espnW

Merrill: The downward spiral of Mark Becker

Mark Becker's parents describe how their son transformed from a healthy, happy child to a young adult with serious mental health problems -- a paranoid schizophrenic found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of coach Ed Thomas.

Apr 13 8:23 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Gill building trust at Kansas

Turner Gill enters his first season as the football coach at Kansas prepared to draw upon his experience as coach at the University of Buffalo and what he learned from Tom Osborne at Nebraska.

Feb 25 10:44 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: The state of Danica Nation

It's a fascinating phenomenon, Danica Nation, and it's mushrooming at the perfect time for NASCAR, when money is tight and endorsements are hard to come by. Patrick's appeal hits just about every demographic, from casual female fans to hard-core gearheads.

Feb 20 12:10 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Freeney faces stiff challenge

Dwight Freeney played well in the first half of Super Bowl XLIV, but his injured ankle slowed him after halftime, writes Elizabeth Merrill.

Feb 7 | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Colts' Saturday missing a foot?

It's the Saturday before the Super Bowl -- so maybe it's fitting that Jeff Saturday, the man who has snapped the ball to Peyton Manning for the past 11 years, should get his cut of the limelight.

Feb 6 8:02 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: For Colts, Saints families, it's redemption time

The Bensons and Irsays -- so different in everything from age to musical tastes, but so much alike. They're the redemption stories of the Super Bowl, two families who have dealt with intense losses and harsh criticism to restore their legacies.

Feb 5 8:30 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Some inside skinny on Manning

It's the start of Super Bowl week, so let's take a closer look at Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning through the eyes of some of the people closest to him.

Feb 1 6:13 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Jets buy in to Ryan's way

This New York Jets revival has everything to do with the Rex Ryan, Jets players say. Look even deeper, and its roots go back three decades, back to Rex's father, Buddy Ryan.

Jan 21 5:44 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Tomlinson not talking about future

LaDainian Tomlinson has an astounding 3,410 touches so far in his NFL career, but he believes he can still be a productive running back in the NFL and would be willing to play elsewhere in 2010 if the Chargers' management decides to move on without him.

Jan 15 12:02 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Blimp pilots get into the games, too

Jan 2 | By Elizabeth Merrill

Blimp pilots get into the games, too

They get paid to watch sporting events with one arm dangling out the window and their airship hovering at 1,000 feet.

Jan 2 12:35 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Pain the price they pay in the NFL

In the NFL, they say if you're not sore on Monday, it usually means you didn't do much on Sunday. Many a macho football player shrugs off the pain as part of the game. But the pain is real and lasting, and raises questions about players' long-term health after football.

Dec 31 11:49 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Harwell embraces chances to say goodbye

For generations, famed broadcaster Ernie Harwell made listening to the Detroit Tigers an almost spiritual happening. Now, as he deals with cancer, his own spirituality provides peace and comfort as his friends and fans say their goodbyes.

Dec 29 12:11 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Caldwell the Colts' invisible man

You could say Jim Caldwell is the NFL's invisible man, hidden behind Peyton Manning's arm and Tony Dungy's legacy. There's no doubt the Colts' first-year head coach is a blur in the backdrop of kid coaches and cutoff hoodies.

Nov 25 9:30 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Harvin makes Favre look good

Who is Percy Harvin? Detractors call him immature and unpredictable, an uber-talented do-it-all player from Florida who tested positive for marijuana during the NFL combine. Vikings QB Brett Favre calls him one of the catalysts for his season of rejuvenation.

Nov 19 | By Elizabeth Merrill

Dickinson State softball players lost under the stars

Kyrstin Gemar, Ashley Neufeld and Afton Williamson went to Dickinson State to play softball. On Nov. 1, they took off to go stargazing. They died in a stock pond 15 miles from town after desperate calls to teammates. There are still so many questions.

Nov 13 12:13 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Philly fans share big sports day

Philadelphia Eagles fans and Philadelphia Phillies fans came together for one super-long day of revelry, tailgating and trash talking as the city's teams played host to two New York rivals.

Nov 2 1:55 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Packers GM forever linked with Favre

No matter what Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson does, his career will always be linked to Brett Favre and the decision to move on without possibly the biggest legend in Packers history.

Oct 30 10:14 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Ravens' Flacco remains unflappable

Baltimore's Joe Flacco got the Ravens off to a 3-0 start. Despite three straight losses, the second-year quarterback remains calm in his approach and optimistic for his team.

Oct 28 7:19 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Michigan's Mealer moves on from loss

Michigan offensive lineman Elliott Mealer lost his father and girlfriend in a car accident on Christmas Eve 2007, and injured himself trying to save his brother, Brock. Now the brothers turn to each other for support and inspiration.

Oct 7 8:35 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

The saga of the Crabtree holdout

Friends and advisers say receiver Michael Crabtree firmly believes he was the best receiver in the 2009 NFL draft. Whether he'll get the money he wants, however, remains to be seen.

Sep 24 | By Elizabeth Merrill

NFL teams don't test Raiders' Asomugha

Football fans outside of Northern California might not know much about Nnamdi Asomugha, but around the NFL he's known well as one of the most dangerous cornerbacks.

Sep 14 11:11 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

In Parkersburg, the game must go on

Just weeks after coach Ed Thomas was shot and killed, residents of this small Iowa town still wonder how they will carry on. The answers lie in their faith, their families and friends -- and on the football field.

Sep 21 7:05 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

Merrill: Bengals mired in mediocrity

In the 18 years since his father's passing, Mike Brown has watched the Cincinnati Bengals suffer through 17 non-winning seasons. Why has this team been so mediocre for so long?

Aug 24 12:25 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill