03/15/13 COMPREHENSIVE REAL-TIME NEWS FEED FOR NFL FOOTBALL

• Time to retire the Redskins name _{2013-03-15, 03:02 am}
  I really do. But two hours after the meaning of the name of Washington's pro football team was vigorously debated before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board last week in Alexandria, Va., I better understood why I will always be aligned with those who want the name changed.
• NFL: Seahawks acquire DE Cliff Avril to bolster pass rush _{2013-03-15, 03:01 am}
  Free agent defensive end Cliff Avril and the Seattle Seahawks reached agreement on a contract Wednesday that addresses one of Seattle's big off-season desires to improve the pass rush along the defensive line.
• Welker: No hard feelings toward Patriots _{2013-03-15, 03:01 am}
  The Broncos introduced the former New England receiver Thursday, the day after he signed a 2-year, $12 million deal to catch passes from Peyton Manning.
• Patriots sign Amendola to replace Welker _{2013-03-15, 03:01 am}
  The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with receiver Danny Amendola on a deal that would reportedly pay him $31 million over five years, moving quickly after the loss of 5-time Pro Bowl selection Wes Welker.
• NFL Free Agency: Welker, Bush and Goldson headline Day 2 dealing _{2013-03-15, 03:01 am}
  Wes Welker makes a catch last January as New England faced Houston in an AFC divisional playoff.
• Andruw Jones hits HR as Netherlands beats Padres _{2013-03-15, 03:01 am}
  The journey started with a training camp in Arizona. Then the Dutch national team opened the international tournament in Taichung, Taiwan, flew to Tokyo for the second round and stopped in Arizona for a two exhibitions before they head to San Francisco for the WBC semifinals.
• NFL Free Agency: Falcons sign Steven Jackson at running back _{2013-03-15, 03:00 am}
  Running back Steven Jackson dives for a St. Louis Rams touchdown against Arizona.
• Falcons agree to 3-year deal with Steven Jackson _{2013-03-15, 02:58 am}
  The Atlanta Falcons have found their replacement for Michael Turner by agreeing to terms with free agent Steven Jackson on a three-year, $12 million deal.
• Bell: NFL can finally end the horrible Tuck Rule _{2013-03-15, 02:58 am}
  It's possible even the most ardent follower of pro football had no clue there was something called the "Tuck Rule" when Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson bolted through the snow and crashed into a former Michigan teammate, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, during a dramatic AFC divisional playoff game Jan.
• Falcons get Steven Jackson; Matt Cassel to Vikings _{2013-03-15, 02:54 am}
  Steven Jackson, the top running back in free agency, agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with the Falcons on Thursday.
• Welker says he called Broncos looking for a job _{2013-03-15, 02:58 am}
  From thousands of miles away, over the connection of a telephone line, Wes Welker made his sales pitch to Denver Broncos boss John Elway.
• NFL could eliminate tuck rule _{2013-03-15, 02:57 am}
  The tuck rule could disappear from NFL games if owners approve a proposal from the competition committee to dump it.
• Steven Jackson joins Super Bowl contender _{2013-03-15, 02:57 am}
  It's been filled with Thursday's announcement that Steven Jackson reached a three-year agreement with the team.
• NFL sexual orientation questions scrutinized _{2013-03-15, 02:57 am}
  Nick Kasa started a storm with his post-combine revelation that he was asked about his relationship status by an NFL team.
• Winners and losers thus far in NFL free agency _{2013-03-15, 02:57 am}
  The NFL's 2013 league year is just two days old, but the start of free agency and ability to officially trade players have already shifted the landscape of power significantly with dozens more moves to come.
• Will J'Marcus Webb compete for right tackle job? _{2013-03-15, 02:57 am}
  Larry discusses whether J'Marcus Webb will move to right tackle, the likelihood of the Bears trading down in the draft and Bears players who started all 16 games in 2012.
• Urlacher contract situation an 'ongoing process' _{2013-03-15, 02:56 am}
  While general manager Phil Emery doesn't publicly discuss contract negotiations, he acknowledged that the Bears are still trying to re-sign middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.
• Vikings sign recently cut quarterback _{2013-03-15, 02:56 am}
  Matt Cassel easily one-upped Ryan on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings just five hours after he was officially released by the Kansas City Chiefs, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports' Mike Garafolo.
• Martellus Bennett fired up about joining Bears _{2013-03-15, 02:56 am}
  New Bears tight end Martellus Bennett is excited about joining a franchise that boasts a rich history as well as a chance to contend for a championship.
• NFL QB was drug tested at grandma's house _{2013-03-15, 02:56 am}
  When they enter the league, NFL players become aware that they can be randomly drug tested at any time or location year round.