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The NFL calls a report it has offered a settlement and reduced suspension to Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma completely inaccurate.
Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty program, which he adamantly has claimed did not exist. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN-com reported the league offered Vilma an eight-game suspension if he would drop his defamation lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
‘‘No such settlement offer has been made,’’ NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday. ‘‘We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time.’’
A judge has ordered the league and Vilma’s representatives to hold confidential settlement talks. A person familiar with those talks told the Associated Press he had ‘‘not heard anything that concrete from anyone at the NFL’’ regarding cutting Vilma’s suspension to eight games.
Read More: NFL denies offering deal to Vilma - Sports - The Boston Globe
Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty program, which he adamantly has claimed did not exist. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN-com reported the league offered Vilma an eight-game suspension if he would drop his defamation lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
‘‘No such settlement offer has been made,’’ NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday. ‘‘We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time.’’
A judge has ordered the league and Vilma’s representatives to hold confidential settlement talks. A person familiar with those talks told the Associated Press he had ‘‘not heard anything that concrete from anyone at the NFL’’ regarding cutting Vilma’s suspension to eight games.
Read More: NFL denies offering deal to Vilma - Sports - The Boston Globe
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Shannon Eastin is used to being a pioneer, and she'll make history Thursday night when she becomes the first woman to serve as an official in an NFL game.
"For me, this is my dream coming true. I'm honored that the NFL has chosen to place me in this position. I feel blessed and excited," she said Tuesday while admitting she's likely to have some nerves. "I appreciate everybody's interest in this story."
Eastin, 42, who's entering her 17th season as a football official, will serve as a line judge in the Packers-Chargers preseason game in San Diego.
And with the possible exception of the men she's replacing, Eastin says she's been received warmly thus far in NFL circles.
Read More: Female NFL ref has 'amazing' player support | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
"For me, this is my dream coming true. I'm honored that the NFL has chosen to place me in this position. I feel blessed and excited," she said Tuesday while admitting she's likely to have some nerves. "I appreciate everybody's interest in this story."
Eastin, 42, who's entering her 17th season as a football official, will serve as a line judge in the Packers-Chargers preseason game in San Diego.
And with the possible exception of the men she's replacing, Eastin says she's been received warmly thus far in NFL circles.
Read More: Female NFL ref has 'amazing' player support | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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Andy Reid has returned to the Philadelphia Eagles a day after his 29-year-old son's funeral.
Garrett Reid, a recovering drug addict, was found dead Sunday in his dorm room at Lehigh University where he was assisting the team's strength and conditioning coach during training camp.
Andy Reid said Wednesday that coming back is "the right thing to do." He plans to coach the exhibition opener against Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
"I'm a football coach. That's what I do," Andy Reid said in Bethlehem, Pa. "My son wouldn't want it any other way."
More than 900 people, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, general managers and coaches from other teams and current and former players, attended the service Tuesday in Broomall, Pa.
"I'm honored to have him back," wide receiver DeSean Jackson. "We just want to uplift him and uplift his spirits and everything like that."
Seahawks: Terrell Owens returned to an NFL practice field for the first time since late in the 2010 season when he jogged onto the field at Seattle's headquarters. There were highlights -- a long catch down the sideline during one drill. There were also humbling moments. "It's all about for me now being part of something rather than being the center of something," said Owens, who is the latest reclamation project being taken on by coach Pete Carroll.
Read More: NFL: Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid returns to camp one day after son's funeral - San Jose Mercury News
Garrett Reid, a recovering drug addict, was found dead Sunday in his dorm room at Lehigh University where he was assisting the team's strength and conditioning coach during training camp.
Andy Reid said Wednesday that coming back is "the right thing to do." He plans to coach the exhibition opener against Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
"I'm a football coach. That's what I do," Andy Reid said in Bethlehem, Pa. "My son wouldn't want it any other way."
More than 900 people, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, general managers and coaches from other teams and current and former players, attended the service Tuesday in Broomall, Pa.
"I'm honored to have him back," wide receiver DeSean Jackson. "We just want to uplift him and uplift his spirits and everything like that."
Seahawks: Terrell Owens returned to an NFL practice field for the first time since late in the 2010 season when he jogged onto the field at Seattle's headquarters. There were highlights -- a long catch down the sideline during one drill. There were also humbling moments. "It's all about for me now being part of something rather than being the center of something," said Owens, who is the latest reclamation project being taken on by coach Pete Carroll.
Read More: NFL: Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid returns to camp one day after son's funeral - San Jose Mercury News
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Quarterbacks will be in the spotlight as the National Football League launches its first full slate of preseason matchups this week – even if the pivots most fans are interested in watching see limited playing time. And that includes one veteran and two vaunted rookies.
