Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Although the Steelers prevailed, rookie RB Tashard Choice played like a starter for the Cowboys. Take a look back at Week 14: Kirwan's unsung heroes Jim Johnson Defensive coordinator, Eagles The Eagles went on the... more

10 hot topics for Week 14 1. Biggest rematch weekend of season The divisional rematches have been building over the past few weeks. Two weeks ago, there were four rematch games with three being won by the losers of the first game. Last week, there were five rematch games and three were... more

Elsa / Getty Images James Harrison's all-around presence on the field puts him at the top of Pat Kirwan's list of defensive MVP candidates. Most Valuable Player discussions can dominate my radio show on Sirius, with a number of interesting candidates on offense... more

Rick Stewart / Getty Images NFL teams combined to commit 50 fumbles in Week 13, well above the season average of 38 per week. Week 13 really saw the first turn in the weather across most of the country. Rain, snow, and wind were an issue in many stadiums and there was... more

10 hot topics for Week 13 Week 13 is big for rematch games and last week taught us something about the situation. A record total of 837 points were scored in Week 12, but that mark may not stand for long. While Donovan McNabb responded to being benched with a four-touchdown... more

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Returns for touchdowns, such as Ed Reed's record-setter on Sunday, have helped light up scoreboards. The economy may be in a downturn, but NFL scoring is on the upswing. There were a NFL-record 837 points scored in Week 12, the... more

Doug Benc / Getty Images As Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel matures, so does the size of his upcoming free-agent contract. In Week 12, three quarterbacks were shown the bench, and another was injured. The 'Beast of the East' may be in the AFC, and there are... more

10 hot topics for Week 12 Week 12 has its own personality. We will see just four divisional games but all of them are rematches. Can the loser of the first game win the second? There are five teams sitting with a 5-5 record, and a loss makes the playoffs a fading issue. The... more

Doug Benc / Getty Images Ronnie??Brown is a multi-talented offensive threat who can run or throw out of the "Wildcat" formation. I hear analysts on television refer to the Wildcat formation as a gimmick. Webster's dictionary defines a gimmick as "a... more

Week 11 had its own personality to say the least. We had a tie, the return of Tony Romo, Brett Favre making the Jets' front office look like a group of geniuses, seven division games, a statement game by the world champions, four teams with more than 200 yards rushing, a couple of... more

Each week I try to explore a league trend that is developing or has led to a team's success or failure. This week I am looking at first-down defense. If a team isn't winning on first downs, bigger problems are just a few plays down the road. I will also look at rookie... more

10 hot topics for Week 11 Week 11 marks the turn for home in the 2008 season. There are no more byes, division games dominate the schedule, some teams have their backs to the wall and a loss this week destroys their playoff dreams, and four games are rematch games from earlier... more

Week 10 had six division games, and I reminded our readers that head coaches consider division games on the road the toughest assignments. Two young quarterbacks continue to impress -- in fact, combined with first-year head coaches they are continuing to defy logic. Who are the... more

10 hot topics for Week 10 Week 10 marks the start of the second half of the season. Among the themes to keep an eye on in the final two months are the frustration purge in Oakland, backup quarterbacks carrying a few teams' dreams, a microscope on two new head coaches and Thursday... more

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Will??Allen returns an interception for a first-quarter score against the Broncos. This past week in the NFL, two things happened that caused me to look a little deeper as to what might be going on around the league. The Steelers... more

Ben Margot / Associated Press Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has already led the Falcons to more wins than they recorded all of last season. It is time to make the turn at the half-way mark of the season and look at some mid-term exam results along with some second half... more

10 hot topics for Week 9 Week 9 marks the end of the first half of the season and records are starting to distinguish the contenders from the pretenders. That said, at least 25 teams feel they are still in the playoff hunt. Five games this week are division matchups that will start to... more

Is there anything less meaningful than a "power poll?" The funniest thing I heard about power polls this week was when an NFL coach said to me, "Power polls are like asking me what I had for dinner yesterday -- I can't remember, and I bet no one can remember last week's... more

Donna McWilliam / Associated Press With Tony??Romo out, Brad??Johnson has gone 1-1 as the Cowboys' starting quarterback. When your favorite team's offense looks shaky, don't create the illusion that a guy on the street or on your bench is always the... more

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Jake??Delhomme has the Panthers off to a perfect 5-0 start at home and first place in the NFC South. Week 8 is close to the halfway mark in the 2008 season and I don't know about you, but the year seems like it's flying by and... more

As I started looking through game tapes from last weekend, I found several interesting twists to game plans around the league. I have been impressed by what Jim Haslett has been able to accomplish in two short weeks in St. Louis with just a few basic adjustments. And defenses seem to be... more

10 hot topics for Week 8 Week 8 brings us a new head coach, three divisional matchups, two teams in London that are both coming off terrible losses in the States, new expectations for some teams and a number of ways to look at your favorite team. Enjoy the storylines for Week 8: 1.... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Coaches like Green Bay's Mike McCarthy are going for it more often on fourth down this year. It is important to re-examine the action from the week before, and the season to date, in order to get a feel for where the pro game is headed. ... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Steven??Jackson and the Rams used some different looks to cut big holes in the Cowboys' defense. /AP Photo Buffalo's Roscoe Parrish electrified the crowd last week with a 63-yard punt return score in a 34-10 rout of the... more

10 hot topics for Week 7 It's hard to believe we are already closing in on the halfway mark of the NFL season. Team depth is already being challenged around the league, the trading deadline came and went with just one player being traded. The NFL office has certainly gotten the... more

It is time to look at the game inside the game. The results from Week 6 remind us that the offense has to work with the defense if success is going to be the final outcome. The question is: How must the offense support its defense? Modern defenses are blitzing, zone dogging and... more

Paul Connors/Associated Press The Cardinals' special teams were just one of many things that were working against the Cowboys on Sunday. The NFL turned itself upside down in Week 6 with the Rams beating the red-hot Redskins, Houston winning its first game, the... more

10 hot topics for Week 6 Week 6 has a number of storylines I will be watching with interest as the games unfold on Sunday and Monday. Rookie running backs have gotten off to a great start and I wonder if defenses have a few tricks and schemes to slow down the youngsters. There are two... more

If there weren't wide receivers acting up every week, complaining, being fined, pouting on the sidelines, and thinking about themselves before the team, there wouldn't be much controversy in the NFL. As one head coach said to me this week, "Most of my headaches come from the guys... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images LaDainian Tomlinson and the usually potent Chargers offense could not get going in a 17-10 upset loss at Miami. As we make the turn into the second quarter of the season, a number of storylines have raised my interest. A travel subject that... more

10 hot topics for Week 5 So far, Week 5 of the NFL season has looked and felt more like the week after the end of the regular season. We have witnessed two head coaches being fired (in St. Louis and Oakland) and an owner hanging out his dirty laundry like no other owner has ever... more

