Snoop Dogg has been cheering on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster since his days playing in the Snoop Youth Football League, where he was known as "SportsCenter."Ahead of Smith-Schuster's first Pro Bowl, Snoop spoke to the Steelers about how proud he is of what the receiver has accomplished.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford is still coming to terms with his offside penalty that negated a game-sealing interception in his team's loss to the New England Patriots last week.Ford says head coach Andy Reid has encouraged him to move past the mistake."He told me, 'Don't think about it. We've gotta move forward. We all could have been four inches better, ya know?'" Ford said Friday, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "That was big. That was a big quote to say. 'We all could have been four inches better.'"With the Chiefs leading 28-24 and only 54 seconds remaining in the game, Ford was flagged for lining up past the line of scrimmage, bringing back an interception from teammate Charvarius Ward. If the interception had stood, Kansas City would have likely run out the clock and advanced to Super Bowl LIII.Instead, Patriots running back Rex Burkhead was able to cap off the drive with a touchdown and followed it up with another end-zone run in overtime that gave New England the victory."That crushed my heart," Ford said. "But in order to persevere, you have to acknowledge it, take it on the chest, and work to move forward."Ford had 55 combined tackles, 13 sacks, and seven forced fumbles in the 2018 regular season. He'll become a free agent in March but hinted that he expects to be returning to the AFC title game with the Chiefs next year."At the end of the day, I appreciate (Reid), and it's gonna be motivation for me, especially heading into next year," Ford said. "That's how I handle the situation - get better. We know what it tastes like to get there. We'll know what it takes heading into next year."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Bates was arrested Saturday in New York after refusing to pay his cab fare and assaulting a police officer.Bates punched an officer in the face above the left eye, police told Rocco Parascandola and Thomas Tracy of the New York Daily News. The police sergeant suffered a concussion and needed three stitches."We are aware of the arrest of Trevor Bates earlier today in New York," Lions general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. "We have not spoken to Trevor as of yet and are still in the process of gathering more information. The Detroit Lions will have no further comment at this time."Bates refused to be fingerprinted and was taken to hospital by police to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. He is facing a felony charge for assaulting an officer, theft, and resisting arrest.The 25-year-old played sparingly during the 2018 season, recording three tackles.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Receiver Julian Edelman imparted some wisdom to keep teammate Sony Michel focused following the New England Patriots' win over the Kansas City Chiefs last week."This is cute," Edelman said of winning the AFC Championship, according to NESN's Doug Kyed. "We win that next one, that's where the real fun is. That's where you'll always be a champion. This is cute. This is awesome. Don't get me wrong. But the next one. Let's go."Michel and Edelman were vital in the Patriots' 37-31 victory. The rookie had 29 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns while the two-time Super Bowl champion hauled in seven catches for 96 yards.Edelman will be making his fourth Super Bowl appearance when the Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams on Feb. 3. He missed last year's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after tearing his ACL during the preseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman attempted to distance himself from one of the NFL's most controversial plays in recent memory.Robey-Coleman hit New Orleans Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis before the ball arrived with under two minutes remaining in a tied NFC Championship Game. No pass interference penalty was called, and the Rams eventually emerged with the overtime victory.The NFL issued Robey-Coleman a reported $26,739 fine on Friday for the helmet-to-helmet hit."It’s the league’s call, the ref’s call," Robey-Coleman said Friday, according to Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register. "I have nothing to do with that play. I made a football play. The ref made his call, and there’s nothing else I could do about it. That’s their call."Robey-Coleman will not appeal the fine as the Rams prepare to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a statement Monday, revealing she reached out to the league regarding the blown call.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley insists he's not hurt ahead Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots next Sunday."I'm good. If there was an issue with my knee it would be on the injury report," Gurley said, according to NFL.com's Steve Wyche. "I'm at practice I'm playing."The fourth-year rusher had his playing time in last weekend's NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints greatly reduced, finishing the contest with just four carries for 10 yards and a touchdown while catching just one of three targets for another three yards.He said after the 26-23 overtime victory that his decreased playing time was a byproduct of his "sorry" play.Gurley, a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, missed the final two weeks of the regular season due to a knee injury but returned in the divisional round to rack up 115 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Terrell Owens said on Friday that Antonio Brown has asked him about living in the Bay Area, fueling speculation that the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is eyeing a trade to the San Francisco 49ers."Well I have talked to him in recent weeks, especially after the season," Owens said on NFL Network. "And I didn't know, but the cat is out of the bag because Jerry Rice has mentioned him about being in a 49er uniform, but when I spoke to him I thought we were just discussing possible options, but he kept asking me, 'Yo, how is the Bay Area?'"Owens, a Hall of Famer who spent the first eight years of his career in San Francisco, added that he believes the marriage between Brown and the Steelers has run its course.Brown has been embroiled in trade rumors since abandoning the Steelers while they were preparing for a must-win game in Week 17. He's posted several messages on social media since the end of the season that hint at his desire for a trade out of Pittsburgh."He has gone out and had his play do the talking for him, so I think with all of the things surrounding him there in (Pittsburgh), I think it is best for him to part ways," said Owens. "... You have seen tweets and messages from management that they don't anticipate him being in training camp, and I think Antonio has made it clear where he stands with where he wants to be and that's not in a Steelers uniform."Like Brown, Owens was highly productive on the field, but he attracted plenty of controversy during his career.Brown, who will turn 31 years old in July, posted 1,297 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has no recollection of facing Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay when the two were in college."Honestly, I don't," Edelman told reporters on Friday. "But it was pretty cool to see some footage. It was cool."Edelman, a quarterback at Kent State, and McVay, a wide receiver at Miami (Ohio), battled in 2007. They're set to clash again on Feb. 3 in Atlanta, where Edelman's Patriots and McVay's Rams will square off in Super Bowl LIII.

The Baltimore Ravens signed head coach John Harbaugh to a new four-year contract on Thursday, stabilizing the team's leadership through the 2022 campaign.Harbaugh believes 22-year-old quarterback Lamar Jackson will be the answer throughout his extended tenure, despite outside concerns over the injury risks associated with his run-heavy style."Every player is one play away from being hurt, and every quarterback standing in the pocket is one hit away from being hurt, too," Harbaugh said, according to Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com. "The fact that he gets out and runs and scrambles … I get it. I think it’s fair to consider that, but you can’t live your life in fear. I think there’s just as much fear on the other side as he’s going to take the thing to the house if he gets out and runs too. So we’ll live in that world as opposed to the other world."Jackson led the Ravens to a 6-1 record to close the regular season after replacing an injured Joe Flacco in Week 11. He racked up 556 rushing yards and four scores on the ground over 119 attempts but completed just 58.2 percent of his passes as a starter, while throwing for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions.He was shut down by the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, as they held him below 50 percent passing and to just 54 yards as a rusher while sacking him seven times.Harbaugh and Jackson are both confident the No. 32 pick of the 2018 draft will be able to make the necessary improvements as a passer to come back as an even greater offensive threat in his sophomore season."Throughout the course of the offseason he’s going to throw the ball a lot," Harbaugh said. "He’s going to have his receivers and throw the ball to them, he already told me that and all those other things. He should come back, I expect him to come back a better quarterback skill-wise than he was when he left. He’s determined to do that."The Ravens' offense is set to have wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead return in 2019, while 2018's team leader in both yards and touchdowns, John Brown, will become a free agent at the end of the league year in March.