Panthers’ Matt Rhule: Teddy Bridgewater was ‘right fit’ because he knows offenseVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — First-year coach Matt Rhule said Teddy Bridgewater’s familiarity with the team’s offensive scheme made him the “right fit” at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers and ultimately led to Cam Newton’s release. Bridgewater spent the 2018 season working under new Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady with the New...
Falcons to wear all-black home uniforms as part of redesignVideo
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in 2020 as part of a redesign the team says respects past fashion choices with updates “to match the modern progression of Atlanta.” The team’s first redesign in 17 years also include white...
Tom Brady on Howard Stern: It was ‘just time’ to leave Patriots for new challenge
TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady entered his final season in New England with a strong inkling it would be his last with the Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl champion who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency last month said Wednesday on SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Show” it...
Jags pass rusher Ngakoue teases Eagles interest
Yannick Ngakoue doesn’t want to go back to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s made that clear over the past month or so. But where will the 25-year-old pass rusher end up? The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Ngakoue, which keeps him in team control, but he has not signed the...
Buccaneers unveil new, yet familiar look for next seasonVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all in for a new look in 2020. Building on momentum created by the signing of six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady in free agency, the Bucs on Tuesday unveiled new uniforms for next season — a move that also figures to...
Redskins weigh drafting Chase Young vs. trading No. 2 pickVideo
WASHINGTON — It has long seemed like a virtual certainty that the Redskins will take Chase Young with the second pick in the NFL Draft. If the Cincinnati Bengals select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow first overall as expected, the Ohio State pass-rusher and Heisman Trophy finalist would fall into Washington’s...
Report: HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ skips Steelers, will feature Rams and Chargers
It appears that Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers will not be spotlighted on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this year. The team was eligible to appear on the annual late-summer football series, but that honor will be shared by the two Los Angeles franchises. That is, of course, is if the...
NFL delays start of offseason workout programs for teamsVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C — The NFL is delaying the start of its offseason workout program while formulating a plan with the NFL Players Association on how to proceed during the coronavirus pandemic. At least for the time being, NFL coaches won’t be allowed to communicate with players via videoconferencing. Normally, Monday...
Ex-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73
NEW ORLEANS — Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey, who played in the NFL despite being born without toes on his kicking foot and made a record 63-yard field goal, died late Saturday while struggling with complications from the coronavirus, his daughter said. He was 73. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate...
Pro day cancellations forcing changes to NFL draft process
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bill Polian simplified the NFL’s draft process years ago. He studied film, relied on medical experts, checked the numbers and interviewed players. With the flurry of canceled pro days, the Hall of Famer who constructed multiple Super teams during his 32-year- career believes it’s time for a...
Former Broncos star Derek Wolfe finally gets to play for RavensVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Derek Wolfe figured he missed yet another chance to join the Baltimore Ravens when the team reached agreement last month on a three-year contract with free agent defensive lineman Michael Brockers. After Baltimore’s deal with Brockers fell through, Wolfe immediately told his agent to get in...
Jets’ Perriman says late-season breakout was just sneak peek
NEW YORK — Breshad Perriman insists his late-season breakout last year was merely just a promising start. For him to live up to his own expectations. And, to finally prove the doubters wrong. “I think that was just a sneak peek of what’s to come for this season and many...
Antonio Brown faces felony charge in connection with assault at Florida home
Authorities formally charged former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in connection with a January assault outside of his South Florida home, ESPN reported Friday night. Brown, 31, faces three charges, including misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor criminal mischief and felony burglary conveyance — the most serious charge. The Miami native turned...
Bears declare open competition between Mitchell Trubisky, Nick FolesVideo
The Chicago Bears declared the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles an open one Friday. General manager Ryan Pace made that clear during a conference call, saying both players are “embracing” the battle that will play out whenever offseason workouts begin. Coach Matt Nagy stressed Trubisky will...
Giants’ Dion Lewis becomes backup to star RB again, this time with Saquon BarkleyVideo
Pitt product Dion Lewis is in a familiar role being Saquon Barkley’s backup with the New York Giants. It’s a position Lewis had the past two seasons in Tennessee, spelling NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry. Lewis knows the requirements: be a good team player and be ready when needed to...
First Call: ESPN spruces up Myles Garrett again; Stephen A. Smith rips Antonio Brown; 100-game MLB season?
Friday’s “First Call” illustrates ESPN’s unending desire to shine up Myles Garrett. Stephen A. Smith lowers the boom on Mr. Business is Boomin’. Check out Tom Brady’s new place in Tampa. We may have a 100-game Major League Baseball season. And O.J. Simpson gives us his review of “Tiger King.”...
NFLPA accused of stonewalling ex-players on disability fundsVideo
The attorney representing retired NFL players alleged the players’ union stonewalled his clients when confronted with questions whether their Social Security disability payments would be affected before the labor agreement with the league was narrowly ratified last month. Ben Meiselas told the Associated Press on Friday that email exchanges between...
Bills valued Stefon Diggs’ experience over adding receiver in draftVideo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Stefon Diggs landing in Buffalo was a direct result of the new coronavirus pandemic potentially disrupting the NFL’s offseason practice schedule. Bills general manager Brandon Beane altered his approach in filling the Bills’ most pressing need at receiver. By acquiring Diggs in a trade with Minnesota last...
Chiefs’ Andy Reid plotting defense of Super Bowl from his basementVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid is like most people these days. The Kansas City Chiefs coach is hunkered down in his basement, trying to avoid going out in public as he works from a makeshift office consisting of a computer, an iPad and an old side table. The difference,...
Stuck in Minnesota, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski adjusts to ‘strange times’Video
CLEVELAND — Kevin Stefanski’s title has changed. His address remains the same. Stuck in Minnesota with his family, the Cleveland Browns’ first-year coach has been holed up and riding out the coronavirus pandemic, which has created challenges as he prepares for the NFL draft and a season that remains in...
Tim Dahlberg: Nothing smart about staging UFC fights or NFL draftVideo
Dana White must be a smart guy. He did, after all, build UFC from almost nothing into the entertainment and sports juggernaut it is today. Roger Goodell is pretty smart himself. He’s been able to keep 32 owners happy while filling their pockets with even more billions from NFL fans....
New England Patriots plane with 1.2 million N95 masks from China headed to U.S.
A plane full of needed medical supplies from China was set to land in Boston on Thursday afternoon. Rather than an airline or government logo, though, the plane features the New England Patriots design and their six Lombardi Trophies. According to The Wall Street Journal, the plane was permitted to...
Titans making priority of keeping RB Derrick Henry long termVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans don’t want Derrick Henry going anywhere anytime soon, and the NFL rushing leader sounds as if he is eager to stick around too. General manager Jon Robinson said Wednesday on a conference call with reporters Henry is an important part of the Titans, and...
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson works out with Antonio BrownVideo
Last year, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson drew attention for his offseason work with teammates Willie Snead IV and Chris Moore. On Wednesday, his company was a little more famous. In an afternoon session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — county seat of his native Broward County — the NFL’s reigning MVP...
Free agent Jadeveon Clowney said to be lowering asking priceVideo
Could we be getting closer to some resolution to the future of Seahawks free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney? Multiple reports Wednesday seemed to indicate potential movement, though not all of it necessarily good for the chances of Clowney staying in Seattle. Specifically, Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson told...