John Russell / Associated Press The Lane Kiffin era is over in Oakland, the team made progress on his watch. The Lane Kiffin era is over in Oakland, but the foundation he was building as head coach of the Raiders is not. Last season, Kiffin's first as head... more

Chris Graythen/Getty Images Drew Brees has a 71.4 completion percentage and is averaging 16.2 yards per completion on third down. Every NFL coach thinks of the season as a four-quarter game. The first quarter just came to an end as Week 4 games are over. There isn't... more

10 hot topics for Week 4 Week 4 in the NFL has already shown us that desperation is the issue of the day. A general manager was fired, head coaches are on the hot seat, teams have benched starters and another loss will bring more changes around the league. Here are the 10... more

Winslow Townson / Associated Press Defensive coaches better compile a list of backs who can throw the ball as well as Ronnie Brown did on Sunday. Week 3 action in the NFL brought a number of issues to the forefront and reinforced a few more things that appeared to be... more

Chris Gardner/Getty Images Seeing Ben Roethlisberger get hit this season is becoming a trend, and it could spell doom for the Steelers. With three weeks in the books, there are some interesting trends starting to develop -- some good and some bad. How long can Ben... more

Elsa / Getty Images Larry Johnson and the Chiefs love to run on first down, but they gain 4 or more yards only 20 percent of the time. I Love the expression, "You've gotta win on third down." Of course, you have to win on third down, but your chances of... more

Ten hot topics for Week 3 Here are some key storylines to watch as the NFL heads into Week 3: 1. Jackson and Royal on hot pace The first two weeks of the NFL season have provided some exciting play from rookie receivers. Eddie Royal (Denver) and DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia) are... more

John Russell / Associated Press Safety Michael Griffin had one of Tennessee's seven sacks on Jaguars' David Garrard in a 17-10 victory. Here's one thing that stood out from Week 1: Quarterbacks are in trouble this year. Just look at New England where... more

Jarrett Baker/Getty Images No Tom Brady? No problem for the Patriots and QB Matt Cassel, who played mistake-free ball against the Jets. Every week there are so many interesting storylines that unfold from the games that they are worth exploring. Here are the subjects... more

10 hot topics for Week 2 The difference between Week 1 and Week 2 this year is so radically different that no one could have predicted all the changes. Tom Brady is gone for the year, as is Shawne Merriman. A total of four starting quarterbacks were knocked out by injury and... more

Andy Lyons/Getty Images Bears rookie running back Matt Forte had a big Week 1, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown. What makes the second round of the NFL Draft such fertile ground for talent? During Week 1, players drafted in the second round of 2008 draft made... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Travis LaBoy and the Cardinals defense set the tone for a 23-13 win by stopping the 49ers on the opening possession. As Week 1 comes to an end I want to look back at some of the storylines I thought would drive the first week of action and see... more

10 hot topics for Week 1 Every season has a life of its own in the NFL, and when you break it down, every week has a number of hot topics that dominate the storylines. It's Week 1 in the NFL, and there are so many unknowns that 10 topics will not do the week justice.... more

Mark Humphrey/AP The duo of Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch may lead some teams to throw in the towel. The NFL game is all about matchups. Offensive coordinators spend countless hours trying to dictate the one-on-one battles that give them a competitive edge.... more

Tom Dahlin/Getty Images Playing on the Vikings' star-studded line, Jared??Allen is expected to terrorize quarterbacks. Sacking the quarterback isn't the most critical factor when it comes to winning in the NFL, but it is close. And when you break down winning... more

G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images Glenn??Dorsey is one of 24 rookies that will make their first NFL start in Week 1. While the final roster cuts are in, there will be slight changes to rosters over the next few days as teams claim or sign players in order to make their... more

Jim Rogash/Getty Images Many coaches in the NFL, including Bill Belichick, are turning towards a hybrid defense in order to slow down the opposition. The NFL is a very interesting place when it comes to the use of the English language. Coaches are notorious for grabbing... more

Whether your favorite team runs a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme on defense, any chance of stopping opponents always starts up front. Photos ... Best DTs ?? More photos The defensive tackles in a 4-3 scheme are asked to attack gaps and be disruptive in the backfield. The defensive ends in a... more

I always knew he was listening. Every afternoon on my Sirius Radio show, I knew Gene Upshaw had the station on and was listening with a sharp ear to our NFL conversations with the guests and fans. He was never opposed to calling in and taking issue with me if he opposed my view of the... more

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images Monte Kiffin has helped players like Ronde Barber become stars and shape the Bucs' defense. --> Keeping up with the sophisticated offenses in the NFL is no easy task. However, four defensive architects do it better than anyone... more

There are a number of defensive coaches who are poised to do the things coordinator Steve Spagnuolo did for the New York Giants last year. It usually takes a combination of a creative mind, good communication skills, and the ability to sell what they want to do. And it never hurts if... more

Marc Serota / Getty Images What can be learned from Week 3 of the preseason? Chad Pennington and the Dolphins are hoping a lot. Week 3 of the preseason can be a good time to find out where teams stack up, as it tends to be the last time starters are in for an extended... more

Bill Kostroun / Associated Press Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has the plan many teams will be looking to mimic in 2008. Through 16 regular-season games in 2007 and two playoff contests, no team that faced the undefeated New England Patriots could solve... more

Paul Sakuma/Associated Press Former No.1 pick Alex Smith (11) is facing stiff competition for the starting QB spot. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Coach Mike Nolan and his staff put out the welcome mat when I arrived here for the 49ers' summer camp. I was permitted... more

Greg Trott/Getty Images The Raiders plan to use first-round pick Darren McFadden in many ways this season. NAPA, Calif. -- The trip to Napa Valley is a beautiful ride and the surroundings suggest a big-time franchise is waiting at the end of the trip. Of course, the... more

Matt York/Associated Press Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart appears ready to establish himself as a bona fide NFL starter. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The drive up from Phoenix to Flagstaff to visit with the Cardinals was a beautiful ride as the temperature dropped from well... more

Marc Serota/Getty Images Newly acquired QB Chad Pennington (left) might have the inside track on the No. 1 job in Miami. DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins are now under the watchful eye of the master of reclamation projects, Bill Parcells, who continues to make big... more

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images With Brett Favre in New York, Jeff Garcia looks to take the Bucs back to the playoffs. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Standing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice field, you are quickly reminded how solid this franchise has been over the... more

Phil Coale/Associated Press Jack Del Rio keeps a close eye on his Jaguars at training camp. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are full of quiet confidence. The group is on a mission to finally overtake the Indianapolis Colts and win the AFC South. ... more

