NFL News: Pro Sports Daily

February 3

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning received medical clearance to return to the NFL in 2012 during a postoperative visit Wednesday with the surgeon who performed the Sept. 8 spinal fusion procedure on the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. It remains to be seen if that will influence the Colts as they weigh whether to retain the league's only four-time MVP. Manning missed the 2011 season."

Belichick: No setbacks for Pats' Gronkowski

February 3

ESPN.com

"New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday morning that injured tight end Rob Gronkowski responded well to his first practice since suffering a left high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship Game. "I think he's OK this morning. I think he's OK. I don't think we had any setbacks," he said. Belichick added that Gronkowski, who was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, has gotten better on a daily basis. Multiple sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Gronkowski would play in Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants barring any setbacks. "I think he's coming along. We'll have to see where he gets to, but it's certainly moving in the right direction," Belichick"

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

Giants RB Bradshaw practices again Thursday

February 3

New York Post

"Ahmad Bradshaw tripped, but it's no big deal. The Giants running back, who has a tender foot, during Thursday's practice stumbled going through the line but was able to get right back to his feet and showed no sign of a limp. "It looked like he tripped over the fullback's foot,'' Tom Coughlin said. "But he's fine.'' Bradshaw practiced on a limited basis for a second straight day, highly unusually for him. Since he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot earlier this season, he's sat our two days of practice before hitting the field on Fridays. Bradshaw (foot) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) were limited in the practice, held for 88 minutes on the University of"

Agent: "Peyton's not done"

February 3

Pro Football Talk

"Peyton Manning's agent, Tom Condon, said in an appearance on NFL Network Friday morning that he believes Manning will be healthy and ready to go for the 2012 season. "Peyton's not done," Condon said. Following up on Thursday's reports that Manning had been medically cleared to return to the field — reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay denied — Condon said that Manning's medical clearance means it would be safe for him to play, and that he wouldn't be risking greater injury to his neck. Condon added, however, that Manning's nerve regeneration hasn't reached the point where he would be able to step on the field and play in an NFL game today. But Condon was adamant that anyone who thinks"

Sunday could be Osi's final game with Blue

February 3

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"Osi Umenyiora insisted it was all an innocent mistake. He didn't realize the media interview session Wednesday morning was mandatory or that his absence would create all the fuss it did. He simply wanted to spend some time with his family. That's his story and he's sticking to it. "It cost me a lot of money," Umenyiora said of the $20,000 fine he incurred for skipping the session. "I'm sorry about that. But at the end of the day, I don't know what I had to discuss with you guys between Tuesday's media day and Wednesday morning. It's not like we had a practice or anything like that.""

Drew Brees confident in reaching deal before free agency

February 3

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said there is "no doubt in my mind" that his long-term contract with the Saints will be worked out before the start of free agency March 13. Although the Saints could use the franchise tag on Brees to maintain some exclusive negotiating rights, Brees said Thursday it's important for both sides to get his deal done so they can focus their resources on other priority free agents, including guard Carl Nicks and receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem."

Rumors surface about Peyton Manning, Larry Fitzgerald dinner date

February 3

Arizona Republic

"The rumors of Peyton Manning perhaps playing for the Cardinals picked up speed here on Thursday with a report that Manning and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have a dinner date planned in the next few days. The Terre Haute Tribune Star reported the planned meeting. Fitzgerald later denied it but not until after he played coy during an appearance on KGME-AM (910). "I don't even have Peyton's phone number," Fitzgerald said. Pressed for a definitive answer later in the interview, Fitzgerald denied a meeting was scheduled. He repeated that denial to The Republic in a text message. In related news, ESPN reported that Manning had been medically cleared to play football after missing the entire 2011"

Bears RB Matt Forte eager to meet GM Phil Emery, wants 'to remain in Chicago'

February 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"Refreshed and inspired after his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Bears running back Matt Forte shined in the media spotlight days before Super Bowl XLVI, just blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. He appeared on three-time Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew's Sirius NFL Radio show, and he exchanged pleasantries with four-time All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. "Man, I'm campaigning for you," Fitzgerald told Forte. In 2011, with a base salary of $550,000, Forte was among the most underpaid players in the NFL, a point reinforced by Vizio naming him a finalist for its annual "Top Value Performer" award."

