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Fantasy Index Newsblast

New Orleans QB Drew Brees was named MVP Sunday as he tied a Super Bowl record of 32 completions en route to a 31-17 defeat of Indianapolis. Brees threw 32 of 39 for 289 yards and 2 TDs, with no INTs. During one stretch Brees completed 21 of 25 passes, rallying the Saints from a first-half 10-0 deficit. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Seattle LT Walter Jones announced Sunday via Twitter that he is retiring from football. Jones, who didn't play during the 2009 season due to a pair of knee surgeries, has tweeted misleading statements before, but has never made this direct a statement about retirement before. His agent was unable to confirm Jones' statement. Source: Seattle Times.

Cincinnati LB Rey Maualuga will enter rehab laster this month after meeting with NFL officials following a DUI arrest, according to a report Sunday. Maualuga is said to be headed to the Betty Ford Center in California after he returns from a aid trip to Samoa. The LB could miss the start of the Bengals' offseason conditioning program in March. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Sunday that even though the players' share of revenue would shrink, their salaries would likely grow under a new labor agreement. Goodell said owners need more money to pay for new stadiums and other infrastructure costs. The NFLPA has said the owners want to reduce the players' share of revenue from 59 percent to 41 percent. Source: Associated Press.

Miami DT Tony McDaniel was released from jail Sunday after being arrested and accused of domestic violence. Police say McDaniel got into a fight with his girlfriend after going out with friends Saturday; McDaniel said in a statement to the police his girlfriend attacked him. Source: espn.com.

Denver owner Pat Bowlen said he wants mercurial WR Brandon Marshall to stay and "there's still a good possibility that could happen." Bowlen said he thinks Marshall, who was benched the last game of the season, has matured, but he won't block a trade if coach Josh McDaniels wants to pursue one. Bowlen also said the Broncos plan to start Kyle Orton at QB, but the team hopes to pick up another QB in April's draft. Source: Denver Post.

Kansas City G Brian Waters was given the Walter Payton Man of the Year award Sunday, honoring his achievements on and off the field. Waters has been active in working with children in the Kansas City area as well as Waxahachie, Texas, the town where he grew up. Source: Kansas City Star.

Disgruntled Miami LB Joey Porter said in an interview Sunday he has played his last game in a Dolphins uniform and he plans to play for another team in 2010. "I still have a lot of years of football left … but strapping on that jersey, yes, this year is the last time," Porter said. Source: NFL.com.

CB Randall Gay (foot, illness) and RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle) both sat on Friday before the Saints submitted their Super Bowl injury report. Gay is nonetheless listed as probable; he appears to have been taking things easy as he works through two different ailments. Hamilton is the only Saint listed as questionable for Sunday. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Ailing DE Dwight Freeney (ankle) did not practice for the Colts Friday, but HC Jim Caldwell said Freeney is making "very good progress" - prompting many media sources to speculate that Freeney will be active for Sunday's Super Bowl, regardless of how limited he may be. On the other hand, it was revealed Friday that CB Jerraud Powers had surgery on his injured foot after the team's division-round matchup with Baltimore, and Powers was said to be a possibility to play in the AFC Championship up until the day of that game, suggesting that Caldwell may be taking some liberties with his injury reporting of late. Stay tuned on Freeney and Powers, both listed as questionable for Sunday. Source: NFL.com, Indianapolis Star.

Former Indianapolis HC Tony Dungy thinks the Colts will win the Super Bowl easily. ESPN reports Dungy said Friday that his old team will not need a last-minute drive to beat the Saints: "I think they're going to be so far ahead that people are going to say, 'Oh, ho-hum, [Colts QB Peyton Manning] played a good game, they won by two scores.'" Source: ESPN.

The NFL has confirmed that WR Donte Stallworth will be reinstated after the Super Bowl; Stallworth was suspended for the entire 2009 season after pleading guilty to DUI/manslaughter. A source tells the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Browns will release Stallworth rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus - but because that bonus would not come due until March 20, the release may not come immediately. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Following the departure of Dean Pees, New England will not fill its empty defensive coordinator post for the 2010 season. HC Bill Belichick will instead take a more active role, returning to his roots by participating in both defensive planning and play calling. (The Pats won't have a designated offensive coordinator, either; quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien will remain the primary play caller on that side of the ball.) Source: Boston Globe.

San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson said Thursday he's certain he's played his last game for the Chargers. "I'm not coming back," Tomlinson said. "I don't believe I'll be back in San Diego. I’ve accepted it." Tomlinson has two years left on his contract, but is due a $2-million roster bonus in early March. Tomlinson said if/when he is released, he "definitely" wants to play this coming season. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

The head of the players union said Thursday the salary cap may be gone for good if the 2010 season is played without one. NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith said, "The owners have always wanted a cap. I think it's virtually impossible to go back to a cap system if we go through an uncapped year." The owners voted in 2008 to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement in March 2011, and if a new CBA isn't agreed on by March 2010, the 2010 season will be played without a salary cap. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Buffalo hired George Edwards to be their defensive coordinator Thursday, about a month after Edwards agreed to be co-defensive coordinator for the University of Florida. Edwards, who has worked in the past with new Bills head coach Chan Gailey, was the LB coach for the Miami Dolphins for the last five seasons. Source: Buffalo News.

