. The wide receiver confirmed he strained his right calf muscle in practice on July 27, and said he expects to play in the Niners'... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have issued an early challenge to the newest members of their offensive line. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that right guard David DeCastro and left tackle Mike Adams -- the team's two top draft picks in April --... more

Shannon Eastin will become the first female official in NFL history Thursday night, when she serves as the line judge for the Green Bay Packers-San Diego Chargers preseason game . Things start to get murky once those initial facts and milestones are out... more

The Dallas Cowboys look like they'll be forced to take the wait-and-see approach with cornerback Mike Jenkins. After returning from a visit to Dr. James Andrews in Florida for a checkup on his surgically repaired shoulder, Jenkins essentially ruled out... more

And now for the latest update on America's favorite scrappy underdog, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens. It's been speculated here and elsewhere that Owens will face a challenge simply to earn a spot on Pete Carroll's final roster. But the... more

Justin Blackmon made his training camp debut Tuesday, immediately after signing his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Blackmon's DUI arrest in June proved to be a significant wrench in contract negotiations, and the sides eventually... more

Matt Moore cannot be enjoying the narrative unfolding at Miami Dolphins training camp. Darlington: 'Hard Knocks' primer Jeff Darlington provides 10 Miami Dolphins storylines to watch for in Tuesday night's debut episode of "Hard Knocks." More ...... more

Elvis Dumervil has successfully evaded another legal mess. Citing sources with knowledge of the situation, The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that Dumervil will not face charges in relation to a traffic incident last month in Miami Beach, Fla. The... more

Jimmy Clausen's basement apartment in the Carolina Panthers' quarterback depth chart increasingly appears to be a long-term residence. Steve Reed of The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Clausen remains behind Derek Anderson on the depth... more

Like millions of other Americans, NFL Network analyst Brian Billick was blown away by the show put on by Usain Bolt at the Olympic Games in London. On Sunday night, Bolt won the 100-meter dash in the second-fastest time (9.63) in history. Billick, doing... more

Terrell Owens is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Will that still be the case a month from now? Debate: QB controversy... to playoffs? Four teams have notable QB battles taking place right now. Which one has the best shot at the playoffs? Let's... more

When New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas injured his surgically repaired knee last week in practice, it was assumed by some that he had torn his right anterior cruciate ligament for a third time. Those assumptions were wrong. Giants coach... more

At long last, Terrell Owens is back in the NFL. The veteran wide receiver agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, according to NFL Network contributor and FOX Sports Insider Jay Glazer. The Seahawks later confirmed... more

Dwayne Bowe remains a ghost at Kansas City Chiefs facilities, but the wide receiver might not be digging in for the long haul. Chiefs training camp report The Chiefs possess talent on offense and a potentially scary-good defense, which has Bucky... more

We were all witness Monday to some green-on-green crime, when Boomer Esiason suggested on his radio show that the New York Jets should cut Tim Tebow. Another player might take Esiason's criticism as an insult worthy of a scathing retort. But this is Tim... more

Have we reached the point where the Colt McCoy "situation" in Cleveland becomes the Colt McCoy "problem?" It's certainly possible, after Pat Shurmur named rookie Brandon Weeden the Browns starting quarterback on Monday. Kinkhabwala: New-look Browns... more

With a rookie quarterback set to turn 29 in October, the Cleveland Browns have no plans to take it slow with Brandon Weeden. Proclaiming "there's no looking back," Browns coach Pat Shurmur announced Monday that Weeden will be the team's starting... more

The Faint Praise Express rolled in Jacksonville on Monday. Jaguars offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski served as the conductor, doling out a lukewarm assessment of new wide receiver Laurent Robinson. Darlington: Going for the gold Jaguars... more

Everyone knows about the Lambeau Leap. Nate Burleson has plans for the Detroit City Bounce. Well, that's a working title, anyway. Before Sunday's open practice at Ford Field, the Detroit Lions wide receiver told coach Jim Schwartz he was going to give... more

Mark Sanchez has never been known as a vocal leader, but a fight at New York Jets training camp brought some fire out of the belly of the fourth-year quarterback. The drama started when cornerback D'Anton Lynn pushed running back Joe McKnight out of... more

Dez Bryant might not be in Jerry Jones' doghouse, but the Dallas Cowboys' troubled wide receiver definitely is on a very short leash. Bryant has enjoyed an excellent training camp to date, abusing the Cowboys' secondary and generally looking like the... more

John Skelton, the stage is yours. The rib injury sustained by Kevin Kolb during the Arizona Cardinals' preseason opener could change the dynamic of the team's quarterback competition. The Cardinals call his return doubtful, but you'll see Kurt Warner on... more

Andrew Luck isn't your average rookie. The No. 1 overall draft pick in April, Luck has been heralded as the most NFL-ready quarterback since Peyton Manning, his predecessor with the Indianapolis Colts. Praise came from all corners in Luck's first... more

Derrick Harvey's disappointing NFL career might have reached its conclusion. The Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with the former first-round draft pick Sunday, less than four months after signing Harvey to a one-year deal. The team ate a $60,000 signing... more

One day after injuring what he calls his "bad ankle," Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice Sunday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . It's a precautionary measure by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who downplayed the... more

The Dallas Cowboys are temporarily shutting down Miles Austin. Darlington: Why I love training camp Training camp is here! Jeff Darlington provides 42 reasons why he absolutely cherishes this roster-shaping process. More ... The wide receiver... more

Kenny Britt's rehab appears to be moving in a positive direction following three knee surgeries over the past 10 months. Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak said Sunday the team will increase the intensity of Britt's workouts in the next week,... more

Holley Mangold will leave the Olympic Games in London without any medals. Her brother, New York Jets center Nick Mangold, was impressed nonetheless. Holley, 22, tore a tendon in her wrist days before leaving for the Games, and the injury eventually... more

The Philadelphia Eagles were rocked Sunday by the shocking death of coach Andy Reid's son, Garrett , but the nature of the business dictates preparation continues for the 2012 season. Breer: Eagles rally around Reid Eagles coach Andy Reid needs... more

Kyle Williams, breathe easy: Devin Thomas can hurt you no more. Thomas, who earned his place in New York Giants lore with two key fumble recoveries in the NFC Championship Game, tweeted Sunday that he's retiring at the age of 25. Thomas was the 34th... more

Redskins Nation has gone so RG3-mad that even basic proofreading measures have been excitedly tossed to the side, just like all those losing seasons so far in the franchise's rearview mirror. A season-ticket holder tweeted out a photo of the contents... more

Speaking of Frank Caliendo , John Madden doesn't believe in the "Madden Curse." The former coach/color commentator/video-game icon joked to the Detroit Free Press that he never once pulled a hamstring, despite being featured on the cover several times... more

Ben Roethlisberger was nice enough to let us in on the secret about his injured right shoulder on Wednesday. Thursday began the media's process of studying the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback for signs of trouble caused by a slight rotator cuff tear.... more

Fans who tune into NFL pregame shows to quench their thirst for celebrity impressions, please look away. Frank Caliendo is out at FOX after nine seasons. The comedian confirmed his exit from the network Thursday in a message on his Facebook page.... more

Ryan Tannehill remains a longshot at best to win the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback gig out of camp, but the rookie is getting a fair crack at it. For the first time in his young career, Tannehill worked with the first-team on Thursday. The... more

Just as Randy Moss was being handed the belt as the NFL's preseason hype champ , San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has come storming down the aisle, entrance music blaring over the PA. Instant Debate: Breakout stars Who'll be the breakthrough... more

Jake Locker might have emerged as the early favorite in the Tennessee Titans' quarterback competition, but don't expect Matt Hasselbeck to go down without a fight. Hasselbeck had another strong practice Thursday, going 17 of 22 with an interception... more

Having successfully delivered his message to Michael Vick, President of the United States (and rising NFL pundit) Barack Obama now turns his attention to analysis of the New York Jets' quarterback situation. Debate: Where's the love for Eli?... more

Where is Kentwan Balmer? The Washington Redskins would love to know after the defensive end failed to show up at Redskins Park for a second straight day. Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday that Balmer's absence is unexcused. The team... more

Earlier Thursday, we wondered how Mark Sanchez would feel if he marched the New York Jets 80 yards down the field, then got pulled in a goal-to-go situation in favor of Tim Tebow. This is a distinct possibly, especially in light of the impressive... more

The Carolina Panthers have run out of patience with offensive tackle Jeff Otah. The team terminated the contract of the oft-injured former first-round draft pick Thursday, three days after his trade to the New York Jets was voided for health reasons.... more

If Eli Manning retired tomorrow, would he be a Hall of Famer? Phil Simms thinks so. Simms -- another quarterback who led the New York Giants to the Super Bowl -- believes Big Blue's second title in five years already puts Manning and coach Tom Coughlin... more

Drew Brees moves forward on a new season without Sean Payton, but the New Orleans Saints quarterback admits it's not going to be easy. "Yeah, that's hard. He's my head coach. We've got a great player-coach rapport, professional relationship," Brees told... more

Tim Tebow's role in the New York Jets' offense remained a mystery until Thursday, when the quarterback was set loose during an impressive goal line sequence. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to Coaches Film ,... more

Rashard Mendenhall looms as a true wild card for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The running back says he's right on schedule in rehab following surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered seven months ago, but a return to action remains... more

Player arrests are on the rise in the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't deny the league has a serious issue on its hands. Goodell met with NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith last week, discussing what can be done to... more

One of the more grating subplots of the offseason revolved around a theory that the Dallas Cowboys' window for Super Bowl glory is closing. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to Coaches Film , which includes... more

Ben Roethlisberger previously told reporters he injured his throwing shoulder last November in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. But it wasn't until Wednesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback specified the damage done in that division... more

The New York Giants have had a habit of besting the Dallas Cowboys in recent seasons, so perhaps it makes sense the teams' two owners are taking turns trying to own the back pages. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the... more

Jerry Jones might still be "pissed" at Dez Bryant, but the Dallas Cowboys owner has at least reopened the lines of communication with his troubled wide receiver. NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport spoke with Jones, who said he had "a great visit"... more

Adrian Peterson gave the Minnesota Vikings a scare on Monday , when he was rushed to the hospital for an allergic reaction to seafood. The star running back was in-and-out of the hospital and was back on the field Tuesday resuming rehab work on his... more

It's do-or-die time for cornerback Chris Cook. Cook has been a disappointment since the Minnesota Vikings made him the 34th overall pick in the 2010 draft. Injuries have slowed his development, while an arrest last October for an altercation with his... more

Their best player is recovering from a serious knee injury, their young quarterback is still learning the ropes, and the majority of the roster includes holes and question marks. Debate: Can Vikings right the ship? Questions abound for the Vikings.... more

With wide receiver Braylon Edwards off the market , let's reassess some notable veterans who still reside on the NFL's Island of Misfit Toys, better known as the free-agent pool. Roy Williams, WR : Williams had a workout with the Houston Texans on... more

Randy Moss represents one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming NFL season. Logic dictates not much should be expected of the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver. He's 35, hasn't played a game in 16 months, and showed serious signs of slippage... more

In case you haven't noticed, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been quite quoteworthy of late. On Monday, Jones told NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport he was looking forward to "beating the Giants' ass" this season. There was also this . ATL:... more

Arian Foster has emerged as the NFL's premiere vegan . Houston Texans teammate Johnathan Joseph has a dietary approach that might make them strangers during lunch time. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle explains: CB Johnathan Joseph disclosed... more

Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis is like the Johnnie Cochran of the NFL ... only without any formal legal training, defense experience, or even a base knowledge of our country's legal process. Davis is currently serving as his own defense ,... more

After the two sides failed to reach a long-term contract extension in the offseason, there's a distinct possibility Wes Welker is entering his final season with the New England Patriots. Welker is playing under a $9.5 million franchise tender this... more

Has the NFL moved on from Plaxico Burress? Judging by the absence of any interest from the league's 32 teams, that appears to be the case. This confuses Burress, who assumed he'd have a home by now. "No doubt about it," Burress told ESPN's Adam... more

The New York Jets have cut Santonio Holmes' media availability down to 10 minutes per week this season, ostensibly to protect the outspoken wide receiver from the controversy that so easily found him last season. Even still, Holmes got his message... more

You can still field a dominant "Madden" football team without a killer quarterback, but let's be clear here: If dinner or a bar tab is at stake in a winner-take-all showdown against a buddy, be sure to choose a team with an elite signal-caller. With... more

As we've said before , Robert Griffin III press conferences are fast becoming must-see TV. Case in point: The Washington Redskins rookie closed his interview session Monday by saying "Great job," to reporters. He congratulated the media for their... more

If you're like us, you're basking in the glow of the first NFL offseason in eons that hasn't featured any speculation about a Brett Favre comeback. Favre is home in Hattiesburg, Miss., having traded in his jersey and football pants for a T-shirt and... more

Ryan Tannehill has enough on his plate in his first training camp. The presence of the premium cable version of Big Brother only adds to an overwhelming experience. "I get in the locker room, I turn around and there's like eight guys with cams," the... more

It's fair to criticize Mark Sanchez's progress as a football player, but the New York Jets quarterback deserves credit for how he handles the media. Despite an unending collection of small fires that seem to pop up around him, Sanchez is always on point... more

The San Diego Chargers have lost their sheen. For the better part of the last decade, the Chargers regularly were considered Super Bowl contenders this time of year. But coming off back-to-back seasons of empty Januarys, Bolts buzz has dissipated... more

In ATL's positional breakdown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running backs, I surmised LeGarrette Blount would win his training camp battle against rookie Doug Martin. I based my prediction on the idea that new Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano seems... more