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The top two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft were both quarterbacks, and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts and Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins are both expected to be in charge of their team's offense this season.
RGIII and his Redskins will get the first week of the NFL's preseason started on Thursday night, with a 7 p.m. ET road game in Buffalo against the Bills. Washington has been pegged as a rare preseason road favorite for the contest, as they are 2-point chalk against the Bills for Thursday.
Luck and the Colts will have to wait until Sunday to hit the gridiron, and they'll be at home to face the St. Louis Rams in a 1:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Indianapolis managed to win just two games last season, covering the spread in six of their 16 contests for NFL bettors.
Two other quarterbacks went in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, with the Miami Dolphins taking Ryan Tannehill and the Cleveland Browns selecting Brandon Weeden. The Browns have already named Weeden their starting QB for Week 1, while Tannehill will have to outplay some veterans to earn that same gig with the Dolphins.
And in Chicago the focus will be on new Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who will begin his comeback from the neck injury that cost him all of last season with the Colts. The Bears are pegged as 3-point home favorites for the game, which is set for 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
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The top two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft were both quarterbacks, and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts and Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins are both expected to be in charge of their team's offense this season.
RGIII and his Redskins will get the first week of the NFL's preseason started on Thursday night, with a 7 p.m. ET road game in Buffalo against the Bills. Washington has been pegged as a rare preseason road favorite for the contest, as they are 2-point chalk against the Bills for Thursday.
Luck and the Colts will have to wait until Sunday to hit the gridiron, and they'll be at home to face the St. Louis Rams in a 1:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Indianapolis managed to win just two games last season, covering the spread in six of their 16 contests for NFL bettors.
Two other quarterbacks went in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, with the Miami Dolphins taking Ryan Tannehill and the Cleveland Browns selecting Brandon Weeden. The Browns have already named Weeden their starting QB for Week 1, while Tannehill will have to outplay some veterans to earn that same gig with the Dolphins.
And in Chicago the focus will be on new Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who will begin his comeback from the neck injury that cost him all of last season with the Colts. The Bears are pegged as 3-point home favorites for the game, which is set for 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
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A federal judge in New Orleans questioned the fairness of the NFL's bounty investigation of the Saints, then held off on making any rulings while urging all sides to settle the matter on their own.
U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan also said the season-long suspension of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was excessive and that she would be inclined to rule in his favor if she were certain she had jurisdiction to do so.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has justified his suspension of Vilma by describing him as one of the ringleaders of a program that offered Saints defenders improper cash bonuses for injuring opponents.
The judge could potentially rule at any time on Vilma's request to be allowed to temporarily return to the Saints while the case proceeds, but during Friday's hearing, Berrigan urged all parties to come to an agreement rather than wait for the court to make a decision.
Read More: NFL Report: Judge questions fairness of Saints' penalties - latimes-com
U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan also said the season-long suspension of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was excessive and that she would be inclined to rule in his favor if she were certain she had jurisdiction to do so.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has justified his suspension of Vilma by describing him as one of the ringleaders of a program that offered Saints defenders improper cash bonuses for injuring opponents.
The judge could potentially rule at any time on Vilma's request to be allowed to temporarily return to the Saints while the case proceeds, but during Friday's hearing, Berrigan urged all parties to come to an agreement rather than wait for the court to make a decision.
Read More: NFL Report: Judge questions fairness of Saints' penalties - latimes-com
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Jonathan Grimes' three-yard touchdown run in the third quarter helped seal a 26-13 victory by the Houston Texans over the Carolina Panthers in the preseason opener for both teams on Saturday. Matt Schaub made his first appearance for the Texans since missing the final eight games of last season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot and went 3-for-6 through the air for 52 yards and an interception. Tyler Yates, who replaced Schaub last year and led Houston to a franchise-best 10-6 record, its first- ever AFC South title and playoff victory, completed 8- of-12 passes for 89 yards. Undrafted rookie Case Keenum made his NFL debut for Houston and went 2- for-3 for 33 yards. Grimes finished with 37 yards and a score on nine carries and 18 yards on one reception. Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Cam Newton completed 2-of-6 passes for 17 yards and added two rushes for 16 yards for Carolina, which is looking to improve on last season's 6-10 record in Newton's sophomore year. Running back Jonathan Stewart, who signed a five-year contract extension prior to the game reported to be worth $36.5 million with $22.5 million of it guaranteed, had one reception for 13 yards.
