Giants’ Saquon Barkley OK sitting out preseason games, ready if asked
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Saquon Barkley has no problem watching preseason games from the sidelines, if that’s what New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur wants. While in uniform, the NFL offensive rookie of the year last season was a spectator and cheerleader for the Giants’ 31-22 victory over the Jets...
Raiders receiver Antonio Brown loses grievance over helmet
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders receiver and former Steeler Antonio Brown lost his grievance with the NFL on Monday over his use of an old helmet that is no longer certified as safe to use for practice or play. The arbitrator issued the ruling after holding a hearing last Friday...
NFL claps back amid Antonio Brown helmet controversy
ALAMEDA, Calif. — While Raiders star receiver Antonio Brown fights to use his old helmet, the NFL reiterated its stance that players aren’t allowed to practice or play with unapproved equipment. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy tweeted out a statement Monday without mentioning Brown by name that said players can only...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell’s laughable rap video; incredible NHL miscue
In Monday’s “First Call,” hockey hilarity. Le’Veon Bell’s new rap video is completely on brand. A massive baseball bet goes haywire. And one of the best dunks you’ll ever see. Understated and tasteful A teaser for Le’Veon Bell’s new video, “Slide,” is out. Now I know why he needed so...
Vikings acquire kicker Kaare Vedvik from RavensVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings have a new kicker, and possibly a new punter. Kaare Vedvik, a second-year pro from Norway, was acquired in a trade with the Ravens for a draft pick, the Ravens announced on Sunday, pending a physical. The Vikings sent a 2020 fifth-round pick to Baltimore, according...
Dolphins’ big catch: undrafted receiver Preston WilliamsVideo
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins posted a tweet Saturday of a new, nearly life-size photo covering an elevator door at the stadium. It showed rookie Preston Williams making an acrobatic catch in the team’s first exhibition game. “That’s so awesome!” Williams tweeted in response. The Dolphins agree. Their undrafted rookie...
Raiders’ painful exit from Oakland latest in long line of team relocations
SAN DIEGO — The slow, agonizing demise of the Oakland Raiders will continue for at least one more season. There will be one more “final” home game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, on Dec. 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There have been possible “final” home games for a few years...
Report: Antonio Brown’s absence more about new helmets than foot issues
NFL sources have told ESPN that Antonio Brown’s recent absence from Oakland Raiders training camp is more about the receiver’s issues with the league issuing new helmets than it is his recovery from blisters on his feet. ESPN`s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Brown has told his team that he...
Raiders’ slow exit from Oakland painful for fans
SAN DIEGO — The slow, agonizing demise of the Oakland Raiders will continue for at least one more season. There will be one more “final” home game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, on Dec. 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There have been possible “final” home games for a few years...
Colin Kaepernick reportedly ready to compete to play
PHILADELPHIA — Colin Kaepernick is eager to prove he’s good enough to play in the NFL. A person close to Kaepernick told The Associated Press on Friday: “Colin has always been prepared to compete at the highest level and is in the best shape of his life.” The person spoke...
Cryotherapy experts baffled by Antonio Brown’s frostbitten feet
The picture circulating on social media of Antonio Brown’s feet is reportedly the result of a cryotherapy session gone very wrong. From heel to toe, the bottoms of Brown’s feet are one big blister, with yellowish dying skin giving way to a shade of raw pink. Local cryotherapy experts wonder...
Too much Browns hype? Success in 1st preseason game won’t slow it
If you are someone who thinks all the Browns hype has been too much, bad news. It’s not going to slow down after their first preseason game. Cleveland looked sharp beating the Redskins, 30-10. Baker Mayfield was 5 for 6 for 77 yards and a touchdown to Rashard Higgins. Baker...
Saquon Barkley hits Giants coach with ill-fated, no-look passVideo
Saquon Barkley is no Pat Mahomes. Barkley, the New York Giants running back, proved this recently at preseason camp in East Rutherford, N.J., by trying a no-look pass and promptly pegging an assistant coach in the head. "No-look. Mahomes." @saquon's impression did not go according to plan ? pic.twitter.com/rhTa1n5ZSa— Sports...
