Boston.com -- Football news

Panthers WR Smith active; Jets without 2 CBs

2009-11-29T17:19:25Z

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is active for the team's game against the New York Jets after being questionable with sore ribs.

Offensive line’s injuries are at the forefront

Michael Vega, Globe Staff — 2009-11-29T06:19:09Z

FOXBOROUGH - When the Patriots released their practice/injury report yesterday, five offensive linemen were among 17 players listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game in New Orleans.

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2009-11-29T06:19:09Z

Star bursts

Albert R. Breer, Globe Staff — 2009-11-29T06:03:31Z

There’s not an inch of NFL turf designed for the meek. But it’s the area framed by the two offensive tackles, stretching 7 or 8 yards downfield, where the bodies are bigger, the landscape more crowded, the contact less forgiving.

Driven by the prolific Brees, Saints are drawing comparisons with ’07 Patriots

Monique Walker, Globe Staff — 2009-11-29T06:05:11Z

METAIRIE, La. - New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey is a 6-foot-5-inch, 251-pound player with tattoos etched along his forearms and a reputation for speaking his mind. He can appreciate an opinion. So when he describes Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Shockey starts with leadership, citing Brees as the player often first to the practice facility. Then Shockey describes his ...

Roethlisberger is out against Ravens

2009-11-29T06:10:04Z

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss tonight’s game at Baltimore because of a concussion, forcing the inexperienced Dennis Dixon to start one of the Super Bowl champions’ biggest games this season. Dixon, a former Oregon star, has spent most of the season as the No. 3 quarterback. He has thrown only one NFL pass in two seasons, but must ...

Chargers have more than talent going for them

Albert R. Breer — 2009-11-29T04:09:18Z

It has been four years now that the Chargers have heard it. How loaded their roster is. How they could probably win the otherwise meek AFC West playing 10-on-11 all game. How young they are, and how, through the shrewd general managing of A.J. Smith , they’re set up for years to come.

Kansas prep school streak ends at 79

2009-11-29T01:01:34Z

The streak is over. Centralia scored on its first overtime possession to defeat Smith Center 20-12 Saturday in the Kansas high school Class 2-1A title game. The loss ended the Redmen's 79-game winning streak, the longest in Kansas history and one of the longest in the country.

Notre Dame AD denies contacting potential coaches

Josh Dubow, AP Sports Writer — 2009-11-29T00:51:33Z

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said he has not contacted any coaches about a potential vacancy if Charlie Weis is fired after the season.

Jets waive CB-KR Justin Miller

2009-11-28T23:09:21Z

The New York Jets have waived former Pro Bowl cornerback-kick returner Justin Miller a month after re-signing him.

Panthers WR Smith questionable with sore ribs

2009-11-28T22:29:20Z

The Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has sore ribs and has been added to the injury list as questionable for Sunday's game at the New York Jets.

Bills add Mace to roster, release tight end

2009-11-28T20:31:27Z

The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive lineman Corey Mace to the 53-man roster and released tight end Joe Klopfenstein.

Concussion expected to sideline Roethlisberger

Alan Robinson, AP Sports Writer — 2009-11-28T17:51:44Z

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss Sunday night's game at Baltimore because of a concussion, an unforeseen development that forces the inexperienced Dennis Dixon to start one of the Super Bowl champions' biggest games this season.

Blitzing Brees can be a risky strategy

Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff — 2009-11-28T05:00:00Z

No team this season has discovered a way to stop quarterback Drew Brees , which is the challenge the Patriots face this week leading up to their Monday night showdown against the Saints. The most important step might be a strong pass rush.

LeVoir set in motion

Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff — 2009-11-28T05:00:00Z

At the start of Patriots practice yesterday, Mark LeVoir lined up at right tackle with the starting offense. Last Sunday, LeVoir entered in the middle of the second quarter and played left tackle for 25 snaps. In the past four games, LeVoir has lined up as a tight end or fullback in a power formation on 28 plays.

Setting the retirement bar on concussions

Derrick Z. Jackson, Globe Columnist — 2009-11-28T02:03:24Z

One of the nation's top football brain injury researchers told me there needs to be a discussion of a "threshold number" of concussions that rules out a player forever. Based on what we are learning, three, perhaps even two should be enough.

Andrews getting another opinion on back

2009-11-28T02:12:45Z

Philadelphia Eagles guard Shawn Andrews, hoping to avoid a second back surgery in two years, saw another specialist in Dallas to get another opinion on an injury that has sidelined him for the past two seasons.

Julius Jones to be game-time decision for Seahawks

2009-11-28T01:41:22Z

Seahawks running back Julius Jones will be a game-time decision for their game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Las Vegas tops Florida to win UFL championship

2009-11-28T00:31:15Z

Graham Gano kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime to give the Las Vegas Locomotives a 20-17 victory over the Florida Tuskers on Friday in the inaugural UFL championship game.

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2009-11-28T00:31:15Z

Giants at crossroads with 6-5 record

2009-11-27T22:41:32Z

The New York Giants have reached a crossroads in their season after losing five of six games.

Saints' Ellis confident he'll return against Pats

2009-11-27T22:39:24Z

Sedrick Ellis says he feels fresh and is looking forward to returning to the field for the Saints when New Orleans hosts the New England Patriots on Monday night.

Jets' Smith puts head injuries, uncertainty behind

Dennis Waszak Jr., AP Sports Writer — 2009-11-27T21:09:57Z

Eric Smith thought he was just being clumsy when he reached into the back of his refrigerator and knocked over a few things.

Schwartz doesn't regret starting Stafford

2009-11-27T20:58:13Z

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz isn't second-guessing his decision to start Matthew Stafford. "No second thoughts at all," Schwartz said Friday, a day after his rookie quarterback threw four interceptions in a 34-12 loss to Green Bay. "Him throwing the interceptions had nothing to do with his shoulder."

Jets CBs Lowery, Strickland ruled out vs. Panthers

2009-11-27T20:50:19Z

New York Jets cornerbacks Dwight Lowery and Donald Strickland will not play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday because of injuries.