Mark Maske's NFL Insider
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NFL Insider's Moving Day
We're moving to a new home, with lots of new features, including Mark Maske's news feed. Of course, we'll have news there, too, in addition to expert commentary and an opportunity for you to weigh in on the burning question of the day in the NFL. Hope ...
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NFL
Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition
This just in....Maske is heading to the memorial service for Gene Upshaw this morning at the Kennedy Center. Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier was shot while waiting for some women outside a Jacksonville apartment early Tuesday and ...
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NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars
Gene Upshaw
Richard Collier
Kenneth Pettway
Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson
Tailback Rudi Johnson agreed to a contract with the Detroit Lions. He'd been released by the Cincinnati Bengals after they'd tried but failed to trade him. Johnson is to back up starter Kevin Smith in Detroit....Please click on the title to continue ...
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NFL
Detroit Lions
Rudi Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
Kevin Smith
No Serious Damage to Superdome, According to Early Assessments
The early reports are that the Superdome has suffered no significant structural damage during Hurricane Gustav. The New Orleans Saints are scheduled to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their season-opening game Sunday at the Superdome. It's not clear ...
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NFL
Superdome
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts
D. Anderson, B. Edwards Participate in Browns' Practice
Quarterback Derek Anderson and wide receiver Braylon Edwards participated in the Cleveland Browns' practice today and, barring setbacks, should be in the lineup in Sunday's opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Anderson had been sidelined by a ...
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NFL
Cleveland Browns
Braylon Edwards
Derek Anderson
Dallas Cowboys
Lelie to Raiders
Wide receiver Ashley Lelie has agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders. He'd been released by the San Francisco 49ers. The speedster is a former first-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos....Please click on the title to continue reading this ...
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NFL
Oakland Raiders
Ashley Lelie
San Francisco 49ers
Ravens Name Flacco Starter, Set to Add Harrington
The Baltimore Ravens have named rookie Joe Flacco their starting quarterback for Sunday's opening regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco, a first-round draft choice in April out of Delaware, once seemed out of the starting ...
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NFL
Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco
Cincinnati Bengals
Kyle Boller
Troy Smith
Atlanta Falcons
Brady Declares Himself Ready For Patriots' Opener
Quarterback Tom Brady today declared himself fit and ready to play in the New England Patriots' opening regular season game after being plagued during the preseason by a sore right foot. "If it is up to me, there is no question," Brady said during a ...
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NFL
Tom Brady
New England Patriots
Players to Wear Uniform Patches For Upshaw
The league announced today that all NFL players will wear patches on their jerseys this season honoring Gene Upshaw, the late executive director of the players' union. The patch will include Upshaw's initials and the number 63, his jersey number ...
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NFL
Gene Upshaw
Hall of Fame
Oakland Raiders
Roger Goodell
Pats Add O'Neal to Secondary
The New England Patriots have announced the signing of cornerback Deltha O'Neal. The defending AFC champions spent much of the offseason remaking their secondary, and the effort continues into the week before the regular season. O'Neal reached two Pro ...
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NFL
New England Patriots
Denver Broncos
Deltha O'Neal
Cincinnati Bengals
Jets Reportedly Could Try to Sign J. Lynch
When the New England Patriots released safety John Lynch over the weekend, Coach Bill Belichick left open the possibility that the team would re-sign him at some point. Now the Star-Ledger is reporting that the New York Jets might try to sign Lynch ...
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NFL
John Lynch
New York Jets
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick
Eagles Bring Back T. Daniels
The Philadelphia Eagles claimed linebacker Tank Daniels off waivers. He'd been released by the New York Giants when they signed defensive end Jerome McDougle, who'd been released by the Eagles. So the two NFC East teams essentially swapped McDougle ...
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NFL
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
Jerome McDougle
Rocky Boiman
Travis Daniels
A. Brooks to S.F.
The San Francisco 49ers claimed linebacker Ahmad Brooks off waivers. He'd been waived by the Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend. Brooks likely will back up Patrick Willis in San Francisco. The 49ers released linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to create a ...