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The Browns' need for a third wideout could have them calling for more of Josh Cribbs on offense. BEREA, Ohio -- After surprising many en route to winning 10 games last season, the Cleveland Browns have high expectations coming in... more

Chuck Burton/Associated Press The Panthers hope DeAngelo Williams (34) and rookie Jonathan Stewart will be a potent one-two punch. SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- In the offseason, Panthers coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney sat down to talk offense. It didn't take long for... more

Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com The Class of 2008 provided many inspirational moments during their memorable speeches. CANTON, Ohio -- There are a few times every year that remind me the NFL does it right most of the time. Whether it's the Super Bowl, the draft or the Pro... more

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Brett Favre's status will be big news until a decision is finally reached. With training camps getting ready to open soon, there are a number of storylines that will shape this season. Here are five that will have a significant impact... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images Pat Kirwan will visit 14 training camps this year, including a visit with Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By Sunday, all 32 teams will be in camp and I will be out on my annual training camp tour. This year, I will hit 14 camps, plus the... more

Brett Favre coming out of retirement? What's the problem? Bill Parcells has retired a number of times. Michael Jordan changed his mind and Favre is allowed to change his mind, too. Some fans call my radio show at Sirius to strongly suggest that they have had enough of Brett Favre... more

Adam Pretty / Getty Images NFL Europa players may not have been household names, but they served a purpose in training camp. With the start of training camps nearly here, several topics will be bandied about over the next few weeks. However, one issue is sure to receive... more

As usual, there are a number of big camp battles starting to set up around the league, but this year more battles will be won or lost on the field because most teams have the salary cap space to let the best man win. In years past, often it was the cheapest man who won the... more

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images As a second-round pick in 2006, Greg Jennings would be a member of the free-agent class of 2010. It seems like a long time before the 2010 free agency period will be upon us, but it is amazing how many players haven't even started to... more

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Hoping to improve their run game, the Lions envision rookie Gosder Cherilus as the answer at right tackle. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions got off to a fast start last year, winning six of their first eight games, but faded with just... more

Tim Roske / Associated Press Justin Tuck and the rest of the New York Giants are looking to prove doubters wrong in 2008. ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York Giants may have some new looks this year, but there is a familiar feel to the defending Super Bowl... more

Rick Stewart / Getty Images Bills coach Dick Jauron likes what he sees from his young team in training camp. ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Expectations are high around Buffalo Bills' training camp, and it goes far beyond the playoff guarantee that safety Donte Whitner made in... more

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Nobody can doubt Devin Hester's value as a return specialist for the Bears. Is it time for a franchise tag for returners? Every position in the NFL has a franchise and transition tag available for a club to use if they have a star player... more

Despite limitations in practice due to roster size and the unpredictability of who is lining up against you in preseason games, teams must still find a way to settle starting positions that are up for grabs this summer. The defensive camp battles look very interesting to me this... more

Morry Gash/Getty Images Lots of former and current NFL quarterbacks have an opinion about whether or not Brett Favre should walk away from the game for good. STATELINE, Nev. -- Football conversations have dominated the driving range and putting green this week at the... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The Jaguars are the only team over the last three years to run the ball more than then they throw it. Will more teams look to copy that formula in 2008? The NFL has become a pass-to-set-up-the-run league over the past twenty five years. The... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Todd Collins stepped in for an injured Jason Campbell and helped the Redskins make the playoffs last year. As camps around the league open this week, the stars will deservedly get the bulk of the attention. However, the NFL is a war... more

June marks the end of the school year and it also means final exams. For football fans, the 2008 season beckons and training camp is only weeks away -- so it's time to finally put the 2007 season to rest with a final exam. Take this 20-question test in 5 minutes or less and grade... more

Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images Shaun Alexander is a former league MVP, but has found no takers after being released by the Seahawks. I tried to get in touch with all the key free-agent running backs this week to come on Sirius NFL Radio and talk about their employment... more

AP The Eli Manning vs. Tony Romo debate has been raging over the airwaves this offseason. The No. 1 debate this spring on my radio show "Moving the Chains" on Sirius NFL Radio has been which QB is better, Tony Romo or Eli Manning? Cowboys fans contend the... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Albert Haynesworth was one of the best defensive tackles in the league in 2007 and now he wants to be paid like one. The collective bargaining agreement in its present form gives clubs the right to use the franchise tag on a player more than... more

Sometimes it feels like everyone talks about left tackles on offense as if they are the only linemen that count. Ruben Brown has been to nine Pro Bowls but he's hardly in the conversation as a Hall of Fame candidate. Larry Allen struggles to keep up with Jonathan Ogden when I pose the... more

Do you remember those days long ago when you graduated from college and started on the job interview circuit? Potential employers peppered you with inane questions and you fed them your rehearsed answers. Illustrious list of 2008 retirees Adam Schefter's take: Now... more

Grant Halverson/Getty Images Coming off a broken leg, Mathias Kiwanuka hopes to fill some of the void left by Michael Strahan's retirement. As the Michael Strahan era officially ended Tuesday and many looked back at a great career, one New York Giant was thinking... more

If there really is an offseason in the NFL, it's the month of June. There isn't much real football happening right now outside of the OTAs. Still, there's always something to talk about ... Tight squeezes in NY New York tight ends seem to find themselves in the news.... more

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images The Redskins' signing of Stuart Schweigert flew under the radar, but it was shrewd nonetheless. Here are some thoughts as NFL teams complete their springtime minicamps and OTAs: 1. What goes on in the spring, stays in the spring... more

It may seem like a strange time of year to talk about the Pro Bowl but it's never too early to take a look at the emerging talent capable of a trip to Honolulu. NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt was making a point the other day on his radio show about how 20-plus players made their first... more

May and June are the months to ask your football questions, and I will try and get them answered. There was a great response to the opportunity from NFL fans from places outside of the USA in the first week of inquiries. Here are five NFL fans -- two from England, two from Norway and one... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com Matt Ryan's $72 million deal with the Falcons raised a few eyebrows ... and contract numbers of fellow rookies. There is a great sense of relief in Atlanta that new franchise quarterback Matt Ryan is signed, sealed and delivered. I believe... more

Now that NFL owners have voted unanimously to end their agreement with the players' union in 2011, they still have all of 2008 and 2009 to negotiate a new CBA before the "trigger" points that are in place to encourage negotiations would fire and things wouldn't be as we know... more

While minicamps and OTAs are underway around the league, some consider May and June to be the slow months of the NFL calendar. With that in mind, it's the perfect time to learn more about the game. So let's look at this as an opportunity to go to school in order to be a better... more

May and June are considered the quiet months in the NFL, but there are still plenty of interesting developments to ponder and look forward to. Lets' tackle a few? Will bigger be better? As we continue to see defenses get faster and more athletic to handle all the matchup problems... more

