"  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) When it came to adding depth to their revamped defense on thefinal day of the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills couldn't pass up theopportunity to pick a Tank.That's exactly what they did with their second of twofifth-round picks on Saturday, by selecting Tank Carder, a highlydecorated play-making linebacker out of TCU.Though undersized by NFL linebacker standards at 6-foot-3 and237 pounds, Carder is coming off an accomplished college career inwhich he was a two-time Mountain West Conference defensive playerof the year. He also earned defensive MVP honors in the 2011 RoseBowl.Carder helped key a 21-19 win over Wisconsin by breaking up apotential game-tying two-point conversion with 2 minutes left.''I'm just excited to be at the point I'm at right now and justmake the best of out of every opportunity,'' said Carder, a formerworld and national BMX champion, referring to a past that's ascolorful as his first name. ''I kind of live life in the moment. Idon't dwell on the past.''Bills scout Shawn Heinlen smiled when asked about Carder'sbackground.''Yeah, you're not going to find many like that,'' Heinlen said.''He is a competitor in everything he does.''Selected 147th overall, Carder was the second of two linebackersthe Bills drafted on Saturday after opening the day taking FloridaState's Nigel Bradham with the 105th pick.Buffalo also drafted LSU cornerback Ron Brooks (124th), andadded a pair of offensive linemen: FSU tackle Zebrie Sanders(144th) and Oregon guard/center Mark Asper (178th). The Billsclosed the draft taking Western Michigan kicker John Potter withthe 251st pick.The players the Bills selected over the final four rounds areexpected to compete for backup spots, adding necessary depth to ateam that's raised expectations this offseason after signingdefensive end Mario Williams to a six-year $100 million contract infree agency.They're coming off a 6-10 season in which a rash of injuries andlack of depth were blamed on the team losing eight of its finalnine games to miss the playoffs for a 12th straight year.The latest additions come after the Bills filled key needs inthe first three rounds by selecting South Carolina cornerbackStephon Gilmore with the 10th pick, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn(41st) and North Carolina State receiver T.J. Graham (69th).''We were able to fill everyone (spot) that we set out tofill,'' general manager Buddy Nix said in assessing the draft. ''Wewanted two corners, two tackles, we wanted a wide receiver. Wewanted two linebackers, and we were able to get those guys. We gotbigger. And we got faster. I just hope it was in the rightspots.''Of the six players Buffalo picked Saturday, Carder's selectionraised the most interest.There was his success in BMX racing before he gave up the sportbecause he wanted to try something new. Then, as a 13-year-old,Carder overcame serious injuries sustained in a car crash, in whichthere were questions of whether he would ever walk again.Formally named Ricky Carder Jr., he picked up ''Tank'' at 18months, when a family friend started calling him that because ofCarder's hefty 33-pound frame.And he played like a tank at TCU, where he started his final 39games despite having several operations to repair shoulderinjuries, and breaking a finger last season.''He's a tough guy,'' Nix said. ''He brings that kind oftemperament to us, and you like to add those kind of guys.''Though Carder needs to build strength to play at the NFL level,he's regarded to have good instincts in reading plays, and is faston his feet.Bradham, the FSU linebacker, is a three-year starter and becamethe first Seminoles player to lead the team in tackles for threestraight seasons since Marvin Jones did that from 1990-92. Listedat 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds, he's a solid hitter and has shown acapability of dropping back into coverage.Brooks adds depth to the Bills defensive backfield after beingovershadowed at LSU, where he was part of a star-studded defensivesecondary that featured Morris Claiborne, who was selected byDallas with the sixth pick of the draft, and junior TyrannMathieu.''My focus wasn't being one of the guys to get all the publicityand get all the shine,'' Brooks said. ''It's not about me being inthe limelight. I'm just one of those guys. I'm all about winningfor my team.''Brooks did make the most out of his limited playing time,showing he was capable of covering receivers, defending against therun and pressuring quarterbacks. He had 5 1/2 sacks, 12 1/2 tacklesfor losses, three interceptions and five forced fumbles in 53games, including three starts.Sanders, the Florida State offensive lineman, is listed at6-foot-5 and 308 pounds. He started 50 of 53 games, and hasexperience playing both tackle positions.Asper, listed at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, was a three-yearstarter at Oregon, splitting time at guard and tackle. He was partof an offense that ranked third in the nation in scoring and fifthin rushing last year.Potter completed his four-year career with 333 points, to set aschool record among kickers. The Bills already have a veterankicker in Rian Lindell, but Nix said the team would consider usingPotter on kickoffs because of his strong leg. Potter had 36touchbacks alone last season. He becomes the first kicker the Billshave selected in the draft since picking John Nies in 1990."

