NFL

Stacy Andrews and his little brother will form a big wall in front of Donovan McNabb.

Free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is visiting the Minnesota Vikings.

New Texans defensive end Antonio Smith can't wait to team up with Mario Williams.

The Dallas Cowboys acquired quarterback Jon Kitna from the Detroit Lions for cornerback Anthony Henry on Saturday.

The New York Giants bolstered their defence Saturday, signing former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley to a five-year, US$25-million contract.

Free-agent offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, becoming the first addition to their rebuilding line.

The New York Jets acquired two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday for undisclosed draft picks

Receiver Brandon Jones has agreed to join the San Francisco 49ers, getting a five-year contract worth US$16.5 million.

Brandon Moore is back on the New York Jets' offensive line now that a deal for his replacement fell through.

The Denver Broncos signed seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots on Saturday in a trade for their second-round draft pick.

Left guard Derrick Dockery is returning to the Washington Redskins, agreeing to terms with the busy team Friday night.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has signed with the Buffalo Bills, providing the team with an experienced backup behind starter Trent Edwards.

The Jacksonville Jaguars opened free agency Friday by re-signing centre Brad Meester and cornerback Scott Starks, then adding safety Sean Considine.

The New York Jets have bolstered their defence in a big way, signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott to a six-year, US$48 million deal.

The Broncos signed Correll Buckhalter to a four-year deal and were putting the finishes touches on a four-year contract for J.J. Arrington, said J.R. Rickert, the agent for both players.

Reports say New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen were married in a private ceremony.

Cornerback Domonique Foxworth returned home on Friday, signing a four-year, US$27.2-million contract with the Baltimore Ravens that included US$16.5 million in guaranteed money.

Left guard Chris Kemoeatu turned down an offer from the New York Jets and re-signed Friday with the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who would have been depleted on the offensive line without him.

Running back Fred Taylor has signed with the New England Patriots after spending 11 seasons with Jacksonville.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a new contract with quarterback Kerry Collins.

The judge presiding over Michael Vick's bankruptcy case insisted Friday that the suspended NFL star testify at a hearing in April, even if his attorneys have to get a court order to bring him from a federal prison in Kansas.

The Cleveland Browns traded talented but troublesome tight end Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday for undisclosed draft picks.

The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans on Friday and signed him to a two-year, US$9-million contract.

Moving swiftly in the first hours of free agency, the Washington Redskins opened their deep pockets and snagged perhaps the biggest name available: All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

The Washington Redskins achieved one of their major off-season goals around the midnight stroke that signalled the start of free agency, agreeing to terms for a US$54-million, six-year contract with DeAngelo Hall.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority board Thursday rejected the NFL's proposal to return the Pro Bowl to the islands in 2011 and '12.

Indianapolis Colts centre Jeff Saturday has agreed to a three-year deal hours before he was expected to become a free agent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made qualifying offers to restricted free agents right tackle Willie Colon, cornerback Anthony Madison and tight end Sean McHugh and offers to exclusive-rights free agents fullback Carey Davis and tackle Jeremy Parquet.

Two years ago, Derrick Dockery, a run-of-the-mill guard, left the Washington Redskins for a seven-year, US$49-million deal with the Buffalo Bills. He was one of several interior linemen who got record-breaking deals that season.

City Council members in the city of Industry unanimously approved a proposal for a pro football stadium intended to lure a team back to the Los Angeles area.

The Dallas Cowboys are looking for a new backup to Tony Romo. Brad Johnson was released Thursday after playing just four games over two seasons.

LaDainian Tomlinson remains with the San Diego Chargers in the hours leading up to NFL free agency and the reopening of the trading period.

Safety Gibril Wilson landed a big contract for the second year in a row, this time with the Miami Dolphins.

Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to finish his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press Thursday.

High-priced left guard Derrick Dockery and veteran tight end Robert Royal expect to be released by the Buffalo Bills on Thursday as part of the team's plan to free up salary-cap space.

Linebacker Channing Crowder signed a multiyear contract Wednesday to remain with the Miami Dolphins, a surprising move after negotiations appeared at a stalemate only a few days ago.

The New York Jets have restructured Laveranues Coles' contract, allowing the veteran wide receiver to become an unrestricted free agent when the signing period begins Friday morning.

Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews says Tom Brady's doctors were aggressive in finding and treating the infection after his operation and the chances are good for a full recovery for the New England Patriots quarterback.

Less than two weeks after putting a franchise tag on him, the New York Giants signed bruising halfback Brandon Jacobs to a US$25-million, four-year contract on Wednesday.

The St. Louis Rams released veteran quarterback Trent Green and wide receiver Drew Bennett on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers began shedding veteran players to clear salary-cap space Wednesday, releasing receiver D.J. Hackett, offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges and running back Nick Goings.

The NFL is cutting jobs, franchises are trimming budgets and some team officials are concerned the league may lose significant revenue sources.

Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks and four other high-priced veterans have been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A federal judge has set a June 15 trial date for Vikings stars Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who tested positive for a banned substance last year.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is taking a 20-25 per cent pay cut and the league staff has been trimmed by 15 per cent because of the reeling economy, the NFL confirmed Wednesday.

The agent for Kurt Warner says he expected the quarterback and the Cardinals would have a contract agreement by now and hopes the team isn't using his client's desire to stay in Arizona against him.

Former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor got a head start on the NFL free agency period, visiting with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.

Safety Lawyer Milloy, a four-time Pro Bowler, will not be returning to the Atlanta Falcons.

As the Buffalo Bills announced plans to celebrate their 50th season on Monday, Booker Edgerson had something he wanted to get off his chest.

The Indianapolis Colts have released Marvin Harrison, ending the star receiver's 13-year stay with the team.

Dan Orlovsky says he's pretty confident free agency will be better for him than accepting a contract to be a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions.

Marvin Harrison's reluctance to take a pay cut could mark the end of his career in Indianapolis.

Michael Crabtree was quick on his feet Sunday, and if he does the same thing for NFL scouts next month the stress fracture in his left foot might soon be forgotten.

Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree wanted to solidify his status as the top receiver in the NFL draft at this weekend's scouting combine. Instead, he left more questions than answers.

General manager Jerry Reese wants Plaxico Burress to wear a New York Giants uniform next season. He's just not sure it will happen.

Matthew Stafford refuses to accept the title of second best. Mark Sanchez won't like it either. So the NFL draft's two top-rated quarterbacks will spend the next two months proving who is better.

Two teams with unsettled quarterback situations -- the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings -- might be interested in acquiring suspended Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick.

Steelers kicker Jeff Reed has pleaded guilty to disorderly contest and criminal mischief after police say he broke a towel dispenser in a convenience store.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was charged with three gun-related misdemeanours Thursday after his arrest last week in Southern California.

Santonio Holmes' last-minute touchdown catch won the Super Bowl for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It cost him 10 grand, too. The NFL fined Holmes US$10,000 for using the football as a prop during his post-catch celebration, which came well after the play ended.

All-pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has re-signed with the Oakland Raiders, avoiding the franchise tag by agreeing to a three-year contract that's thought to be the richest ever given to a defensive back.

The Carolina Panthers placed the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers on Thursday, setting up a potential battle with the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who wants to play elsewhere next season.

The Seattle Seahawks have placed their franchise tag on linebacker Leroy Hill to keep him from leaving in free agency.

The Tennessee Titans slapped the franchise tag on tight end Bo Scaife on Thursday, just a couple hours before the league deadline.

Determined to hang on to Antonio Bryant, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on the team's leading receiver on Wednesday.

Officers who arrested Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch last week for possessing a loaded gun decided to search him after noticing the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle he occupied, police said Wednesday.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with kicker Rob Bironas on a multiyear contract. Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said Wednesday in announcing the deal that Bironas is one of the best kickers in the NFL.

The San Diego Chargers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Darren Sproles on Wednesday, virtually assuring that the speedy little running back-returner will be back next season.

Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay doesn't like hearing people say the overtime coin toss usually determines the winner.

Julius Peppers still wants out of Carolina, but he'll only agree to be traded to four teams, further complicating the Panthers' efforts to get compensation for the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has decided to test the free agent market, according to various media reports.

Kevin Colbert cringed when asked if he's ever been so mad that he fired off a nasty e-mail to a complaining fan, as former Browns general manager Phil Savage did last season.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists he hasn't decided whether Terrell Owens will return and that coach Wade Phillips will be his own defensive co-ordinator in 2009.

