Player Notes

At this time last year, the Chiefs were seen by many pundits as a candidate to take a step back.The Chiefs had traded All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the offseason while the other AFC West teams had made what seemed to be splashy additions.While at Chiefs camp earlier this month, Alex Marvez of SiriusXM said there seemed to be a chip on quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ shoulder in 2022 about the ...

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach sounded an optimistic tone regarding Chris Jones, saying he’s “hopeful” the All-Pro defensive tackle will be available for the season opener next week against the Detroit Lions.“We have been in communication, actually, the last two days we’ve been in more communication,” Veach said Wednesday. “We continue to press on and work hard, a lot of respect on both sides of ...

INDIANAPOLIS — From the outside looking into the standoff between the Colts franchise and star running back Jonathan Taylor, there appears to be little possibility of a reconciliation, and whatever chance this is shrinks with every move each side makes.Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard tried to push back on that narrative Wednesday.One day after fielding, and ultimately declining, trade offers ...

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts hang on too long. It’s what they do. Say what you want about the direction of this franchise, but don’t say it hasn’t been consistent. When things go wrong, they go wrong for the same reason every time.Here they go again, desperately hanging onto running back Jonathan Taylor, who has sent clear messages in every conceivable way – most of them childish and pathetic ...

When Sean Payton arrived on the Front Range this offseason intent on turning around the Broncos, he embarked upon a challenge that has eluded every Super Bowl-winning coach who preceded him.Since the AFL and NFL merged in 1966, a total of 35 coaches have led their teams to at least one Super Bowl title. While 14 of those have gone on to coach another franchise later in their careers, none have raised ...

It’s not just about volume. It’s volume and pitch, and people with voices that carry know how to create a frequency that pierces the air like a missile.Eric Bieniemy is a master of both.He’s typically heard before he’s seen at practices, shouting formations and plays — “Zebra! Zee-bra!” — or ordering running backs to cap each play with a score or issuing blunt reminders to his offense. “We can’t run ...

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers may have traded away Trey Lance, but Nick Bosa is definitely not available, coach Kyle Shanahan made clear Wednesday.“No. I haven’t talked to many people about that but I know I feel pretty strongly,” Shanahan said. “I think everyone would agree to that.”General manager John Lynch concurred in an ensuing media session. Asked if there’s a chance they trade Bosa, Lynch replied: ...

Former South Jersey star Jonathan Taylor remains on the physically unable to perform list with the Indianapolis Colts, who have failed to trade the former All-Pro running back.The Colts reportedly have engaged in trade discussions with the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins about Taylor, who requested a trade last month. Taylor, a standout at Salem High School and Wisconsin, will miss the first four ...

Eric Mangini learned it the hard way. So, apparently, has Peter King.If you cross Bill Belichick, the Patriots head coach is done with you.King, now a columnist for NBC Sports, told The Athletic that he hasn’t spoken to Belichick in 17 years.Why?Belichick didn’t like King’s coverage of Spygate.“That’s the cost of doing business sometimes,” King said. “He’s one of the greatest coaches of all time. I’m ...

Soon after he was drafted by the Giants this year, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was sent a video message by Odell Beckham Jr. asking him not to “break all my records in your rookie year.”Hyatt at least will match one of OBJ’s numbers, officially switching from No. 84 to No. 13 for his initial NFL campaign — the jersey number Beckham wore during his five accomplished seasons with the Giants from 2014-18.Wide ...