"  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The Super Bowl-champion New York Giants got more than value andneed in the NFL Draft.They got characters, too.First-round draft pick David Wilson does backflips and chasesrabbits. Receiver Rueben Randle is coming to camp with a chip onhis shoulder after a draft slip. Cornerback Jayron Hosley, thethird round pick, failed his combine drug test and vows not to letit happen againThe Giants also drafted a tight end who didn't catch many passesbut has Jason Pierre-Paul-type potential, two offensive linemen whohad academic problems in their college careers and a Germandefensive tackle who speaks three languages and is still learningthe game.The bottom line for the Giants was they found prospects toreplace backup running back Brandon Jacobs, receiver MarioManningham, cornerback Aaron Ross and right tackle KareemMcKenzie.Jacobs. Manningham and Ross signed with other teams as freeagents. McKenzie remains on the market.''From a standpoint of drafting where we were at the bottom ofeach round, we addressed some of the circumstances that we had toaddress with quality, quality people,'' coach Tom Coughlinsaid.Wilson, Randle and Hosley are going to get a chance tocontribute right away, while fourth-round pick Adrien Robinson ofCincinnati got put on the spot by general manager Jerry Reeseshortly after the draft ended.With Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both coming off major kneeinjuries in the Super BowI, Robinson is going to get a shot to fillin along with Bear Pascoe and the recently signed MartellusBennett.Robinson's resume coming out of college is only 29 careerreceptions for five touchdowns playing in a spread offense in whichthe tight end didn't get many passes thrown his way.The Giants, however, love the potential of the 6-foot-4, 265pounder.''This guy has a huge upside,'' Reese said. ''He is a big, bigman; long arms. He didn't catch a lot of balls for them. But he iskind of a late bloomer who has really come on. And we think thisguy is kind of a JPP of tight ends.''Reese noted that Robinson has the same freakish athletic abilitythat the team saw in Pierrre-Paul, who this past season earned ProBowl and All Pro honors.Reese insisted the Giants never altered from their game plan,taking the highest rated draft picks on their board. In many cases,they were able to get players they had high rated.The general manager said Wilson was the Giants' second-ratedrunning back in the draft and that Randle was a first-round talentwho lasted until the end of the second round. He said Hosleyreminded him of Adam ''Pacman'' Jones, a smaller cornerback who isa feisty hard hitter.Hosley didn't say much about his failed drug test, other than itwas a mistake and it won't happen again. He also knows it causedhim to fall in the draft.Talking about Wilson, his teammate at Virginia Tech, and all thestories about him was easier for Hosley.''You probably heard `em all. David chasing rabbits, justcatching a rabbit off campus,'' Hosley said. ''Just a wild guy. Younever know what to expect coming from David, man. He's just a guythat has a lot of energy, always running around. He's definitely afun person.''Hosley had nine interceptions in 2010 but his total slipped tothree this past season.''Truthfully I felt like the college game was getting a littletoo easy for me. I wanted a challenge and it was more of achallenge in the NFL,'' he said.After taking Robinson with their first pick in the fourth roundon Saturday, the Giants closed by taking three big bodies. Auburnoffensive tackle Brandon Mosley was taken with the Giantscompensatory pick in the fourth round, offensive tackle MattMcCants of Alabama-Birmingham was taken in the sixth round andNorth Carolina State defensive tackle Markus Kuhn was taken in theseventh round.New York traded its fifth-round pick to Cincinnati in acquiringlinebacker Keith Rivers before the draft.Mosley, who failed to qualify for a major college coming out ofhigh school, played two years of junior college football beforejoining Auburn, where he started his final 24 games at righttackle.''Big, tough, smart; just like we like in our offensive lineroom,'' Reese said, adding he reminds the coaches of startingtackle David Diehl.McCants started 42 of 47 games at left tackle for UAB. Hismissed the 2008 season after being ruled academicallyineligible.''Really a pleasant surprise when you watch him,'' Reese said.""You have to look at him. UAB has not been a powerhouse of footballlately, but you do your homework and go in a look at this guy. Heis intriguing; long, 36-inch arms. I think at the combine, he was308. I think he is 315 now. I think he will be 325 pounds in ablink. A very interesting prospect for us.''Kuhn is a big, strong defensive tackle who reminds Reese offiery guard Mitch Petrus.''He is a like a buzz saw in there,'' Reese said. ''He is big. Ithink he ended up with five sacks during the season. I wouldn'tcall him a pass rusher. But he stays busy.''NOTES: Marc Ross, the director of college scouting, said theteam signed 10 free agents after the draft, including Rutgersrunning back Joe Martinek."

