Payton asks Parcells about running Saints

NFL Sean Payton has planned the New Orleans Saints' off-season, and now, with his season-long suspension set to begin Sunday, he is checking to see if Bill Parcells would run the team while he serves his penalty for allowing an assistant and players to operate a crunch-for-cash bounty system. Speaking publicly for the first time since the Saints were sanctioned for targeting specific opponents, Payton said Tuesday he will soon decide whether to appeal his suspension. More NFL: The Super Bowl champion New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 5 to kick off the 2012 regular season. The game will be played at 8:30 p.m. and be televised by NBC. ... The Minnesota Vikings re-signed linebacker Erin Henderson to a one-year deal and signed former Chicago Bears cornerback Zack Bowman to a one-year contract. Tennis: Serena Williams' bid for a record sixth Key Biscayne title ended when she lost to former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4, 6-4, at the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open. Williams was playing in her first tournament since January after being sidelined by a left ankle injury. Wozniacki's opponent in the semifinals Thursday will be No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who advanced by beating French Open winner Li Na, 6-3, 6-0.