Lewis Calls Report “Stupidity” – NFL News And Notes For January 30th

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ray Lewis was the center of attention at Super Bowl media day, but he didn't appreciate being the focus.

The Ravens linebacker did not want to discuss a Sports Illustrated report that says he used deer antler spray to speed up his recovery from a torn right triceps. The company, Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (SWATS), says its deer-antler substance contains a banned performance-enhancer connected to human growth hormone.

Lewis dismissed the report as "stupidity" as he prepares for his final game before retiring at age 37.

Lewis was the NFL's leading tackler in the playoffs after missing 10 regular-season games with the injury.

Meanwhile, players on both Super Bowl teams say they are confused about when a hit is legal by NFL standards.

Rules designed to make the game safer are also making players uncertain about which hits are considered clean and which ones could lead to a fine.

San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis wondered if two-hand touch is in the future for the NFL, and predicts even more changes in the offing.

Baltimore safety Bernard Pollard, one of the league's hardest hitters, warned against trying to take collisions out of the game, as long as they are clean.

Super Bowl media day was open to fans for the price of a $25 ticket. They were allowed to sit in sections of seats along the sideline with good views of players on the field. AN NFL spokesman says paid attendance was 5,479.

The NFL says 5,205 reporters from 24 countries have credentials for Sunday's game.

UNDATED (AP) — Jim Anderson has retired after spending the last 29 years as Cincinnati's running backs coach, the longest tenure of any Bengals coach.

Anderson joined the team in 1984 after coaching at various colleges. He worked under five Bengals head coaches — Sam Wyche (wysh), Dave Shula, Bruce Coslet, Dick LeBeau (leh-BOH') and Marvin Lewis.

Anderson says he loves coaching, but it's time for a new challenge.

In other NFL news:

— The Rams have decided not to give their defensive coordinator's job to Rob Ryan, who spent two years in that capacity with the Dallas Cowboys before he was fired following the season finale. The Rams did hire Frank Bush as linebackers coach as head coach Jeff Fisher continues to fill out his staff. Bush was with the Titans the last two seasons and prior to that was defensive coordinator for four seasons with the Texans.

— The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Jack Bicknell Jr. as the team's new offensive line coach. Bicknell replaces Sean Kugler, who left the Steelers following the 2012 season to become head coach at UTEP.

— As they have in previous years, the Buffalo Bills will play one regular-season game a year at Toronto's Rogers Centre for the next five seasons.