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Spend, spend, spend on 2nd day of "legal tampering" in NFL

(AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)For people wondering where is all the free-agent quarterback movement as the NFL's “legal tampering” period enters its second day, well, calm down. He started seven and played in nine games last season for Miami, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He will be replaced as Tua Tagovailoa's backup by Brissett, who will get a one-year, $5 million deal in Miami. The Bengals also reached agreement with Pittsburgh safety Mike Hilton on a four-year, $24 million contract, also according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Kelly signed a three-year, $21 million deal exactly a year ago and started all 16 games at right tackle.

Titans' pass rush busts cautionary tale for NFL free agency

(George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP, Pool, File)Shopping on the NFL free agent market can be so very tempting. Just ask the Tennessee Titans. Busting on free agents doesn't stop any NFL team from trying again. CORY LITTLETONThe Raiders thought they were getting a difference-maker when they signed linebacker Cory Littleton to a three-year, $35.25 million deal. STEPHEN WEATHERLYWeatherly was a major bust for the Carolina Panthers after the defensive end signed a two-year, $12 million deal last offseason.

AP source: Patriots completing 1-year deal to re-sign Newton

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots are completing an agreement to re-sign free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)BOSTON – The New England Patriots are completing an agreement to re-sign free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. With the new pact, the Patriots bring back the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player after an up-and-down 2020 season. He ran for 12 touchdowns and broke Steve Grogan's 42-year-old single-season franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 592.

Out of Miller's shadow, Barrett aims to follow his footsteps

“He was determined to get it by any means, wouldn’t let failure be an option,” Barrett recounted. Barrett will have a starting — and maybe starring — role in Super Bowl 55 when the Buccaneers (14-5) face Mahomes and the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs (16-2) Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Barrett had a monster debut in Tampa, collecting an NFL-best 19½ sacks, forcing six fumbles and earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2019. Mahomes remembers Barrett in Denver as a player who never let quarterbacks exhale whenever Miller or Chubb tapped out for a breather. He’s got great speed, he’s got great power, he’s got a ton of moves,” Remmers said.

The Latest: Henry runs for 2k, Titans' doink wins AFC South

Henry came into Sunday’s regular season finale needing 223 yards rushing to become the second man in franchise history to reach 2,000. He came in as the NFL’s rushing leader for a second straight season with a career-best 1,777 yards rushing. The Green Bay Packers have set an NFL season record for second-quarter points. With the run Newton also passed Grogan for the single-season team record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Newton entered the game 26 yards behind Grogan, who had 539 rushing yards in 1978.

Bills earn 1st sweep of Patriots since '99 with 38-9 win

– Josh Allen passed for four touchdowns and the Buffalo Bills became the first AFC East foe to sweep the season series with the New England Patriots in two decades with a 38-9 victory on Monday night. The last division opponents to sweep the Patriots were the Jets and Dolphins in 2000. Stefon Diggs had nine catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns, setting a Bills single-season record for receiving yards. The Patriots closed to 10-9 on Newton's 9-yard TD run in the second quarter, but Nick Folk missed the extra point and the Bills pulled away from there. INJURIESBills: S Jordan Poyer was helped off field late in second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury.

Lamentation for sports in 2020: A year of living virally

File-This Jan. 28, 2020, file photo shows a remembrance board at a memorial for Kobe Bryant near Staples Center in Los Angeles. LeBron, on court, gives heartfelt shout,A declaration: “Mamba out.”Sports still reeling by Super Bowl,Where Patrick Mahomes takes control. Defying odds, even reason,Baseball makes it through its season,Leaving summer and into fall --Bob Gibson ’s time, October ball. Through it all, a truth emerges:Games go on while COVID surgesAnd records fall, that much is clear --Consider Tara VanDerveer. But we’ll toast, of course, don’t think twice --Take a deep breath and roll the dice.

