Emmitt Smith Nears Payton's Record
Emmitt Smith is 93 yards away now, closing in on Walter Payton's career record for rushing yards.
( HAL BOCK, AP Sports Writer, 10/26/2002 03:46 PM EDT)

Patriots Hope Bye Week Helps
The New England Patriots used their bye week to rest, take their minds off of football and most importantly, not lose a game.
( HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 07:14 PM EDT)

Eagles Kicker Akers Perfect So Far
When the Philadelphia Eagles called David Akers almost four years ago, he was waiting on tables at a steakhouse in Georgia.
( ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 07:10 PM EDT)

Ward dropped from lawsuit alleging rape in Las Vegas
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Dedric Ward has been dismissed from a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims he and three other NFL players raped her in May 2000.
( 10/25/2002 07:00 PM EDT)

Status of Giants' Shockey Uncertain
The turf toe that sidelined Jeremy Shockey for most of the last two games might keep the New York Giants' tight end out Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
( TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 06:40 PM EDT)

Funeral of Browns Owner Al Lerner
Cleveland Browns owner Al Lerner was remembered as a loving husband and father, a keen businessman and "man of towering strength" during a two-hour funeral service Friday.
( TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 06:28 PM EDT)

Falcons' Duckett, Weiner doubtful
Atlanta Falcons running back T.J. Duckett missed his third straight practice Friday with a sore foot, and it will be a game-time decision whether he can play against New Orleans.
( GEORGE HENRY, Associated Press Writer, 10/25/2002 05:31 PM EDT)

Sapp practices despite knee sprain
Warren Sapp was added to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' injury report Friday with a sprained left knee that is not expected to keep him from playing against Carolina.
( 10/25/2002 05:27 PM EDT)

Panthers' RB Foster Out for Season
Carolina rookie running back DeShaun Foster is out for the season with a left knee injury and was placed on injured reserve Friday.
( 10/25/2002 04:36 PM EDT)

Bond Between Jarrett Payton, Smith
Jarrett Payton remembers sitting at the head of the table and making eye contact with Emmitt Smith.
( MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 04:34 PM EDT)

Smith Carries Load for Dallas
When it comes to marketing the Dallas Cowboys, the team is sticking to a formula that works well on the field: Give it to Emmitt Smith.
( JOHN McFARLAND, Associated Press Writer, 10/25/2002 04:15 PM EDT)

Ray Lewis practices, still questionable Sunday
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis practiced for the first time in three weeks Friday afternoon, but his status for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh remains questionable.
( 10/25/2002 04:04 PM EDT)

Even when he does it wrong, Bell often makes Steelers defense go right
Lee Flowers knew as soon as the game started that linebacker Kendrell Bell's return was making a big difference in the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense.
( ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 02:07 PM EDT)

Dolphins' Rodgers Gets Extension
Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers was given an extension Friday to decide on a plea offer on charges he kicked and punched his wife and attacked a man with her at a restaurant.
( 10/25/2002 01:55 PM EDT)

Okobi's Experience Is in the Mind
He got off the Pittsburgh Steelers' bench in only one game as a rookie last season. Before filling in during the second half Monday night against the Colts, he played all of four downs this season.
( ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 06:03 AM EDT)

Cardinals Prepare for Big Game
Big games, important games, for the Arizona Cardinals are almost as rare as a blizzard in the desert.
( BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer, 10/25/2002 06:01 AM EDT)

Browns Coach Knows Talent of Moss
Butch Davis must find a way to stop one of his greatest players in college.
( BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer, 10/24/2002 10:55 PM EDT)

Hall of Fame to Get Smith's Jersey
Emmitt Smith has agreed to give the Pro Football Hall of Fame either the jersey or helmet he wears when he becomes the NFL's career rushing leader.
( JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 09:46 PM EDT)

Injured 49ers Back at Practice
Receivers Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes practiced with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, but tight end Eric Johnson missed workouts with a back injury that could sideline him this weekend.
( 10/24/2002 09:28 PM EDT)

