National Football League News and Rumors
Jim Harbaugh looks forward to his large-headed son’s football careerMike Florio, profootballtalk.com The periodic concerns that come from the parents of boys (or from parents like President Obama who don’t and won’t have sons) regarding whether the young men entrusted to their care will create for some families a potential opportunity. 49ers coach Ji… |
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On more than one occasion we’ve heard Ray Lewis speak of “sacrifice,” whether for his team or an even higher power. His words ring heavy in our ears while contemplating another sacrifice - the time it will take to watch Tuesday’s Super Bowl Medi… |
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Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com Former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell - widely considered the biggest bust in NFL draft history - recently shed weight and is attempting an NFL comeback. The Jets need a quarterback. Russell was once a quarterback. And the Jets have explored the |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com Former San Francisco 49er Kwame Harris has been charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges from an August beating involving a former boyfriend, a prosecutor and defense lawyer said. |
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Doug Farrar, yahoo.com NEW ORLEANS -- Last September, the Baltimore Ravens received a surprise visitor to their facility in the person of Muhammad Ali, whose specific inspiration to the team was recalled that day by Jack Harbaugh, father of Ravens head coach John and San Fran… |
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Benjamin Hoffman, nytimes.com Ravens Coach John Harbaugh seemed a lot happier to be in New Orleans than his brother, 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh. |
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Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who grew up in New Jersey, went to school at Pittsburgh and Delaware and plays now in Baltimore - none of which are remotely tropical in the winter time - is not a big fan of next year’s cold-weather New York Super Bow |
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Jim Harbaugh responds to President Obama, says size of son’s head bodes well for football futureJan 28
Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Jim Harbaugh never stops sizing up the competition out on the football field - even if it doesn't really exist. He also has an interesting view on which attribute predicts a good football future. The San Francisco 49ers head coach was asked on Monday ab |
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The 49ers' Great InjusticeJan 28
William C. Rhoden, nytimes.com When quarterback Alex Smith lost his starting job to Colin Kaepernick while out with a concussion, it sent a dangerous message to players in the N.F.L. |
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They shared plenty as children, now they'll share the NFL's biggest stage on Super Bowl Sunday. Are the Harbaughs cracking under the limelight? Not quite yet, writes Dennis Dillon. |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com New Orleans Saints spokesman Greg Bensel says general manager Mickey Loomis has a contract that runs through 2017. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Aldon Smith has 33.5 career sacks, the most for any player in his first two seasons since the NFL started keeping sack records in 1982. And his teammates and coaches voted him the 49ers’ MVP for a 2012 season in which he was second in the league with 19… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The most recent edition of Saturday Night Live featured a squirrel-dancing Kenan Thompson at the Weekend Update desk with Seth Meyers. Thompson, with painted face and purple No. 52 jersey, was playing the role of Ray Lewis. Among other things, the segm… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com This seems like far less than breaking news, but I suppose it is. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns “officially” fired defensive coordinator Dick Jauron today. That’s courteous of them, since they hired Ray Horton as defensive coordina… |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com The Detroit Lions have attempted to improve their front office by hiring senior personnel executive Brian Xanders. |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com In many ways, the Sporting News brand has seen its influence diminish dramatically in recent years. In one specific way, the Sporting News retains a significant amount of sway in NFL circles. The Sporting News awards annually the one postseason award n… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com If Alex Smith feels any bitterness over losing his position as the 49ers’ starting quarterback to Colin Kaepernick, he’s not showing it. In fact, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said today that Smith is the person who has done more than anyone to prepare Kae… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Eagles running back LeSean McCoy has made headlines for his Twitter use before, but there’s a big difference between trash talking with Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and what happened between him and the mother of his son over the weekend. McCoy lo… |
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Frank Schwab, yahoo.com The Super Bowl prop bets in Las Vegas have grown to include just about anything. And we really mean anything. Late last week the first wave of bets were released by sports books, and they were fairly normal, mostly having at least something to do with f… |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com A Florida man has pleaded guilty to a fraud charge in a Los Angeles courtroom in connection with swindling about $2.3 million from Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney. |