NFL.com and NFL Network compadre Albert Breer provided a nice look at the New England Patriots on Sunday with his training camp overview. We wanted to call attention to one section from the piece, which touched on slot receiver Wes Welker's long-term... more

Unless your name is Randy Moss, you know what it's like to have growing pains as an NFL rookie. Moss' teammate, A.J. Jenkins, can attest. The wide receiver has had some well-documented struggles since the San Francisco 49ers made him their first-round... more

Julius Peppers is doing his job for the Chicago Bears. Signed to a six-year, $84 million deal in 2010, Peppers has collected 19 sacks in two seasons. But the Bears still struggle to get to the quarterback as a unit, squandering the opportunity provided... more

These days, part of being Larry Fitzgerald means facing an unending line of queries about the Arizona Cardinals' unsettled quarterback situation. We're guessing Fitzgerald assumed he'd have a respite from the questioning earlier this month when he... more

When talking about Indianapolis Colts head coaches, Tony Dungy is without peer. Dungy went 92-33 in seven seasons with the Colts, qualifying for the playoffs each year and winning Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Colts owner Jim Irsay invited Dungy to training... more

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks continues to inch toward a return from the broken foot he sustained during organized team activities in May. The Star-Ledger reported Sunday that Nicks has started running and will begin cutting on his foot in... more

It was widely speculated the San Diego Chargers would cut ties with general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner after last season's 8-8 disappointment. The team ended up keeping both of them. We don't know how much internal debate went into... more

Bryant McKinnie is scheduled to make his overdue arrival at Baltimore Ravens training camp Monday , but he won't be 100 percent healthy when he gets there. McKinnie told Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times that he suffered a back injury at his... more

Tim Tebow captured the imagination of football fans in Colorado during his memorable 2011 run with the Denver Broncos. Now he wants to give back to a community in need. Tebow lived five minutes away from the Aurora movie theater targeted by a gunman... more

When it comes to singing for a crowd -- whether it's with your band, in a drunken karaoke session or even NFL rookie initiation -- it's important to know your audience. Andrew Luck didn't factor this in when he was forced to pick a song to serenade... more

Mario Manningham had one of the most important catches in New York Giants history. Brandon Jacobs played a key role on two Super Bowl championship teams. In one sense, they'll always be Giants. But in reality, both players now are members of the San... more

It's becoming more and more evident the New York Jets offense we see in 2012 will be significantly different than its predecessor. We already know all about Tim Tebow and the different slant he'll bring to Tony Sparano's offense. Now we're hearing more... more

So there I was Thursday night, minding my own business in the NFL.com newsroom when the plot suddenly thickened. "Dan, ready to have your mind blown?" said Jim "Rhino" Reineking, one of our senior associate editors. "Sure," I replied. "T.O.... more

The injury bug continues to bite down hard on the Philadelphia Eagles in the early going of training camp. Star defensive end Jason Babin and wide receiver Riley Cooper both sustained injuries in Saturday's practice, according to Jeff McLane of... more

Everyone wants a Victor Cruz. Perhaps no one more so than the New York Jets, who watched the New York Giants receiver effectively end their season last December with his 99-yard touchdown reception at the Meadowlands. The Jets didn't sign a veteran... more

There's no more quarter system, no final exams to distract him from the big picture. Andrew Luck is now a quarterback in the NFL. "Your life turns very simple," Luck said Saturday from Indianapolis Colts training camp at Anderson University in Anderson,... more

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler was a four-time Pro Bowl honoree, a Super Bowl champion and undoubtedly one of the most famous players of his era. Stabler also is the most high-profile name from the latest group of former players to file... more

The Washington Redskins appear to be in the market to add a veteran player to their backfield. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Thursday the team has held internal talks about signing a running back. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant reportedly... more

Derek Wolfe wasn't the reason that thousands of people flocked to Denver Broncos training camp Thursday, but the second-round draft pick felt that way for a moment. "I'm going to tell you guys a funny story," the defensive tackle said, via The... more

If Blaine Gabbert is going to have any chance of turning this thing around in 2012, he'll need Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Blackmon by his side. Unfortunately for the quarterback, both players are absent as the Jacksonville Jaguars begin training... more

Darrelle Revis is in training camp, but let's not write this one off as a happy ending. The New York Jets turned down Revis' requests for a new contract during the offseason, leaving the Pro Bowl cornerback uncertain about his long-term future with... more

When did everyone go and get themselves in such a rush to become a dynasty? In the good old days, a dynasty was organic. You won a couple of titles -- guzzled down the sweet nectars of those glorious victories -- and only then did the speculation begin.... more

Having decided a bushy beard on the frame of a giant has failed to summon the proper level of attention, Brett Keisel rolled into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp Wednesday in an orange front-loading tractor. Photo gallery: The NFL goes to camp... more

Brandon Marshall once found great success in Denver with Jay Cutler as his quarterback and Jeremy Bates as their position coach. After three years apart, the trio have been reunited with the Chicago Bears. Hanzus: Cutler's other targets... more

Rex Ryan has pledged to have a better connection with his team this season. A good starting point will be keeping tabs on his most volatile player. Darlington: Why I love training camp Training camp is here! Jeff Darlington provides 42 reasons why he... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't messing around with Mike Wallace. General manager Kevin Colbert confirmed Thursday that the Steelers will not progress with contract negotiations with Wallace until the wide receiver signs his $2.7 million restricted... more

Coming off a season in which he afflicted the Chicago Bears with an acute case of buyer's remorse, free-agent wide receiver Roy Williams has landed a tryout with the Houston Texans. Brooks: Extreme makeover Wade Phillips worked wonders with the... more

Training camp is here. They allow tackling there and everything. Around the League will count down the top 30 position battles to watch throughout the preseason. No. 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB: LeGarrette Blount vs. Doug Martin â?¢ When the Bucs... more

As fun as it might be to imagine 82,000 Giants fans chanting "Bahhhhhhh-obbbbbbbbbbbbbb" at the Meadowlands in October, don't count on it getting under Robert Griffin III's skin. ATL: The new Vick? Michael Vick's style of play at the quarterback... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly now are playing hardball with wide receiver Mike Wallace, and coach Mike Tomlin doesn't sound like a man with patience to spare. "Obviously, we have a desire for him to be here," Tomlin said Wednesday, according to... more

The immediate future of the Cleveland Browns was on display Wednesday, the first day of training camp. Quarterback Brandon Weeden took a snap and handed the ball off to running back Trent Richardson. One piece of the puzzle connecting with another.... more

The New York Jets might want Jeff Otah to replace Wayne Hunter on their offensive line. But for now, Otah is taking up real estate on the Jets' physically unable to perform list. Instant Debate: Bold predictions It's prediction season in the NFL. Our... more

Despite what Osi Umenyiora might believe , there's no denying Robert Griffin III is already a huge NFL star. Andrew Luck went No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, but it's Griffin, the No. 2 pick, who has captured the imagination of football fans, both in... more

Denver Broncos players reached out to a community in need this weekend when they visited with victims of the Aurora, Colo., theater shooting. Rap Sheet: Elway knows balance The Denver Broncos have Peyton Manning, but John Elway believes they'll... more

President Barack Obama is a well-known fan of the Chicago Bears, but even his day job as leader of the free world hasn't kept him from knowing what's good for Michael Vick. Brooks: Asomugha vs. Samuel The Eagles chose to keep Nnamdi Asomugha and... more

Morris Claiborne finally made his on-field debut with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, and teammates didn't waste any time testing the first-round pick. Quarterback Kyle Orton went deep on the first play of 7-on-7 drills, his pass falling through the... more

We now have a clearer picture of the injury suffered by rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, and the news isn't good for the Cincinnati Bengals. ATL: Bengals cornerback battle Dre Kirkpatrick was expected to push for playing time, but the competition... 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. 11. Detroit Lions WR: Nate Burleson vs. Titus Young â?¢ You have to... more

One of the NFL's rockier rookie contract negotiations has ended with a deal for St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Citing sources with knowledge of the situation, NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Rams and their second-round... more

It appears training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals will begin with bad news regarding first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick. Instant Debate: Breakout stars Who'll be the breakthrough studs of training camp? Our analysts reveal their picks, including... more

The honeymoon period is officially over for Kevin Kolb in Arizona. Darlington: Why I love training camp Training camp is here! Jeff Darlington provides 42 reasons why he absolutely cherishes this roster-shaping process. More ... After an... more

They say never to discuss politics or religion at a dinner party. At New York Jets training camp, expect a similar taboo viewpoint for questions that involve both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. The guys on "The Dave Dameshek Football Program " did their... more

Like a safety creeping toward the line of scrimmage before dropping into coverage, Ed Reed will forego a holdout and report on time to Baltimore Ravens training camp. Jeremiah: Intriguing camp battles Who will the Patriots start at RB: Stevan Ridley... more

Make no mistake: Drew Brees' new contract with the New Orleans Saints is lucrative enough to clear him of diaper-changing duty for roughly the next 700 years. But in the moments after signing his $100 million extension, life didn't change much for... more

There aren't many players in today's NFL who know how to deliver a message -- whether that be to the union, teammates or the media -- better than Drew Brees. Lombardi: 32 teams, 32 questions With training camps beginning across the league, Michael... more

A worst-case scenario has come to fruition for Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Falcons coach Mike Smith announced Tuesday that the torn pectoral muscle Tatupu suffered last week will sideline him for the entirety of the 2012 season. Instant... more

The New York Jets claimed all offseason that they believed in Wayne Hunter. Then they pulled the trigger on a trade that proved they didn't. Darlington: Why I love training camp Training camp is here! Jeff Darlington provides 42 reasons why he... more

No franchise has more impeccable taste in choosing head coaches than the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the team has ensured its current leader won't go anywhere. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building blocks to become a... 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. 16: Chicago Bears wide receiver: Devin Hester vs. Earl Bennett vs.... more

Aaron Berry found himself booted right out of the NFL on Monday, when the Detroit Lions released the cornerback following his second arrest of the offseason. Berry released a statement later in the day, apologizing for his actions while explaining... more

You men out there might think you have nothing in common with Chad Ochocinco Johnson ... but you'd be incorrect. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver -- like all of us -- must heed to the demands of our womenfolk or face the heat of a thousand suns.... more

Are you ready for more Canadian Football League zaniness? Of course you are. Last week, we were treated to a 129-yard touchdown return by Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Tristan Jackson. Now we have another long field-goal return -- this... more

The mother of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant doesn't want to pursue an assault case against her son, according to The Associated Press. ATL: Bryant discipline complicated Dez Bryant potentially faces an NFL or team suspension for his weekend... more

It might be premature to sound the warning bell, but the New York Jets announced Monday that safety LaRon Landry will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The Jets signed Landry in the offseason to replace Jim Leonhard at... more

Let's face it: Once you do a Wes Welker hair transplant post , all sense of Welker-related decorum goes out the window. So now let's wildly speculate about the receiver's curious absence from some prominent New England Patriots artwork this season. As... more

The story of one of the NFL's more embarrassing offseason arrests has ended without any legal consequences for Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis. The Philadelphia Daily News reported Monday that Lewis will not face charges in connection with... more

We love us some T.J. Lang. After all, you have to respect a guy whose Twitter profile reads simply: "#70 best guard on the packers!" You hear that, Evan Dietrich-Smith! Over the weekend, Lang provided a tip to his NFL contemporaries who struggle with... more

Amani Toomer got his name back in the news earlier this month by saying the NFC East's top quarterback was Tony Romo ... not his former New York Giants teammate, Eli Manning. Considering the events of the past five seasons, it was pretty well... more

After a peeved Chan Gailey yanked Stevie Johnson out of the Buffalo Bills' 2011 season finale for another excessive-celebration penalty, the wide receiver believed he'd just punched his ticket out of town. "At that point, I was thinking I was done with... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers will head to camp on Wednesday with their entire draft class in place. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building blocks to become a modern dynasty? Our analysts like Aaron  Rodgers ' Packers.... more

We've already heard Andy Reid throw his support behind Michael Vick after the quarterback talked of building a dynasty with the Philadelphia Eagles. Instant Debate: Modern-day dynasty? Which NFL franchise has the building blocks to become a modern... more

Tony Romo still can't win the big one. We refer, of course, to the American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe. 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... more

The Kansas City Chiefs are a buzz pick as a sleeper team this season, but any success they may enjoy won't be explained by gritty senior leadership. The Kansas City Star pointed out Saturday that the Chiefs are the NFL's only team without a player over... more

If the NFL turns to replacement referees this season, it will open the door for a bit of league history. Buried deep within Sam Farmer's Los Angeles Times report on referees and the NFL squabbling is news that one of the potential replacements is a... more

The Denver Broncos are making a hard push to lock up All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady before the start of training camp. Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported Sunday that the Broncos offered Clady a five-year, $50 million contract extension with $28... more

When Michael Vick said last week that the Philadelphia Eagles had the talent to become a dynasty, it appeared to put expectations on a team that doesn't have a great track record of meeting them. Debate: Biggest preseason question Are Michael Vick... more

We know this might sound familiar, but Shawne Merriman again is pointing toward a big comeback season. The Buffalo Bills linebacker has been slowed by injuries in recent seasons, but he'll report to training camp this week at "100 percent." He... more

Mike Patterson won't be joining his Philadelphia Eagles teammates in training camp, after all. Jeremiah: Intriguing camp battles Who will the Patriots start at RB: Stevan Ridley or Shane Vereen? Daniel Jeremiah studies training camp battles. More... more

Phil Sandlin / Associated Press Scott Norwood's heartwrenching miss helped set off an unprecedented Super Bowl run for the Buffalo Bills. The world weeps this Sunday for poor Adam Scott, who kicked away a four-stroke lead with four holes to go... more

