No longer old 'Shady,' Bucs' McCoy has shot at Super repeat
“First of all, I've got to let you know that I'm the rabbit's foot,” McCoy said with a big grin. “If I get two championships, I mean, with all my resume, it might be over,” McCoy said. There were some off-field issues, too, including being accused by an ex-girlfriend of physical abuse — allegations McCoy vehemently denied. AdHere he is again, a victory away from a repeat — even if he's far from a focal point on offense. While the timing didn't seem right in Philadelphia, McCoy saw what Tampa Bay was building — starting with Tom Brady.
Floyd Little, Syracuse and Broncos great, dies at 78
FILE - In this Sept.1969 file photo, Denver Broncos' Floyd Little avoids the tackle of New York Jets' Steve O'Neal (20) during a football game in Denver. Little, the Hall of Fame running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died. (AP Photo/File)DENVER – Floyd Little, the versatile running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died after a long bout with cancer. “So, I supposedly saved the franchise.”Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. “Floyd Little was a true hero of the game," said David Baker, president and CEO of the pro hall.
Kamara on COVID-19 list, could miss Saints' playoff opener
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints have placed running back Alvin Kamara, who leads the club in both yards rushing and receiving, on their COVID-19 reserve list. The move means Kamara is unavailable for Sunday's regular-season finale at Carolina and also could miss the Saints' first playoff game if New Orleans is unable to move up to the NFC's top seed. Kamara has 932 yards and 16 TDs rushing to go with 756 yards and five TDs receiving this season. His touchdowns rushing and 21 total touchdowns from scrimmage are Saints single-season records. Murray has 656 yards and four TDs rushing this season and in 2019 had 100-yard rushing performances in both games Kamara missed with leg injuries.
AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)MINNEAPOLIS – Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia. He was picked for a second straight Pro Bowl, with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns in 14 games. Cook’s absence will clinch a second consecutive rushing title for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who has a 220-yard lead on Cook. Cook has a slim lead on Henry atop the NFL with 1,918 total yards.
Authorities: Utah's Ty Jordan died in accidental shooting
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Utah running back Ty Jordan (22) scores against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Salt Lake City. Authorities say Jordan died at a hospital in the Dallas area after accidently shooting himself. University officials announced Ty Jordans death Saturday, the day after he was named Pac-12s newcomer of the year. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)DALLAS – Ty Jordan, a star freshman running back for the University of Utah, died at a Dallas-area hospital after accidently shooting himself, authorities said Sunday. Jordan, 19, died in an emergency room at a hospital in Denton around 10:45 p.m. on Christmas Day, according to medical examiner’s records.
University: Utah star freshman running back Ty Jordan dead
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Utah running back Ty Jordan (22) scores against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Salt Lake City. Jordan, a star freshman running back for the University of Utah who grew up in the Dallas area, has died, school officials announced Saturday, Dec. 26. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)DALLAS – Ty Jordan, a star freshman running back for the University of Utah who grew up in the Dallas area, has died, school officials announced Saturday. “Words cannot express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement. He made a seamless transition to the college game, including three straight 100-yard rushing performances to close out the season.
Jets' Gase says it was 'best that we part ways' with Bell
The New York Jets have surprisingly released Bell, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)NEW YORK – The New York Jets' decision to move on from Le'Veon Bell was a stunner. The Jets also gave Bell and his agent permission to explore trades on their ends, but there were no takers. “Yeah, I mean, the first game he played a half and got injured, and then he played this last game,” Gase said. “Nobody thought that was the reason why it’s going the way it’s going,” Gase said.
Jets surprisingly cut Le'Veon Bell after exploring trades
File-This Sept. 22, 2020, file photo shows New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell watching from the sideline near the end of the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass. The New York Jets have surprisingly released Bell, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. The New York Jets surprisingly released disgruntled running back Le'Veon Bell on Tuesday night, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. Bell also liked a post in which someone suggested the Jets should trade him. The team also gave Bell and his agent permission to explore trades on their end.
The Latest: Chubb, Ekeler among Week 4 casualties
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)The Latest on Week 4 in the NFL (all times EDT)_____8 p.m. Browns halfback Nick Chubb, who is fourth in the league in rushing, sustained a knee injury in Cleveland’s 49-38 win at Dallas. ___7:20 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is back guiding the Bills offense after injuring his left shoulder late in the first half at Las Vegas. ___6:40 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen headed to the locker room after falling on his left wrist. The high-scoring start to the 2020 NFL season continued Sunday with several games featuring lots of points and very little defense.
Full circle for Jets' Gore with facing familiar foe in 49ers
It all comes full circle for the 37-year-old Gore on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, when his Jets host the team with which he began his career 16 years ago. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)NEW YORK – Frank Gore took his first snap as a pro in what seems like a lifetime ago. “I want to win, especially coming off a loss last week,” Gore said, referring to the Jets' 27-17 defeat at Buffalo. “I love Frank Gore,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who remembers watching him at the University of Miami while serving as the offensive quality control coach at Tampa Bay from 2004-05. So, to see Gore on Sunday at 37 facing the franchise with which he spent his first 10 NFL seasons might amaze some.
Saints, running back Alvin Kamara agree on 5-year extension
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs through drills during NFL football practice in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Pool)NEW ORLEANS – Saints running back Alvin Kamara agreed to a five-year extension, the club announced Saturday. The $50 million for four years puts the deal on par with the contract running back Derrick Henry signed with Tennessee in July. Kamara was due to become a restricted free agent after this season and had sat out several training camp practices while the club acknowledged they were trying to negotiate an extension. Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, who like Kamara is a threat as a runner or receiver, signed a four-year contract extension worth $64 million last April after gaining 2,392 yards and scoring 19 TDs from scrimmage.
Washington hires Wright as NFL's 1st Black team president
The Washington Football Team has hired Jason Wright as team president. Hes the first Black person to hold this job in NFL history and at 38 becomes the youngest team president in the league. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)The Washington Football Team on Monday hired Jason Wright as team president, making him the first Black person to hold that position in NFL history. It will be called the Washington Football Team for at least the 2020 season, with Terry Bateman spearheading the process to determine a new full-time name. Wright is the fourth former player to become a team president and does so after several years in business.
Crowded house: Steelers backfield eyes consistency in 2020
FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) plays against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back remains adamant he can thrive in the NFL if he stays on the field. Conner understands he can't run from his resume, which includes a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2018 as well as a string of injuries that have limited his effectiveness. As long as we are professionals, we will be fine.Maybe, but the Steelers coaching staff finds itself in a tight spot, particularly at the running back spot. Maybe, the Steelers know they need more from the running game after it finished 29th in the league last season.
Court drops split-jury verdict in killing of NFL's McKnight
An appeals court granted a Louisiana man a new trial because he was convicted by a split jury of fatally shooting McKnight during a road rage incident. Ronald Glasser's 30-year sentence and manslaughter conviction were vacated Wednesday, July 15, 2020, by the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal, news outlets reported. An appeals court has granted the killer of NFL player Joe McKnight a new trial because his manslaughter conviction was delivered by a split jury. Ronald Gasser's 30-year sentence and manslaughter conviction were vacated Wednesday by the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal, news outlets reported. Witnesses at the trial said McKnight had been weaving in and out of traffic at high speed before the shooting.
Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoff
FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.