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NFL
San Francisco 49ers
Brooks Bollinger
Ahmad Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
Patrick Willis
Dontarrious Thomas
Official Announcement of Union Search Likely to Come Later This Week
Look for the NFL Players Association to make its official announcement later this week about launching its search for an executive director. We reported in a story in the print edition of the paper early last week that members of the union's ruling ...
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NFL
Gene Upshaw
Patriots Release J. Lynch
The New England Patriots released safety John Lynch. He'd been signed by the Patriots after being released by the Denver Broncos at the outset of training camp. Coach Bill Belichick seemed to leave open the possibility of the Patriots re-signing Lynch ...
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NFL
New England Patriots
John Lynch
Denver Broncos
Bill Belichick
Giants Add J. McDougle
The New York Giants signed defensive end Jerome McDougle. He'd been released by the Philadelphia Eagles and gives the Giants additional depth at defensive end behind new starters Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. They're replacing the retired Michael ...
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NFL
New York Giants
Jerome McDougle
Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Tuck
Mathias Kiwanuka
Michael Strahan
Saints to Practice in Indianapolis
With Hurricane Gustav threatening the Gulf Coast, the New Orleans Saints have enacted their plan to move to Indianapolis to practice this week. The Saints are scheduled to relocate to Indianapolis today. They hope to return to New Orleans on Friday, ...
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NFL
New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Superdome
Union's Executive Committee Has Conference Call
Members of the union's ruling 10-member executive committee spoke via conference call Saturday night, a person familiar with the players' deliberations said today. No details of the call were immediately available. A source had said last week that the ...
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NFL
Gene Upshaw
Bucs Release C. Simms
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released quarterback Chris Simms. Simms had described his relationship with Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden as beyond repair and had hoped to be released. He'd said during the offseason that Gruden demonstrated a lack of concern ...
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NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Simms
Jon Gruden
Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers
Falcons Cut J. Harrington, M. Pollard
The Atlanta Falcons have announced their cuts and among the players released are quarterback Joey Harrington and tight end Marcus Pollard. The Falcons previously had decided to go with rookie Matt Ryan as their starter at quarterback, and kept Chris ...
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NFL
Atlanta Falcons
Joey Harrington
Marcus Pollard
Matt Ryan
New England Patriots
Warner Over Leinart in Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals have picked Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart as their starting quarterback. Coach Ken Whisenhunt announced the decision today. Warner was the starter for most of last season, when Leinart was hurt, and outplayed Leinart in the ...
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NFL
Matt Leinart
Arizona Cardinals
Kurt Warner
Ken Whisenhunt
Awaiting Word on C. Simms
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have begun to make their cuts but there's still no word on whether they'll release quarterback Chris Simms. Simms has called his relationship with Coach Jon Gruden irreparable and has said he expects to be released ...
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NFL
Chris Simms
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jon Gruden
Ravens' Moves
The Baltimore Ravens have announced that they've released the following players: TE Adam Bergen QB Casey Bramlet DL Darrell Campbell WR Patrick Carter G Adrien Clarke DT Amon Gordon WR Justin Harper RB Alex Haynes TE Keith Heinrich G Adam Kraus LB ...
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NFL
Baltimore Ravens
Adam Bergen
Casey Bramlet
Darrell Campbell
Adrien Clarke
Amon Gordon
A. Lelie Cut By Niners
Wide receiver Ashley Lelie was released by the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers kept five wideouts ahead of Lelie--Bryant Johnson, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill and Josh Morgan....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.
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NFL
San Francisco 49ers
Ashley Lelie
Bryant Johnson
Isaac Bruce
Arnaz Battle
Jason Hill
Bengals Also Cut W. Anderson
The Cincinnati Bengals have decided to release veteran offensive tackle Willie Anderson after he refused to accept a pay cut. Anderson was to have a salary of $3.15 million this season. The Bengals are going with Stacy Andrews as their starter at ...