Arizona signed OLB Stevie Baggs to a one-year contract Thursday. Baggs has played four years in the CFL, the last two with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and tied for the league lead with 12 sacks last year. Source: Arizona Republic.

St. Louis officials worked out DE Ricky Foley earlier this week with an eye toward signing the CFL star pass rusher. Foley, who has already visited the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, plans to visit other teams around the NFL as well after a season with the BC Lions that saw him tie for the league lead in sacks with 12. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cincinnati WR Chad Ochocinco urged the Bengals brass to sign free-agent WR Terrell Owens in interviews Thursday. Ochocinco first started rumors that the Bengals had already signed T.O., then clarified that he wanted his team to sign Owens, saying the Bengals could go the next level by adding a veteran presence and additional target for QB Carson Palmer. When asked for his reaction, Owens responded, "It would be like when I played in San Francisco with Jerry Rice, it would be that dynamic." Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Chicago WR Devin Hester said in an interview Thursday said he'd love to get back to concentrating on kick returns, saying that being a full-time receiver has cut into his return ability. "I know what I'm best at," Hester said. "The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on receiving and go back to returns, that's something I would love to do." Source: Chicago Tribune.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin was named Pepsi rookie of the year Thursday. The award was decided via online voting on NFL.com. Harvin totaled 2,081 combined yards, a Vikings' single-season record. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Despite suffering knee problems, TE Jeremy Shockey, S Darren Sharper and LB Jonathon Vilma all worked in key drills Wednesday. Coach Sean Payton said in regard to the injuries that the Saints look to be ahead of schedule. Source: SI.com.

Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney said Wednesday his ankle, diagnosed as a severe sprain, continues to feel better every day, and he has been walking in the sand along Florida beaches to strengthen it. Still, Freeney, who is listed as questionable, says the progression is slow. Freeney didn't practice Wedneday. Source: SI.com.

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Wednesday that several NFL teams are hurting for cash flow, and without concessions from the Players Association, the league looks destined for a lockout in 2011. Bisciotti said he expects the 2010 season to be played without a salary cap, but even if it is, the Ravens will not be spending at will despite healthy revenues. Source: Associated Press.

New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora said in an interview Wednesday that he'll quit before being used as a backup. Umenyiora says he wants to return to the Giants, but only as a starter. The DE was relegated to pass-rushing duty late in the 2009 season as questions emerged about his effectiveness against the run. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Veteran Detroit LB Larry Foote said Wednesday he plans to declare free agency following what he perceives as a lack of interest in the Lions re-signing him. Foote, a Detroit native, signed a one-year deal with the Lions last May and lead the team in tackles. Source: Detroit News.

New Orleans is planning to draw up a new contract for QB Drew Brees to make him one of the top-paid QBs in the league, according to a report published Wednesday. Negotiations have yet to begin, but sources say they should be wrapped up before the start of the season. Brees finished second in the MVP voting, but is only the 17th-highest paid QB in the NFL. Source: espn.com.

Houston is planning to pick up a $10 million option on QB Matt Schaub according to reports published Wednesday. The option has to be picked up Thursday or Friday, after which Schaub will be bound to the Texans for the next three years at $28 million. Source: espn.com.

Police filed news charges Wednesday against Cowboys FB Deon Anderson stemming from a Tuesday morning incident in a Dallas suburb. An arrest warrant for deadly conduct has been issued for Anderson, who police allege pulled a gun on a parking valet. Source: Dallas Morning News.

San Francisco quality control coach Shane Day has interviewed for the QB coach job with Chicago, according to reports published Wednesday. Day worked with new offensive coordinator Mike Martz when Martz was with the 49ers in 2008. Source: Chicago Tribune.

New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez will have surgery on his left knee in two to three weeks, a team spokesman said Tuesday. Sanchez will have a procedure to strengthen his patella-stabilizing ligament, and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

New England WR Wes Welker has had successful surgery to repair two ligaments in his left knee, according to a report published Tuedsay. Welker tore his ACL and MCL, and following the surgery faces a rehab of at least six months, which may keep him out for the start of the 2010 season. Source: Boston Herald.

Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay said Tuesday he wants to sign QB Peyton Manning to a long-term contract during the offseason that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Manning's current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney wore flip-flops -- no protective boot on his injured ankle -- when he spoke with the media Tuesday and said that he wants to be out on the field Sunday for the Super Bowl. But Freeney admitted he probably won't practice this week and may not even test the ankle until Friday or Saturday. Source: Indianapolis Star.