We're sure there are NFL players who view the start of training camp the same way a 9-year-old boy grimly looks ahead to the first day of school. Peyton Manning isn't one of those players. Manning is all in on training camp. In fact, if the veteran... more

Peyton Manning's decision to sign with the Denver Broncos couldn't be considered good news for the rest of the teams in the AFC West, but one prominent division star welcomes a new rival. Debate: Can Peyton trump Tebow? Tim Tebow led Denver on a... 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. 24: New York Jets right tackle: Wayne Hunter vs. The World â?¢... more

Everyone wants to know if the Green Bay Packers will be able to run the football this season. Even Greg Jennings said last week on NFL Network it's the biggest question facing the team. Rapoport: Payday coming, but when? Aaron Rodgers will reap the... more

Andrew Luck signed his new contract with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, officially kicking off a new era for the franchise. You can make the argument that the Colts had the best 2-14 season in NFL history. They had to edge away from Peyton Manning... more

It turns out Luis Castillo won't be back with the San Diego Chargers after all. Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reported Thursday the team will release Castillo, a defensive end who was the Chargers' first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. The Chargers... more

Brian Urlacher wants you to know he'll be in top form when the Chicago Bears open training camp next week. "I'm full go for everything, so I won't be missing anything," the linebacker recently said, via ESPN Chicago . "110 percent, I'm good to go. The... more

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano expects defensive tackle Brian Price to be in attendance when his team begins training camp this week. Darlington: The Buc stops here Greg Schiano is really tightening things up in Tampa Bay, and Jeff... more

"NFL Total Access" concluded its "32 teams in 32 days" series on Wednesday. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We end by studying one goal the San Diego Chargers need to accomplish before Week 1. Philip... more

Losing Aaron Rodgers for an extended period of time represents the unthinkable for the Green Bay Packers. Lambeau Leap to Lambeau Death Knell would be one way to put it. But don't tell that to Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell. He believes he... more

The contract negotiations between the St. Louis Rams and rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins aren't getting any easier. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that the Rams have proposed a deal that would split the second-round draft pick's... more

You'd think Michael Vick would welcome an NFL season in which his Philadelphia Eagles weren't staring up at a mountain of expectations. Remember, this is the former "Dream Team" we're talking about here. Things didn't go so hot the first time. But Mr.... more

Barenaked Ladies , move on over. Canada has a new example of something completely awesome. It comes via the Canadian Football League, where Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Tristan Jackson returned a missed field goal 129 yards for a touchdown... more

We had some fun Wednesday digging through Elliot Harrison's "Top 20 Games of 2011 " countdown. Harrison has an encyclopedic knowledge of NFL history, which makes him a natural fit for this type of assignment. Full disclosure: I've yet to return his copy... more

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch officially was charged with driving under the influence in connection with his arrest this weekend in Oakland, Calif. Rapoport: Arrested development Dallas and Seattle were rolling ... until Dez Bryant... 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. Bill Belichick must find... more

Cris Carter once said something ludicrous about Calvin Johnson. You remember that, right? Carter, the Minnesota Vikings great-turned-ESPN analyst, said last August that Johnson was an elite wide receiver only in "Madden" video games. It was silly at... more

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have taken care of running back Ray Rice, does quarterback Joe Flacco believe he's next in line? Flacco is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal, but his agent, Joe Linta, told the Carroll County Times not to... more

It's time for more billboard fun in Denver. The folks at MultiLine International Imports made news last year with a billboard that implored John Fox to put Tim Tebow into the starting lineup for the Broncos. That mission accomplished, The Denver Post... more

One day after it came to light that Dez Bryant was arrested for allegedly assaulting his mother , a longtime adviser said the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver regrets the trouble he has caused. ATL: Bryant discipline complicated Dez Bryant potentially... more

Detroit Lions cornerback Aaron Berry has taken the first steps of putting his recent drunk-driving arrest behind him. The Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday that Berry will enter a diversionary program for first-time offenders following his arrest for... more

We suppose it's a better pre-training camp activity than, you know, getting arrested , but Asante Samuel's decision Tuesday to take on the Philadelphia Eagles' fan base was ... curious. Samuel was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in March after four... more

We learned last week that Matt Schaub has been cleared for training camp by the Houston Texans. The quarterback missed his team's final eight games after suffering a foot injury in November. Schaub underwent surgery and was held out of OTAs and... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- It's unlikely Santonio Holmes shed a tear when the New York Jets parted with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in January. Holmes surely held Schottenheimer at least partly accountable for his career-worst production in... more

It's now Joe Vitt's turn to file an affidavit in support of Jonathan Vilma's request for a temporary restraining order against the NFL. In the motion -- obtained by NFL Network and NFL.com reporter Albert Breer -- the New Orleans Saints interim head... more

The back-and-forth between the NFL and Jonathan Vilma rages on unabated. The latest legal move comes by way of New Orleans Saints head trainer Scottie Patton, who filed a sworn affidavit in Louisiana federal court supporting Vilma's motion to expedite... 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. Play fantasy football on... more

Next up on Michael Vick's redemption checklist: Release A Honest/Reflective Autobiography. In an excerpt from his upcoming book, "Finally Free," the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback recalls his state of mind as he became consumed by the illegal... more

Jonathan Vilma hasn't given up hope of joining his New Orleans Saints teammates at training camp next week. Vilma filed a motion Monday to expedite his requested temporary restraining order against the NFL in the Eastern District Court of Louisiana,... more

Off-the-field trouble appears to have found Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant once again. The DeSoto (Texas) Police Department confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network that Bryant was arrested Monday and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Fair or not, Santonio Holmes enters the 2012 season as a figure of suspicion. Can he co-exist with Mark Sanchez? Will he be a positive presence in the locker room? How will he react if he doesn't get his touches? It all hovers... more

In the eyes of many, Calvin Johnson now is the NFL's best wide receiver. It's difficult to argue. The Detroit Lions star is coming off a season in which he finished with 1,600 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. For defensive backs, this is frightening,... more

Remove Josh Scobee from the list of franchise-tagged players looking for long-term deals. Citing a source with knowledge of the situation, NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Monday that Scobee and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a... more

Ed Reed said Monday that his mind is nowhere near football at the moment. This is ironic, considering the eight-time Pro Bowl safety is at Stevenson University for the third annual Ed Reed Football Camp. Jeremiah: Return trips unlikely How hard is... more

If you had July 16 in the Wes Welker Contract Extension Pool, things are looking rather grim. Comcast SportsNet New England's Tom Curran reported Sunday that "it would be an upset" for the New England Patriots and Welker to reach a deal before Monday's... more

Bruce Arians was officially retired for two days. That according to Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who called Arians at his home shortly after he was gently pushed out to sea by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pagano didn't need a hard sell to get... more

Let's face it: The prospect of Drew Brees actually leaving the New Orleans Saints was about as realistic as Roger Goodell and Jonathan Vilma catching a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" together. That said, it was obviously a great relief... more

If the Buffalo Bills are to remain in Erie County, area officials want to make sure the next lease agreement would make it very hard for them to leave. The Buffalo News reported Sunday that Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz is pushing for... more

Dez Bryant has been something of a tease over his first two NFL seasons, but the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver believes a new workout regiment will make a difference. Rapoport: How good can Dez be? Dez Bryant flashed potential in his first two... more

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings went through the proverbial NFL Network car wash last week, giving interviews to a slew of people in the building. I was one of them . Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in the NFL,... more

The Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning-infused honeymoon period officially ended with a thud on Saturday night, when defensive end Elvis Dumervil was arrested and accused of aggravated assault with a firearm in Miami Beach, Fla. It's a serious situation... more

It wasn't so long ago that Antonio Gates was peerless at the tight-end position in the NFL. A former college basketball star, Gates was a new breed of tight end when he began to rip up defenses in the mid-aughts. Tall, fast and hyper-athletic, Gates was... more

With training camp just weeks away, the Denver Broncos suddenly have a serious concern on their hands following the arrest of defensive end Elvis Dumervil in Miami Beach, Fla., on Saturday night. According to the police report, Dumervil is accused of... more

The inevitable became official Sunday morning when Drew Brees signed his fat new contract with the New Orleans Saints. Business of the day taken care of, Brees reached out to the people of Who Dat Nation to jubilate. Who wants to join me for a... more

Remember when Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin announced his plans to go running with the bulls in Spain? Jeremiah: Pressure points Daniel Jeremiah studies the NFL landscape to determine which team, coach and QB are under the most... 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. Arizona Cardinals must... more

Jim Irsay has tweeted, and so now we must write about it. It's a personal prison from which we cannot escape. The colorful Indianapolis Colts owner was at it again on Thursday, addressing Andrew Luck's contract situation and the blackout hysteria... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- My interview with Greg Jennings takes place in a makeshift dressing room at NFL.com headquarters. The Green Bay Packers star stares into a mirror and makes several attempts at the perfect tie knot for his appearance on "NFL Total... more

Matt Schaub is officially a go for the Houston Texans. ESPN.com reported Thursday that the 31-year-old quarterback has been medically cleared for the start of training camp. He had been held out of offseason activities as a precaution, but has been... more

You'll soon find out if your favorite NFL team is making a change to its blackout policy. The Buffalo News reports NFL teams have a Sunday deadline to decide if they will relax blackout restrictions for the 2012 season. The NFL now allows teams the... more

We wrote earlier about Terrell Owens' quest for a return to the NFL beginning to reach into "Mission: Impossible" territory. The latest news on the troubled wide receiver doesn't help matters. According to WSBTV.com , Owens is $20,000 behind on child... more

Terrell Owens remains the lonely boy on the bleachers waiting for someone -- anyone -- to bat their eyelashes at him. Shutdown Corner spoke with the wide receiver this week at the opening of a gym in Hollywood, where he continued to stump for work now... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- If the Atlanta Falcons want to improve their pass rush this season, defensive end Ray Edwards will need to step up his game considerably. Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in the NFL, so why don't you?... more

Penn State trustees hired former FBI director Louis Freeh to uncover university failings in the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal. His job there now completed , Freeh turns his attention to the New Orleans Saints. Brandt: Saints will contend in 2012... more

Who's ready for more news about potential training camp holdouts? (OK, OK, you can all put your hands down now.) First Ed Reed and now Matt Forte. The running back said in June he has no choice but to play for the Chicago Bears this season, but... more

Ray Lewis had this to say last month about Ed Reed, his longtime Baltimore Ravens teammate: "Ed is Ed, and when July 25 (training camp) comes up, Ed will be here and we'll be getting ready to roll." In an interview with WJZ-FM radio in Baltimore on... more

It's been a nice offseason for Donald Driver, who earned reality TV fame by winning "Dancing With The Stars," then signed a new deal to continue his career with the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay's receiver party The Packers' receiver depth, which... more

Wednesday was the day when athletes from across the professional sports landscape converged on Los Angeles for the ESPY Awards. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was among the athletes to put on his fancy clothes, and he discussed his contract... more

Earlier Wednesday, our site published a piece by NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport under the headline "Chad Ochocinco: Guide to understanding Miami Dolphins WR." It was an insightful story, told from the perspective of a guy who covered Ochocinco during... more

It's not uncommon to hear Tony Romo supporters claim the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is disrespected. But what about "Melrose Place" star Jack Wagner? What about "Melrose Place" star Jack Wagner?! Lombardi: All eyes on Romo When Jerry Jones talked... more

Dion Lewis' scheduled court appearance has been pushed to next week. A clerk at the Albany (N.Y.) City Court told NFL Network and NFL.com on Wednesday that Lewis' case has been adjourned until July 18 to give his newly designated attorney time to catch... more

Though we're sure not everyone in the American public will be interested, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is launching a sports clothing line called "V7." The line -- which will be sold exclusively at Modell's sporting goods stores on the... 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. Next up: the New York Giants.... more

If Tarvaris Jackson always seemed to be on unsteady ground with the Minnesota Vikings, it made sense. He was an unsteady performer. Now entering his second season with the Seattle Seahawks, Jackson feels far more comfortable. In Minnesota to train with... more

Attorney Rusty Hardin continued his media blitz Tuesday, calling into NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" to discuss the drama surrounding his client, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Adrian Peterson arrest rundown In the wake of Adrian... more

The NFL relaxed its blackout rules this year, allowing games to be aired on local television as long as the home team sells 85 percent of its seats. The decision came with a caveat, however. It remains up to each NFL team to decide if it wants to get... more

If you're a Buffalo Bills fan unsure about crossing the border to see the team's Week 15 game in Toronto this season, your decision just got a little easier. The Buffalo News reported Tuesday that Bills season-ticket holders have been informed via... more

In case you haven't noticed, Adrian Peterson is not taking his weekend nightclub arrest lying down. The Minnesota Vikings running back -- who is facing a charge of resisting arrest -- has lawyered up with Rusty Hardin, attorney-at-law and Roger Clemens'... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Imagine you're Demaryius Thomas. It's March and you're watching along with the rest of America as Peyton Manning plays the belle of the ball in free agency. Coaches Film, only on NFL.com Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive... 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. Denver Broncos must plan... more

How would you like to see Van Halen play halftime at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans? Though we hadn't heard of any rumors of the rock legends doing the February 2013 game, frontman David Lee Roth was compelled to write an open letter to fans addressing... more

Ed Reed sent out a tweet last weekend describing his domestic bliss and telling his "bosses" -- presumably the Baltimore Ravens -- he was "comfortable." The star safety's tweet was picked up by several outlets, including us . On Monday night, Reed took... more

Todd Haley's false start with Ben Roethlisberger led to speculation of trouble for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but wide receiver Antonio Brown doesn't make it sound like there are any issues with the famously intense offensive coordinator. Coaches Film,... more

