http://www.mail.com/subjects/3720-professional-football.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/3720-professional-football.html http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2090192-bills-promote-whaley-to-take-gm.html ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Doug Whaley was promoted to take over as Buffalo Bills general manager, making the team's near top-to-bottom offseason overhaul complete. The much-anticipated decision to elevate Whaley from his position as assistant GM was announced Thursday, three days after Buddy Nix stepped down as GM. The 40-year-old Whaley has spent the pas... Thu, 16 May 2013 20:58:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2090192-bills-promote-whaley-to-take-gm.html 2013-05-16T20:58:17Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2088608-ravens-lb-mcclain-retires-playing-with-team.html OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Linebacker Rolando McClain has told the Baltimore Ravens that he's retiring from the NFL. The 23-year-old McClain played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders before signing a one-year contract with Baltimore as a free agent on April 12. "Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL," Ravens general manager Ozzie News... Wed, 15 May 2013 21:29:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2088608-ravens-lb-mcclain-retires-playing-with-team.html 2013-05-15T21:29:59Z http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2086622-bruins-rangers-to-carry-boston-new-york-lore.html BOSTON (AP) — After the marathon bombings, the cities of Boston and New York put aside their bitter rivalries and joined in their mutual love of sports and country. Well, that time may be ending, at least when it comes to sports. The Knicks beat the Celtics in an NBA first-round playoff series this year, and now the NHL's Rangers and Bruins will play in t... Wed, 15 May 2013 07:20:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2086622-bruins-rangers-to-carry-boston-new-york-lore.html 2013-05-15T07:20:48Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2085488-saints-chargers-rb-chuck-muncie-dead-60.html METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Chuck Muncie, a Pro Bowl running back with both the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, has died at age 60, the NFL clubs and a family spokesman said Tuesday. Muncie family spokesman Vintage Foster of AMF Media Group in San Ramon, Calif., said Muncie died at his Los Angeles-area home on Monday from heart failure. Muncie was the... Tue, 14 May 2013 23:44:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2085488-saints-chargers-rb-chuck-muncie-dead-60.html 2013-05-14T23:44:06Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2083354-vikings-light-with-design-stadium.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Opening the roof over the new home of the Minnesota Vikings would have forced planners of the $975 million project to eliminate some of the fancy features. So the team, the public agency in charge of the stadium and the architects designing it literally saw the light. The yet-to-be-named multi-purpose facility will have a translucent ro... Tue, 14 May 2013 02:56:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2083354-vikings-light-with-design-stadium.html 2013-05-14T02:56:45Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2082062-boogaard-family-sues-nhl-sons-death.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joanne Boogaard watched her son Derek duke it out on the ice with other NHL tough guys for six seasons as one of the most feared enforcers in the game, a 6-foot-7 brawler who was not there to skate or score, but to defend his teammates when it was called for. "He was there protecting his teammates at all costs," she said in a statement ... Mon, 13 May 2013 22:09:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2082062-boogaard-family-sues-nhl-sons-death.html 2013-05-13T22:09:20Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2082056-buddy-nix-steps-bills-gm.html ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Not getting any younger and confident he's put in place a young foundation capable of turning the Buffalo Bills into a winner, Buddy Nix called this the right time to step down as general manager on Monday. "I think at some point, you've got to step aside and let young guys that are qualified have their shot," Nix said during a h... Mon, 13 May 2013 21:57:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2082056-buddy-nix-steps-bills-gm.html 2013-05-13T21:57:39Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2082474-jags-blackmon-blames-problems-poor-decisions.html JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Justin Blackmon pinned his problems on his decisions. Blackmon, suspended the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, acknowledged Monday that he's at a crossroads in his career and his personal life. But the Jacksonville Jaguars receiver insisted he doesn't have an alcohol or substance... Mon, 13 May 2013 20:46:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2082474-jags-blackmon-blames-problems-poor-decisions.html 2013-05-13T20:46:11Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2081930-kiffin-usc-strive-drama-free-2013-season.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lane Kiffin has an idea. He's not serious about it. Not really. There is, however, just a hint in his voice that suggests he's not totally joking, either. "I did think the other day what it would be like to be a high school head coach or to be at a small school," Kiffin said. "I thought about it the other day. The first time. I wonder i... Mon, 13 May 2013 16:16:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2081930-kiffin-usc-strive-drama-free-2013-season.html 2013-05-13T16:16:56Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079572-grizzlies-take-2-1-lead-beating-thunder-87-81.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies call it grit and grind, and it got them through another ugly game. Marc Gasol scored 20 points and hit two free throws with 1:03 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the Grizzlies held off Oklahoma City 87-81 Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference semifinal. Gasol scored 16 ... Sun, 12 May 2013 01:51:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079572-grizzlies-take-2-1-lead-beating-thunder-87-81.html 2013-05-12T01:51:15Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2075734-tim-tebow-appears-lecture-word-plans.html BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Eleven days after he was cut by the New York Jets, Tim Tebow's future plans remain up in the air. Since his release, Tebow has not spoken publicly about the dismissal or what his next move will be. Does he feel jilted by the Jets? Does he have any other NFL prospects? Would he consider the Canadian Football League? ... Fri, 10 May 2013 02:00:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2075734-tim-tebow-appears-lecture-word-plans.html 2013-05-10T02:00:34Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2074116-ravens-shipley-colts-draft-pick.html OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens acquired center A.Q. Shipley from the Indianapolis Colts for a conditional 2014 draft pick. The trade, announced Thursday by the Ravens, will be finalized after Shipley passes a physical. Shipley played in 14 games last season with the Colts, getting five starts. He played a key role on an offensive line that ... Thu, 09 May 2013 15:27:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2074116-ravens-shipley-colts-draft-pick.html 2013-05-09T15:27:37Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072396-ronde-barber-to-retire-16-seasons-with-bucs.html TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Three-time All-Pro Ronde Barber is retiring after a 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that included a Super Bowl title and five Pro Bowl appearances. The Bucs announced Wednesday night that the 38-year-old twin brother of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber will not return to play on a defense overhauled since the... Thu, 09 May 2013 02:18:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072396-ronde-barber-to-retire-16-seasons-with-bucs.html 2013-05-09T02:18:45Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072326-psu-coach-obrien-expecting-transfers.html NEW YORK (AP) — Penn State has 67 scholarship players on its football roster and coach Bill O'Brien sees no reason why that will change significantly by the time the season starts Aug. 31. O'Brien said Wednesday he doesn't expect a second wave of departures from the Nittany Lions, even though NCAA sanctions still allow his players to transfer without sitt... Wed, 08 May 2013 23:59:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072326-psu-coach-obrien-expecting-transfers.html 2013-05-08T23:59:54Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072020-49ers-reach-stadium-naming-rights-deal-with-levis.html SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The future home of the San Francisco 49ers will be called Levi's Stadium. The 49ers and Levi Strauss & Co. announced an agreement Wednesday for a $220 million, 20-year naming rights deal for the team's stadium in Santa Clara. Levi's CEO Chip Bergh and 49ers CEO Jed York announced the deal at Levi's Plaza in San Francisco. Santa Clara ... Wed, 08 May 2013 22:18:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072020-49ers-reach-stadium-naming-rights-deal-with-levis.html 2013-05-08T22:18:03Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072278-rg3s-pink-cleats-photos-raise-33k-charity.html ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Robert Griffin III's knee is still feeling fine. His ability to turn a room upside down is better than ever. The Washington Redskins quarterback made an appearance — and quite an impact — Wednesday at a luncheon for the American Cancer Society. He raised $33,000 in a matter of minutes, more than half of the $60,000 tallied during the a... Wed, 08 May 2013 19:37:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2072278-rg3s-pink-cleats-photos-raise-33k-charity.html 2013-05-08T19:37:24Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2069704-underwood-to-sing-sunday-night-football-theme.html NEW YORK (AP) — Carrie Underwood will take over the theme song for "Sunday Night Football," with NBC sticking to the formula of a female country music star for its intro. Underwood steps in for Faith Hill, who announced last month that she would not be back for a seventh season. Underwood will sing a new version of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," the ... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:11:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2069704-underwood-to-sing-sunday-night-football-theme.html 2013-05-07T21:11:47Z http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2069420-giants-owner-mara-confident-cruz-will-sign.html NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants owner John Mara says progress is slow but steady in the contract negotiations between the team and Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz. Mara also says he's confident a deal will be reached. Mara made his comments Tuesday on NFL.com. Cruz caught 86 passes for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, tops on the team. Th... Tue, 07 May 2013 19:26:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2069420-giants-owner-mara-confident-cruz-will-sign.html 2013-05-07T19:26:44Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2067218-forbes-poll-tabs-tebow-influential-athlete.html NEW YORK (AP) — Even on the unemployment line, Tim Tebow remains a popular presence. The former Jets quarterback, cut by New York last week after one disappointing season and now a free agent, was selected as America's most influential athlete, according to a survey released Monday by Forbes.com. Tebow had the most influence on fans, a... Mon, 06 May 2013 22:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2067218-forbes-poll-tabs-tebow-influential-athlete.html 2013-05-06T22:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2066756-stadium-decision-hurts-miamis-super-bowl-chances.html MIAMI (AP) — As Dan Marino campaigned for Miami to be chosen the site of the 50th Super Bowl, he made no pretense about being objective on the subject. "In my opinion," the former Dolphins quarterback said, "every Super Bowl should be here." Instead, the NFL championship game might not return to Miami for a long time. Last week the Dolphins were denied pu... Mon, 06 May 2013 20:20:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2066756-stadium-decision-hurts-miamis-super-bowl-chances.html 2013-05-06T20:20:03Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2066760-kluwe-hes-released-vikings.