Athlon Sports Features
NFL: Free Agency Preview
The craziness of NFL free agency begins Friday. Mike Nahrstedt previews the upcoming open-market period and explains what could happen if a new CBA isn't reached before Friday.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Combine - Defense
Put down your stopwatch and step away from the orange cones, the NFL Scouting Combine is officially over. Check out which defensive players made the most of their job interview in Indianapolis.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Combine - Offense
While the Vancouver Olympics were wrapping up, the NFL Scouting Combine was just getting started. Check out which offensive players made the most of their job interview in Indianapolis.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Lockout Would Cost League Too Much
The NFL, by any calculation, is at the height of its all-time popularity. So it would be a shame if the owners and players managed to screw that up with a 2011 lockout.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Super Bowl Takeaway
Mike Nahrstedt puts a bow on the NFL's 44th Super Bowl with a few observations from the game and its surrounding events.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Super Bowl photos
Super Bowl XLIV was another thriller, as the underdog Saints marched to a 31–17 upset win over the Colts. Athlon Sports was there, with photographer Tom DiPace documenting the action from the field.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Saints Claim Super Bowl XLIV
As they've done so often over the five years since Hurricane Katrina, the Saints persevered to knock out the favored Colts, 31–17, at Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Colts will be too much for Saints
It's point-counterpoint day as Athlon's writers take sides in the Colts-Saints Super Bowl debate. Get the Colts' perspective here.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Saints Have Emotional Edge
It's point-counterpoint day as Athlon's writers take sides in the Colts-Saints Super Bowl debate. Get the Saints' perspective here.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Super Bowl Preview
There is a goodness about Super Bowl XLIV that's hard not to like. From two excellent quarterbacks to two solid all-around teams, Mike Nahrstedt looks at the game from all angles.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Road to Precision
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are both in Super Bowl XLIV, but they took decidedly different routes to get to South Florida.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Brees Brings Hope to New Orleans
There have been players who have become beloved citizens, even icons in their own town. Still, it’s hard to think of one who has become more ingrained in, more important to, more beloved by his city than Drew Brees has in New Orleans.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Super Bowl Predictions
Saints or Colts? Athlon’s Super Bowl week continues with game predictions from our editors.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Athlon's All-AFC and All-NFC Teams
The Pro Bowl has turned into a joke, but that doesn't mean the league's All-Stars should be discounted. Here's how Pro Bowl lineups would look if it were up to Athlon Sports, plus picks for the major award winners.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Athlon's All-Rookie Team
Some of them were the stars of last April's Draft and others flew under the radar, but all of Athlon's Rookie Team members excelled in their first season in the league.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Cruel Fate: Saints Must Face Manning
It’s ironic, and even cruel, that New Orleans is about to experience its finest football hour and Mr. Saint, Archie Manning, won’t be coming along for the ride. Nope. The Saints will be trying to win the city’s first sports championship against Archie’s boy. Whose idea of a bad joke was this?
[FULL STORY]NFL: Colts, Saints Will Meet in Super Bowl
The top two seeds in the playoffs reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1993 on the strength of strong quarterback play and the timely play of a pair of underrated defenses.
[FULL STORY]NFL: OT field goal sends Saints to Super Bowl
Garrett Hartley's 40-yard field goal 4:45 into overtime moved the Saints into the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, as they beat Minnesota, 31-28, in the NFC Championship Game.
[FULL STORY]Fantasy Updates - PlayerScope
David Thomas
Thomas, who has filled in well for Jeremy Shockey (toe) the last two games, has a calf injury and is listed as doubtful for Week 17. He has not practiced this week....
[FULL STORY]Drew Brees
According to the Times Picayune, the Saints will rest Brees in Week 17 and start Mark Brunell. Obviously, this changes everything regarding the fantasy expectations for all associated with the passing game....
[FULL STORY]Jeremy Shockey
Shockey did not play the last two games with a turf toe and unless he is 100 percent healthy, we don't expect he will see much playing time this week. The Saints don't have much to play for, having locked up their No. 1 NFC playoff seeding....
[FULL STORY]Lance Moore
After tweaking his ankle in last week's game, Moore has been ruled out for Week 16. He was operating in a reserve role so there is no fantasy repercussion....
[FULL STORY]Mike Bell
Bell was unable to practice Thursday and Friday of this week with soreness in his knee. This is not a good sign and fantasy owners might want to explore alternatives if they're thinking of starting him....
[FULL STORY]Garrett Hartley
The Saints have decided to start Hartley over the slumping John Carney when they face the Redskins in Week 13....
[FULL STORY]Reggie Bush
Despite being limited in practice all week with a knee injury, Bush vows to play in Week 13 against Washington. The weather forecast for D.C. calls for rains and maybe some snow, so consider the conditions if you have to make a decision on him....
[FULL STORY]Pierre Thomas
Thomas (hamstring) has been slowed in practice this week and is looking like an iffy fantasy play. Mike Bell is fully recovered from his knee injury and he's set to return....
[FULL STORY]Billy Miller
Miller's injury in the final preseason game turned out to be as serious as initially feared. He tore his Achilles and will miss the season....
[FULL STORY]More Inside Athlon Sports ...
Vacchiano: Patroits are the favorites in '07
A lot of things can change between now and next February. But the events of draft weekend, and some of the events of the two months before, have Ralph Vacchiano convinced that the Pats are the early favorite to win Super Bowl XLII.
Vacchiano: Quinn's value being overlooked
No player in this year’s draft has seen his stock yo-yo more than former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Ralph Vacchiano says the "Golden Boy" will be a great pick up for whichever team doesn't out-think themselves.
Vacchiano: NFL must send message to teams
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Pacman Jones and Chris Henry on Tuesday for their off-the-field problems. Ralph Vacchiano applauds the decision but says the league should focus on punishing the teams as well.




