NFL

The Cleveland Browns acquired linebacker Bo Ruud off waivers from the New England Patriots on Thursday.

The Seattle Seahawks and starting outside linebacker Leroy Hill have reached agreement on six-year contract worth a guaranteed US$15.5 million.

The New England Patriots have obtained tight end Alex Smith from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed kicker Shayne Graham to a one-year contract.

The New Orleans Saints and the state of Louisiana have announced a new partnership that will continue the club's commitment to the state through 2025 and also create a new Sports Development District.

A Buffalo Bills spokesman says Linda Bogdan, a Bills vice president and daughter of owner Ralph Wilson, has died.

The New Orleans Saints have released veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has been formally arraigned on a misdemeanour marijuana charge stemming from a traffic stop.

Brett Favre has been released from the reserve-retired list by the New York Jets, making the three-time MVP quarterback free to sign with any team if he decides to again come out of retirement.

Chargers running back Darren Sproles on Tuesday signed the US$6,621,000 million contract he was tendered as the team's franchise player.

The Arizona Cardinals granted running back Edgerrin James' wish to be released on Tuesday and cut two others who played significant roles in the team's run to the Super Bowl.

The owner of a minor league football team that offered Michael Vick a contract told a newspaper he didn't know about the publicity stunt and would not have approved it.

Unhappy cornerback Sheldon Brown says he'll report to the Eagles' mandatory minicamp this weekend so that he's prepared to play somewhere this season.

The New Orleans Saints have released veteran defensive tackle Brian Young, who has been hampered by knee problems since last season.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has pleaded not guilty to charges he forced his way past police during an altercation at a Cleveland nightclub.

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips has been cited for misdemeanour battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a downtown hotel early Sunday morning.

After removing the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill, the Seahawks have brought back free-agent cornerback Ken Lucas.

The New York Jets have waived punter Reggie Hodges and running back Marcus Mason.

The Bengals have released running back Chris Perry, ending an injury-plagued career in Cincinnati for the former first-round pick.

The Bengals have released running back Chris Perry, ending an injury-plagued career in Cincinnati for the former first-round pick.

The Tennessee Titans swap a second-round pick in 2010 to draft South Carolina tight end Jared Cook in the third round, and their franchise player Bo Scaife joins the team's off-season program and signs his one-year tender.

Few teams have ever practised the old sports adage of making the most out of the least the way the New York Jets did last weekend.

Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William (The Refrigerator) Perry has been upgraded to fair condition in a South Carolina hospital.

The New York Jets, in the market for a wide receiver, called Plaxico Burress' agent before the NFL draft to look into the former Giants star's legal troubles.

Two players with Canadian connections have been signed as free agents following the 2009 National Football League draft, sources tell Sportsnet.ca.

The Seattle Seahawks have rescinded their franchise tag on outside linebacker Leroy Hill, making him a free agent.

Vaughn Martin became the first Canadian collegiate player drafted as an underclassman to the NFL when the San Diego Chargers chose him in the fourth round Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings went with big-play threat Percy Harvin with the 22nd overall draft choice Saturday, choosing the Florida receiver despite reports of a failed drug test at the NFL combine and durability questions.

Wide receiver Hines Ward apparently will get his wish to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns made three trades in the first round of the NFL draft before finally taking California centre Alex Mack at No. 21.

Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 11 pick in the NFL Draft, joining a team keen on bolstering its pass rush.

Filling their most pressing need, the Seahawks have selected outside linebacker Aaron Curry of Wake Forest with the fourth pick in the NFL draft.

The New York Jets have their franchise quarterback. The Jets selected Southern California star Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick of the NFL draft Saturday after trading with the Cleveland Browns to leap from the 17th overall spot.

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford was drafted first overall Saturday by the Detroit Lions, the only team to ever go 0-16 in a season.

The Detroit Lions hope Matthew Stafford ends their decades-long search for a star quarterback. The Lions on Saturday announced they signed Stafford to a six-year contract.

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed on a six-year deal Friday night, a person familiar with talks told The Associated Press.

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder says his team won't trade its first-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

Offensive guard Jahri Evans and wide receiver Lance Moore, restricted free agents during the offseason, have signed one-year contracts with the Saints.

The NFL will look into teams revealing their draft picks on their Web sites and through Twitter even before commissioner Roger Goodell announces the selections.

Let's forget that Matthew Stafford will wind up in Detroit as the top pick in Saturday's NFL draft. And what team will get star receiver Michael Crabtree. And where the six offensive tackles likely to go in the first round will land.

Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves has denied a flurry of trade rumours regarding wide receiver Anquan Boldin on the eve of Saturday's NFL draft.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can envision a Super Bowl played in mid-February if the league expands its regular-season schedule to 17 or 18 games.

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs hopes a fresh start will be just what his good friend Plaxico Burress needs.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith says he is ashamed and humiliated by an arrest on drug charges.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed restricted free agent receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year contract on Thursday.

Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has agreed to a restructured contract, which will give the Colts more room under this year's salary cap.