"  SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Trent Baalke never felt pressured to load up on rookies orsacrifice depth to make one, splashy pick.With a talented roster expected to challenge for the Super Bowl,the San Francisco 49ers general manager instead built depth andcreated future flexibility on the final day of the NFL draft.Baalke still hopes the 49ers also plugged a few holes - andmaybe found a hidden gem - in Saturday's late rounds, selectingguard Joe Looney of Wake Forest, Notre Dame linebacker DariusFleming, Michigan State free safety Trenton Robinson, offensivelineman Jason Slowey of Western Oregon and defensive end CamJohnson of Virginia. San Francisco also netted three picks for the2013 draft.''It's all about value,'' Baalke said. ''We feel good about thatdepth. It's about drafting players at the right value, and alsomaking sure that they have a legitimate chance to make thisfootball team.''Going to back to Friday's third round, it seemed San Franciscomight never draft another player.The 49ers traded back three straight times from the 92nd pickbefore moving up to land Looney in the fourth round and 117thoverall. San Francisco sent its original fourth-round pick (125th)and a sixth-rounder (196th) to Detroit.The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Looney started at left guard the lastthree seasons for the Demon Deacons and - unlike the team's otherpicks on the final day - could have an immediate chance to play.San Francisco lost right guard Adam Snyder to Arizona in freeagency.''As impressive an interview as we had at the combine,'' 49erscoach Jim Harbugh said of Looney, emphasizing the lineman's''oomph'' and ''pizazz'' as reasons. ''We believe he will be astarter in this league for us.''Looney has a head start.He spent part of the offseason working out with former 49erscenter Jeremy Newberry (1998-2006), who knows Looney's agent, AndyRoss. The practice should speed up Looney's learning curve inHarbaugh's complex version of the West Coast offense.The pulling guard - a key position in San Francisco'szone-blocking scheme to attack linebackers - had a left ankleinjury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combinein Indianapolis and Wake Forest's pro day. He said Dr. Bob Anderson- the same specialist to perform surgery on Golden State Warriorsguard Stephen Curry's right ankle last year - in Charlotte clearedhim for running and jumping activities two weeks ago.''I love pulling around, coming up on linebackers,'' saidLooney, who can also play center. ''I feel like that's an offensivelineman's time to shine.''Looney's selection followed a series of trades by San Franciscoto add future picks.Baalke parlayed the original 92th overall pick in the thirdround into five picks in trades with Indianapolis, Miami andCarolina. In all, that included a pair of sixth-round selectionsSaturday - one of which was later sent to Detroit - plus a pick inthe third, fifth and sixth round in 2013.The 49ers lost to the eventual champion New York Giants in theNFC title game and figured it best not to overload with late pickswho probably won't make a talented roster this fall anyway.''We feel like we're ready to go,'' Baalke said, acknowledgingthe team will sign undrafted free agents in the coming days.That will include at least a trio of former Stanford players -defensive end Matt Masifilo, wide receiver Chris Owusu and safetyMichael Thomas - who Harbaugh recruited while the Cardinal's coach.Masifilo drove from the nearby campus and signed minutes after thedraft ended.''That's probably one race and the last race I'll ever winagainst Owusu,'' said Masifilo, confirming his teammates would soonjoin. ''Coach Harbaugh likes to cut drag. He said it's acompetition to get down here as fast you can.''Familiarity proved to be a common theme for Harbaugh's newgroup.The 49ers drafted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois in thefirst round Thursday before selecting Oregon running back LaMichaelJames on Friday. James, Looney and Fleming made it three straightplayers Harbaugh had faced while Stanford's coach.Fleming had 55 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, one interception and oneforced fumble for the Fighting Irish last season. San Francisco hasperhaps the NFL's best linebacker corps with All-Pros PatrickWillis and NaVorro Bowman and sensational rookie Aldon Smith, amongothers, but a shortage of outside linebackers. Still, it will betough for Fleming to find playing time as a rookie beyond specialteams.Even though he will be half a continent away from his nativeChicago, Fleming should feel right at home.He was a college roommate of San Francisco's Ian Williams, andthe two are close friends. Fleming, who wanted to avoid the agonyof watching the draft, was stuck in Chicago traffic when Harbaughcalled him to deliver the news.''I was actually rolling pretty well and then once I got thecall traffic hit,'' Fleming said. ''I'm fine with being stuck intraffic now that I'm a 49er.''In the sixth round, San Francisco took Robinson 180th and Slowey199th overall.Robinson had 76 tackles last season and his nine careerinterceptions are tied for 12th in Michigan State history. Sloweyplayed left tackle for most of his career at Western Oregon but isprojected at center or guard in the NFL.The 49ers took Johnson in the seventh round and 237th overall.The Virginia defensive end is expected to shift to a pass-rushingoutside linebacker in Vic Fangio's 3-4 scheme in a transitionsimilar to the one Aldon Smith made a year ago.''It's a historic day for so many of these young men,'' anoverenthusiastic Harbaugh said. ''But it's not the end. It's verymuch the beginning.''---Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP"

