Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor and two partners were cleared Tuesday in a civil suit of reneging on a deal to buy a private island with sandy shoals and wind-swept grasses. Taylor, who recently signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to return to the Dolphins, and the partners were accused in the suit of breach of contract in 2004 to purchase Great St. Comments Off

The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander. The deal was finalized Tuesday after both players passed physicals. Northcutt gives the Lions a veteran receiver opposite rising star Calvin Johnson. Alexander, a second-round pick in 2007, gives Jacksonville depth in the secondary. Comments Off

Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are set to become rich beyond comprehension long before throwing their first official NFL pass. The quarterbacks will be anointed as saviors -- Stafford for a Detroit team that went winless in 2008, and Sanchez for a New York Jets club that hasn't tasted the Super Bowl in 40 years. Comments Off

After a futile attempt to accelerate progress toward a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker Barrett Ruud is back on the practice field with his teammates. The fifth-year pro skipped all 14 of the club's voluntary offseason workouts, however he's participating in this week's mandatory minicamp that wraps up the squad's preparation for the start of training... Comments Off

New Green Bay safety Anthony Smith wasn't around for the distractions caused by last season's Brett Favre unretirement saga. But should Favre follow through on his flirtation to come back with division rival Minnesota, Smith would relish the chance to face him on the field. "I would, only because he's one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game," said Smith, a free... Comments Off

The Giants and Jets are willing to wait for the right price before selling the naming rights to their new $1.6 billion stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Giants chief executive John Mara said Wednesday the teams have had recent negotiations with several companies and that interest in the naming rights has been renewed despite the economic crisis. Comments Off

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart says he'll be ready for the start of training camp after being sidelined all offseason with pain in his left Achilles' tendon. Stewart revealed details of the injury for the first time Tuesday. Stewart said the Achilles' first flared up in offseason conditioning in February and likely stems from favoring his left foot after toe surgery... Comments Off

The Oakland Raiders signed defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday night, acquiring a veteran presence as they work to upgrade their defense. The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Ellis, who turns 34 on Aug. 14, was released earlier this month by the Dallas Cowboys -- his team for all 11 of his NFL seasons. The sides completed the deal late Monday when he signed the contract, Raiders CEO Amy Trask said. Comments Off

Brett Favre will know in several weeks whether his surgically repaired arm will allow him to come out of retirement again. The quarterback made his first public comments since retiring from the New York Jets in February in an interview Monday night on "Joe Buck Live." He said the only team he has spoken to is the Minnesota Vikings -- and that they would be a perfect fit because he's... Comments Off

The New York Jets have signed third-round draft pick Shonn Greene to a multiyear deal. The bulldozing running back out of Iowa was the first pick of the third round after the Jets traded up to select him. Greene rushed for a school-record 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns, and was selected the Big Ten's offensive player of the year. Comments Off