Colin Kaepernick creates Niners QB controversy

the Chicago Bears. As 49ers quarterback Alex Smith stood on the sidelines watching backup Colin Kaepernick tear up the Bears in his first NFL start, he may have spotted his job security blowing away in the chilly Bay breeze.

As 49ers owner Jed York asked rhetorically following the game, "What do you think the headlines will be tomorrow?" 

Eagles, Reid remain upbeat even as season slowly slips away amid Philadelphia’s four-game skid

PHILADELPHIA — Coach Andy Reid says he still believes the Philadelphia Eagles can turn their season around.

The Eagles (3-5) have given him little reason to truly think that, though. They were sloppy and battered in a 28-13 loss to New Orleans on Monday night.

49ers get out alive, and that's enough

You’ll take your team’s 13-6 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park on Thursday night. You're thrilled Frank Gore ran all over the Seahawks' second-ranked rush defense. You loved watching Seattle's receivers and tight ends drop passes all over the Candlestick turf. But you’re worried about the quarterback.

NFL set to recommend Miami, New Orleans as finalists to stage Super Bowl L

Tradition will be celebrated with the NFL's milestone Super Bowl L (or 50 if you're rusty on your Roman numerals).

Such an event wouldn't be complete without a traditional Super site. Step right up, Miami and New Orleans.

The Super Bowl Advisory Committee is expected to recommend the warm-weather sites as finalists to host the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Owners, holding their fall meetings on Tuesday, will vote to narrow the competition to two finalists, with the game expected to be awarded at subsequent meetings in 2013.

Hasselbeck, Titans pull off upset over Steelers

 Given up for dead after a dismal start to the season, the Titans finally showed some life Thursday night.

They battled back against the Steelers and beat them 26-23 when Rob Bironas kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the game at LP Field.
"It wasn't about the Steelers -- they are a good team," Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "It was about us, we were struggling. We still made mistakes, but it feels good to come away with a win."
The Titans tied the game 23-23 with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to Kenny Britt. It capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive that took 3:59 off the clock and hyped up an LP Field crowd overloaded with Terrible Towels.

Beano Cook, football guru and friend, will be dearly missed

I talked to Beano Cook once or twice a week for six years up until a few months ago. I cried in the NFL.com newsroom today when I got a text telling me he was gone. There's a lot of stories out there about some of the more well-known statements he made in his lifetime of analyzing college football. But you know what? Most of my favorite things about him happened while the cameras and microphones were off.

Alex Karras, Detroit Lions pro-lineman died at home from kidney failure

On October 8, 2012, Karras told his friend Tom McInerney that he was suffering from kidney failure complications and the doctors only gave him a few days to live. He was treated at John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Cal. before his release and passing just two days later.

Remembering Alex Karras as a Football Player

Alex Karras loved to perform. He’s famous for his success as an actor but he should also be remembered as one of the N.F.L.’s defensive stars of the 1960s. Karras died on Wednesday of kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles. He was 77. A few thoughts:

Alex Karras' humor was his strength

Alex Karras played football when I was growing up in Pittsburgh. Unless it was Thanksgiving, not many Lions games were on television. Each week, I'd watch the highlights from shows produced by NFL Films, which introduced me to how good Karras was as a defensive lineman.

Television also opened the window for the country to get to know Karras as a person.
Alex Karras helped pave the way for football players to become entertainers with a post-playing career that included movies and a lead role on the TV sitcom "Webster."

Reggie Bush, Lilit Avagyan Expecting Child: Dolphins RB Says He'll Buy Guns If Baby Is A Girl

Reggie Bush is expecting.. and hoping.

The Dolphins' 27-year-old running back confirmed rumors that his girlfriend, Lilit Avagyan, is pregnant during an appearance on the "Paul and Young Ron Show" on Tuesday morning. After talking about how excited the couple was, Bush revealed that they didn't yet know the sex of the child.

"I'm hoping for a boy, because if it's a girl I'm going straight to the gun shop to buy some guns," Bush said during his radio appearance.