"  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Devon Wylie has gotten Wes Welker comparisons ''every day of mylife.''They're not about to stop in Kansas City.The Chiefs chose the shifty, undersized wide receiver out ofFresno State with their fourth-round pick Saturday, adding apotential target over the middle for quarterback Matt Cassel.''People consider me to be an undersized slot receiver, andthat's fine if that's the way they want to look at it. I take it asa compliment,'' Wylie said. ''Wes Welker has shown to be an amazingreceiver - one of the most productive season-in and season-out. Sothat's fine with me.''It was the first move by Kansas City to add a skill-positionplayer in the draft.The Chiefs added another with sixth-round pick Cyrus Gray ofTexas A&M, and drafted Michigan wide receiver Junior Hemingwayin the seventh round. Alabama defensive back De'Quan Menzie was thepick in the fifth round and San Diego State defensive tackle JeromeLong in the seventh.The Chiefs plugged a gaping hole at defensive tackle withDontari Poe in the first round, and went for offensive line depthwith their second- and third-round picks.''Every once in a while you get that reminder that you betterhave quality depth and you can't have too many good players,''Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. ''Even if you think youhave good front-line players, you can never have too many goodplayers.''Wylie, who can also return punts and kicks, turned heads at thescouting combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds andbenched 225 pounds 17 times.Fifteen teams showed up at Fresno State's pro day to watchWylie, though many scouts had him going in later rounds due todurability concerns. Hamstring and ankle injuries caused him tomiss four games his sophomore and junior seasons, and a stressfracture in his foot sustained during training camp wiped out whatwould have been his senior season.He wound up redshirting two years ago and put together a strongseason for a poor Fresno State team in 2011, catching 56 passes for716 yards and a touchdown.''Some of those things I consider snake-bitten injuries, ahamstring strain or something you really can't do anything about,''Wylie said. ''The good thing about it is none of it is lack ofdurability. It's just unfortunate things.''Kansas City used a patchwork group that included Keary Colbertand Jerheme Urban in the slot last season, and the 5-foot-9 Wylieappears to be a much better fit for the position.Just like Welker in New England.Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli was behind the move thatbrought the former Texas Tech star to the Patriots. He was the GMin New England in 2007, when he sent second- and seventh-roundpicks to the Miami Dolphins to acquire Welker for quarterback TomBrady.Welker has emerged as one of the league's top wide receivers.He's piled up 650 catches for 7,226 yards in his career, gettingvoted to the Pro Bowl four times.There is also this connection: Recently hired Chiefs offensivecoordinator Brian Daboll was the wide receiver coach in New Englandjust before Welker arrived. His system has some of the sameelements of those Patriots offenses, which would ultimately useWelker so effectively.The next Welker could be the best-case scenario for Chiefs fans,many of whom have instantly compared Wylie to Dexter McCluster, whowas picked in the second round of the 2010 draft.''You know what? I take pride in being called the Wes Welker,but there are other guys that I'd like to be considered like,''Wylie said, rattling off Steve Smith and Devin Hester. ''Those aretwo guys that I really like to consider to have the sameabilities.''Menzie was the seventh player drafted from national championAlabama, and the fifth player from its defense. His fellowcornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick, went 17th overall to Cincinnati.At 5-10 and with decent speed, Menzie has the physical tools totransition to safety, where Kansas City's lack of depth was exposedlast season following an injury to Eric Berry. Menzie is alsotalented enough to stay at cornerback behind incumbents BrandonFlowers and Stanford Routt.He's the second Alabama defensive back picked by the Chiefs inrecent years. Javier Arenas was chosen shortly after McCluster inthe second round of the 2010 draft, and it was Menzie who took overhis spot as the ''star'' cornerback in the Crimson Tide lineup.''You really can't replace Javier Arenas because he was a greatplayer, great returner,'' Menzie said. ''He was physical and anever-give-up type guy.''Menzie believes he's the same kind of guy.Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel believe they drafted a few of themthis weekend."