The Carolina Panthers signed Jake Delhomme to a US$42.5-million, five-year extension on Thursday that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season.

The Atlanta Falcons boosted their hopes for another trip to the playoffs by acquiring tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.

Think the Washington Redskins are a franchise quarterback away from becoming a great team? Then mortgage the future to move up and take Mark Sanchez on Saturday in the first round of the NFL draft.

With the 21st pick in Saturday's draft, the Philadelphia Eagles could land Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards or Chad Ocho Cinco.

Or not.

While the Dallas Cowboys sit around waiting for the 51st pick of the draft, they might as well cue up some footage of Roy Williams making big plays for the Detroit Lions and the Texas Longhorns.

Justin Sorensen won't be sweating it out this weekend, anxiously watching the NFL draft on television or following it on the Internet to see what direction his pro football career will take.

Bill Belichick has a shot at his second straight solid draft after two years of mediocrity. If he fails, it won't be because he had too few chances.

If signing T.O. bought the Buffalo Bills some much-needed sizzle this off-season, general manager Russ Brandon realizes he'll have to provide far more substance for his team to become a bona fide contender.

Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William (The Refrigerator) Perry is in serious condition at a South Carolina hospital.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Michael Vick has paid a significant price for his "egregious mistake" and will have to show genuine remorse and that the experience has changed him to get a chance at resuming his career in the league.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been searching for Jimmy Smith's replacement for years. Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Jerry Porter all failed miserably.

Notable defensive and special teams players in the NFL draft, grouped by projected NFL positions.

Notable offensive players in the NFL draft, grouped by projected NFL positions.

Order of selection for the National Football League's draft to be held April 25-26

The Detroit Lions didn't get to 0-16 by drafting wisely. Even if they make what's considered the 'right' pick with the first selection in Saturday's draft, they could prolong their decade-long agony.

Logic says Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford. Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell says 'Trent Dilfer'.

Veteran receiver Torry Holt has agreed to a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

New Bills running back Dominic Rhodes doesn't consider himself a backup even if Buffalo's depth chart will say otherwise.

Former LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd is in intensive care after a car accident in Miami, but his agent says the NFL prospect is expected to fully recover.

Detroit revealed subtle changes to its NFL logo and how the word "Lions" is spelled out during a news conference Monday attended by dozens of fans.

The Philadelphia Eagles introduced their new US$60-million man Sunday, completing a major upgrade of the offensive line.

Running back Dominic Rhodes has agreed to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills after spending last season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Call it faith. Call it a pre-draft smoke screen. Call it loyalty earned. Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell said Friday he thinks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is as good as ever.

The ominous storm clouds looming over the Denver Broncos for once had nothing to do with Jay Cutler.

The NFL has moved up the start time of the New York Jets' game against the Tennessee Titans on September 27 after the team complained to the league about having to play home games on consecutive Jewish holidays.

The Bills have agreed to trade left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles after failing to negotiate a new contract with the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney remains confident defensive end Julius Peppers will return to the team next season, even as he's made public his wishes to play elsewhere.

The San Francisco 49ers have extended the contracts of linebacker Parys Haralson and kicker Joe Nedney after strong 2008 seasons by both players.

For 35 minutes, Cleveland general manager George Kokinis stood behind the podium and addressed the upcoming NFL draft, trade rumours, injuries and the Browns' future.

Backup quarterback Charlie Batch returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers by signing an US$895,000, one-year contract that includes a $50,000 signing bonus.

Former NFL running back Travis Henry has pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine in a federal drug case that could land him in prison for 10 years or more.

John Madden, the burly former coach who has been one of pro football's most popular broadcast analysts for three decades, is retiring.

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick has returned to a federal prison in Kansas after a stint in Virginia for his bankruptcy case.

Though disappointed that three Buffalo Bills have run into trouble this off-season, general manager Russ Brandon defended the team's reputation and doesn't consider the missteps a true reflection of his players.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The J-E-T-S are coming to T.O. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will face off at the Rogers Centre on Dec. 3, the Bills announced Tuesday.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed quarterback Byron Leftwich as a free agent.

Kansas City added another veteran linebacker to its rebuilding roster Monday when it signed free agent Zach Thomas.

Cornerback Kevin Dockery signed a one-year free agent tender for US$1.54 million on Monday, agent Drew Rosenhaus said in an email.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has been formally charged with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for his role in an altercation outside a Cleveland nightclub early Saturday.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has reached terms on a US$51.75-million, six-year contract that will make the NFL Defensive Player of the Year the second highest-paid player in franchise history.

It's going to be cheaper for fans to watch the Bills play in Toronto this year. Organizers said Monday that ticket prices have been reduced by an average of 17 per cent, with 36,000 seats selling for less than they did last year.

Cleveland police say Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has been shocked with a stun gun and arrested by officers trying to control a rowdy crowd outside a nightclub.

Michael Vick is back in Atlanta, the city where he rose to NFL stardom.

Suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick was being held in a prison in his home state of Virginia, and it was unclear Thursday whether he was still heading back to a Kansas penitentiary to await his transfer to home confinement and eventual release.

