NFL

AP Sports WriterRedskins hire Ron Rivera as coachBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The Redskins hired Ron Rivera as their coach on Wednesday in owner Dan Snyder's latest step to try to turn around the wayward franchise.Washington announced the move two days after Snyder fired president Bruce Allen following a...

AP Pro Football WriterBell says Jets need healthy Darnold, so tells QB: 'No bars'By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) Le'Veon Bell likes everything he has seen for Sam Darnold since training camp started.The New York Jets running back insists the third-year quarterback has taken a significant step in...

AP Sports WriterGailey's soft spot for Buffalo ends with Miami needing a winBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) There are two Buffalo-related memories Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey would prefer not be brought up as Miami travels to face the Bills and needing only a win to clinch...

CLINCHED: Denver - AFC West; Indianapolis - AFC South; New England - AFC EastClinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:- Win and Denver lossClinches first-round bye with:- Win, OR- Tie and Indianapolis loss or tie, OR- Loss and Cincinnati loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie and Baltimore...

BOSTON (AP) - A Massachusetts woman has used her own obituary to convey a final message on Tom Brady and the ''Deflategate'' scandal.Boston.com reports (http://bit.ly/1FHE96e ) that Patricia M. Shong, of Auburn, Massachusetts, died on Monday surrounded by family. Her obituary says the 72-year-old enjoyed scrapbooking, weekly card night...

AP Sports WriterPatriots' draft history features many hits, a few missesBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: DL Richard Seymour. Chosen sixth overall in 2001, Seymour is the highest selection made by Bill Belichick during his Patriots tenure. He was one of the most destructive forces on the defensive side...

AP Sports WriterGiants GM Jerry Reese takes responsibility for dismal startBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) General manager Jerry Reese has accepted responsibility for the New York Giants' dismal play in a season that started with legitimate Super Bowl hopes and now sees them mired with one win...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Even the most established Falcons players are scrambling to make a good first impression with new coach Dan Quinn.Linebacker Paul Worrilow, who has led the Falcons in tackles two straight seasons, said Thursday past accomplishments are no guarantee for top spots on the depth...

AP Sports WriterPanthers sign LB Thomas Davis to 1-year contract extensionBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers have signed outside linebacker Thomas Davis to a one-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2018 season.Financial terms were not released by the team on Tuesday.The 34-year-old Davis...

List of players to opt out of playing the 2020 NFL seasonBy The Associated PressPlayers who have opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus:Arizona Cardinals - T Marcus GilbertBaltimore Ravens - OL Andre Smith, KR De'Anthony ThomasBuffalo Bills - CB E.J. Gaines, DT Star...

AP Sports WriterNFL rejects Burfict's appeal, upholds 4-game suspensionBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will be sidelined to start a season for the fourth year in a row, this time serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancers.The NFL rejected Burfict's appeal without...

Cowboys LB Wilson arrested on assault with weapon chargesFRISCO, Texas (AP) Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson has been arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said.Frisco police said Wilson was arrested Tuesday outside of Toyota Stadium during the city's Fourth of July celebration....