Struggling Steelers in midst of historic collapse

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone from dreams of matching the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins to searching for another win. After winning their first 11 games for the first time in franchise history, the Steelers were upset at home two weeks ago against Washington. The last team to start 11-0 and then lose three straight was the 1969 Rams in a 14-game season. The losing skid carried over to the playoffs with a 23-20 loss to Minnesota, a fate the Steelers would obviously like to avoid. Jackson leads the way with 828 yards rushing and seven TDs with Murray having 741 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Panthers fire GM Marty Hurney after another losing season

FILE - In this April 17, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney speaks to the media in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers have fired Hurney after the team lost eight of its last nine games and failed to make the playoffs for a third straight season. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Marty Hurney is out again as Carolina's general manager. The Panthers are the fifth team this season to fire their general manager, joining the Lions, Jaguars, Texans and Falcons. He was the general manager from 2002-12 before being fired by former owner Jerry Richardson.

Dolphins eliminate Patriots from playoff race with 22-12 win

The Dolphins (9-5) bolstered their wild-card chances and are assured of a winning record for only the second time since 2008. The Patriots (6-8) will finish at .500 or worse for the first time since 2000, the year they drafted Tom Brady. They mounted a 14-play, 90-yard touchdown drive midway through the second half to take the lead for good. They were shut out in the first half, but mounted a 72-yard touchdown drive to start the second half for a 7-6 lead. DE John Simon (hamstring) and C David Andrews (calf) were sidelined in the second half.

Belichick not ready to move on from Newton as Patriots' QB

Cam’s our quarterback,” Belichick said when asked who would start on Dec. 20 against Miami. Newton completed 9 of 16 passes for 119 yards with an interception and ended the night with a 53.9 passer rating. Newton spoke before Belichick and said it wasn't his call on who should play QB. New England was held without an offensive TD for the second time this season and 15th since Belichick became coach in 2000. What is certain is that any momentum Newton and the Patriots had with four wins in the last five games entering Thursday night has come crashing down.

Akers runs wild, Newton benched as Rams rout Patriots 24-3

These Rams even looked good enough to contend for a chance at some actual Super Bowl redemption later this season. “We’ve got a lot of respect for them, but it’s a totally different year,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. The Patriots have been held without an offensive touchdown in multiple games this season for the first time since 2003. Tyler Higbee and Akers had long gains before Goff leaned over the line on fourth-and-goal for his career-high fourth rushing touchdown of the season. But Young opened the second quarter by picking off a poor throw created by Donald's disruption up front and taking it all the way back for the third-year linebacker's first NFL touchdown.

Giants, Vikings shed slow starts, move into playoff position

The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are in position to pull off remarkable turnarounds. One of the other teams that started 0-5 this season shares a stadium with the Giants but hasn’t pulled off an in-season turnaround. Jefferson, a first-round pick, had nine catches for 121 yards last week to reach 1,039 yards receiving on the season. With 11 TD runs this season, Newton has reached double-digits in three seasons (14 in 2011 and 10 in 2015). It was the first time since Brady Quinn in 2009 that a quarterback won consecutive starts despite throwing for fewer than 100 yards.

The Latest: Pats' Newton hits rushing TDs milestone for QBs

Hurts’ only pass during that drive was a 34-yarder to Jalen Reagor, the Eagles’ second completion to a non-tight end in the game. ___5:15 p.m.Green Bay’s Davante Adams has caught a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games. Until Ryan’s TD pass, the only points against New Orleans in the past three games were scored on seven field goals. Mayfield may top those numbers before halftime with Cleveland routing the Tennessee Titans 31-7 still in the second quarter. ___1:50 p.m.New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill has thrown the first touchdown pass of his NFL career.

Cam Newton helps Patriots beat Ravens in rain and wind

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. – Cam Newton threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score and the New England Patriots fought through rain and wind to hold off the Baltimore Ravens 23-17 on Sunday night. Damien Harris ran for a career-high 121 yards to help the Patriots (4-5) win consecutive games for the first time this season. As rain and wind pelted the field, the Ravens started the drive with a penalty, pushing them back to their own 9. Facing second-and-6 on the Ravens 24, Newton threw what appeared to be a wide receiver screen to Jakobi Meyers.

