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Bruce Kluckhohn/USA Today Sports Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says playing against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon helps him deal with the tragic death of his son earlier in the week. Adrian Peterson arrived at the Metrodome Sunday morning in a gray suit flanked by two security guards, giving a quick wave to Vikings fans acknowledging him as he ...

Paul Sancya/AP Geno Smith is examined during the third quarter after injuring his right ankle. DETROIT — Even the eerily calm John Idzik must have felt his heart skip and brow sweat as he saw his prized rookie quarterback, Geno Smith, limping off the field, heading toward the trainers. Smith’s first career NFL game, and he already was hurt. Smith ...

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Brian Banks records two tackles as he debuts with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. ATLANTA – Brian Banks says his preseason debut with the Atlanta Falcons was “better than any roller-coaster ride you can ever get on.” The 28-year-old Banks could cherish that high even more than a normal rookie because his life has hit ...

Porgies are hot. Actually, they seem to be thriving in our hot weather, according to anglers in the Sound near Orchard Beach, the Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges and eastward. Porgies are also plentiful along Long Island’s south shore. Customers on Capt. Bill Doll’s Sheepshead Bay-based Jet have also been finding that true on full-day trips near the north Jersey ...

David Zalubowski/AP Even though he’s in Denver, Wes Welker says it’s hard to escape the influence of Bill Belichick. Turns out Bill Belichick played a pretty big role in Wes Welker’s decision to leave the Patriots. The All-Pro wide receiver, who signed with the Broncos as a free agent after six seasons as Tom Brady’s favorite target in New England, ...

Anonymous/AP During a 19-year career with five teams, most notably the Pirates,  Dave Parker is nicknamed ‘Cobra’ because of his lethal bat and cannon-like arm. PITTSBURGH — Seven-time major league All-Star Dave Parker is dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Parker told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he was diagnosed with the disease in February 2012. Parker’s condition was first reported ...

Bill Kostroun/AP Deon Grant signs with the NY Giants in 2010 and plays key roll for the team that won Super Bowl XLVI. Deon Grant was something of a journeyman during his 12 NFL seasons. But he wanted to make sure his journey ended in New York. Grant, a safety and defensive leader of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI champions, ...

JOHN GRESS/REUTERS Alex Rodriguez is hit by a pitch in the third inning of the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the White Sox in Chicago on Tuesday night. WHITE SOX 3, YANKEES 2 CHICAGO – Alex Rodriguez said Monday he hoped his story would have a happy ending. So far, it’s certainly had a nightmarish beginning. A-Rod failed to spark the ...

Yong Kim/AP Philadelphia Eagles WR Riley Cooper was fined by the team for racial slur at Kenny Chesney concert. PHILADELPHIA – Riley Cooper has returned to the Philadelphia Eagles after he was caught on video using a racial slur and given four days off. The team says Cooper is expected to be at practice Tuesday. The Eagles and Patriots are ...

Joe Robbins/Getty Images Jordany Valdespin can’t outrun MLB’s Biogenesis probe and gets 50-game ban. Jordany Valdespin confounded the Mets. His talent was tempting, his immaturity and lack of professionalism were always worrisome. Monday, the Mets took yet another public blackeye when the controversial utility player was suspended by baseball in the Biogensis investigation. Valdespin, who was demoted to Triple-A on ...