NFL notes: Falcons owner Arthur Blank taking all employees to game

Arthur Blank isn't limiting his exuberance over the Atlanta Falcons to movin' and groovin'.

The team's owner is sharing his glee with Falcons employees by taking all of them to Houston for Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5.

That's a workforce that numbers in the hundreds and the cheapest tickets Monday were going for over $3,600 on Stubhub.com.

But if there's anyone who can afford it, it's one of the founders of the Home Depot.

A New England fan entered a not-guilty plea in East Boston Municipal Court to charges stemming from an incident in which he allegedly pulled a fire alarm early Sunday inside the Boston Hilton Logan Airport hotel in which the Pittsburgh Steelers were staying.

"I'm drunk, I'm stupid, I'm a Pats fan," Dennis Harrison told Massachusetts State Police, according to the Boston Globe, after he set off the alarm about 15 hours before kickoff of the AFC championship game. Harrison, who was released on his personal recognizance, was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and setting off a false fire alarm.

Packers veteran cornerback Sam Shields came from his home in Florida to watch his Packers teammates play in the NFC Championship Game and afterward declared his intention to play football again.

"It's just like some days tough headaches, some days it's mild," Shields said in foyer inside the Georgia Dome. "It varies. I never know. I'm so used to it now, it's normal. But it's getting better. I'll be back."

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was named to the Pro Bowl and will participate in the exhibition game on Sunday in Orlando. Cousins was initially picked as an alternate but will replace Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In his second season as Washington's starting quarterback, Cousins had 4,917 passing yards, 29 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He finished with a 97.2 passer rating, which finished seventh among qualified passers.

• The Redskins turned to internal candidates to fill two critical vacancies, promoting Matt Cavanaugh to offensive coordinator and former Viking Greg Manusky to defensive coordinator.

• The Browns signed linebacker Jamie Collins to a four-year contract. A former Pro Bowler, Collins made a major impression during the eight games he started after arriving via trade from New England in October. Collins recorded 69 tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble while playing every defensive snap.

• Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown will not attend this week's Senior Bowl following back surgery.