St. Louis signed WR Nick Moore, brother of Saints WR Lance Moore to their roster Tuesday. Moore spent parts of the 2009 season on the practice squads of Minnesota and New England. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cincinnati rookie LB Rey Maualuga pled guilty to drunken driving Tuesday. Maualuga was arrested Friday after he struck two parked cars and a parking meter. The LB was sentenced to seven days in jail, which were suspended as long as Maualaga doesn't re-offend in the next two years. Maualaga is scheduled to meet with the NFL Wednesday. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Houston head coach Gary Kubiak agreed to a new three-year contract Tuesday that will keep him with the Texans through 2012. Kubiak was offered an additional year, but said he wanted his contract to expire at the same time as those of his assistant coaches. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Philadelphia signed P Durant Brooks to a two-year deal Tuesday. The signing could mean the release of Sav Rocca, who joined the Eagles at age 33 after playing Australian Rules Football, and who has been their punter for the last three years. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dallas FB Deon Anderson was arrested Tuesday on outstanding traffic warrants. Anderson was arrested after police in a Dallas suburb were summoned to an assault in progress at a restaurant. Police also found two weapons in Anderson's car, but no charges have been filed so far. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that the Colts are preparing for the Super Bowl as if DE Dwight Freeney won't be able to play. Freeney, who has a severely sprained ankle, is officially listed as day-to-day, but hasn't been able to practice since the AFC championship game when the injury occured. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said Monday the team is working on a contract extension with head coack Gary Kubiak that will keep him with the Texans through 2013 or beyond. Kubiak, who has one year left on his current contract, could be signed as early as next week. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Chicago hired Mike Martz Monday to be the Bears' offensive coordinator. Martz, who made comments critical of QB Jay Cutler while working as a commentator this past season, met with Cutler over the weekend and called him the most gifted QB he's ever been able to work with. Source: Chicago Tribune.

New England WR Randy Moss was slowed by back and shoulder injuries during the 2009 season, according to a report published Monday. Moss admitted to a severe back injury in Week 3, and said he played through several games with w separated shoulder he suffered in Week 5. Moss appeared in all 16 of the Patriots game, but cited the shoulder injury as the reason he bowed out of playing in the Pro Bowl. Source: Boston Herald.

Dallas signed PK Connor Hughes Monday, six weeks after working out for the Cowboys. Incumbent PK Shaun Suisham, who signed around the same time, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent and looks unlikely to be offered a contract. The only other kicker on the Cowboys roster is David Buehler, who had 29 touchbacks on kickoffs, but did not attempt a FG. Source: Dallas Morning News.

A charity auction is underway awarding the winner a visit from Lions great Barry Sanders to watch the Super Bowl at your place, with Sanders and sponsor Miller Lite providing refreshments. The bids at http://stores.ebay.com/Auction-Cause/Miller-Lite.html stood at $3550 late Monday night. Source: Detroit News.

Miami LB Joey Porter said Monday he's unhappy with his proposed role on the Dolphins. Porter, 32, said the team wants to play younger players and use him in rotation, but he thinks he has too much ability left to be a "rotation guy" now, and suggests that Miami either play him more or trade him to a team that will. Source: espn.com.

No major injuries were reported as the AFC beat the NFC 41-34 in the Pro Bowl Sunday. MVP QB Matt Schaub (13-for-17, 189 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Vincent Jackson (7 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD) led the way for the winners, while QB Aaron Rodgers (15-for-19, 197 yards, 2 TDs) and WR DeSean Jackson (6 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDS) paced the losing NFC squad. The NFL broke with tradition holding its all-star game the week before (rather than the week) after the Super Bowl and moving the game to Miami. The game will return to Honolulu for 2011 and 2012. Source: NFL.com.

Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney's effectiveness could be severely hampered in the Super Bowl -- if he can play at all. A Colts spokesman said Sunday night that Freeney has a third-degree ankle sprain, which is the most severe, could involve a torn or ruptured ligament, and frequently requires surgery in order to heal. Experts say a ligament injury can take up to 12 months to recover, and even if Freeney does play, his ability to use his patented spin move will likely be curtailed. Source: Indianapolis Star.

The agent of Carolina DE Julius Peppers said Sunday night the Panthers have yet to contact him about signing Peppers for the 2010 season, and he has concluded the team has "moved on" and plans to let the DE become a free agent. In a similar situation last year, the Panthers and agent Carl Carey were in frequent contact, and Carolina eventually assigned the franchise tag to Peppers and paid him $16.683 million. Doing so this year would cost $20 million, so the Panthers appear prepared to let Peppers go without getting any compensation. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Yet another reason why the Pro Bowl should still be in Hawaii: relatively few Pro Bowlers attended college there. Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie, a would-have-been first-time participant in the game and an alum of The U, was dismissed from the NFC squad Saturday over unexcused absences from the week's practices. At least, that's the story most media outlets have. McKinnie himself twittered Saturday that he had withdrawn from the game over nagging foot and other injuries, and apparently sent the St. Paul Pioneer Press text messages to the same effect. Whatever the real story, McKinnie will not be part of Sunday's game. Source: various.