Final Score: Seattle 27, Tennessee 17
Read More: NFL Preseason Game Capsules - chicagotribune-com
Final Score: Seattle 27, Tennessee 17
Read More: NFL Preseason Game Capsules - chicagotribune-com
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Miami Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson was arrested Saturday on a domestic violence charge, accused of head-butting his newlywed wife during an argument in front of their home outside Miami.
Johnson, 34, and his wife, Evelyn Lozada, were at dinner and she confronted him about a receipt she had found for a box of condoms, said Davie police Capt. Dale Engle. The argument got heated and continued on the drive home, he said.
When they arrived in their driveway in Davie, Johnson head-butted Lozada, she told police. Lozada, who is on the reality show, "Basketball Wives," was treated at a hospital for a cut to her forehead, Engle said.
Johnson, who changed his last name back to Johnson from Ochocinco after his July 4 wedding to Lozada, was being held Saturday night in Broward County Jail where he will remain until he can appear before a judge, which Engle says might not be until Monday. He is charged with simple battery, domestic violence, which is a misdemeanor.
Team officials were "aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering of relevant information," Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said.
Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined to comment.
Read More: NFL: Miami Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson arrested - San Jose Mercury News
Johnson, 34, and his wife, Evelyn Lozada, were at dinner and she confronted him about a receipt she had found for a box of condoms, said Davie police Capt. Dale Engle. The argument got heated and continued on the drive home, he said.
When they arrived in their driveway in Davie, Johnson head-butted Lozada, she told police. Lozada, who is on the reality show, "Basketball Wives," was treated at a hospital for a cut to her forehead, Engle said.
Johnson, who changed his last name back to Johnson from Ochocinco after his July 4 wedding to Lozada, was being held Saturday night in Broward County Jail where he will remain until he can appear before a judge, which Engle says might not be until Monday. He is charged with simple battery, domestic violence, which is a misdemeanor.
Team officials were "aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering of relevant information," Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said.
Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined to comment.
Read More: NFL: Miami Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson arrested - San Jose Mercury News
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The San Francisco 49ers might have attracted more fans to their practice Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park than they did to their preseason opener 48 hours before.
Team officials estimated a crowd of 32,000 attended San Francisco's Fan Fest, a five-hour event that concluded with a practice session on the team's home field. The 69,732-seat stadium was less than half-full Friday night for the 49ers' 17-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
This was San Francisco's only training camp practice that's open to the public this year. The 49ers have always had a handful of summer practices open to fans in the past at their team complex in Santa Clara, but that is not logistically possible this year because of the ongoing construction of a new stadium being built adjacent to team headquarters.
Their current stadium worked just fine Sunday, as fans added energy and a lot of noise to the team's 2 1/2-hour practice.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said there were "four to five times more people than there were here last year'' at the annual event. The atmosphere made for a crisp practice as the 49ers returned to training camp mode after a players' day off Saturday.
"It was great interaction with the fans,'' said Harbaugh, who signed autographs for almost an hour after practice ended. "I think it helped us being out here. There was a lot of support for our team and I think they felt that from the moment they stepped on the field. The players enjoyed that, it was really good for our team and we enjoyed that.''
Read more: 49ers attract big crowd for Fan Fest - NFL - SI-com
Team officials estimated a crowd of 32,000 attended San Francisco's Fan Fest, a five-hour event that concluded with a practice session on the team's home field. The 69,732-seat stadium was less than half-full Friday night for the 49ers' 17-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
This was San Francisco's only training camp practice that's open to the public this year. The 49ers have always had a handful of summer practices open to fans in the past at their team complex in Santa Clara, but that is not logistically possible this year because of the ongoing construction of a new stadium being built adjacent to team headquarters.
Their current stadium worked just fine Sunday, as fans added energy and a lot of noise to the team's 2 1/2-hour practice.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said there were "four to five times more people than there were here last year'' at the annual event. The atmosphere made for a crisp practice as the 49ers returned to training camp mode after a players' day off Saturday.
"It was great interaction with the fans,'' said Harbaugh, who signed autographs for almost an hour after practice ended. "I think it helped us being out here. There was a lot of support for our team and I think they felt that from the moment they stepped on the field. The players enjoyed that, it was really good for our team and we enjoyed that.''
Read more: 49ers attract big crowd for Fan Fest - NFL - SI-com
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League executives said Monday they now foresee starting the 2012 regular season with replacement officials.
At a time when players are openly criticizing replacement officials and coaches are privately grumbling about them, the NFL and NFL Referees Association are not making any progress towards a new deal, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Economics play a part in the stalemate, but league brass said there are two other issues hanging over and hanging up negotiations.
