LeGarrette Blount
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Paul Smith, left, of Thurmont, Md., and his son Montgomery Smith, of Frederick, Md., attend the NFL Experience theme park in downtown Tampa, Fla., Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Restaurants and local business aren't seeing the usual high traffic of patrons expected during a Super Bowl week. “There’s usually like 10,000 people milling around,” said Paul Smith, who has traveled with his son to several host cities. “This year, there’s like nobody here.” (AP Photo/Dennis Waszak Jr.)
Super party on for fans in Tampa, even if it's more low-key

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Feb. 05, 2021 07:20 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Leonard Fournette (28) evades a tackle by Green Bay Packers' Adrian Amos to score on a 20-yard touchdown run during the first half of the NFC championship NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl could be farewell for several pending free agents

By Mark Long Feb. 03, 2021 12:08 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 14, 2021 03:57 PM EST
Jan. 16 1962 — Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors finished with 42 points and 24 rebounds, winning NBA honors even though his...

Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
NFL Today, Week 14

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 10:18 PM EST

Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler, left, breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Henry runs wild, Titans hand Jags 12th straight loss, 31-10

By Mark Long Dec. 13, 2020 04:14 PM EST

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) salutes fans as he walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. The Titans defeated the Colts 45-26. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Hometown hurdle? Henry has been quiet in games at Jaguars

By Mark Long Dec. 10, 2020 05:09 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Carolina Panthers cornerback Corn Elder (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikings still committed to core, as Jaguars starting over

By Dave Campbell Dec. 03, 2020 05:54 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) and linebacker T.J. Watt, right, celebrate a big play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
2020 features 1st NFL season in 9 years with 0-10, 10-0 team

By Josh Dubow Nov. 25, 2020 02:23 AM EST

Patriots, Jets meet on Monday night looking to end skids

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 12:05 PM EST
NEW ENGLAND (2-5) at NEW YORK JETS (0-8) Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN OPENING LINE - Patriots by 7 ...

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sits on the field after fumbling against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game, in Minneapolis. The Eagles upset the Patriots 41-33. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
NFL At 100-AP Was There-Super Bowl 52

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2019 11:52 AM EST

Philadelphia Eagles' Jordan Howard (24) is tackled by Washington Redskins' Jimmy Moreland (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Eagles' running backs showed plenty of promise

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 12, 2019 06:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) during an NFL football game in Detroit. The Detroit Lions have signed defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison to an $11 million, one-year extension. The team announced the signing Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Lions Preview Capsule

By The Associated Press Aug. 29, 2019 07:35 PM EDT

Lions Training Camp Capsule

By The Associated Press Jul. 22, 2019 11:48 AM EDT
DETROIT LIONS (6-10) OPEN CAMP: July 24, Allen Park, Michigan LAST YEAR: First-year coach Matt Patricia lost seven of last 10 games,...

Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson at a press conference on Thursday, May 2, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kerryon Johnson looking forward to 2nd season with Lions

By Noah Trister May. 02, 2019 06:49 PM EDT

Fans watch the main stage ahead of the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Eagles get Miles Sanders and JJ Arcega-Whiteside

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 26, 2019 09:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2016, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12), Rob Gronkowski (87) and James Develin (46) head back to the sideline after LeGarrette Blount scored a touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. Gronkowski says he is retiring from the NFL after nine seasons. Gronkowski announced his decision via a post on Instagram Sunday, March 24, 2019, saying that a few months shy of this 30th birthday “its time to move forward and move forward with a big smile.” (AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File)
Patriots-Bills 10/30/2016

Apr. 11, 2019 08:55 AM EDT

Free Agency-Lions Capsule

By The Associated Press Mar. 11, 2019 05:22 PM EDT
DETROIT LIONS (6-10) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Ziggy Ansah, DT Ricky Jean Francois, LB Eli Harold, RB Zach Zenner, TE Levine Toilolo, TE Luke...