Thank goodness for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane. In an age when too many NFL players use Twitter as an excuse to assault the English language or get cringe-inducingly philosophical , Lane provides a welcome breather with some... more

You have to respect Jim Harbaugh for not even bothering to slow down the Randy Moss hype train . He's actually like the maniacally laughing mad man, tearing off the emergency brake and flinging it out the window. Talking Niners on SiriusXM NFL Radio... more

It's easy forget that Mikel Leshoure is more than just a name that gets tossed into copy about the Detroit Lions' off-field problems. Breer: Risky business Detroit took many risks in the 2011 draft, and so far, they're all backfiring. Albert Breer... more

After rookie wide receiver Michael Floyd didn't take part in a workout with teammate Larry Fitzgerald on Monday in Minnesota, the Arizona Cardinals franchise star slapped Floyd with a "DWI." A different kind of DWI. Just finished a great workout... more

Sean Weatherspoon is coming off a season that signaled the Atlanta Falcons could have a perennial Pro Bowl linebacker in their midst. But Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan believes the versatile third-year pro hasn't come close to reaching his... more

Adrian Peterson tweeted Sunday that the truth will surface in regard to his weekend arrest at a Houston nightclub. We now have at least some of Peterson's side of the story, courtesy of his father. Adrian Peterson arrest rundown In wake of Adrian... more

Matt Cassel's run with the Kansas City Chiefs has been an -- shall we say -- uneven affair over three seasons, and it appears he doesn't have much rope left with the good people of Missouri. Play fantasy football on NFL.com Your fantasy team plays in... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers have great tools on offense. It's the execution that wasn't always stellar in 2011. In an NFL season defined by explosive offensive production, the Steelers were merely adequate, averaging 20.3 points per game (21st in the... more

While it might not tug at the heart strings with the same power of "Brandon Jacobs Rewards Area Boy Who Offered Life Savings ," Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham has earned himself some good PR with the following explainabrag tweet on Friday:... more

Steve Snodgrass Norman Sas invented Electric Football in 1948. The game was popular before the video game era.   A few decades ago, before we wrote entire posts dedicated to Robert Griffin III's likeness in a video game, Electric Football... more

Curious what Washington Redskins quarterback/franchise demigod Robert Griffin III will look like in "Madden NFL 13" when the game is released next month? Thanks to the folks at sports gaming site OperationSports.com , be curious no more. Check out... more

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson did what any of us would do in making his first comments after being arrested at a nightclub. He quoted Winston Churchill. "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get... more

We expressed some outrage over Tom Brady's ranking at No. 4 on NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012," but the players who voted weren't the only ones who view the New England Patriots star lower than you might expect. ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski,... more

If Lofa Tatupu plays with added vigor at training camp for the Atlanta Falcons, it makes sense. After all, it wasn't so long ago he believed his career was over. Tatupu was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Seahawks, but when the team released... 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. Chiefs can't afford slow... more

In the span of less than 48 hours, two NBA point guards ticketed for the Hall of Fame -- Steve Nash and Jason Kidd -- joined teams desperate for a spark. For the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, the hope is that Nash and Kidd will remain... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a major piece to their offense in March when they landed Vincent Jackson in free agency. Jackson, a favorite target of Philip Rivers in San Diego, instantly becomes Josh Freeman's No. 1 option, but it's less clear how the... more

Janoris Jenkins, no stranger to controversy during his college days, is finding more drama in the NFL. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported Thursday that Jenkins is at odds with the St. Louis Rams over a verbal pre-draft agreement that's impermissible... more

Is it that time again? Like getting an oil change or visiting the dentist, we were about due for a story in which New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was underappreciated. Brooks: Eli Manning vs. Tony Romo How do you measure QB greatness: wins... more

Regardless of the narrative Jim Harbaugh chooses to foist upon us, the San Francisco 49ers were -- at the very least -- interested in replacing Alex Smith with Peyton Manning at quarterback this offseason. How passing became king What accounts for the... more

A knee injury wiped out Ryan Williams' rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, but it appears increasingly likely he'll be a full go when training camp kicks off later this month. ProFootballWeekly.com cited a source earlier this week in reporting... more

Tim Tebow is probably the strongest quarterback in the NFL today, a truth often overlooked in assessing what he can bring to a team. A known gym rat, Tebow is now mixing up his workout routine by teaming with the Gracie family, legendary in the world of... 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. Falcons establishing fresh... more

Leslie Frazier was already on record saying the Minnesota Vikings are prepared to be without Adrian Peterson in the early part of the 2012 season if his surgically repaired knee isn't ready to go. On Tuesday, the coach said Peterson is "right on course"... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Don't feel sorry for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Chandler Harnish. The former Northern Illinois star might have been the 253rd and final pick in the 2012 NFL Draft -- a.k.a. Mr. Irrelevant -- but he's loving the ride. "I've... more

In news that sounds less like a love match and more like the carefully orchestrated ambush by an actress with a plan, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is reportedly dating Eva Longoria, the former "Desperate Housewives" star and Tony Parker legal... 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. Next up: the Minnesota Vikings. Toby Gerhart will help Vikings ease Adrian Peterson back into lineup We... more

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder stepped in for Donovan McNabb last season and showed flashes of the ability that made him the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Ponder wasn't without flaws -- no rookie QB is. While he displayed an... more

The fire of speculation on the future of the San Diego Chargers was stoked again last week when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 NFL teams detailing the conditions of moving a team to Los Angeles. With their stadium issues and close... more

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is in the middle of a stretch that already includes a season-long suspension from the NFL. He now has a divorce to deal with, too. The Times-Picayune reported Monday that Payton filed for divorce from his wife,... more

By all accounts, Gerry Sandusky is a very good man. He stands in stark contrast to Jerry Sandusky, who is a very bad man. Unfortunately for Gerry, play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Ravens, many people on Twitter continue to confuse him with the... more

There will be a time in the not-so-distant future when Matt Forte will be on the field with the rest of the Chicago Bears. He'll tell the media he's done thinking about his contract situation (though he won't be) and the Bears will say their relationship... more

Every so often, we come across a story that reminds us, "Oh right, the NFL still isn't testing for HGH." It's pretty incredible that the league has been behind the curve on this, especially at a time when the shield has become increasingly focused on... more

Has the Miami Dolphins' quarterback battle already turned into a two-horse race? It appears so, according to The Palm Beach Post , which reported Monday that rookie Ryan Tannehill isn't currently in the running for the starting job. Breer: Singing a... more

Did (moderate) success go to the New York Jets' heads last season? Bart Scott seems to think so. In The Star-Ledger's latest summer Q&A , the linebacker explained to Jenny Vrentas the biggest difference between the 2010 Jets and the team that slumped to... more

Giving us renewed hope the "Whaaazzzzzzzzup" guys may get the resurrection from TV purgatory they so clearly deserve, CBS still has a small amount of ad space available for next year's Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Instant Debate: Lord of the... more

Will Hill emerged as a cautionary tale of the social media age last year when a series of lewd tweets by the former University of Florida safety went viral. The Twitter account -- since terminated -- showed Hill at his worst and contributed to all 32... more

Everybody wants a Gronk, but there's only one. Well, that's not exactly accurate. There's a whole bunch of them and they all have Zubaz . It's pretty weird. But Rob Gronkowski ... there's only one of those. The New England Patriots star can pull in... more

Romeo Crennel was the perfect change of pace for the Kansas City Chiefs last December. Players were worn out by the intensity that marked the Todd Haley era, and Crennel's more personal touch helped spark Kansas City to a 2-1 finish, including a Week 15... more

OTAs and minicamps are done and training camp has yet to begin, leaving some free time for NFL players across the country. With the help of Twitter, we checked in on what players were up during the weekend. That awkward moment when you pretend to... more

One day, we'll perhaps know Chandler Harnish as a football player, the gritty backup quarterback who Andrew Luck will seek out for counsel in times of strife. Darlington: College pride NFL rookies would have loved to participate in a college football... more

Aqib Talib is preparing for a new NFL season without the dark cloud of a criminal trial hanging over his head. It's a welcome reality for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, who had been accused of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend during a 2011... more

Nate Burleson got an up-close and personal look last season at Calvin Johnson playing the wide receiver position at a level few have ever reached. Then again, this isn't Burleson's first time in close proximity with a ridiculously gifted pass-catcher.... more

This morning, I had the option between a bagel and a bowl of corn flakes. This is the level at which I work. Robert Griffin III had to choose between the NFL and a shot at the Olympics. Griffin was once the Big 12 Conference gold medalist in the... more

Six of the 21 players given the franchise tag have yet to sign with their respective teams. The list features some big names, including Drew Brees, Matt Forte and Ray Rice. All those players believe they are owed a long-term deal, and in the case of... 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. Bears must pass chemistry before... more

Though some might see this as the drunk driver's equivalent of "My dog ate my homework," attorneys for former NFL star Jamal Anderson have a perfectly logical explanation for his recent arrest. Darlington: Listen up, rook The rookie symposium has... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Nate Burleson is on the phone as I sit down for a chat with the Detroit Lions wide receiver at NFL.com headquarters. He's listening to a voicemail from former Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe, who tells his former teammate he's been... more

A sad story has emerged in Tampa, where the parents of former Buccaneers guard Arron Sears have filed a lawsuit alleging football has caused their son to have serious psychological problems. For more than three years, Sears has exhibited signs of... more

The Tennessee Titans have taken a huge step -- quite literally -- to enhance their in-stadium experience, installing two end-zone screens measuring 157 feet long by 54 feet high at LP Field. When completed, they will be the longest video boards at any... more

NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2012" list exists on a certain level for fans and the media, but it's quickly become an entity that carries heft for players in the league. Players watch the countdown and take pride where they fall. Poor... more

Tom Brady's 2010 regular season featured one of the prettiest stat lines in NFL history. He threw 36 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. He completed two-thirds of his passes, amassed nearly 4,000 yards and posted a passer rating (111.7)... more

When the New York Jets acquired Tim Tebow in a trade with the Denver Broncos in March, it was speculated the uneasy alliance between him and Mark Sanchez would lead to an implosion in Florham Park. Jeremiah: Rex Ryan vs. Rob Ryan Who will lead the... more

When Eric Berry went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills last season, the Kansas City Chiefs lost a rising star in their secondary they never adequately replaced. Hanzus: Moeaki key for Chiefs... more

The level of hype surrounding the Buffalo Bills defense this offseason has ranged anywhere between "cautious optimism" to "Move over '85 Bears." Bills legend Jim Kelly appears to be in the camp that believes the unit can be great. He says no one will... 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 Kansas City Chiefs. Tony Moeaki will give Chiefs a new dimension Every team has to deal with... more

Peyton Manning is looked upon by many Denver Broncos fans as a franchise savior. To the suits upstairs, he's also big business. Case in point: Forbes.com reported Tuesday that demand for premium seating has been so high since Manning signed in March... more

Good news, Dallas Cowboys fans. Noted relationship expert/sports psychologist Olivia Munn is confident Tony Romo is about to go next level. During an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Podcast" , Munn, an Oklahoma native, pledged her allegiance to the... more

NFL Network aired the latest segment of Deion Sanders' conversation with Brett Favre on Tuesday, the chat turning to the quarterbacks Favre enjoys watching today. He praised the usual suspects, calling Peyton Manning a "GM on the field," proclaiming... 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. Heading into the NFL draft,... more

Every morning, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis looks down at a scarred right knee that's begging him to move on with his life. Davis' career should be over, but he refuses to accept a reality that would seem obvious to so many others. When the... more

Though we don't imagine Jerry Jones parked in front of a laptop getting his Photoshop on, the Dallas Cowboys went after the Philadelphia Eagles with a special message for Michael Vick on Tuesday. Happy Birthday Michael Vick from ?#CowboysNation? we... more

In light of the legal troubles of cornerback Aaron Berry -- who tallied the sixth arrest of the Detroit Lions' rocky offseason Monday -- let's look at how all of this could financially impact the team. According to the current collective bargaining... more

Robert Griffin III got a taste of the downside of fame Monday when a former Baylor basketball player's attempts to extort the Washington Redskins' rookie quarterback came to light. Griffin told reporters at the NFL Rookie Symposium that he couldn't... more

When a player drops by NFL Network's studios for a visit, it's not uncommon to have him sit in front of the camera for what's known as a "homecook." Wyche: Summer subplots We've reached the dog days of summer, but Steve Wyche has five tantalizing... more

As you might have heard, Maurice Jones-Drew would like to replace his existing contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Perhaps the Jaguars would rethink their stance if they knew they were playing hardball with a man who one day could be the rushing... more

To this point, offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse has existed mostly as a disappointing pet project for the New York Jets. When the Jets picked him in the second round of the 2010 draft, they envisioned him as becoming a rock on their line for the next... 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 Tennessee Titans. Jake Locker will soon take the reins of the Titans' offense If the Titans... more

Cam Newton didn't just dismiss critics with his fantastic 2011 rookie campaign, he obliterated them off the face of the earth (metaphorically speaking). But professional athletes of Newton's level need to stay motivated. That's why the Carolina Panthers... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- A large segment of society knows Brian Orakpo not as a star linebacker for the Washington Redskins but as the guy who ate alone at the pancake social after upsetting his caveman friend during a Scrabble game. Such was the power of... more

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson gained fame in the late-1990s for doing "The Dirty Bird" after touchdowns. His post-career dance with the law continued this weekend in Georgia. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday that... more

Chad Ochocinco always has enjoyed a light-hearted relationship with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, a man he affectionately has referred to as "Dad" on multiple occasions. On Monday, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver again was talking paternal, playfully... more

