NFL category, Page 154
AP: Bills grant wide receiver Cole Beasley permission to seek tradeVideo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills granted veteran receiver Cole Beasley permission to seek a trade, a person familiar with the discussions confirmed to the Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills were not going to formally announce the news. NFL.com first...
Trade talk overshadows marginal class of QBs in free agency
An underwhelming free agent class for quarterbacks is overshadowed by the possibility of multiple big names changing teams, most notably Aaron Rodgers. From the potential move of Rodgers out of Green Bay to the likely departure of San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo despite the 49ers reaching another NFC championship game with...
Judge approves fix to stem race bias in NFL concussion deal
PHILADELPHIA — Black retired football players who were denied payments for dementia in the NFL’s $1 billion concussion settlement can seek to be retested or have their claims rescored to eliminate racial bias in the testing and payout formula, under a revised plan finalized Friday. Outrage over the use of...
NFL suspends all covid protocols, cites ‘encouraging trends’
The NFL suspended all aspects of its covid-19 protocols, citing recent trends showing that the spread of the coronavirus is declining. In an agreement with the players’ association, the league sent a memo to the 32 teams Thursday in which it mentioned “encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of...
First Call: Joe Manganiello narrates Sidney Crosby doc; progress on Aaron Donald contract; Tom Brady update; Gronk to Bills?
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hollywood star Joe Manganiello channels his Western Pennsylvania roots as narrator of a new Sidney Crosby documentary. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not look kindly on Tom Brady going elsewhere if he comes out of retirement. The Buffalo Bills may try to bring Rob Gronkowski...
Giants add former Pittsburgh Passion player to coaching staff
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have added a second woman to their coaching staff, and started clearing cap space for free agency by releasing veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph confirmed his release in a tweet. New coach Brian Daboll on Wednesday announced Angela Baker, a Carlynton...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans have early barbs for Penguins at trade deadline, the Pirates — even the Maulers
Two treats for this week’s “U mad, bro?” First, because of some scheduling quirks, it’s coming a day early. Second, Pittsburgh fans are so special, they have managed to work their way into complaining about a franchise that hasn’t even held its first practice, rules changes that haven’t even been...
NFL’s competition committee considers changing OT rulesVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — All the Buffalo Bills wanted in January was one more chance to beat Kansas City. Now they’re trying to make sure no NFL team begins the offseason as it did. On Tuesday, more than a month after enduring a crushing AFC divisional round loss without ever touching the...
NFL, Nielsen survey finds two-thirds of U.S. saw Super Bowl
LOS ANGELES — Approximately two-thirds of the United States watched the Super Bowl, according to a survey conducted by the National Football League and Nielsen. Nielsen reported the total audience on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and NFL digital platforms averaged 112.3 million viewers for the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 victory over...
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has surgery on non-throwing shoulder
INDIANAPOLIS — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder after the season, a procedure coach Mike McCarthy said was a clean up for an issue that isn’t a concern. McCarthy told reporters at the scouting combine Tuesday he expects Prescott to be available for offseason work....
Ellis L. Williams: Kenny Pickett does a lot the Carolina Panthers should like, but little to exciteVideo
Not everyone has lost faith in Panthers’ quarterback Sam Darnold. “I know everybody has kind of punted on Sam,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “But golly, maybe I’m just a slave to my college grade, but I liked him so much coming out of USC, and you still think that’s...
Dolphins reportedly planned to pursue Sean Payton, Tom Brady this offseason
When the Miami Dolphins made the surprising move on Jan. 10 to fire former coach Brian Flores, many believed it had to mean there was a big-name coaching pursuit owner Steve Ross and the Dolphins were prepared to make. According to a report Monday morning, there was one — just...
Glitzier combine could help NFL make decision on host city
INDIANAPOLIS — This week’s stodgy, old NFL scouting combine is going Hollywood. The sound of silence will be replaced by music as players work out inside. Results and interviews will appear on Lucas Oil Stadium’s video boards and fans will be encouraged to cheer. Whether all these changes signal a...
Buccaneers Pro Bowl OL Ali Marpet retires at age 28
TAMPA, Fla. — Pro Bowl offensive lineman Ali Marpet caught the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off guard Sunday, announcing his retirement from the NFL at age 28. A second-round draft pick out of tiny Hobart College in 2015, Marpet became a starter at right guard as a rookie. He transitioned to...
Ex-Auburn, Chargers running back Lionel James dies at 59Video
AUBURN, Ala. — Former Auburn and San Diego Chargers running back Lionel James, who made a name for himself for being unstoppable despite his small stature, died Friday after a lengthy illness, the university said. He was 59. Auburn announced the death of James, a 5-foot-6 player nicknamed “Little Train,”...
Troy Aikman expected to leave Fox for ESPN ‘Monday Night’ booth
NFL free agency doesn’t begin for a few more weeks, however business is about to pick up when it comes to shuffling among the network broadcast teams with perhaps the biggest surprise of them all. Troy Aikman is expected to become the lead analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” after...
Packers GM says team will know ‘shortly’ on Aaron Rodgers’ decisionVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s not giving Aaron Rodgers any deadlines on when to decide on a possible return, and he believes the four-time MVP will reach a resolution soon. Rodgers has said he hasn’t made up his mind regarding his plans...
Judge: Deshaun Watson depositions can begin in assault suits
HOUSTON — A judge has declined efforts by attorneys for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson to delay all his depositions in connection with lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment. During a court hearing on Monday, defense attorney Rusty Hardin had asked that...
Aaron Rodgers says he still hasn’t decided on his 2022 plansVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers said he’s still making up his mind about whether he wants to return to the Green Bay Packers next season. “There will be no news today,” the four-time MVP quarterback said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and SiriusXM. “No decision on...
Charley Taylor, Hall of Fame Washington receiver, dies at 80
WASHINGTON — Charley Taylor, the Hall of Fame receiver who ended his 13-season career with Washington as the NFL’s career receptions leader, died Saturday. He was 80. The Commanders said Taylor died at an assisted-living facility in Virginia. The cause of death wasn’t announced. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall...
Carlynton grad Angela Baker joins New York Giants coaching staff
Angela Baker continues to climb the ranks in the NFL. The Carlynton graduate and former Pittsburgh Passion quarterback was hired Friday as an offensive quality control coach and minority coaching fellow with the New York Giants, according to an ESPN report. Baker spent the 2020 and ‘21 NFL seasons working...
Canevin grad Tom Clements returning for second stint as Packers QBs coachVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Tom Clements is back for a second stint as Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach, a move that could reunite him with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Clements, 68, previously worked for the Packers from 2006-16 in roles that included quarterbacks coach (2006-11), offensive coordinator (2012-14) and associate...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh’s Janice Masters aims to elevate Women’s National Football Conference as new commissioner
For Pittsburgh’s Janice Masters, the workload can sometimes be like a second full-time job. Except she’s not getting paid for this one. Roger Goodell gets between $50 million to $60 million per year to be commissioner of the National Football League. What Masters gets to be commissioner of the Women’s...
Super Bowl run excited fans, but Bengals still need work
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t expected to be in the Super Bowl. After all, they finished 4-11-1 and in last place in the AFC North in the 2020 season. The Bengals were a good team in 2021, but not a great one. The Super Bowl seemed improbable up until...
Bengals extend coach Zac Taylor’s contract through 2026
CINCINNATI — Zac Taylor, who led the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl in his third season as coach, was signed to a five-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Taylor was 6-25-1 in his first two seasons leading the Bengals, his first head coaching...