For starters, the NFL wants to make a group of officials, who work only part time for the NFL, work full time. But more than 90 percent of those officials already have full-time jobs and they are unwilling to leave them and the revenue they provide.
The other issue is that the NFL wants to add three additional crews to give officials more rest and the league more officiating options, but the locked-out officials oppose this. In an ideal world, the NFL would like a bigger pool of officials to choose from, especially with some of the top officials aging. The league believes if it could bring in more officials now, it could groom more for the future.
The league also has discussed the option of rotating some of the proposed new officials into established crews if the league determines there is a substandard performance by an official that merits a change.
Read More: NFL executives foresee opening 2012 regular season with replacement refs - ESPN
At a time when players are openly criticizing replacement officials and coaches are privately grumbling about them, the NFL and NFL Referees Association are not making any progress towards a new deal, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Economics play a part in the stalemate, but league brass said there are two other issues hanging over and hanging up negotiations.
For starters, the NFL wants to make a group of officials, who work only part time for the NFL, work full time. But more than 90 percent of those officials already have full-time jobs and they are unwilling to leave them and the revenue they provide.
The other issue is that the NFL wants to add three additional crews to give officials more rest and the league more officiating options, but the locked-out officials oppose this. In an ideal world, the NFL would like a bigger pool of officials to choose from, especially with some of the top officials aging. The league believes if it could bring in more officials now, it could groom more for the future.
The league also has discussed the option of rotating some of the proposed new officials into established crews if the league determines there is a substandard performance by an official that merits a change.
Read More: NFL executives foresee opening 2012 regular season with replacement refs - ESPN
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That's what San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman felt like he kept asking quarterback Alex Smith on his headset last season. While the NFL's coach-to-quarterback radio connection has been a part of the game for three decades, the most popular sports league has not always been on the cutting edge of technology.
"There was one time when I was doing it and it happened to be on the same frequency as an airline in a certain city," Roman said. "And it was a critical situation in the game and all you hear is Southwest pilots talking."
Such scenarios might soon be a thing of the past.
The NFL is switching from the old analog system coaches used to relay plays to their quarterbacks and launching a network that uses digital technology. The system was tested during the preseason and Pro Bowl last year before getting rolled out in every NFL stadium permanently this year.
Read More: NFL headsets going digital in new technology wave - San Jose Mercury News
"There was one time when I was doing it and it happened to be on the same frequency as an airline in a certain city," Roman said. "And it was a critical situation in the game and all you hear is Southwest pilots talking."
Such scenarios might soon be a thing of the past.
The NFL is switching from the old analog system coaches used to relay plays to their quarterbacks and launching a network that uses digital technology. The system was tested during the preseason and Pro Bowl last year before getting rolled out in every NFL stadium permanently this year.
Read More: NFL headsets going digital in new technology wave - San Jose Mercury News
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The NFL season starts for Minnesota on Sept. 9, barely eight months after Adrian Peterson had reconstructive surgery on his ripped-up left knee.
Despite the medical advances that have made comebacks from anterior cruciate ligament quicker than ever, Peterson’s return for the opener against the Jaguars was always on an optimistic timetable. But for the star Vikings running back, that hasn’t really been a goal.
Belief is more like it.
“Despite what everyone else had to say, that was my vision,” said Peterson, who also tore the medial collateral ligament when he was hit during a game last Dec. 24 at Washington. “I knew it was going to be a journey, a path, to get closer to that vision, and I’m closer. I see it. It’s closer now. It was far away in the beginning, but I’ve been working hard and just moving forward.
Read More: NFL: Vikings
Despite the medical advances that have made comebacks from anterior cruciate ligament quicker than ever, Peterson’s return for the opener against the Jaguars was always on an optimistic timetable. But for the star Vikings running back, that hasn’t really been a goal.
Belief is more like it.
“Despite what everyone else had to say, that was my vision,” said Peterson, who also tore the medial collateral ligament when he was hit during a game last Dec. 24 at Washington. “I knew it was going to be a journey, a path, to get closer to that vision, and I’m closer. I see it. It’s closer now. It was far away in the beginning, but I’ve been working hard and just moving forward.
Read More: NFL: Vikings
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The New York Jets are technically the home team for their preseason game against the New York Giants on Saturday night, and they're also listed as the favorites on the NFL odds for the matchup at Bovada.
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On the NFL preseason lines at Bovada it's the Jets favored by 1.5 points over the Giants, with Mark Sanchez and Co. coming off a 17-6 road loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in their first exhibition action last week.