"  ASHBURN, Va. (AP) The Washington Redskins were serenading the arrival of RobertGriffin III at a draft-day party at FedEx Field when they surprisedthe football world by drafting another quarterback.However, coach Mike Shanahan quickly deflected talk of apossible quarterback controversy, saying Michigan State's KirkCousins was taken in the fourth round on Saturday as a long-terminsurance policy.''Any time you get a quarterback like Robert in the second pickof a draft . he's your franchise quarterback,'' Shanahan said.''He's going to be your quarterback for the next decade. (Kirk)knows he's going to be a backup . but there (are) injuries. Ithought it was a steal for us.''Nonetheless Cousins, who won 27 games as a three-year starter atMichigan State, was a little surprised to be picked byWashington.`'I was trying to forecast which teams would be looking at aquarterback and I didn't see the Redskins thinking along thoselines,'' Cousins said.Washington was the first team to select two quarterbacks duringthe first four rounds since Green Bay in 1989. The last time theRedskins chose a quarterback in the top 10 before Griffin was in1994 when they took Heath Shuler. He was eventually beaten out byGus Frerotte, whom the Redskins chose in the seventh round thatyear.As for RGIII, he knows much is expected of him.The Redskins have started 21 quarterbacks over the last 19seasons while making the playoffs just three times. But he seemsmore than comfortable with the expectations.''I've definitely seen the struggles the team has gone through,especially when it comes to quarterbacks,'' Griffin said. ''Theydrafted me to try to be the solution to that problem and I plan onbeing that solution.''Before the third day of the draft was done, the Redskins cutJohn Beck, who nearly beat out Rex Grossman to be the opening daystarter in 2011 but performed poorly in his three starts.With its second pick in Saturday's fourth round, Washington tookTexas linebacker Keenan Robinson with a selection obtained in atrade with Pittsburgh. The Redskins are set for starters butthree-time Pro Bowl pick London Fletcher turns 37 in May andLorenzo Alexander is the only experienced backup.The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Robinson, the first Texas player chosenin the draft, was a three-year starter in the Longhorns' 3-4defense. He had 176 tackles, 24 for losses. As a freshman, thePlano, Texas, product was part of an outstanding defense that wasled by his friend Brian Orakpo, then an All-American defensiveend.Orakpo ''said he loves D.C. and I'm sure that I'm going to loveit, too,'' Robinson said.The Redskins, who had drafted SMU guard Josh LeRiebus duringFriday's third round, continued doubling up on positions bychoosing Iowa guard Adam Gettis in the fifth round.Unlike the bulkier LeRiebus, the 6-foot-2, 293-pound Gettisplayed in a zone-blocking system in college similar to the one thatthe Redskins employ. Both rookies are expected to back up centerWill Montgomery and guards Kory Lichtensteiger - who missed thefinal 11 games of last season with a knee injury - and ChrisChester.Washington surprisingly didn't choose a receiver or tight endbut did add running back Alfred Morris out of Florida Atlantic inthe sixth round. Shanahan said he likes the 5-10, 219-pound Morris'running style and ''ability to make people miss.''However with then-rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster havingcombined to produce five 100-yard games during the final sixcontests of 2011 and with veteran Tim Hightower expected tore-sign, Morris doesn't figure to play much.The Redskins chose a third offensive lineman with their secondsixth-round selection. South Dakota's 6-5, 314-pound Tom Comptonwill compete with holdovers Tyler Polumbus and Willie Smith to bethe backups to left tackle Trent Williams and right tackle JammalBrown.After devoting six of its first seven picks to offense,Washington took SMU cornerback Richard Crawford and Iowa strongsafety Jordan Bernstine with its seventh-round selections.Bernstine was a cornerback until his senior season."