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageBrandon Spikes found out the hard way that "The Patriot Way" doesn't include Pro Bowls.While lamenting his snub in 2012 as a member of the New England Patriots, Spikes encountered quarterback Tom Brady, who quickly adjusted his attitude."I had one of my best years my third season," the former linebacker recalled to Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated. "I'd been playing off the charts. And I didn't get picked to go to the Pro Bowl. I was moping around, actually in tears, and a few guys were trying to lift me up, like, 'It's gonna be alright man. We've got to worry about what's in front of us.'"Then The Pharaoh himself walks up to me - I used to call Brady The Pharoah and he hated that - Brady walks up to me and says, 'Hey B, you think I play this shit to go to Pro Bowls? Get it together. Get your head up. We're trying to win rings. That's what it is here.' That's where I knew what kind of environment I was in, how blessed I was."Spikes played for New England from 2010-13. He last suited up for the Buffalo Bills in 2016.The Florida product never wound up receiving a Pro Bowl nod with either team.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Cody Parkey's ill-fated field-goal attempt against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round could be his last kick as a member of the Chicago Bears.The Bears worked out a group of potential replacements for Parkey on Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and former Tulsa kicker Redford Jones won the job. His agent announced the signing later in the day.Joining Jones was Nick Folk, Blair Walsh, Austin MacGinnis - who attended Bears minicamp last year - Josh Gable, and Ernesto Lacayo, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Parkey went on "The Today Show" following his partially tipped double-doink miss - which eliminated Chicago from the playoffs - drawing the ire of his head coach, Matt Nagy, who said the appearance was a "me" move from the veteran.Additionally, Bears general manager Ryan Pace said he wanted to improve the team's kicking options for 2019.The 26-year-old Parkey struggled throughout 2018. He hit just 76.7 percent of his kicks during the regular season, down from 91.3 percent in 2017 with the Miami Dolphins.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the Pro Bowl just days away, let's take a look at how the rosters would be filled out if they were based solely on players' 2018 fantasy performances.AFCQuarterbackJamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyPatrick Mahomes, ChiefsIn his first year as a starter, Mahomes had one of the best fantasy seasons of all time, nearly matching Peyton Manning's lofty totals from 2013. You might as well reserve his spot on both the real-life and fantasy Pro Bowl rosters for the next decade.Honorable mention: Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew LuckRunning BackHarry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyMelvin Gordon, ChargersEven though he was limited to just 12 games due to injury, Gordon still emerged with more fantasy points than any other back in the AFC.James Conner, SteelersConner also had his season cut short by injury yet still finished as a top-seven back in both standard and PPR formats.Joe Mixon, BengalsDespite playing in an offense plagued by injuries, Mixon refused to have his breakout delayed any longer. He finished with the fourth-most fantasy points among AFC rushers, behind only Gordon, Conner, and the exiled Kareem Hunt.Honorable mention: Phillip Lindsay, Derrick HenryWide ReceiverIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDeAndre Hopkins, TexansHopkins ended the year second in receiving yards (1,572), third in receptions (115), and fifth in receiving touchdowns (11). He was the only player in the league to crack the top five in all three categories.Tyreek Hill, ChiefsHill, who's still playing on his rookie contract, erupted for 87 catches, 1,479 receiving yards, 151 rushing yards, and 14 combined touchdowns. His transformation from gadget player to true No. 1 receiver is complete.Antonio Brown, SteelersIt's unfortunate that Brown's stellar season has been overshadowed by his rift with the Pittsburgh Steelers and rumors of him being traded in the offseason. Don't forget, this was his sixth straight year with over 100 receptions and 1,200 yards. And he just happened to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2018 with 15.Honorable mention: JuJu Smith-Schuster, T.Y. HiltonTight EndDilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Sport / GettyTravis Kelce, ChiefsNot only was Kelce fantasy's No. 1 scoring tight end, but his stats would have made him a top-nine fantasy wide receiver as well.Eric Ebron, ColtsAfter compiling 12 total touchdowns in his four seasons with the Detroit Lions, Ebron put up 14 in just one campaign with the Indianapolis Colts. He also set career marks for receptions (66) and receiving yards (750), vaulting him to TE4 on the year.Honorable mention: Jared Cook, Rob GronkowskiDefenseBob Levey / Getty Images Sport / GettyHouston TexansThe AFC really didn't have an impact defense in 2018, but the Texans took advantage of an extremely easy schedule to stand above the pack.Honorable mention: Baltimore RavensKickerTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyKa'imi Fairbairn, TexansFairbairn led all kickers in fantasy points, thanks in part to a pair of five-field goal games down the stretch that helped his owners at the most crucial time of their seasons.Honorable mention: Justin TuckerNFCQuarterbackIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMatt Ryan, FalconsWhile he was well behind the pace set by Mahomes, Ryan was the top scoring fantasy quarterback from the NFC. He averaged nearly 40 more passing yards per game than Drew Brees and outlasted Cam Newton, whose season was ended early due to injury.Honorable mention: Drew Brees, Cam NewtonRunning BackIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyTodd Gurley, RamsGurley averaged over three points more per game than any other back in standard leagues and two points more in PPR formats during the regular season.Saquon Barkley, GiantsIt didn't take long for Barkley to secure a spot among the elite at his position. At just 21 years old, the New York Giants' first-round pick posted at least 100 yards from scrimmage in 13 of his 16 rookie outings.Christian McCaffrey, PanthersMany questioned McCaffrey's ability to hold up to a full workload in the pros. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back put those doubts to rest with a 326-touch campaign, third most in the NFL.Honorable mention: Alvin Kamara, Ezekiel ElliottWide ReceiverIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDavante Adams, PackersAdams posted the most fantasy points of any NFC pass-catcher while setting career highs in receptions (111), receiving yards (1,386), and touchdowns (13). His weekly production featured at least 81 yards or a touchdown.Julio Jones, FalconsEven when he's not scoring touchdowns, like in the first half of the campaign, Jones is still racking up yardage at an unprecedented rate. The Falcons star led the league with 1,677 receiving yards in 2018 and has eclipsed 1,400 yards in each of the last five seasons.Michael Thomas, SaintsThomas hauled in the most passes league-wide this season with 125. It's hard not to give the nod to Adam Thielen, who started the year with eight consecutive 100-yard games, but Thomas maintained a more consistent pace throughout the campaign.Honorable mention: Adam Thielen, Mike EvansTight EndIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyZach Ertz, EaglesErtz remained an elite fantasy option and his value was highest in PPR leagues given his 116 receptions, which were the most ever by a tight end and second to only Thomas in 2018.George Kittle, 49ersKittle set the single-season record for yards by a tight end with 1,377, finishing as a top-three fantasy player at his position in his sophomore campaign. If he can increase his touchdown total, he'll rival Kelce as fantasy's best tight end.Honorable mention: O.J. Howard, Evan EngramDefenseJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyChicago BearsThe Khalil Mack trade took the Bears' defense from a top-10 unit and turned it into a week-winner in fantasy. It averaged just under three fantasy points per game more than the next closest defense.Honorable mention: New Orleans SaintsKickerChristian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyWil Lutz, SaintsTargeting a kicker on a team with a high-scoring offense is always the best approach, especially when 11 of his 16 games are played indoors.Honorable mention: Greg ZuerleinCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has yet to provide an official statement on the missed penalty call late in last Sunday's NFC Championship Game, but it made a statement of sorts by fining Los Angeles Rams corner Nickell Robey-Coleman for the play in question.Robey-Coleman was fined $26,739 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New Orleans Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source. Robey-Coleman was infamously not penalized for either defensive pass interference or a helmet-to-helmet hit on the crucial play late in the title game.With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the Saints were marching with the score tied 20-20 and 1:49 left in the fourth quarter. On third-and-10, just 13 yards from the end zone, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a pass to Lewis, but Robey-Coleman laid him out before the ball arrived.

The GOAT isn't done just yet.The Indianapolis Colts and kicker Adam Vinatieri have agreed to terms on a new contract to extend the future Hall of Famer's career to a 24th season, the team announced Friday.Vinatieri turned 46 years old in December and was set to become a free agent. He captured two separate records in 2018 from former kicker Morten Andersen, first becoming the league's all-time leader in made field goals with his 557th in Week 4 and then surpassing Andersen for the most points ever scored, which he achieved in Week 9.The veteran has yet to show significant signs of decline, as he hit on 85.2 percent of his kicks during the regular season - in line with his career average - and all but three of his extra-point attempts.Vinatieri did struggle in Indy's playoff exit to the Kansas City Chiefs, missing his only field-goal attempt as well as one of his two extra-point tries.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageFormer Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson apparently had an eventful start to his day.The 41-year-old tweeted early Friday, saying he witnessed the arrest of his neighbor Roger Stone, a longtime informal adviser to President Donald Trump.