The Bears are looking for a new offensive coordinator this offseason, and have had QB Jay Cutler participating in the process, meeting with various candidates. Saturday Mike Martz traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to meet with Cutler in the QB's old college stomping grounds. Martz is reportedly the leading candidate to land the job, but had been extremely critical of Cutler in public comments made during the regular season; the Tribune speculates that he may have wanted to smooth things over with the quarterback in advance of starting work in Chicago. One way or another, we expect the Bears to fill the post soon. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Deposed Washington HC Jim Zorn found work just down the road as Baltimore's quarterbacks coach on Saturday. Zorn replaces Hue Jackson, who became Oakland's new offensive coordinator earlier in the week. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Florida QB Tim Tebow played poorly in Saturday's Senior Bowl, fumbling twice and completing 8 of 12 passes but for only 50 yards. His long completion went for 11. Meanwhile Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard starred for the North team in a 31-13 win, hauling in 5 passes for 103 yards and 1 TD. Source: ESPN.

Bengals LB Rey Maualuga was arrested early Friday in Kentucky and charged with DUI and careless driving after crashing his own car into two parked ones and a parking meter. According to WKRC TV (local12.com), Maualuga, 23, reportedly had two teenaged girls, ages 17 and 18, in the car with him at the time, and may not have been fully sober by the time he made his initial appearance in court Friday morning. He seemed to have difficulty standing up and was not immediately responsive to questions from the judge. Lots in this story for late-night comedians to work with, obviously; we're glad no one was seriously hurt. Source: WKRC TV, Cincinnati.

Jacksonville hired running backs coach Earnest Byner on Friday, after he'd been fired by Tennessee earlier in the week. Hard to know what else Byner could have done to hold his job with the Titans, as his two seasons with the team saw RB Chris Johnson contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2008, then top 2,000 yards rushing in 2009. Source: Florida Times-Union.

With the full week of Senior Bowl practices now in the books, ESPN draftnik Todd McShay handed out practice grades to various players on Friday. Among the notables: Florida missionary Tim Tebow, D-plus; Florida State Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, A-minus; Oregon pugilist LeGarrette Blount, C-minus. Source: ESPN.

The NFL fined Saints DE Bobby McCray Friday for a low hit on Vikings QB Brett Favre during the third quarter of last Sunday's NFC Championship Game. McCray was not flagged for the hit during the game, but should have been - a missed call that may have been crucial, because the game was tied at 21 at the time and the non-call meant that a Jonathan Vilma interception on the play in question held up. Had the proper call been made, Favre and the Vikings would have had a first down on the New Orleans 19-yard line. Source: ESPN.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday that Dolphins (now free agent) LB Jason Taylor had decided to play at least one more year, but Taylor told the Miami Herald later in the day that he has not made up his mind about coming back. Taylor recorded 42 tackles and 7 sacks in 2009. Source: Miami Herald, South Florida Sun Sentinel.

As expected, Arizona QB Kurt Warner announced his retirement Friday. Warner played very well this year, particularly in a rousing playoff win vs. GB, but suffered a concussion in November that apparently got him thinking about leaving the game with his wits intact. (Interestingly, some reports now say he considered retiring after witnessing the hit that broke WR Anquan Boldin's jaw in 2008.) Warner's Hall of Fame chances will be debated for years to come, as he really only had six excellent seasons, but the fact that three of the six ended in Super Bowl appearances may tip the vote in his favor. Source: Arizona Republic.

New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez is considering a surgery to stabilize a tendon in his left knee according to a report published Thursday. Sanchez visited noted sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews Wednesday about the elective procedure, which would repair an old injury Sanchez suffered in college. Sanchez also injured his left during this past season, but the knee is recovering with only a rehabilitation routine. If Sanchez opts for the surgery, he'll be sidelined for about two months, causing him to miss OTAs, but leaving him ready in plenty of time for training camp. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney missed a second straight practice Thursday due to a sprained right ankle. Coach Jim Caldwell said Freeney was "coming along" in his recovery but did not provide details. Freeney is expected to play in the Super Bowl February 7. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Detroit GM Martin Mayhew anticipates adding a RB, according to a report published Thursday. Though the Lions have three backs -- Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown -- under contract, Mayhew says the team will look for another through the draft, trade or free agency. "The question will be what their role is going to be," Mayhew said. "Is it going to be a guy you bring in and say, 'This guy is going to be our starter.' Or is it going to be a guy you bring in to supplement what you already have." Source: Detroit News.

