By FRED GOODALL TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — It took five coaching changes over a decade-plus of futility before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got it right, luring Bruce Arians out of retirement. Two seasons later, the 68-year-old quarterback expert has them in the Super Bowl. Signing Tom Brady was a big part of solving the…… read more »
By STEVE MEGARGEE GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Tom Brady has a new team, in a new town. The destination is the same: another Super Bowl. At home, too. The man with six NFL titles will become the first quarterback to play a Super Bowl on his team’s home field. He owes the Tampa Bay…… read more »
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — New Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith is building his staff. He added four assistants Saturday, including veteran defensive line coach Gary Emanuel. Emanuel coached the New York Giants’ defensive line in 2018-19. He has 38 years coaching experience, including 10 in the NFL. He coached the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive line…… read more »
By PAUL NEWBERRY ATLANTA (AP) — As his adopted hometown mourned Hank Aaron’s death, some fans called on the Atlanta Braves to change their name to the Hammers in his honor. “Hammerin’ Hank” died Friday at age 86, drawing praise from all segments of society — including the current and former presidents — for his…… read more »
By STEVE MEGARGEE For as much as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have accomplished in their Hall of Fame-caliber careers, they’ve rarely faced off on the field. Never have they met with so much at stake. When Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers (14-3) host Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-5) in the NFC championship game Sunday, it…… read more »
By DAVE SKRETTA KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol Wednesday, but practiced in a limited capacity, raising hopes that the reigning Super Bowl MVP can play in Sunday’s AFC title game against Buffalo. The Chiefs typically breeze through their midweek practice with little contact before ramping…… read more »
By DOUG FERGUSON Tiger Woods has suffered a setback with his back, disclosing Tuesday that he recently had a fifth surgery that will keep him from starting the year until after the West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour. Woods will not play next week in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, which he…… read more »
By DAVE SKRETTA KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs built a defense and signed a backup quarterback that were good enough to preserve a win. Now, are they good enough to win on their own? The Chiefs, who lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday’s divisional-round win…… read more »
By DAVE SKRETTA KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs had lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion and were in danger of losing the game. Then their defense and Chad Henne — their defense and Chad Henne?! — along with a gutsy call by Andy Reid kept their hopes of a Super Bowl…… read more »
By STEVE MEGARGEE GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Don’t tell Aaron Rodgers the lack of capacity crowds in a pandemic will limit the Green Bay Packers’ home-field advantage in the NFC championship game. He’s been waiting too long for this moment to have any such negative thoughts. Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and also ran…… read more »