The current drama surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and receiver Antonio Brown has been brewing for years, according to those who have been in the locker room.ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke with nearly 20 current or former Steelers players to learn what caused the current chasm between Brown and his team.Many of those teammates shared that most of the frustration originates from years of leniency shown to Brown, as he's been allowed to arrive late for meetings and have special living arrangements during training camp. Others pointed to Brown's partnership with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger."They've got a love-hate relationship - they'd love each other and hate each other at times, like all relationships," said former Steelers wideout Markus Wheaton."It's usually a misunderstanding - something Ben did set A.B. off, or A.B. did that set Ben off. But they would get through it, and then it's hugs and touchdowns."The duo connected on a league-leading 15 touchdowns this season, but a reported incident during practice ahead of the team's must-win Week 17 game led to Brown being made inactive for the contest.Brown and Roethlisberger have had well-documented disputes, including when the quarterback blamed his receiver for a play that resulted in a game-ending interception against the Denver Broncos in Week 12."We just know they are heated at each other," linebacker Bud Dupree said. "It's not Coach Tomlin, but two grown men ... butting heads."However, another player who chose to remain anonymous downplayed the problems between the two."Ben and A.B. talk more than a lot of people on the team ... I've never seen the dynamic between these two (that's demonstrative)," the player told Fowler. "If anything, Ben is really easy on him and always blames himself when a mistake happens between the two."Brown has yet to speak publicly about the Week 17 incident. Team president Art Rooney II said Wednesday that there is still "some work to do" before determining how the team will proceed with Brown.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brandin Cooks is due a bump in his awareness rating.The Los Angeles Rams receiver revealed he purposely dropped a pass ahead of the game-winning kick during overtime in the NFC Championship Game.The play that preceded Greg Zuerlein's successful 57-yard field goal was a screen to Cooks. The wideout shuffled a couple of yards behind the line of scrimmage and noticed New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore would likely have tackled him for a loss had he hauled in the pass from Jared Goff."I think it's one of those things where you see what happened, one of the (defensive ends) and Marshon, the way that they played it, being able to be in the backfield before I technically really was able to catch the ball and get upfield. I think it was more important to save those yards, not that Greg needs them, but rather play it safe than sorry," Cooks said, according to NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman.Cooks' quick thinking in the heat of the moment and with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line earned effusive praise from his head coach and teammates."Brandin Cooks, talk about a smart football player," Sean McVay said. "Having the presence when I give him a terrible play call on the third down to drop it, knowing that it would have been a terrible play where he intentionally drops it.""Yeah, I was not aware at the time that he did that intentionally," said Goff. "Afterwards, I found out that that was a pre-decision. I probably shouldn't have even thrown it to him. I should've just thrown it at his feet. But yeah, it was smart. Saved us about four yards there."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore picks a major move each NFL team can make this offseason to ensure it's playing in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami.AFC I NFCArizona CardinalsBring college football's offensive revolution to the NFLIf the Cardinals are to overcome the shortcomings of their roster and ride Josh Rosen all the way to next year's Super Bowl, they'll need some wizardry from rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Arizona poached Kingsbury from the college ranks hoping he'll replicate Sean McVay's success in Los Angeles. McVay reached the Super Bowl in Year 2. Arizona's brass is hoping Kingsbury can do the Cardinals one better.Atlanta FalconsGet league-average defensive playAtlanta has the weapons to go toe to toe with the rest of the league's offensive powers. What the Falcons are lacking is a defense that will keep them in games. Despite a top 10 finish in points scored, the Falcons finished minus-9 in point differential. Injuries to Deion Jones, Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen, and Derrick Shelby at various points of the season obviously didn't help. Head coach Dan Quinn will take over the defense in 2019 and that's a good place to start.Carolina PanthersEnsure Cam Newton makes an Andrew Luck-like recoveryThe Panthers' fortunes rest on Newton's shoulders, so his ailing throwing shoulder should be treated with the utmost care. Some 600 miles north, the Indianapolis Colts lost Andrew Luck for a full season because of a shoulder problem; a patient - though painstaking - recovery process allowed him to lead the Colts back to the playoffs upon his return this season. Let that be a cautionary tale for Carolina.Chicago BearsJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyBuild an indomitable defenseWith Matt Nagy leading a still-developing Mitch Trubisky, the Bears are on the right track on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side of things, Chicago is already one of the best in the league; there's little room to improve on football's third-best defense and top-ranked run-stuffing unit. But if the Bears continue investing heavily in their defense, it could be the NFL's best for years to come.Dallas CowboysHire an innovative offensive coordinatorIt wasn't working under Scott Linehan. The Cowboys' offense hit its stride halfway through the season, but there's no reason a team with Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, and that offensive line should be ranked 22nd in total offense. Rather than hiring Linehan's replacement from within, Dallas should target an innovative mind for its next offensive coordinator, one that will best utilize the dual-threat capabilities of both Prescott and Elliott.Detroit LionsRebuild the receiving corpsIf Matthew Stafford's going to hang with the other passers in the NFC North, he'll need a replenished stable of receivers. Gone are Golden Tate and Eric Ebron, and Marvin Jones could follow. Kenny Golladay and TJ Jones won't get it done in the high-flying NFC without reinforcements. Stafford finally has a trustworthy running back in Kerryon Johnson. Now he needs reliable hands on the other end of his passes.Green Bay PackersMake Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur best friendsThe Packers have no time to waste. Rodgers has one Super Bowl ring through his first 14 NFL seasons, so it already feels like most of his time as Green Bay's starter has been wasted. He and his new head coach have to click immediately to ensure the Packers not only end their two-year playoff drought but get back to the top of the mountain before the 35-year-old quarterback calls it quits.Los Angeles RamsRob Leiter / Getty Images Sport / GettyStay aggressiveCorrectly identifying this as their championship window, the Rams spent big in the offseason to add Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, and Brandin Cooks. The result is a trip to Super Bowl LIII. Whether they beat the Patriots or not, the Rams only have so long with Jared Goff on his rookie contract and Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley in the prime of their careers. Keep your foot on the gas.Minnesota VikingsRebuild the offensive lineMike Zimmer may hate offensive coordinators, but the Vikings' problems lay in their inability to give Kirk Cousins time to throw and Dalvin Cook space to run. Cousins was the second-most pressured quarterback in the league and Cook was held to one yard or less on 30 percent of his carries. Any tinkering Minnesota does in the offseason has to start with the offensive line.New Orleans SaintsAdd a secondary receiving optionNo single fix would have prevented the gaffe that led to the Minneapolis Miracle in 2017 or the blatant missed call in this year's NFC title game. But there is one thing this perennial juggernaut can do to improve its chances at reaching next year's Super Bowl: Get Michael Thomas some help. It was supposed to be Dez Bryant's role before he tore his Achilles. Thomas was held to 36 yards against the Rams. Alvin Kamara caught 11 passes out of the backfield and all other receivers had three catches or less. The Saints' All-Pro wideout needs a partner out wide.New York GiantsDraft Kyler MurrayThe best way to take immediate advantage of a crop of skill players featuring dynamic running back Saquon Barkley and star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is to give them a new quarterback who can put them in a position to succeed. Add Murray's dual-threat ability and the Giants instantly become one of the most feared offenses in the league. In today's NFL, that just may be enough to reach title contention.Philadelphia EaglesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAdd a running threatAside from covering Carson Wentz in bubble wrap, the Eagles could do their franchise quarterback a favor by providing him with a dependable running game. Due in part to Jay Ajayi's injury-shortened season, Philadelphia finished 28th in rushing. To compensate, the Eagles attempted the seventh-most passes in the league. The lack of a running threat hurt them in the playoffs, where they averaged 45.5 yards on the ground in two postseason games.San Francisco 49ersHit a home run with the No. 2 pickIf the Niners have it their way, they won't have such an early pick again for the foreseeable future. For the second consecutive year, San Francisco will enter 2019 with enthusiasm and optimism for what could be. Jimmy Garoppolo should return from injury to join a strong offensive line, proven playmakers, and a top-15 defense. With the right selection in April, the 49ers could be a sneaky Super Bowl pick.Seattle SeahawksPut the ball in Russell Wilson's handsWilson has proven he can accomplish great things even with a shallow supporting cast. As the Seahawks learned in their wild-card round loss - in which they relied predominantly on their defense and run game - they need to empower their Pro Bowl quarterback. He threw a career-high 35 passing touchdowns in 2018 despite posting the fewest pass attempts since his sophomore season. He also ran the ball less than he has in any other season. Seattle needs to trust in Russ.Tampa Bay BuccaneersGet the defense up to speed with the offenseDespite a three-game suspension to Jameis Winston and a game of hot potato between him and Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Buccaneers finished the season with the league's top-ranked passing game and third-ranked offense. They've since installed quarterback whisperer Bruce Arians as head coach to get the most out of Winston. If new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles can shore up Tampa Bay's 27th-ranked defense, the Bucs can right the ship in a hurry.Washington RedskinsJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettySign Joe Flacco in free agencyThey might be better off tanking for a top pick in 2020, but if the Redskins really want to go all-in for a Super Bowl, the first step is acquiring a healthy quarterback. They'd have to find a way out of Alex Smith's expensive contract first, but at that point, they could target Flacco - a former Super Bowl MVP - and build a dynamic passing attack around him. Washington would also have to add the requisite receiving targets, but it all starts with signing one of the biggest names in free agency.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook released 442 prop bets Thursday in advance of Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.The Patriots are 2.5-point favorites, while the over-under sits at 57.5.Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is favored to win Super Bowl MVP and has even odds to do so. Rams pivot Jared Goff boasts 2-1 odds.MVP oddsPlayerTeamOddsTom BradyPatriotsEvenJared GoffRams2-1Sony MichelPatriots16-1Todd GurleyRams16-1Aaron DonaldRams20-1C.J. AndersonRams20-1Brandin CooksRams30-1Julian EdelmanPatriots30-1Robert WoodsRams30-1Rob GronkowskiPatriots40-1James WhitePatriots40-1Patriots running back Sony Michel is favored to score the first touchdown of the championship contest with 6-1 odds, while his Rams counterpart, Todd Gurley, owns 7-1 odds.Player to score first TDPlayerTeamOddsSony MichelPatriots6-1Todd GurleyRams7-1Robert WoodsRams8-1C.J. AndersonRams8-1James WhitePatriots10-1Julian EdelmanPatriots10-1Brandin CooksRams10-1Rob GronkowskiPatriots12-1Several other fascinating prop wagers are available, featuring action from other major sports.Who will have more?

