open-field
It's Time We Realize Football Is a Little Less Important
Maryland. Ohio State. Yet fans fret over how rules designed to damage fewer brains will spoil their Sundays, and coaches link those same rules to the downfall of our nation. Perspective is in order: Football is a sport, nothing more
The Stadium, a Soccer Team, and Why That Statue Won't Go Away: David Tepper's Honeymoon Phase With the Carolina Panthers
How sports betting, cash and politics factored into that Jerry Richardson statue staying up, and why the Panthers aren't moving, but changes are coming to their stadium, including a potential new tenant from Major League Soccer. David Tepper's busy first month as an NFL owner
For One Night, Carson Wentz Returns to the Field
The quarterback was back in action on Friday, even if it was just to take cuts before his charity's softball game. Wentz provided a glimpse into his road to recovery, his chances of playing in the regular-season opener, and his unique relationship with Nick Foles
by Kalyn Kahler
Five Giants, and Those Forgotten After the Storm
Landon Collins led a contingent of Giants teammates to the mountains of interior Puerto Rico. They lifted spirits in areas that, eight months after the storm, still lacks electricity, water and medical supplies, and they served as a reminder that the Puerto Rican people haven't been forgotten
Jerry Richardson Moves On; the NFL's Investigation Could Be Forced to Do the Same
With his team on the verge of being sold, the soon-to-be ex-Carolina Panthers owner's next venture as a businessman is unclear. But it is clear that the NFL's investigation into his workplace behavior is likely going nowhere
Aqib Talib Is One of a Kind
A look back on the unique, often-contradictory spirit of Talib during his memorable four-year run in Denver, and a look forward to what the Rams are getting
Cam Makes His Move Off the Field
With social activism taking hold across the NFL, many look at Cam Newton and wonder what, exactly, the league's most prominent African-American quarterback is doing. We spent a day in his foundation's new program—designed to develop future community leaders—to find out
What the Wild NFL Playoff Field Means for Vegas
Eight playoff teams didn't make the postseason a year ago, and four of those teams didn't make it in any of the past eight years. What the unprecedented season meant for Vegas, and means for the playoff odds
by Jacob Feldman
Has the Shazier Injury Made Us Rethink Football?
We asked fans in Pittsburgh before they went in to watch the most anticipated regular-season game of 2017
by Conor Orr
The Saints' Success Is On the Line
The nation is starting to take notice of what was already common knowledge in the New Orleans' locker room: Drew Brees is the face of the franchise, but the offensive line is powering the resurgent Saints
'Jerry Wants to Overthrow Goodell'
With the commissioner's nearly completed contract hanging in the balance, numerous sources confirm: Jerry Jones will not fall in line with the other owners
Hot Seats, Upstarts, a Sleeper and a Sleeping Giant: Storylines for the NFL Season's Second Half
We're only halfway there. A look ahead to the fates of two coaches on the hot seat, how the first-half darlings will fare, and teams that could be the stories of the final two months
The Hangover? The Falcons Have Played Like a .500 Team, Which is Exactly What They Are
The NFC championship roster came back intact. The Falcons' fall off this season has come down to the little things
Richie Incognito Has More to Say About Thursday Night Football
He unloaded on the Thursday night slate after last night's loss to the Jets. And one day later, the Bills Pro Bowl offensive lineman is hammering away with the same criticisms he—and many players—have always had of TNF
by Albert Breer
Steve Sarkisian: His Battle Against Alcoholism and Running the Falcons Offense
Two games into the 2017 season, the Falcons' high-flying offense hasn't missed a beat after losing its play-caller. That's been due in large part to the work of new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, back in the coaching spotlight after a very public battle with alcoholism
Marquand Manuel and 10 NFL Head Coaches of the Future
Atlanta's first-year defensive coordinator on what he learned from Pete Carroll, and why he considers Kam Chancellor the most special player he ever coached. Plus, the league's top-10 head-coaching candidates, from McDaniels to Manuel
The Education of Marcus Mariota
Quarterbacks from spread offenses often struggle to make the transition from college to the NFL, but not Mariota. A look back at the Titans' plan to develop their franchise QB, and why it worked
by Tim Rohan
Life on the Edge of The 53
Four years into his NFL career, Joe Vellano has been cut, re-signed, cut again, cut the day after his home burned down, signed in the middle of the playoffs, and has taken the field in three conference title games and a Super Bowl. Today, he is like hundreds of other players in across the NFL right now, fighting for one of the final spots on a roster
James Harrison: Fake News, and Real Thoughts About Anthem Protests
The veteran linebacker's actual words, and what he thinks of the fake news epidemic and the gullibility of those who believe it
They Came to See Tim Tebow
Conversations with loyal followers of a certain 30-year-old minor-league baseball player