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Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady, who is an impending free agent, will require surgery to repair a shoulder injury suffered in Denver’s regular season finale. The injury is not expected to affect Clady’s availabilit… |
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HONOLULU (AP) At least one key NFL executive thinks play improved at the Pro Bowl this year: Commissioner Roger Goodell. |
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Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com Despite an appeal from Saints head coach Sean Payton to give commissioner Roger Goodell a warm welcome, the city of New Orleans is still holding a grudge over Bountygate. According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News, at least one local bar is taking an a… |
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Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland is looking for playmakers this offseason, but that may not include impending free agent running back Reggie Bush. Citing sources, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports Bush is “highly unlikely” to be re-signed by the Dolphi… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Taking the Cardinals head coaching job apparently prevented Bruce Arians from assembling the coaching staff he really wanted. According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Arians had a different staffing plan if he had gotten the Bears job i… |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com Chastising the NFL Players Association for standing in the way of testing for human growth hormone, two members of Congress told union head DeMaurice Smith in a letter sent Monday that they might ask players to testify before their committee. |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com So you come home at the end of a long work day, put the keys on the counter, and check the answering machine. After the reminder about your kid’s doctors appointment, and the neighbors asking you to clean up after your dog, imagine if this is the next m… |
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Tom Ley, deadspin.com The first thing you'll notice about this petition is that it contains a great deal of exclamation points. Why are there so many exclamation points? Who knows. Maybe it's a rhetorical strategy that we aren't familiar with, or perhaps the cheerleader who … |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com It’s Monday afternoon, but it’s going to feel a bit like Football Night in America when Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports Network hits the air from New Orleans. Mike Florio, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will bring a little of their Sunday night mojo t… |
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David Brown, yahoo.com Want to tailgate like a Halas? Then you're in luck. This 28-foot motor home, custom decorated inside and out with a Chicago Bears motif, is looking for some new monsters to take it to the midway. As you can see, it's an Airstream Argosy that's been pain… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested on DWI charges last week and Monday brought the news that his blood alcohol content was 0.16 when he crashed his car into a highway median. That’s twice the legal limit and the arrest comes less than two… |
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Benjamin Hoffman, nytimes.com Most of the current 49ers are too young to have experienced the dominant San Francisco teams of the 1980s and '90s. |
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ESPNChicago.com, ESPN.com Kristin Cavallari, who is the fiancee of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, said Monday she'll try to persuade their five-month-old son Cam not to play football when he gets older, although she knows that could be a difficult task. |
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Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com Longtime Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton is 35 years old and his contract is up. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Hampton is not expected to be re-signed. The Steelers are expected to turn to some combination of Steve McLendon, Ziggy Hood, a… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The Saints got coach Sean Payton back a bit earlier than expected, but they won’t be getting their second-round pick back. Goodell mentioned that during an online chat on Reddit.com, via the New Orleans Times Picayune. Asked if there was any chance of t… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com It’s just about time for the first episode of PFT Live from New Orleans. Mike Florio will be joined by his Football Night in America colleague Rodney Harrison to get the ball rolling on Super Bowl talk for this week. We’ll find out if Harrison’s exp… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Chris Harris put an end to his playing days over the weekend. It didn’t take him long to start the next phase of his career. Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune reports that Harris will return to the Bears as part of Marc Trestman’s coaching staff. The … |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com As the NFL and the NFLPA continue to stare at each other like the boys and girls pressed against opposite walls of a middle-school dance on the issue of HGH testing, Congress is getting closer to pushing the walls together, Star Wars Episode IV-style. … |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Titans safety Michael Griffin doesn’t really know Gregg Williams, but he figures bringing him into the coaching staff can’t hurt. The Titans, who ranked 27th in the league in defense, are considering bringing Williams on board, assuming he gets reinst… |