You know what's better than the Super Bowl? That's right, the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown!OK, maybe not ... fine, definitely not.Still, watching NFL stars participate in an array of contests was pretty entertaining. Here are the highlights from each event from the showdown that ESPN aired on Thursday night:Best HandsRussell Wilson and Adam Thielen stole the show in the Best Hands competition. They were the only duo to get through every checkpoint on the first throw.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo as their new defensive coordinator.Spagnuolo will replace Bob Sutton, who was fired on Tuesday.The 59-year-old has spent six seasons as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, most recently with the New York Giants, and he was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2011. Spagnuolo was out of the league in 2018."Steve is a bright defensive mind with a lot of coaching experience and success in our league," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "I know him well from our time together in Philadelphia and I feel that his leadership skills and teaching abilities, combined with his scheme, will be a great fit for our team as we move forward."He began his NFL coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive assistant under Reid.Kansas City fielded the league's 31st-ranked defense during the 2018 regular season and then gave up 37 points to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock delivered a vote of confidence Thursday to quarterback Derek Carr, stymieing rumors the franchise could be preparing to draft his replacement."He's a starting quarterback in the NFL," Mayock told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He can make every throw. We've got to do a better job of protecting him and giving him weapons. He played with two rookie tackles last year. we need to get more speed on offense. We need to be more dynamic. Derek Carr, at this point, is kind of the least of our problems."Mayock said a month ago that he needed to study Carr before determining whether he was fit to be the Raiders quarterback of the future.The 27-year-old pivot threw for 4,049 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 picks in 2018. He struggled throughout the season to make plays downfield, a problem consistent for much of his career.Oakland holds the fourth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. The class, though, is widely considered weak at quarterback.Carr, meanwhile, is under contract through the 2022 campaign. The Raiders would only absorb a $7.5-million cap hit in dead money for 2019 if they trade or release him this offseason, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone and Woods are joined by theScore's gambling writer Alex Kolodziej to discuss Super Bowl props and predictions for the big game.Topics include:

The Baltimore Ravens have officially signed head coach John Harbaugh to a new four-year contract, the team announced Thursday.Harbaugh is now signed through the 2022 campaign, which would be his 15th season in charge of Baltimore.Staring down a contract year in 2019, the Super Bowl-winning coach's future with the Ravens was in question to start the 2018 campaign after three seasons outside the playoffs - and his seat got significantly hotter when his team started 4-5.However, after starting rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, Harbaugh led the Ravens to six wins in their last seven games to secure the AFC North. Baltimore was immediately kicked from the postseason, however, losing 23-17 to the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round.Harbaugh owns a 104-72 record over 11 campaigns with Baltimore.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said Thursday he's not interested in becoming a head coach again in the future."I'm not," he told reporters at his introductory press conference, via ESPN's Jeff Dickerson. "I've done it."Pagano led the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-17, making the playoffs three times.The 58-year-old spent the 2018 season as an NFL consultant before joining the Bears, who lost Vic Fangio to the Denver Broncos."I'm motivated to just help coach Matt Nagy be successful," he said. "Help this organization be successful. Help these kids grow and develop. That's my motivation is to be the best I can be for this organization, for the McCaskey family, for coach Nagy and for these players and for these coaches and help develop these guys. That's the only thing I want to do."Pagano was rumored to interview for the Green Bay Packers' head coaching job several weeks ago. He coordinated the Baltimore Ravens' defense in 2011.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder Thursday, the team announced.The Panthers say he'll begin the rehab process immediately. A timetable for his return to football activities wasn't released, but the plan is for Newton to be throwing again once organized team activities start in May, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.Newton missed the final two games of the 2018 season after struggling through shoulder soreness during the second half of the year. In mid-December, the 2015 MVP said the injury wasn't getting better or worse with treatments."Just shoulder soreness," he said. "I wish I could say what the injury is because I really don't know what it is either. It doesn't matter how much you push, no matter how much you ice, anti-inflammatory you take - trust me, I did it. Acupuncture, massages, it's not been a time where a night went by without me getting some type of work done on my arm."Newton finished the season with 3,395 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 14 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL saw a 24 percent decrease in the number of diagnosed concussions during the 2018 season from the previous year, according to NFL.com's Judy Battista, who cites data released by the league.There were 214 concussions reported in 2018, including the preseason, compared to 281 in 2017 over that same period.League officials are optimistic about the results but have yet to analyze the data and determine the factors which most contributed to the shift."We are pleased with the progress," said Jeffrey Miller, the NFL's executive vice president for health and safety initiatives. "It was obviously an advance for the health and safety of our players to see fewer concussions. But it is simply one step in our longer effort to continue to drive down concussion rates."The NFL enacted a number of changes for the 2018 campaign in an effort to limit concussions after experiencing a record number the year prior - dating back to 2012 when the league began to release its data.Adjuments were made to kickoffs and helmet-to-helmet penalties, and the league encouraged the use of advanced helmets. According to data collected by the NFL, 74 percent of players used advanced helmets this season, compared to the 41 percent who wore them in 2017.Of the 538 sideline concussion evaluations completed during the regular season, more than 75 percent did not end with a concussion diagnosis, according to Battista.The league's health and safety specialists will be able to better evaluate what specifically led to the decrease when they gather for the NFL Scouting Combine in February.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets safety Jamal Adams was having some fun playing to the crowd at the Pro Bowl on Wednesday when he lined up and tackled the New England Patriots' mascot.But it turns out the hit sent the man in the costume to the hospital.