Jonathan Vilma doesn't believe his season-long suspension will be shortened or overturned via the appeals process, so he's already looking forward to the next step in his fight against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. What's this guy waiting... more

Make no mistake: Larry Fitzgerald carries a big stick in matters related to the Arizona Cardinals. The All-Pro wide receiver is the face of the franchise, and with that designation comes a very loud voice in the room on company matters. Wyche: Summer... more

Last season did wonders for the reputation of New York Jets running back Joe McKnight. Before he emerged as a dangerous kick returner in 2011, McKnight was perhaps best known as The Guy From "Hard Knocks" Who Threw Up A Lot. McKnight persevered, added... more

Forgive Bruce Irvin if he's a little flustered these days. It wasn't long ago that he didn't have a roof over his head. Now he's a millionaire linebacker for the Washington Redskins. Wait, hold up. Jones hits home for Irvin Seahawks DE Bruce Irvin... more

If you're an NFL player racking your brain for an excuse to miss part of training camp, perhaps look into courting and legally marrying a world-class athlete. We don't believe Aaron Ross was looking for a way out of Jacksonville Jaguars camp, but he'll... more

LaDainian Tomlinson created a bit of a stir Saturday when he told a reporter he flirted with the idea of signing with the Denver Broncos. The man wanted his ring, and teaming with Peyton Manning in vengeance mode was an understandable attraction. At... more

In news worthy of a "Karate Kid"-style montage of his greatest moments, Darrelle Revis has been declared the best cornerback in the NFL today, according to the pigskin-covered minds at ProFootballFocus.com . PFF's Sam Monson credits the New York Jets... more

The prognosis remains good for Johnny Knox to make a complete recovery from back surgery, but his prospects of playing in 2012 remain in doubt. The Chicago Bears wide receiver told reporters Thursday that there is still no timetable for his return to... more

When the Dallas Cowboys used their two first-round picks in the 2005 draft on linebacker DeMarcus Ware and defensive end Marcus Spears, they believed they were getting two stars who would define their defense for a decade. They got it half right. Ware... more

There are no promises Tarvaris Jackson will still be the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback in 2012, but he appears to be in surprisingly good position to retain the gig. ESPN's John Clayton reported Sunday that Jackson will work with the first team... more

Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita continues to tell anyone who will listen that the NFL is wrong on every level about the New Orleans Saints "bounty" scandal. He views the fallout over the past several months as a "public smear campaign." "I'm... more

Attempting to understand Brandon Marshall is no easy feat. It's a challenge reporter Jared S. Hopkins gamely took on in a long feature that ran in Sunday's Chicago Tribune . Hopkins' time with the new Chicago Bears wide receiver was sometimes chummy,... more

There's a helmet technology in place -- and there has been for some time -- that allows teams to assess the force and impact of a blow to a player's head in real time. Created by University of North Carolina professor Kevin Guskiewicz and used by the... more

Ryan Fitzpatrick believes the Buffalo Bills have what it takes to be a top-10 offense in the NFL. Fitzpatrick knows it starts with the guy behind center. "A lot of that is on me," Fitzpatrick said Thursday, according to The Associated Press. "We know... more

Heading into free agency this spring, defensive end John Abraham expected a $12 million annual salary on the open market. He ended up signing a three-year, $16.72 million deal in March to remain with the Atlanta Falcons. You don't need to be a math nerd... more

Steve Smith's career is in a very good place right now. The same could not be said this time last year. Last summer, the Carolina Panthers wide receiver was coming off his worst statistical season and in danger of becoming just another thirty-something... more

If you thought the Pittsburgh Steelers were dancing on the Allegheny Bridge when they heard about Terrell Suggs' injury, think again. Last week, safety Ryan Clark spoke respectfully of the Baltimore Ravens linebacker and said the AFC North rival... more

NFL free agents Hamza and Husain Abdullah are putting their football careers on hold -- perhaps permanently -- to pursue a higher calling. The brothers -- both practicing Muslims -- will sit out the 2012 season to speak at mosques across the country... more

Donald Jones was one of those buzz names last season, a relative unknown pegged as an under-the-radar difference-maker for the Buffalo Bills. It didn't work out that way for the wide receiver, who suffered through an injury-plagued season that... more

Sam Bradford represents one of the NFL's biggest question marks heading into the 2012 season. As a rookie, Bradford looked every bit the future star the St. Louis Rams envisioned when he was selected first overall in the 2010 draft. He nearly took the... more

It's become clear the New York Jets aren't interested in bringing back Plaxico Burress for a second season in New York. Burress is surely aware of this, which probably explains his passive aggressive digs of Mark Sanchez on Thursday on ESPN's "First... more

Plaxico Burress would love to be a member of the Carolina Panthers this season. Unfortunately for Burress, the feeling isn't mutual. A team official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday the Panthers are not... more

"NFL Total Access" has continued this week 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. Texans must... more

Percy Harvin wants out of Minnesota , we know this much. But why? The Vikings wide receiver took to Twitter on Wednesday night, ostensibly to explain to his 70,000 followers why he demanded a trade and skipped out on a mandatory practice earlier in the... more

Interim coach Joe Vitt remains fired up that his name was lumped in among those accused of funding the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" program. Vitt released a statement Wednesday , denying he pledged any money to a pay-for-injury pool. He later elaborated... more

Could we see an NFL regular-season game on the Emerald Isle? If Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney has his way, football -- the American kind -- eventually will find a home in Ireland. "I think it'd be terrific," Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to... more

Brian Banks completed a three-day rookie minicamp with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, but he left the facility without a contract, according to The Sacramento Bee . Banks also has worked out with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. With... more

Brandon Jacobs is a man of his word. Last month, the San Francisco 49ers running back tweeted a picture of a letter he received from Joseph Armento, a 6-year-old fan who had emptied out his piggy bank -- all $3.36 of it -- with the hopes it would keep... more

It is a glorious buyer's market for extremely wealthy linebackers in the Buffalo area. Especially when disgraced area lawyers are thrown into the mix. The Buffalo News reported Wednesday that Mario Williams has paid $2 million to buy the lavish home of... more

Donald Brown will never be confused with Adrian Peterson, but Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano sees his running back as a legit No. 1 option. Breer: Everybody loves Luck Getting a late start on offseason practices hasn't slowed Andrew Luck.... more

"NFL Total Access" has continued this week 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. Lions must... more

The criminal case against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has been dismissed by prosecutors in Texas, but his fate remains unclear with the NFL. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday that the league office plans to... more

Mario Williams is a massive human being. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 290 pounds, he towers over pretty much anyone. That includes fellow new Buffalo Bills pass rusher Mark Anderson, who Williams called "a little dude" on Tuesday. "Well, when... more

When the Miami Dolphins signed Chad Ochocinco last week, new coach Joe Philbin had another line added to his list of job requirements. Ochocinco will always be a media curiosity, so answering questions about the wide receiver is now a near-daily task... more

Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew told reporters last week that Cliff Avril's contract negotiations are "complicated" and "very complex." When told of this description on Tuesday at NFL.com headquarters, Avril rolled his eyes. The defensive... more

File this under "Stories that Will Needlessly Infuriate Tedy Bruschi": The Hopatcong (N.J.) Patch reported Monday that a local man told police he was the president, and that he was looking speak to Tim Tebow, before officers found him hiding under... more

Drew Brees believed he was making a trenchant point on Twitter when he likened the NFL's "bounty" investigation to the U.S. military's fruitless search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. If Brees was attempting to be provocative, well, mission... more

Suspended defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove has a simple explanation for the league's claim it has audio from the 2009 NFC Championship Game tying him directly to the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" program: The voice on the tape isn't his. The audio --... more

Don't pity LaDainian Tomlinson because he never won a Super Bowl . Save your tears for Steven Jackson, who's never been given a fair chance. Debate: 2001 NFL Draft re-do LaDainian Tomlinson , Drew Brees and Mike Vick all went in the 2001 draft. How... more

David Garrard worked with the Miami Dolphins' first team in mincamp on Tuesday, but don't take this as a sign Matt Moore has lost the inside track on the starting job. Lombardi: Dolphins in danger? The Dolphins will receive plenty of attention from... more

LaDainian Tomlinson ended his illustrious career Monday having accomplished everything an NFL player can ever dream of. Well, almost everything. Tomlinson played 11 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New York Jets without ever making it to the... more

"NFL Total Access" continued its 32 teams in 32 days series this week with a look at the Seattle Seahawks. ATL went straight to the source Monday and spoke with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. LOS ANGELES -- Pete Carroll doesn't care how much money the... more

Brian Banks' national tour in search of an NFL job continued Monday when he began a workout with the San Francisco 49ers. Banks will take part in a three-day rookie minicamp with the 49ers, likely working with the team as an inside linebacker, according... more

LOS ANGELES -- The NFL gave the Seattle Seahawks a stern slap on the wrist this month for running practices deemed too physical under the rules of the new collective bargaining agreement. Seattle lost its final two OTA sessions and one workout because... more

J.J. Watt is an up-and-coming defensive end for the Houston Texans, but is he even playing the right sport? "I still might be a little better at hockey," Watt said in a Monday chat with Around the League at NFL Network studios. "I played hockey, I... more

It turns out Brad Smith might see some action at wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, after all. Smith began lining up at wide receiver in Bills practice on Thursday, according to the team site . It's the same position he spent most of his time the... more

We all know Drew Brees has spent the spring away from New Orleans Saints teammates, but that doesn't mean he's locked away in storage somewhere. The man is up to something ... but what? We now know snagging horses from prominent Los Angeles Lakers... more

Adam "Pacman" Jones is set to earn up to $950,000 with the Cincinnati Bengals this season. After a Las Vegas court ordered the cornerback to pay $11.7 million in damages in connection with a 2007 strip club shooting, you can imagine the ugly financial... more

Gunther Cunningham looks at Nick Fairley and regrets not stepping in before the talented defensive tackle got himself in trouble with a pair of offseason arrests. "The disappointment that I have is that I bogged myself down in so much paperwork that I... more

If you're a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has relied on athleticism over technique, life with new coach Greg Schiano has likely been a culture shock. Schiano has turned offseason workouts with his team into a crash course in the fundamentals of... more

Anthony Hargrove is facing an eight-game ban for his role in the "bounty" scandal, but add the Green Bay Packers defensive end to the list of current and former New Orleans Saints questioning the league's evidence. In a statement released to the league... more

On this Father's Day, Eli Manning is a prince of New York City. It's a standing he's had to earn. Five years ago, before Manning stumbled into Tom Brady's legacy like Forrest Gump, Manning would've been booed by fans if he tried to throw out a first... more

Once upon a time, Charles Barkley created a firestorm by telling us he was not a role model . It was pretty heady stuff -- especially for a Nike commercial -- and it kick-started one of those classic overly earnest '90s debates on the responsibilities... more

The retirement press-conference tears have yet to cascade upon the designer suit, but let's jump right into the discussion anyway: Where does LaDainian Tomlinson fit among the list of the NFL all-time greatest running backs? That really depends how you... 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. Bills defense must... more

In the movies, Brian Banks' two-day tryout with the Seattle Seahawks would leave mouths agape, Banks' bottled-up talent exploding on the field in a brilliant blur of navy and green. "I can't believe they locked him up in a prison ," a stunned player... more

Pete Carroll really is serious about this three-way quarterback competition in Seattle. Despite signing a free-agent contract that included $10 million guaranteed in March, Matt Flynn will begin Seahawks training camp splitting first-team reps with... more

The unending praise of Randy Moss continues to wash over the San Francisco 49ers news cycle. Thursday brings us a ProFootballWeekly.com report from a team insider embedded at Niners minicamp this week. "You can still see the Hall of Fame skills," the... more

How good can A.J. Green be? If you're asking people associated with the Cincinnati Bengals, the answer is scary good. The last time the Bengals had a homegrown receiving star, it was Chad Ochocinco, whose persona eventually grew to eclipse his... more

If you're putting together a list of NFL players in line for a bounce-back season in 2012, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers deserves a spot right near the top. Rivers threw a career-high 20 interceptions in 2011, but history shows he's... more

In more innocent times, Emmanuel Sanders was the ideal spokesman for Pittsburgh's new anti-littering campaign. Teaming the popular Steelers wide receiver with an important civic initiative fronted by the mayor's office appeared to be a no-brainer.... more

Rex Ryan remains confident the internal strife that came to define the New York Jets last season is a thing of the past. "I think it's about as low as we had coming out of that Miami game," the coach said during his Thursday media session. "When you... more

Mikel Leshoure knows he has nobody to blame but himself. The Detroit Lions running back tainted his reputation and got hit with a two-game suspension Wednesday after two arrests earned him a starring role in Detroit's bad-boy offseason. Leshoure also... more

Ahmad Bradshaw represents one of the biggest question marks facing the New York Giants this season. When your starting running back can accurately state things like, "I had bone marrow taken from my hip and injected into my troublesome right foot," this... more

Coming off an Achilles' tendon injury that wiped out virtually his entire 2011 season, middle linebacker Jon Beason is back on the field and trying to re-establish himself as the heart of the Carolina Panthers defense. Beason faces a worthy challenge,... more

ATL fun fact: Arian Foster is the only player we've seen on NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012" who didn't budge from his ranking a year ago. Foster remains parked at No. 25, a respectable residence no doubt, but still relatively low for a player... more

With LaRon Landry, the New York Jets took a calculated risk. Getting quality play at safety is extremely important in the AFC East. If you can't cover Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, it's unlikely you'll ever knock the New England Patriots off the... more

New Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck signed autographs for hundreds of fans Wednesday, including quite a few for people wearing No. 18 Peyton Manning jerseys. The scene told the story of a franchise in transition: Manning remains close to the... more

