Another practice, another day of progress for Rob Gronkowski. The All-Pro tight end was listed as questionable for the New England Patriots for the Super Bowl against the New York Giants on Sunday after moving without a limp on Friday as the Patriots walked through their offensive plays. Gronkowski practiced on a limited basis Thursday after being hurt 11 days earlier in the Patriots 23-20 win over...
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw missed the New York Giants' Super Bowl practice Friday because of a sore right foot. Coach Tom Coughlin listed Bradshaw as probable for Sunday's game, and said he expects him to play. Bradshaw has a broken bone in his right foot and it was sore after two days of practice at the University of Indianapolis' practice bubble.
The NFL is increasing the number of Thursday night games so more of its teams can play in prime time. Commissioner Roger Goodell said that there will be Thursday night games on the NFL Network from the second to the 15th week of the season, giving all of the league's teams a chance to appear in prime time on some outlet.
Jim Irsay is trying to put a happy face on an ugly public spectacle. After Peyton Manning stole the big stage from his little brother, Eli, all week, the Indianapolis Colts owner tried to resolve the second public spat in two weeks with his star quarterback. The latest controversy is over Manning's health and whether he's actually been cleared to start taking hits again.
Chris Doleman is not one of the four Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists who won a Super Bowl. He doesn't believe that should affect his chances of being elected to the shrine. Nor does Troy Aikman. Doleman terrorized quarterbacks and running backs as a defensive end for the Vikings, Falcons and 49ers for 15 seasons.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, whose dour demeanor matches his gray hoodie and whose quotes make cliches seem original, actually has a colorful side rarely seen by football junkies. For some reason -- and Belichick has a reason for everything -- he's loosened up this Super Bowl week with a season's worth of smiles, jokes and fashionable attire.
Sorry, Los Angeles. The only NFL expansion happening anytime soon is to next season's schedule of Thursday night games. During his annual Super Bowl news conference, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday there hasn't been any discussion about adding to the league's 32 teams, and indicated he's not too keen about the idea of shifting a franchise, either.
Two more federal lawsuits have been filed in Philadelphia blaming the NFL for concussion-related dementia and brain disease. The latest fraud and negligence suits filed Friday also accuse the National Football League of hiding medical evidence about the risks of concussions and failing to warn players they risked permanent brain damage if they returned to play too soon after a concussion.
Chapel Hill police say the son of new Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is among three former North Carolina athletes arrested for possession of cocaine. Police say Shane Michael Mularkey was among the three arrested. The 21-year-old Mularkey played in all 13 games for the Tar Heels in 2009, but school spokesman Kevin Best said he left the team after the 2010 season.
Tom Coughlin's pinched face, ever present on the New York Giants' sideline during his eight seasons, gives way to a smile more often now. He'll even crack a one-liner or two. Funny how a second trip to the Super Bowl in four years can mellow a guy. In reality, though, the 65-year-old Coughlin is still basically the same coach on the field and definitely the same man off the field.
