Stories related to: football

A murmur rippled across the room as the NFL revealed the tapes provided by former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh. The cause was not some new revelation of wrongdoing by New England, which was caught last September recording opposing coaches' signals in violation of league rules. More »

A former New England Patriots assistant has given the NFL eight videotapes showing that the Pats broke the rules by recording rival teams' play-calling signals—but the rumored tape of the St. Louis Rams isn't among them, the New York Times reports. There had been reports that the worker had a video of the Rams' practice the day before the 2002 Super Bowl. More »

The NCAA has handed out sanctions to more than 200 college teams for poor academic performance, USA Today reports. More than a third of the 329 Division I schools had teams with subpar Academic Progress Rates, which means their players' graduation rate was lower than 60%. Twenty-six teams deemed chronic underperformers still face reductions in practice time and scholarship awards. More »

Even a three-game playoff was too much for the BCS. Bowl Championship Series officials rejected a plan Wednesday to turn the much-criticized system for deciding a national champ into a playoff involving four teams, starting in the 2010 season. The BCS format will remain the same until at least the 2014 season. More »

If linebacker Caleb Campbell hadn't been picked up by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the NFL draft Sunday, he'd  be suiting up for the battlefield, not the gridiron. Assuming he makes the team, Campbell, who graduates from the U.S. Military Academy  May 31, will be allowed to replace five years' service by working as a recruiter and a reserve while playing, the Detroit Free Press reports. More »

The two top picks at today's NFL draft were spoiled ahead of time: Everyone knew Jake Long and Chris Long would go first and second. The real drama started with pick #3, in which the Atlanta Falcons chose Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. The Raiders took Darren McFadden with pick #4, and Glenn Dorsey went fifth to Kansas City, NBC Sports reports. More »

For many of the top prospects in this year’s NFL draft, the path to stardom didn’t begin in college. Instead, it started at the US Army All-American Bowl, an annual high-school all-star game that’s been remarkably good at spotting future NFL talent. Since 2005, 69 participants have reached the pros; this year, 28 are expected to go, with seven projected as first-rounders. More »

The Tennessee Titans finally washed their hands of suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones on Wednesday, agreeing in principle to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple confirmed the teams had an agreement, but no terms had been filed with the NFL office, which already had closed for the day. More »

Adam "Pacman" Jones paid "extortion" money to a 29-year-old man arrested for a Las Vegas strip club shooting that left a club employee paralyzed, police said. Arvin Kenti Edwards, of Renton, Wash., allegedly used go-betweens to reach Jones, who paid $15,000 in two installments after the shooting, according to a police report obtained Monday. More »

Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will announce his retirement today, the Baltimore Sun reports. The 13-year veteran surprised his teammates with his decision this morning at a team mini-camp. After leading Tennessee to a Super Bowl, he spent the past two seasons with Baltimore, and injuries limited him to only six games last season. More »

Most people will never get a full football scholarship offer from a big-name university. But those masses need not wonder what such letters look like: high school quarterback Tate Forcier has posted his collection of sometimes fawning, sometimes caveat-laden recruiting letters online. Sports Illustrated breaks down the coaches' voices, the letterhead style, and the legalese woven into those letters. More »

Saints running back Deuce McAllister, coming off the second knee surgery of his career, will remain with New Orleans for at least one more season. A member of the team with knowledge of the contract negotiations confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on Monday night. The person did not want to be named because the team hasn't made an official announcement. More »

In less than two weeks, the Miami Dolphins will make the first overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft—and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is the likely candidate, the Houston Chronicle reports. Seven of the past nine No. 1s have been QBs, but for every Carson Palmer there's a David Carr, and for every Eli Manning there's a Tim Couch. More »

Gary Davidson may not be a household name to many sports fans. But the man who founded the World Football League and co-founded the ABA and WHA certainly has been influential in the nation’s professional sports landscape by challenging three of the big four sports leagues, writes the LA Times . The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, are a remnant of his ABA. More »

Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones will again ask NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to reinstate him, with his agent planning to send in his latest request on Tuesday. Jones had planned to ask to be reinstated before the NFL draft on April 26-27. His agent, Manny Arora, said that being able to work out for teams would increase Jones' appeal to those in the market for a cornerback. More »

Michael Vick is said to be doing well in prison, washing pots and pans for 12 cents an hour and playing football à la The Longest Yard, the New York Daily News reports. Vick has been in touch by letter with Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who says the former quarterback seems penitent, and of sound mind. More »

The NFL owners have tabled a proposal that would reseed the playoffs and allow wildcard teams to host a playoff game. Many didn’t support the motion because they feel division winners should be rewarded. "I do believe if you win a division, it's good for your fans to know you will have a home game," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft, reports ESPN. More »

The Tennessee Titans would love to unload  suspended defensive back Pacman Jones, but they want to make sure they get something in return for the Pro Bowl-caliber player. The Cowboys appear willing to make that happen, reports Sports Illustrated . Dallas, which originally offered a seventh round pick for Jones, has now offered a player and a later-round selection. More »

Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones may be set to become a Dallas Cowboy, a source tells the Dallas Morning News . The suspended Titans player has expressed a desire to play for the Cowboys, and his agent Manny Arora notes that "If Tennessee chooses not to have him on their roster next year, it's in their best interest to trade him." More »

After flirting with several other teams, New England's record-setting receiver Randy Moss has decided to stay put to the tune of $27 million over three years, reports the Boston Herald . The price amounts to a discount of sorts—Moss had received a more lucrative offer from the Eagles over the weekend. More »