Receiver Julian Edelman had seven catches in the New England Patriots' win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, passing Reggie Wayne to claim the No. 2 spot on the all-time playoff receptions list.Edelman's 105 postseason catches only trail Jerry Rice, and the NFL legend believes the Patriots wideout is something special to watch in New England's offense."He's got that attitude," Rice told The Athletic's Jeff Howe. "That 'f--- you' attitude: 'I'm going to do what I want to do, and I’m going to go out and I’m going to ball. I’m going to make catches. I’m going to score touchdowns. I’m going to do whatever I have to do to help my team win.'"You can only have an appreciation for that."In his two playoff games this postseason, Edelman's brought in 16 catches for 247 yards. Tom Brady used him as his safety blanket against the Chiefs, targeting him four times on crucial third downs. Edelman converted all four, including 20-yard and 15-yard receptions in overtime on the game-winning drive.Rice, who boasts 151 career playoff receptions, knows Edelman's on his tail."He’s coming after me," Rice said. "If that should happen, I would be the first one to congratulate him because of what he does on the football field. I think he’s making his own mark. He’s made a name for himself."Although the Patriots receiver, who's played in 17 career playoff games, may need another couple more runs before he catches up with Rice, he can move up from fourth in career postseason receiving yards (1,271) by passing Cliff Branch (1,289) and Michael Irvin (1,315) during Super Bowl LIII."They talk about the New England Patriots don’t have a go-to guy," Rice said. "Edelman is that guy, and he is going to find a way to get open and make the catch and keep the chains moving. He is just killing people. If the Rams cannot shut him and Brady down, they’re going to lose."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams looking for an answer under center this offseason will likely pursue veteran quarterbacks such as Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, and Teddy Bridgewater, who are all expected to be free agents or available via trade.But one potential name has flown under the radar after a year spent out of the spotlight - Indianapolis Colts pivot Jacoby Brissett, who currently backs up Andrew Luck.The 26-year-old Brissett started 15 games in 2017 while Luck was sidelined with a shoulder injury and threw for 3,098 yards and 13 touchdowns to seven interceptions, while adding another 260 yards and four scores on the ground.However, he attempted just four passes in 2018 with Luck back in the fold."I want to be a starter in this league," Brissett said earlier this offseason, according to Mike Chappell of Fox 59. "If that's what you're asking me, yeah, I want to be a starter in this league."Brissett has one year remaining on his rookie deal, which will pay him a bargain salary of $890,000 in 2019. And with capable backups in short supply and given Luck's injury history, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said earlier this month he won't trade Brissett unless an offer blows him away.While he wants a bigger role, Brissett also insisted he's happy living in the moment."I can't complain about anything. I'm blessed," he said. "I've got a good job. I pay my bills. My family's good. I'm good."To think of something that might happen in the near future would be stupid to be honest with you. I'm not going to do that."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore picks a major move each NFL team can make this offseason to ensure it's playing in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami.AFC I NFC (Friday)Baltimore RavensDraft a No. 1 receiverLamar Jackson set the league ablaze during the final stretch of the regular season as part of an unstoppable Ravens rushing attack. But the rookie quarterback was exposed in the playoffs for what is still a very raw passing game. Jackson just turned 22 years old, so it's logical for the Ravens to turn to the draft to find him a No. 1 target to grow with and give the offense the right balance to pair with an already championship-ready defense.Buffalo BillsSpend big in free agency to boost defenseIt's probably unwise (and likely detrimental to his development) to ask Josh Allen to carry a team at this stage of his career. However, that doesn't mean he can't be one of the main ingredients in the winning formula for Buffalo, so long as another element is a top-tier defense. The Bills were the second-ranked defense in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric and could be even better in 2019 with free-agent reinforcements. They should look to the team that finished above them - the Chicago Bears - for a blueprint on how to win with a defense-first approach.Cincinnati BengalsHire an actual general manager to run the teamMike Brown isn't selling the Bengals anytime soon, but the team's owner needs to loosen his iron-clad grip on the franchise - especially after firing Marvin Lewis - if it's to escape mediocrity. Brown acts as Cincinnati's de facto GM, which might be a more difficult situation to navigate with incoming head coach Zac Taylor's lack of experience. The Bengals need a talent infusion across the board if they hope to sniff the postseason, and that won't happen unless Brown hands over the wheel to a superior football mind.Cleveland BrownsDiamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyTrade for Odell Beckham Jr.Of course, every team in the league would benefit greatly from acquiring a player as talented as Beckham. But no one would welcome it more than the Browns and, in particular, quarterback Baker Mayfield. Under Freddie Kitchens, Cleveland is going to keep throwing the ball downfield, and Jarvis Landry is ill-suited to be the top target. The Browns have the cap space and draft capital to pull off the move, and while the Giants have committed to the All-Pro receiver, their resolve could be tested with a big offer.Denver BroncosTrade up for Ohio State QB Dwayne HaskinsJohn Elway desperately needs to find his ... well, John Elway. Case Keenum wasn't the answer, as Denver's GM admitted, and potential free-agent options such as Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco will only keep the cracks papered over. Haskins isn't a prospect on the level of Mayfield or Sam Darnold, but he's the best shot at a franchise passer in this draft and would give Denver a solid chance at an instant turnaround.Houston TexansFix pass protectionIt's a minor miracle Deshaun Watson made it through the entire season unscathed. The Texans allowed their franchise quarterback to be sacked an NFL-worst 62 times and hit an additional 133 times. Watson already suffered a torn ACL in his rookie season and continuing to risk his health behind a group of journeymen would be coaching malpractice. Houston needs to explore every avenue, from free agency to the draft to the waiver wire, to find better protectors for Watson.Indianapolis ColtsFind a No. 2 wide receiverWith Andrew Luck back healthy and firing on all cylinders, the Colts' offense thrived under the guidance of head coach Frank Reich. But Indy was unable to compensate when T.Y. Hilton was slowed by an ankle injury late in the season. The Colts must find a running mate for Hilton, whether in the draft or through free agency. They were among the worst teams in terms of yards after the catch, so the shifty Golden Tate might catch GM Chris Ballard's eye.Jacksonville JaguarsSign Teddy Bridgewater in free agencyAl Pereira / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Blake Bortles experiment is mercifully over, but with an expensive roster full of seasoned veterans, the Jaguars likely don't have time to wait for a rookie quarterback to develop. Jacksonville should do what it should've last season and roll the dice on Bridgewater, who has the talent to unlock the offense's potential.Kansas City ChiefsSign Earl Thomas in free agencyPatrick Mahomes and Co. are Super Bowl ready, but the defense needs significant changes, as evidenced by the Patriots' ability to move up and down the field at will in the AFC title game. Coordinator Bob Sutton has already been shown the door, and Kansas City should bring in an elite weapon for his replacement to gleefully deploy. Thomas is one of the NFL's true game-changers and his deep-ball coverage skills are unrivaled. Even if it means parting ways with Eric Berry, the Chiefs should go all-in on Thomas, presuming he's recovered from the broken leg that ended his season.Los Angeles ChargersHire a sports psychologistTalent has rarely been an issue for the Chargers during the Philip Rivers era, and this iteration has more than enough playmakers to make a Super Bowl run. But the Chargers have lacked mental fortitude - as well as luck - in critical situations for years, spanning the tenures of both Mike McCoy and Anthony Lynn. Addressing their issues by investing in sports psychology - in a similar way to the Colts, who hired Vision Pursue to assist in mindfulness training for their players, according to The Ringer's Robert Mays - might be the way the Chargers finally get over the hump.Miami DolphinsTrade for/sign Nick FolesAdmittedly, it's going to take a lot for the rebuilding Dolphins to even make the playoffs due to the Patriots' presence in the AFC East. Finding a way past New England is priority one, two, and three for Miami, so why not turn to one of the only men who's stared down the dynasty and won? Foles would be a significant upgrade on Ryan Tannehill, and his leadership qualities could galvanize Miami's locker room.New England PatriotsDon't let Tom Brady or Bill Belichick retireJamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyPresuming to know what's best for a team heading into its third straight Super Bowl appearance is farcical. All the Patriots need to do to make it four in a row is keep the Brady-Belichick tandem intact. That's it.New York JetsSign Le'Veon Bell in free agencyLike the rest of the non-Patriots of the AFC East, the Jets are a long way from Super Bowl contention. But they do have a quarterback who flashed elite potential in his rookie season. Darnold breaking out in a similar fashion to Jared Goff could happen if he's paired with star running back Bell, who's set for a big payday in free agency. The duo has the potential to make the Jets the shock success story of 2019.Oakland RaidersHit big on all three first-round picksJon Gruden hit the reset button on the Raiders almost immediately upon his return to coaching. Trading away two Pro Bowl players in 2018 tells us Oakland isn't expecting to win next season. The Raiders are left with three 2019 first-round picks, though, and if all can be difference-makers from Day 1, they might return to the postseason sooner than most expect.Pittsburgh SteelersTrade Antonio Brown for defensive helpThe conventional wisdom is the Steelers - tired of Brown's antics and intent on fixing their locker room issues - will trade the All-Pro receiver for at least a first-round pick. However, Pittsburgh is built to win right now, and it was the defense, not the offense, that let the team down late in the regular season. The Steelers should attempt to land a blue-chip defender for Brown instead of draft capital that might not pay immediate dividends.Tennessee TitansInvest in the offensive lineFrederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / GettyThirteen weeks into his third season, Derrick Henry was dangerously close to being hit with the "bust" label. Instead of the breakout year many expected, the former second-rounder failed to rush for over 60 yards in any of the Titans' first 12 games before exploding for 585 over the final stretch. A pounding running game to lean on is exactly head coach Mike Vrabel's vision, so Tennessee would be wise not to let its inconsistent O-line hold back what could be an intimidating offense now that Henry has found his fire.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two weeks after Art Rooney II stated it would be "hard to envision" Antonio Brown being a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers come training camp in July, the team president may have softened his stance.Rooney appeared to leave the door open for a reunion while speaking to Steelers fans in a conference call Wednesday."There are a lot of factors we have to take into account on it. We'd have to sit down with Antonio and understand where he is and make sure he understands where we are," Rooney said, according to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review."There is some work to do before we figure that out."After Brown was benched for the Steelers' must-win season finale for reportedly missing meetings and practices, Rooney said the team wouldn't release the disgruntled receiver, but all other options are on the table," including a trade.