NFL | Vereen scores 3 times in coming out party

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Vereen scores 3 times in coming out party

Shane Vereen burned the Texans for 83 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions and added another 41 yards and a score on seven carries to lift the Patriots to a 41-28 victory in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

It was a coming out party for the 2011 second-rounder, who took over as the passing-down specialist with Danny Woodhead sidelined by a thumb injury. After putting the Pats ahead on a 1-yard touchdown run, Vereen was left wide open in the flat for an 8-yard score. Staking New England to a 38-13 lead, he put the game away early in the fourth quarter on perfectly thrown over-the-shoulder pass for a 33-yard touchdown at the pylon. He joined Rob Gronkowski and Curtis Martin as the only players in franchise history with three touchdowns in a playoff game. The well-rounded Vereen proved to be a play-making upgrade on Woodhead and a fine change-of-pace to Stevan Ridley. Look for Bill Belichick to increase his role going forward. He's certainly earned it.

Jan 13 - 8:02 PM

Report: Hakeem Nicks unhappy with contract

Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole reports Hakeem Nicks is unhappy with his contract, which is why he didn't show up to OTAs on Wednesday.

The Giants now have a double dose of financially unhappy receivers in Nicks and restricted free agent Victor Cruz. Coach Tom Coughlin was noticeably irritated that Nicks was a no-show for "voluntary" OTAs, saying that the receiver "should be here." With Cruz seeking $8-10 million annually on a long-term deal, Cole expects Nicks to seek "closer to the range" of $10 million per year and possibly more. Nicks is expected to show up to the facility sometime this week, and we really wouldn't expect a long-term contract worked out before training camp.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

May 22 - 9:12 PM

Crabtree (Achilles') underwent surgery Weds.

Michael Crabtree underwent surgery on his torn Achilles' Wednesday, and is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six months.

The 49ers aren't messing around with their No. 1 receiver. Many have pointed to Terrell Suggs and Da'Quan Bowers' 2012 mid-season returns from spring Achilles' injuries as hope for Crabtree's 2013, but they are pass rushers required to do far less cutting than Crabtree does as a receiver. In a best-case scenario, Crabtree will likely begin the year on PUP with an eye toward returning in the playoffs. It's almost certainly going to be a lost year for a player coming off a breakout campaign.

Source: Chris Mortensen on Twitter

May 22 - 4:04 PM

Ravens rookie LB Brown has hernia surgery

Ravens second-round LB Arthur Brown is recovering from sports-hernia surgery, and will be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

It means Brown should miss next month's minicamp, and is questionable for the start of training camp. It's a minor blow to the Ravens' inside linebacker corps on the heels of Rolando McClain's retirement as they look to replace Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. The good news is, Brown is in no danger of missing regular-season games, and should get plenty of reps in the preseason. He's just losing some helpful development time. Brown is still going to start as a rookie.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 22 - 2:16 PM

Brian Urlacher announces his retirement

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.

Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and eight Pro Bowl selections. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Source: Brian Urlacher on Twitter

May 22 - 11:08 AM

Raiders reunite with Woodson on one-year deal

Raiders agreed to terms with DB Charles Woodson on a one-year, $1.8 million contract.

The deal includes a $700,000 signing bonus, and is worth a "maximum" of $4.3 million, likely through hard-to-achieve incentives. Woodson is returning to the team that made him the No. 4 pick of the 1998 draft. Woodson spent the first eight years of his career in Oakland before defecting to Green Bay. He's chosen the Raiders over the Broncos despite the fact that Denver is on the cusp of the Super Bowl, and Oakland is one of the worst teams in the league. However Woodson spins it, money was almost certainly the determining factor. Going on 37, Woodson has lost multiple steps the past few seasons, but will still likely be a better option than Usama Young opposite Tyvon Branch at safety. It's possible he won't be a 1,000-snap player, instead playing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-750.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

May 21 - 9:50 PM

Darrelle Revis cleared to resume cutting

Darrelle Revis (torn ACL) has been cleared to resume cutting.

It's a big step. "I feel very confident," Revis said on NFL Network. "If (they tell me) to cut, I am cutting. I am not trying to think about (it)." Coach Greg Schiano said Monday that "everything is gearing towards" Revis being ready for Week 1.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com

May 21 - 9:19 PM

Chargers ink likely left tackle in Max Starks

Chargers agreed to terms with OT Max Starks, formerly of the Steelers, on a one-year contract.

The longtime Steeler vaults to the top of the Chargers' depth chart at left tackle. OT Kevin Haslam was waived in a corresponding move. Haslam was part of the Bolts' revolving door on the blindside last season as Jared Gaither "battled" back and groin injuries. Starks was not effective for the Steelers in 2012, allowing a troubling 40 hurries according to Pro Football Focus' stats, but still has more to offer than King Dunlap. Left tackle remains a trouble spot for San Diego, which is likely looking at a long season under rookie GM Tom Telesco.

Source: Josina Anderson on Twitter

May 21 - 5:20 PM

Dolphins rookie CB Taylor has hernia surgery

Dolphins second-round CB Jamar Taylor underwent sports-hernia surgery on Tuesday, but is expected to be ready for the beginning of training camp.

Sports-hernia operations typically only require 4-6 weeks of recovery, but it puts Taylor behind the eight ball as he transitions from the Mountain West to potential NFL starter. Taylor is competing with Richard Marshall to start opposite Brent Grimes, who is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon. The Dolphins have precious little depth after letting Sean Smith walk in free agency. They'll really be in trouble if Taylor suffers a setback and isn't ready for camp.

Source: Barry Jackson on Twitter

May 21 - 4:22 PM

San Fran, Houston awarded 2016-17 Super Bowls

The NFL has awarded Super Bowl L to San Francisco, and Super Bowl LI to Houston.

Super Bowl L — or 50, if you will — will be played in the 49ers' new stadium in February 2016. It will be the first Super Bowl played in the Bay Area since 1985. Super Bowl LI will be Houston's first Super Bowl since the Patriots defeated the Panthers in 2004. Shut out of the bidding was Miami, which failed to secure public funding for apparently necessary upgrades to Sun Life Stadium. Next year's Super Bowl will be played in New York/New Jersey's MetLife Stadium — outdoors.

May 21 - 2:58 PM

Pats owner: Gronk's surgery a total success

Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed Rob Gronkowski's fourth arm surgery went "as good as he could have hoped."

Per Kraft, Gronk will be back "as soon as possible." Right now, "as soon as possible" appears to be mid-August. That's because Gronk is tentatively slated for "minor" back surgery sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. Like Robert Griffin III, Gronk's Week 1 status will be hard to accurately gauge before training camp.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

May 21 - 1:23 PM

Stevie Johnson (back) resumes practicing

Stevie Johnson (back) has been cleared to resume practicing, and participated in Tuesday's OTAs session.

Johnson said last week he had "no idea" when he'd be cleared to return, but it took less than seven days. "It was great to see him," OC Nathaniel Hackett said. "It was great to see him run some routes instead of being on the side. We've just got to work him back in." The Bills will take things slow with their No. 1 receiver before camp, but his back is not a long-term concern.

Source: Buffalo News

May 21 - 1:15 PM