Vick Vows He 'Won't Disappoint'

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

(NEWSER) - The New England Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit today with 49 unanswered points to rock the Buffalo Bills 49-21, the AP reports. The win earned the Pats home-field advantage and the AFC's top seed. Tom Brady threw for 338 yards and finished with the second-most passing yards in NFL history, 5,235—behind only Drew Brees, who threw for 5,486 this year with the New Orleans Saints. More»

Sports analysts agog after Denver Broncos' latest victory

(NEWSER) - After a stunning performance in yesterday's last-minute 13-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, sports commentators are wondering if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow really is capable of miracles.

• Declaring Tebow his "personal quarterback and savior," Jeff Neuman at RealClearSports catalogs five miracles made in last night's game. "Zero points on his team's first 11 possessions—and then three scores on their last three, aided by a coach's weird strategy, thin air, a fumble, and a total brain cramp by a veteran running back. Truly, Tim Tebow works in mysterious ways."
• Writing for the Montreal Gazette , Ed Willes also drops the M-word, wondering if "we've ever seen a run like this in the last 50 years of sports: an athlete who's at once both divisive and irresistibly charismatic; an athlete who's in the miracle business every week; an athlete who transcends everything around him."

Deal completes NFL star's journey back to top

(NEWSER) - Four years after he was sent to prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, Michael Vick has rejoined the ranks of the NFL's highest-paid players. The Philadelphia Eagles have signed the quarterback to a 6-year, $100 million contract with $40 million guaranteed, sources tell AP . The 31-year-old, who joined the Eagles after completing his 18-month sentence in 2009, led the team to the NFC East title last year. More»

5-year, $90-million deal give Colts salary-cap flexibility

(NEWSER) - "OFFICIAL ----WE HAVE A DEAL!!!!!!!!!" tweeted Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay in caps last night, as the Colts signed Peyton Manning to a $90 million, five-year contract, reports the Indianapolis Star . The deal likely ensures the 35-year-old quarterback will stay a Colt for the rest of his career. Although the contract ties New England's Tom Brady for the biggest in the NFL, the Colts had actually been offering Manning $100 million—but Manning offered to take less if it would help the team sign some veteran talent. "It's a credit 2 Peyton; he put Colt fans, teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else," tweeted Irsay later. More»

But he believes in second chance for those who've 'paid for' crimes

(NEWSER) - Yes, President Obama did applaud the Philadelphia Eagles’ owner for giving Michael Vick a chance—but the White House is soothing any ruffled feathers by clarifying that he “condemns” the quarterback’s crimes, a spokesman tells the Huffington Post . Obama “does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.” His call to Jeffrey Lurie, however, was chiefly about alternative energy use at the Eagles’ stadium. More»