Brian Poole's NFL journey goes full circle by giving back to Bradenton's next wave of talent Hundreds of kids flooded the football field at the Manatee Police Athletic League to get personalized instruction from NFL players. And before he played at the University of Florida and in the NFL, Brian
3 min 53 sec
3 min 53 sec
LeBron James became the youngest player ever with 30,000 career points, scoring 28 points to become the seventh member of the club. However, James couldn't keep the Cavaliers from dropping their 10th in 13 games in a 114-102 loss at San Antonio.
3 min 53 sec
The Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd on Monday amid a midseason slide that has left the playoff hopeful in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. It was a surprising end to Kidd's three-plus season tenure in Milwaukee, when the Bucks made the playoffs twice
3 min 53 sec
Led by QB Nick Foles, the Philadelphia Eagles made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in a 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC championship. Next up after their most-lopsided playoff victory: the Eagles' first Super Bowl trip since 2005
3 min 53 sec
Tom Brady shook off a hand injury and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining, rallying the New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl with a 24-20 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
3 min 53 sec
There are so many sports events every weekend that it can be nearly impossible to keep track of them all. The first weekend of January features the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL's Wild Card weekend, plus the new-look Cavaliers.
3 min 53 sec
Bouncing around the regions in a forward lean – from Arik Armstead, UC Davis preseason football rankings, Kings draft hopeful with regional roots, and news out of Cal: AA all A's – Arik Armstead was doing Arik Armstead things earlier this month. He is a big guy, all of 6-foot-8, with a big personality
3 min 53 sec
The Titans and Mike Mularkey couldn't agree on how to build off the team's first playoff berth since 2008. That job will now fall to a new coach. The Titans split with Mularkey on Monday after he led them to their first playoff victory in 14 years.
3 min 53 sec
Case Keenum completed a last-ditch heave near the sideline Sunday on the game's final play, as Stefon Diggs slithered away for a 61-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a 29-24 victory over New Orleans and send the Vikings to the NFC championship game at Philadelphia.
3 min 53 sec
Rookie running back Leonard Fournette ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns, Blake Bortles added 214 yards passing and a vital fourth-quarter score and the relentless Jaguars stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 on Sunday.
14 min 53 sec
Tom Brady needs a new contract. Jadeveon Clowney and Chris Harris Jr. could be on the market. Here is what's on the docket for the AFC.
14 min 53 sec
The Cowboys have to splash the cash on two stars. The Giants need a quarterback succession plan. Here's what's on the docket for the NFC.
2 hours 43 min
The veteran tight end reflects on his book about fatherhood and the challenges of balancing relationships at home with the demands of an NFL career.
2 hours 51 min
New coach. New GM. New running back. Second-year franchise QB. There's a buzz around One Jets Drive that will only grow as the 2019 season nears.
12 hours 57 min
Telvin Smith, who announced last month that he's stepping away from football to "get my world in order," says the Jacksonville Jaguars fined him $88,650 for missing the team's mandatory, three-day minicamp this week.
20 hours 21 min
O.J. Simpson, who has generally kept a low profile since his release from prison in October 2017, confirmed that he's created a Twitter account and is ready to reveal his opinions on "just about everything."
22 hours 33 min
Mike Hilton is the latest Steeler to refuse to sign his exclusive rights free agent tender, hoping it works out for him like it did Al Villanueva.
23 hours 27 min
Another attempt by the Patriots to shore up their tight end position ended when their trade with the Lions for Michael Roberts was rescinded due to a failed physical, a source told Adam Schefter.
1 day 2 hours
In a letter to ESPN, the Chargers defensive end writes about the "unhealthy relationship" he had with his phone and what he decided to do about it.
1 day 2 hours
Kellen Winslow II will go on trial Sept. 30 on eight charges a previous jury was deadlocked, on including two counts of rape.
14 min 53 sec
Friday news dump! The Houston Texans announced they have fired general manager Brian Gaine.
Gaine was hired in January 2018, replacing GM Rick Smith, in what was seen as a win in a power struggle by head coach Bill O'Brien. One division championship and 17 months later, he is out. Nobody is quite sure why. Before hiring Gaine, the Texans attempted to interview Eagles exec Joe Douglas, a candidate for the open New York Jets general manager position, but were blocked. Maybe that's part of it? Maybe letting the Eagles snipe them for Andre Dillard in the first round?
14 min 53 sec
Between the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, and Browns, the AFC North teams feature a lot of black and a lot of orange. Who makes it work? Who's getting a new look, and who needs to go back to the drawing board?