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns might be more dysfunctional than previously imagined.A Thursday report from ESPN's Seth Wickersham highlights a series of issues the organization has dealt with since Jimmy and Dee Haslam bought the team in 2012.The Browns have gone 27-84 since the couple took ownership, experiencing a series of changes to coaches, general managers, and executives.According to Wickersham, shortly after replacing head coach Rob Chudzinski - after just one season - with Mike Pettine, and firing CEO Joe Banner and general manager Michael Lombardi to promote assistant GM Ray Farmer, Jimmy Haslam influenced the group to select quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round of the 2014 draft.Members of the staff apparently preferred Teddy Bridgewater, but that changed after his team interview and workout."Something about Bridgewater's handshake rubbed Haslam the wrong way," according to Wickersham.When Manziel began sliding in the first round of the draft, he texted then-quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to ask the team to select him."Farmer knew whom the owner wanted, so he made a decision that felt like a concession and traded up to draft him, despite significant concerns about Manziel's skill set and hard partying at Texas A&M," Wickersham writes.Haslam's influence didn't end there.After two seasons, 10 wins, and plenty of bad press during the Farmer-Pettine regime, Haslam installed Sashi Brown as executive vice president of football operations and set out to find the right head coach for a drastic rebuild."It was 4-1 in favor of Sean McDermott, the (Carolina) Panthers' defensive coordinator, a coach who had crushed his interview and was known to be open to new ideas. Haslam voted for Hue Jackson," Wickersham writes.Jackson signed on reportedly unaware of the level to which the team was preparing to rebuild. What followed was a one-win season and a winless season. Finally, in 2018, infighting between Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, which was on display during HBO's inside-the-locker-room documentary "Hard Knocks," led to the dismissal of both.The Browns hired Freddie Kitchens as head coach in January, making him the fifth full-time head coach during Haslam's seven-year tenure.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Among the many revelations from the report by ESPN's Seth Wickersham on the division within the ranks of the Cleveland Browns is an account of a colorful exchange between upper management and former head coach Hue Jackson.Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager John Dorsey walked into Jackson's office to fire him on Oct. 29, sources told Wickersham. When Jackson asked why he was being let go, Dorsey told him the team had quit on him."Get the f--- out of my office," Jackson responded, according to Wickersham.Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams replaced Jackson on an interim basis before interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens was promoted to the full-time job in January.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Representatives of the Fritz Pollard Alliance - a group that works closely with the NFL on hiring processes - plan to ask league officials to add two minority coaches in quality-control positions per team, group chairman John Wooten said Wednesday, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.Wooten said the policy would allow minority coaches to get into the coaching pipeline and give them the opportunity to gain experience and earn promotions "toward becoming position coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators and, eventually, head coaches.""It’s very obvious to us all that if you’re going to build a pipeline, you must follow the procedure that we’re outlining," Wooten said. "I’m not talking about (coaching) internships. I’m talking about putting them in positions where they’re going to have opportunities to advance. This should be done because this is what the league is about. The league is about opportunity. We know the road that we must travel."The NFL recently modified the Rooney Rule - mandating that teams with a head coaching vacancy interview at least one minority candidate - so that at least one of the candidates come from outside the organization or from a list recommended by the league.The Miami Dolphins are expected to hire New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores as their successor to Adam Gase after the Super Bowl. He would become just the fourth minority head coach along with Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers heading into the 2019 season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran safety Eric Weddle indicated Wednesday at the Pro Bowl he'll consider playing for another team next season if the Baltimore Ravens release him.Weddle stated after the Ravens' season ended that he would retire if he wasn't retained by Baltimore for the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old is due a base salary of $6.5 million in 2019. The Ravens would absorb a $1.75-million cap hit by cutting him."I'm not sure if things are going to get worked out with Baltimore," he said. "Obviously, I want to be back. I signed for four years, and I want to play it out. But obviously, decisions have to be made for the future of the team. The organization has to do what's best for them. I respect that."Weddle has earned Pro Bowl selections in all three campaigns since joining the Ravens. He made a trio of trips in his nine previous seasons with the San Diego Chargers."(We'll) see if there's something to be worked out," he said. "If not, then I've had an unbelievable experience here and loved every second. So if it does happen, we both move on and we'll see if I'll play somewhere else or hang 'em up."Weddle posted 68 tackles and a sack this season. He failed to register an interception for just the second time in his career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II followed up his comments from last week regarding quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract, saying on Wednesday that extension discussions are already taking place."We've already started talking to him and his representative about extending that contract," Rooney said, according to ESPN. "I think Ben has some good years left. I'd still say he's close to being in the prime of his career."Now that we're seeing quarterbacks around the league that are playing into their 40s, I'm not sure there's any reason that Ben can't play for several more years. We're looking forward to that."The 36-year-old has one season remaining on a four-year, $87.4-million extension he signed in 2015. He's set to carry a cap hit of $23.2 million in 2019.Roethlisberger was a key figure during the Steelers' 9-6-1 season in 2018, completing 67 percent of his passes for 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns. However, he threw a league-high 16 interceptions.The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion is scheduled to carry the 12th-highest cap hit among quarterbacks next season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Instead of signing with a sports agency ahead of the NFL draft, Rashan Gary elected to start his own.The Michigan defensive end, projected to be among the top-10 picks in April's draft, recently launched Rashan Gary Sports - a five-person agency that also includes his mother, Jennifer Coney-Shepherd, and certified agent Ian Clarke, who will negotiate Gary's contract. Expectations are high for the agency."It's going to change the game," Gary told Larry Lage of the Associated Press. "Now, players know the power they have and taking this step is big for me, my family, and my dream."Gary has already recruited his first prospect, former Bowling Green defensive back Montre Gregory, and hopes to add more players from the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL."Rashan Gary Sports is set up for players to take ownership of their intellectual property," Clarke said. "Our model, which we'd rather keep quiet for now, helps players with their finances on the front end."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the NFL continues to investigate Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy and an incident that occurred at his Georgia property more than six months ago, McCoy insisted again Wednesday that he's innocent.His ex-girlfriend Delicia Cordon says he directed a home invasion during which she was robbed and injured."Like I have stated before, I have nothing to do with that," McCoy said on ESPN's "First Take," according to Mike Rodak. "When I heard the news, it hurt me that I was accused of something like that. I think anybody that really knows me, they know I'm not that type of person."The police have yet to name any suspects, but an automated response from the department spokesperson on Wednesday said the investigation remains active and that McCoy had yet to speak with detectives, according to Rodak.Cordon offered a $40,000 reward in October for information that would lead to the arrest of the intruder. She filed a lawsuit in state court in August that sought more than $50 million in damages against McCoy and his friend, Tamarcus Porter, who she alleged had a role in the event. In that lawsuit, Cordon also claimed McCoy had physically abused her, his son, and his dog.The claim of child abuse was backed by an affidavit filed by Stephanie Maisonet, the mother of McCoy's son. Cordon said in September that other women had contacted her to share similar accounts of physical abuse."I'm a great father," McCoy said Wednesday. "If you really know me as a parent, as a player, as a person, you know I have nothing to do with anything like that. My team, my organization, for them guys to stand behind me and attest to tell you what type of person I really am. I've been playing this game since I've been 8, 6 years old - a young boy. I love football. The two things that I loved are football and my son - and my reputation. I would never jeopardize them things."I've never been involved with anything like that, ever. I've never hit a woman. I've never put my hands on a woman. I never beat my son. All that stuff is nonsense. At the end, we'll figure it out and you'll see the truth."The accusations that McCoy directed the home invasion originated when Mia Boykin, a friend of his ex-girlfriend, posted photos of Cordon's injuries on Instagram, claiming he was the one responsible.The 30-year-old veteran said he's not concerned this investigation will have any impact on his playing future."I'm not (worried)," McCoy said. "I'm not at all. I know what type of person I am. I (just have to) wait and everything will reveal itself at the end."People can believe what they want; I mean this, at the bottom of my heart, I had nothing to do with it."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DeMarcus Lawrence is in line for a major payday this offseason, and the Pro Bowl defensive end hopes he gets it from the Dallas Cowboys."The Cowboys already know what it is," Lawrence told Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "They know where I want to be. I got big goals, not just for me but us as a team and as an organization. I love being a Cowboy."Lawrence is scheduled to become a free agent in March after playing 2018 on a one-year franchise tag. The 26-year-old collected 25 sacks over the last two seasons and emerged as a leader on and off the field after an up-and-down start to his career."If they don't want this energy and intensity and this focus every day to get better, then make your move," Lawrence added. "The ball is in their hands. I feel like I've prepared for this moment and showed them I'm here for the long haul."The Cowboys are projected to have about $55 million in cap space this offseason, but they have other roster issues to address and big-money extensions looming for Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper.If he doesn't get an extension from Dallas, Lawrence would become one of the highest-profile players on the open market.