Florida's attorney general sued a company Thursday that makes a Michael Vick dog toy, claiming proceeds from the sale were never donated to animal shelters as promised by the firm.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch will miss the first three games of the regular season after being suspended without pay by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Terrell Owens can't understand why everyone made such a big deal out of him missing the start of the Bills voluntary workout program last month.

No Julian Peterson. No Leroy Hill. No wonder the Seahawks know all about Aaron Curry. The freakish outside linebacker from Wake Forest is expected to be among the first players taken in this month's NFL draft.

According to ESPN, Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has been suspended for the first three games of the 2009 season by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall was arrested in southwest Ohio and charged with drunk driving, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Matt Hasselbeck still has the frustration of missing more than half of last season because of a bulging disk in his back, the most he'd been out since becoming the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback for good in 2002.

Starting linebacker LeRoy Hill has chosen to stay away from the Seahawks' voluntary -- but highly encouraged -- minicamp for veterans this week.

The agents representing one of the NFL draft's top prospects, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, strongly disputed a report that the former Boston College player failed a drug test at the league's scouting combine in February.

Tank Johnson agreed to a contract with the Bengals on Tuesday. His agent, Jerrold Colton, says the Bengals' defensive scheme is a better fit for Johnson than his previous team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Troy Aikman thinks the Cowboys made the right move by getting rid of Terrell Owens. Now he's curious to see whether they also were right about making Roy Williams the new top target for Tony Romo.

Marcus Stroud's fresh start in Buffalo is paying off as the veteran defensive tackle was rewarded with a two-year contract extension potentially worth US$16.5 million.

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick will head back to a Kansas prison after a judge rejected an effort to keep him in Virginia to work on a new bankruptcy plan.

The quarterback quandary in Denver is over. Not so the competition. Kyle Orton and Chris Simms have been told they have to earn the right to replace Jay Cutler, who was traded to Chicago last weekend, ending a six-week soap opera that began when the Pro Bowl passer decided he didn't want to play for new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.

Kellen Winslow and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed Monday to a US$36.1 million, six-year contract extension that will make the one-time Pro Bowl selection the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

A co-defendant in a federal drug case involving former NFL running back Travis Henry has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

NFL receiver Reggie Williams was charged with drug possession after off-duty policemen used a Taser to subdue him when he refused to leave a bar.

Despite getting into trouble, Plaxico Burress can keep a US$1-million signing bonus from the New York Giants, but Larry Johnson's salary in Kansas City isn't guaranteed, according to a ruling issued Monday following a grievance hearing.

Matt Hasselbeck will practise with the Seattle Seahawks for the first time since early December when the team begins a voluntary minicamp Tuesday.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia joined the Oakland Raiders on Monday, agreeing to a one-year deal to be JaMarcus Russell's backup.

After taking four months in the wake of his shooting to decide that troubled receiver Plaxico Burress didn't fit into their plans, general manager Jerry Reese and the New York Giants have roughly three weeks to decide whether they can find a deep threat in the NFL draft.

The St. Louis Rams signed Kyle Boller on Saturday to be the backup to starting quarterback Marc Bulger.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has sent a letter to season ticket holders explaining why the organization had to trade Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears.

The father-in-law of Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow was found safe at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing on Saturday, three days after he vanished, police said.

Michael Vick's plan to emerge from bankruptcy simply didn't add up. The uncertainty surrounding the aging, suspended NFL star's return to pro football prompted a bankruptcy judge to reject Vick's Chapter 11 plan and order a new one.

Quarterback Patrick Ramsey has signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee announced on Friday that Ramsey joined the Titans after two seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Fallen NFL star Michael Vick told a bankruptcy judge Friday that he became a changed man in prison and is determined to do all the right things upon his release from prison, including repaying his creditors with the millions he hopes to resume earning in professional football.

The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress in a stunning move on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub.

The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub.

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick says his time in federal prison has given him time to think. Vick took the stand in a Virginia bankruptcy court on Friday morning as part of a hearing to assess how he'll emerge from financial ruin.

Kellen Clemens and the rest of the New York Jets' quarterbacks can breathe a little easier now. Well, at least until the NFL draft.

The Chicago Bears agreed to a three-year deal with free agent Orlando Pace on Thursday, adding a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle to their offensive line on the same day they acquired quarterback Jay Cutler in a trade with Denver.

Jay Cutler got his wish Thursday: a ticket out of Denver. And the Chicago Bears have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades.

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress and Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson expect to learn within a week whether getting into trouble off the field trumps millions of dollars in guaranteed salaries and bonus money due them from their respective teams.

An agent for suspended NFL star Michael Vick says he hopes the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback can be back in the league by September.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth surrendered in court Thursday to face charges that he was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian after a night of drinking at a ritzy Miami Beach hotel. He later was released and expressed condolences to the family of victim Mario Reyes.

The police officer who pulled out his gun and threatened an NFL player with jail instead of allowing him inside a hospital where his mother-in-law was dying resigned Wednesday.

Receiver Isaac Bruce is postponing retirement for another season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk in Miami.