O-linemen are A-listers in 2013 NFL draft

April 26, 2013

Among the NFL's eight new coaches, few will get a free pass at QB

March 23, 2013

PHOENIX — The NFL's eight new head coaches have yet to conduct a practice, or even solidify their rosters, but already they can be roughly divided into three groups.

NFL chief: Phil Anschutz's 'reengaging' a positive for L.A. effort

March 18, 2013

PHOENIX — Philip Anschutz says he's ready to talk to the NFL about a stadium in downtown Los Angeles. The NFL says it's ready to talk to Anschutz.

NFL probably won't like this Philip Anschutz

March 14, 2013

Philip Anschutz doesn't get pushed around. He's a billionaire who makes business deals with his head, not his heart. When he sets his mind to something, he stands firm.

Oklahoma tackle impresses at combine

February 26, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma's Lane Johnson ran nearly as fast as Baltimore receiver Anquan Boldin, leaped as high as Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green, and matched the broad jump of New England running back Stevan Ridley.

Ravens prove that late-season losses can be helpful

February 4, 2013

NEW ORLEANS -- Seeing as the NFL is a copycat league, teams naturally want to emulate the blueprint of the franchise that wins it all.

Super Bowl 2013: 49ers-Ravens QB matchup is run vs. gun

February 2, 2013

NEW ORLEANS — Much of the talk leading up to Super Bowl XLVII was about the coaching Harbaugh brothers, San Francisco's Jim and Baltimore's John, and the historic spin they put on the NFL's splashiest showcase.

Success and family, the Harbaugh way

January 24, 2013

Like her Super Bowl-bound older brothers, Joani Harbaugh is fiercely competitive.

San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons loaded with offensive weapons

January 19, 2013

ATLANTA — Twenty years ago, Jerry Glanville, then the goofball coach of the Atlanta Falcons, concocted a way to get under the skin of the San Francisco 49ers.

In the NFL playoffs, momentum turns out to be momentary

January 13, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO — So much for momentum.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning wrote the book on speed reading

January 11, 2013

Peyton Manning flaps his arms, stamps his foot and plays traffic cop, sending Denver Broncos teammates this way and that. All the while, the play clock is winding down.

49ers-Packers: Now to see if Jim Harbaugh's QB gamble pays off

January 11, 2013

Gambling isn't allowed in the NFL, but San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh made a wager this season that would leave even the highest of high rollers weak in the knees.

Seahawks DB Richard Sherman does more than talk the talk

January 9, 2013

Is it any surprise that Richard Sherman graduated from Stanford with a degree in communications?

Robert Griffin III needs more tests on his knee

January 8, 2013

WASHINGTON — The season is over for the Washington Redskins, but the controversy continued to boil Monday over Coach Mike Shanahan's decision to keep rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III in a playoff game against Seattle despite an obviously weakened right knee that ultimately buckled.

Four NFL wild-card winners to face tough tests on the road

January 6, 2013

LANDOVER, Md. -- Each of the four teams that emerged victorious from wild-card weekend — Houston, Green Bay, Baltimore and Seattle — ranked among the top 10 in scoring during the regular season.

Quarterbacks get a rush out of great running backs

January 4, 2013

They sneak a peek. They steal a glance. They turn around and gawk, sometimes forgetting to carry out their own assignments as NFL quarterbacks.

Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III: freshman class

January 2, 2013

What once was reason for panic –— a rookie quarterback starting an NFL playoff game — is suddenly a problem for opposing defenses.

By and bye, Adrian Peterson, others in NFL come tantalizingly close

December 31, 2012

Two thousand steps forward.

Colts could be in awkward spot with Chuck Pagano

December 29, 2012

The story of the 2012 Indianapolis Colts could go from awesome to awkward in a flash.

NFL Week 17 preview: The NFL has gotten the end games right

December 24, 2012

Three years ago, the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts pulled Peyton Manning in the middle of their 15th game, and, instead of trying for a perfect season, coasted into the postseason with back-to-back losses.

NFL Week 16: Bruce Arians may be out of a job again, in a good way

December 24, 2012

Indianapolis is in, Pittsburgh is out, and Colts interim Coach Bruce Arians has to be pinching himself.

NFL Week 16 preview: Revitalized Seahawks face 49ers

December 22, 2012

Move over, RG3. Make room for another rookie quarterback sensation . . .

49ers' Brandon Jacobs goes from seldom seen to out of sight

December 10, 2012

In a roundabout way, Brandon Jacobs told the San Francisco 49ers how he really felt.

Redskins' draft choice doesn't prove so peculiar after all

December 9, 2012

In April, three rounds after they made Robert Griffin III the second pick in the draft, the Washington Redskins selected Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Talk of eliminating kickoffs brings up issue of safety vs. sanctity

December 8, 2012

Are NFL kickoffs in their final days?

Robert Griffin III should take safer option

December 6, 2012

Not only has Robert Griffin III pumped life back into the Washington Redskins, but the rookie quarterback is arguably the most exciting player in the NFL.

Quarterback change reiterates that NFL is foremost a business

December 1, 2012

The NFL is a business.

Elite NFL players come back quickly from injuries

November 29, 2012

It's an award that any NFL player would be proud of, but none would choose to endure.

