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An NFL spokesman says the league could change its overtime format for playoff games at a meeting next month. Greg Aiello said Satuday that under the new format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown. If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the game, action would continue until a team scores again.

Information came at the players like an all-out blitz as manufacturers explained why their product was the best and safest. Though the topics were wide ranging, preventing head injuries topped the list Friday at the NFL Players Association’s second Player Safety and Welfare Summit. Some 25 players heard presentations from helmet manufacturers and medical personnel that included plenty of charts…

Joey Porter’s widely anticipated parting with the Miami Dolphins has been delayed by a bizarre hitch. The Dolphins announced the release of the disgruntled linebacker Friday. Less than three hours later, they said the move was “determined to be an invalid termination.” Therefore, he reverted to the Dolphins’ roster — for now.

The question to DeMaurice Smith was simple, coming from Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco, asking how serious he viewed the possibility of football not being played in 2011. Smith did not hesitate. "On a scale of 1 to 10," Smith said Thursday, "it's a 14." With that, the executive director of the NFL Players Association painted perhaps the bleakest picture yet regarding…

In tribute to Don Shula, the Miami Dolphins have a new statue and address, and the NFL has a new award. The statue of Shula in front of the Dolphins' new stadium offices was unveiled before Sunday's Pro Bowl. The Dolphins announced the address of the offices will be 347 Don Shula Drive, in recognition of his NFL-record 347 victories.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner will hold a news conference Friday to announce whether he will retire from the game, his agent said. Mark Bartelstein, in a telephone interview on Wednesday, said the announcement will be made at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe. Bartelstein declined to reveal Warner's decision.

Former Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel has spoken to the New
York Giants by telephone about their vacant defensive coordinator’s
job but is giving the Kansas City Chiefs the first shot at hiring
him.

Pete Carroll says the only reason he is leaving Southern California to become Seattle Seahawks coach is because the challenge was too good to pass up. The Seahawks hired the charismatic coach away from USC on Monday. At a news conference later on USC's campus, Carroll said "It hurts to separate." Carroll's departure ends one of the most successful runs in college football history.

In a matter of minutes, Tom Brady and his New England Patriots went from being the team of the last decade to looking old, overmatched and, oddly, inept. Fans sat in frozen silence. Barely into their seats, they saw the shocking truth on the scoreboard. Five minutes into the game, New England trailed the Baltimore Ravens 14-0.

His coach locked in place, new Browns president Mike Holmgren continued his search for a general manager on Friday. Holmgren interviewed Seattle pro personnel director Will Lewis, the second candidate brought in to potentially fill Cleveland's GM vacancy. Through a team spokesman, Holmgren reported the meeting with Lewis "went very well." Holmgren, who took over Cleveland's…

Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans has become the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. The second-year running back ran right, cut back inside and jumped over a teammate for a 4-yard gain early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game at Seattle. Game officials tossed the ball to the Titans' sideline as Johnson joined Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders,…

Brett Favre has joined Drew Brees and Peyton Manning in
Championship weekend. Get the latest playoff matchups.

San Diego guard Kris Dielman was ejected in the second quarter Sunday for throwing a punch at Kansas City’s Tamba Hali after Hali caused and recovered a fumble.

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore was inactive Sunday against Miami because of a sprained left ankle, costing him a chance to face his hometown team. Gore, fifth in the NFL in total yards from scrimmage, was hurt early in the second half of a victory over the New York Jets last week. The South Florida native and former Miami Hurricanes star had been looking forward to facing the Dolphins…

Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia will not play today because of a right calf injury.

Detroit quarterback Daunte Culpepper was among the inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Culpepper injured his right shoulder late in the first half against Minnesota last week and his status for the Colts was in doubt after he underwent an MRI. Dan Orlovsky was listed as the starter against the Colts, with Drew Stanton as backup and Drew Henson as the third…

Buffalo Bills backup quarterback J.P. Losman made his second straight start for injured starter Trent Edwards against the New York Jets on Sunday. Edwards was listed as the Bills’ No. 3 quarterback after he missed practice all week because of a lingering groin injury sustained in the first half of Buffalo’s loss to San Francisco on Nov.

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver and coach Jack Del Rio will shake things up on the field, in the front office and with the coaching staff after a disappointing season, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

While the Dallas Cowboys were trying to downplay a possible rift between Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, the two nearly came to blows on Friday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported Saturday.