Cleveland WR/KR Josh Cribbs said Thursday that new Browns president Mike Holmgren has reached out to him and "wants to get something done soon" to sign Cribbs for next season. Though Cribbs said earlier in January it was "unlikely" he would be back in Cleveland, he now says he would "love to play for the Browns" and hopes that his contract situation is worked out. Source: Associated Press.

Denver promoted LB coach Don "Wink" Martindale to defensive coordinator Thursday. Martindale becomes the Broncos' fifth defensive coordinator in five years, succeeding Mike Nolan, who left after one season and now is defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Under Nolan, Denver's defense improved from 30th to 12th in the league. Source: Denver Post.

St. Louis RB Steven Jackson has been accused by the mother of his 10-month-old son of beating her while she was nine months pregnant, the woman revealed Thursday. No charges have been filed yet about the incident, which took place in March, and Jackson denies any abuse took place. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Arizona QB Kurt Warner has scheduled a press conference for Friday, where a source close to the situation says Warner will announce his retirement. Despite taking the Cardinals to the playoffs this past season, Warner is said to be tired of the grueling mental and physical preparation his advanced age (38) requires. Warner also suffered a serious concussion this season. Source: NFL.com.

Patriot WR Wes Welker will have surgery Tuesday on his left knee, Welker announced Wednesday. The WR tore both the ACL and MCL in the knee in the season finale against Houston. His recovery is expected to take between six and 12 months, making it unlikely Welker will be ready for the start of the 2010 season. Source: Boston Herald.

New England DR Vince Wilfork said Wednesday he would consider being stuck with the Patriots' franchise tag "a slap in the face." Wilfork said he is looking for the securty of a long-term contract, with a big money signing bonus -- either with the Patriots or as a free agent, rather than being lumped in with "OK players" for a franchise-tag one-year deal, followed by a likely labor stoppage in 2011. Wilfork just finished the last year of a six-year contract he signed as a rookie that in the opinion of many left him underpaid. Source: Boston Herald.

Minnesota CB Antoine Winfield is scheduled to visit a foot specialist in the next two weeks, according to a report published Wednesday. Winfield missed six games with a broken foot this past season, and struggled in the season's final games after he returned. Many reported that Winfield reinjured the foot in the NFC championship game last Sunday, but coach Brad Childress said that wasn't the case. But Winfield did have an MRI Tuesday (no results were released), and the specialist appointment could indicate problems with his recovery. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The Buffalo BIlls hired several coaches to fill out Chan Gailey's staff Wednesday, most prominently Curtis Modkins, who will serve as offensive coordinator as well as RB coach. Also joining the staff are Bob Bicknell (TEs), Joe D'Alessandris (OLine), Kevin Patullo (offensive quality control) and Giff Smith (defensive assistant). Source: Buffalo News.

Chicago LB Pisa Tinoisamoa will return to the Bears after an injury-shortened 2009 according to a report published Wednesday. No deal is in place, but Tinoisamoa has said he wants to come back, and a source says Chicago is anxious to have the LB who is familiar with their defensive scheme come back following his recovery from knee injuries. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Wednesday no decision has been made yet on whether LB Terry Porter will be back with Miami in 2010, despite two years remaining on his contract. In addition to Porter's age (32), declining production and outspoken attitude, an additional complication is Porter's dissatisfaction with a number of things in Miami, according to a report published Wednesday. Porter has met with Sparano to express his complaints, but Sparano would not comment. Any decision on Porter is likely to come before March, when he will be due a $1 million roster bonus. Source: Miami Herald.

