Published on: 17th July, 2010
Despite making the playoffs last season, the San Diego Chargers were 31st in the NFL in rushing. Exit LaDainian Tomlinson. Enter Ryan Mathews. Mathews will be a player of intrigue in training camp -- a rookie running back replacing a San Diego icon. The Chargers have Super Bowl aspirations, but they lacked ...Published on: 27th June, 2010
PHILADELPHIA -- After winning a Super Bowl with the Saints last season, Mike Bell signed with the Eagles in March as a restricted free agent. Bell gained 654 yards and five touchdowns with the Saints in 2009, sharing time in the backfield with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Bell envisions ...Published on: 26th June, 2010
Great quarterback–receiver combinations just sound good together, like Manning to Harrison, or Montana to Rice. A busy NFL offseason has created some new QB–WR combos that could put up prolific numbers. Here are five to watch: Anquan Boldin should take the heat off Derrick Mason in Baltimore's offense. Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin Why ...Published on: 22nd June, 2010
Summer arrived Monday, and some prominent NFL players are in sticky situations. Start with Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who has the difficult task of succeeding Kurt Warner. This has been a tumultuous offseason for the Cardinals, who have lost four big-name players— Warner, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Karlos Dansby and ...Published on: 15th June, 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—When the Giants' defense collapsed, so did their 2009 season. After starting 5-0, the Giants finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Their defensive demise was the most surprising part of their fall. Only the Lions and Rams surrendered more points than the Giants, who gave up at least 40 ...Published on: 13th June, 2010
LeSean McCoy made a name for himself as a rookie last season. PHILADELPHIA—For the past two seasons, the Eagles' running attack has been more a weakness than a weapon. The Eagles continued to feature a pass-reliant offense under Andy Reid, ranking 22nd in rushing in 2008 and '09. They averaged 24 rushing ...Published on: 7th June, 2010
After picking the brains of NFL scouts, coaches and players, Sporting News' panel of experts debated the merits of the contenders and demerits of the pretenders. Our Super Bowl 45 pick: Jets over Cowboys. Coach Rex Ryan enters his second year as the Jets coach. Why the Jets will win the AFC 1. ...Published on: 3rd June, 2010
When the Redskins spent big money on Albert Haynesworth, they expected big things. Instead, Haynesworth has been a huge disappointment. He was nowhere close to being a dominant defensive tackle last season, and the Redskins finished 4-12. Now Haynesworth has miffed management, coaches and teammates by staying away from offseason workouts ...Published on: 24th May, 2010
Nate Allen could start as a rookie, but he'll have to earn it. The Eagles took the former South Florida standout with the 37th overall selection, one of the picks they received from Washington in the Donovan McNabb trade. Allen will battle Marlin Jackson for a starting spot during OTAs, ...Published on: 18th May, 2010
A sluggish start to an NFL season can seriously damage any team's playoff hopes. As spring practices continue this week, here is a look at five teams that look destined to start faster than they did in 2009: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2009: Started 0-7, finished 3-13. Josh Freeman should be more comfortable in ...