http://www.mail.com/organizations/3676-national-football-conference.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/3676-national-football-conference.html http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1764586-robert-griffin-iii-practice-redskins.html ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Robert Griffin III's knee is looking better. The Washington Redskins rookie was back at practice Thursday, dealing with the effects of a sprained right knee as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Griffin stretched and made some basic throws during the 20 minutes that the practice was open to reporters. He ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1764586-robert-griffin-iii-practice-redskins.html 2012-12-13T16:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763482-browns-expecting-to-rg3-sunday.html BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden returned from practice to find a green XXXL Baylor University golf shirt hanging in his locker. Another sign of Robert Griffin III's impending visit. RG3 and America's most-watched knee were the main topics of conservation as the Browns (5-8) began getting ready for Sunday's game against the Redskins (7... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763482-browns-expecting-to-rg3-sunday.html 2012-12-13T09:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763416-cowboys-to-practice-memorial-service.html IRVING, Texas (AP) — The corner locker assigned to Jerry Brown at the Dallas Cowboys facility remained untouched Wednesday. A day after a private memorial service for Brown, the practice squad member killed in a car accident involving a teammate, his Cowboys helmet hung on a hook below a shelf with several pairs of cleats. Towels marked with his No. 53 we... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763416-cowboys-to-practice-memorial-service.html 2012-12-13T08:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763384-pick-6-football-flippin-floppin-flyin.html There's been a whole lot of flipping, flopping and flying in football recently, from the Carolinas to the frozen tundra and, appropriately, just off Broadway. Receivers, runners, quarterbacks and big ol' linemen have been pulling off some dazzling feats — a few without a hitch, others with funny flaws, and one almost too astonishing to believe. So let's r... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1763384-pick-6-football-flippin-floppin-flyin.html 2012-12-13T08:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762844-vilma-advances-defamation-case-brees-blasts-nfl.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — One day after his suspension in the NFL's bounty probe was overturned, Jonathan Vilma moved forward with his defamation claims against Commissioner Roger Goodell, while Drew Brees and other teammates went on the offensive against Goodell and the league office. "What I would like to see is a level of accountability on the part of the NFL... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762844-vilma-advances-defamation-case-brees-blasts-nfl.html 2012-12-13T04:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762688-texas-tech-hires-33-year-old-kingsbury-coach.html LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — New Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury has wanted to be back in Lubbock since he left a decade ago. Late last week the former Red Raiders quarterback was watching film to prepare for Texas A&M's game against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl and getting ready to accompany Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel to New York, where he became the fir... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762688-texas-tech-hires-33-year-old-kingsbury-coach.html 2012-12-13T02:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762690-goodell-bounty-players-punished.html IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he "fundamentally disagrees" with former league boss Paul Tagliabue's decision not to discipline players in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal. Speaking Wednesday after an owners meeting in the Dallas area, Goodell said he respected his predecessor's decision, and believed it backed up the commi... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762690-goodell-bounty-players-punished.html 2012-12-13T01:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762506-williams-testified-wanted-to-bounties.html Former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams testified that he tried to shut down the team's bounty system when the NFL began investigating but was overruled by interim Saints head coach Joe Vitt, according to transcripts from appeals hearings obtained by The Associated Press. According to the transcripts, Williams said that then-assistant Vitt... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762506-williams-testified-wanted-to-bounties.html 2012-12-12T21:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1761914-bengals-recognize-eagles-quit.html The Philadelphia Eagles haven't completely given up on the season. They damaged Tampa Bay's playoff chances last weekend and get an opportunity Thursday night to do the same to the Cincinnati Bengals. It's a critical game for the Bengals (No. 16 in the AP Pro32). At 7-6, they are in the midst of the AFC wild-card race, tied with the Steelers and a game in... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1761914-bengals-recognize-eagles-quit.html 2012-12-12T20:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760474-column-tagliabue-goodell-its.html "Round up the usual suspects." Funny how that line near the end of "Casablanca" provides a fitting epitaph for Bountygate, too. Like Capt. Renault in the film classic, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was presented with a crime and empowered as both judge and jury. He considered the evidence, weighed the injury to the parties involved, then conclude... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760474-column-tagliabue-goodell-its.html 2012-12-12T07:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1759222-cowboys-brent-attends-memorial-with-team-support.html DALLAS (AP) — Jason Garrett gave the Dallas Cowboys a day off after his players somehow pulled off a win in Cincinnati while reeling from a one-car accident that killed one teammate and landed another in jail. Many players showed up at team headquarters anyway and there was Josh Brent, the hulking defensive tackle who missed the trip after police say he w... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1759222-cowboys-brent-attends-memorial-with-team-support.html 2012-12-11T22:47:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757608-tagliabue-overturns-goodell-saints-suspensions.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In a sharp rebuke to his successor's handling of the NFL's bounty investigation, former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned the suspensions of four current and former New Orleans Saints players in a case that has preoccupied the league for almost a year. Tagliabue, who was appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell to handle the appeals... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757608-tagliabue-overturns-goodell-saints-suspensions.html 2012-12-11T20:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1758596-packers-fans-ready-to-celebrate-aaron-rodgers-day.html GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — To most people, Wednesday will just be a quirky date: Dec. 12, 2012, or 12-12-12. But to Packers fans, the number 12 carries special meaning. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers wears No. 12. So earlier this year the state Legislature designated the day Aaron Rodgers Day in honor of the Super Bowl winner and last year's MVP. Some public and p... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1758596-packers-fans-ready-to-celebrate-aaron-rodgers-day.html 2012-12-11T16:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757636-winning-save-coaches-hot-seat.html Andy Reid got such a hearty hug on the sideline from Howard Mudd that the 70-year-old assistant with the artificial hip actually lifted the burly head coach off his feet. Norv Turner received a game ball from the team president. Reid and Turner were just two of four coaches on the hot seat who celebrated wins on Sunday, joining Ron Rivera and Pat Shurmur.... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757636-winning-save-coaches-hot-seat.html 2012-12-11T07:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1757238-falcons-closer-to-stadium.html ATLANTA (AP) — After about two years of discussions, the Atlanta Falcons are a step closer to getting a new downtown stadium. The state agency that owns the 20-year-old Georgia Dome on Monday approved the framework for a deal with the Falcons to build a roughly $1 billion stadium with a retractable roof. There are still several key steps ahead, including ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1757238-falcons-closer-to-stadium.html 2012-12-11T00:47:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756436-western-kentucky-hires-petrino-football-coach.html BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Now that Bobby Petrino is back in the coaching ranks, he wants to make the most of his second chance. Petrino was introduced Monday as Western Kentucky's new head football coach. The 51-year-old was fired by Arkansas in April for a "pattern of misleading" behavior following an accident in which the coach was injured while riding ... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756436-western-kentucky-hires-petrino-football-coach.html 2012-12-10T23:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756910-ap-source-tagliabue-bounty-ruling-coming-tuesday.html Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will rule Tuesday afternoon on the latest round of player appeals in the NFL's bounty probe, and any potential punishment will be delayed by a week, a person familiar with the decision said. The delay is designed to give a federal judge in New Orleans the opportunity to rule on pending motions to throw out the suspen... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756910-ap-source-tagliabue-bounty-ruling-coming-tuesday.html 2012-12-10T23:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757104-cowboys-player-death-raises-question-safety-net.html IRVING, Texas (AP) — San Francisco 49ers defensive end Demarcus Dobbs walked away from a one-vehicle accident on his 25th birthday last month and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Less than two weeks later, with the NFL rocked by the car crash that killed Dallas Cowboys player Jerry Brown and left his teammate, Josh Brent, facing a... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757104-cowboys-player-death-raises-question-safety-net.html 2012-12-10T22:58:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756736-mild-sprain-redskins-rg3-uncertain-sunday.html ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — All the medical terms associated with Robert Griffin III's knee injury can be boiled down to one simple message: It's not too bad. Beyond that, there are still some very important unknowns. The NFL's top-rated quarterback might or might not play Sunday when the Washington Redskins visit the Cleveland Browns. Coach Mike Shanahan, knowin... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1756736-mild-sprain-redskins-rg3-uncertain-sunday.html 2012-12-10T22:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755134-packers-beat-lions-27-20-take-nfc-north-lead.html GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — While other teams face complicated playoff scenarios and confusing tiebreakers, the task is quite simple for the Green Bay Packers. Beat the Bears at Soldier Field next weekend and the NFC North title is theirs. The Packers opened a one-game lead over Chicago with their 27-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. The Bears... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755134-packers-beat-lions-27-20-take-nfc-north-lead.html 2012-12-10T09:31:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755426-wilson-sparks-giants-to-key-win-fading-saints.html EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — When the New York Giants made their run to the Super Bowl a year ago, a 99-yard touchdown catch and run by Victor Cruz against the Jets seemed to be the ignition point. It was a play that woke up an inconsistent team and turned it into a power. If the 52-27 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday turns out to be the victory ... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755426-wilson-sparks-giants-to-key-win-fading-saints.html 2012-12-10T09:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755480-newton-panthers-starting-to-hit-their-stride.html CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — After struggling to score points and move the chains for much of the season, the Carolina Panthers' offense has suddenly hit its stride. Too bad it's too late in the year to make a difference. At 4-9 the Panthers won't be playing in the postseason, which makes Carolina's 30-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday a little bittersw... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755480-newton-panthers-starting-to-hit-their-stride.html 2012-12-10T09:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html Winning was required to keep pace in the NFC East playoff race. Losing was all that was needed in the AFC North. The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants beat New Orleans with an offensive eruption fueled by David Wilson's record-setting performance. That 52-27 romp kept the Giants one game in front of Washington, which rallied to beat Baltimore ... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html 2012-12-10T09:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755428-seattle-breaks-records-58-0-win-arizona.html SEATTLE (AP) — What Pete Carroll saw as a reward for his Seattle Seahawks was just another chapter in the nightmare season for Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt. While the Seahawks are rolling toward the playoffs, Arizona looked for an end to the misery induced by its nine-game slide. "It's a reward for all of the hard work. You work so hard and so often, the game... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:21:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755428-seattle-breaks-records-58-0-win-arizona.html 2012-12-10T09:21:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755402-rg3-hurts-knee-skins-beat-ravens-31-28-ot.html LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — This, of course, is the sort of thing everyone associated with — and rooting for — the Washington Redskins worries about: Robert Griffin III limping to the sideline after a knee-spraining hit. With the Redskins driving while trailing the Baltimore Ravens late in the fourth quarter of a game Washington would wind up winning 31-28 in ov... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755402-rg3-hurts-knee-skins-beat-ravens-31-28-ot.html 2012-12-10T09:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755390-peterson-vikings-quick-win-bears.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Metrodome roof held up just fine during Minnesota's latest heavy snowstorm. It's the Chicago Bears who seem to be collapsing under the weight of December football. Adrian Peterson rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns and Harrison Smith returned an interception for a score to lead the Vikings to a 21-14 victory over the freefallin... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755390-peterson-vikings-quick-win-bears.html 2012-12-10T09:15:00Z