The Jets' trio of quarterbacks completed only 12 passes in that defeat, four apiece for each of Sanchez, Tim Tebow and third-stringer Greg McElroy – who actually had the highest QB Rating on the team in the contest at 91.7. Tebow rushed for 34 yards in the game to go along with his 27 passing yards – and the team's only interception.
The Giants' offense, on the other hand, was productive in their 32-31 road loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, as David Carr threw a pair of TD passes and Ryan Perrilloux found the end zone once on the day. Eli Manning went 4-of-8 for 60 yards in the contest.
Week 2 of the preseason gets underway with two games on Thursday, including the Bengals as 4.5-point road underdogs on the NFL lines against Atlanta. The Packers are then 3-point home favorites in their game against the Browns.
Six more games are on tap for Friday, including the Saints as big 6.5-point home favorites at Bovada against the Jaguars, with six games on Saturday as well including Giants/Jets.
On Sunday Andrew Luck and the Colts will be in Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point road underdog against the Steelers; Luck completed 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 188 yards with two touchdowns in Indianapolis' 38-3 home thrashing of the Rams last week.
The Patriots are then listed as 3-point home favorites against the Eagles for Monday night.
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On the NFL preseason lines at Bovada it's the Jets favored by 1.5 points over the Giants, with Mark Sanchez and Co. coming off a 17-6 road loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in their first exhibition action last week.
The Jets' trio of quarterbacks completed only 12 passes in that defeat, four apiece for each of Sanchez, Tim Tebow and third-stringer Greg McElroy – who actually had the highest QB Rating on the team in the contest at 91.7. Tebow rushed for 34 yards in the game to go along with his 27 passing yards – and the team's only interception.
The Giants' offense, on the other hand, was productive in their 32-31 road loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, as David Carr threw a pair of TD passes and Ryan Perrilloux found the end zone once on the day. Eli Manning went 4-of-8 for 60 yards in the contest.
Week 2 of the preseason gets underway with two games on Thursday, including the Bengals as 4.5-point road underdogs on the NFL lines against Atlanta. The Packers are then 3-point home favorites in their game against the Browns.
Six more games are on tap for Friday, including the Saints as big 6.5-point home favorites at Bovada against the Jaguars, with six games on Saturday as well including Giants/Jets.
On Sunday Andrew Luck and the Colts will be in Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point road underdog against the Steelers; Luck completed 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 188 yards with two touchdowns in Indianapolis' 38-3 home thrashing of the Rams last week.
The Patriots are then listed as 3-point home favorites against the Eagles for Monday night.
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The NFL on Thursday provided a federal judge with what it says is evidence Commissioner Roger Goodell did not improperly pre-judge the four players suspended in the bounty investigation.
The evidence includes a copy of a letter the NFL Players Association sent the league on March 7 asking Goodell to delay punishment of players implicated in the bounty probe.
It also includes a sworn declaration from Goodell in which he states he was prepared to hand down player discipline at the same time he announced suspensions for coaches and executives on March 21. Goodell’s declaration states he held off after verbally agreeing to do so in a phone conversation with union head DeMaurice Smith.
Read More: NFL files evidence in Jonathan Vilma case - BostonHerald-com
The evidence includes a copy of a letter the NFL Players Association sent the league on March 7 asking Goodell to delay punishment of players implicated in the bounty probe.
It also includes a sworn declaration from Goodell in which he states he was prepared to hand down player discipline at the same time he announced suspensions for coaches and executives on March 21. Goodell’s declaration states he held off after verbally agreeing to do so in a phone conversation with union head DeMaurice Smith.
Read More: NFL files evidence in Jonathan Vilma case - BostonHerald-com
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Jake Locker struggled in his first start for the Titans, but Tennessee nonetheless picked up a 30-7 preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Locker completed only 4-of-11 passes for 21 yards with an interception, but did run for 24 yards on a pair of carries. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 29 yards on 4-for-5 passing in limited action for Tennessee, which lost its first preseason game against Seattle. Chris Johnson, who only ran for eight yards on five carries in the opener, rebounded with 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Josh Freeman went 4-for-10 for 21 yards with a touchdown pass to Mike Williams, while both of Tampa Bay's featured running backs struggled. LeGarrette Blount was held to 11 yards on eight carries while rookie Doug Martin carried the ball seven times for 23 yards.