Browns trade RB Duke Johnson to Texans for 2020 draft pick
CLEVELAND — Duke Johnson got his wish, and the Browns got more than expected for him. Cleveland traded the disgruntled running back to the Houston Texans on Thursday for an undisclosed 2020 draft pick. A person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press that the Browns are getting a...
Offensive continuity could have Chiefs flying high againVideo
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The day Patrick Mahomes checked into Scanlon Hall on the campus of Missouri Western for the start of training camp, he was greeted by Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka. That’s the same trio that guided the...
In video, Colin Kaepernick says he’s ‘still ready’ to return
Colin Kaepernick says he’s “still ready” to return to the NFL, even though he is set to enter his third season out of the league. In a video posted Wednesday on social media, the 31-year-old Kaepernick is shown working out in a gym. He says in the video: “5 a.m....
11 reasons to tune in to NFL preseason Week 1Video
Preseason football is boring, you say? Highlighted by Kyler Murray, the new-look Browns and Josh Rosen’s debut with the Dolphins, here are 11 reasons to watch in Week 1....
Dolphins’ Kenny Stills calls out owner for hosting Trump luncheon
MIAMI — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills publicly criticized team owner Steve Ross on Wednesday for his plans to host President Trump at Ross’ home in New York for a fundraising event later this week. Stills, the Dolphins’ outspoken leader and advocate for human rights, called out Ross for...
Antonio Brown has to explain to his kids why Ben Roethlisberger is not at practiceVideo
It might be a while before the explanation ever sets in. Former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown had to explain to his kids why his former quarterback is not on his new team. “Where’s Roethlisberger?” Black and Yellow ➡️ Silver and Black. Big changes take some getting used to.#HardKnocks: Training Camp...
Browns RB Nick Chubb poised for breakout season
BEREA, Ohio — Nick Chubb skipped the parties in college. Not his style. He was reserved and quiet at Georgia, keeping to himself or working out in the Bulldogs’ weight room. The soft-spoken kid from historic Chubbtown was courteous and driven off the field, tough and powerful on it. Browns...
Bills running back LeSean McCoy using his doubters as motivationVideo
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Question LeSean McCoy all you want for having lost a step now that he’s on the wrong side of 30 and coming off his least productive season. The Buffalo Bills running back says he won’t hold it against anyone when proving them wrong. Insisting he’s still “The...
With Antonio Brown the star of the show, Raiders ready for ‘Hard Knocks’ debutVideo
NAPA, Calif. — Quarterback Derek Carr angrily yelling at teammates. Jon Gruden showing a softer, gentler side for some of his younger players and ditching his trademark snarl. Vontaze Burfict politely helping an offensive linemen get off the ground. What in the name of Al Davis is going on here?...
Las Vegas stadium for relocating Raiders gets Allegiant name
LAS VEGAS — The $1.9 billion stadium being built for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders when they move to Las Vegas is being named for Allegiant Travel Co. Officials made the announcement Monday during a ceremony marking installation of the final steel beam for the roof of the 65,000-seat indoor stadium....
‘Huddle Up with Gus’: Ex-NFL QB Heath Shuler discusses small-town upbringing, political career
Life in small-town North Carolina is probably what you think it is. A football, baseball and track and field star, Heath Shuler was a multi-time high school state champion in multiple sports. He also hunted in the North Carolina mountains with family and friends, some of his fondest memories. Shuler...
First Call: Corey Dickerson homers, Baker Mayfield shotguns a beer
For Monday’s “First Call,” we look at Corey Dickerson’s first homer in Philadelphia, NXT taking over Rays’ pregame festivities, and Baker Mayfield’s beer chugging skills. This Bud’s for Baker Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield is no Aaron Rodgers. At least not yet. But he is clearly better at one thing than Rodgers...