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Vikings released punter Chris Kluwe on Monday, bringing an end to his colorful and outspoken eight-year stay in Minnesota. Kluwe announced the news on Twitter shortly after meeting with Vikings GM Rick Spielman, a move that had been expected ever since the team spent a fifth-round draft pick on punter Jeff Locke at the end of last m... Mon, 06 May 2013 18:59:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2066760-kluwe-hes-released-vikings.html 2013-05-06T18:59:40Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2061618-steelers-rookie-lb-jarvis-jones-settling.html PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jarvis Jones is not James Harrison. For one thing, there's the hair. The rookie Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker has long dreadlocks that appear under his helmet and skitter across his name when he sprints into the backfield. There's the body, too. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Jones is taller, leaner and wispier than the 2008 NFL Defens... Fri, 03 May 2013 19:54:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2061618-steelers-rookie-lb-jarvis-jones-settling.html 2013-05-03T19:54:25Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2059074-jets-sanchez-no-doubt-expect-to-win-qb-job.html FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez spoke for more than 20 minutes about the New York Jets' crowded quarterback situation, saying all the right things throughout. Yes, he believes he'll be the starter, and, yes, he looks forward to the competition. Then came the question everyone really wanted to know: Hey, Mark, what's up with that headband? "It's my ... Thu, 02 May 2013 20:28:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2059074-jets-sanchez-no-doubt-expect-to-win-qb-job.html 2013-05-02T20:28:43Z http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2058700-study-adults-minimize-steroid-use-problem.html NEW YORK (AP) — American adults rank steroid use among adolescents as less of a problem than alcohol, bullying, marijuana and sexually transmitted diseases, according to a study released Thursday that was co-commissioned by baseball's Hall of Fame. Those polled also felt cocaine, obesity and eating disorders are bigger concerns. While 97 percent of the re... Thu, 02 May 2013 20:20:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2058700-study-adults-minimize-steroid-use-problem.html 2013-05-02T20:20:24Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2054984-jaguars-wr-blackmon-suspended-substance-abuse.html JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Justin Blackmon's latest violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy will cost him money — maybe lots of it. The league suspended Blackmon on Tuesday for the first four games of the 2013 season for his second violation in less than a year. He will not get paid for the four-week hiatus. Maybe more importantly, the suspension tri... Wed, 01 May 2013 00:46:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2054984-jaguars-wr-blackmon-suspended-substance-abuse.html 2013-05-01T00:46:54Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/2054608-tour-drops-doping-case-vijay-singh.html CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The PGA Tour dropped its doping case against Vijay Singh on Tuesday based on new information from the World Anti-Doping Agency, which said using deer antler spray is no longer prohibited because it contains such small amounts of a growth hormone factor. "The bottom line is that given the change by WADA, we are dropping the case agai... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:56:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/2054608-tour-drops-doping-case-vijay-singh.html 2013-04-30T21:56:48Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2052890-im-gay-nba-player-jason-collins-breaks-barrier.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Last summer, NBA veteran Jason Collins considered joining an old Stanford college roommate, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, at Boston's gay pride parade. Collins eventually decided he shouldn't, because he wanted to keep his secret safe: For more than a decade as a professional athlete, he had remained silent about his sexuality, worried a... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:48:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2052890-im-gay-nba-player-jason-collins-breaks-barrier.html 2013-04-30T13:48:17Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2052906-tebow-left-to-wonder-whats-cut-jets.html NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Tebow is one and done in New York. No more constant questions about his uncertain role with the Jets. No more criticism of the mostly non-existent wildcat offense. No more shirtless jogs in the rain after practice. Now, the popular but polarizing quarterback is left to wonder what's left of his NFL career. ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2052906-tebow-left-to-wonder-whats-cut-jets.html 2013-04-30T07:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2051162-nba-veteran-center-jason-collins-gay.html WASHINGTON (AP) — With the simplest of sentences, NBA veteran Jason Collins set aside years of worry and silence to become the first active player in one of four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. In a first-person article posted Monday on Sports Illustrated's website, Collins begins: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:37:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2051162-nba-veteran-center-jason-collins-gay.html 2013-04-30T02:37:09Z