While the free agency purge and the NFL Draft have come and gone, teams hold minicamps and continue to evaluate their rosters as they look to shape the club they will bring to training camp late this summer. While the premier free agents have been plucked from the market, many players --... more

As teams spend the next 60 days putting the final touches on their training camp rosters, they have to consider a lot of different factors. As they do for free agency and the draft, teams must evaluate the talent still available along with their own needs. But they also need to think about... more

The period of the year following the NFL Draft is when teams assess their talent and begin to develop personnel packages that feature their best player combinations. Finding the most effective matchups against offensive personnel groups is the biggest challenges facing defenses today.... more

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and Jeff Garcia represent a half of the Buccaneers' current quarterback puzzle. The 2008 NFL Draft is over and minicamps are winding down. So what does an NFL personnel department do now in preparation... more

While the 2008 NFL Draft is in the books and minicamps are underway, there still are pressure points on a number of rosters. It is impossible to expect free agency and the draft to satisfy all team needs. When a roster has questions surrounding a position or two and the team gets to... more

Some final thoughts on the 2008 draft before we dive into minicamps and OTAs: Vikings had a crystal ball The Vikings traded for 26-year-old defensive end Jared Allen before the draft. In my discussions with the Vikings before and after the draft it became clear to me they knew they... more

Stacking a draft board accurately is a necessary start to drafting well but it isn't the only thing that makes for the right selections. There are driving forces that factor into picking players and many times these forces are specific to a club. Injury history of players... more

The draft is over but many personnel issues remain on the table for a number of teams and players. There are trades that didn't happen but still might. There may be some scary holes that still need to be repaired. Drafting decisions have shed some new light on just how some franchises... more

There has already been some serious business this week. The first pick in the draft is locked up with Jake Long going to Miami. The Jared Allen trade to the Vikings has stirred up the first round and the Chiefs may be much more flexible about trading out of the No. 5 spot. I also believe... more

Stephen Dunn/Allsport In 1991, the Jets wanted to pick Brett Favre, but were forced to settle for Browning Nagle. The draft boards are set, and in many cases under lock and key, in the days leading up to the draft. The risk of information getting out is such... more

Top safeties in 2008 draft: 1. Kenny Phillips, Miami Height: 6-2 ????Weight: 212 College stats: 33 starts, 241 tackles, 15 passes defended, 7 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles. Vital numbers: 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.27 short shuttle, 34 vertical Phillips is the... more

Top cornerbacks in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy Height: 5-10   Weight: 190 College stats: 36 starts, 173 tackles, 25 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles Vital numbers: 4.38 40-yard dash, 4.11 short shuttle, 38 ˝-inch vertical ... more

Top linebackers in 2008 draft: 1. Keith Rivers, USC Height: 6-2   Weight: 241 College stats: 36 starts, 240 tackles, 18˝ tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions Vital numbers: 4.51 40-yard dash, 4.38 short shuttle Rivers had a great pro day last week when... more

Top defensive tackles in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Sedrick Ellis, Southern California Height: 6-0   Weight: 309 College stats: 36 starts, 144 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles Vital numbers: 5.0 40-yard dash, 4.73 short shuttle, 36 reps on the... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Devin Thomas had one standout season at Michigan State and is now considered the top wideout in the draft. Remember Mike Mamula, the workout warrior out of Boston College who parlayed a strong combine showing into a first-round NFL contract... more

Top defensive ends in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Chris Long, Virginia Height: 6-3   Weight: 272 College stats: 37 starts, 183 tackles, 43 tackles for a loss, 22 sacks, 3 forced fumbles Vital numbers: 4.75 40-yard dash, 4.21 short shuttle Long is a complete player.... more

Defensive players have dotted the top of most draft boards since the mock draft business began in earnest back in January. Virginia defensive end Chris Long remains an elite prospect along with fellow defensive linemen Vernon Gholston, Glenn Dorsey, and Sedrick Ellis. Others who have... more

Top wide receivers in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Limas Sweed, Texas Height: 6-4   Weight: 210 College stats: 124 receptions, 20 TDs Vital numbers: 4.50 40-yard dash, 4.33 short shuttle, 37 ˝-inch vertical Limas stayed in college for four year and refined his route... more

Top tight ends in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Fred Davis, Southern California Height: 6-3   Weight: 255 College stats: 26 starts, 117 receptions, 13 TDs Vital numbers: 4.65 40-yard dash Davis was the premiere tight end during the season, and looked like a complete... more

Top running backs in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas Height: 6-1   Weight: 211 College stats: 35 starts, 785 carries, 4,590 yards, 41 TDs; 46 receptions, 2 TDs Vital numbers: 4.33 40-yard dash McFadden is tops on most draft boards and is a... more

The draft board is a volatile entity this time of year. Not only do the combine and pro-day workouts help scouts refine their grades on certain players, but individual team interviews and workouts can generate plenty of rumor and speculation, which can also push a player up the board or... more

Top 10 quarterbacks in 2008 NFL Draft: 1. Matt Ryan, Boston College Height: 6-5   Weight: 228 College stats: 32 starts, 8,963 yards, 54 TDs, 34 INT Vital numbers: 4.95 40-yard dash, 4.51 short shuttle Ryan is the premiere quarterback of the class of 2008. He... more

April is time for spring cleaning -- and the NFL is no exception. With the draft at the end of the month, a few teams are fairly tight in the salary cap and need to clean up the books to go forward. Three teams have to make some adjustments to stay under the salary cap or at least to... more

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Every so often, an apparent new trend pops up in the NFL that gets its legs for some unfounded reason. And it usually involves a concept that teams can get by with inferior players at a certain position. As one GM said to me at the owners' meetings this week,... more

With the draft just over a month away, it appears there could be quite a bit of movement in the first round. A number of teams are looking for a limited amount of talent at a few key positions. With that in mind, I've decided to incorporate trades in my first mock draft. ... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com A left tackle in college, Michigan's Jake Long could be headed to the right side in the NFL. The sudden and very tragic death of Heath Benedict from Newberry College, a young man I interviewed at the Senior Bowl and had on my radio show a... more

Michael Conroy/AP Just as he did at the NFL Scouting Combine, Virginia DE Chris Long impressed at his Pro Day. In terms of important days leading up to the NFL draft, March 18 will prove to be among the biggest. Six schools had their Pro Day workouts on Tuesday:... more

Doug Benc / Getty Images A knack for hard knocks has made Miami safety Kenny Phillips (1) a potential first-round pick. By my count, it's safe to assume that more than half the teams in the NFL are in need of a safety on some level and entered the offseason with... more

Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images A three-year starter for USC, Sedrick??Ellis finished with 17?? sacks and 28?? tackles for loss. As my draft board begins to take shape, and the many experts and prognosticators begin to release their own mock drafts, it looks like there... more

