Drew Brees draws ire of Steelers’ Cameron Heyward, LeBron James, othersVideo
NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees was criticized sharply by fellow high-profile athletes including some of his own teammates on Wednesday after the Saints’ quarterback reiterated his opposition to kneeling during the National Anthem. In an interview with Yahoo, Brees was asked to revisit former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 protest...
Analysis: NFL will play games after support/pressure appliedVideo
Call it support. Call it pressure. However you describe it, the NFL is going to get it regarding playing games on schedule. And barring a setback in the reopening of America during the coronavirus pandemic, the show will go on. Wisely, the NFL has taken baby steps toward some sort...
Baltimore Ravens, Matthew Judon find ‘rare compromise’Video
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl pass-rusher Matthew Judon signed his franchise tag Thursday night, the team announced, and a report suggests the two sides reached “a rare compromise” on compensation. Judon is listed on the roster as an outside linebacker, but he regularly moved around an always-evolving Baltimore defense the past...
Colts hoping for lucrative payoff from betting big on Philip RiversVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Reich jumped right into research mode when he knew Philip Rivers would hit free agency. The Indianapolis Colts coach studied tapes of Rivers’ throws from an uncharacteristically poor 2019 season to compare with those he made earlier in his career. Reich saw no difference. When offensive coordinator...
NFL, EA agree to extension of ‘Madden’ video game franchiseVideo
The “Madden” franchise will continue to be a part of the gaming universe for at least the next six years. NFL owners Thursday approved an extension of their deal with Electronic Arts, continuing a relationship that has existed for 30 years. It was also recently approved by the NFL Players...
Browns stay interested in Jadeveon Clowney while building solid lineVideo
CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett on one end. Jadeveon Clowney on the other. Just the thought of it elicited a quick smile from new Browns coordinator Joe Woods, who oversaw a star-studded defensive front in San Francisco and could have a similar one in Cleveland. The Browns remain interested in Clowney,...
AP Source: NFL drops booth official proposal to aid callsVideo
NEW YORK — The NFL has tabled a proposal for a booth official who would aid calls by using a video feed, a person familiar with the decision tells the Associated Press. The league’s competition committee told teams last month it supports studying ways to determine how officiating personnel who...
NFL clarifies rules proposal on alternate for onside kicks
NEW YORK — The NFL has clarified the rules proposal for an alternative to an onside kick. The Philadelphia Eagles have proposed allowing one fourth-and-15 scrimmage play from 25-yard line of the team kicking off. It can only be done in regulation time, and be used twice. Should the team...
Several big-name NFL players, including Newton and Clowney, remain unsignedVideo
NEW YORK — Offseason shopping is still in full swing in the NFL. Even with the status of the upcoming season uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic, teams continue to tinker with their rosters by adding players they hope will help them win — whenever or if they actually play....
Why Troy Aikman isn’t worried about Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s contract talksVideo
By most accounts, the Dallas Cowboys have had a rather successful offseason. However, one of the organization’s largest remaining — and most highly discussed — issues is the contract situation of starting quarterback Dak Prescott. “I’ve been surprised there’s so much discussion about his contract,” former Cowboys quarterback and current...
Steve Hummer: We’re reminded again of NFL’s shameful lack of blacks in high places
That there is an intrinsic insanity to the coaching profession is clear in the case of the Falcons’ Raheem Morris. Morris began last season working with the Falcons’ receivers. He ended it calling third-down plays for the defense, sharing play-calling with Jeff Ulbrich in a strange synthesis that nonetheless led...
Is it time for ‘Hollywood’ to shine for Ravens?
BALTIMORE — The transformation period from rookie to solid NFL player takes about three to five years, but potential greatness is clearly evident in Year 2. That’s why there is so much optimism about Ravens receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in 2020. A first-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2019, Brown...
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf arrested in CaliforniaVideo
PALM DESERT, Calif. — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested Friday in Southern California. Leaf, 44, was arrested on a domestic battery charge in Palm Desert, which is about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles, according to booking information provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday. Leaf...
Saints adding ex-Steelers linebacker Anthony ChickilloVideo
METAIRIE, La. — Linebacker Anthony Chickillo agreed to a contract with the New Orleans Saints after playing the last five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal was announced Saturday by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Chickillo is changing teams for the first time. He was drafted...
QB Joe Flacco, Jets agree to terms on 1-year dealVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Jets and quarterback Joe Flacco agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the 2013 Super Bowl MVP’s agency announced on Twitter. The move to bring in Flacco gives third-year starter Sam Darnold a veteran backup, but one who is also coming off a herniated...
NFL quarterbacks finding ways to get in mini-workouts with receiversVideo
Some NFL quarterbacks still are finding ways to hold throwing sessions with receivers during the coronavirus pandemic, though things look much different. Players are keeping it simple and sticking to football instead of the annual weeklong bonding trips that have included sleepovers, cookouts, fishing, golfing and other activities. Detroit’s Matthew...
Ryan Fitzpatrick awaits battle with Tua Tagovailoa for Dolphins QB jobVideo
MIAMI — Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s house was quiet at midday Thursday, probably because online schoolwork occupied his kids. He has seven. And despite the pandemic lockdown, there are often enough youngsters gathered for the Fitzpatrick family to field a football team. “My brother lives next door, and he...
Rams’ Aaron Donald: Football without fans ‘wouldn’t be fun’Video
LOS ANGELES — Aaron Donald is not thrilled about the prospect of playing football without fans. The Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive lineman doesn’t like the idea of playing an NFL season in front of empty seats, saying it “wouldn’t be fun to me.” “I feel like you need fans...
Age-defying Frank Gore still running, excited to help JetsVideo
NEW YORK — Frank Gore just keeps running — defying logic and Father Time with each hard-fought yard. At 37 years old, the standout running back is considered ancient in football terms, playing a position at which most guys his age and with his workload would have been long retired....
Tom Brady’s Super Bowl journeys part of 2021 ESPN seriesVideo
Tom Brady’s journey to each of his nine Super Bowls with the New England Patriots will be the subject of an ESPN series released next year. Entitled “The Man in the Arena: Tom Brady,” the nine-episode series will include a look from Brady’s perspective at the six NFL titles and...
NFL looks at adding ‘booth umpire,’ tech adviser for refereesVideo
The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology adviser to the referee to assist the officiating crew. The league also is looking at other rules changes, including an alternative to the onside kick. NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes Thursday. Owners will vote...
Browns WR Jarvis Landry rehabbing from hip surgery, expects to be on field when season resumesVideo
CLEVELAND — Quarantine has allowed Browns Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry to focus even more on his recovery from offseason hip surgery. Landry, who opted for surgery in February after being slowed by an injury last season, said on a Zoom call Wednesday his rehab has gone as well...
NFL facing many baby steps before facilities can fully reopenVideo
The NFL is taking baby steps toward full reopenings for its teams. It has no other choice. No long throws downfield. Mostly halfback dives into the line. There are many issues that must be addressed with the opening of team facilities across the nation. Just because a handful of clubs...
Pine-Richland grad Connor Slomka ready to contribute with Jaguars
After completing his studies at West Point, Pine-Richland graduate Connor Slomka has put his military obligation on hold to play in the NFL. Slomka, 22, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in April. Slomka, a 6-foot, 240-pound fullback, finished second for Army last season with 658...
NFLPA president Tretter says ‘hurdles’ remain for NFL to get backVideo
CLEVELAND — Browns center JC Tretter is cautiously optimistic the NFL season — at least some version of it — will take place in 2020. He is just not certain when it will start. The newly elected president of the NFL Players Association, Tretter said Tuesday the covid-19 virus outbreak...
