2009 NFL draft: New York, April 25 and 26

Bills/NFL

Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa Bay, Feb. 1, Ch. 2

Ravens' Koch, Titans' Hentrick may get their kicks

When two exceptional defenses collide in the playoffs, the outcome of the game is often decided by field position.

Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Albert Haynesworth and Jevon Kearse will undoubtedly play key roles in Saturday's second-round game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. But two of the NFL's finest punters, Baltimore's Sam Koch and Tennessee's Craig Hentrick, may prove to be more influential than all those defensive stars.

(Updated: 01/09/09 8:01 AM )

NFL Playoffs: Cards-Panthers may prove scary for defensive backs

They take up three of the four receiver spots on the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Another is having a breakout year and a fifth is one of the league's top blockers at the position.

Saturday's NFC divisional playoff between the Carolina Panthers (12-4) and Arizona Cardinals (10-7) overflows with talent, speed, diversity and strength at receiver.

(Updated: 01/09/09 8:11 AM )

Giants haven't put pressure on McNabb this year

One of the enduring images from the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots was Tom Brady being pounded by Justin Tuck and the rest of the defense.

The Patriots quarterback absorbed five sacks in the title game and was either hit or hurried at least a dozen other times. It was the difference between winning and losing for Tom Coughlin's team.

(Updated: 01/09/09 4:51 AM )

Time line: off-field time aiding Steelers' O-line

They spend as many as eight hours a day together for at least five months, practicing three to four times a week. They lift weights. Watch film. Break down game plans. Not surprisingly, they occasionally get tired of seeing one another's faces.

For a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line that often seemed like anything but a cohesive unit this season, they decided all that time wasn't enough.

(Updated: 01/09/09 4:51 AM )

Favre will not rush decision on his future

NEW YORK — Brett Favre keeps making it sound as if the Jets’ new coach won’t have to determine whether he wants the 39-year-old quarterback. For the third time since the Jets’ season ended Dec. 28, Favre spoke to a media outlet — this time ESPN — and reiterated what he said after the loss to the Miami Dolphins: that it will be “weeks” before he makes a determination on next year.

“[General Manager Mike Tannenbaum] said he’s not going to bother me for three or four weeks,” Favre said. “He told me to do whatever and he’d give me a call in a month. Maybe I will tell him my answer that day. But he told me to get away and don’t even think about football.”

(Updated: 01/09/09 6:38 AM )

Bruce, Reed, Wilson make final cut for football hall

Buffalo Bills greats Bruce Smith and Andre Reed and owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. made the list of 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Smith, Reed and Wilson made the cut from a list of 25 semifinalists to the list of 15 modern-era individuals who will be considered for Hall's Class of 2009. Two senior candidates - receiver Bob Hayes and defensive end Claude Humphrey - join the modern-era finalists in contention for induction.

(Updated: 01/07/09 8:37 AM )

Edwards checks out shoulder

Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is seeking out medical opinions to determine how to treat soreness in his throwing shoulder.

The Bills said Tuesday they sent Edwards for a routine magnetic resonance imaging test on the right shoulder during his year-end physical because he had complained of soreness in it.

(Updated: 01/07/09 6:17 AM )

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The Associated Press announced its annual All-Pro team, voted on by a large number of reporters (80-some?) from around the country. There are no surprises on the first team. The Vikings Kevin Williams beat out the Jets' Kris Jenkins for the second spot at defensive tackle behind Al Haynesworth, but that's easily justifiable. Peyton Manning was the QB, Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner the RBs and Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson the WRs. ... In the voting the AP collects ballots only for a first-team -- 22 starters plus specialists. But in releasing the team, the AP announces a second...

Ex-Bills head coach Gregg Williams reportedly is being considered as the new defensive coordinator in both Green Bay and New Orleans. It's an interesting choice for Williams, if in fact he gets the chance to pick one of the two. Both are attractive in ways. Both teams have good-looking offenses and defenses that have nowhere to go but up. Williams needs veteran safeties to run his complex defenses. Green Bay is in better shape at safety than New Orleans, with Charles Woodson converting to the back line and Nick Collins back there. However, it sounds like Williams may have to...