Most NFL teams run the ball just over 400 times a season and pass the ball somewhere between 450-550 times. We could discuss the passing and running of your favorite team all day long, but most teams also execute between the same number of special teams plays, and there is rarely a... more

The first week of free agency had an unpredicted flurry of signings, and the money used to sign the first 60 players came in about 17 percent higher than last year's first week of free agency. The players have to be excited that in a year where the free-agent talent pool was... more

Make no mistake about it, free agency is tied to the draft. Teams identify needs and react accordingly. Free agency starts before the draft and ends after the selection process, but general managers have to take educated guesses about where to acquire talent. Let's take a look at... more

When I was at the Jets I used to have a piece of paper on my desk when free agency was about to start that I looked at 10 times a day during the spring. It said, "Always remember the R's of free agency." It meant, put the right tag on the restricted free agents, re-sign the right... more

There have been more than 45 contracts completed in less than one full week of free agency, and the biggest concern to most football people is the issue of guaranteed money. I spent some time Monday morning with two former NFL head coaches and both were very concerned about the amount... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Ready or not, Aaron??Rodgers is the starting quarterback in Green Bay, where's he's replacing a legend. Dan Marino has long been retired and the Dolphins still haven't figured out how to replace him. Will the same problem... more

A week ago, the league converged on Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. Between sessions on the RCA Dome field it was a time for club executives to meet privately about other matters such as trades. The true depth of the talent pool at each position in the draft has yet to... more

Some initial thoughts while free agency begins to kick into high gear ... 1. Go slow The average team in the NFL entered free agency $15 million under the salary cap, but that doesn't mean they should throw the cash up in the air. Most GMs are preparing to go slow and let the... more

Ask anyone in Pittsburgh who Myron Cope was, and the answer would be the voice of the city. Cope was the most colorful announcer on the radio in the country. He spoke like a Steelers fan because he was one. He believed in the Steeler way and wanted to see great fundamentals from the... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- A number of things caught my eye Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Here are some quick thoughts on several key topics unfolding here, starting with two prominent prospects. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State The leader of the Nittany Lions defense is a legitimate top-10... more

INDIANAPOLIS -- With a full year of scouting and the all-star games in the rearview mirror, there still is no consensus group of top five players in this year's draft class. Of course, a lot can still change as the evaluation process winds down over the last two months. The NFL... more

Every front office and personnel department worked overtime last weekend trying to get a grip on their own free agents, potential free agents around the league, the upcoming Combine for draftable players and what the market may be at each position. A number of front office people from... more

The end of the season gives me a chance to spend some time with NFL people and potential NFL players. Whether it's talking about a promotion, a termination, a retirement or the upcoming draft, the conversation is much different then it is during the season. The offseason is the business... more

G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images Packers defensive tackle Corey Williams could be looking at a big pay raise this offseason. The more I watch the ripple effect of some of the factors creating stress on player negotiations these days in the NFL, the more I feel for team... more

Prior to Adrian Peterson's arrival on the NFL scene, the popular sentiment was more in line with the Denver Broncos philosophy that you can find a running back in the later rounds of the draft. Peterson, who rushed for 1,341 yards in 2007 for the Vikings, earned offensive rookie of the... more

The Parcells factor Bill Parcells is a decision maker. Some people talk about making the tough call, others make the call and don't look back. The Miami Dolphins have a former head coach in the top seat. Not a guy on the competition committee, not a guy with a law degree,... more

David Stluka/Getty Images He played tight end at Michigan State, but which side of the ball will Kellen Davis line up on in the NFL? MOBILE, Ala. -- Every year when I'm down at the Under Armour Senior Bowl there are always a few players that are better than... more

The Super Bowl is barely over and the business of the NFL just keeps marching on. Teams have to decide if they are going to use a "tag" on the best available player on their roster who has an expiring contract. Within days, some of the teams will elect to restrict one... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com USC quarterback John David Booty is showing a strong arm at Senior Bowl practices this week in Mobile, Ala. MOBILE, Ala. -- The Under Armour Senior Bowl is my first opportunity each year to dive into the draft class. Traditionally the game and... more

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With all due respect to a deserving Eli Manning, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLII was actually a coach. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo came to New York from the Eagles with a fire-zone scheme that asked the Giants players to attack the... more

David Drapkin / Getty Images If Osi Umenyiora (above) and Michael Strahan can pressure Tom Brady, the Giants' chances of winning increase. PHOENIX -- The New England Patriots are on the steps of the ultimate accomplishment in a team sport. But no matter what the... more

PHOENIX -- Mention the New England Patriots to any one walking around town today and the conversation is about Tom Brady and the awesome passing game. There are times Brady makes it look so easy with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth and Ben Watson. But the playoffs did a lot to... more

As Super Bowl XLII Media Day came to an end at the University of Phoenix Stadium it was the same old story about Eli Manning. It just seems so difficult for many people to let their guard down and just back him. Manning always seems to be on a roller coaster with the Giants fans. One day... more

We all know that Tom Brady is the guy that drives the Patriots' bus, but the defense has to live up to its end of the bargain if another NFL championship is to become a reality. I took a long, hard look at the Patriots' defensive game plan against the Giants in Week 17, and it... more

PHOENIX -- The teams are trickling into Arizona a week before Super Bowl XLII, with the Patriots landing here Sunday and the Giants arriving on Monday. There's no turning back now -- not that anyone really wants to. I couldn't help but think about how big this game really is... more

Otto Gruele Jr. / Getty Images Arizona State center Mike Pollak is a bit undersized but more than makes up for it with tenacity. MOBILE, Ala. -- Despite the fact that many top-rated offensive linemen often do not participate, the Senior Bowl has traditionally been a... more

The Chargers embarrassed the Broncos on their home field in what many consider the worst home loss in Broncos history in Week 5 (Highlights). The Chargers have gone 7-2 since that game while Denver has struggled to a 4-5 record. Denver has lost its last three road games giving up 102... more

When the Giants play the Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game, it will be a rematch of a Sept. 16 game in New York when the Packers easily beat the Giants, 35-13. Since that loss, New York has won 12 of its next 16 games. The Giants' pass rush, running game and the... more

Michael Conroy/AP Can LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers make it two consecutive victorious trips to the Eastern Time Zone? Championship Sunday is great football because the losers go home and the winners move on to the Super Bowl. No second chances, no ties, just two... more

What can we learn from the divisional playoffs? Here's one man's impressions as four teams gear up for the conference championships ... 1. Get a coach on the rebound Teams are always looking for a new head coach. The NFL usually averages about five to six openings a year. We... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