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones denied receiver Cole Beasley's claim that the team's front office helps determine which players get the ball on offense.The 29-year-old receiver, whose contract expires in March, discussed his pending free agency Tuesday on Twitter and said, "Honestly, the front office pushes who they want to get the ball to. I haven't been a huge priority in that regard."Jones addressed Beasley's comments Wednesday on "The Rich Eisen Show.""I would hope that's just his frustration but (it's) certainly not at all the case," Jones said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "We don't get involved in that. The only thing we ever do is decide if we're going to pay players a lot of money. Or if we're going to trade for players and give up big picks. We certainly hope that they would be involved if we're going to do things like that. ..."But we would never dictate where balls go or things of that nature, in terms of the game plan and getting involved with what our coaching does to get ready to play the ballgame. And certainly of all people, Cole is always involved in getting balls and getting catches. He's been just an integral part of what we're about. Certainly, he's made a lot of big catches and key catches in games that we've won."Beasley finished the 2018 season with 65 receptions, 672 receiving yards, and three touchdown catches. His 87 targets were second on the team.However, his targets did drop from an average of 6.14 per game to 4.45 per game after the Cowboys acquired Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders, Patra notes.On Wednesday, Beasley said he hadn't intended to criticize the Cowboys in particular. "EVERY team's game plan in pro sports is dictated by the front office," he tweeted. "Big free-agent additions, high draft picks, etc. are going to get the most (opportunities). And I'm not mad at that!"Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL fans don't seem to be overjoyed about next Sunday's New England Patriots-Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl matchup.Ticket prices to the Feb. 3 clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta have dropped 12 percent since the two teams sealed their victories Sunday, according to TicketIQ.The average asking price on the secondary market is $7,078, roughly $1,000 less than the average resale price last year at the same time.With Super Bowl LIII marking New England's ninth championship appearance since 2002, and fourth in five years, TicketIQ founder Jesse Lawrence believes the falling prices are a result of a "worst-case demand scenario," according to Callum Borchers of WBUR 90.9.In addition, Los Angeles doesn't yet have a devoted fan base, which could contribute to a continued decline in ticket prices, noted Lawrence.TicketIQ currently has the cheapest seats on the secondary market listed at $2,800, while the most expensive tickets are marked at $17,665.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A couple of Pittsburgh Steelers held court with media members at the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, shedding some light on the ongoing dispute between the team and disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown.Brown has yet to speak to the media or his teammates since being held out of the team's final game in Week 17. But Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey believes everything can be resolved with a phone call."When you look at the bigger picture, there has been so much accomplished by everyone there, you can't tell me a good phone conversation or a sitdown can't get things right," he said. "Hopefully it comes to that because things have been very memorable there."JuJu Smith-Schuster said he has reached out to his fellow receiver but has yet to hear from Brown, who has shared through Instagram that he's currently vacationing in the Caribbean.Though Brown is said to have walked out on his teammates before a must-win game, Smith-Schuster said he'd be welcomed back into the locker room."At the end of the day, he is our teammate, he is our guy. So, yeah," he said.Pouncey also disputed reports that the controversy began when Brown threw a football at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during a team walkthrough."The things that were reported didn't happen," he said. "That didn't happen. C'mon man, you're talking about grown men."He did concede there is ongoing tension within the group but insists all wounds are mended with time."From my opinion, it's more of a time thing. Time heals everything," Pouncey said."Just let things pass over. I know it's a disappointing season, trust me," he continued. "We've got a lot of great players on the team, we should be in the playoffs playing ... When you're winning, everything's great. When you have a couple losses back to back like that, you can always find reasons not to like a certain thing."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft have teamed up with Meek Mill, Jay-Z, and others to back a new criminal justice reform organization.The group was in New York City on Wednesday to announce the formation of Reform Alliance, which will lobby for changes to probation and parole laws, among others. Rubin said the group will commit $50 million toward its efforts, according to Deepti Hajela of the Associated Press.Kraft described the current system as "not good for America.""We can make America better if we really cure this problem," he said.Reform Alliance will be led by CNN host and activist Van Jones, while Rubin will serve as co-chairman alongside Mill. Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai is also part of the group.

Just how does one build a Super Bowl contender? Look no further than the team with machine-like efficiency: the New England Patriots.The NFL's preeminent power will be making its third straight Super Bowl appearance when it heads to Atlanta to face the Los Angeles Rams. It's New England's fourth trip to the big game in the last five seasons.The 2018 Patriots were thought to be the most vulnerable version in years, with an aging quarterback and a lack of game-changing talent. Yet here they are, playing for another Lombardi Trophy. Here's how the latest version of the Pats was built:Key PlayersYearDraftFree AgentTrade2000Tom Brady2006Stephen Gostkowski2008Matthew Slater2009Julian EdelmanPatrick Chung2010Devin McCourtyRob Gronkowski2011Marcus Cannon2012Dont'a Hightower2014James White2015Shaq MasonDavid AndrewsTrey FlowersMalcom Brown2016Joe ThuneyChris HoganKyle Van NoyElandon Roberts2017Deatrich WiseStephon GilmorePhillip DorsettRex BurkheadLawrence Guy2018Sony MichelAdrian ClaybornJason McCourtyCordarrelle PattersonTrent BrownBelichick tradePatrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt all began with a napkin.In 2000, after less than a day on the job, Bill Belichick stepped down as head coach of the New York Jets, handing the team president a handwritten resignation note penned on a serviette as the introductory press conference was set to begin.The Patriots would trade three draft picks to the Jets in exchange for two picks and the right to sign Belichick. The rest, as they say, is history.As head coach and de facto general manager, the five-time Super Bowl champion has left an unmistakable imprint on the team's present-day roster. Thirty-one players on the 53-man roster are homegrown, culled either through the draft or as college free agents.The blueprint begins with the mastermind in the hoodie.Coaching staffFull credit is also due to Josh McDaniels. He's spent 10 of the past 13 years as New England's offensive coordinator and has led the unit to eight top-10 finishes in total offense. Under McDaniels' watch, the team has yet to finish worse than eighth in scoring offense.There has been far more turnover at defensive coordinator, as many have left to accept head coaching jobs elsewhere. But whether under the direction of Romeo Crennel, Dean Pees, Matt Patricia, or Brian Flores, the defense has remained under the watchful eye of Belichick. That approach figures to continue with Flores' impending departure.The GOATRonald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhen it comes to the roster, it all begins with Tom Brady.The Patriots famously used a sixth-round pick in 2000 on the unassuming quarterback out of Michigan. He spent his rookie year supporting starter Drew Bledsoe before taking over for an injured Bledsoe in Week 2 of the following season. Named the Week 3 starter, Brady wound up leading New England all the way to a Super Bowl victory over the Rams - then of St. Louis - in February 2002.In the time since, he's cemented his spot as the arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, winning four more Super Bowls and three MVPs along the way.Even now, in the later stages of his career, Brady remains at the top of his game; he led the Pats back from a late 25-point deficit to win Super Bowl LI and - at the age of 41 - outdueled young phenom Patrick Mahomes to take New England to its ninth title game in the last 18 years.Building through the draftThe pieces of this year's AFC championship team began surfacing in 2006 when the Patriots scooped up venerable placekicker Stephen Gostkowski with a fourth-round pick.Special-teams ace Matthew Slater came via the 2008 draft, while New England's 2009 selections netted Julian Edelman - now second all-time in postseason receptions - and longtime safety Patrick Chung.The Patriots also nailed their first two picks in 2010, selecting Devin McCourty - a starter in the secondary ever since - and revolutionary tight end Rob Gronkowski.All six players have been aboard for the Patriots' running streak of eight consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.Linebacker Dont'a Hightower, star of Super Bowl LI, was also a 2012 first-round selection.Unheralded O-lineBoston Globe / Boston Globe / GettyToday's offensive line began taking shape with the 2011 fifth-round selection of Marcus Cannon. He's moved up and down the offensive line in his time with the Patriots but has held down the right tackle spot since 2016.Right guard Shaq Mason arrived in the 2015 draft and center David Andrews joined as a college free agent during that same offseason. Left guard Joe Thuney was a third-round pick the following year.Following the departure of Nate Solder for greener ($) pastures last March, the Pats made a sly draft-day move, trading a 2018 third-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for right tackle Trent Brown and a fifth-rounder.New England immediately installed Brown in the vacant left tackle spot and the move has paid massive dividends; he's Pro Football Focus' highest-graded tackle in this year's playoffs.Meanwhile, the impact of a strong offensive line coach cannot be overstated, and the Patriots may have one of the best.Dante Scarnecchia coached the O-line from 1998 to his retirement after the 2013 season. It struggled so mightily in the two years following his departure that the Patriots brought Scarnecchia out of retirement for the 2016 campaign, and the unit has since rebounded to its previously superlative standards.The Patriots' offensive line didn't allow a sack or commit a penalty in the AFC Championship Game, despite the raucous Arrowhead Stadium crowd.Free-agent splashThough much of his roster was constructed through the draft, Belichick isn't shy about targeting big fish using other means. He's traded for the likes of Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and Aqib Talib, and he's used free agency to nab such stars as Rodney Harrison and Darrelle Revis.His latest big swing came ahead of the 2017 campaign when he splashed $65 million on free-agent corner Stephon Gilmore. It was the second richest-signing of the free-agency period and it didn't come without its detractors.But Gilmore has repaid Belichick's faith this season, the second of his five-year deal. The 28-year-old was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career and graded out as PFF's No. 1 corner in the league.The final piecePatrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter the Patriots allowed Dion Lewis to walk as a free agent last offseason, leaving a substantial hole in touches and touchdowns on their depth chart, the final position yet to be addressed was at running back.Still, a running back wasn't thought to be a target for New England in the 2018 draft - especially not one believed to have knee issues.Former Patriots staffer Michael Lombardi reported just before the draft that Sony Michel had a bone-on-bone medical condition that could affect the longevity of his playing career. It was believed such concerns would cause Michel to slip in the draft.But there the Patriots were with the 31st pick, ready to pounce on the former Georgia star.Leading New England in rushing with nearly 1,000 yards on the ground, six touchdowns, and five more scores in the postseason, Michel shined in his rookie season. He proved to be the final piece necessary for the Patriots' third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Larry Fitzgerald isn't ready to hang up his cleats.The 35-year-old receiver signed a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Cardinals for the 2019 season, the team announced Wednesday morning.

