NFL Football

As many as five offensive tackles could be chosen in the first round, which might say more about the NFL's desperation for blockers than it says about the quality of talent in the draft because the depth drops off considerably with the group likely to be overdrafted.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Sierra LaMar hasn't been seen since 6 a.m. March 16, about an hour before she left her home in Morgan Hill to go to school. Police believe she was abducted as she walked to the bus stop.

Despite a legion of volunteer searchers, a well-organized campaign to find the girl and a flood of media coverage, a significant segment of Northern California hadn't heard about the missing 15-year-old until March 3

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- The doctor's words were chilling. Even if Joe Tafoya subconsciously knew the post-surgery verdict on his injured foot, his athlete's heart was ready to fight against it.

There's a reason the Green Bay Packers have been pursuing defensive linemen as if they are a desperate team.

Because they are desperate.

Except it's not the ordinary desperation you see when a team devoid of talent seeks to fill major holes in its lineup with whatever material it can find.

The Packers are looking for competition among their ranks.

NEW YORK  -- Going for a slightly sleeker look, the NFL has unveiled its new uniforms designed by Nike.

Chiefs beat writer Adam Teicher sizes up the April 26-28 NFL draft.

Everyone knows the No. 1 challenge facing the NFL is concussions and the long-term health problems they cause players. The lawsuits -- one after another -- from former players accusing the league of doing little or nothing to make the game safer are just starting. Millions of dollars could be at stake for the owners. That's why commissioner Roger Goodell came down so hard this month on the New Orleans Saints for putting bounties on opposing players. That's why he has been so tough with the Steelers' James Harrison for what the league perceived as cheap-shot hits. Goodell wants everyone to think he cares deeply about player safety. Actually, he cares more about the owners' long-term financial wellbeing.

But there is another major threat to the NFL. It is so significant that Goodell and the owners spent 90 minutes talking about it at their meetings this week in Palm Beach, Fla.