If the NFL wasn't setting a bad example on domestic violence, it wouldn't be setting an example at all. The 49ers' about-face on Ray McDonald is another case of how not to do it.
David Steele
The Bears and Redskins flopped not because of Jay Cutler or Robert Griffin III, but because their coaches didn't live up to the hype.
To coach-turned-commentator Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith got the short end of the stick from a Bears team not satisfied with 10-win seasons. Two years later, they might be blowing everything up and starting over again.
For all the allegations hurled at the NFL in Adrian Peterson's lawsuit, his case is hindered by the control the NFLPA granted to Roger Goodell in the last collective bargaining agreement.
Johnny Manziel was so terrible in such an important game for the Browns Sunday, Mike Pettine owes everyone an explanation for why he thought Manziel was ready right now for his first NFL start.
NFC leader Arizona got good news about quarterback Drew Stanton's knee: only a partial ACL tear, according to ESPN, and he could play the second week of the playoffs. A first-round bye would give the Cardinals breathing room for Stanton to heal.
A day after the NFL announced its new personal conduct policy, the league's Troy Vincent and the NFLPA's George Atallah traded harsh words over their conflict about the process.
Former star and current broadcaster Brian Mitchell carved up his ex-team this week with a poetic string of stinging barbs on his nightly Comcast talk show.
The question: Who would thrive after Jim Harbaugh picked Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith, and who would regret it? The answer: Both players' teams are going downhill.
Athletes have decided their dissent belongs on the field, no matter how mad it makes the public — and they're right.
A phone call between Adrian Peterson and NFL executive Troy Vincent is key to Peterson's appeal of his suspension for the rest of this season. Vincent is expected to testify Wednesday.
Brian Hoyer's impending free agency complicates the Browns' decision about starting Johnny Manziel now. If they do, it means that his future is now, and Hoyer's will be elsewhere.
The NFL tells a St. Louis police officers' group that, despite their anger at the Rams' players gesture before Sunday's game, those players will not be disciplined.
Just as it did last season, Kansas City showed promise only to fail to deliver on it.
Mike Pettine resisted the Johnny Football circus all year. Now that he's given in and yanked Brian Hoyer, are he and the Browns ready for the fallout?
The Seahawks reportedly are thinking about parting ways with Marshawn Lynch, but the veteran running back who is clashing with the team over his contract might beat them to the punch.
Rob Ryan's two-year run as Saints defensive coordinator could be coming to an end soon because of a broken relationship with head coach Sean Payton, CBSSports.com reported Sunday.
Another tipping point in the coaching-front office feud in San Francisco? Owner Jed York apologized to fans minutes after Thursday's critical loss to the Seahawks.
Defense dominates but QB steals the show.
Both rivals, who face off on Thanksgiving night, should be grateful to have Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh in charge. But which coach has kept his contending team afloat better?
If you can't beat him, hire the guy who coached against him. All of Chip Kelly's division opponents have pursued Nick Aliotti, his defensive coordinator at Oregon, for help beating the Eagles.
With one trial set to start in January and the second in May, a Boston judge postponed the date of the latter to give the former Patriot tight end's lawyers more time to prepare.
The Bills' home game against the Browns this week won't have to be moved, said team officials, who added that so far, the stadium stood up well in last week's blizzard.
Marcus Allen says he wants to see the Raiders in L.A. only if Oakland doesn't work things out.
Johnny Manziel and his friends were involved in a fight at a Cleveland apartment building, a paper reported, and a man was beaten up.
LeGarrette Blount, unhappy in Pittsburgh, should get more touches with the Patriots, who get him back for less money than when he left.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo won't have the final say on playing Sunday's game in the snow-stricken area, but he and other officials point out the dangers of trying to do it.
The CEO of the domestic violence group the NFL is supporting, approves of the message Roger Goodell sent to Adrian Peterson and other players.
The NFL beat the arbitrator to the punch by suspending Peterson earlier in the day. The union had objected to the entire process, and also appealed the suspension itself.
Roger Goodell went out on a limb to act on Adrian Peterson while an arbitrator was still deciding Ray Rice's suspension appeal. If Rice wins, Goodell's power to punish Peterson would have been cast in doubt.
More than 24 hours after a loss to one-win Tampa Bay, the war of words continued in Washington, with Jay Gruden mincing no words about his stumbling franchise quarterback.
