NFL

AP Pro Football WriterA look at the key players in the Super BowlBy BARRY WILNERHOUSTON (AP) Projected starters and key players for the Super Bowl at Houston:ATLANTA FALCONSOFFENSEMatt Ryan, QB (2), 6-4, 217, 9th season, Boston CollegeHad best season, making All-Pro, leading NFL in passer rating (117.1), with...

'Hamilton' cast to sing at Super Bowl 51NEW YORK (AP) Original cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit ''Hamilton: An American Musical,'' will sing ''America the Beautiful'' during pregame festivities at Super Bowl 51, the NFL and Fox announced Friday.The performance by Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas...

AP Pro Football WriterTop D (Patriots) usually beats top O (Falcons) in Super BowlBy HOWARD FENDRICHJoe Theismann knows how it feels to bring the NFL's most prolific offense into the Super Bowl and leave with a loss.The former Washington Redskins quarterback also knows how difficult it can be to...

Cardinals name Leftwich QBs coach, Kitchens shifts to RBsTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals have hired former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich as their quarterbacks coach and shifted Freddie Kitchens to running backs coach.The team announced the moves in a release Friday.Leftwitch played 10 NFL seasons with Jacksonville, Atlanta,...

AP Sports WriterSuper Bowl against Pats 'dream game' for Falcons' DimitroffBy CHARLES ODUMFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Thomas Dimitroff's Super Bowl matchup against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots is far more than an executive facing his former boss and employer.Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons general manager since 2008,...

'Hamilton' cast to sing at Super Bowl 51NEW YORK (AP) Original cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit ''Hamilton: An American Musical,'' will sing ''America the Beautiful'' during pregame festivities at Super Bowl 51, the NFL and Fox announced Friday.The performance by Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas...

AP Sports WriterSuper Bowl latest highlight for Falcons owner Arthur BlankBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) One conversation stands out in Arthur Blank's sports year to remember.Blank, the Atlanta Falcons owner, said Thursday he sent a congratulatory text message to coach Dan Quinn in May, when Atlanta was awarded the...

AP Sports WriterBengals sign kicker Randy Bullock to 2-year dealBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) The Bengals signed kicker Randy Bullock to a two-year deal on Thursday, giving him an opportunity to compete for the job next season.Bullock filled in for the last three games last season after Mike Nugent...

AP Sports WriterFamily business: Shanahan follows father to the Super BowlBy PAUL NEWBERRYFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Kyle Shanahan is trying to keep the next 10 days as normal as possible.Good luck with that.The Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator is heading to his first Super Bowl - a game his...

AP Sports WriterFormerly unknown names key in Patriots' Super Bowl runBy KYLE HIGHTOWERFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) When it comes to filling out his roster each season, Bill Belichick has always placed a premium on potential.From late-round draft picks to guys that never heard their name called on draft night,...

Associated PressNFL auditioning Orlando as permanent Pro Bowl homeBy TERRANCE HARRISORLANDO, Fla. (AP) As the NFL plays its first Pro Bowl in Orlando, wondering if it can be a long-term landing point for the beleaguered all-star game, Drew Brees can't help but think about what was left behind.The...

Ty Montgomery moving to RB full time for PackersGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Ty Montgomery is staying at running back with the Green Bay Packers, and he's getting a jersey number more appropriate for the position.Montgomery, who wore No. 88 this season, will spend the offseason preparing to be...