Jamaal Charles has yet to join his Kansas City Chiefs teammates at practice in offseason workouts, but the running back remains confident he'll be in action when training camp begins in July. "When they let that cape off me, I'm ready to go," Charles... more

The Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a contract with first-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus, the team announced on its official website Wednesday. Contract details aren't known at this time. Mercilus, who's 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, was a force... more

New Orleans Saints interim coach Joe Vitt alerted the media Wednesday that Chase Daniel will be shut down for a few weeks after suffering a thumb injury in practice on Monday, but the quarterback doesn't have any concerns. Daniel told the Saints' team... more

Chris Johnson doesn't know what it's like to be LeBron James. He might think he knows , but the Tennessee Titans running back really has no idea. James is a once-in-a-generation talent who faces a level of scrutiny that's unmatched in sports today. Yes,... more

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin was in no mood to talk about losing tight end Jake Ballard on waivers to the New England Patriots on Tuesday, but general manager Jerry Reese was more open to discussing the team's miscalculation. "Yes we thought... more

If you need evidence Tim Tebow is preparing for a season in which his primary role won't be dropping back to pass, look no further than the quarterback's weigh-in Wednesday at New York Jets headquarters. Tebow came in at 249 pounds, up from the 240 to... more

Mike Tomlin didn't sound too upset about Mike Wallace's absence from minicamp Tuesday, but Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II appears to be less understanding. "He should be here," Rooney said Wednesday after the team concluded its morning... more

The New Orleans Saints' quarterback depth chart already was unsightly without Drew Brees. Now things are just getting ugly. Saints interim coach Joe Vitt announced Wednesday that Chase Daniel has a hairline fracture and sprain of the thumb on his right... more

There appears to be a disconnect between teams and the league on what constitutes a violation of the league-wide ban on live contact during offseason workouts. The Seattle Seahawks were docked their final two organized team activity sessions and a... 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. Redskins must get RG3... more

And now for the least surprising news of the day: Mike Wallace did not attend the opening of Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp. Wallace, as you probably know, is looking for a new contract and has refused to sign his first-round tender, which is worth $2.7... more

Some players would have their confidence shaken by a season as disappointing as the one Chris Johnson is coming off, but the Tennessee Titans running back appears to have morphed that disappointment into bravado. Last week, Johnson said he still... more

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Jon Beason picked off a Cam Newton pass during 11-on-11 drills in minicamp on Tuesday, winning a small but important victory for a player on the comeback trail. Beason -- who ruptured his Achilles' tendon in Week 1 of... more

Peyton Manning is not yet Peyton Manning. Jim Corbett of USA Today reported Tuesday that it was "clear" at Denver Broncos minicamp that Manning's velocity isn't all the way back after his first practice with the team. Corbett said Manning looked "sharp... more

Darrelle Revis was on hand for the start of the New York Jets' mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but don't take that as a sign the star cornerback has swept his contract concerns under the rug. Revis told reporters he hasn't decided if he'll report on time... more

When the New England Patriots signed Rob Gronkowski to one of the richest deals ever for a tight end, it was fair to wonder what it meant for Wes Welker. The wide receiver has been vocal in his wish for a new deal with the Pats, but the team chose to... more

D.J. Williams should consider himself lucky. If he were a member of the New England Patriots, tweeting a photo of his team's playbook would be an offense worthy of banishment. His name would be stricken from public record. Bill Belichick would tell you... more

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck doesn't want to make it easy for you to grab his facemask. Tuck dealt with that problem last season, when he suspected opponents were attempting to aggravate a neck injury by sticking their hands in his helmet... more

Michael Vick started his Monday morning on Twitter with the following message to his 1.3 million followers: Super Bowl #thatisall - Michael Vick (@MikeVick) June 12, 2012 Coming off a disappointing 8-8 season, Vick clearly hasn't lowered his... more

Terrell Suggs has vowed to play for the Baltimore Ravens this season. The Pro Bowl linebacker took a small but positive step in that direction on Tuesday. â??No more crutches! Beasting...," the reigning Defensive Player of the Year wrote on his Facebook... more

The day has finally arrived for Andrew Luck, who was finally permitted to join Indianapolis Colts teammates on Tuesday for the start of the team's mandatory minicamp. Following his first practice, Luck was asked if it has "sunk in" that he's now the... more

It's been a brutal past few days for New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl, whose life has been one long walk of shame since his arrest on drunken driving charges Sunday night. Diehl released a statement on Monday apologizing for his actions,... 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. Dolphins must have... more

Chad Ochocinco signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, catching on with a new team four days after he was unceremoniously released by the New England Patriots. Here are six quick observations on the move: 1. Football meets... more

Chad Ochocinco wasn't out of work for long. The veteran wide receiver has signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, the team confirmed on Monday night. The news comes hours after Dolphins coach Joe Philbin acknowledged during a news conference... more

A day after his arrest on drunk driving charges , New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl is commenting on his situation. I've worked hard during my career to set a positive example, and yesterday I fell far short of this standard. - David... more

Perhaps I shouldn't be, but I'm surprised by just how much players seem to care where they fall on NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2012" countdown. This likely goes back to three main factors: 1) A lot of NFL players watch (and appear on) the... more

Matt Schaub will be among a group of about 30 Houston Texans veterans who won't be on the field for minicamp this week, but the quarterback is set to be a full participant when training camp begins next month. "I'm ready to go," the quarterback said... more

Though Brian Banks has stolen his thunder in the "Underdog Chases NFL Dream" category, wide receiver Jesse Holley has kept his career alive by signing with the New England Patriots on Monday. Holley is best known for being the winner of the Michael... more

The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have an ego-free backfield in place for the 2012 season. Last summer, Cedric Benson dismissed any talk of splitting carries in the Bengals' offense. Benson saw himself as a bell-cow back who deserved the rock. His... more

Can you remember an incoming rookie in recent NFL history who has inspired more excitement from teammates than Robert Griffin III with the Washington Redskins? Last week alone, DeAngelo Hall breathlessly explained Griffin's developmental superiority to... more

When trying to figure out where Brad Smith fits into the Buffalo Bills offense, my mind goes back to something Avon Barksdale said to Stringer Bell on "The Wire." "I look at you these days, you know what I see? I see a man without a country," Barksdale... more

Twitter provides us with all sorts of insights into what the young, rich and famous of the NFL are up to on weekends during the offseason. Hint: A lot. They're up to a lot . But leave it New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper -- the Roger Sterling... more

One of the great things about the NFL is the wide range of personalities that make up the league's 32 rosters. Troy Polamalu stands out among them. The Pittsburgh Steelers safety hits hard on the field but speaks softly off it. He's perhaps most famous... more

Jon Beason's comeback from a torn Achilles' tendon continues this week with the start of Carolina Panthers minicamp, but how firm is the three-time Pro Bowl pick's grip on his old middle linebacker position? Beason was a standout player at the "Mike"... more

Don't be surprised to see Mike Jenkins when Dallas Cowboys minicamp kicks off on Tuesday. As NFL Network's Ian Rapaport reported on Rap Sheet , all signs point to the cornerback attending mandatory minicamp despite his sincere wish to wear a helmet... more

What do you do when you're a prominent wide receiver who suddenly finds yourself unemployed? In the case of Chad Ochocinco, you join forces with the most famous unemployed wide receiver in America. Ochocinco, released by the New England Patriots... more

Brian Banks is looking to be more than just a human-interest story. He wants to play in the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks remain a very real option. Banks has accepted the Seahawks' offer for a formal tryout during their upcoming minicamp, The... more

Ben Roethlisberger might still have concerns about Todd Haley's new offense, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is taking a positive approach in learning the new system. Roethlisberger reported progress as the Steelers wrapped up their OTA workouts... more

The Tennessee Titans lost a huge piece of their secondary in the offseason when Cortland Finnegan signed a big deal with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. Finnegan was a legitimate No. 1 cornerback, and his decision to move on leaves a void for Mike... more

In the (admittedly unlikely) case historians one day want to know what a truly helpless pass defense looked like early in the 21st century, a great place to begin is the final two games of the Detroit Lions' 2011 season. Detroit surrendered a combined... more

Poor Jim Harbaugh. All he wanted to do was show his support for quarterback Alex Smith when he told reporters the San Francisco 49ers were never really interested in Peyton Manning. The intention was good, but his understanding of how this volunteered... more

It seems Tedy Bruschi believes the best thing for Tim Tebow to do right now is find a darkened corner of the New York Jets locker room and hide out in it for a few months. The former New England Patriots linebacker said Tebow's consistent communication... more

Matt Cassel has had an up-and-down three-season run with the Kansas City Chiefs, but new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll believes he inherited a winner at the quarterback position. Cassel led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record after Tom Brady... more

It's too soon to say if Brian Banks will achieve his dream of playing in the NFL, but he's at least getting his shot. On the same day Banks had his workout with Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks, Banks has been invited to try out with the San Diego... more

Santonio Holmes made it until the final practice of OTAs before reminding the New York Jets of the drama that seems to perpetually follow the emotional wide receiver. Holmes pulled himself out of practice Thursday after deciding coaches were working... more

The inevitable became reality for Chad Ochocinco on Thursday when the six-time Pro Bowler went from non-productive member of the New England Patriots to former non-productive member of the New England Patriots. The Pats unsuccessfully attempted to... more

Kyle Orton raised eyebrows this spring when he chose to sign with the Dallas Cowboys as a backup rather than compete for a starting role elsewhere. Orton didn't visit any other teams, instead taking the Cowboys' generous three-year, $10.5 million deal... more

C.J. Spiller spent the first half of last season watching Buffalo Bills teammate Fred Jackson emerge as one of the most dangerous running backs in the NFL. Jackson's fine play had the result of keeping Spiller on the bench, but after Jackson broke his... more

Ryan Fitzpatrick might be one of the only guys to come out of Harvard lacking an education. (That sentence can probably use some clarification.) Fitzpatrick surely got a killer education in the traditional sense from the esteemed university. But... more

DeAngelo Hall played with Michael Vick when the quarterback was a dynamic young star with the Atlanta Falcons, but Hall believes Robert Griffin III's ceiling is even higher. "There's a 'wow' factor watching him," Hall, now a Washington Redskin, told... more

This post will have both good news and bad news for the Detroit Lions football club. First, the good: No player has been arrested in the past 12 days. Breer: Risky business Detroit took many risks in the 2011 draft, and so far, they're all... more

Around the League has examined one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Our next stop: The St. Louis Rams Under Pressure: Cortland Finnegan A lot of things have to go wrong for your franchise to finish 2-14.... more

Matt Forte proved again last season that he's one of the league's most versatile and productive running backs. His contemporaries obviously agree, ranking him the No. 33 on the NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2012." And while praise from fellow... more

NFL teams are deep into their respective offseason practices, but the Indianapolis Colts remain stuck in neutral in one very important sense. Or, to be more accurate, with one very important player. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis' No. 1 overall pick in the... more

Dear readers: Please refrain from laughing at what you're about to read, seeing as this story could've had serious consequences for our protagonist. Dallas Cowboys fullback Lawrence Vickers was practicing with teammates Wednesday when he suddenly raced... more

DeMarcus Ware has been an ironman during his outstanding career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he's still paying the price for an injury suffered three years ago. It came in a game against the San Diego Chargers in December 2009, a head-first collision... more

When the Seattle Seahawks had their final two OTA sessions stripped by the NFL for rules violations, it seemed to have the unintended effect of throwing Brian Banks' tryout into limbo. But even though there won't be a team activity Thursday, the... more

We have our fun with Brandon Jacobs, the San Francisco 49ers running back whose penchant for colorful quotes and racing expensive cars down major commuter highways makes him an intriguing figure around these parts. But today, we tip our cap to the... more

Dez Bryant is entering his third year in the league -- and whether he's aware of it or not -- he can't keep playing the enigmatic phenom forever. Perhaps spurred on by recent comments from the owner , Bryant said he's been working harder than ever in... more

The recovery process continues for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt. The Tennessean reported Wednesday that Britt is scheduled to start running and cutting again on Thursday for first time since he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee... more

Aaron Rodgers isn't afraid to admit it. The Green Bay Packers quarterback calls himself "obsessively competitive," a trait that comes out at Lambeau Field, during wiffle ball games in the backyard and at card games in the locker room. Rodgers clearly... more

The true story behind Terrell Suggs' Achilles injury remains a case of he said/they said , but it continues to appear the Baltimore Ravens don't care who's telling the truth. Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked Wednesday if he's spoken to Suggs about... more

Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak will never be confused with Tom Coughlin. He's your classic "player's coach," and that reputation was on display Wednesday when he allowed players to hit the practice field without helmets. The lackluster results seems... more

Defensive tackle Kyle Williams -- working his way back from left foot surgery -- returned to the field Tuesday for the Buffalo Bills after he was cleared to practice on a limited basis. Williams, 28, is said to be a bit ahead of the schedule set by team... more

Jason Campbell isn't used to this. In 70 of 71 games over seven seasons as a pro, Campbell has been his team's starting quarterback. That changed when he signed a deal to be Jay Cutler's backup with the Chicago Bears. There will be no quarterback... more

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens always produce great drama, but the hotly contested Achilles' tendon injury suffered by Terrell Suggs might remove one of the rivalry's biggest figures in 2012. Taking the reigning Defensive Player of the... more

It's business as usual for Vernon Davis when he's on the field with San Francisco 49ers teammates, but off-the-field family issues have taken their toll on the star tight end. Michael Davis, Vernon's 19-year-old brother, was charged with first-degree... more

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal remains determined to have his four-game suspension overturned by the NFL. Neal said his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs was triggered by Adderall, a prescription drug often used to treat... more