The car dealer who hired Josh Gordon during his suspension says he trusted him and would not judge him. Gordon returns to the Browns Monday, and he'll return to the dealer, too.
Who even knew the Patriots had running backs who could do what Jonas Gray did to the Colts? Giving Tom Brady a dangerous rushing attack any time they want, is a game-changer for the rest of the NFL.
In only his fourth regular-season NFL game, Jonas Gray, formerly of the Dolphins' PUP list and the Ravens' practice squad, ran for 199 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts.
Not even Peyton Manning can win without great receivers and protection, as a messy loss to the Rams proved.
The Pro Bowl tackle left the game early in the first quarter against Tampa Bay and did not return.
In his first interview since his reinstatement from a nine-game suspension, the 49ers' star spoke of how he reminds himself of the damage drinking can do. The interview airs on NFL Network Sunday.
Police have found the production semi-truck Rich Eisen uses for his satellite TV show, or at least most of it.
Rob Gronkowski is too big for virtually any safety in the NFL, but Rodney Harrison faced Gonzalez, Gates and Sharpe and relished putting his size and strength up against theirs.
How does a Super Bowl coach not even get a sniff for as long as Jim Caldwell did?
The former Super Bowl MVP caught just eight passes for the Bears and could be nearing the end of his career. Everyone else from the debacle in Green Bay is safe, for now.
Aldon Smith, returning from his nine-game suspension, and Patrick Willis, reportedly done for the season for toe surgery, pass each other on the way on and off of the 49ers' roster.
As if the beating he took from the Eagles wasn't bad enough, Cam Newton played with a bad right foot, Fox Sports reports. Yet it wasn't enough for Ron Rivera to pull him late in the lopsided loss.
The Bears are the latest collection of great players that, all together, make up a bad team. That was true long before the Packers blew them out of Lambeau Field Sunday night.
The Steelers followed up two record-setting games by Ben Roethlisberger with an ugly loss to the Jets. If nobody else wants to win the AFC North, the Browns are happy to take it.
Is Dalton on the clock if the Bengals miss the playoffs? If so, is Brian Hoyer the answer?
While the NFL stays busy handling the Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice cases, Greg Hardy and the Panthers can do nothing but wait as his trial is pushed back and he remains on the exempt list.
Ray Rice reportedly testified for six hours Thursday, and afterward the union applauded the NFL for letting a neutral arbitrator take Roger Goodell's place in deciding the appeal.
Brett Favre pulled out of plans to honor him Sunday night at the Bears game after Bart Starr fell ill. As Favre sends Starr a get-well message, the Packers keep working on a new date.
The NFL commissioner appeared under oath before an arbitrator on Day 1 of Ray Rice's hearing over his indefinite suspension. The ex-Raven reportedly was present for the questioning.
With the Texans 4-5 and the offense stalling, head coach Bill O'Brien promoted Mallett, who never started a game in three years backing up Tom Brady in New England. The Texans have a bye this week.
The repercussions of Ray Rice's arbitration hearing against the NFL are sure to affect Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy, who both are still inactive as domestic violence cases are resolved.
The Cowboys may have given away a win last week because it didn't prepare for losing Tony Romo, despite his injury history. Was Brandon Weeden the best backup they could get?
Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown passes are great, but the Steelers have turned their season around from their inconsistent start by rediscovering the identity that made them who they were.
Safety Troy Polamalu hurt his left knee late in the first half, while rookie Ryan Shazier left in the first quarter with a right ankle injury.
Green Bay looked flawless for four weeks, and Aaron Rodgers looked unstoppable. But even he can't do it all by himself, as a thorough beating by the disappointing Saints proved.
Collins had just become head coach at his former high school in Charlotte this season. He played for the Raiders team that lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl after the 2002 season.
The Jets should go against the grain and fire general manager John Idzik for this 1-7 disgrace
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt officially named rookie Zach Mettenberger the starter and Jake Locker the backup, possibly signaling the end of the former No. 1 pick's run in Nashville.
Robert Griffin III took first-team snaps in practice Wednesday, but it could be another day before a starter for Monday night is announced. Dallas, and Colt McCoy, await the word.
With the date for the appeal hearing reportedly set, the possibility increases that Rice will be able to return to the NFL next month, if the arbitrator rules in his favor.
At Brett Favre's insistence, a ceremony to honor him and Bart Starr together at the Packers-Bears game was in the works. But Starr's recent health problems are making Favre change his mind.