The Detroit Lions have restructured the contract of Daunte Culpepper and signed potential free agents Jason Hanson and Stephen Peterman to long-term deals.

The Buffalo Bills have re-signed receiver and special teams player Justin Jenkins.

Popular running back Deuce McAllister was released by the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday in a move that reduced the team's payroll as free agency approaches.

The Bengals have tagged placekicker Shayne Graham as their franchise player, a move that gives the eight-year veteran the option to sign a one-year deal for a salary equal to the average of the five highest-paid kickers from last season.

The Baltimore Ravens released cornerback Chris McAlister, a 10-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler on Monday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have released running back Fred Taylor, the latest move in the team's makeover.

Authorities say Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has been arrested in Southern California on a weapons possession charge.

Pennsylvania State police say Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed threw a temper tantrum at a Sheetz convenience store in New Alexandria, because its restroom didn't have any towels.

Brandon Jacobs, the 264-pound running back who has been a mainstay of the New York Giants' offence the past two seasons, was designated by the team Friday as its franchise player.

The Chicago Bears released wide receiver Marty Booker on Friday, cutting ties with a former Pro Bowl selection who struggled with injuries last season.

Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff says the Falcons will try to trade the contract rights on Michael Vick to another team.

Titans All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is being blamed for causing an accident that left a Tennessee man needing a hip replacement and has a district attorney reviewing the Dec. 13 incident for a possible probation violation.

Brian Xanders, who begged every NFL team for a job after graduating from Florida State, was promoted to general manager of the Denver Broncos on Thursday.

Plaxico Burress seemingly wants to leave the New York Giants.

The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver David Patten on Thursday.

Former CFL running back Stefan Logan and seven members of the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad were among 10 players signed Thursday to the club's off-season roster.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Roderick Green was arrested after he became unco-operative during a traffic stop in his hometown of Brenham.

Los Angeles's industry planning commission approved a proposal for a football stadium Thursday intended to lure an NFL team back to the area.

The Washington Redskins re-signed cornerback Byron Westbrook and hired former CFL assistant coach Chip Garber as defensive quality control coach Wednesday.

Brett Favre informed the New York Jets on Wednesday he will retire after 18 seasons, ending a record-setting career in which he was one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks.

The New York Jets released defensive back David Barrett on Tuesday after five seasons with the team.

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward underwent minor shoulder surgery this week but apparently will not need an operation to repair the right knee he injured during the AFC championship game.

Bill Parcells' escape clause with the Miami Dolphins was expanded before the sale of the team was completed last month, and he can now leave at any time and collect the balance of the US$12 million due him under a four-year contract.

The New York Jets hired Matt Cavanaugh as their quarterbacks coach Monday.

Mel Kaufman, a linebacker who played in three Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins and was a former scout for the NFL team, has died. He was 50.

Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was released Monday by the Dallas Cowboys, making him a free agent.

The New York Giants re-signed David Carr to back up Eli Manning at quarterback on Monday while cutting three veterans who finished the 2008 season on injured reserve: defensive backs Sam Madison and Sammy Knight, and running back Reuben Droughns.

Quarterbacks Ken Dorsey and Bruce Gradkowski, who both started games for Cleveland last season, were cut by the Browns on Monday.

The latest Lombardi Trophy added to the Pittsburgh Steelers' overflowing display case makes them the most successful NFL franchise in the modern era.

To Richard Malin, Plaxico Burress wasn't a customer, he was an ordeal.

The Detroit Lions released cornerback Leigh Bodden and five others Monday from the NFL's first 0-16 team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have no knowledge Ben Roethlisberger played the Super Bowl with two broken ribs, as the quarterback told a website.

The NFL players' union has filed a grievance contesting the US$1 million the New York Giants withheld from Plaxico Burress' signing bonus after he shot himself in the thigh in November at a nightclub.

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson has been released from jail following his arrest on drug charges.

Larry Fitzgerald caught five passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns, 44-year-old John Carney kicked two fourth-quarter field goals, and the NFC rallied to a 30-21 Pro Bowl victory over the AFC.

