NFL

Retired football players angry with the NFL Players Association over disability and pension benefits say the executive director of the union may be ahead of himself in seeking their support during upcoming contract talks with the league.

Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield wasn't on the field when the Minnesota Vikings opened a mandatory three-day minicamp on Friday, and coach Brad Childress said he didn't expect to see him all weekend long.

A U.S. federal judge denied on Friday a request by the NFL Players Association to put the suspensions of five players on hold while the case over use of a banned substance is being appealed.

Jon Jansen says he will sign a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions if he passes a physical.

Defensive tackle Israel Idonije of Brandon, Man., has agreed to a two-year contract extension that keeps him with the Chicago Bears through 2011.

J.J. Arrington's career with the Denver Broncos was halted before he even took his first handoff when the team released the tailback following a failed a physical due to a balky right knee.

The NFL Players Association is asking a federal judge to keep the suspensions of five players on hold while the case over use of a banned substance is appealed.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday there's no baby on the way for him and his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

In the almost nine months since Tom Brady was last seen on a football field, he's added a wife, a few pounds and a knee brace that won't let him forget the injury that cost him all of last season.

A former golfing buddy of O.J. Simpson on Thursday appealed to overturn his conviction in an armed hotel room heist, saying he suffered "spillover prejudice" from being tried with the former NFL football star.

The 17-year-old son of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has to stay out of trouble for six months to escape a charge for alcohol possession in the Gillette Stadium parking lot.

Relieved that he is not a suspect, New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes says he cannot discuss the investigation of a possible rape at his New Jersey home.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith pleaded not guilty to several charges Thursday including possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Former Minnesota Viking and Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton has lashed out at Brett Favre over his messy exit from Green Bay and his refusal to rule out a return to the NFL next season.

If Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo doesn't want to refer to Terrell Owens by name these days, that's fine with T.O.

The NFL Players Association plans to appeal a judge's ruling in the case of five players facing suspensions over positive drug tests.

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones has rejoined his teammates after boycotting voluntary workouts while in a contract dispute.

Langston Walker was caught off guard when the Buffalo Bills traded Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to Philadelphia last month. He wasn't surprised with what came next.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin is in the process of firing his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

The NFL filed notice Tuesday that it plans to appeal a federal judge's ruling in the case of two Minnesota Vikings players facing suspensions over positive drug tests.

All Peyton Manning wants from the Indianapolis Colts is a game plan. It may take the team a little longer to satisfy the three-time MVP.

Supersized pro football players are prone to high blood pressure but fare better on some other health measures than more average-sized men, new NFL-sponsored research shows.

Tom Brady is back practising with the New England Patriots. The quarterback who was sidelined almost all last season with a knee injury was on the field Tuesday with most of his teammates.

The agent of Steelers linebacker James Harrison says the player's young son is doing fine after being attacked by a pit bull but might remain in a Pittsburgh hospital another day or two.

New Jersey police are investigating a Canadian woman's claim that she was raped by two men at the home of Jets safety Kerry Rhodes.

The Dallas Cowboys used advice from a man who falsified his educational credentials and served federal prison time for drug trafficking to make major structural reinforcements to a practice facility whose collapse injured a dozen people.

A New Orleans Saints team spokesman says tight end Jeremy Shockey was taken to a hospital but is doing fine after being treated for dehydration.

The agent of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison says the player's young son is "doing well" at a Pittsburgh hospital following an attack by a pit bull.

Dre' Bly didn't spend much time out of the NFL, and the San Francisco 49ers spent even less time without a veteran starting cornerback.

A pit bull owned by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has reportedly attacked the player's young son, but police, hospital and team officials are releasing little information.

Michael Vick walked into a U.S. federal courthouse Friday to meet his probation officer, ignoring questions from waiting reporters about his life under home confinement after being released from prison this week.

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been indicted by a Randall County grand jury on drug and burglary charges.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth's arraignment in Miami on DUI manslaughter charges has been delayed until next month.

Brad Childress says Brett Favre "was worth a conversation," but the Vikings coach insists the veteran quarterback remains retired -- as far as he knows.

Browns wide receiver and return specialist Josh Cribbs attended a team meeting on Thursday after previously threatening to skip the voluntary minicamp this week.

William (The Refrigerator) Perry has been released from the hospital after a monthlong stay for complications of a nervous system disorder.

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick arrived at his Virginia home in a car with blackout curtains Thursday after being released from federal prison to begin home confinement and try to resume his pro football career.

Kevin O'Connell is still the backup quarterback for the New England Patriots. This time it's intentional.

NFL teams looking to hire general managers may soon be required to interview at least one minority candidate.

Browns wide receiver and return specialist Josh Cribbs is not attending Cleveland's voluntary minicamp as he tries to get the team to renegotiate his contract.

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick left a Kansas prison before dawn Wednesday to begin home confinement in Virginia, one of his lawyers said, the latest step on a journey that Vick hopes will lead to his reinstatement.