Congratulate your new all-time touchdown-pass leader ... the Glove? It wasn't the proudest night at a Seattle TV station, when it confused Peyton Manning with the former SuperSonics Hall of Famer.
Denver's 5-1 start against a schedule full of contenders is as much a product of its big-ticket signings as it is of Peyton Manning's record-breaking passing
Manning's third touchdown pass against the 49ers, to Demaryius Thomas, sent him past Brett Favre, who had been atop the list since 2007.
Peyton Manning's two first-quarter scoring passes, to Emanuel Sanders and Wes Welker, gave him 508 for his career, tying Brett Favre's NFL record.
The Kirk Cousins experiment blew up on Sunday, but Colt McCoy doesn't solve Washington's problem, even though he beat the Titans in relief. The future rests on Robert Griffin III's health, again.
Settled into retirement, Brett Favre shrugged off losing his career touchdown record, and defended Percy Harvin, his former Vikings teammate, after his trade from Seattle.
On the field, Harvin was not helping Wilson with the Seahawks passing game, CBSSports reported, and his cap number was not going to help the team re-sign Wilson next offseason.
Playing defensive back in the NFL for 14 brilliant seasons is nothing compared to the challenge Aeneas Williams faces as a voice of reconciliation in turmoil-ridden Ferguson, Mo.
Two head coaches got too old-school with their views about head injuries, forcing veteran guard and NFLPA president Eric Winston speak out via social media.
If you're already winning and have a solid roster, you have a chance to withstand the wave of injuries that took place last week.
Cam Newton didn't win last week, but he didn't fail in a tie finish. At any rate, his heroics are as impressive as Aaron Rodgers's miracle work. It's the big upset in Week 7 picks
For some teams, help is on the way, soon if not immediately: players who started the season on the PUP and NFI list can come back to practice.
His Seahawks finished No. 1 last season, but Russell Wilson didn't become No. 1 in NFL jersey sales until this week, knocking Johnny Manziel from his perch.
The Giants could afford to lose a big division game in Philadelphia, but they can't afford to lose a player Eli Manning badly needs. Victor Cruz's absence will be too much to overcome.
Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz had to be carted off of the field in Philadelphia after a serious knee injury early in the third quarter of their prime-time game.
No team looked more clownish last offseason than the Browns, but Mike Pettine, Brian Hoyer and the front office look smart now — and their star rookie has become Johnny Footnote.
Jerry Angelo, who ran the Bears front office for 11 years, says it was a "mistake" for him and his colleagues to not report the incidents, and to put winning ahead of responsibility.
The Colts' defense broke through against a contender on Sunday, and won a game the offense couldn't win on its own. They'll need to keep it going in Thursday's division showdown in Houston.
That Patriots team that ran the unbeaten Bengals off the field is the one everybody recognizes. So where did it come from, and where was it hiding?
The Saints' overtime win over the Bucs helped them dig out of their hole, but Jimmy Graham's injury and Drew Brees's poor game are bad omens for their playoff prospects.
Author Steve Almond says that football no longer represents his values, but he knows fans won't be able to kick the habit very easily — because he couldn't.
Thanks to the rookie quarterback, the clouds over the Vikings' season have parted.
Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was hit with a 10-game suspension by the NFL, days after returning from a season-opening four-game punishment.
Tom Brady isn't getting any younger, but Bill Belichick's personnel moves since their last Super Bowl are aging him even faster.
Finally, Jason Garrett gets it — by using DeMarco Murray and taking pressure off Tony Romo, the 'Boys dominated the Saints and share first place.
The Oakland Raiders could fire coach Dennis Allen soon, but a tweet reporting it by an Associated Press reporter didn't survive through the night.
Carolina needed to prove that letting Steve Smith go after 13 years was wise. With two spectacular touchdowns and a 38-10 win, he and Baltimore made the stronger argument.
Clicking against Washington on Thursday night would be further validation for the new offensive scheme that finally produced results last week against Houston.
After a detailed rebuttal of the report criticizing the Ravens' role in the Ray Rice probe, the owner admits his mistake in not making sure he got the graphic second video.
The learning curve for Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater got unexpectedly accelerated. They handled their crises well, and have the reins for the immediate future.
The Legion of Boom and their friends haven't become the Legion of Bust, but the great Seahawks' defense has now sprung leaks two weeks in a row.