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NFL
Cincinnati Bengals
Willie Anderson
Stacy Andrews
Rudi Johnson
Bollinger Cut By Vikes
The Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Brooks Bollinger. They kept rookie John David Booty as their third quarterback behind Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.
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NFL
Minnesota Vikings
Brooks Bollinger
John David Booty
Tarvaris Jackson
Giants Keep Only Two QBs, Add J. Carney to Kick
The New York Giants kept only two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, with David Carr backing up Eli Manning. They released both Anthony Wright and rookie Andre Woodson today. The Giants could attempt to re-sign Woodson to the practice squad. The ...
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NFL
New York Giants
John Carney
David Carr
Eli Manning
Anthony Wright
Andre Woodson
C. Batch to IR
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed backup quarterback Charlie Batch on the season-ending injured reserve list. Batch broke his collarbone during the preseason. The Steelers previously signed Byron Leftwich to replace him as Ben Roethlisberger's ...
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NFL
Charlie Batch
Pittsburgh Steelers
Byron Leftwich
Ben Roethlisberger
K. Faulk Suspended One Game
The NFL suspended New England Patriots backup tailback Kevin Faulk for one game without pay for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Faulk was also fined an additional game check. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana ...
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NFL
Kevin Faulk
New England Patriots
Bengals Release R. Johnson
The Cincinnati Bengals released tailback Rudi Johnson. The Bengals tried but failed to trade Johnson, who lost the starting job at running back to Chris Perry. Johnson had two seasons remaining on a five-year, nearly $21 million contract....Please ...
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NFL
Cincinnati Bengals
Rudi Johnson
Chris Perry
Dolphins Trade J. McCown to Carolina
The Miami Dolphins have traded quarterback Josh McCown to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick next spring. McCown is the odd man out in Miami. The Dolphins apparently will keep rookie Chad Henne and second-year pro John Beck behind ...
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NFL
Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins
Josh McCown
Chad Henne
John Beck
Chad Pennington
Vikings' McKinnie Suspended Four Games
The NFL suspended Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie for the first four games of the regular season without pay for violating the league's personal conduct policy. McKinnie faces charges, including one felony, stemming from a fight outside ...
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NFL
Minnesota Vikings
Bryant McKinnie
Miami Dolphins
Roger Goodell
Texans Release Colvin
The Houston Texans released linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Colvin, formerly of the New England Patriots, had signed with the Texans as a free agent in the offseason. The Texans signed him to be a pass-rushing defensive end but felt, after seeing him in ...
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NFL
Houston Texans
Rosevelt Colvin
New England Patriots
Still More on the Possibility of a Longer Season
The NFL Players Association likely would demand a salary increase for each player with an existing contract in return for giving its approval to any proposed lengthening of the sport's regular season, a person familiar with the union's position on the ...
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NFL
Colts Certain They'll Have Manning For Opener
It has taken only a few days of practices for the Indianapolis Colts to become more convinced than ever that they'll have Peyton Manning in their opening day lineup. Coach Tony Dungy told reporters after Thursday's preseason finale he'd be "shocked" ...
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NFL
Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning
Tony Dungy
Chicago Bears
Packers Haven't Solved Backup QB Issue
The Green Bay Packers continue to have a backup quarterback problem, with rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn behind new starter Aaron Rodgers. Coach Mike McCarthy has not ruled out the possibility of adding an experienced backup. Daunte Culpepper ...
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NFL
Green Bay Packers
Brian Brohm
Matt Flynn
Aaron Rodgers
Mike McCarthy
Daunte Culpepper
Vikings Say They're Not Talking L.A.
A Minnesota Vikings official says the franchise is not in active discussions about relocating to Los Angeles. Lester Bagley, the Vikings' vice president of public affairs and stadium development, was quoted in Minneapolis-area newspapers in today's ...
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NFL
Minnesota Vikings
Zygi Wilf
Lots of Question Marks For Lots of Teams
Here's what strikes me most about this preseason: Just about all the presumed top teams in the league will enter the season with a major question mark. Start with the two Super Bowl teams: The Giants traded tight end Jeremy Shockey before training ...