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Timothy Burke, deadspin.com NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear the Pro Bowl wasn't long for this Earth unless selected players started showing competitive effort in the game. With broadcast rights to the televised cash cow at stake, it was important viewers get the impre… |
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Frank Schwab, yahoo.com Roger Goodell met the public on Monday afternoon, with a mix of news from Goodell, rage from fans and general weirdness. One of the top ranked comments was from "New_Orleans_Saints" simply linking to a gif that showed Danny DeVito flipping off… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com The Jaguars have formally announced the names of several members of new coach Gus Bradley’s staff, and the most recognizable name is Butkus. No, Bradley didn’t hire Dick Butkus to coach the Jaguars’ linebackers. It’s Dick’s nephew, Luke Butkus, … |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The Ravens are arriving in New Orleans later this afternoon, with enough characters to liven up the town for a week. None of those characters are quarterback Joe Flacco. In fact, the Ravens quarterback can’t even seem to entertain his own family. Flacco… |
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Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com Andre Johnson, Texans; Aaron Brooks, Saints; Joe Montana, 49ers; Hines Ward, Steelers; Brett Favre, Packers. More » |
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Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com Richard Lollar was one of two men killed in the 2000 Super Bowl week stabbing outside an Atlanta nightclub that led to Ray Lewis's pleading guilty to obstruction of justice. For 13 years Lollar has been buried in his hometown of Akron, and in those 13 y… |
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Report: Lovie Smith prepared to sit out all of '13 |
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Maggie Hendricks, yahoo.com Since retiring, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Hines Ward has kept busy as a studio analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America." He also has spent some time as a corpse risen from his grave. Thanks to the connections of a college teammate who no… |
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Brett Michael Dykes, nytimes.com The view from New Orleans: Super Bowl week has arrived, announced by white tents popping up around the city and the steady buzzing of the first blimp. |
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Associated Press, ESPN.com Thousands turned out to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to send the Ravens off to their second Super Bowl. |
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Jack Dickey, deadspin.com Scott Cacciola has a fine story in today's New York Times about Joe Flacco and those wedding photos that won us over so long ago. But this story is particularly special because it includes this quote, from Flacco's father, which confirms that his son is… |
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Frank Schwab, yahoo.com While the Ravens and 49ers are getting ready for a Super Bowl, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was on the set of "Celebrity Diving" saving comedian Louie Armstrong from drowning. Apparently, these are the types of stories happen when a NF… |
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ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Randy Moss plans to play for at least one more season, ProFootballTalk.com reported Monday. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com If Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco plays well against the 49ers in the Super Bowl, he’s set to accomplish something that only a couple of of 49ers Hall of Famers have done in NFL playoff history. Flacco has thrown eight touchdown passes and no interceptio… |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is a popular figure on the first day of the annual entry draft as first-round picks eagerly shake his hand, give him hugs and pose for pictures as they both hold up a jersey of the proud players' new team. Goodell is less … |
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Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com 49ers defensive end Justin Smith tore his left triceps tendon in Week Fifteen and missed the final two regular season games. He put a brace on the arm for the playoffs and was an impact run defender in San Francisco’s first two postseason wins, racking … |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Florio’s VW bus made it all the way down to Louisiana so we’ll have a week of PFT Live from New Orleans coming to you live. Who better to welcome to the first show from the Crescent City than a man who know it well. Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Ti… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The Pro Bowl has left Hawaii for the year, but Redskins tackle Trent Williams is taking home a seven-stitch souvenir. The man who gave Williams the injury via the use of a champagne bottle (it should be one of the weapons in Clue) also owns the nightclu… |
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One Smith Supports AnotherJan 28
Benjamin Hoffman, nytimes.com Justin Smith of the 49ers wants teammate Aldon Smith to have some time in the spotlight. |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com We shared earlier that the Eagles’ search for a defensive coordinator included a couple of coaches who have a pretty big game coming up on Sunday, but they aren’t limiting their search to members of the Ravens and 49ers coaching staffs. Adam Schefter … |