Scott Fujita isn't a member of the New Orleans Saints any longer, but it's clear his ties to the franchise remain strong three years later. Fujita, now a Cleveland Browns linebacker, admitted Tuesday he was in the room in January, when former Saints... more

Subtlety isn't a trait that typically describes the Dallas Cowboys, but the team's decision to sign Kyle Orton as its backup quarterback was, quietly, one of the best moves of the offseason. Like Jon Kitna before him, Orton comes to town with a pedigree... more

Though it's obviously a matter of opinion, I don't think competition in the NFL gets much better than the NFC East, where the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles have been attempting to destroy each other for... more

Now that Osi Umenyiora is signed to a contract he doesn't liken to highway robbery, he's free to discuss other things. In an appearance on NFL Network, Umenyiora explained how his relationship with New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese isn't as... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Under Pressure: Josh Freeman The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing everything in their power to quickly move... more

We now have a clear picture of what Osi Umenyiora's former (and future) agent believes to a substandard deal. The New York Giants defensive end will make $6 million in 2012, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Tuesday. That's a hefty bump from the $4.7... more

Carolina Panthers right tackle Jeff Otah appears to have escaped his latest brush with the injury bug. Coach Ron Rivera said Monday that an MRI revealed no serious damage to Otah's troublesome left knee, according to the Charlotte Observer . Otah, a... more

The Houston Texans' signing of Justin Forsett pointed to the end of Derrick Ward's two-year run with the team. On Monday, the veteran running back appeared to confirm it as fact on Twitter. Was just told I didnt get resigned because I don't play... more

There's no guarantee we'll even see Terrell Suggs on the field for the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. But the rehabbing Pro Bowl linebacker is as determined as ever. "I'm going to shock a lot of people when I'm coming out of that tunnel," Suggs told The... more

Somebody get Keith Morrison on the horn. We have ourselves a can't-miss "Dateline" episode. The Chicago Tribune reports that DEA officials busted up a Mexican drug-trafficking ring Monday, recovering heroin, cash, weapons and one very unique piece of... more

Though it's difficult to formulate a theory how representation is to blame for his stalled NFL career, Terrell Owens has decided to cut ties with longtime agent Drew Rosenhaus and replace him with Jordan Woy. The intended effect of the shakeup is laid... more

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best had the bulk of his 2011 season wiped out by a concussion, but he says he's now symptom-free and moving forward with his career. "I'm pretty sure if there was any real damage going on, I would have physical... more

Pro Bowl safety Dashon Goldson and the San Francisco 49ers aren't far apart on the base element of a new deal, but that doesn't mean it will get done. A source told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area on Monday that Goldson wants a contract with an annual... more

Scott Fujita's offseason has been the equivalent of a migraine headache that refuses to go away. The Cleveland Browns linebacker -- who is facing a three-game ban for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal -- got bad news Monday when an... more

Roddy White is talking crazy. As a star wide receiver , we've been conditioned to expect players in his position to view the offense as merely a mechanism to display his wondrous talent. Running plays and passes to other receivers are only necessary... more

I saw Scott Bakula in a supermarket once. He was in the wine and spirits aisle, his reading glasses dangling from a fabric necklace as he looked over his options. I remember finding that funny for some reason. Some people might have geeked out to be in... more

John Lennon once told us, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Matt Hasselbeck knows exactly what the legendary Beatle was getting at with that statement. Hasselbeck went into the offseason thinking training camp would be... more

Rob Gronkowski is now a man without hair, but he continues to gain strength in his ankle. The New England Patriots tight end had his head shaved Sunday at Gillette Stadium to raise money for cancer research. Gronk brought his unique sense of humor to... more

Justin Blackmon isn't under contract with an NFL team at this time, but his aggravated DUI arrest Sunday morning could lead the league to discipline the Jacksonville Jaguars' rookie wide receiver. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told NFL.com and NFL Network... more

Ray Rice was back on the field with his teammates Sunday. It just wasn't the type of field on which Baltimore Ravens fans would like to see him. Rice participated in Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb's annual charity softball game in Aberdeen, Md.,... more

Though we'd love to get back to discussing things like actual football, Justin Blackmon and -- naturally -- Terrell Owens are making it very difficult. We told you last week that Owens was lawyering up after the Allen Wranglers released the former NFL... more

The story behind Justin Blackmon's Sunday morning DUI arrest in Stillwater, Okla., isn't getting any prettier. Stillwater police spokesman Capt. Randy Dickerson confirmed to NFL.com that the former Oklahoma State wide receiver smelled of alcohol when... more

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith put his faith in Justin Blackmon when he selected the Oklahoma State wide receiver with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Smith has been with the Jaguars since their inception, and he knows all... more

The upcoming season will be an important one for Ndamukong Suh, who will be under pressure to both raise his game and improve his image. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle told The Detroit News he's eager to put last season behind him, a campaign in... more

Jonathan Vilma isn't done talking about his issues with the reported New Orleans Saints' bounty "ledger." On Saturday, an incredulous Vilma laughed off the NFL's reported evidence , pointing out that the leaked documents have no names connected to... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Green Bay Packers Under Pressure: Dom Capers Though he was far from his sharpest in the Packers' postseason loss, no one will blame... more

In the latest sign our nation's economic crisis doesn't limit itself to the type of people who show up in Bruce Springsteen songs about factories, Eddie George is dealing with an ugly real-estate mess. George, the former NFL running back and Heisman... more

The Houston Texans have dipped into the free-agent pool to beef up their running back depth chart, agreeing to terms on a deal with Justin Forsett on Saturday. Forsett, who had a tryout with the team on Wednesday, confirmed his deal on Twitter in a... more

Let's be frank here: The Buffalo Bills really need Ryan Fitzpatrick to step it up in 2012. If he doesn't, it would show a serious breakdown in evaluation from the top of the organization on down. It might sound melodramatic, but eyebrows were raised in... more

We start by reminding you that Austin Collie is still a member of the Indianapolis Colts. In an offseason of sweeping change within the organization, it's hard to keep track of which notable veterans actually survived the purge. Collie did, and he's... more

Back in the "good old days," signing high draft picks was a laborious chore for NFL teams. Feelings were hurt, holdouts happened. The new landscape laid out by the present collective bargaining agreement has eased this process considerably. Case in... more

If the league does indeed possess a "ledger" detailing players' payments for big plays and big hits as part of the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" program, you'd think this would be bad news for Jonathan Vilma. The linebacker received a one-season ban... more

HBO tells us that the Miami Dolphins were the only team formally offered "Hard Knocks" this season, but it's well known the show was shopped around the league before landing in South Beach. The San Diego Chargers were not one of the teams approached,... more

Marcus Benard was the guy who beat the odds. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns, Benard went from a nobody to the team's sack leader in 2010. Then it all almost slipped away. On Oct. 10, Benard had just left practice when he... more

Julian Edelman was a valuable utility man for the New England Patriots last season, but it appears his plate could be a little less full in 2012. Edelman played wide receiver, defensive back, and special teams return man for coach Bill Belichick in... more

Mark Sanchez has himself a supporter in cornerback Darrelle Revis this season. Revis -- a.k.a. "The Corporation" -- didn't play political when discussing who he thought was the best quarterback to lead the New York Jets in 2012. â??I feel very... more

The dreaded Achilles' tendon tear has struck the Baltimore Ravens again after outside linebacker Mike McAdoo suffered the injury during an OTA session on Thursday, the Carroll County Times reported . McAdoo underwent surgery on Friday and is expected to... more

We now know there will be a Pro Bowl next season. M.A.B. (Mothers Against Blitzing) rejoice! And while this year's contest played less like an All-Star Game and more like a moderately aggressive version of two-hand touch, New York Jets linebacker Bart... more

It's fair to say Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson will enter training camp in a far better place than they were in a year ago. In 2011, Jackson was in the final season of his rookie deal and unhappy the Philadelphia Eagles hadn't given him a long-term... more

The last time the Cleveland Browns were in the playoffs, the Houston Texans barely existed, Tiger Woods was famous for being a golfer, and Ja Rule passed as a respectable hip-hop star. Yes, times have changed, even if the Browns always seem to stink.... more

Mark Sanchez has never been awestruck by the presence of Tim Tebow at the New York Jets facilities. Well, almost never. "After we traded for Tim, I'm in the weight room, feeling good, feeling big, thick, really in shape," Sanchez recently told Yahoo!... more

Ryan Tannehill might need to wait for his star turn with the Miami Dolphins, but no depth chart can contain his wife. Lauren Tannehill, who garnered more buzz for her appearance at the NFL draft than most of the players, will continue to grow her brand... more

Rex Ryan has guaranteed nothing this year. This is not an accident. Ryan disappeared into a mist of his own bluster last season, "Rex The Personality" overwhelming "Rex The Football Coach." To his credit, Ryan seems to have realized this and has made... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Detroit Lions. Under Pressure: Ndamukong Suh It's ironic that in a season in which the Detroit Lions finally showed signs of... more

Osi Umenyiora doesn't have a new contract with the New York Giants, and he hasn't been traded to a team that will pay him the money he believes he deserves. Now, his agent paid the price for his client's offseason of discontent. Umenyiora confirmed... more

In news that should once and for all solve the burning question of whether or not Andy Reid faints, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin told reporters Wednesday that he plans to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, this July. "It's kind of a... more

We're continuing to follow the story of Brian Banks, the former blue-chip college prospect who's attempting to resurrect his dreams of an NFL career after being exonerated of a crime that put him behind bars for more than five years. We learned earlier... more

Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman recently turned 28, but he doesn't feel any older. In fact, it's the opposite. "A year older? I'm like Benjamin Button, man," Merriman told The Associated Press on Thursday, referring to the Brad Pitt movie about... more

It has been nearly one month since Junior Seau's tragic suicide, and those close to him are still trying to make sense of it. USA Today talked to more than 50 of Seau's friends, family members, neighbors and former teammates in an attempt to understand... more

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford came in at No. 41 on the "Top 100: Players of 2012," which, depending on your opinion, might have been way too low for someone who completed 41 touchdown passes and threw for over 5,000 yards last season. In... more

The Super Bowl will get the cold-weather treatment for the first time in 2014 when the big game is hosted outdoors in New York (or, you know , New Jersey) at Metlife Stadium. It's a precedent that could open the door for a host of other cities in the... more

Jerry Jones acknowledged last week he felt the window is closing both on him and this current version of the Dallas Cowboys. Since the 69-year-old owner made his comments, "window" talk has been a recurring theme in Big D. Running back DeMarco Murray... more

Terrell Owens was an easy target for ridicule after an Indoor Football League team cut ties with the former NFL star this week, but it was just a matter of time before we heard the other side of the story. Smith: T.O. loves fame, not football... more

Michael Vick wasn't the only guy to leave plays on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, but there was no hiding the fact he took a step back in his third season with the team. Vick wasn't terrible by any stretch (18 touchdowns, 14... more

We're not so sure how much this matters to him, but Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning played a man of mystery in NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012" countdown. Manning is obviously one of the best quarterbacks to ever step on the field. But... more

Based on most human standards, it'd be difficult to envision Adrian Peterson being the Minnesota Vikings' starting running back by Week 1. Rap Sheet: A shocking retirement When Vikings CB Asher Allen called it quits Wednesday, the team was completely... more

Last weekend, we touched on the pressure facing Bradie James, the veteran linebacker tasked with replacing DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring basically came out and said the Texans were better off without Ryans last week. Now,... more

Jim Harbaugh had to get something off his chest Wednesday. "It's an erroneous perception that we were flirting with Peyton Manning," the San Francisco 49ers coach said, according to The Sacramento Bee . "I keep hearing that over and over again. It's... more

There isn't a "Dancing with the Stars" diehard to be found on the ATL team -- Sessler doesn't even have cable, for goodness' sake -- but we're very aware of the gravitational pull the show has on NFL stars. Donald Driver was the latest player to be... more

Joe Philbin already had plenty on his plate this summer as he embarks on his maiden voyage as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Adding HBO's "Hard Knocks" to the mix will shine a spotlight on the entire organizational process. Philbin, like so many... more

If nothing else, Tom Brady's welcome star turn on FunnyOrDie.com proved his sense of humor is still intact after a rough setback in Super Bowl XLVI. The New England Patriots quarterback gives a legitimately good performance in the video, showing off... more

In news that's akin to a 25-year-old man returning to his high school to speak at graduation, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart retired Wednesday, seven years after last stepping on an NFL field. Stewart, 39, said he needed closure... more

New England Patriots rookie safety Alfonzo Dennard has entered a not-guilty plea on charges of third-degree assault of a police officer, the Omaha World-Herald reported Wednesday, citing court documents. The former Nebraska standout filed a written... more

Brandon Jacobs is a big man. This is the trait that has defined him since he came into the NFL in 2005. But the new San Francisco 49ers running back is aiming to be not so large by Week 1. Jacobs told reporters Tuesday that his goal is to play at his... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Denver Broncos. Under Pressure: Peyton Manning Will the Broncos get "the old" Peyton Manning or just an old Peyton Manning?... more

In a perfect world, receiver Mike Wallace would currently be on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers, working with his fellow wide receivers while soaking up the intricacies of Todd Haley's new offense. This isn't the case, of course. Wallace is... more

Maurice Jones-Drew isn't taking part in OTAs for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which can't be considered much of a surprise. The running back hasn't participated in the voluntary workouts since his rookie season in 2006, though CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco... more

ATL Fun Fact #73: The phrase "Fire Juan Castillo" returns 14 pages of results on Google. This includes two Facebook pages singularly devoted to the dismissal of the embattled Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator. There were plenty of reasons... more