"  The narrative is so nice and neat: Roger Goodell, good. Standing up for player health and safety. NFL BOUNTY SCANDAL Players suspended for roles in scandal Czar: Vilma can turn to courts NFL denies Saints' appeal Vikings duo rips Williams Director defends release of audio Whitner: Saints 'tried to knock QB out' Report: Tape captured bounty offer Payton meets with Parcells Saints' punishment ushers in new era Sapp claims Shockey is whistleblower NFL hands down severe penalties Players react at NFLPA meeting NFL's statement regarding Saints Williams apologizes, accepts discipline Fisher: Williams punishment warranted Czar: How severe are the penalties? Glazer: Breaking down punishment Goodell orders bounties to end Was it worth it for Saints? League pinpoints Rodgers bounty--> Jonathan Vilma and the other three players suspended by Goodell on Wednesday: monstrous for leading a ring that paid bonuses to Saints teammates for hurting other players at a time like this, when concussions are the big issue in sports. The NFLPA: Bad. Standing up for villains over right and wrong. Everyone hates unions. Plenty of truth surely is mixed into this neatness, but that narrative needs to be blown up. This is actually one big mess. And to trust Goodell and to blame Vilma, the players and the NFLPA is to fall into the dangerous thumbs up, thumbs down thinking that distorts truth and keeps getting us into trouble. The NFLPA is in a tough spot here, batting conflicting interests. How does it defend player-members who were part of a scheme with coaches to injure other player-members? If the NFLPA really cares about player safety, then it’s not going to be easy to stand up for Vilma and the others, against whom Goodell has built up a big case. Goodell does have a big case, right? Because we haven’t really seen that. And I expected more. We are trusting Goodell because he is the institution, and we trust institutions more than we trust people. When the issue is player-on-player crime, what is a players union supposed to do? It is supposed to protect the players, that’s what. And at this point, the issue for the NFLPA isn’t about which players to defend. It is defending all of them. It is doing exactly the right thing in standing up for the suspended players, even if it makes the union look bad because of the nice, neat narrative. “After seeing the NFL’s decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players’ involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program,’’ DeMaurice Smith, NFL Players Association Executive Director, said in a statement. “We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. NFL AND CONCUSSIONS Police say Easterling killed self New suit cites Saints' bounties The Daily: Players don't understand Players willing to hide concussions Former players sue league Marvez: Duerson's impact Bradshaw: A personal account “We have spoken with our players and their representatives and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf.’’ Was that typical union activism, throwing out right and wrong to stand up for self-preservation? It comes out that way when we think in a box. But the truth is, Smith is just saying this: Hey, Roger Goodell: If you’ve got evidence against Vilma and the others, we’d like to see it. I’d like to see it, too. So should every player in the NFL. So should you. Did Vilma actually pay players? Did money change hands? Who got it? Somehow, we have been duped into believing in the righteousness of Roger Goodell. Why? All day Wednesday, NFL players were on Twitter complaining about Goodell’s punishments. Some were agreeing with Goodell. Vilma was suspended for the 2012 season without pay. Defensive end Will Smith must sit out four games. Former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with Green Bay, is out for half the season. Linebacker Scott Fujita, now with Cleveland, is out three games. MADE IN AMERICA We villify Gregg Williams and the Saints, but they are just a reflection of society, Jason Whitlock says. Some players tweeted that Vilma is being punished for playing football. Some said that if a coach put in a bounty system, as was the case in New Orleans, then any player standing up against it never will get another job in the NFL. And all day, I was thinking the players were idiots for not understanding that the commissioner is trying to protect them. The premise is safety and making sure players don’t drop dead. Look, the bounty system is sickening. Former players are losing their minds, and even little kids are taking too many shots to the head. Their future is scary enough without intent to hurt. But Vilma got a year’s suspension, and what is the evidence against him? Vilma issued a statement saying he would like to know the same thing. “Commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to share any of the supposed evidence he claims supports this unprecedented punishment,’’ Vilma said. “The reason is clear: I never paid, or intended to pay, $10,000, or any amount of money, to any player for knocking Kurt Warner, Brett Favre or any other player out of the 2009 divisional playoff game, 2010 NFC Championship game or any other game. “I never set out to intentionally hurt any player and never enticed any teammate to intentionally hurt another player. I also never put any money into a bounty pool or helped to create a bounty pool intended to pay out money for injuring other players. I have always conducted myself in a professional and proud manner.’’ Vilma said he would “fight this injustice.’’ He might want to start by appealing Goodell’s decision, which will be heard by, um, Goodell, or, as one former NFL player wrote me, the same "egomaniac delivering punishment.’’ BREAK IT DOWN The schedule is out, but what about your favorite squad? Team-by-team breakdown That said, the NFLPA was the one that stupidly gave Goodell all the power in these matters. Vilma is going to have to take this to the courts. If he’s guilty, then throw the book at him. But Goodell’s actions say he wants us to just trust him. I’m not trusting anyone. We do that all the time, trusting Joe Paterno and Jerry Sandusky as leaders doing what’s right for young men. We trusted that Tiger Woods was a good family man, that Roger Clemens was defying age. Goodell appears to be on an initiative to protect players, as more information comes in about long-term issues from concussions. More than a thousand players are in on lawsuits against the NFL now, regarding what the NFL knew over the years about dangers to the brain. Maybe Goodell is trying to protect players, but he also is trying to protect his league. And he started penalizing head shots, but only among players seen doing it on TV. The offensive and defensive linemen continue to butt heads for three hours every week, on every play. Are you positive his actions aren’t for PR? For business? This isn’t a court of law, but if Vilma is guilty, let’s see why. The NFLPA is keeping management in check and protecting its members, demanding transparency. That’s what it’s supposed to do. Even if players league-wide were hurt by New Orleans’ bounty system, they should back their union on this and demand that Goodell produce evidence. It might be their turn next."

