NFL NOTES | AROUND THE LEAGUE

Browns: A man accused of punching Cleveland Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer in a bar was acquitted on Friday. A jury found Joshua Pfeil, 23, innocent of misdemeanor assault. Dilfer testified Wednesday in Lakewood Municipal Court that Pfeil insulted him, then punched him in the face before he could react. Pfeil, who says Dilfer choked and shoved him, told WOIO-TV in Cleveland that he was leaning toward filing charges against Dilfer in return but would have to talk the matter over with his attorney. Pfeil's lawyer argued that Dilfer sparked the fight on June 10 in a suburban Cleveland bar, before the quarterback began his first season with the Browns. Pfeil alerted police, according to reports. Dilfer started the first 11 games for the Browns in 2005 before being replaced by rookie Charlie Frye in the last five.
Super Bowl: Aaron Neville, whose home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will perform the national anthem at next month's Super Bowl. The NFL selected Neville in part to honor the singer's hometown of New Orleans, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday. Pianist Dr. John will join Neville for the anthem. Neville also performed the anthem at the 1990 Super Bowl in New Orleans. "Their participation reflects our commitment to the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast region," McCarthy said. In addition, John Legend and Joss Stone will join Motown legend Stevie Wonder in performing Wonder's hits as part of the Super Bowl pre-game show at Detroit's Ford Field, McCarthy said.
Draft: Purdue quarterback Brandon Kirsch will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. "I had a good time at Purdue, but I feel that it's time for me to move on," Kirsch said. "I went through the evaluation process, talked to a lot of people and got some good reviews. That made the decision a little easier." Last season, Kirsch started six times and played in eight games, completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,727 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. In 25 career games, including 12 starts, Kirsch completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 3,532 yards with 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He rushed for 757 yards on 165 carries and five touchdowns.
Packers: Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy released six assistant coaches and two staff members in his first full day on the job. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who interviewed for the head coaching job on Monday, was not among them and could stay with the team. "He's a man I respect, and the job he did this past year speaks for itself," McCarthy said. "I'd love to opportunity to sit down and see if we could work out the possibility of him working here."
Associated Press
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