Kevin Kolb had the final month of his 2011 season wiped out by a concussion, but it's not something that keeps him up at night. "I don't worry about them," Kolb said, according to the Arizona Cardinals' team site . "It was a freak deal. They don't... more

There's reason for optimism around the Indianapolis Colts these days, but fans of the team appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach. The Sports Business Journal reported last week (via The Sporting News ) that the team contacted a local firm to help... more

Tim Tebow and Lolo Jones aren't dating. It's unlikely they ever will, but New York Jets center Nick Mangold isn't ready to give up on creating the most chaste couple in American sport. "It's now my new goal," Mangold said in a chat with "NFL Total... more

Nick Mangold isn't a stranger to the circus atmosphere now synonymous with the New York Jets. He has seen it all since joining the team in 2006: Spygate, Brett Favre madness, "Hard Knocks" and January's very public team implosion. Now the Pro Bowl... more

Mohamed Sanu's NFL career began quite awkwardly , but he appears to have landed in a good place. Sanu, the Cincinnati Bengals' third-round pick in last month's draft, enters a situation in which the team has no clear No. 2 receiver behind A.J. Green.... more

No doubt spurred on by Eli Manning's workmanlike performance on "Saturday Night Live" earlier this month, Tom Brady has stepped into the world of digital shorts to hone his acting chops. In the FunnyOrDie.com sketch, "Tom Brady's Wicked Accent ," the... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Houston Texans. Under Pressure: Bradie James The Houston Texans' decision to cut ties with middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans was one... more

Back in April, when the Detroit Lions' count for offseason arrests sat at four, quarterback Matthew Stafford had this to say about his team: "(Coach Jim Schwartz said) just we've come so far, we don't want anything to hold us back. And I think everybody... more

Let us rewind back to New Year's Day. While you were nursing a hangover, Matt Flynn was putting up a performance that seemed destined to put his grand grandchildren through law school. Six touchdowns. 480 passing yards. A record-setting 45-41 victory... more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to find a diamond in the rough in new head coach Greg Schiano. Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan delivered high praise for the former Rutgers coach during a Friday interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio. â??Coach... more

Once the New York Jets' brass internally made the decision to move on from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer this year, only one external candidate stood out for Jets coach Rex Ryan. It was Tony Sparano, the former Miami Dolphins coach who had... more

The New England Patriots' offensive attack in the Brady/Belichick era has never been predicated on having a workhorse running back, but the departure of BenJarvus Green-Ellis as a free agent did create question marks in Foxborough. The obvious question... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Indianapolis Colts. Under Pressure: Andrew Luck It's natural for the hype machine to go into overdrive for a No. 1 overall pick,... more

There's no shortage of optimism and self-belief around the Miami Dolphins these days. Earlier this month, Reggie Bush, he of the lone 1,000-yard campaign in six tries, declared his goal to be the league's rushing champion in 2011. Now it's Karlos... more

Having your season come to an end one play into sudden-death overtime is painful. Getting beat by a team you believed to be mediocre is another level of hurt entirely. That's what members of the Pittsburgh Steelers dealt with last January after Tim... more

It's a new day in Miami, where new head coach Joe Philbin brings a very different philosophy on offense when compared to previous head coach Tony Sparano. Reggie Bush got an up-close look at this during OTA sessions last week. â??No huddle. Very... more

Matt Forte would like you to know his knee is feeling just fine, thank you very much. After we reported earlier Saturday the Chicago Bears are concerned about the long-term health of the running back's knees, Forte took to Twitter to show there was no... more

Dear Hollywood, We're writing you today because we can't help but notice your attempts at producing movies about football have been extremely hit or miss with the American public. We understand you run a challenging business, and it's not always easy... more

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The Tennessee Titans. Under Pressure: Chris Johnson You know when you wake up from a nightmare and you get that feeling of relief... more

The Chicago Bears obviously have hang-ups about giving Matt Forte a long-term deal, and now we might be getting a better idea just what they are. The Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday that the team has "concerns over Forte's knees ." The Bears are... more

  2012 fan survey of favorite teams Rk Team Pct. 1 Cowboys 8.8 2 Packers 7.2 3 Giants 7.1 4 Steelers 7.1 5 Patriots 6.8 6 Bears 4.2 7 Saints 4.1 8 49ers 4.0 9 Eagles 3.9 10 Broncos 3.8 11 Colts 2.8 12... more

Add New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott to the list of current and former NFL players who don't want their children to pursue a career in football. Scott told the New York Daily News this week that the threat of long-term health consequences has led... more

Michael Bush is turning heads for a surprising reason in his initial workouts with the Chicago Bears. The running back, signed as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, has impressed coaches with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.... more

"Hard Knocks" is like an orphan knocking on the doors of NFL teams looking for a home. With a deadline set , it has had no luck finding shelter yet. The Seattle Seahawks were one of those teams that said "no thanks." Head coach Pete Carroll explained... more

September was not a kind month for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011. In the season opener on Sept. 11, star safety Eric Berry tore his ACL and was lost for the season. The Chiefs' knockout blow came a week later, when All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles... more

Rex Ryan might have been the breakout star of the 2010 season of "Hard Knocks," but New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff was the heart and funny bone of the popular (if tragically homeless ) HBO series. A gruff old man who's run the special... more

There was once The Summer of George . And now we're witnessing The Spring of Tom. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is fresh off his second Super Bowl win in five years, and was named the NFL's best coach in a recent Sporting News poll . An even... more

It's frustrating enough watching a TV show or movie where a person is framed for a crime they did not commit. But can you even imagine if it really happened to you? Brian Banks can. Banks was a 16-year-old high school football star from Long Beach,... more

Brian Urlacher turned 34 on Friday. He's been a member of the Chicago Bears for more than a third of his life. The man has seen things. This qualifies Urlacher to discuss matters of perspective when it comes to pro football teams that call Soldier Field... more

The USFL was a noble failure, a league that came and went during the go-go 80s while serving as an early habitat Hall of Famers including Steve Young, Reggie White and Jim Kelly. Also, Donald Trump has been cited as a reason the league folded, which is... more

Santana Moss has been a patient man in the nation's capital. During his seven-season run with the Washington Redskins, Moss has caught passes from the esteemed likes of Patrick Ramsey, late-period Mark Brunell, Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, late-period... more

It's a time of transition for the Pittsburgh Steelers, both in terms of personnel and strategy. This is no different along the offensive line. Willie Colon is healthy after missing the majority of last season with a torn triceps muscle. A tackle for his... more

The quarterback race for the Miami Dolphins is wide open, but coach Joe Philbin doesn't plan on dragging the competition out. Philbin said he hopes to have a starting quarterback in place by Aug. 24, the date of the Dolphins' third preseason game,... more

In news that undoubtedly led to Cris Collinsworth busting out his signature Cris Collinsworth Smirkâ?¢, NBC's "Sunday Night Football" telecast is television's No. 1 show. The NFL said Thursday that "Sunday Night Football" averaged the most prime-time... more

James Harrison will never be viewed as an impartial observer when it comes to matters involving Roger Goodell, but his comments about the NFL Commissioner are always good fodder for us media folks. On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker called... more

As reporters assembled around Tim Tebow's locker on Thursday, a collection of voices could be heard in the background barking in the quarterback's direction. New York Jets teammates were hollering, "Lolo," as in Lolo Jones, the 29-year-old Olympic... more

In recent years, Joe Namath has held the title of not just the New York Jets' most famous player, but also their most publicized critic. We're now seeing Jim Brown, who sounded off on the Cleveland Browns this week, take a similar course. Brown... more

The difference between the Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford in 2010 and the limping, mistake-prone 2011 version was a primary reason for the St. Louis Rams' sink to the bottom of the NFC West in 2011. Some first-year coaches would worry which version of... more

Many of you were probably unaware Jon Kitna had retired from the NFL. (He did, back in January after wrapping his 15th season.) Kitna wasted no time in moving on with his life, embarking on a new career as a high school math teacher and football coach... more

The Denver Broncos signed both Peyton Manning and Tracy Porter in the offseason, bringing together two men who will forever be linked in Super Bowl lore. It was Porter, of course, who intercepted Manning late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIV,... more

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has hit that level of weight loss where he's starting to resemble a different person. The blue eyes and impossibly white teeth are still there, but everything else has been streamlined -- from the shape of his face, to the... more

Houston would like another crack at the Super Bowl. The city last hosted the event in 2004, two years after the Texans came into the league. Houston received middling reviews as a host city, making it a distinct possibility the hoisting of the Lombardi... more

Around the League will examine one key player under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Up next: the Baltimore Ravens. Under Pressure: Joe Flacco Sometimes pressure is created by factors around you. Sometimes you put it on yourself.... more

On paper -- or to be more specific, the depth chart -- things look bleak for Kyle Williams' future with the San Francisco 49ers. Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss and Mario Manningham all clearly are ahead of Williams. First-round pick A.J. Jenkins is a lock... more

NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012" list may have its share of critics , but at the very least it provides us with a venue for celebrating the amazing staying power of Tony Gonzalez. The Atlanta Falcons tight end came in at No. 53 on the list, a... more

The Baltimore Ravens need Ray Rice more than ever heading into the 2012 season, but will they be able to get on the same page with their star running back before the conversation turns nasty? According to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones, there's hope among... more

In trading out of the opportunity to grab former Baylor star Robert Griffin III in the 2012 draft, the St. Louis Rams definitively showed their faith in quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft -- excelled as a... more

Jay Cutler didn't come out and say life with the Chicago Bears is sunnier without erstwhile offensive coordinator Mike Martz, but let's not play dumb here. The quarterback called the new setup on offense "a breath of fresh air" and praised quarterbacks... more

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross raised eyebrows on Monday when he speculated quarterback Matt Moore would get the nod over rookie Ryan Tannehill as the team's Week 1 starter. Ross' candor was a surprise to many, likely most of all David Garrard, who... more

Billy Cundiff has made plenty of kicks in his NFL career. He could make plenty more before his football Sundays are through. But he'll likely always be remembered for the one he didn't make. January 22, 2012. AFC Championship Game. The Baltimore Ravens... more

Johnny Knox didn't participate in OTAs with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday, and it doesn't appear he'll be back on the field any time soon as he continues to recover from a serious spine injury. Knox said Wednesday he lost 30 pounds following back... more

If the New York Giants have any designs on making Andre Brown their new plus-sized running back, they've hit a road block not even a fleet of illicit Brandon Jacobs could avoid . CBSSports.com reported on Wednesday that Brown is facing a four-game... more

253 draft picks have 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. Will Whitney Mercilus make Texans fans forget all about Mario Williams? The... more

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs grew up idolizing Junior Seau, and he believes head trauma from a 20-year NFL career played a role in the former NFL great's suicide on Wednesday. But even as Briggs draws that dark connection, it hasn't changed how... more

Everyone knows (for now , anyway) that Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow go 1-2 on the New York Jets' quarterback depth chart. Who will be team's No. 3 signal-caller is less clear. Greg McElroy was supposed to hold that title in 2011, but he missed the entire... more

Were the Jacksonville Jaguars thinking outside the box when they drafted a punter in the third round? Or were they just out of their minds? This is the primary narrative Bryan Anger walks into as an NFL rookie. Anger was a fine punter at Cal, so fine... more

Dispelling any speculation that a Robert Griffin III/Rex Grossman/Kirk Cousins "Hunger Games" survival battle was in the making, Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Sunday that RG3 will work with the first team during the team's upcoming... more

In the months leading up to April's NFL draft, Andrew Luck was regarded as a quarterback both physically talented and highly cerebral. The second part of that description is being tested in rookie minicamp with the Indianapolis Colts. Much is being... more

Floyd Mayweather fought another boxer who wasn't Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night, dispatching Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision. Mayweather ran his record to 43-0 with the win, then probably went straight to work spending as much of his $32 million... more

Brandon Marshall has spoken out on the death of former NFL great Junior Seau. Marshall, the new No. 1 wide receiver with the Chicago Bears, has been outspoken about his own struggles with mental illness, a topic he focused on in an op-ed piece in... more

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- The last time we saw Fred Jackson, he was limping off the field in Miami, a career year abruptly cut short by a broken bone in his lower right leg. That day Jackson was devastated, remembering it as the worst feeling he ever had... more

Beleaguered fans of football's Washington Redskins, we present to you a gift for your eyes, hearts and human spirit. #Redskins QB @RGIII gets geared up and throws to staff members on the back field. More to come soon! http://pic.twitter.com/I5MHIa6J... more

After he was suspended for the entire 2012 season for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal, Jonathan Vilma responded like a man wronged accused by a vengeful god. "I am shocked and extremely disappointed by the NFL's decision to suspend... more

As Tony Sparano begins his maiden voyage as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets, he seems at least aware of the massive iceberg directly in his path. In the interest of not dragging this metaphor out any further, said iceberg is the (inevitable)... more

During a nine-year career that's established him as one of football's premiere defenders, Terrell Suggs has become known as Superman in a No. 55 jersey for the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, Suggs found his kryptonite Saturday in the form of a torn... more

Give Jerel Worthy credit for this: The man is honest. The Green Bay Packers selected the massive defensive tackle in the second round of last week's NFL draft, this despite concerns Worthy's effort level wasn't always up to par at Michigan State.... more

It didn't take long for the speculation to commence linking Junior Seau's tragic death to head trauma from a 20-year football career. Premature? Absolutely. But it is a talking point, and so here we are. Thursday on "The Dan Patrick Show," former... more

After the inclusion of John Kuhn left colleague Gregg Rosenthal rocking in the corner of a white padded cell, I was understandably spooked by my assignment of breaking down the next 10 names on NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2012 " list.... more