The divisional playoff game between the Giants and Cowboys is Round 3 of a heavyweight fight. Dallas won the first two rounds, 45-35 and 31-20, but that doesn't mean a thing if the Giants knock them out in the final round. New York is hoping to achieve something that has already... more

There are two popular storylines for the Seahawks-Packers NFC Divisional playoff game: The return of Mike Holmgren to his first head coaching position where there's a street named after him, and the infamous overtime coin flip in the 2003 playoffs between these two teams where Matt... more

This is a rematch of the Nov. 11 regular-season game won by San Diego, 23-21, in San Diego. Both teams played that game with backups in key positions. Marvin Harrison was on the sideline, but so was Chargers corner Quentin Jammer, who would have covered Harrison. But as I go through the... more

Someone has to play the undefeated Patriots sooner or later in the playoffs so here come the fearless Jacksonville Jaguars. They head into their divisional-round matchup against New England with a 5-3 record vs. playoff teams. But, of course, they're facing a Patriots team that is 6-0... more

When these two teams met on Dec. 9, the game went into overtime before the Chargers won it on a 16-yard run by LaDainian Tomlinson. There was no love lost between these two teams as Shawne Merriman popped Vince Young after a handoff and the Titans put a few extra hits on the Chargers... more

I spoke with both head coaches, Mike Tomlin and Jack Del Rio, every week during the season and watched their game tapes religiously. The Steelers and Jaguars know each other very well, both want to play a physical style of football, and each team would love nothing more than to turn this... more

Top storylines for wild-card weekend With only four games on this wild-card weekend, I have narrowed down the things I will be looking for during the four games. Here's a few things that I always wonder about on a playoff weekend. Record vs. playoff teams Team W-L ... more

Bill Parcells is back in the NFL but this time he is not the head coach or the GM. Parcells has a new title -- executive vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins -- and a new and improved business model. As people speculate about how he's going to operate from... more

The road to the Super Bowl Here's how the individual playoff seeds have fared in making it to the Super Bowl since 1990. Seed Super Bowl appearances, AFC Super Bowl appearances, NFC ?? Comment 1. 6 (35.3%) 11 (65%) ?? The No. 1 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl a combined 50... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 14 So many interesting storylines abound in Week 17 that it was difficult to get it down to the top 10. Bill Parcells starts a brand new endeavor in a most unusual way from projects past. Many of the playoff-bound teams will be reaching deep into their... more

Week 17 is the strangest weekend of the NFL season. Let's take a look at all the factors that make this weekend unpredictable. This year, there are 17 teams eliminated from the playoff hunt, but at least five of them feature young quarterbacks looking to gain valuable experience.... more

Things are just starting to gear up around the league as the regular season winds down. Teams are jockeying for postseason position or fighting for their playoff lives, players are being considered for individual honors and awards, and some of the less fortunate teams are already knee-deep... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 15 The 2007 season is winding down. Teams that have clinched a playoff spot wrestle with the concept of resting starters versus staying sharp. A number of teams can play the spoiler role, and as one middle linebacker told me this week, "If we can't... more

Defensive football is really a structure of triangles. Whether it is the alignment and responsibilities of the front seven or how zone coverage unfolds when a pass play has to be covered, the basic structure of all defenses is a triangle. A cover-two corner in the flat with an outside... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a... more

As we enter full swing into this season of giving, lets take a look at a few instances where some NFL teams will be "doing without," and see how each situation will affect the franchises involved. What's next for Falcons? Bobby Petrino quit! At least he could have stuck... more

With all apologies to Bill Parcells and the old school coaching fraternity, the NFL has become an offensive game. All you have to do is look at last year's Super Bowl, where the league's best offense ran over the league's best defense. The current NFL rules have been built... more

There are many factors that contribute to winning and losing every week. Which team has the better quarterback, who wins the turnover battle, a critical call by an official or a missed field goal can all determine the outcome of a game. One often overlooked issue, though, is field... more

Roster depth is always a critical issue in the NFL, but it seems more magnified this year with all the injuries. Brock Berlin was under center for the Rams. Vinny Testaverde gives the Panthers the best chance to win. Sage Rosenfels gets a win for the Texans. A guy named Shaun Hill had... more

Seconds after the Philadelphia Eagles played the Patriots close in Week 12, it seemed like they had advertised a blue print on how to beat New England. While the Eagles didn't beat the Patriots, the game tape might have provided a few clues about what things can be successful... more

The Patriots have done so well on offense this year that their punter does not qualify to be ranked among the other punters in the NFL. Chris Hanson has only punted 24 times in 11 games and unless the Ravens force him into a large number of punts, he will remain anonymous. That tells... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 13 This is the last weekend of football before the turn for home in the NFL schedule. Next week starts the fourth quarter and there are more than 10 storylines that will occupy my attention as I watch the action. I will spend Sunday at CBS Sports, in a room... more

Week 13 is upon us and it marks the end of the third quarter of the NFL season. Coaches always think of the NFL season in terms of four quarters, and at the end of this weekend, 12 games will have been played and four remain. There are a number of issues that appear relevant at... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

The Steelers were upset by the Jets last week, but that might work in their favor in Week 12. The Steelers (7-3) have responded to their two previous losses this season with great defensive efforts the following week. They shutout the Seahawks after a loss to Arizona and they surrendered ... more

Without a doubt, Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has been one of the biggest surprise stories of the 2007 season. Anderson had to watch the Browns draft Brady Quinn in the first round last spring after giving up future draft compensation to acquire the 22nd overall... more

I went over the NFL's injured reserve list today and even though it's still early in the season, there are already 155 players on it. Without breaking down every contract, you can look at it this way: The list includes top-end players, such as Orlando Pace, who have salaries... more

Titans-Broncos is the matchup of two young first-round quarterbacks from the class of 2006. Vince Young has four come-from-behind wins in his short career and Jay Cutler has three. Cutler has a big strong arm and Young can beat you with his legs. The Titans like to remind Young not to forget... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 11 The regular season bye weeks are over and it is officially time to defend the top of a division, make a push to the playoffs, or take a look at a few young players to get ready for 2008. When you think about it, every team fits into one of these... more

I spent most of Tuesday talking with NFL players and coaches who are dealing with the task of rebounding from a shutout loss in Week 10 (Vikings and 49ers) or reacting to a rematch game they just had and the new NFL memo warning teams that ejections are a possibility for flagrant... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes who help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

The 49ers face Seattle on Monday night in what will be the eighth rematch game of the weekend. The Niners lost to Seattle 23-3 earlier this season and now have to travel to Seattle and deal with one of the toughest home field advantages in the NFL. 49ers QB Alex Smith has only once... more

Top storylines for Week 10 Week 10 in the NFL really is "Rematch Weekend." Sixteen teams meet for the second time this season. The focus this week is on eight games. It's hard to sweep a team in the NFL, and division splits between two teams are more the norm. But... more