14 min 53 sec
The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that they have signed quarterback Carson Wentz to a four-year contract extension.
14 min 53 sec
This week's Off The Charts podcast has guest Neil Stratton of Inside The League. Matt Manocherian and Neil discuss different NFL scouting department models and how people can learn more about the business of football.
14 min 53 sec
While the Broncos need linebackers, the Chargers need help on the offensive line, and the Chiefs need help in the secondary, it's fair to ask whether the Raiders should have done more to bring in competition for Derek Carr at quarterback.
14 min 53 sec
14 min 53 sec
This month: Blake Bortles adjusts to Los Angeles, Chris Long lights one up, everyone takes shots at the people running New York football teams, Jeff Lurie gets analytical, Ben defends Eli, and coaches get infantile.
14 min 53 sec
This week's Off The Charts podcast tries to figure out what was the strategy behind the Oakland Raiders' offseason. Then we dig into the numbers on which quarterbacks and defenses were best with and without pressure in 2018. It could be a preview of which quarterbacks will see performance come back to earth in 2019. (Click for audio link.)
14 min 53 sec
Coming out of the draft, the Texans and Jaguars could still use some big offensive playmakers, Tennessee needs more beef up front, and the Colts need more defensive stars to go along with Darius Leonard and Jabaal Sheard.
14 min 53 sec
While the Ravens and Bengals need defensive help (edge rushers and linebackers, to be specific), the Browns need offensive linemen, while the Steelers need a receiver to play across from Juju Smith-Schuster.
13 hours 39 min
Absent linebacker Telvin Smith says the Jacksonville Jaguars fined him $88,650 for missing the team's mandatory, three-day minicamp this week
17 hours 3 min
Peyton Manning adds another honor in TN Sports Hall of Fame
19 hours 21 min
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn spending break between practices working with foundation, opening school
1 day 17 hours
Vikings offense, slowly but surely, adjusting to yet another scheme with Stefanski, Kubiak
1 day 18 hours
Texans drop pursuit of Caserio, Patriots drop complaint
1 day 18 hours
Rookie linebacker Bobby Okereke became the Indianapolis Colts' final draft pick to sign his rookie contract Friday
1 day 18 hours
Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers has been suspended for the first game in 2019 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy
1 day 18 hours
The Detroit Lions waived tight end Michael Roberts after trying to trade him to the New England Patriots
1 day 21 hours
Pat Bowlen was not your typical NFL owner, as Broncos players and fans discovered
1 day 21 hours
The Chicago Bears have signed third-round draft pick David Montgomery
14 min 53 sec
The Broncos have reached an agreement with general manager John Elway on a new five-year deal through 2021, the team announced Monday.
14 min 53 sec
Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant may have shown up late to training camp, but that didn't stop him from professing his love for the organization that drafted him.
14 min 53 sec
Veteran pass rusher Tamba Hali took to Twitter to vent some frustration he has with fellow Chiefs teammates. Coach Andy Reid said Hali "doesn't need to go there and do all that."
14 min 53 sec
The Colts will open training camp with their franchise quarterback on the sideline. GM Chris Ballard announced Monday that Andrew Luck will be placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
14 min 53 sec
Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown was absent Tuesday as the team prepared to leave for training camp in West Virginia, according to NFL Network's James Palmer.
14 min 53 sec
The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that first-round draft pick Malik Hooker will open training camp on the PUP list. Hooker injured his hamstring during Monday's conditioning test.
14 min 53 sec
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead was arrested and charged with misdemeanor petty larceny in June after he was accused of shoplifting in Virginia, according to court and police records.
14 min 53 sec
Ravens RB Kenneth Dixon enters Year 2 facing more adversity. After earning a four-game ban for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs, Dixon is slated for knee surgery Tuesday.
14 min 53 sec
Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned. For his ex-teammate in San Francisco, Jeremy Kerley, that's a shame. Because for Kerley, Kaepernick "knows how to get" a team back to the Super Bowl.
3 min 53 sec
LeBron James became the youngest player ever with 30,000 career points, scoring 28 points to become the seventh member of the club. However, James couldn't keep the Cavaliers from dropping their 10th in 13 games in a 114-102 loss at San Antonio.
3 min 53 sec
The Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd on Monday amid a midseason slide that has left the playoff hopeful in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. It was a surprising end to Kidd's three-plus season tenure in Milwaukee, when the Bucks made the playoffs twice
3 min 53 sec
Led by QB Nick Foles, the Philadelphia Eagles made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in a 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC championship. Next up after their most-lopsided playoff victory: the Eagles' first Super Bowl trip since 2005
3 min 53 sec
Tom Brady shook off a hand injury and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining, rallying the New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl with a 24-20 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
3 min 53 sec
There are so many sports events every weekend that it can be nearly impossible to keep track of them all. The first weekend of January features the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL's Wild Card weekend, plus the new-look Cavaliers.
