Boston Herald - Boston Herald

Steelers ready to work after bumpy offseason

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:14:13 -0400

PITTSBURGH — Troy Polamalu walked off the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice field on Tuesday with rookie safety Shamarko Thomas hanging on the veteran safety's every word.

To be honest, Polamalu admits it's still a little strange to think that in the last decade he's morphed from precocious talent into respected leader. Yet he knows being a mentor is part of his job description these days, and for a team in the midst of startling change, it's a role he'll eagerly fill.

Agent: No more forearm surgery likely for Gronk

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:34:12 -0400

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski's agent says the tight end's latest surgery is expected to be the last on his forearm.

The New England Patriots' star had his fourth surgery on Monday on the left forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point against the Indianapolis Colts. He broke it again early in the Patriots' first playoff game, a win over the Houston Texans.

The 50th Super Bowl goes to San Francisco Bay Area

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:33:11 -0400

BOSTON — The 50th Super Bowl will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the NFL championship will go to Houston the following year.

Team owners voted Tuesday for the 49ers' new stadium as host of the 2016 game. That facility in Santa Clara, Calif., is due to open for the 2014 season.

San Francisco beat out South Florida, which was stymied in its bid to stage an 11th Super Bowl when the Florida Legislature did not support financing to renovate Sun Life Stadium.

NFL, Xbox enhancing interactive television viewing

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:18:47 -0400

Imagine Sean Payton holding up a Surface tablet instead of a cardboard playsheet on the sideline.

Envision Peyton Manning sitting on the bench and dissecting the last series from a variety of camera angles on his hand-held device instead of looking at still photos. Or sitting at home and pulling up real-time highlights on a Sunday afternoon.

It's coming.

Bills WR Stevie Johnson resumes practicing

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:52:04 -0400

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills top receiver Stevie Johnson resumed practicing for the first time since hurting his back during the team's first spring minicamp session last month.

Johnson says he was limited to practicing individual drills on Tuesday, during a session closed to media not employed by the team. Calling the injury a "strain," Johnson says he felt some soreness. He says he is ahead of the initial prognosis of needing six to eight weeks to recover.

Seattle waives backup QB Josh Portis

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:15:07 -0400

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks have waived backup quarterback Josh Portis a day after news surfaced of his arrest for driving under the influence earlier this month.

The Seahawks announced the decision to cut Portis Tuesday morning. Portis was on the field and an active participant during the Seahawks' first OTA workout Monday.

Pats CB Aqib Talib: 'This is where I wanted to be'

Jeff Howe — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

Cornerback Aqib Talib spoke to the media today for the first time since re-signing with the Patriots in March. Though he didn't exactly dive into any details about his quick splash into free agency, Talib did express his happiness of returning.

"I just let it play how it played," Talib said. "I wanted to be back. I'm back. I'm happy I'm here. I'm ready to get to work.

"This is a great organization, a great team, great teammates."

Vince Wilfork chalks up loss of Love & Deaderick to "business."

Karen Guregian — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400

Vince Wilfork didn't spend much time today talking about lost teammates, particularly Kyle Love, who was recently diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, and released by the Patriots a short time later.

OTA observations: Gronkowski among four absentees, Hernandez limited, Ridley leads, Ballard debuts

Jeff Howe — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400

Tight end Rob Gronkowski, linebacker Brandon Spikes, wide receiver Julian Edelman and running back Brandon Bolden did not participate in today's practice at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots held their second organized team activity, which was their first in front of the media, so it was an initial opportunity to assess the status of the team as it enters the third and final phase of the offseason program.

Romo to miss workouts after cyst removal on back

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:46:15 -0400

IRVING, Texas — Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts after a procedure to remove a cyst from his back.

The team's website reported Tuesday, the first day of organized team workouts, that Romo underwent the procedure last month and could return for the mandatory minicamp that starts June 11. He will be ready for training camp in July.