Jets Pro Bowl running back Thomas Jones will rejoin his teammates next week after sitting out voluntary team activities while in a contract dispute, according to his agent.

Michael Vick wants to work with an unlikely ally -- the Humane Society of the United States -- on a program aimed at eradicating dogfighting among urban teens.

Now that he's got the key to the city, Terrell Owens' next move was a natural: Finding a place to live.

NFL owners voted Tuesday to play the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the first time the championship game will be played there since hurricane Katrina shredded parts of the Louisiana Superdome.

As the final seconds of Tuesday's practice ticked off the scoreboard, Jason Taylor stood in the corner of the field enjoying a happy ending.

The prospect of more NFL games apparently is going to require more talking.

The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove.

The Dallas special teams coach who suffered a broken neck during the collapse of the practice facility is back with the Cowboys.

Monday Night Football tried a Cowboy, a comic, a columnist and a Cosell. To fill the latest vacancy in the broadcast booth, ESPN went with a winning formula -- a coach, and a Super Bowl champion at that. Fresh off getting fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jon Gruden was hired to replace Tony Kornheiser this season.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner says he has videotaped evidence showing he did nothing wrong during an altercation with police outside a Cleveland nightclub.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive co-ordinator Jim Johnson is taking an indefinite leave of absence while he continues treatment for cancer.

James Harrison plans to pass on another trip to the White House with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As Michael Vick prepares to leave a federal penitentiary this week one of his top priorities is to show he is genuinely sorry for actions that landed him in prison.

The Baltimore Ravens have signed unrestricted free agent Kelley Washington to a one-year contract to bolster their receiving corps.

NFL owners will award the 2013 Super Bowl to either New Orleans, Glendale, Ariz., or South Florida, and discuss expanding the regular season -- where their spring meetings will take place in Fort Lauderdale.

No stranger to attention, Terrell Owens drew plenty of it on a Monday that was busy even for the high-profile receiver.

Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre has been arrested in Florida on accusations he fondled himself outside a Port St. Lucie woman's home.

Former NFL star Bruce Smith has been charged with drunken driving in Virginia Beach.

The Indianapolis Colts used one succession plan to replace Tony Dungy. Now, new coach Jim Caldwell is implementing his own succession plan to complete his staff.

With the Minnesota Vikings eagerly waiting, Brett Favre has sought advice from a noted surgeon about his beat-up throwing arm, according to the latest report on the quarterback's status.

The Washington Redskins won another legal victory Friday in a 17-year fight with a group of American Indians who contend the NFL team's trademark is racially offensive.

Oh-oh, Ocho. The Bengals' top receiver has yet another name.

The star-crossed Bengals are about to become HBO's latest stars. The cable channel and NFL Films chose one of the least successful and most dysfunctional teams of the past 18 years for its next 'Hard Knocks' training camp series.

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has filed an appeal with the NFL contesting his suspension without pay for the first three games of the season.

The oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has returned to prison.

Tony Dungy is busier than ever, even though he's no longer coaching the Indianapolis Colts.

Jason Taylor has rejoined the Miami Dolphins.

Terrell Owens will have even more TV cameras in tow when he arrives in Buffalo this weekend for the start of the Bills' series of voluntary minicamps.

New NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith says his contract has been completed.

Defensive end Jermaine McGhee and defensive back Kyle Ward have signed with the Buffalo Bills.

After seeing fans jam London's Wembley Stadium to watch the NFL the past two years, the league is considering adding a second regular-season game overseas in time for the 2010 season.

Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis has been released from a Dallas hospital eight days after his neck was broken when the roof of the team's indoor practice facility collapsed during a storm.

Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth, free on bail on a DUI manslaughter charge, has been cleared to travel this week from Miami to Atlanta for a medical visit.

Yes, the Minnesota Vikings are interested in Brett Favre. The team broke its silence Monday, with president Mark Wilf saying the team is considering the supposedly retired star.

Of all the changes Jeff Garcia has faced since signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders in the off-season, accepting a job as quarterback JaMarcus Russell's backup has been the most challenging.

The Atlanta Falcons can only hope that first-round pick Peria Jerry stays healthy in his rookie season.

Nate Burleson is running pass patterns again, effortlessly, like a gazelle. The Calgary native is catching almost every ball thrown near him, as if he were the touchdown leader again.

The Denver Broncos have signed free agent running back Darius Walker.

The St. Louis Rams released veteran linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, their leading tackler last season. Coach Steve Spagnuolo made the surprise announcement in a statement released Friday, calling it a "difficult decision based on a lot of factors."

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers is investigating the collapse of the Dallas Cowboys' indoor practice facility.

The name of the Miami Dolphins' home will be LandShark Stadium, but not for long. It will be for this season only and expires before the stadium hosts the Super Bowl in February.

The Cincinnati Bengals obtained running back Brian Leonard from the St. Louis Rams on Thursday for backup defensive tackle Orien Harris.

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed veteran safety Roy Williams, a five-time Pro Bowl player for the Dallas Cowboys.