NFL powers, and underdogs, rain on playoff aspirants' parade

November 25, 2012

On a Sunday when the sprinklers accidentally went off at Sun Life Stadium, dousing the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins, playoff-minded teams all over the NFL were treated to a cold, harsh splash of reality.

Can Chip Kelly's offense work in the pros?

November 24, 2012

The idea is undeniably intriguing: Oregon Coach Chip Kelly in the NFL, bringing his up-tempo offense to the highest level.

Dire straits and narrow victories are the norm in NFL Week 11

November 18, 2012

Just another ho-hum NFL Sunday.

With no NFL lockout, defenses are back

November 18, 2012

The NFL is a passing league.

Suddenly flawed Falcons part of an imperfection convection

November 11, 2012

What's the sound when perfection goes poof?

NFL punters are being bullied on the block

November 10, 2012

Through the first half of the NFL season, there have been 14 punts blocked.

Colts, Bears are on the upswing in the NFL

November 4, 2012

Lots of talk these days about swing states and which way they're leaning.

Quarterback questions: Tony Romo, Matt Ryan have different issues

November 3, 2012

The Dallas Cowboys play at Atlanta on Sunday in a game featuring a question-mark quarterback. Yes, he's shown flashes of excellence, but is he truly the player who can lift his franchise to greatness? Does success early in the season mean anything if he hasn't gotten the job done in the biggest games?

NFL's top teams doing well despite less help from key players

November 1, 2012

Plenty of NFL tight ends would be happy to switch places with San Francisco's Vernon Davis this season. The 49ers are 6-2 with a two-game lead in the NFC West and look to be in position to make another run deep into the playoffs or beyond.

NFL Week 8: Everybody's OK, but is that all there is?

October 28, 2012

Nearing the midway point of the NFL season, this much can be said with conviction:

If Jets aren't going to use Tim Tebow, they should let him go

October 27, 2012

Forbes surveyed NFL fans and this week published lists of the league's most and least popular players, mostly just water-cooler fodder. But it was interesting to note that Tim Tebow wasn't on either of them.

NFL is full of quick-change artists

October 26, 2012

The New Orleans Saints are toast. The Arizona Cardinals have turned the corner. It's time for Norv Turner, Rex Ryan and Andy Reid to go.

Coaches are in the spotlight this week in the NFL

October 23, 2012

All around the NFL, this figures to be a landmark week for the men who carry clipboards and draw up Xs and O's.

NFL Week 7: These moments will stick in the memory

October 21, 2012

The most curious NFL news Sunday was that the league is investigating the San Diego Chargers for using Stick 'em, the glue-like goop that helps players hang on to the football. The Fox report said an equipment manager was concealing the substance on hand towels.

Narrower goal posts could add intrigue to NFL games

October 20, 2012

The NFL would be so much more interesting if it were narrow-minded.

Change you can believe in? It's business as usual in the NFL

October 15, 2012

The 49ers couldn't lose. The Browns couldn't win. The Vikings were the sleepers. The Jets were the snorers.

Buffalo's off-season defensive moves have yet to pay off

October 13, 2012

After all that buzz about Buffalo's rebuilt defense, all those millions spent in free agency, the Bills are ranked 31st on that side of the ball.

Alex Smith, the Bay Area's most improbable hero

October 12, 2012

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The most improbable, unbelievable throw by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith didn't even hit its intended target.

Colts' upset of Packers packs emotional punch

October 8, 2012

There is no statistic for emotion. No index for inspiration. No chart for heart.

Steelers allowing foes the run of the place

October 6, 2012

The Pittsburgh Steelers, typically the NFL's premier run-stopping team, are tied for 14th in that category this season.

Three quarterbacks are walking a tightrope

October 5, 2012

Their passes might sail high, but three NFL quarterbacks have landed far short of expectations.

Peyton Manning is starting to get comfortable in a new city

October 2, 2012

New city, new team, same Peyton Manning.

Around the NFL, lost causes and found objects

October 1, 2012

Who says Tom Brady isn't a great scrambler?

NFC West has come a long way

September 29, 2012

Two years ago, the NFC West was a joke.

This NFL ref stuff isn't for everyone

September 27, 2012

At some point in the very near future — maybe a quarter or two into Sunday's NFL games — we're guaranteed to hear the following:

NFL, officials end lockout with eight-year deal

September 27, 2012

It's game over for NFL replacements.

NFL, officials end lockout with eight-year deal

September 27, 2012

It's game over for NFL replacements.

For NFL's Western teams, a change in direction

September 24, 2012

After the first two weeks of the NFL season, we could have surmised:

NFL team owners could help resolve officiating dispute

September 22, 2012

NFL replacement officials are making a lot of mistakes in games, have you heard?

A coin toss on NFL in L.A.

September 20, 2012

In terms of the NFL's possible return to Los Angeles, there are two ways to interpret Phil Anschutz's putting AEG up for sale.

Tom House gets calls from quarterbacks

September 13, 2012

Tom House spent eight years in the majors as a relief pitcher, but he is best remembered for catching Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run. The ball sailed over the fence and into the bullpen, and House ran under it.