"  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The wife of former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser was convicted Thursday of two felonies in a hit-and-run accident that killed a man, with jurors brushing aside her defense that she never saw him and thought she had hit a construction barrel or pothole. In Memoriam We remember those who died in the sports world in 2012. Amy Senser was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident and failure to promptly report an accident, both criminal vehicular homicide charges, in the August death of Anousone Phanthavong. She was acquitted of a third felony charge of gross negligence. She was also convicted of misdemeanor careless driving. Senser, 45, of Edina, showed little emotion as the verdicts were read, staring straight ahead. It was jurors who looked tense at the conclusion of the highly publicized trial, with one crying and dabbing at tears with a handkerchief. Later, after the judge dismissed the jury, Joe Senser stood behind his wife and rubbed her shoulders, trying to comfort her as she sniffled and wiped away tears. Senser was to remain free until sentencing July 9. Each felony count was punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but sentencing guidelines suggested four years. The misdemeanor carried a potential sentence of up to 90 days in jail. Her lead attorney, Eric Nelson, vowed an appeal. He said Senser was in shock. ''She has insisted that she didn't see him. She wants the world to believe that's the truth.'' Senser, he said, ''is not the type of person who would knowingly leave a man on the road to die.'' But Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the convictions were warranted. ''If you're driving a car and you have an accident, the state Legislature and all the rest of us believe you have a duty to stop. That clearly is something that Mrs. Senser did not do,'' Freeman said. ''And you have a duty to report that accident.'' A niece of Phanthavong's, Souksavanh Phanthavong, thanked the jury. She called her uncle ''a good person. There could've been a lot to him.'' The case was one of Minnesota's most closely watched criminal trials in years, with overtones of a cover-up and a defendant married to a well-known figure in the state. Senser's husband, Joe Senser, was a tight end for the Vikings in the early 1980s and has remained visible as a game commentator and as owner of a string of restaurants in his name. Phanthavong, 38, was a chef at a Thai restaurant near the site of the accident. His car had run out of gas and he had pulled to the side of the highway exit ramp. He was filling the car's tank when he was hit. Parts of a Mercedes were found at the scene, and authorities sought the public's help in finding the driver. Nearly 24 hours later, attorney Eric Nelson called authorities to tell them they could pick up the vehicle involved at the Sensers'. Despite giving up the vehicle, the Sensers didn't talk to police, fueling speculation about who was driving and whether alcohol was involved. It was more than a week later that Amy Senser admitted she was driving. One of the jurors said Thursday evening that the case was difficult because it came down to circumstantial evidence, but that jurors had decided not to deadlock. ''It was just a very challenging case for us to come to a consensus,'' Jameson ''Jay'' Larson told The Associated Press. ''We believed the answer was in the jury room.'' Larson said the jury of seven men and five women spent most of Thursday trying to determine whether Amy Senser knew she had hit a person before convicting her on the failing-to-stop charge. ''It was very, very emotional,'' Larson said, adding that he and his fellow jurors went through her testimony and reviewed evidence, including phone records. At trial, her stepdaughter Brittani testified that Amy Senser only came forward after Brittani, angry that some people had speculated she was the driver, threatened to go to authorities. Amy Senser testified that the night of the crash, she went to meet her daughters and their friends at a Katy Perry concert at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, and had part of a glass of wine at a nearby restaurant before going inside. After about 90 minutes, suffering from a headache, she left, intending to have her husband pick up the girls. As she was driving home, she changed her mind and decided to return to St. Paul. Shortly after turning onto a freeway exit ramp in a construction area in Minneapolis, Senser said she felt a jolt at the front of her Mercedes-Benz SUV. She said she was looking to the left at the time, and thought she had hit an orange construction barrel or a pothole. It wasn't until the next day, when her husband called her outside to look at the car and the couple saw news reports about Phanthavong's death, that the couple called an attorney. On the stand, she wept as she said she was still struggling to accept the fact that she had hit him. Prosecutor Deborah Russell said in closing arguments that Senser had to have known, and questioned whether Joe Senser himself believed his wife. She reminded the jury of numerous texts Senser had deleted from her cellphone from the night of the crash and the next day. Phanthavong's family members have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Sensers seeking more than $50,000 in damages. Senser played four years with the Vikings before a knee injury ended his career. He co-owns Joe Senser's Restaurant and Sports Theater, a Minneapolis-St. Paul-area restaurant chain."