3 min 53 sec
The Titans and Mike Mularkey couldn't agree on how to build off the team's first playoff berth since 2008. That job will now fall to a new coach. The Titans split with Mularkey on Monday after he led them to their first playoff victory in 14 years.
3 min 53 sec
Case Keenum completed a last-ditch heave near the sideline Sunday on the game's final play, as Stefon Diggs slithered away for a 61-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a 29-24 victory over New Orleans and send the Vikings to the NFC championship game at Philadelphia.
3 min 53 sec
Rookie running back Leonard Fournette ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns, Blake Bortles added 214 yards passing and a vital fourth-quarter score and the relentless Jaguars stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 on Sunday.
3 min 53 sec
Tom Brady passed for three touchdowns and 337 yards, and New England cruised past Tennessee 35-14 on Saturday night to advance to their seventh consecutive conference title game.
3 min 53 sec
Philadelphia's defense executed a last-minute goal-line stand and kept the Falcons off the board to secure a 15-10 win and a berth to the NFC championship game. Kicker Jake Elliot made three field goals to help the Eagles top sixth-seeded Atlanta.
14 min 53 sec
Johanna Konta says scheduling matches is "not my job" following her semi-final defeat at the French Open.
14 min 53 sec
Victoria Azarenka says that she thought her "career was over" when she discovered that she was pregnant with her son Leo.
14 min 53 sec
Before the men's elite race at the London Marathon, British tennis star Andy Murray discusses his recovery from hip surgery and the inspiring people running Sunday's race - including his former coach Amelie Mauresmo.
14 min 53 sec
Gordon Oates, who has achieved the accolade for over-85s doubles, says it is never too late to start.
14 min 53 sec
Judy Murray explains how she is trying to inspire the next generation of female tennis coaches - and why 10-year-old Naomi inspired her.
14 min 53 sec
Andy Murray says he is 'pain-free' after having hip surgery, but believes there is less than a 50% chance he will play singles at Wimbledon.
14 min 53 sec
Judy Murray meets up with a 10-year-old girl who wrote to her asking for advice about how to become a tennis coach.
14 min 53 sec
Watch the best Novak Djokovic moments as he wins a record seventh Australian Open title and a third successive Grand Slam, sweeping aside Rafael Nadal in Melbourne.
14 min 53 sec
Watch highlights as Japan's Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova in a dramatic Australian Open final to win back-to-back Grand Slams and become the new world number one.
14 min 53 sec
All this time we had been thinking Sue Barker was the last British woman to win the French Open. Apparently we were wrong.
3 min 53 sec
Brian Poole's NFL journey goes full circle by giving back to Bradenton's next wave of talent Hundreds of kids flooded the football field at the Manatee Police Athletic League to get personalized instruction from NFL players. And before he played at the University of Florida and in the NFL, Brian
3 min 53 sec
Bouncing around the regions in a forward lean – from Arik Armstead, UC Davis preseason football rankings, Kings draft hopeful with regional roots, and news out of Cal: AA all A's – Arik Armstead was doing Arik Armstead things earlier this month. He is a big guy, all of 6-foot-8, with a big personality
3 min 53 sec
The Jaguars' Jalen Ramsey is one of the most gifted defensive players in the NFL. He's smart, fast and powerful. When Ramsey is at his best, he can disrupt an entire passing game. He's the type of player every team in the league would want. Yet Ramsey, like most players in the league, is
3 min 53 sec
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Nsimba Webster caught an inside screen pass and proceeded to bolt upfield past a host of defenders, including inside linebacker Ketner Kupp. A familiar scene in an unfamiliar setting for the former Eastern Washington standouts, a pair of undrafted rookies hoping to carve out roles
3 min 53 sec
Jamison Hensley ESPN Staff Writer Close University of Maryland graduate Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son Follow on Twitter OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens came together as a full team for the first time this offseason, but there was an emotional void felt on the reigning No
3 min 53 sec
There is an old adage that says it is better to be proactive than reactive. As the Green Bay Packers move closer to the start of training camp, they would do well to heed that advice with their safeties. Last preseason, it was perplexing to many writers at APC how unconcerned the Packers appeared to
3 min 53 sec
Sarah Barshop ESPN Staff Writer Close Covered the Packers for ESPN Milwaukee Marquette University graduate Follow on Twitter HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans will no longer pursue New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio for their general manager position, the team announced Friday
