Singletary: 49ers discussed changing offer to top pick Crabtree

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Coach Mike Singletary said Monday the San Francisco 49ers have discussed changing their offer to top draft pick Michael Crabtree.

Bears LB Urlacher out for rest of season with dislocated right wrist

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Finally healthy after two years, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher launched his regular season by making a run at Aaron Rodgers, lowering his shoulder and plowing over the Packers quarterback in the first quarter.

Favre leads Vikings in 34-20 win over Browns; Brees tosses 6 TDs as Saints beat Lions 45-27

Brett Favre returned from yet another retirement, feeling healthy and happy in his Minnesota Vikings debut.

Romo throws for 3 touchdowns, Cowboys begin post-T.O. era with 34-21 victory over Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. — Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys are off to a good start without Terrell Owens.

Gonzalez, Peterson shine in first game for Falcons; Atlanta shuts down Dolphins 19-7

ATLANTA — For one week at least, the Falcons answered all those questions about their defense.

Buffalo Sabres sign free agent forward Drew Stafford to 2-year deal worth $4 million

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have signed restricted free agent forward Drew Stafford to a two-year deal.

Patriots defense must contend with Owens and Bills after losing 5 veteran starters

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ defense wants to prove it’s just as strong without five veteran starters. Terrell Owens sees nothing to prove in his debut with the Buffalo Bills.

Red Wings ready for training camp after falling short of Stanley Cup repeat, losing Hossa

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Detroit Red Wings returned to the ice Sunday, hoping a renewed emphasis on defense and an infusion of youthful energy will provide another shot at the Stanley Cup that narrowly eluded them last season.

Dallas Stars, new coach Marc Crawford start training camp feeling they have something to prove

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Stars and new head coach Marc Crawford each feel they have something to prove this year.

Right wing Derek Dorsett signs 2-year contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Right wing Derek Dorsett has signed a two-year contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets that runs through the 2011-12 season.

Up ahead for Derek Jeter: 3,000 hits, maybe even 4,000?

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter walked to his locker, nearly two hours before game time, in his usual pregame attire of shorts and a T-shirt with cutout sleeves.

Senators send disgruntled winger Heatley to Sharks for Michalek, Cheechoo, 2nd-round pick

The San Jose Sharks made the big move that has been expected ever since their best regular season ended with a first-round playoff exit, acquiring disgruntled winger Dany Heatley from the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Seymour breaks silence, says he’s excited to be a Raider after being ‘blindsided’ by trade

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Richard Seymour ended his five-day sit out and will join the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, saying he was initially “blindsided” by the trade from the New England Patriots.

Report: Raiders send Seymour warning letter as he fails to report following trade

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders reportedly sent defensive lineman Richard Seymour a letter giving him until Tuesday to report to the team or face a possible season-long suspension.

Broncos wideout still not talking since return from suspension

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall declined to comment Friday about his return from a team-imposed suspension, culminating his week of public silence on the matter.

Appeals court says NFL can’t suspend Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal appeals court says the NFL can’t suspend Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Young Falcons defense bracing for test against Dolphins’ running attack in season opener

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons traded experience for youth when they rebuilt their defense.

NFL 2009: Patriots lose defensive stalwarts but offensive star Tom Brady is still around

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots begin the season without five of last year’s defensive starters.

Storm sign All-Star guard Sue Bird to multiyear contract extension

SEATTLE — Sue Bird has agreed to a multiyear contract extension to stay with the Seattle Storm, keeping the All-Star guard with the only WNBA team she’s played for.

Bills’ Bell ready to tackle new challenge in preparing to start against New England

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Offensive lineman Demetrius Bell finds it amusing when thinking back to last year when he was known around the Buffalo Bills locker room as the lowest-ranked player in a popular NFL video game.

NFL 2009: Same as every year for the Eagles, it’s Super Bowl or bust

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles could have an undefeated regular season, set records and breeze through the playoffs.

Revenge of the camel: NJ animal won’t predict Eagles outcomes in protest of Vick signing

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Philadelphia Eagles fans thirsty for predictions on whether their team will win or lose each week won’t get them from a New Jersey pigskin-prognosticating camel. Princess, the star of Popcorn Park Zoo, won’t predict the results of any Eagles games this season to protest the signing of quarterback Michael Vick. Vick spent 18 months in prison for organizing a dogfighting ring.

Revenge of the camel: NJ dromedary won’t predict Eagles outcomes in protest of Vick signing

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Philadelphia Eagles fans thirsty for predictions on whether their team will win or lose each week won’t get them from a New Jersey pigskin-prognosticating camel.

Broncos DB Brian Dawkins quickly wins over teammates with hard hits, leadership qualities

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brian Dawkins’ favorite superhero is Wolverine, the member of the X-Men known for his stamina, agility, superior athleticism and high pain threshold.

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards accepts changes made to offense after tumultuous week

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Hardly a day has gone by this past week when quarterback Trent Edwards hasn’t been asked to discuss the latest in a series of stunning changes to the Bills offense.

NFL 2009: Quarterback Marc Bulger’s problematic pinkie among many concerns for rebuilding Rams

ST. LOUIS — Video games are not among Marc Bulger’s passions. He’s not much of a typist, either, using what he refers to as the “pointer finger” whenever he must use a keyboard.

Jim Mora’s latest cleanup job: Returning to lead hometown Seahawks back to top of NFC West

SEATTLE — Jim Mora spent part of his youth in suburban Seattle cleaning the visiting locker room when he worked as an attendant at the old Kingdome.

NFL 2009: Cardinals out to prove last season’s Super Bowl run was no mirage in the desert

TEMPE, Ariz. — This is all so foreign to the Arizona Cardinals. They are, incredibly, the reigning NFC champions. A franchise that had one playoff victory in more than a half-century won three last year and came within a breath of a Super Bowl title.

Orioles get LHP Sean Henn from Twins for player to be named or cash

BOSTON — The Baltimore Orioles have acquired left-hander Sean Henn from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named or cash.

Seahawks counting on ‘Big Play Babs’ to be just that in revamped secondary

RENTON, Wash. — Good thing Jordan Babineaux relishes the nickname bestowed upon him by Seattle teammates four years ago.

Minor league SS whose Yankees contract was voided by MLB is suspended 50 games after drug test

NEW YORK — A minor league shortstop whose contract with the New York Yankees was voided earlier this year has been suspended 50 games after a positive drug test.

Thursday’s NFL Capsule

OPENING LINE_Steelers by 5½.

RECORD VS. SPREAD_Tennessee 12-4-1, Pittsburgh 11-8.

Playing games in Cleveland, Mangini tries to keep a secret not worth keeping

If it weren’t for the NFL’s new Twitter policy that has, for the time being, silenced even Chad Ochocinco, we’d probably know for sure by now the question that has transfixed the NFL: Who will line up under center on Sunday for the Cleveland Browns?

Broncos reach injury settlements with CB Joshua Bell, G Matt McChesney

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have reached injury settlements with cornerback Joshua Bell and guard Matt McChesney.

Staying put would be worth $5 million for Saban, guaranteed to be among 5 highest paid coaches

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — If Alabama coach Nick Saban sticks around for another nine years, it will be worth $5 million to him and, the Crimson Tide hopes, a few more championships for the program.