Warren Moon, the first African-American QB to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told CBSSports.com that he believes some of the criticism of Auburn QB Cam Newton is based in racism. "A lot of the criticism he's receiving is unfortunate and racially based," Moon, who is Newton's adviser, told the website.

The head of the BCS put the Fiesta Bowl on notice Wednesday: "Follow the letter of the law" or lose its place in college football's lucrative championship system, according to an ESPN.com report. BCS officials challenged the Fiesta Bowl to persuade them that extravagant and improper spending behind the firing of longtime president and CEO John Junker will never happen again.

NFL teams will complete their contributions toward player benefits on Thursday, bringing the total amount funded by owners for the 2010 season to $245 million. Owners will deposit $177 million with BNY Mellon to complete the funding for the 2010 season. The contributions fund player benefits that include the pension plan, group medical insurance, the disability plan, and the "88" program for retired players with dementia or related conditions. "NFL ownership is proud of the outstanding benefits that NFL players have enjoyed in recent years and the improvements that have been made for retired players," said Carolina Panthers founder and owner Jerry Richardson. "We have more work to do, especially for the retired players, and look forward to further improvements being part of the new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement." In the past 10 years alone, NFL owners have contributed more than $2.7 billion for the funding of the various NFL benefit plans for current and retired players.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't believe that fewer offseason workouts will reduce the number of injuries teams endure. "To me, when you talk about player safety, when you have injuries in training camp, a lot of times it happens to an inexperienced player, a younger player that is not quite sure what to do," McCarthy said. "Because of that, bodies are going to be put in vulnerable positions, and I see vulnerable positions created by a lack of preparation. "I don't see where the fact that less is going to be better. I don't agree with that." McCarthy utilizes Green Bay's offseason program to install his entire system so the focus on training camp can be evaluating players who are competing for jobs. "I don’t know what goes on at the other 31 teams; all I know is those practices are important," McCarthy said. “That time in the classroom is very important because when you have the opportunity to have everything in when you leave at the end of June, when those players go to that rookie symposium (before training camp), those rookies, that football team has seen everything. "I've always thought that way as a coordinator and as a quarterback coach because at the end of the day, that man’s competing for a job on your football team. So I’d want to know what the deal is."

Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant wants to pay back his debts, according to his adviser. Two lawsuits emerged this week alleging Bryant owes more than $850,000, not including damages or legal fees, from jewelry and tickets to sporting events purchased on credit, as well as unpaid loans. "We'll get them all settled and dealt with," adviser David Wells said Wednesday. "We want to move on, that's what we want to do. We're working on it." Wells also told ESPN 103.3 FM's Ben & Skin Show and guest Deion Sanders on Wednesday that Bryant, who had a strong rookie season, was "in a dark place." "I talked to him yesterday and he wants to get past this," he added. "He wants to get all these deals past him and closure. He's in a dark place in his life. Until you find that light, you're going to continue to be in a dark place."

Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has turned himself in on a warrant accusing him of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend, police said. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond Wednesday. Police said they believe Talib and his mother, Okolo Talib, shot at the man March 21.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik is expected to be released from a Pennsylvania hospital this week. Bednarik, 85, was listed in serious condition after he was admitted last week with shortness of breath. "He was up and walking around today and eating more," Ken Safarowic, a spokesman for the family, told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bednarik played linebacker and center for the Eagles. His game-saving tackle helped the Eagles claim the 1960 NFL championship, the last title won by the franchise.

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott has given thought to playing some games on Sundays this fall should the NFL season not be played. "We certainly are monitoring the situation," Scott said. "We have no plans in place at this time, but you want to be prepared and consider all options. Still, these labor situations have a way of getting done the closer they get to a critical situation." Should the NFL's labor unrest push into the season, it would create a big void on the nation's TV airwaves. Fox, CBS, NBC and ESPN carry NFL games, with Fox and CBS carrying the bulk of the action.

NFL players are defending their decision to disband the union, saying employers cannot force workers to unionize, and dissolution is "not akin to turning off a light switch." The players made the statements Monday in a court document filed in response to the NFL's claim that decertification was "a sham." "It is established law that a union can renounce collective bargaining to enable its workers to protect themselves from antitrust violations," lawyers for the players wrote. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for April 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The players say prior court decisions have made it clear the right of workers not to unionize is absolute. The players disclaimed their union, gave up the right to strike, to collectively bargain and to have union representation. "The players sacrificed these labor law rights for one reason: to gain the ability to assert antitrust claims against anticompetitive restrictions imposed by defendants," lawyers for the players argued.

Former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is worried that a lengthy lockout will hurt the NFL's popularity and prestige. "There's too much at stake," Gibbs said. "They may miss a few preseason games, but I think they'll get this done because otherwise, I think it would hurt the sport."