NFL News Blog

Mike Bell is joining the Philadelphia Eagles. A spokesman for the New Orleans Saints said the team will not match Philadelphia’s offer to the restricted free-agent running back. The Saints had until midnight Tuesday to match the Eagles’ one-year offer, but vice president of communications Greg Bensel told The Associated Press in an e-mail the [...]

Georgia investigators have withdrawn their request for a DNA sample from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student at a nightclub, an attorney for the player said Tuesday. Ed Garland told The Associated Press that officials withdrew the request a week ago, but declined comment on why.
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Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has seen many longtime teammates cut this offseason, and hopes the moves weren’t made simply to clear payroll in anticipation of a work stoppage in 2011. For now, the Panthers’ new union representative is optimistic that Carolina owner Jerry Richardson playing a key role in negotiations for a new collective [...]

An attorney for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has withdrawn a request for a DNA sample from the player who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub. Ed Garland told The Associated Press Tuesday night that officials withdrew the request a week ago.
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Kyle Orton remains the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback, and Brady Quinn is going to have to unseat him if he wants to be the one under center when the season starts in six months. “He is our starter. There is no question,” coach Josh McDaniels said of his incumbent at the AFC coaches’ breakfast at [...]

The Oakland Raiders are bringing back unrestricted free agent defensive tackle William Joseph and restricted free agent linebacker Ricky Brown and fullback Luke Lawton. The team announced all three deals Tuesday. Joseph played 14 games over the past two seasons for the Raiders. He has been cut three times and been a free agent twice, [...]

Coach Tony Sparano had barely finished breakfast Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings when he found himself discussing a subject he’d like to avoid — off-the-field problems for his Miami Dolphins. Running back Ronnie Brown became the third player arrested since early February when he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol last [...]

The Arizona Cardinals have signed restricted free agent tight end Ben Patrick to his one-year qualifying offer. The team also re-signed safety Hamza Abdullah to a one-year contract and fullback Nehemiah Broughton to his exclusive rights contract. A seventh-round draft pick out of Delaware in 2007, Patrick has 30 career receptions for 323 yards and [...]

The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed veteran offensive lineman Barry Sims to a one-year contract. One of coach Mike Singletary’s priorities has been to bring some continuity to a unit that was plagued by injury last season — and Sims filled in admirably as the starter at left tackle for seven games last season when [...]

The NFL has changed its overtime rules for playoff games. Starting next season, if a team wins the coin toss and then kicks a field goal, the other team gets the ball. If the game is still tied after that, play will continue under the current sudden-death rules. Should the team winning the toss immediately [...]