The Minnesota Vikings' dalliance with Brett Favre has yet to reach the stage of face-to-face, close-the-deal talks. Maybe it never will. Favre reportedly called Childress in the last day and told the coach he wants to stay retired.

For most of his career, he was celebrated as a tough guy playing a man's game with the joy of a little boy. Now Brett Favre stands on the verge of plunging the sports world into yet another offseason's worth of waffling on his retirement.

It's reality: Not everyone can get Super Bowl tickets. A more accessible Pro Bowl may provide fans some consolation.

Court records show the company that built the Dallas Cowboys' collapsed training facility also manufactured at least three other buildings that have fallen in heavy weather since 2002.

The New England Patriots have signed safety Brandon McGowan, who became an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the Chicago Bears.

The New Orleans Saints and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation are sending out multimedia previews of their bid to bring the 2013 Super Bowl to the Big Easy.

Left tackle Levi Jones was released Wednesday by the Cincinnati Bengals, who spent their first-round draft pick on his replacement.

Linebacker Larry Foote has signed a one-year deal with his hometown Detroit Lions, two days after being released by the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent wide receiver Mike Furrey, who spent the past three years with Detroit.

The New Orleans Saints cut receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolomona Kapanui on Tuesday, two days after the young players were arrested for allegedly being drunk and exposing themselves to two women in the parking lot of a suburban apartment complex where they live.

Just when Brett Favre looked to finally be out, the Minnesota Vikings could be pulling him back in.

Michael Vick and Tony Dungy met Tuesday at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., where the former star quarterback is imprisoned.

The NFL will stage 16 games this season to honour the American Football League, which turns 50 in 2010.

New Orleans Saints receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolomona Kapanui have been released from jail.

The New England Patriots have signed eight players, including three from Navy who likely won't be available immediately.

Police say items taken from a vehicle at a local park included a Super Bowl championship ring and an NFC championship ring of longtime Green Bay Packers executive Reggie McKenzie.

The New Orleans Saints have signed 10 undrafted rookies to free-agent contracts.

A Tennessee man is suing Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for causing a car accident that left him needing a hip replacement, asking for US$7.5 million in compensatory damages alone.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent offensive tackle Oliver Ross to a one-year contract.

Government investigators began sorting through the Dallas Cowboys' flattened practice facility Monday, trying to figure out why fierce winds sent the tentlike structure crashing down during a rookie workout session.

When he left Seattle more than four years ago, Ken Lucas was still young and impressionable, wooed across the U.S. to Carolina by big dollars and a feeling of being unappreciated by the Seahawks.

A Dallas Cowboys scouting assistant sustained permanent paralysis from the waist down after he was injured when the team's tent-like practice structure collapse in a severe storms.

Kurt Warner says he's ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to repair a hip injury that bothered him much of last season. Not that anyone would have noticed at that time.

Harry Jacobs can still hear the crowd booing loudly at Buffalo's War Memorial Stadium as Jack Kemp took the field in place of benched quarterback -- and fan favourite -- Daryle Lamonica.

Jamall Lee's hometown team liked him so much they traded up to take him No. 3 overall in the draft. The only problem was that it wasn't the NFL draft. Lee was practising with the Carolina Panthers on Saturday when the B.C. Lions traded up to take him in the CFL's Canadian college draft.

It's early May, so Marc Bulger can afford to be optimistic about the St. Louis Rams' changes. Not too optimistic.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolomona Kapanui were charged Sunday with obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct for allegedly being drunk, urinating in public and exposing themselves.

Shonn Greene's mind drifted a few times while he unloaded trucks and assembled furniture in a store warehouse in Iowa. He couldn't help it. His NFL dreams never included couches, La-Z-Boys and dining room sets.

Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was among at least five people injured Saturday when the roof of the team's indoor practice facility collapsed in a storm during a rookie minicamp.

Aaron Maybin figures there's more than enough time to show he can make an immediate difference for the Buffalo Bills' defence by the time the season begins.

Brett Favre says he's retired, but Minnesota coach Brad Childress acknowledges it's likely the Vikings will at least assess their interest in the record-setting quarterback later in the off-season.

Shawne Merriman stood out even though he was held out of team drills in the opening practice of the San Diego Chargers' minicamp on Friday.

Mark Sanchez was up late the night before his first practices with the New York Jets, staring into a mirror and reciting calls from his playbook.

Matthew Stafford looked spectacular at times, fitting spirals in tight places and delivering pinpoint passes downfield.

The Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick Percy Harvin has been hospitalized due to severe dehydration.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett showed up for the Arizona Cardinals mini-camp but begged off of workouts because of "injuries."

The New York Jets signed 17 undrafted free agents to participate in their rookie mini-camp, including Brampton, Ont., defensive end Jamaal Westerman and former Harvard quarterback Chris Pizzotti.

Furman offensive tackle Joel Bell is among 10 undrafted rookie free agents signed by the Buffalo Bills.

Disgruntled defensive end Julius Peppers was the only player missing from the start of the Carolina Panthers' three-day mini-camp on Friday.