Halftime adjustments are critical in football. Sometimes coaches expand a game plan, many times they reduce a game plan and they do it based on what they learned in the first half. So now it's time for us to learn from the first half of the season and get a second half game... more

It didn't matter if it was the AFC West or the NFC West, the only team that was safe this week was the St. Louis Rams ... who had a bye. The other seven teams all went down to defeat. Kansas City lost to the Packers, Denver got run over by the Lions, the Chargers were shocked in... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 9 There couldn't be any more hype and anticipation for a regular-season game than there is this week in the NFL for Patriots-Colts. I have written about it all week and almost forgot about the rest of the NFL schedule. There are some very important games... more

The big game between the Patriots and Colts is upon us. Despite the hype, both coaches know the loser is far from out of the Super Bowl hunt. In fact, there could be some advantages for the loser of this game. Remember in 2004 when the Patriots lost to the Steelers during the regular season,... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 8 As we approach the midpoint of the 2007 season, we still have two great teams undefeated and on a collision course for next weekend, when the Patriots and Colts meet. We also still have two teams without a win, as Miami travels all the way to London looking... more

The Miami Dolphins are one of the great franchises in the NFL and they are struggling like never before with an 0-7 record. They just lost their one special player on offense, running back Ronnie Brown, for the year with a knee injury and now they have to take a trip to London to play the... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

The Colts are trying to go 6-0 for the third straight year. The Jaguars couldn't care less about the Colts' fast start because all they remember is putting 44 points on the board last year when the Colts came to town. It might surprise you to know that both Peyton Manning and... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 7 The NFL schedule is now in Week 7, and we still have two undefeated teams and two teams without a win. Last year, the Bears and Colts hit the 7-0 mark at this point but we had no teams after Week 7 with a goose egg in the win column (the Raiders were... more

The style of play in the NFL is always evolving. This week I want to take a look at three issues facing coaches on Sundays. 1. The risk and reward of the 50-plus yard field goal attempt To date, NFL teams have attempted 35 field goals of 50 yards or more and converted 16 (or 45... more

The Giants face the Falcons on Monday night as thye look to improve to 4-2 and move to within a game of the Cowboys in the NFC East. Let's take a look at what we should expect from both teams tonight in the Atlanta. Since the Giants had their big goal-line stand to beat the... more

Top 10 storylines for Week 5 Here are some of the key Week 5 storylines to keep tabs on this weekend: 1. Can the Packers keep winning without a ground game? The Green Bay Packers are 4-0 and are defying all odds. How long can a team with the worst ability to gain four or more... more

Week four in the NFL is no different than the other weeks in the fact that there are story lines that make this a special segment of the NFL calendar. Here are the ten things I plan on monitoring as the games kick off. One of them is not waiting for Brett Favre to break the passing touchdown... more

When I was in the front office of an NFL team we always said we could never have enough running backs. In 2007, the same can be said about quarterbacks. As of Monday, nine teams had two quarterbacks on their active rosters: Arizona, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis,... more

On paper this game looks like a mismatch in many ways. The Bills are down to a rookie quarterback with one career start, a rookie running back and nine players on injured reserve. The Cowboys are firing on all cylinders. They are the best team in the NFC, undefeated, the No. 1 offense... more

As we reach the end of the first quarter of the season, solid trending information has surfaced, supplying us with an idea of what teams are doing, or trying to accomplish. Scoring is up this season about a touchdown a game from the same point last year; the Bears have given up 58... more

The Bengals face a tall order in this home game against the hottest team in the NFL. New England comes in with the No. 2 scoring offense and arguably the No. 1 defense in the league. Quarterback Tom Brady hasn't even tapped into all of his offensive weapons yet. Randy Moss and Wes... more

Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy... more

Most of the NFL is shocked by the state of affairs with the Saints. Many people picked them as their preseason Super Bowl selection. They have a high-powered offense, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and a very bright young coach. But after an 0-2 start, they are far from regaining... more

There aren't many division games that receive more notoriety than the NFC East matchups. To get an NFC East game on MNF is always a very good football game. The Eagles are considered strong contenders for a deep playoff run and the Redskins are flying under the radar with few... more

Each week in the NFL has its own unique flavor. Week 3 in the 2007 season has so many developing stories that it was hard to limit this list to 10. But here are the things I will be looking closely at as this weekend's games are played: 1. The AFC vs. the NFC What a... more

Tony Romo made the Pro Bowl last year after a five-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thanksgiving. He looked awesome, but as coach Bill Parcells said back then, it's not time to anoint him. Romo finished that game completing 22-of-29 passes for 306 yards,... more

After speaking with five NFL head coaches, four assistant coaches and six prominent players on Tuesday, I surely got a feel for the trends around the league this week. First off, a number of players on winning teams told me that their coaches reduced the game plans from Week 1 to Week 2,... more

Tampa Bay, Houston and even Cleveland, for the moment, all feel as if someone is in the process of rescuing them from the ugly dark side of football. Jeff Garcia has given Tampa an offense that can support the defense on any given Sunday. Houston's Matt Schaub made the sacks go... more

(Note: For nine years, I have written the Unsung Heroes column during the season to bring attention to the people behind the scenes that help make some of the extraordinary things happen in the NFL on any given weekend. At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a... more

The season is still early, but there are two teams facing their second divisional opponent following a loss in Week 1. Arizona and Cleveland can't afford to go 0-2 in the division this week, yet that is the reality they face. The other intriguing issue this week, from my perspective, is... more

A look back at Week 1 before we go forward 1. Randy Moss had 9 receptions for 183 yards, which turns out to be the best single-game yardage day for any receiver in Tom Brady's career. If you ran the numbers out over 16 games at that pace Moss finishes with 144 receptions, 2,928 yards and... more

On my NFL summer camp tour a number of offensive coordinators said to me that the running game in the league today works best when you have at least one of the following three things ... a personnel grouping that has a heavy pass-to-run ratio, a formation that looks like pass or a down and... more

Here are two teams in the wide open NFC West fighting for an identity. Arizona only won five games last year, but four of them were in the division and they swept the 49ers. San Francisco spent a lot of money in the off-season to build up a defense that gave up 412 points and were outscored... more

These two division rivals split their games last year, with both home teams winning. The marquee matchup when Baltimore and Cincinnati meet is the high-powered Bengals offense against the Ravens' signature defense. When the Bengals beat the Ravens, it is through the air, and when they... more

Week 1 of any NFL season is filled with excitement and can be a good indicator of how the season is going to play out. Last year, the final four teams in the conference championship games all won on opening day. The four teams that couldn't generate one touchdown on opening day went on... more

