Recession Woes Penalize NFL Franchises

Jets, Bears among teams facing personnel issues; pressure on Raiders' Kiffin to win

(NEWSER) - The NFL is in the midst of a turbulent off-season, even if you ignore the Brett Favre and Chad Johnson sagas. ESPN’s John Clayton breaks down the other top distractions as training camp nears:

• With NFL Europe gone but the 80-man roster still in place, teams will have trouble finding enough healthy bodies for training camp.
• The New York Jets must decide whether or not to move an unhappy Chris Baker.
• Jacksonville may need to keep receiver Matt Jones despite his off-field issues.

Green Bay pounds Oakland while the Dolphins drop to 0-13

(NEWSER) - The Dallas Cowboys overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter and won on Jason Witten's 16-yard TD catch with 18 seconds remaining, 28-27. Witten had fumbled near the goal line to kill a drive earlier in the quarter, but redeemed himself with the last of a career-high 15 catches. Tony Romo was cool under pressure in leading the winning drive. Elsewhere: More»

Victim wore 'F*** the 49ers' shirt

(NEWSER) - Wearing a "F*** the 49ers" T-shirt to a 49ers game wasn't the brightest idea, but it could prove deadly for a man shot two to four times in the stomach last night following a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. The 24-year-old is in critical condition, reports the San Francisco Chronicle . Police detained a 20-something in Raiders attire on a party bus a short time later. A second man was shot in a parking lot; it's unclear if the two shootings were related, though police believe all three men attended the game at Candlestick Park. More»

Joined 'Monday Night Football 's' first broadcast team

(AP) - Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC's Monday Night Football broadcast team, died yesterday in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. He was 72. Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965. More»

Lawsuit names former Cowboys great Michael Irvin in 2007 attack

(NEWSER) - A woman has filed a lawsuit against former Dallas Cowboys player Michael Irvin, alleging rape. The suit claims the attack happened in July 2007 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. A Seminole Tribe spokesman said the alleged attack was reported then, but there was not enough evidence to bring charges, reports the New York Daily News . Irvin's lawyer denied the charge and called attempts to negotiate a settlement "extortion." More»