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NFL
Super Bowl
Jeremy Shockey
Osi Umenyiora
Michael Strahan
Chiefs to Sell Stadium Naming Rights
Say goodbye to Arrowhead Stadium. At least the name. The Kansas City Chiefs announced Thursday that they're seeking a sponsor to purchase the naming rights to the stadium. They did say they would like to keep Arrowhead as part of the new name, ...
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NFL
Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium
Longer Regular Season Likely Would Bring Expanded Rosters
The NFL's franchise owners can offer the union more than just additional money to existing players when it comes time to attempt to secure the necessary approval of the Players Association for expanding the regular season to 17 or 18 games per club. ...
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NFL
Roger Goodell
Dan Patrick
Cowboys Add to Offensive Line
The Dallas Cowboys filled a need on their offensive line Thursday by trading a fifth-round draft choice in 2010 to the Denver Broncos for guard Montrae Holland. Holland could replace the injured Kyle Kosier in the Cowboys' season-opening ...
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NFL
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Montrae Holland
Kyle Kosier
Saints Might Practice in Indianapolis
With Tropical Storm Gustav threatening to hit the Gulf Coast next week, the New Orleans Saints reportedly are making plans to practice in Indianapolis. The NFL Network reported that the Saints plan to fly to Indianapolis on Sunday and remain there ...
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NFL
New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
B. Marshall's Suspension Reportedly Reduced
A Denver television station is reporting that Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has had his suspension reduced to one game without pay. Marshall also will be fined a second game check, according to the report by KCNC-TV. The NFL originally had ...
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NFL
Brandon Marshall
Denver Broncos
Roger Goodell
No Brady or E. Manning in Less-Than-Super Rematch
It's a Super Bowl rematch minus the Super Bowl quarterbacks. The Patriots' Tom Brady and the Giants' Eli Manning have been withheld from the preseason finale tonight. Brady had said this week he'd hoped to play after being sidelined by a sore right ...
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NFL
Super Bowl
Eli Manning
Tom Brady
Bill Belichick
Tom Coughlin
New England Patriots
QB Shortage in Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens signed quarterback Casey Bramlet today. He is expected to play in tonight's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, with Kyle Boller plagued by a sore shoulder and Troy Smith by an illness. Rookie Joe Flacco is the only ...
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NFL
Baltimore Ravens
Casey Bramlet
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Boller
Troy Smith
Joe Flacco
Cowboys' Jones Reinstated
The NFL has fully reinstated cornerback Adam Jones, making him eligible to play for the Dallas Cowboys during the regular season. The league's previous partial reinstatement of Jones had covered only training camp and preseason games. Jones was ...
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NFL
Dallas Cowboys
Pacman Jones
Tennessee Titans
Seahawks Saying They'll Have Tatupu For Opener
The Seattle Seahawks expect to have middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu in their lineup for the opening regular season game. The Seahawks describe the knee injury that Tatupu suffered during Monday night's preseason game at San Diego as a bone bruise. It ...
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NFL
Seattle Seahawks
Lofa Tatupu
San Diego Chargers
Bucs Re-Sign Defensive End
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that they've re-signed defensive end Patrick Chukwurah. He was with the team last season but was released in June. He played in nine games last season and had 16 tackles and a sack....Please click on the title ...
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NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Patrick Chukwurah
Some Thoughts on Merriman's Decision to Play
One could look at linebacker Shawne Merriman's decision to try to play for the San Diego Chargers this season with two torn knee ligaments as either extremely tough and devoted or extremely foolish. Either way, he's taking an enormous risk. Merriman ...
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NFL
Shawne Merriman
San Diego Chargers
Dolphins Cut Safety With Cowboys Ties
The Miami Dolphins surprisingly released safety Keith Davis. Davis previously had played in Dallas when Dolphins front office chief Bill Parcells, General Manager Jeff Ireland and Coach Tony Sparano were with the Cowboys. He excelled on special teams ...
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