The Vikings owner's admission of mishandling Adrian Peterson's child-abuse case was clear - but as Peterson is put on the exempt list, his future with the team is completely unclear.
Josh Gordon's guilty plea to a July 4 DWI charge will keep him out of jail, and he still has a chance to have his drug suspension shortened - but the court decision could cost him games as well.
Robert Griffin III does not have a fracture or ligament damage, head coach Jay Gruden said, adding that a foot specialist will review his test results.
So dominant throughout last year's playoffs and in the season opener, the Seahawks were dominated by the Chargers and dealt their first loss.
If Robert Griffin III is truly the answer for Washington, it has to commit to him soon — no matter how Kirk Cousins plays and how RGIII heals.
The 2014 Giants are already looking a lot like the 2013 Giants, and for the same reason. They had four more turnovers in a home loss to Arizona and its backup quarterback.
If, as ESPN reported Thursday, the two sides agree on the new proposal, it could lead to the overturn of several player suspensions.
The mood will be dark as the Steelers and Ravens meet Thursday under the cloud of the Ray Rice scandal. But a flashback to last Thanksgiving brings a smile.
NFL owners love Roger Goodell — including the one who just bought in for $1.4 billion during the Ray Rice scandal.
There may not be a full proposal on the table yet, but the union's team representatives will be in position to vote on a Tuesday night conference call, just in case.
After what has been evident on two videos, why was Ray Rice never behind bars? Even if he had not entered a pre-trial program, a plea deal might have kept him out anyway.
Jim Caldwell got a decisive win over the Giants in his first game as Lions coach, and he can thank a smarter version of Detroit's franchise QB.
Roger Goodell is embarrassed that the Ravens were left to release Ray Rice. It doesn't help that his hoops counterpart is making all the right moves.
The opener against the Steelers was Brian Hoyer's chance to snatch the Browns' starting job away for good. Forget the dramatic comeback — he failed.
The Hall of Fame Bills quarterback got good news about post-treatment biopsies, and later shared it with his daughter on video. Teammate Steve Tasker first broke the news.
No Wes Welker. No Sam Bradford. No Ed Reed. Lots of players you know won't be around.
One writer's bold takes on Colts-Broncos and the rest of the opening slate.
Tyrann Mathieu said all along he'd be ready to start on Week 1. So did Rob Gronknowski. Most didn't believe either could return from knee surgery that quickly, but NFL athletes are recovering a warp speed — and not slowing down.
According to ESPN, the Vikings superstar wants a Texas homecoming someday, and the Cowboys owner is open to it. It's not as implausible as it sounds, either.
The reigning MVP, who gave Texans safety D.J. Swearinger a piece of his mind last week, has no regrets about the penalty or the NFL fine that followed.
Riche Incognito's bullying-scandal baggage apparently isn't scaring off Chuck Pagano, who said the Colts need all the line help they can get.
After saying that Kirk Cousins would have won a preseason quarterback competition at Washington, Theismann tells Dan Patrick that Robert Griffin III's skill set makes the difference.
The Redskins safety has been clipped for two regular-season games for a preseason blow to the head. As a repeat offender, he's run out of reasons for teams to give him any more chances.
A year ago, Rex Ryan made the battle for New York bragging rights spicier than usual. Now, he says, it was not 'my proudest moment.' The next round is Friday.
Jerry Jones, not Johnny Manziel, should be doing the "money" hand gesture - the franchise he's owned for the last 25 years is the first American franchise worth $3 billion.
It's early in Johnny Manziel's career — too early to be a starter if he can't show NFL-worthy maturity and avoid juvenile nonsense. SN's David Steele says the Browns' advice to Manziel is: This is a game for grown-ups.
Head coach Mike Pettine pointed to Hoyer's experience and body of work in picking him over Johnny Manziel, the much-hyped first-round pick.
In an online interview, Mike Ditka vented about the controversial name and those who want it changed, calling them 'asinine' and claiming the name is about 'reverence' and 'pride.'
Moving the team to San Antonio could come at a high price for owner Mark Davis, further complicating the stalled talks with Oakland.
Charged with three murders scheduled to go to trial next year, Hernandez has a hearing Thursday in Boston, following one in Bristol County Monday.
General manager Bruce Allen admitted that doing HBO's series has been discussed. Too bad so many chances for drama have already passed - right, Albert Haynesworth?
Suburban Seattle police say that Lynch was named by an alleged assault victim early Sunday morning.
