Confidence men: Both sides expect football to be played in 2011

Confidence men: Both sides expect football to be played in 2011: "There will be an NFL season in 2011.

That's what Commissioner Roger Goodell keeps saying. So do many of the
owners and lots of players, even though labor talks collapsed, the union
dissolved itself, and star players including MVP Tom Brady asked for a
preliminary injunction to prevent a lockout hours before the league even
implemented one."

Citizens in Minnesota's rural spaces leery of stadium tax

Citizens in Minnesota's rural spaces leery of stadium tax: "A few days before Dan Fabian headed to St. Paul this January to be sworn in as a new state representative, he was in a gas station in his hometown of Roseau when a hot topic
came up: the Minnesota Vikings' desire for a new stadium. Fabian says he assured a store clerk he wouldn't support raising her taxes to pay for it."

Report: Vikings DB Cook charged with brandishing weapon

Report: Vikings DB Cook charged with brandishing weapon: "Minnesota Vikings defensive back Chris Cook was arrested in Lynchburg, Va. Saturday night and charged with brandishing a handgun, according to WSET-TV."

Lions exec Lewand refuses to discuss tampering charges

Lions exec Lewand refuses to discuss tampering charges: "Lions president Tom Lewand held a conference call with reporters Saturday to discuss the NFL lockout, but instead continued to field questions about the tampering charge the league penalized Detroit with last month."

Ravens S Zbikowski has little trouble in second boxing bout

Ravens S Zbikowski has little trouble in second boxing bout: "Fighting for the second time as a pro, Baltimore Ravens S Tommy Zbikowski barely broke a sweat Saturday night in stopping Richard Bryant at 1:45 of the first round of a scheduled four-round fight on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Mayorga 154-pound title fight."

Rehabbing Jets S Leonhard on track for full recovery

Rehabbing Jets S Leonhard on track for full recovery: "Jim Leonhard doesn't know when there will be football again, but he's working hard to be ready when that time comes. The New York Jets safety is making positive strides as he rehabs the broken leg he suffered during a practice session on Dec. 3, The Star-Ledger reported on Thursday."