Final Score: Detroit 27, Baltimore 12
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Matthew Stafford tossed a pair of touchdown passes and the Lions defeated the Ravens, 27-12, in their preseason matchup Friday at M&T Bank Stadium. Stafford completed 12-of-17 passes for 184 yards and two scores, while Calvin Johnson, last season's leader in receiving yards (1,681), hauled in five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco finished 7-of-12 for 79 yards, while Ray Rice carried the ball five times for 12 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards. Baltimore's sixth-round pick in 2011, Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech, saw extended minutes as a backup and finished 8-of-22 for 65 yards and also carried the ball seven times for 60 yards.
Final Score: Carolina 23, Miami 17
Read more here: NFL Preseason Game Capsules - Football Wires - MiamiHerald-com
Final Score: Detroit 27, Baltimore 12
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Matthew Stafford tossed a pair of touchdown passes and the Lions defeated the Ravens, 27-12, in their preseason matchup Friday at M&T Bank Stadium. Stafford completed 12-of-17 passes for 184 yards and two scores, while Calvin Johnson, last season's leader in receiving yards (1,681), hauled in five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco finished 7-of-12 for 79 yards, while Ray Rice carried the ball five times for 12 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards. Baltimore's sixth-round pick in 2011, Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech, saw extended minutes as a backup and finished 8-of-22 for 65 yards and also carried the ball seven times for 60 yards.
Final Score: Carolina 23, Miami 17
Read more here: NFL Preseason Game Capsules - Football Wires - MiamiHerald-com
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Arizona Cardinals starting left tackle Levi Brown tore a triceps muscle during Friday's exhibition game against the visiting Oakland Raiders Friday night and could be out a long time, according to ESPN.
Brown was scheduled to have an MRI Saturday morning. He is expected to miss at least three months but could be out for the season, depending on the results of the MRI.
Brown has started every game for the Cardinals for the past four years.
The injury happened in the second quarter. The Cardinals won the game 31-27.
---The New Orleans Saints' depth at linebacker took a hit with word that Chris Chamberlain will miss the season with a torn ACL. He suffered the injury Friday night against Jacksonville.
Chamberlain signed a three-year contract with the Saints earlier this year, reuniting him with new Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who had been Chamberlain's coach with the St. Louis Rams.
Chamberlain, a seventh-round pick in 2008, started 13 games for the Rams last season.
Read More: NFL: Cardinals' Levi Brown sidelined by torn triceps - Yahoo! Sports
Brown was scheduled to have an MRI Saturday morning. He is expected to miss at least three months but could be out for the season, depending on the results of the MRI.
Brown has started every game for the Cardinals for the past four years.
The injury happened in the second quarter. The Cardinals won the game 31-27.
---The New Orleans Saints' depth at linebacker took a hit with word that Chris Chamberlain will miss the season with a torn ACL. He suffered the injury Friday night against Jacksonville.
Chamberlain signed a three-year contract with the Saints earlier this year, reuniting him with new Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who had been Chamberlain's coach with the St. Louis Rams.
Chamberlain, a seventh-round pick in 2008, started 13 games for the Rams last season.
Read More: NFL: Cardinals' Levi Brown sidelined by torn triceps - Yahoo! Sports
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Peyton Manning drew his biggest ovation on an incompletion.
Blasted by defensive end Bruce Irvin, the four-time MVP who missed all of last season with a neck injury that required four operations bounced right back up, shook it off and threw a 22-yard bullet to Brandon Stokley on the next play.
It was the highlight of a mostly forgettable home debut for Manning, whose Broncos lost 30-10 to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. Manning played the first half and gave Denver a 10-9 lead despite three turnovers, including an interception in the red zone for the second straight week, and another at midfield on a bad overthrow.
Manning had shown throughout training camp that his arm strength was back along with his accuracy. The only question left was whether he could take a hard hit after undergoing neck fusion surgery last September.
The answer came with 1:25 left in the first half when Irvin had a clean shot at the quarterback.
Read More: NFL notebook: Peyton Manning shows his neck can take a big hit | The Journal News | LoHud-com | LoHud-com
Blasted by defensive end Bruce Irvin, the four-time MVP who missed all of last season with a neck injury that required four operations bounced right back up, shook it off and threw a 22-yard bullet to Brandon Stokley on the next play.
It was the highlight of a mostly forgettable home debut for Manning, whose Broncos lost 30-10 to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. Manning played the first half and gave Denver a 10-9 lead despite three turnovers, including an interception in the red zone for the second straight week, and another at midfield on a bad overthrow.
Manning had shown throughout training camp that his arm strength was back along with his accuracy. The only question left was whether he could take a hard hit after undergoing neck fusion surgery last September.
The answer came with 1:25 left in the first half when Irvin had a clean shot at the quarterback.