9 min 52 sec
Jim Irsay owns more than just the Indianapolis Colts. The day started off with a lone fan at the front gate of the Indianapolis Colts complex holding a handmade poster. Jim Irsay, the mastermind of the city's beloved NFL team, turned 60 Thursday and this random guy was there to wish him well. Irsay
14 min 53 sec
The Cincinnati Bengals are arguably the quietest team in the AFC North this offseason. Impressive, considering the Bengals are breaking in a massive new coaching staff for the first time in 16 years. But Cincinnati's rivals have all sorts of developments surrounding them right now. Instead of scrambling
14 min 53 sec
Free agent defensive end Andre Branch is reportedly visiting with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Branch, 29, is a seven-year veteran who was drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2012 NFL Draft. After his four-year deal with
1 hour 14 min
The tug of war that the Patriots and Texans engaged in over the past week or so ended with Houston in the mud and New England holding the prize: director of player personnel Nick Caserio. There are a number of theories as to why the Texans agreed to stop their pursuit of Caserio, but we learned on Friday that Caserio may have language in his contract with the Patriots that specifically forbids him from interviewing with any other team. Indeed, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com believes that theory makes the most sense, and when Caserio signed his last extension with the Pats, Reiss says New England may have asked Caserio to not pursue any other openings in exchange for longer-term security and increased salary. Of course, the NFL’s anti-tampering clause could have superseded such a contractual provision if Houston elected to challenge it, but the Texans opted to avoid a battle with one of the league’s most powerful owners, Robert Kraft. Speculatively, Caserio could have filed a grievance of...
2 hours 21 min
Most of the attention on the Giants’ quarterbacks room this offseason has been focused upon Daniel Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in April’s draft, and Eli Manning, the 38-year-old two-time Super Bowl MVP. But as Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes, the battle to be Big Blue’s third QB is expected to become quite heated once training camp opens next month. Jones was able to quiet some of the negative chatter surrounding him with an impressive spring, and Schwartz says that if the Giants are convinced the Duke product will be able to step in for Manning whenever he’s called upon — and offensive coordinator Mike Shula has already expressed that level of confidence in Jones — then the club may elect to keep just two signal-callers and send both Kyle Lauletta and Alex Tanney packing. Between an October arrest and a poor professional debut, Lauletta, a 2018 fourth-round pick, has dug himself into a bit of a hole. Although Lauletta is just 24 and had enough upside to merit a mid-...
11 hours 43 min
The Chargers have officially wrapped up their draft class, as the team announced they’ve signed offensive tackle Trey Pipkins to his rookie contract. Pipkins, the 91st pick in April’s draft, was the last player in Los Angeles’ class to sign. Pipkins played at D-II school Sioux Falls, so not a ton was known about him entering the draft. The first player in program history to be drafted into the NFL, Pipkins was a D-II All-American last season. The Chargers likely didn’t anticipate Pipkins playing much early on when they drafted him, but he could be forced into action. Left tackle Russell Okung is dealing with a mysterious injury, which could give Pipkins an opportunity sooner than expected. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein viewed him as a developmental prospect, and someone who would need a good amount of time to sit and learn. As such, it won’t be good news for the Chargers if he’s thrust into action due to Okung’s injury. Third round picks are often among the last to sign, because the...
13 hours 51 min
The Jaguars escalated the tension between linebacker Telvin Smith and themselves recently. Even though Smith announced his intention to sit out the 2019 season last month, he still hasn’t ironed things out with the Jaguars and remains on the active roster for now. He obviously didn’t show up for Jacksonville’s minicamp this past week, and the Jaguars decided to fine him. Per Demetrius Harvey of LockedOnJaguars.com, Smith posted a photo to Instagram detailing the fines. In total, the Jaguars fined him $88,650. He posted the fine letter with a caption of “Oh y’all thght [sic] it was a game!!! You say you wanna sit & get ya life right. . . they say nah […] you pay me!!!” also adding “It’s still love!!” The last we heard, Jacksonville still hadn’t had any direct communication with Smith since his shocking decision to step away. Smith is still only 28, and no one seems to know his motives yet for wanting the year off. Here’s more from around the football universe on a quiet...
