NFL News Blog

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will take a larger role in overseeing the defense and not hire a coordinator to replace Dean Pees. "Titles are fine, nothing wrong with them," Belichick said in a statement on the team Web site Friday, "but the most important thing is each person's role, that we do everything [...]

New Orleans Saints cornerback Randall Gay missed practice Friday because of a stomach illness, but was listed as probable for the Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts. Gay, a regular in formations with five defensive backs, was one of only two players to miss practice. Reserve running back Lynell Hamilton, a special teams standout, was [...]

Unable to find outside help, the Chicago Bears have promoted Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator while rounding out their coaching staff. Marinelli, who retained his assistant head coach title, worked with the Bears' defensive line this season after spending three years as the Detroit Lions' head coach.
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The Indianapolis Colts suddenly have another injury concern after star receiver Reggie Wayne left practice 20 minutes early. Wayne cut short Friday's workout after aggravating a problem with his right knee. He walked on his own to the training room, and is listed as probable for Sunday's Super Bowl against New Orleans.
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Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice are virtual shoo-ins for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NFL's career rushing and receiving leaders are among 17 finalists, including two senior committee candidates, who will be considered Saturday. Both are in their first year of eligibility. Other finalists are receivers Cris Carter, Tim Brown and [...]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he hopes the pessimism from the players' union regarding labor talks doesn't become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Speaking on Friday at his annual Super Bowl-week news conference, Goodell said fans "expect solutions … and we should deliver" on a new collective bargaining agreement.
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Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell has been asked plenty of times about his decision to rest some Colts down the stretch of the regular season and not focus on chasing a potentially perfect record. He stands by the choice, and points to Marty Schottenheimer as a reason why. "You're hired to win Super Bowls," Caldwell said [...]

A woman claims in a lawsuit filed only days before the Super Bowl that former Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin sexually assaulted her at a South Florida hotel, an allegation labeled a false attempt at "civil extortion" Friday by Irvin's attorney. The woman, identified only as "Jane Doe," filed the lawsuit Thursday in Broward County [...]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to see more progress in labor talks between the league and players' union. Speaking Friday at his annual state-of-the-league address during Super Bowl week, Goodell said fans "expect solutions … and we should deliver" on a new collective bargaining agreement.
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth will be reinstated from his suspension for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. At his annual Super Bowl-week news conference Friday, Goodell said Stallworth's suspension will be lifted after the Super Bowl on Sunday.
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