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Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com We found out Saturday that Redskins tackle Trent Williams would miss the Pro Bowl after being involved in a Honolulu nightclub brawl, his roster spot going to Matt Kalil. (Aside: how did Kalil drop whatever he was going, get to Hawaii, and get ready to … |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith is expected to ask for his release before the free agent signing period begins on March 12, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports. Smith opened the 2012 season as the 49ers' starting quarterback, co… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis has been selected to the Pro Bowl every season he’s been in the NFL, but he still finds motivation in a time when he was told he wasn’t good enough. Willis grew up in Tennessee and wanted to play his college foo… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Few will confuse Youngstown with New Orleans. The 49ers hope their players are among that very small group. The unlikely connection between the two cities comes from a now-annual decision by coach Jim Harbaugh to take his team to Eastern Ohio for the w… |
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Doug Farrar, yahoo.com NEW ORLEANS -- There's no question that Andrew Luck became perhaps the most valued quarterback prospect of his generation with a great deal hard work and talent, but playing for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford added a lot to the picture. Harbaugh, an NFL quart… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Eagles open Super Bowl week without a defensive coordinator and it doesn’t look like they’ll hire one until after the big game. 49ers defensive backs coach Ed Donatell has been linked with the job for a while and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia In… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com We agree wholeheartedly with the opinions expressed by Peter King in his latest Monday Morning Quarterback and elsewhere regarding the merit (or more accurately lack thereof) of former Raiders receiver Tim Brown’s non-allegation allegation that former R… |
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Judy Battista, nytimes.com In an effort to raise awareness, the former Saint Steve Gleason and N.F.L. players and coaches will unveil a public service announcement explaining the gradual physical failure that results from the disease. |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com With a couple of Twitter outbursts in recent weeks, Lions wide receiver Titus Young is showing some real potential when it comes to receivers flashing their diva side about not getting the ball enough to satisfy them. Young’s a neophyte in that arena, b… |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com "Shutdown Corner" will be kicking off each morning this week with a spin around Super Bowl XLVII, providing links to news and notes to get you ready for the game. What's ahead: On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers arrived from Santa Clara, Calif… |
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Monday morning one-linersJan 28
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Bills defensive line coach Anthony Weaver doesn’t think it will be a problem that he’s coaching ex-teammate Mario Williams. Dan Marino could see the Dolphins drafting another quarterback at some point this year. Should the Patriots start cutting down … |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com As a quarterback who has started less than one season and is now preparing to start the Super Bowl, Colin Kaepernick might seem likely to be feeling nervous this week. But Kaepernick says he doesn’t have any nerves at all. “I’ve said this before: Pr… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Last week on PFT Live, a former hard-hitting safety from the Patriots (Rodney Harrison) said that one of the things the Patriots need is a hard-hitting safety. Enter Ed Reed? Peter King of SI.com said during Sunday night’s Pro Bowl pregame on NBC that t… |
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Doug Farrar, yahoo.com NEW ORLEANS -- San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been to Super Bowls before, but never the way he really wanted. He's the coach of a 49ers team that was a couple of fumbled returns away from a possible NFC Championship victory over the eve… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com San Francisco defensive tackle Justin Smith isn’t shy about saying the 49ers are the best team he’s been on. Asked at a press conference after the 49ers arrived in New Orleans about the talent level of the 49ers, Smith said it’s unlike anything he”… |
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Andy Benoit, nytimes.com Have you already heard enough about the Harbaugh brothers or Ray Lewis or Colin Kaepernick? Don't be silly. It's Super Bowl week. |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com This year’s Pro Bowl set a much different tone than last year’s don’t-Tase-me-bro game of two-hand-touch, thanks to the blood that was gushing from the hand of Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Even as the intensity of the game faded in the second hal… |
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On Sunday a Beyonce performance will be bookended by a football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. But before these teams ... |
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When the news came out last week that the New York Jets might explore a trade for Darrelle Revis, it was easy to dismiss the idea as typical new-regim... |