Alex Karras, All-Pro N.F.L. Lineman Who Also Starred as an Actor, Dies at 77

Alex Karras, a fierce and relentless All-Pro lineman for the Detroit Lions whose irrepressible character frequently placed him at odds with football’s authorities but led to a second career as an actor on television and in the movies, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 77.

'Webster' star and Detroit Lions legend Alex Karras near death

Alex Karras' condition has deteriorated and the NFL team he played for is extending its sympathies.

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure.

"The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement released by the team late Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex.

Alex Karras Kidney Failure: Former Lions Star And Actor With Family During Final Days

Alex Karras was recently released from a California hospital after having kidney failure so he could spend his final days with family.

"He may be dying of kidney failure because now his body is catching up to the deterioration of his mind," Craig Mitnick, Karras' attorney in a lawsuit against the NFL, told The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon.

Sarah Jones, former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader, pleads guilty in teen sex scandal

Former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader-turned-teacher Sarah Jones -- not to be confused with the "Vegas" star of the same name -- pleaded guilty Monday to having sex with a former student when he was only 17. The 27-year-old will be charged with sexual misconduct and custodial interference, which will allow her to avoid jail time.
"I began a romantic relationship while he was a student and I was in a position of authority," admits Jones in the court hearing in Kenton County Circuit Court in Covington, Ky., the Associated Press reports.

Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, Arian Foster Too Much For New York Jets

Foster’s production: Look at the final numbers: 29 carries, 152-yards and a TD. In the Texans’ playbook you will see the Counter OF, Power O and Lead out of their 2-Back looks with the Stretch and Stretch “GT” (pull the front side Guard and Tackle) when Foster is aligned in the “dot.”  And off this run action, the boot (and “Swap” boot) come into play for QB Matt Schaub. The Texans didn’t generate the big plays down the field to WR Andre Johnson when he was matched up vs. CB Antonio Cromartie and they scaled back the call sheet in the fourth quarter. However, when you have a back with Foster’s vision and power vs. a D-Line you can move off the ball, its easy to lean on the run game.

JJ Watt: 'That's what you dream about;' Texans, Arian Foster smash Jets

October 9, 2012 (EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.) -- After Arian Foster ran over the New York Jets all night, it was time for the defense to seal things for the Houston Texans.
A six-point lead. Three minutes left. Mark Sanchez and the Jets 84 yards away from sending the Texans to their first loss with a crowd-pleasing comeback.
Not on this night.
Kareem Jackson intercepted Sanchez with 1:51 remaining as the Texans held on for a 23-17 victory Monday night and a 5-0 start.

Ex NFL Cheerleader Sarah Jones Guilty Of Sex With Minor

The sleazy news story making the Internet rounds today involves a former NFL cheerleader turned high school teacher and her sexual relationship with a 17 year old boy. Sarah Jones today entered a guilty plea to charges of sexual misconduct and custodial interference in Kenton County Circuit Court in Covington, Kentucky. The admission of guilt was part of a plea deal with prosecutors that allowed the 27 year old Jones to avoid

Brees sets mark, Saints beat Chargers 31-24

 Drew Brees got suspended coach Sean Payton in the building, broke a prestigious NFL passing record and led New Orleans to a desperately needed first win of the season.
For one memorable night, at least, the entire beleaguered Saints organization and its frustrated fans could celebrate a special moment in football history and recapture that winning feeling that had become commonplace before an offseason overshadowed by the NFL's bounty investigation.
Brees broke Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas' half-century-old record by throwing a touchdown pass in his 48th straight game, and the Saints defeated the San Diego Chargers 31-24 on

Yankees worried they may have to weather another storm

The threat of rain not only could mess with tonight's American League Division Series Game 1 between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, it could shake up the rosters – if the timing is right.

At the least, it could give Yankees manager Joe Girardi an uneasy day, not to mention some soggy flashbacks while waiting to send CC Sabathia to the mound.

NFL Sunday-Live TV Schedule and Time Listings, Plus Top Match-ups

(Sporting Alert) — The following are the NFL games and television schedule for Week 2, which will continue on Sunday afternoon.

Following Wednesday night’s midweek game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, which the latter ran away with – 14 more games are on the card for Sunday, with a total of nine set to kick-off at 1:00 PM ET.