Bears C Olin Kreutz is set to have surgery Thursday to repair an injured Achilles tendon. Kreutz's recovery is expected to take four to six months, which should allow him to in time for training camp. The nagging injury was bothering Kreutz all the way back in training camp in 2008. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Hue Jackson confirmed Tuesday he will step down as Baltimore's QB coach to become Oakland's offensive coordinator. Jackson helped develop the Ravens young QB Joe Flacco, and his ability to work with struggling young Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell could have been a factor in his hiring. The Raiders didn't have an offensive coordinator this past season. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Minnesota coach Brad Childress said Tuesday he will not set a deadline for QB Brett Favre's decision on whether he will return to the Vikings next season. Childress said he will prepare for next season both with and without Favre, and he won't be surprised at either option. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Minnesota CB Cedric Griffin tore the ACL in his left in Sunday's NFC championship game, the Vikings revealed Tuesday. Griffin is set to undergo surgery next week, which could force him to miss the start of the 2010 season. Griffin led the team with 4 INTs in 2009 and signed a five-year contract extension worth more than $25 million in March. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Cleveland president Mike Holmgren said Tuesday he needs to spend more time evaluating the Browns' QB situation before he decides whether to commit to current QB Brady Quinn or look for a new QB through the draft or free agency. Holmgren said in a radio interview, "Right now, I don't know the situation quite well enough. I've been busy doing other things. Everyone knows that position is the most important position on the a team. Is the quarterback of the Browns here already? Maybe. If not, then we'll have to go free agency or draft. We'll see." Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Chicago has received permission to interview Minnesota QB coach Kevin Rogers for its offensive coordinator job. The Bears were set to interview Ravens QB coach Hue Jackson as well, but Jackson took a job as the Raiders' offensive coordinator. There are rumors that the prospect of working with Bears QB Jay Cutler is making Chicago's OC opening less attractive. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney sprained his right ankle with 2 minutes to play Sunday, but Colts president Bill Polian said Monday that Freeney should be able to play in the Super Bowl. Source: Associated Press.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton said Monday that TE Jeremy Shockey is "making progress" with a knee injury that limited his action in Sunday's NFC championship game. Payton gave no indication of Shockey's stautus for playing in the Super Bowl. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Baltimore QBs coach Hue Jackson flew to Chicago Monday and is scheduled to meet with Bears officials Tuesday to interview for a job as offensive coordinator. Jackson previously worked as a coordinator in Atlanta in 2007 and Washington in 2003. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Sources reported Monday that three of the five members of the New York Jets secondary may not be back in 2010. CB Lito Sheppard looks likely to be released before a $10 million roster bonus comes due in March. Nickelback Donald Strickland is also a candidate for release after battling repeated injuries this past season. S Kerry Rhodes is also due a roster bonus in March, and the Jets have stated they want him back, but neither coach Rex Ryan nor Rhodes -- who was benched late in the season -- will comment on whether Rhodes wants to return. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

New England QB Tom Brady said Monday that none of the injuries that nagged him through the 2009 season -- including his shoulder, ribs and finger on his throwing hand -- will require surgery during the offseason. Source: Boston Herald.

Minneapolis DT Pat Williams said Monday he's "50-50" on whether he'll return to the Vikings in the 2010 season. Williams said he has no physical problems, but is mentally drained after a season that fell just short of the Super Bowl. Source: espn.com.

Florida WR Riley Cooper said Monday he plans to focus on an NFL career despite being drafted by MLB's Texas Rangers. Cooper said he expected to be picked somewhere between the second and fourth rounds of April's NFL draft. Source: NFL.com.

The best and worst qualities of Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson were on display as the Vikings went down to defeat Sunday 31-28 in the NFC championship game. Peterson, who had been held to minimal rushing totals his last several games, ran for 122 yards and 3 TDs. But Peterson also had 2 fumbles -- including one near the goal line -- and caused another on a botched handoff exchange with QB Brett Favre. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

With star Indianapolis WR Reggie Wayne drawing the coverage from star New York CB Darrelle Revis, young Colts receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie had huge days as the Colts beat the Jets Sunday 30-17. Garcon had an AFC championship game-record 11 catches for 151 yards and a TD, while rookie Collie had his first 100-yard game as a pro, with 7 catches for 123 yards and a TD. QB Peyton Manning finished with 377 yards passing and 3 TDs. Source: Indianapolis Star.

After Minnesota's defeat in the NFC championship game Sunday, Brett Favre said he's not ready yet to say whether he'll return for the 2010 as the Vikings' QB. Favre, who was hit several times during the game and suffered an ankle injury in addition to throwing a late interception that derailed his team's chance to win the game, said the day was physically and mentally draining and didn't want to make any decisions in light of it. But the QB implied he won't keep the Minnesota staff waiting until the last minute to let them know. Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Oakland officials Sunday denied a recent ESPN report that head coach Tom Cable will be back for the 2010 season. Raider brass said owner Al Davis is still evaluating Cable as well as other coaches and no decision has been made yet. Cable is said to have significant support among the players to return. Source: SI.com.

The NFL will not schedule a second game in London during the 2010 season, according to reports Sunday. The league cited the economy and uncertainties surrounding the collective bargaining agreement as factors. The Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to meet October 31 in Wembley Stadium. Source: NFL.com.

As expected, Colts CB Jerraud Powers will miss today's matchup with the Jets. Undrafted (but not unseasoned) rookie Jacob Lacey will start in his place. Source: NFL.com.

Rookie WR Percy Harvin, who missed practice time this week with the same migraines that plagued him earlier in the year, will nonetheless play in today's NFC Championship Game. Source: Fox Sports.

"Sources" tell ESPN's Adam Schefter that Oakland will retain HC Tom Cable for the 2010 regular season. No word yet on the fate of terrible beleaguered QB JaMarcus Russell. Source: ESPN.