Getting the final 53-man roster sorted out is always a struggle. Last-minute injuries can play a big role in who makes a roster. The style of defense or offense can also be a determining factor. For example, most 4-3 defensive units are going to keep 8 defensive linemen at a minimum... more

Each week I will discuss a trend in the game that looks to be evolving from my discussions with coaches and players, video tape study and observation. Let's start off the 2007 season with the famous "Tampa 2" coverage that has been the rage of NFL defenses for the past few... more

I hit the road July 27 going from NFL camp to NFL camp. I watched tape, interviewed coaches, owners, players, watched practices, observed games. Now, as the preseason camps and games come to an end for 2007, I have a number of issues I wish to discuss. 1. Have the Colts become the latest... more

From the day the Super Bowl ended straight through the NFL Draft in April, everyone was talking about which draft picks were going to change the fortunes of their team. That's the perception, anyway. The reality is less than four percent of the opening day starters in the NFL will... more

The most interesting piece of football business this summer is the interpretation of Michael Vick's contract. It's clear he isn't playing for the Falcons in 2007 and his $6 million salary will not be paid. Consequently, the club will receive a $6 million credit to its... more

Since the 2006 season ended, we've been through free agency, the draft, OTAs, training camp. There have been trade opportunities and preseason games. And still, too many teams have questions surrounding the most important position on the field. Quarterback is the one place in... more

The third weekend of the preseason is hyped as the week we all get a great glimpse of what teams will really look like when the regular season rolls around. The starters are supposed to play at least a half of the game and possibly the first series of the third quarter. Do yourself a big... more

Preseason games can be very misleading to the casual observer who looks at the box score. A preseason win or loss isn't a great indicator of what the season has in store for a team. Most coaches don't bother to game plan the first two games, and the fourth game is designed for... more

OVERVIEW It was Sunday morning Aug. 12th, at 8 a.m. when I arrived at the Lions facility. The team had just won a preseason game against the Bengals, coming from behind in the fourth quarter to erase a 16-point deficit. That kind of thing doesn't happen very often to the Detroit... more

OVERVIEW The Jags rolled out the red carpet for my visit. I spent time with head coach Jack Del Rio, GM James Harris, 17 players, a number of assistant coaches and even had a chance for a short conversation with owner Wayne Weaver. There is some genuine excitement about the new offense under... more

OVERVIEW The Buccaneers won the division in 2005 and fell to last in 2006. In recent years, the NFC South has been a roller coaster ride with the team finishing last one year winning the division the next year. Tampa was last in 2004 and first in 2005, the Saints were last in 2005 and won it... more

OVERVIEW I must say that my camp tour visit to the Cleveland Browns is always one of the highlights of my summer camp tour. The franchise welcomes the visit, can't do enough to provide time with the players and coaches; they let me practically get inside the drills on the practice field... more

?? OVERVIEW Last year the Carolina Panthers were supposed to end their season in Miami winning the Super Bowl. When it didn't happen, someone had to pay for the 8-8 season. Some suggested it was Jake Delhomme's fault, others felt it was the games Steve Smith and other key... more

As I walked the streets of Canton Ohio talking football with the NFL greats this past weekend, the issue of what rookie draft picks are signing for was a hot topic. Michael Irvin, Thurman Thomas, and Bruce Matthews are all young enough to have been big-money earners during their... more

Well, almost all of the draft picks have signed and are in camp preparing to start their professional football careers. The hardest position to play is quarterback and now one of the two first-round selections is still at home waiting for the "right deal." What is the right... more

OVERVIEW The Atlanta Falcons have had one of the most upsetting off-seasons in NFL history. The face of the organization, Michael Vick, is in the battle of his life to clear his name, they lost DE Patrick Kerney in free agency to the Seahawks, RB Warrick Dunn is sidelined recovering from an... more

The day after the draft and everyone wants to declare the winners and losers. Not so fast. As I spent every waking moment with the 'Godfather' of the draft, Gil Brandt, we both decided that the teams are doing such a great job of evaluating talent and stacking their draft boards with... more

OVERVIEW Granted Bill Cowher is no longer the coach of the Steelers, but there is a consistency about the Steeler organization that transcends the coach. A day at Saint Vincent's College watching the 2007 Steelers prepare for the season under new head coach, Mike Tomlin, and it just... more

  As I pulled into the New York Giants camp I had a few preconceived notions about the state of affairs in "Big Blue" country. No one could replace Tiki Barber, letting Luke Pettigout go was a mistake, Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress should have been at the facility for the... more

OVERVIEW The Patriots were out in full pads and looking good in all aspects of their practices. A Bill Belichick practice covers so many aspects of the game from detailed fundamentals, to game situations, to cross training players at different positions that it... more

MIAMI (Feb. 5, 2007) -- Let's all give a round of applause for PeytonManning and the brilliant career that can now be defined by a worldchampionship and a Super Bowl MVP award. The Colts couldn't have won withouthis brilliant leadership, and he would be the first to recognize that hisrunning ba... more

  I am sure most NFL fans have noticed that the Patriots are fortifying theirroster for another Super Bowl run. The aggressive signing of linebacker AdaliusThomas early in free agency for big money was not in the typical Patriot styleof dong business, but if anyone claims they're sur... more

Let me start out by saying that if Dwight Freeney was on my team, I would doanything to keep him there -- we now know that means $72 million over sixyears. More specifically, it means $30 million guaranteed (41 percent of thedeal). Freeney played through injuries last year, his sack production... more

  I was in France all last week and learned that even the French have anopinion about what to do with Michael Vick. We all hear the different options-- a leave of absence with pay, a leave without pay, a year-long suspension,status quo, maybe termination. And anything in between.... more

Television, radio and the print media might have talked about all theevents, rumors and conjecture leading up to the Super Bowl to the point thatthere was nothing left to talk about. But the coaches and scouts watched thegame tapes -- especially of the previous playoff games -- and built a game... more

It is the time of year when speculation rules the roost. It's the quiet beforethe storm, and there's nothing to really do but guess what might happen. I tooka look at the history of eight critical areas of a football season and took afew educated guesses about what the outcome might be in 2... more

I am sure most NFL fans have noticed that the Patriots are fortifying theirroster for another Super Bowl run. The aggressive signing of linebacker AdaliusThomas early in free agency for big money was not in the typical Patriots styleof dong business, but if anyone claims they're sure of how... more

It is the time of year when speculation rules the roost. It's the quiet beforethe storm and there's nothing to really do but guess what might happen. I tooka look at the history of eight critical areas of a football season and took afew educated guesses about what the outcome might be in 20... more

Here are some thoughts on the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft, as well as anevaluation of needs yet to be addressed for each NFL team.Arizona Excellent first day ... like Levi Brown as a runblocker ... love the move up to get Alan Branch ... today, they need to find arunning back, a defensi... more