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Report: Patriots asked about acquiring Larry Fitzgerald

The Patriots’ search for wide receiver help continued throughout last season.
But they tried to make a sizable splash to address the problem.
According to Tom Curran of CSNNE.com, the Patriots “sent out feelers“ to the Cardinals last year to see if Larry Fitzgerald happened to be available available.
There’s no indication the inquiry was viewed as serious, or progressed very far.
Fitzgerald is 30, and will count $18 million against the salary cap, so it might be worth calling back.
The Patriots got a good year out of Julian Edelman, but the need for a big-time target for Tom Brady remains.
Of course, the Cardinals showed a pulse this year under new coach Bruce Arians, just missing the playoffs at 10-6, so dealing a key part might not be anything they’d consider at all.
At any rate, the fact the speculation had some legs last offseason will make it a topic until the Patriots make a move at the position.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Darin Gantt
AP Photo: Paul Connors

Peyton Manning: “I certainly want to continue to keep playing”

For the first time all Super Bowl week — and surely not the last time — Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was asked Sunday about his future beyond the upcoming NFL title game against the Seahawks. Manning smiled as he was asked if he had considered whether Super Bowl XLVIII could be the end of the line for him — and whether a victory would be an ideal way to go out on top.
Here was Manning’s response:
“Well, I know there’s a number of players that have walked away as champions, and I’m sure that’s a great feeling for those people. John Elway, Ray Lewis did it last year, Michael Strahan.
“In talking to Ray Lewis and in talking to John Elway, they couldn’t play anymore. That was all they had to give. They truly left it all out there.
“I certainly had a career change two years ago with my injury, with changing teams, and so I truly have been kind of a one-year-at-a-time basis. So I really have no plans beyond this game, had no plans coming into this season beyond this year. I think that’s the healthy way to approach kind of your career at this stage.
“I still enjoy playing football. I feel a little better than I thought I would at this point coming off that surgery. I still enjoy the preparation part of it, the work part of it. Everybody enjoys the games, everybody’s going to be excited to play in a Super Bowl, but I think when you still enjoy the preparation and the work part of it, I think you probably still ought to be doing that.
“I think as soon as I stop enjoying it, if I can’t produce, if I can’t help the team, that’s when I’ll stop playing. If that’s next year, maybe it is. But I certainly want to continue to keep playing.”

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Wilkening
Photo: Getty Images

Richard Sherman fined $7,875 for taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s interview immediately after the end of the NFC Championship Game has been a talking point well beyond the usual football outlets this week.
Meanwhile, his actions immediately after the final 49ers offensive play of the game has drawn a fine for the league. The league has confirmed with PFT that Sherman was fined $7,875 for taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Sherman knocked away a pass intended for 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the end zone with seconds to play in the fourth quarter and the ball wound up in the hands of Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith. After the play, Sherman left his celebrating teammates, approached Crabtree and drew a flag for taunting.
Sherman, as captured by NFL Films, stuck out his hand and said “helluva game, helluva game” to Crabtree, who responded by shoving Sherman in the facemask. Crabtree was not fined.
The two players reportedly have had disagreements in the past and they’ll get a chance to renew acquaintances at least twice next season.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Josh Alper
Photo: Getty Images