Patriots Boosts Birk At Season

Football Betting Lines

New England head coach Bill Belichick told the media on Friday that Gronkowski had no setbacks after Thursday's session.

Gronkowski had a record-breaking season for the Patriots, setting an NFL mark for tight ends with 17 touchdown receptions. He also scored once on the ground and finished with 90 catches -- second on the team behind only Wes Welker's 122 -- for 1,327 yards.

Wide receivers Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Andre Reed were among those who did not make the cut.

"Raider nation!! Don't bother to watch tonight they passed on me again!!" wrote Brown, who set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and punt return yards. "In fact, no wrs made it again. Gotta get some of y'all in there!!"

Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood on Saturday, while elevating defensive end Alex Silvestro from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster. The moves came on the eve of New England's date with the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

Because of the move to release Underwood, it's possible the Patriots could make wide receiver Chad Ochocinco active for the game. The other New England wide receivers are Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater.

Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Saturday, as voted by the Associated Press. Stafford, who threw for a career-high 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2011, led the Lions to a 10-6 record and their first playoff berth since 1999. Detroit lost to New Orleans in the wild card round.

Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk was honored as the 2011 NFL Man of the Year on Saturday. The award recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. "I am honored and truly humbled to be named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year," said Birk. "This award is not about the recipient, but rather a celebration of the decades-long tradition of NFL players using their unique platform to touch lives and make a positive and lasting impact in the communities in which they work and live. Walter Payton left a legacy that went beyond the playing field. He continues to be an inspiration and example of what a complete NFL player should aspire to become. I am grateful to have played for two organizations, the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens, which encourage and support their players' community efforts. I have always considered it a privilege to play in the NFL and serve the communities that support our game."

A Harvard graduate, Birk's "Ready, Set, Read!" program as part of his H.I.K.E. Foundation (hope, inspiration, knowledge and education), has reached close to 100,000 children in the Baltimore area. The goal is to motivate students to read at home though an incentive-based system.

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•    dis superbowl i aint hype at alllllll......ravens were suppose 2 play, but chad need a ring so hope da pats win

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•    I liked Tom Brady before he was an all star quarterback. #nflhipster

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•    Vehicle Fire: SB On I-95S at MM 141 in Stafford Co. 1 lane closed.2:15AM

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•    When are they making a new season of Breaking Bad ! -.- #Waitingdessperatly..

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•    I was watching some random That So Ravens and the Juicer has an Obey shirt on :O

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•    I seriously want a new twitter name :(

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•    I could see no more than 3cm of snow in the TV footage but South of England is at a standstill!! Try living up here!! #southernsofties

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•    "Just taking it day by day" -Gronkowski

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