Romo became the highest-paid player in franchise history in March when he signed a six-year, $108 million extension with $55 million guaranteed, more than Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco of Baltimore.

Tedy Bruschi selected to Patriots Hall of Fame

Jeff Howe — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:00 -0400

Former linebacker Tedy Bruschi has been selected as the 21st member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.

The lifelong Patriots joins Drew Bledsoe and Troy Brown as the only players to get inducted in their first year of eligibility. Bruschi will be enshrined along with longtime play-by-play broadcaster Gil Santos on Aug.11 at a public ceremony at Gillette Stadium.

Bruschi elected to Patriots team Hall of Fame

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:14:08 -0400

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tedy Bruschi has been elected by fans to the New England Patriots team Hall of Fame.

The team announced Tuesday that the linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion will be inducted along with broadcaster Gil Santos at a ceremony Aug. 11.

Bruschi joins Drew Bledsoe and Troy Brown as the only players to be selected by the fans into the hall in their first year of eligibility.

Rahim Moore pledges to make amends for big blunder

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:38:43 -0400

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Rahim Moore wants so badly to forget it all. No one seems willing to let that happen.

Ever since Moore mistimed his leap and fell helplessly to the grass as Baltimore wide receiver Jacoby Jones hauled in Joe Flacco's desperation 70-yard TD in the playoffs, the Denver Broncos' free safety has been absolutely bombarded.

With words of encouragement and consternation.

With pats on the back and snide remarks behind his back.

Greg Schiano reiterates Josh Freeman is Bucs QB

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:37:03 -0400

TAMPA, Fla. — Josh Freeman is back on the practice field, feeling good about himself and the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The fifth-year pro entering the final season of his contract said Monday that he still considers the Bucs his team to guide to the playoffs, despite the club's decision to draft another young quarterback to potentially take his place.

Jaguars give castoff Kyle Love a fresh start

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:35:00 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cast off by New England, Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love are trying to catch on in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars claimed both defensive linemen off waivers last week, giving them a fresh start with a rebuilding team that desperately wants to improve its pass rush.

It remains to be seen whether they will fit in coach Gus Bradley's defense. But the Jaguars regard the claims as low-risk moves that could pay dividends for a team that failed to address its defensive line in the NFL draft.

Saints ready to practice with Sean Payton again

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:33:51 -0400

NEW ORLEANS — Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time.

He missed his work that much, his players say, adding that his return has infused Saints headquarters with a fresh intensity leading up to Tuesday's opening of voluntary offseason practices.

Ed Reed, Brian Cushing miss Texans' spring workout

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:32:33 -0400

HOUSTON — Safety Ed Reed missed the Houston Texans' first spring workout on Monday as he recovers from hip surgery in Colorado.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Reed is "doing really well."

The nine-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year contract in free agency and will miss organized team activities.

"The expectations are for him to leave Colorado sometime this week," Kubiak said. "But it's going good."

S Reed, LB Cushing out for OTAs

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:25:55 -0400

HOUSTON — Texans coach Gary Kubiak says safety Ed Reed is doing "really well" as he recovers from hip surgery.

The nine-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $15 million contract in free agency and will miss all of the Texans' organized team activities, which began Monday.

Linebacker Brian Cushing will also miss the OTAs as he recovers from left knee surgery. Cushing says he has no restrictions on the knee, but coaches are playing it safe.

Raiders plan for Woodson visit

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:25:54 -0400

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Charles Woodson will receive quite a greeting from Oakland Raiders fans when he makes a free agent visit to the team's facilities on Tuesday.

A few of his potential teammates in Oakland will give him a warm reception as well.

Woodson spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Raiders after being selected with the fourth overall pick in 1998. He signed with Green Bay following the 2005 season and helped the Packers win a Super Bowl title five years later before being released by the team in February.

Seattle opens OTAs with off-field distractions

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:25:53 -0400

RENTON, Wash. — Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks started organized team activities on Monday with very little talk about anything that took place on the field.

That was understandable considering the recent news about suspensions and arrests.