Less than 24 hours after the Kansas City Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, Steve Spagnuolo has emerged as the favorite to replace him, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Spagnuolo has spent six years as a defensive coordinator, most recently with the New York Giants, and four years as a head coach.The 59-year-old worked with Chiefs bench boss Andy Reid from 1999-2006 in Philadelphia, serving as a defensive assistant, defensive backs coach, and linebackers coach during his tenure with the Eagles.Spagnuolo last coached in 2017.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano appears likely to return to the NFL with the New England Patriots in a top defensive role, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Schiano is exploring his professional opportunities at the Senior Bowl, according to Rapoport. A close friend of Bill Belichick, Schiano would fill the void left by Brian Flores, who's reportedly set to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins.The 52-year-old Schiano spent the last three seasons as Ohio State's defensive coordinator and left the Buckeyes in early January following Urban Meyer's retirement.Schiano coached the Bucs for two seasons from 2012-13, finishing with an overall record of 11-21.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In 2017, the Los Angeles Rams stunningly set the league ablaze under the guidance of wunderkind Sean McVay, only to see their fire extinguished in January.Fast forward to this season: The Rams have ascended to previously unimaginable heights and are set to take on the seemingly immortal New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.Here's how the Rams built the team that's taken them to the precipice of their second Super Bowl title in franchise history:Key playersYearDraftFree AgentTrade/Waiver2010LG Rodger Saffold20112012DE Michael BrockersP Johnny HekkerK Greg Zuerlein20132014DT Aaron DonaldLB Mark BarronS Lamarcus Joyner2015RB Todd GurleyLB Matt LongacreRT Rob Havenstein2016QB Jared GoffLB Cory LittletonTE Tyler Higbee2017LB Samson EbukamLT Andrew WhitworthRG Austin BlytheWR Josh ReynoldsWR Robert WoodsS John Johnson IIIC John SullivanSCB Nickell Robey-Coleman2018DT Ndamukong SuhCB Aqib TalibRB C.J. AndersonCB Marcus PetersCB Sam ShieldsWR Brandin CooksDE Dante Fowler Jr.Finding the pillarsIcon Sports Wire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEvery Super Bowl winner needs a nucleus of players to build around, and L.A. is a prime example of how a team can alter its destiny through the draft.In 2014, the Rams - then based in St. Louis - used the 13th overall pick on reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. A year later, reigning Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley was selected 10th overall. And finally, after giving up a king's ransom to jump up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, the Rams announced Jared Goff as the team's franchise quarterback.All three players have been crucial in L.A.'s run to Atlanta.Donald's league-leading 20.5 sacks in 2018 were the most for a defensive tackle in NFL history, all but assuring he'll retain his DPOY title; Gurley has found the end zone an NFL-best 40 times since 2016, a mind-boggling nine more than second-placed Alvin Kamara and 14 more than third-placed Melvin Gordon; Goff has transformed into a Pro Bowler and is coming off back-to-back seasons with a 100-plus passer rating.Stuck in mediocrity no longerMcVay wasn't the man L.A. initially envisioned leading its team when the doors to the new $5-billion stadium in Inglewood open in 2020. That, of course, was supposed to be Jeff Fisher.Fisher has become a punchline due to his teams' propensity to finish at, or around, the .500 mark. In fact, he had three such finishes with the Rams in five years before being fired midseason in 2016 while sitting at 4-9. But while Fisher deserved to lose his job and is clearly an inferior coach to the man who succeeded him, his impact shouldn't be overlooked.All three stars mentioned above were drafted under Fisher (and general manager Les Snead, who remains in his role). Moreover, starters Michael Brockers, Mark Barron, Matt Longacre, Rob Havenstein, Cory Littleton, Tyler Higbee, Lamarcus Joyner, Johnny Hekker, and Greg Zuerlein were all found and developed under Fisher's watch.In an alternate timeline, maybe Fisher didn't destroy his credibility by beefing with franchise legend Eric Dickerson and the Rams were forced to watch another team steal their prize.The golden boyNorm Hall / Getty Images Sport / GettyAlthough L.A. finally escaped the mediocrity that surrounded the Fisher era, many believed the team blew its chance at success by picking the youngest head coach in NFL history.Ex-Rams coach Mike Martz provided a soundbite that will age as poorly as any in league history, saying the Rams "hired a buddy for Jared" before adding "wait a minute while I puke" in response to the then-30-year-old's offensive expert label.Twenty-four regular-season wins, back-to-back NFC West titles, an impending Super Bowl appearance, and, of course, an avalanche of points later, the Rams look like geniuses.When Martz finishes vomiting, he has a full plate of his own words to chow down on.Picking pockets in free agencyL.A. has been active but selective in free agency under McVay, searching for players who were either underutilized or deemed expendable. The team's first free-agent haul was a bigger risk than most now acknowledge, as it was headlined by a then-35-year-old left tackle and a wide receiver who had never exceeded 700 yards in any of his first four seasons.Andrew Whitworth had been a stud blindside protector with the Cincinnati Bengals, and while his signing was viewed as a good move to help Goff, there was no guarantee he'd last for his entire three-year deal. Robert Woods was an even bigger gamble considering his five-year, $39-million contract.But both moves hit and hit big. Whitworth was Pro Football Focus' third-ranked offensive tackle in 2018 and is the anchor of an elite offensive line. Meanwhile, Woods racked up 2,000 yards over the last two years, including his recent 86-catch, 1,219-yard campaign.Ndamukong Suh was the only big-name acquisition in free agency this past offseason, signing a one-year deal to form a terrifying duo with Donald. However, C.J. Anderson might arguably be the most impactful addition after multiple breakout performances with Gurley either sidelined or struggling to get back to his usual dominant form.Trade big or go homeJohn McCoy / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith Goff on an affordable rookie deal until at least 2020, the Rams knew they had a small window to win a Super Bowl. Bucking conventional wisdom, the front office attacked the underutilized trade market like few playoff contenders before them in order to acquire elite-level talent.In the 2018 offseason, Pro Bowlers Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib were bought with second-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks to give defensive coordinator Wade Phillips the cover corners he covets. After top target Sammy Watkins signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency for $16 million per season, McVay found the home-run threat he'd been dying for in Brandin Cooks, who required a first-rounder and was almost immediately handed the money offered to Watkins. Meanwhile, longtime Rams Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree were shipped off.While that's normally two or three seasons worth of blockbuster moves for an average team, the Rams were far from done. Concerned about their lack of pass rush in July, the Rams engineered a midseason trade for former first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. by sending the Jacksonville Jaguars a third-round draft pick in 2019 and a fifth-rounder in 2020.If you need more to highlight just how aggressive L.A. was this past offseason, remember the two superstars they tried but failed to trade for: Khalil Mack and Odell Beckham Jr.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams was arrested Wednesday morning on counts of drunk driving and careless driving, according to Ramon Antonio Vargas of the New Orleans Advocate.The third-year pro was arrested in New Orleans at around 1:10 a.m. CT and released on bond three hours later, Vargas reports.Williams played in 15 regular-season games this season and recorded 11 tackles in the Saints' two playoff contests.He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.