Patriots storm back to beat Jets 30-27, end 4-game skid

We’re not going to lay down.”Newton had two touchdown runs, with the second tying it at 27 with 1:57 remaining. A miscue by the Jets on special teams kept the Patriots’ next drive alive. But the Jets were called for 12 men on the field — resulting in a first down for the Patriots. Damien Harris ran for 21 yards to get New England into Jets territory. Jets: Rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton left in the first half with a chest injury, but coach Adam Gase was unsure if it was a torn pectoral.

On Football: Brady flourishing, Belichick floundering

Tampa is 5-2 and Brady is a huge reason for that mark — for his arm, for his leadership, for his guile. Expecting Brady to offer much insight into his performances, particularly in the midst of a season, is like, well, expecting the same from Belichick. We’re going to need everybody, and we’re going to need everybody’s best. The Patriots’ 27-point loss to San Francisco was their largest at home under Belichick, according to Elias Sports Bureau. I don’t think there’s anything you could say that we don’t need work on,” Belichick said.

Wilson has 3 TDs before injury, 49ers crush Patriots 33-6

– Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed for a career-high three touchdowns and 112 yards before leaving with an ankle injury and the San Francisco 49ers dominated in a 33-6 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. San Francisco (4-3) has followed back-to-back losses with two wins and is 3-0 on the road. New England fell to 2-4 for the first since coach Belichick’s first season in 2000, when the Patriots went 5-11. Following a Patriots punt, San Francisco was pinned inside its 15. The lead grew to 23-3 with just under a minute to go before halftime on a 16-yard run by Wilson.

McManus' 6 FGs lift Broncos over Pats in COVID-delayed game

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles, left, congratulates kicker Brandon McManus in the second half of an NFL football game after his sixth field goal against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday’s game was originally scheduled for last week but got postponed twice, first by a day, then by seven. He was steady early, but had back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter to let the Patriots back into the game. It was the first game back for Newton, who returned after missing New England’s Week 4 loss at Kansas City. McManus, who connected on field goals of 52 and 54 yards, now has six games with multiple 50-yard field goals.

Undefeated Titans getting healthy after COVID-19 outbreak

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

Broncos running backs coach tests positive for coronavirus

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t accompany the team on its trip to New England. “We will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our team, opponents and community,” the team added. On Friday, the Broncos held running back Melvin Gordon out of practice because of what coach Vic Fangio said was an illness unrelated to the coronavirus. The Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. On Saturday, the Broncos announced they had elevated defensive lineman Sylvester Williams to the active roster along with running back Jeremy Cox and linebacker Josh Watson.

Patriots cancel practice after 5th player tests positive

The Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He became the fifth player on the team to test positive for the virus. Newton missed New England’s loss at Kansas City on Oct. 5 after his Oct. 2 positive test. Rookie defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday and a second person, who is not a player, subsequently tested positive. The Panthers have guard/center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list, five days after he played against Atlanta.

Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,453 new known COVID-19 cases and 17 additional deaths reported Sunday as state’s total case number climbs above 300,000

The league on Saturday announced the Bears game — originally scheduled for noon on CBS-2 — was being moved to a later time slot because the New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs game was postponed to Monday or Tuesday. The NFL said members of both the Patriots and Chiefs tested positive for COVID-19, and multiple reports said Patriots star quarterback Cam Newton was among the positives.

chicagotribune.com

Here are the college football games you don't want to miss this weekend

After the NCAA's soft opening of the college football season last Saturday (congrats Gator and Rainbow Warrior fans), this weekend features a boatload of pigskin. We won't list every contest, but here are the games that have us RSVP-ing couch time. Boise State vs. Florida StateHat tip to everyone behind the scenes that had to scramble to make Florida State's season debut vs Boise State happen. The Seminoles 2019 football schedule was announced in January with Jacksonville slated to host the opener. Follow this game#10 Texas vs. Louisiana TechSam Ehlinger has boasted that No.