Wide Right? Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says Bengals missed winning field goal

BEREA, Ohio — He tackled last week’s officials. Then, he roughed up Bills quarterback Trent Edwards.

Heisman Trophy winner QB Sam Bradford to start for No. 19 Sooners against Baylor on Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY — Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford will return from a sprained right shoulder and start for No. 19 Oklahoma on Saturday against Baylor.

AP answers your questions on the news, from using more natural gas to how NFL players are paid

One natural resource the United States has a lot of is natural gas. So why not just start using it in place of oil, to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported energy?

Losman throws 2 TD passes, Las Vegas beats California 30-17 in UFL debut

LAS VEGAS — J.P. Losman threw two touchdowns passes and Dede Dorsey scored twice to help the Las Vegas Locomotives win the first game in United Football League history, 30-17 over the California Redwoods on Thursday night.

‘Why does his story keep changing?’: WR Bryant played for Oklahoma State during investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY — All-America receiver Dez Bryant played in Oklahoma State’s first three games of the season while compliance officials were investigating an apparent meeting with former NFL players Deion Sanders and Omar Stoutmire that he later lied about to the NCAA.

49ers playing some of their best defensive football as they surge to early NFC West lead

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are playing some of their best defensive football of the past decade, and it’s just about the entire unit that’s doing it.

Oakland needs more from its defensive line to snap out of early-season funk

ALAMEDA, Calif. — It was no surprise that Tommy Kelly’s best game in more than two years turned out to be little more than an afterthought.

Patriots rushing leader Fred Taylor misses practice, may need right ankle surgery

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Oft-injured running back Fred Taylor is sidelined again and could need surgery on his right ankle after leading the New England Patriots in rushing this season.

Super Bowl trophies ignored? For IRL contenders, there’s only 1 trophy that matters right now

DAVIE, Fla. — Dario Franchitti was getting dressed at the Miami Dolphins’ training facility Thursday afternoon, when someone warned him that the adjacent pile of football playbooks were top secret.

Former 2-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Leon Clarke dies at 76

LOS ANGELES — Leon Clarke, a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in the NFL who played for Southern California in the 1955 Rose Bowl, has died at 76.

Carr ready as heel injury sidelines Giants’ Eli Manning for second straight day

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With 79 career starts, David Carr knows how much Eli Manning wants to be on the field calling the plays when the New York Giants meet the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Cardinals don’t have sellout for Texans game yet; NFL extends blackout deadline 24 more hours

TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFL has given the Arizona Cardinals a 24-hour extension to the television blackout deadline for Sunday’s game in Glendale against the Houston Texans.

New York Jets get visit at practice from 6-time champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped by the New York Jets’ practice facility and came up with a knockout of an idea for his next career move.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford doesn’t practice for 2nd straight day because of injured right knee

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are being coy about the quarterback’s injured right knee and his status.

Brotherhood: Fast starts could have Peyton and Eli Manning looking like identical twins

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton and Eli Manning will never make their NFL careers a personal competition.

Mammoth Minnesota Vikings offensive line keeping soon-to-be 40-year old Brett Favre upright

Vikings line keeping rejuvenated Favre upright

Offense gets big boost as Jets acquire WR Braylon Edwards from Browns

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards went home frustrated way too many times, tired of all the losing in Cleveland.

Jets acquire receiver Braylon Edwards from Browns for WR Stuckey, LB Trusnik, draft picks

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards’ arrival was picture-perfect for the New York Jets.

Tight ends taking increased lead role in NFL passing attacks; on pace for record production

NFL coaches are using athletic tight ends to take advantage of mismatches more than ever.

Inconsistent Arizona offensive line looks to regain Super Bowl form

TEMPE, Ariz. — When the running game goes nowhere and the quarterback is knocked around like a pinata, the offensive line gets the blame.

Tight ends now leaders, not role players, in NFL passing attacks; on pace for record season

NFL coaches are using athletic tight ends to take advantage of mismatches more than ever.

With DeAngelo Williams wearing pink shoes, Panthers ready to run _ finally

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DeAngelo Williams was a catalyst for the NFL’s decision to allow players to wear pink cleats to raise awareness for breast cancer. Then he and the Panthers were off with a bye when the initiative began last weekend.

Banged-up Raiders offensive line gets tough test this week against Giants

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Facing the New York Giants defensive line is a tough enough task for an offensive line in the best of circumstances. The banged-up Oakland Raiders have to do it this week with backups in three of the five spots.

Oklahoma State rules All-America wide receiver Dez Bryant ineligible for lying to NCAA

OKLAHOMA CITY — All-America wide receiver Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible by Oklahoma State, four days before the 15th-ranked Cowboys’ first Big 12 game.

Jets QB Sanchez says he was fined $5,000 by league for low hit on Saints LB Vilma

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez said Wednesday that he was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his low block on New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma last weekend.

Oklahoma State rules All-America WR Dez Bryant ineligible

OKLAHOMA CITY — All-America wide receiver Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible by Oklahoma State, four days before the 15th-ranked Cowboys’ first Big 12 game.

FANTASY FOOTBALL: T.O., Romo are really missing each other _ at least statistically

The crisis has gotten so bad that maybe the NFL should consider a fantasy football bailout package. Tony Romo and Terrell Owens are terrible.

Stanford’s Gerhart runs over opponents and into the discussion for Heisman

STANFORD, Calif. — Toby Gerhart’s massive arms were so bloody after his latest dominating performance that coach Jim Harbaugh thought he had been cut with razor blades.

Las Vegas oddsmakers like Yankees, Cardinals to meet in World Series; Twins a 25-1 underdog

LAS VEGAS — Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have picked the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals as favorites to meet in the World Series and think New York has an overwhelming chance to win its first title since 2000.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford doesn’t practice Wednesday because of injured right knee

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford was held out of practice Wednesday by the Detroit Lions because of his injured right knee.

Trading smelling salts for science: Treatment for players with concussions has advanced

NEW YORK — The days of a football player getting his bell rung, taking a whiff of smelling salts and getting back on the field are gone.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb set to make return from cracked rib against Buccaneers

PHILADELPHIA — Donovan McNabb is ready to pull on the No. 5 gameday jersey, take the snap, drop back and throw the ball downfield.

Rookie linebacker Fein, Baltimore Ravens hopeful, dies in Washington state

SEATTLE — Tony Fein, an Iraq war veteran and NFL rookie linebacker who played with the Baltimore Ravens during the preseason, has died of unexplained causes on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington state.

Jets acquire WR Edwards from Browns for WR Stuckey, LB Trusnik, draft picks

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards’ arrival was picture-perfect for the New York Jets.

Defenders of celebration rule say it’s needed, but some wonder if it’s gone too far

ATHENS, Ga. — The NFL is the “No Fun League?” Hey, at least a player can still do the Lambeau Leap.