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson has been charged with felony cocaine possession and misdemeanour marijuana possession after being arrested at an Atlanta nightclub, authorities said Sunday.

Kurt Warner's decision to return with the Arizona Cardinals seems to rest on everything from God to his desire to play. Now throw the loss of offensive c-oordinator Todd Haley into the mix.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell finally has his new coaching staff in place.

A federal judge on Friday sentenced former NFL player Dana Stubblefield to two years of probation for lying to investigators about his steroid use.

Todd Haley was hired as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday after helping the Arizona Cardinals reach the Super Bowl as co-ordinator of one of the NFL's most exciting offences.

The NFL Players Association is appealing a federal court decision ordering the union to pay US$28.1 million to retired players for allegedly cutting them out of lucrative marketing deals.

The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel on Thursday. The move means the quarterback remains a free agent but the Patriots can match any offer made by another team.

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving.

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn was arrested on public intoxication and marijuana possession charges after appearing disoriented at a hotel, police said Thursday.

Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Todd Weiner announced his retirement Thursday after an 11-year NFL career.

Although Tom Cable is aware of the stiff challenges he is assuming by staying with the Oakland Raiders, their no-longer-interim coach only sees the opportunities.

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson says he wants to leave Kansas City. During an appearance on local radio Wednesday, Johnson said he thinks it's time for him and the Chiefs to "break ties."

Cleveland coach Eric Mangini has hired former San Francisco assistant George Warhop as his offensive line coach but does not have much to say about what changes he plans with the Browns.

When Eli Manning was selected for his first Pro Bowl, big brother provided some pretty simple advice -- have fun and dress appropriately.

The Washington Redskins signed kicker Dave Rayner on Wednesday, giving incumbent Shaun Suisham a possible competitor during training camp.

Kurt Warner's future is chief among the serious contract issues facing the Arizona Cardinals in the aftermath of their improbable run to the Super Bowl. Warner said Monday that he has no timetable for a decision on whether he will retire from the game.

San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, the team's second such arrest in less than a month.

The New England Patriots have hired Scott O'Brien as the new special teams co-ordinator.

Thousands of Pittsburgh Steelers fans lined downtown streets Tuesday cheering and twirling Terrible Towels to celebrate the team's victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday's Super Bowl, the sixth for the storied franchise.

When he threw the pass that won the Super Bowl, Ben Roethlisberger thought he'd just blown the game for the Steelers.

Super Super Bowls are becoming a habit. The Steelers' 27-23 win Sunday night over Arizona was another classic in an era of great games -- "a game for the ages," commissioner Roger Goodell called it.

Nancy Neville Adams, who co-owned the Tennessee Titans with her husband Bud Adams, has died. She was 84.

The city of Pittsburgh will hold a victory parade for the Super Bowl-champion Steelers on Tuesday.

Bruce Springsteen looked into the camera Sunday night and told the people watching at home to "put the chicken fingers down and turn the television all the way up!"

Next up for Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger: a quick trip to Disney World.

By the time fireworks exploded over the Super Bowl as the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrated making history, James Harrison and his meandering rumble to the end zone seemed but a distant memory.

Ben Roethlisberger wears No. 7 to pay tribute to John Elway. Fittingly, too, because Roethlisberger is the NFL's new king of the comeback.

Hometown Cardinals fans were left nursing broken hearts Sunday after the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a last-minute touchdown in a nail-biter Super Bowl.

Thousands of Steelers fans decked out in black and gold and waving Terrible Towels clogged South Side streets Sunday night, celebrating Pittsburgh's unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title.

The Arizona Cardinals' fourth-quarter comeback seemed too good to be true. In the end, it was.

Santonio Holmes, who overcame his gritty childhood in rural south Florida, made a brilliant catch with 35 seconds left to give the Pittsburgh Steelers their record sixth Super Bowl title, a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.

Santonio Holmes made a brilliant catch for a six-yard touchdown with 35 seconds remaining to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a record sixth Super Bowl title, 27-23 over the gutsy Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.

James Harrison didn't win the Defensive Player of the Year award by making plays like this. He's a sacker and a run-stuffer, not a long-distance runner.

Sportsnet.ca lead columnist Mark Spector is at the Super Bowl in Tampa and is filing regular updates throughout the day and game.