Packers promote Clements to offensive coordinator

February 3

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy made the move that most people saw coming after the departure of Joe Philbin to the Miami Dolphins. He promoted quarterbacks coach Tom Clements to Philbin's offensive coordinator spot. Since Philbin left to take the Dolphins head coaching position, it has been widely speculated that Clements would replace him. It was a logical move given Clements is the only coach on McCarthy's offensive staff who has been a coordinator in the NFL before. Clements spent two seasons running the Buffalo Bills' offense before joining McCarthy's staff in 2006."

Rams move closer to hiring their GM

February 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"He concedes it might be wishful thinking, but coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday the Rams hope to have their general manager search wrapped up and their coaching staff complete by the end of next week. "We've been very, very busy in the last two weeks trying to put together the best possible (coaching) staff we can," Fisher said. "We're getting closer. We still have a number of vacancies. And as has been reported, Kevin (Demoff) and I have been interviewing general manager prospects. That process is going very well. I'm very excited about some of the guys we've talked to at this point." The Rams have formally announced the hiring of only three coaches: offensive coordinator Brian"

Ravens owner Bisciotti feels Cundiff's pain

February 3

Baltimore Sun

"At Wednesday's "State of the Ravens" news conference, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti was asked about Billy Cundiff's missed field-goal attempt against the Patriots, a 32-yard kick that could have sent the game into overtime. He said he "dies with" players who experience such struggles because they have become like family to him. "When you work as hard as you do to put a team together like this, this is like watching your kids in high school play basketball. You don't scream at your neighbor's kid because he's not passing it enough. They become like sons to you, so you feel for them," he said. "This business is about managing your mistakes and managing your failures. Inopportune things like"

Nicks finds time for charity

February 3

New York Post

"Hakeem Nicks flew to Albany for the day last Sunday. He visited the Center for Disability Services, helping it with a telethon and visiting the center's nursing home for children and young adults. Joined by Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and actors T.J. Thyne and Lamorne Morris, Nicks met with a 15-year-old nursing home resident named Rajiv, whose family hails from India. Rajiv, a Giants fan, gave a gift to all four of his celebrity guests. It was an elephant figurine, designed to give "future success," according to Center spokesperson Anne Schneider-Costigan."

Tony Gonzalez says (again) next season will be his last

February 3

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said Thursday that next season probably will be his last — though it's not the first offseason he has said that, nor does should it come as a surprise. Gonzalez, who last month signed a one-year, $6.9 million contract extension with the idea that the 2012 season might be his last one, oddly made Thursday's declaration not through the team or his agent but rather on an ESPN/Facebook chat, which can be found by clicking here. He is in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and has been doing interviews on radio row."

Lions' Jim Schwartz won't discuss contract but defends Ndamukong Suh

February 3

Detroit News

"Lions coach Jim Schwartz didn't create quite the buzz on radio row Thursday that Tim Tebow did — no other celebrity did, either, not even Jay Mohr or Larry Fitzgerald — but he came close. Schwartz was scheduled to make about 15 stops, and just about every one started him off with the same joke — a takeoff on his handshake issues with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh this season. The host on the San Francisco station asked to shake his hand and then made a big deal about how Harbaugh was wrong, that Schwartz's grip wasn't too strong."

The waiting game: Hines Ward puts ball is in Steelers' court

February 3

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Hines Ward talked to Mike Tomlin on Monday at the Steelers facility on the South Side and to team president Art Rooney II earlier, letting them know he wants to play in 2012 in Pittsburgh. "I just wanted to let them know I want to be here, I want to play," said Ward, who on Sunday will be part of NBC's five-hour Super Bowl pregame show. "I have two years on my contact. I know I have to restructure, but, under the circumstances, I think I can still play football.""