The world can always use a superhero - so Vernon Davis is providing one in a playful movie trailer that shows the tight end in a new light.
The ex-Dolphins guard tied up in the bullying scandal insists he won't talk further until he's playing again - and there are no other signs of when or where that might happen.
Brent, who drove drunk and killed a teammate two years ago, could be back in the NFL with his former team. How soon is up to the commissioner, who's still feeling heat from his Ray Rice suspension decision.
Years later, Packers fans aren't forgiving and forgetting: Brett Favre and team president Mark Murphy fear he'll still be booed if he returns to Lambeau Field. It's quite a different reception for LeBron James, who heads back to Cleveland.
Adrian Peterson didn't match his 2012 season, but the players polled for the NFL Network's Top 100 were impressed enough to vote him No. 4 overall.
After earning the top spot in the NFL Network Top 100, the Broncos' quarterback says this season can be even better.
Bruno Mars put on such a show at halftime of the Seahawks-Broncos game, the Emmys couldn't ignore it - just as they couldn't overlook Beyonce a year earlier.
In a first-person article, Russell Wilson praises the progress of the NFL on race, and takes note of a unique characteristic in his fellow Seattle quarterbacks.
With his own downfall and trip to rehab in mind, the Cardinals star told NFL Network that Gordon can't get better until he decides to help himself.
The political blogger the team hired to bolster their side of the name debate lasted only two weeks on the job.
Why, exactly, was the Browns rookie rolling a bill in a restroom? There were no immediate answers or explanations as a new Manziel photo from the weekend went viral.
LaVon Brazill had been suspended for the first four games of last season but returned to help make up for the loss of Reggie Wayne. He was one of at least three players suspended Thursday.
The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Jordan is expected to take a huge step forward in his second season - but now the start to the season has been delayed.
The window is shrinking for the team and the newly re-designated tight end to reach an agreement. The two sides were in a holding pattern during the franchise-tag arbitration.
The Eagles back picked up an award Wednesday, as well as a compliment from LaDainian Tomlinson, who praised him on video. McCoy also put 2,000 yards out as a target.
Monday was the last day for players to apply for therapeutic-use exemptions for the 2014 season. The NFLPA warned its members that time was running out.
Marty Magid was fired by Elvis Dumervil after the technology fail forced the Broncos to cut him. An arbitrator has denied his appeal of a six-month ban.
No more calling it "often" offensive: Dictionary.com is clarifying its description of the name of Washington's NFL team.
Hoyer, who goes into training camp with the edge over Johnny Manziel for the starting quarterback job, is in the final year of his contract
According to Wes Welker, he and the Patriots didn't have the Jets playbook - or maybe they did, or maybe his ex-teammates and coaches are just messing with everybody.
Goodson, facing weapons and drug charges after an arrest last year, also was absent for the Jets' minicamp last week and was cut.
While Oakland and the baseball team renew their vows, Raiders owner Mark Davis's bid for a new stadium still seems to be going nowhere.
Construction is set to begin on Jerry Jones' latest can-you-top-this project: a $115 million practice facility in the Dallas suburbs, to open in 2016.
The Pro Bowl cornerback, surprisingly released by the Chiefs less than two weeks ago, will stay in the AFC West on a reported one-year deal.
The wide receiver from Penn State was picked after Jaguars teammate Marqise Lee, but signed before him.
Michael Jordan once left the NBA to play another sport, so who's to say LeBron James isn't positioning himself to do the same thing?
Thank the rookie wage scale for making rookie holdouts a thing of the past: only two first-round picks remain unsigned with training camp a month away.
When the Packers ruled that he couldn't return for a second NFL season, Johnathan Franklin took to Twitter for a moving farewell message.
Jones is happier than anyone that the former Texans coach is his new coordinator -and, he joked, he'll collect some DNA to prove it.
Marshawn Lynch was a no-show for offseason activities, but avoids a big fine by reporting to the mandatory workouts.
The Browns have agreed to terms with their first-round pick and contender for the starting quarterback job, leaving five NFL first-rounders unsigned.
Giants' middle linebacker Jone Beason, hurt during OTAs on Thursday, will see a specialist Monday, but surgery and 12 weeks of rehab are likely.
The former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive lineman was such a welcome addition, Paul Allen couldn't contain himself on Twitter.
The linebacker, who signed an extension in March, got hurt late in practice and made it off the field on his own, but not to the locker room.