Neither TE Jeremy Shockey (knee) nor CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) was able to practice Friday for New Orleans; both are listed as questionable for Sunday's NFC title game vs. the Vikings. Otherwise the team is reportedly healthy and confident. The beat writers posted two different stories on the crowd noise they expect to overwhelm the Superdome come gametime; sounds (no pun intended) like the Big Easy won't be so easy on Minnesota's communication efforts. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Rookie WR Percy Harvin is questionable for Sunday's NFC Championship Game after missing Friday's practice with migraines - an affliction that cost him practice and game time in the regular season, too. And that's just the tip of Minnesota's injury iceberg. Star DTs Kevin and Pat Williams are questionable as well, as is starting DE Ray Edwards. Kevin Williams and Edwards seem to be progressing, however, as they practiced for the first time all week on Friday (albeit on a limited basis). Pat Williams is the bigger concern, as he has a new foot injury to add to the elbow injury that was already hampering him. The Pioneer Press raises the possibility that HC Brad Childress is basing his injury designations on very conservative estimates of which players are likely to play how much ... but we'll feel a lot better about the team's chances of winning at New Orleans once we've seen most of these guys take the field. Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press.

CB Jerraud Powers missed practice with a foot injury for the third straight day on Friday; Indianapolis listed him as questionable for its AFC Championship matchup with the Jets. Powers is usually a starter for the Colts. If he can't go, undrafted rookie Jacob Lacey will start in his place - but that's not quite as bad as it sounds; Lacey started nine games in the regular season. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Every Jet listed on Friday's injury report is probable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game - even DE Shaun Ellis, who broke his hand early in last week's game at San Diego. But Ellis admits he's not sure how effective he can be against the Colts, as wrapping up ball carriers may prove difficult for him. Ellis told the Daily News: "I can't worry about it. I've just got to go out and play. [But] I can't grab. It's one hand." Source: New York Daily News.

Minnesota DT Kevin Williams missed practice again Thursday and while he's been diagnosed with a bone bruise on his left knee according to published reports, Williams is expected to start in Sunday conference championship game. DE Ray Edwards also missed practice with a knee injury, while WR/KR Percy Harvin had to sit out practice with a migraine, his first since getting a new treatment regimen from the Mayo Clinic. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Dallas coach Wade Phillips is signed through 2011, Cowboys officials announced Thursday. Rather than exercise an option for 2010, Phillips was given a new two-year contract for financial terms that weren't specified, but is said to include a substantial bonus for a Super Bowl victory. Source: Dallas Morning News.

The Chicago Tribune cited multiple sources who said Bears RB Matt Forte had knee surgery sometime during the last two weeks. The procedure on Forte's left knee was termed a "clean-up" surgery, with no information on whether it was related to the sprained MCL Forte suffered in Week 3. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones said Thursday he wants to sign WR Miles Austin to a long-term contract. Austin became a starter in Week 5 and finished with 1,370 receiving yards and 11 TDs on the season. Source: Dallas Morning News.

The agent for Cleveland WR Josh Cribbs said Thursday he's had very positive talks with Browns officials about redoing Cribbs' contract. Cribbs previously disparaged a Browns contract offer and was set to demand a trade, but the official connected with the offer is expected to leave the team soon, and new Cleveland exec Mike Holmgren is now involved with the negotiations. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Arzona OLB Bertrand Berry announced his retirement Thursday night. Berry played 12 seasons in the NFL, including the last six in Arizona. Source: Arizona Republic.

Carolina RB Jonathon Stewart had surgery Wednesday to address a nagging problem with his left Achilles tendon that has been bothering him for most of the year, his agent confirmed. Stewart is expected to be ready for mini-camp in May. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Philadelphia signed RB Martell Mallett, who was named Most Outstanding Rookie in the Canadian Football League for the most recent season, on Wednesday after a recent workout. Martell rushed for 1,280 yards and 6 TDs on 214 carries and had 43 catches for 342 yards and 2 TDs for the BC Lions. Source: Philadelphia Daily News.

Four Saints players were kept out of practice due to injuries Wednesday -- WR Robert Meachem (ankle), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee) and CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) -- but none has been ruled out for Sunday's NFC championship game. As a hedge against Meacham not being available, New Orleans signed WR Adrian Arrington off the practice squad, but Meacham was no longer wearing a protective boot Wednesday. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Knee injuries suffered in Sunday's playoff win kept DE Ray Edwards and DT Kevin Williams out of practice Wednesday, and their status for this week's NFC championship game is uncertain. Edwards sprained his knee in the third quarter of the game against Dallas. No information was available on Williams' injury. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Injuries kept three Indianapolis starters sidelined during practice Wednesday. CB Jerraud Powers missed all of practice with an unspecified foot injury, while TE Dallas Clark (illness) and S Antoine Bethea (bruised back) were limited in workouts. Source: Associated Press.

New York Jets DE Shaun Ellis did not practice Wednesday because of a broken hand he suffered in the playoff win over San Diego, but Ellis still expects to play Sunday against Indianapolis. Ellis says he plans to have surgery to have screws inserted in the hand after the Colts game. Meanwhile, LB Bart Scott was limping on a sore left ankle, but is expected to play. Source: Associated Press.

