NFL

Chief resigns after labeling Steelers' Tomlin with slurPITTSBURGH (AP) A Pittsburgh-area volunteer fire chief has lost his post after using a racial slur to describe Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.Paul Smith of the Muse fire company in Cecil Township wrote on Facebook that he added Tomlin to a list...

Associated PressMatt Stafford has modest goals for Lions offense vs. RaidersBy MICHAEL WAGAMANNAPA, Calif. (AP) Because he isn't likely to play more than a series or two in Friday's preseason opener, Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford has a few modest goals for the Lions offense.''Just execute and communicate at...

AP Sports WriterPanthers hopeful Cam Newton will be ready for openerBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says Cam Newton has a mid-foot sprain and he's ''cautiously optimistic'' the quarterback will be ready for the Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.Newton...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Browns to be featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'By TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) If any team knows hard knocks, it's the Cleveland Browns.And so fresh off a historic, dismal 0-16 season, the team has agreed to appear on HBO's popular ''Hard Knocks'' series, a person familiar...

ST. LOUIS (AP) Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley has taken the next step toward returning to action following his knee injury.The No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Gurley has begun practicing without the yellow beanie on his helmet that signifies to defenders he is off...

Indianapolis signs 6th-round draft pick to 4-year contractINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers to a four-year contract Wednesday, making him the second draft pick to reach a deal in two days.The 5-foot-10, 170-pound cornerback picked off 11 passes, recovered four fumbles, blocked three kicks and...

AP Pro Football WriterNew coordinator, same offense for Marcus Mariota and TitansBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Arthur Smith has worked for a several head coaches, including four with the Tennessee Titans so he knows as well as anyone just how much turnover quarterback Marcus Mariota has dealt...

The fans at Lucas Oil Stadium will be treated to the Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots when they take their seats on Sunday, February 5. New York Giants Vs New England Patriots Where: Lucas Oil Stadium When: Sunday, February 5 Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed...

AP Sports WriterBrowns welcome 6 coaches as part of diversity programBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches, including two women and former NFL player Leonard Hankerson, to take part in the final three weeks of their offseason program.As part of the Bill Walsh...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Dozens of New England Patriots fans filled a parking lot at Gillette Stadium to protest the four-game suspension handed to quarterback Tom Brady over the ''Deflategate'' scandal.The ''Free Tom Brady'' rally was organized on Facebook. Many of the fans who gathered on Sunday wore Brady...

AP Pro Football WriterTitans rookie coach faces off against Texans, his old bossBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Mike Vrabel knows Houston coach Bill O'Brien pretty well after spending the past four seasons working as a Texans assistant, including 2017 as defensive coordinator. Now Vrabel has his own...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL has pulled off improbable task of playing amid pandemicBy ROB MAADDIIt took playing games on all seven days of the week, a wide receiver starting at quarterback, numerous schedule changes and constant revisions to health and safety protocols for the NFL to reach Week 17...