"  ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) (Eds: Adds photo links. With AP Photos.)By ARNIE STAPLETONAP Pro Football Writer Brandon Stokley was ready for a reunion, not retirement.The 14th-year wide receiver rejoined the Denver Broncos - and old pal Peyton Manning - this offseason after missing almost all of 2011.Stokley played in just two games for the New York Giants last year before a strained thigh led to an injury settlement. Instead of helping the Giants win another ring, he spent his winter back home in Castle Rock, Colo., wondering if his NFL career was over.He kept in shape, and when Manning signed with Denver, the Broncos quickly brought back his sidekick slot receiver who played with the four-time MVP in Indianapolis from 2003-06.Stokley, who played in Denver from 2007-09, said he's, well, stoked, to be back with the Broncos and Manning.''I wasn't really ready to be done,'' Stokley said. ''I still feel like I can play.''Stokley and Manning hooked up at a public park in Castle Rock to play some catch during the quarterback's free agency whirlwind tour in March.It was Stokley who let the sports world know that Manning looked strong and accurate after missing last season following a series of neck operations that led to his release by the Colts. Manning had worked out privately for some teams, but Stokley was the first eyewitness to come forward and give the 36-year-old quarterback rave reviews.At first, he was surprised by Manning's precise, powerful passes.''I was. I hadn't talked to him about it. I didn't ask him how he was throwing or even if he was throwing. So, when I went up there, I just wanted to have a clear mind and just see for myself. So, I was really impressed that first day,'' Stokley said.''And we ended up throwing for three straight days and he was the only quarterback there, so he was throwing a lot of balls and you never saw any drop-off. And when we threw a week or two later, he looked even better. That just showed me he is improving.''Stokley then made a tour of high school football fields around the Denver area with Manning and receiver Eric Decker to get back into shape and rediscover their rhythm.Not long after Manning called John Elway and agreed to a five-year, $96 million deal, Stokley signed a one-year contract to return to the Broncos in what he views as the best of both worlds.''No, I didn't ever think I'd have another chance to play with him,'' Stokley said. ''I don't want to say you kind of take him for granted, but then you move on and you kind of realize what you had. And you kind of always hope that you get that chance again. So, for me, it's been great, I think he's the best ever to play the position. So, to have a chance to play with somebody like that is pretty special.''Stokley, who turns 36 next month, same as Manning, is healthy again.''I feel great. I feel 100 percent. I don't have any ailments or nothing's bothering me. So, the body's feeling good and I feel good,'' he said.Known as the ''Slot Machine,'' Stokley is the only Broncos receiver who has played with Manning before, and he's freely dishing out advice to his young teammates, some of whom he'll be battling with for a roster spot and playing time.''I've always looked at it like anything I can do to help out,'' Stokley said. ''I believe in my ability and what I can do and if it's good enough, then I'll be on the team. If it's not, then I won't. But I don't think helping somebody else out is going to hurt me. I've never looked at it that way. I've always had older guys who have helped me out. So, whenever I get the chance I try to help out whoever asks.''Stokley's first stint with the Broncos was best known for his ''Immaculate Deflection'' catch that stunned the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2009 season opener. Down 7-6 with 28 seconds left, Kyle Orton's underthrown pass to Brandon Marshall was tipped by cornerback Leon Hall and into the hands of Stokley, who raced for an 87-yard TD and a 12-7 win in Josh McDaniels' head coaching debut.Stokley said it's been fun to see how far Decker and Demaryius Thomas have come since he played with them when they were rookies during training camp in 2010, before injury ended Stokley's first stint in Denver.He said he's eager to see how much better Manning will make them, too.''Oh, I think it's going to be huge, especially with what they had last year and the offense that they ran last year to what they're going to have this year,'' Stokley said. ''I think the expectations are going to be a lot higher from the quarterback.''So, I think anytime you have that, it just makes the player work harder and want to do better. With Peyton, everything has to be so precise, detail-oriented, it just rubs off on everybody else.''---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton"

"  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A jury has reached a verdict in its third day of deliberationsin the fatal hit-and-run trial of Amy Senser, the wife ofex-Minnesota Viking Joe Senser.The jury's decision was to be read Thursday afternoon.Jurors have been sequestered since deliberations began. Senseris charged with three felony counts of criminal vehicular homicideand one misdemeanor count of careless driving in the Aug. 23 deathof Thai restaurant chef Anousone Phanthavong (ah-NOO'-sahnPAN'-tah-wong).Prosecutors say she must have known she struck the Roseville manas he stood beside his stalled car on a Minneapolis freeway ramp.Senser says she had no idea she hit him until much later."

"  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Receiver Tiquan Underwood, best known for a high-top fadehaircut and for being released on the night before the Super Bowl,has been cut again by the New England Patriots.The Patriots let him go on Thursday to make room for defensivelineman Gerard Warren.Warren has spent the last two seasons with the Patriots.Underwood played in five games for New England in 2011 andcaught three passes for 30 yards. He was released on Feb. 4 - theSaturday night before New England's 21-17 loss to the New YorkGiants in the Super Bowl - and re-signed three days later."