Read More: NFL notebook: Peyton Manning shows his neck can take a big hit | The Journal News | LoHud-com | LoHud-com
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The New England Patriots had the top record in the AFC last season, and they also managed to win the AFC Championship Game before losing in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. As well, they still have Tom Brady leading the way on offense.
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It should come as no surprise, then, that the Patriots are leading the way on the odds to win the AFC Championship this season at Bovada. Brady and company are pegged at 11/4 odds on that list with the league's preseason schedule well underway. New England won the AFC East at 13-3 last year, going 9-6-1 ATS for its supporters.
That has New England just ahead of the Houston Texans, who sit at 11/2 on the odds to win the AFC Championship. The Texans won the AFC South last year with a 10-6 record (11-5 against the spread), but lost starting QB Matt Schaub to a foot injury in Week 10. Houston still beat Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Baltimore.
And the Ravens are next at 7/1 on the odds to win the AFC Championship at Bovada, where they're tied with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. Baltimore and Pittsburgh had identical 12-4 records atop the AFC North last season, with the Ravens earning the division title on a tiebreaker; they lost 23-20 to the Pats in the AFC title game.
The Steelers were one and done in last year's playoffs, losing 29-23 in the Wild Card round to a Broncos team led by Tim Tebow. With Tebow gone – and a newcomer named Peyton Manning now in the fold – the Broncos will be looking for more playoff success this year.
The San Diego Chargers (10/1) and Tebow's new team the New York Jets (14/1) lead the second tier of AFC contenders on the NFL futures at Bovada, with the Bengals listed at 16/1 on the odds to win the conference title after they slipped into the playoffs at 9-7 last season only to get thumped 31-10 by the Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs are then at 20/1 on the odds to win the AFC Championship, with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans at 25/1, the Oakland Raiders at 28/1, and the Indianapolis Colts and rookie quarterback Andrew Luck at 50/1.
The Cleveland Browns (70/1) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (75/1) are then the long shots on those conference title odds. The Jaguars continue to hold camp without star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is still on a contract holdout.
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It should come as no surprise, then, that the Patriots are leading the way on the odds to win the AFC Championship this season at Bovada. Brady and company are pegged at 11/4 odds on that list with the league's preseason schedule well underway. New England won the AFC East at 13-3 last year, going 9-6-1 ATS for its supporters.
That has New England just ahead of the Houston Texans, who sit at 11/2 on the odds to win the AFC Championship. The Texans won the AFC South last year with a 10-6 record (11-5 against the spread), but lost starting QB Matt Schaub to a foot injury in Week 10. Houston still beat Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Baltimore.
And the Ravens are next at 7/1 on the odds to win the AFC Championship at Bovada, where they're tied with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. Baltimore and Pittsburgh had identical 12-4 records atop the AFC North last season, with the Ravens earning the division title on a tiebreaker; they lost 23-20 to the Pats in the AFC title game.
The Steelers were one and done in last year's playoffs, losing 29-23 in the Wild Card round to a Broncos team led by Tim Tebow. With Tebow gone – and a newcomer named Peyton Manning now in the fold – the Broncos will be looking for more playoff success this year.
The San Diego Chargers (10/1) and Tebow's new team the New York Jets (14/1) lead the second tier of AFC contenders on the NFL futures at Bovada, with the Bengals listed at 16/1 on the odds to win the conference title after they slipped into the playoffs at 9-7 last season only to get thumped 31-10 by the Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs are then at 20/1 on the odds to win the AFC Championship, with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans at 25/1, the Oakland Raiders at 28/1, and the Indianapolis Colts and rookie quarterback Andrew Luck at 50/1.
The Cleveland Browns (70/1) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (75/1) are then the long shots on those conference title odds. The Jaguars continue to hold camp without star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is still on a contract holdout.
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The New York Giants went just 9-7 overall last season but still managed to win the NFC East division title, get hot in the playoffs, and top the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. However, that doesn't have the Giants atop the NFC Championship odds for this year.
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The defending NFC winners are behind five other teams on the current conference futures at Bovada, including the 10/3 favorites from Green Bay. The Packers went a league-best 15-1 last season (11-5 against the spread) and were the favorites heading into the playoffs.
Green Bay, though, was bounced 37-20 at home by the Giants in their one and only playoff game last year, with the Giants then winning 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game over the San Francisco 49ers – who are second at 11/2 to win the conference title this season.
The Philadelphia Eagles are then listed at 6/1 odds, after failing to live up to hype last season and missing the playoffs altogether. The Eagles ended last year on a four-game winning streak, however, and have their supporters optimistic once again for 2012.
