BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Los Angeles Rams will be the subject of HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.
As they move from St. Louis to Southern California, the Rams have agreed to let HBO's cameras film their first training camp in the LA area. The NFL announced the latest subject of the popular documentary series Wednesday.
The hour-long series kicks off its 11th season Aug. 9 and airs each subsequent Tuesday, with a Sept. 6 finale (see full story).
Patriots: Deflategate picks won't be returned
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Roger Goodell will not be returning the draft picks stripped from the New England Patriots for the use of deflated footballs in the 2014 AFC championship game.
The NFL commissioner said Wednesday at the owners' meetings that he responded to a letter from Patriots owner Robert Kraft seeking reinstatement of the first-round selection in next month's draft and a fourth-rounder in 2017. Goodell told Kraft he "considered his views and didn't think there was any reason in there to alter the discipline. There will be no changes."
New England also was fined $1 million and quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games for his role in what has been dubbed "Deflategate." That suspension was overturned in court and the NFL has appealed.
Goodell says of reports of a pending settlement with Brady, "I am not aware of that."
NFL
Saints: Payton agrees to 5-year deal
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Saints coach Sean Payton says he has agreed to a new five-year contract through 2020.
Payton had two years remaining on his current deal at about $8 million per season. He hasn't signed the new contract yet, but had it in his briefcase at the NFC coaches' breakfast Wednesday morning during the NFL owners' meetings.
Payton is 87-57 in nine seasons in New Orleans. He has led the Saints to five playoff appearances and one Super Bowl title. They've finished 7-9 the past two years.
Payton, who missed the 2012 season while suspended for the team's bounties program, is tied with Mike McCarthy for third-longest tenured coach in the league behind Bill Belichick and Marvin Lewis (see full story).