Team's tab on Dome could be $64.5 million

February 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The money to renovate the Edward Jones Dome could come partly from higher fees for tickets and parking. Those are among the possible sources of public funding listed in a financial plan the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission has sent to the Rams. The plan is meant to explain how to pay for $124 million in renovations to the Dome. It lists a ticket surcharge and the creation of a new parking district, with a vehicle surcharge, as options. The plan also lists bond refinancing, tax credits and tapping the reserves of the Dome's owner as other options. The one-page financial plan, however, is short on specifics and does not list how much money each source of public funding would"

Broncos' Brian Dawkins will wait to decide on his NFL future

February 3

Denver Post

"Brian Dawkins said Thursday the only way he would play one more NFL season is if he returns to the Broncos. Winding up in free agency and playing one more season for another team is not a likely option, the Broncos' veteran safety said following an NFL Players Association news conference. Not that Dawkins, 38, is ready to commit to playing one more year or retirement after the safety finished his 16th NFL season with a ninth Pro Bowl nod. "The season is not over yet," Dawkins said. "Our season is, but this football season is not. So why talk about that? I'm not ready to make that announcement. I'll pray about it. If the Broncos want me back at that time, we'll talk.""

Dustin Keller comes to aid of embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez

February 3

New York Daily News

"A few weeks after several key Jets players and members of the organization made critical comments about Mark Sanchez in a Daily News report, one the quarterback's closest friends disputed some of the claims. Tight end Dustin Keller told The News on Thursday that he firmly believes Sanchez is the team's long-term solution at quarterback. He also took exception to one player's claim that Sanchez was "lazy and content" on the practice field because he knew that Rex Ryan would never bench him. "The truth: 100% . . . He is the hardest worker I know," said Keller, who believes that Sanchez unfairly shouldered the bulk of the blame this season even though there were plenty of other elements in"

Patriots in no mood to discuss Spygate controversy

February 3

New York Post

"This week has been filled with tons of talk about the genius of Bill Belichick and the mastery of Tom Brady and just what another Super Bowl victory would mean to their legacies. One chapter of the story seems to have been erased from the book on the Patriots dynasty, though. Anyone remember Spygate? The Patriots have not won a championship since then-Jets coach Eric Mangini exposed the Patriots' illegal taping of opponents in 2007. The fallout resulted in fines of $500,000 for Belichick, $250,000 for the organization, and the Patriots had to forfeit a first-round draft choice."

Joe Montana lauds Brady's accomplishments

February 3

Boston Herald

"The way Joe Montana sees it, his records aren't what made him. He never established benchmarks in high school in Monongahela, Pa., or in college at Notre Dame. It was only when he emerged as an icon with the 49ers that the quarterback began to pencil his name into the history books. He valued team goals more, anyway. But now that the NFL may want to use an eraser, Montana isn't sentimental. "Eventually, everything will be broken," Montana said yesterday on radio row in the media center for Super Bowl XLVI. "Who would've thought anybody would've broken Danny (Marino's yardage) record that lasted for 30 years? They're all there for a reason.""

Shaun Ellis now says he'd consider Jets return

February 3

New York Post

"Rex Ryan admitted to losing the Jets locker room after the team missed the playoffs with a disappointing 8-8 season. "I don't know if it surprised me when things go wrong it tends to shift a little bit, but I don't have anything bad to say about those guys," said defensive end Shaun Ellis, who played for the Jets from 2000-10 before signing with the Patriots this offseason. At Media Day on Tuesday, Ellis told ESPN.com the Jets showed no loyalty by offering him the veteran's minimum contract in the offseason. That offer made Ellis' decision to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with New England easy."

Brady apologizes for Wednesday comments about Buffalo hotels

February 3

Buffalo News

"News Senior Sports Columnist Jerry Sullivan caught up with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady this morning, one day after Brady had said of the Buffalo's hotels: "They're not the nicest places in the world." Sullivan asked, "Tom, are you aware that the most elite hotel invited you to stay the night?" (In reference to the Mansion on Delaware's offer to the Pats QB.) "I appreciate that," Brady responded with a laugh, then said, "I apologize for saying that." Sullivan responded, "Well, there is some truth to it." "I know. Buffalo was tough on us this year -- at Buffalo," Brady said, referencing the BIlls' Week Three victory in which he was intercepted four times."