NFL

Your fantasy football draft draws near, and you're stoked because you've got the top overall pick. Visions of grabbing the hands-down best player and watching him carry you to a title has you giddy.Then you take a closer look at the candidates, and reality sets in: there just isn't...

AP Sports WriterGiants fire Shurmur but keep GM Gettleman after 4-12 seasonBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Co-owner Steve Tisch is looking to take a greater role in the daily operations of the New York Giants as the organization begins a third coaching search in four years and...

AP Sports WriterEx-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73By BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey, who played in the NFL despite being born without toes on his kicking foot and made a record 63-yard field goal, died late Saturday while struggling with complications...

AP Sports WriterCan Zac Taylor take long-suffering Bengals the next step?By JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) The Cincinnati Bengals liked Zac Taylor the first time they talked to him, but there was one overriding concern when they discussed offering him their head coaching job. He's 35 with only a few...

CLINCHED: New England - AFC East and home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs; Denver - AFC West; Indianapolis - AFC South; Cincinnati and Pittsburgh - playoff berth.- Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffsClinches first-round bye with:- Win or tie, OR- Cincinnati Loss, OR- Cincinnati tie and Indianapolis win- Clinched playoff...

Associated PressUtility offered Burgum more than free Super Bowl ticketsBy JAMES MacPHERSONBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's trip to the Super Bowl as a guest of a Minneapolis utility included free invitations to a rock concert, private parties, meals and other events, The Associated Press found...

Robbie Gould joins Giants in London, replaces Josh BrownLONDON (AP) Robbie Gould has become the second placekicker to join the New York Giants on short notice, with Josh Brown again ineligible to play after admitting to abusing his wife.Gould arrived in England on Friday and took part in...

Seahawks acquire TE Hollister from Patriots for 2020 pickRENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks have acquired tight end Jacob Hollister from the New England Patriots in exchange for a conditional 2020 seventh-round draft pick.Seattle chose not to address the tight end position in the draft last week. But...

AP Pro Football WriterBrady uncertainty overshadows other free agency optionsBy BARRY WILNERIt probably makes sense when a six-time Super Bowl champion, and a quarterback to boot, enters free agency that his every move overshadows the rest of the available players.It does get nonsensical, of course, when Tom Brady saying...

Ray Rice says his "window for playing is closing"By The Associated PressRay Rice is still hoping to return to the NFL, though he says he's running out of time.Rice has not played in the league since being suspended at the start of the 2014 season for domestic violence. He...

AP Sports WriterJordan Matthews expects to be ready for Bills' season openerBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Getting traded by the Philadelphia Eagles wasn't easy on receiver Jordan Matthews. Getting hurt in his first practice with the Buffalo Bills didn't help.Putting his emotions and frustrations aside, Matthews vowed...

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...