The Chicago Bears, who missed the playoffs at 8-8 last year, are then at 17/2 on the NFC title futures at Bovada, with the New Orleans Saints at 9/1. The Saints lost to the Niners in their only playoff game last year, and have to deal with the fallout from the bounty program scandal (including the suspension of head coach Sean Payton) this season.
The Giants are then set at 11/1 on the odds win the NFC Championship, which has them tied with the rival Dallas Cowboys, and just ahead of the Detroit Lions (12/1) and the Atlanta Falcons (12/1). Detroit and Atlanta are both coming off Wild Card Round defeats.
Headlining the next tier of contenders to win the NFC are the Carolina Panthers at 18/1, with the Washington Redskins and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks all at 28/1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the St. Louis Rams are set at 40/1.
The NFC long shot is then the Minnesota Vikings at 70/1; the Vikings posted an ugly 3-13 record last season (6-8-2 ATS), and RB Adrian Peterson is coming off knee surgery.
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The defending NFC winners are behind five other teams on the current conference futures at Bovada, including the 10/3 favorites from Green Bay. The Packers went a league-best 15-1 last season (11-5 against the spread) and were the favorites heading into the playoffs.
Green Bay, though, was bounced 37-20 at home by the Giants in their one and only playoff game last year, with the Giants then winning 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game over the San Francisco 49ers – who are second at 11/2 to win the conference title this season.
The Philadelphia Eagles are then listed at 6/1 odds, after failing to live up to hype last season and missing the playoffs altogether. The Eagles ended last year on a four-game winning streak, however, and have their supporters optimistic once again for 2012.
The Chicago Bears, who missed the playoffs at 8-8 last year, are then at 17/2 on the NFC title futures at Bovada, with the New Orleans Saints at 9/1. The Saints lost to the Niners in their only playoff game last year, and have to deal with the fallout from the bounty program scandal (including the suspension of head coach Sean Payton) this season.
The Giants are then set at 11/1 on the odds win the NFC Championship, which has them tied with the rival Dallas Cowboys, and just ahead of the Detroit Lions (12/1) and the Atlanta Falcons (12/1). Detroit and Atlanta are both coming off Wild Card Round defeats.
Headlining the next tier of contenders to win the NFC are the Carolina Panthers at 18/1, with the Washington Redskins and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks all at 28/1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the St. Louis Rams are set at 40/1.
The NFC long shot is then the Minnesota Vikings at 70/1; the Vikings posted an ugly 3-13 record last season (6-8-2 ATS), and RB Adrian Peterson is coming off knee surgery.
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Tom Tupa, 46, who played 18 seasons in the N.F.L. as a punter, is eligible for workers’ compensation for a career-ending injury on the field, Maryland’s highest court ruled Wednesday.
Tupa sustained the injury while warming up for a preseason game in 2005 at FedEx Field in Landover while playing for the Washington Redskins. The court rejected the idea that football injuries should not be considered accidental because of the rough nature of the sport. Tupa’s injury happened “out of and in the course of (his) employment,” the Maryland Court of Appeals said in its 16-page opinion.
“He was warming up for a game when he landed awkwardly and thereafter sought immediate medical treatment,” Judge John Eldridge wrote in the opinion. “Ample evidence was presented to show that Tupa suffered a compensable accidental injury during the course of his employment.”
The team and insurers argued that Tupa’s injury was not an accidental personal injury within the meaning of Maryland’s workers’ compensation law.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/08/23/sports/football/nfl-football-roundup-html
Tupa sustained the injury while warming up for a preseason game in 2005 at FedEx Field in Landover while playing for the Washington Redskins. The court rejected the idea that football injuries should not be considered accidental because of the rough nature of the sport. Tupa’s injury happened “out of and in the course of (his) employment,” the Maryland Court of Appeals said in its 16-page opinion.
“He was warming up for a game when he landed awkwardly and thereafter sought immediate medical treatment,” Judge John Eldridge wrote in the opinion. “Ample evidence was presented to show that Tupa suffered a compensable accidental injury during the course of his employment.”
The team and insurers argued that Tupa’s injury was not an accidental personal injury within the meaning of Maryland’s workers’ compensation law.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/08/23/sports/football/nfl-football-roundup-html
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According to the report, the NFL's offer was made on the condition that Vilma drop his defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
An email seeking comment from an NFL spokesman wasn't immediately returned Sunday night.
Negotiations between the parties are expected to resume Monday, according to ESPN-com, as a Friday appearance before U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan looms.
Read More: NFL reportedly offers to cut Jonathan Vilma's ban to eight games - NFL-com