15 hours 21 min
Whatever Russell Okung is dealing with, it’s fair to say that it’s not too minor. Word surfaced earlier this week that the Chargers left tackle is dealing with a mysterious injury, and we still don’t know what it is yet. That being said it’s safe to assume it’s something significant, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports the Chargers don’t know if he’ll be ready for training camp next month (Twitter link). The Chargers have had some tough injury luck in recent years, so hopefully Okung doesn’t have to miss any regular season action. Ever since signing a four-year, $53M deal with the Chargers in March of 2017, Okung has been one of the offensive line’s few consistent pieces. He’s started 15 games each of the past two seasons, and it would be a massive blow if Los Angeles had to go any time without him. As of right now right tackle Sam Tevi is filling in for him in practice, while Trenton Scott has been playing right tackle. Scott is a second-year UDFA who played sparingly as a...
16 hours 3 min
Jason Verrett has had a long road. Ever since the 2014 first round pick debuted with the Chargers, it’s been clear he has a ton of talent. In 2015 he had a breakout sophomore season and made the Pro Bowl, but unfortunately that’s the only year he’s been able to stay healthy. In his other four years in the league, he’s only played in 11 total games. Most recently, he missed the entire 2018 campaign with a torn Achilles. Verrett said earlier this offseason he was in a “dark place” after his most recent injury and that he contemplated retirement, but the cornerback ended up signing a one-year, $3.6M deal with the 49ers. San Francisco is understandably taking it slowly with him, but he appears to be making some progress. Verrett said recently that he’s “on track to be ready for training camp,” per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports. Verrett has played at an elite level in the past, but it’s unclear what he’ll look like in 2019 after all the injuries. If he can get back to anywhere close...
18 hours 3 min
Wide receiver Chris Hogan played in three consecutive Super Bowls with Tom Brady before moving to the Carolina Panthers, where he hopes to record similar accomplishments with Cam Newton. Hogan admitted that the two quarterbacks are very different in the way they play, but in his mind, they share one key factor in common. “That competitive nature, it’s there,” Hogan said, via David Newton of ESPN. “When it comes time to strap on the pads and play football, their focus is on one goal and that’s winning football games. “Cam wants to win. You can tell that right away from talking to him and being around him.” Hogan hasn’t gotten a full view of Newton’s talents yet as the quarterback is still working his way back from shoulder surgery. A fully healthy Newton can certainly be a Super Bowl quarterback — he’s played in one, after all — but that health is a key factor.
18 hours 9 min
Star Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith said earlier this offseason that he planned to sit out the entire 2019 campaign. Apparently that didn’t sit well with the Jags. Smith was fined by the team in excess of $88,000 for missing mandatory minicamp. Smith made the announcement on his own Instagram account (via Locked on Jaguars). Signed to a four-year, $45 million deal back in October 2017, Smith was set to earn a base salary of $9.75 million this coming season. The former fifth-round Pick has been a staple in Jacksonville over the past several seasons. He earned a Pro Bowl nod back in 2017 and has racked up 100-plus tackles in each of his first five NFL seasons. Smith also has seven interceptions to his name over the past two seasons.
19 hours 3 min
Football is a fickle game. Injuries can impact the entire season for some teams. It can also lead to young players stepping up after previously being unknown commodities. For other teams, the reliance on unproven players has paid off in the past. Just think about Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns last season. It’s in this that we check in on 10 NFL players set to step up during the 2019 season. Michael Gallup, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys A third-round pick of the Cowboys last year, Gallup performed well as a rookie. He caught 33 passes for 507 yards and averaged a robust 15.4 yards per catch. The 6-foot-1 Gallup will have to improve on the 48.5 percent catch rate from last season. Even then, there’s every reason to believe Gallup will take his game to the next level in 2019. He’s slated to start opposite Amari Cooper, with free-agent acquisition Randall Cobb starting in the slot. That will give Gallup an opportunity to improve on the numbers we saw in 2018. Sam Darnold,...
20 hours 39 min
Given Jon Gruden‘s moves involving several other Reggie McKenzie-era high draft picks and the Raiders‘ decisions this spring, it would appear Karl Joseph is not in the team’s long-term plans. The Raiders, who benched Joseph to start last season, did not pick up his fifth-year option and proceeded to sign Lamarcus Joyner before drafting Johnathan Abram in the first round. Nevertheless, Joseph is not planning (at least publicly) for a 2020 free agency foray, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area: “Obviously I want to be here, I’ve expressed that already with Coach Gruden and (Mike) Mayock. I want to be a Raider for life, but at the end of the day, I have to take care of my business on the field. I’m not focused on the contract. That stuff will take care of itself.” Among McKenzie’s first-round picks, only Joseph and 2017 first-rounder Gareon Conley remain on the Raiders. Despite starting in just eight games last season, the 2016 first-round pick graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 23...
