Ezekiel Elliott on dismissed domestic violence charges: “I’m a target”

Before he’s even been tackled for the first time as a pro, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has had to defend himself. First it was for a perhaps-innocent sightseeing trip to a marijuana dispensary that got him a scolding from owner Jerry Jones, and now against something more serious — domestic violence accusations from an ex-girlfriend.…

Elway wants Siemian to relax, “Just go out and play”

A General Manager usually doesn’t give one-on-one coaching to a starting quarterback, but the situation in Denver, where the G.M. is a Hall of Fame quarterback and the quarterback has never thrown a pass in the NFL, is unusual. So Broncos G.M. John Elway had a sit-down with quarterback Trevor Siemian. Sal Paolantonio of ESPN…

Report: Mets signing Tim Tebow to minor league deal

Before they moved to the swamps of Jersey, the Jets used to share Shea Stadium with the Mets but the two teams never shared any players. Tim Tebow may be the man to change that. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Tebow, who spent one year as a punt protector and backup quarterback with the…

Dolphins’ Arian Foster: ‘I wasn’t dead, I had an injury’

Everyone is amazed at Arian Foster's comeback, except for maybe Arian Foster. The Dolphins running back doesn't think his quick return from an Achilles injury is something to be that proud of.

Matt Ryan insists he’s on the same page with Kyle Shanahan

Because Matt Ryan had been running effectively the same system his entire career, and because he faltered so badly last year, there was a natural question about his working relationship with new Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. But even though Ryan might not appear to be the perfect candidate for all the bootlegs and other…

Former All-Pro kicker Cary Blanchard dies at 47

Former Colts kicker Cary Blanchard died on Tuesday at the age of 47. Blanchard’s ex-wife told the Associated Press that he died of what’s believed to be a massive heart attack in Texas, but said that an autopsy has not been performed to determine the exact cause of death. Blanchard kicked for five teams during…

Bill O’Brien: The 9-7 bar is too low

Texans coach Bill O’Brien turned in winning seasons in each of his first two years on the job with a second straight 9-7 record earning an AFC South title in 2015. The Texans responded to that success by overhauling their offense this offseason. Quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller and a pair of wide…

Thursday morning one-liners

The Bills are hoping Brandon Tate provides a boost to the return game. Dolphins coach Adam Gase doesn’t mind sharing his admiration for Russell Wilson. Patriots coach Bill Belichick is the wrong guy to ask about Tom Brady banners. Jets owner Woody Johnson wasn’t ready to declare playoffs-or-bust. Former Ravens backup QB Tyrod Taylor wouldn’t…

Odell Beckham not bothered if people dislike him

Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham has become a star over his first two seasons in the league by catching 187 passes for 2,755 yards and 25 touchdowns. That prodcution have made him a beloved figure at MetLife Stadium when the Giants have custody of the building and the team’s fans don’t have much problem with…

Rob Gronkowski limited in practice with hamstring

Tom Brady’s not around for the next month and the injury reporting system doesn’t allow for a dozen probables any more, so somebody on the Patriots has to be the injury question of the week. Via Phill Perry of CSNNE.com, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was limited in yesterday’s practice with a hamstring issue. Gronkowski…

Ryan Fitzpatrick not content with matching last year, wants to improve

For a guy who had bounced around, last season defied all expectations for Ryan Fitzpatrick. After being thrown into the starting job shortly before the opener, Fitzpatrick went on to have a career season, setting Jets franchise and personal records and leading them to 10 wins. But they fell short of the playoffs, which provides…

Roethlisberger tells Antonio Brown not to let Josh Norman get in his head

The Steelers open the season in Washington on Monday night, where one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, Josh Norman, will be responsible for covering one of the NFL’s best receivers, Antonio Brown. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likes Brown’s chances of matching up well physically with Norman, but Roethlisberger said he’s going to talk to Brown…

Dolphins traveling to Seattle on Thursday for Sunday opener against Seahawks

In their first road trip under new head coach Adam Gase, the Miami Dolphins are making an early departure for Seattle. The Dolphins plan to leave for Seattle following practice on Thursday. The flight from Miami to Seattle serves as the longest intracontinental trip on the NFL schedule. It’s a trip Miami hasn’t made since…