QB Chandler to Start Against Vikings
The Chicago Bears turned to quarterback Chris Chandler for the second consecutive week Thursday, naming him the starter after trainers ruled out Jim Miller.
( 10/24/2002 08:51 PM EDT)

Shell to Handle NFL Player Appeals
Hall of Famer Art Shell was hired Thursday by the NFL to handle player appeals of on-field disciplinary action.
( 10/24/2002 08:23 PM EDT)

NFL Suspends Chargers' Harrison
San Diego Chargers strong safety Rodney Harrison is used to dealing out punishing hits. On Thursday, the NFL hit back.
( BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 08:07 PM EDT)

Lerner's death means end of one era for Browns, beginning of another
The death of Cleveland Browns owner Al Lerner marked the end of one era and the beginning of another as his son, Randy Lerner, takes over the team he cheered on as a child.
( TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 08:06 PM EDT)

Eagles' Runyan Tired of Strahan Talk
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan has heard enough about Michael Strahan.
( ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 07:21 PM EDT)

Shockey Sits Out End of Practice
New York Giants rookie tight end Jeremy Shockey aggravated a foot injury late in practice on Thursday and sat out the last part of the workout.
( 10/24/2002 06:46 PM EDT)

Dolphins Vet Finally Gets in Game
For fringe players on NFL rosters, the math gets fuzzy.
( STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 06:39 PM EDT)

Same old Tre back to fill desperate Redskins need
If the Washington Redskins need Tre Johnson to play Sunday against Indianapolis, he's more than willing to give it a try - even if he isn't sure what's going on.
( JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 05:52 PM EDT)

Bengals Struggle Over QB Position
Kurt Warner takes over and leads the lowly Rams to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady does the same thing with the Patriots, filling in after Drew Bledsoe goes down.
( JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 05:46 PM EDT)

Smith Aims for Payton's Record
Emmitt Smith's path to the brink of the NFL's career rushing record has been paved by some of the game's best blockers.
( STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 05:39 PM EDT)

Panthers Get Morgan and Fields Back
The Carolina Panthers got mixed news about their injuries Thursday. Linebackers Dan Morgan and Mark Fields both returned to practice, but rookie running back DeShaun Foster suffered another setback.
( JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 05:31 PM EDT)

Shell to Handle NFL Player Appeals
Hall of Famer Art Shell was hired Thursday by the NFL to handle player appeals of on-field disciplinary action.
( 10/24/2002 05:18 PM EDT)

Chargers' Harrison suspended a game
San Diego Chargers safety Rodney Harrison was suspended without pay for one game by the NFL on Thursday for his third serious rules violation in the past 16 games, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Oakland's Jerry Rice last Sunday.
( BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 04:55 PM EDT)

Browns coach knows Moss' talent
Butch Davis must find a way to stop one of his greatest players in college.
( BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer, 10/24/2002 04:21 PM EDT)

Browns Owner Al Lerner Dies at 69
Al Lerner gave millions to charity, but perhaps one of the self-made billionaire's greatest gifts went to Cleveland's rabid football fans.
( TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 07:50 AM EDT)

Browns' Davis Already Up to Speed
Andre Davis politely excused himself from a group of reporters so he could put on a silk tie before being interviewed.
( TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 02:28 AM EDT)

Steelers Are Watching What They Say
Talking got the Pittsburgh Steelers into this mess to begin with. Maybe that's why they're not looking to get into another round of verbal exchanges with the Baltimore Ravens.
( ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 02:26 AM EDT)

Back again, Matthews doesn't sound at all like a Spurrier QB
Shane Matthews' words sounded almost like heresy, considering he plays for Steve Spurrier.
( JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer, 10/24/2002 02:23 AM EDT)

Jags Sign Seder to Replace Epstein
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Tim Seder to a contract Wednesday, giving the former schoolteacher yet another chance in the NFL after losing his job with the Cowboys this preseason.
( 10/24/2002 12:11 AM EDT)

Bears DE Bryan Robinson Inactive
Defensive end Bryan Robinson has been left off the active roster for Sunday's game in Minnesota after being arrested for drunken driving, his second DUI arrest this year.
( 10/24/2002 12:08 AM EDT)