After earlier remarks in which he said he wasn't certain he would play next season, Atlanta TE Tony Gonzalez said Wednesday he expects to be playing with the Falcons in 2010. Gonzalez finished his first season in Atlanta with 83 catches for 867 yards and 6 TDs. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Responding to a report the New York Jets were going to tender an offer to keep him with the team, WR Braylon Edwards responded enthusiastically Wednesday that he would love to stay. "If that's something they're definitely doing, I'm excited," Edwards said. "I love playing here and I love the atmosphere around here." Source: Associated Press.

Denver CB Ty Law, whose one-year deal expires in February, said Wednesday he had spoken with coach Josh McDaniels about returning to play for the Broncos in 2010. Law said the Broncos have told him he's welcome to return, and he plans on training toward that end. Source: Denver Post.

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that QB Joe Flacco had a badly bruised hip and injured quad during the postseason and late part of the regular season. Both coach and player had downplayed Flacco's health problems earlier, but Harbaugh admitted that Flacco was hurting -- yet was not listed on the injury report, he said, because the QB was no longer receiving treatment. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Seattle hired former Green Bay director of football operations John Schneider to be their GM, the team announced Tuesday. While experienced Tennessee exec Floyd Reese was considered by many to be the favorite candidate, the Seahawks went with Schneider, whose strengths are said to include draft proficiency and ignoring free-agent hype. Source: Seattle Times.

The Buffalo Bills named Chan Gailey as their new head coach Tuesday. Gailey, who has served as both a head coach and offensive coordinator, most recently served as coordinator for Kansas City in 2008, and was hired after the Bills were reportedly turned down by several candidates, including Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden. Source: Buffalo News.

Mike Nolan, who resigned as the Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Monday, was reported Tuesday to have agreed to fill the same position with the Miami Dolphins. Nolan replaces Paul Pasqualoni, who was fired after the Dolphins finished 7-9. Dean Pees, most recently the coordinator for the New England Patriots, is considered the frontrunner to replace Nolan at Denver. Source: Denver Post.

Dallas head coach Wade Phillips is close to signing a three-year extension, according to reports published Tuesday. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Phillips would definitely be back in 2010, and indicated that negotiations for an extension were underway. Source: Dallas Morning News.

New Orleans veteran RB Deuce McAllister, who rejoined the team last week as a farewell gesture, officially announced his retirement Tuesday. McAllister, who hasn't taken the field since 2008 due to injuries, said to even contemplate returning would require yet another knee surgery, which he doesn't want to do. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

St. Louis signed DT Chris Bradwell to their roster Tuesday. Bradwell spent 12 weeks on the Rams' practice squad in 2009. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

San Diego failed to put the Jets away early, then couldn't come back late and lost their divisional playoff game 17-14. Kicker Nate Kaeding stood out among many goats by missing all three of his FG attempts; Kaeding had missed just three times in 35 attempts in the regular season. Rookie RB Shonn Greene led the way for the Jets, carrying 23 times for 128 yards and breaking a 53-yard TD that essentially iced the game with 7:17 remaining. The loss was San Diego's first since October 19 - Week 6. New York heads to Indianapolis for next week's AFC Championship Game. Source: NFL.com.

In a game that wasn't much closer than its 34-3 final score suggests, Minnesota rolled into next weekend's NFC Championship Game by scoring frequently (even late) against Dallas. Brett Favre threw for 4 TDs - 3 to WR Sidney Rice, the other to TE Visanthe Shiancoe with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Vikings now head to New Orleans to battle the Saints for a berth in the Super Bowl. If you wondered, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones endorsed HC Wade Phillips after the game, acknowledging the loss as a setback but insisting he's pleased with the job Phillips has done for him. Source: NFL.com.

Safety Ed Reed, coming off an injury-plagued season, told the Baltimore Sun he is only "50-50" on returning to the field next season. Reed promised to make up his mind soon, but said he wants to get away from the emotions raised by the loss before deciding. The Sun also speculates that WR Derrick Mason may retire; that one's no surprise, however, as Mason actually did retire briefly before playing this past season. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Adam Schefter reports that Jets WR Braylon Edwards, who recently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor aggravated disorderly conduct, could face league discipline in the form of a suspension - but during the regular season next year, not during the ongoing playoffs. Edwards was relatively quiet in Sunday's win at San Diego, catching 2 passes (on 5 targets) for 41 yards. Source: ESPN.

Defensive end Gaines Adams, traded to the Bears by the Buccaneers in midseason, died this morning around 9:00 AM Eastern. Early autopsy results suggest he died after going into cardiac arrest caused by an enlarged heart. Our thoughts are with his family. Source: ESPN.

Indianapolis and New Orleans looked right at home Saturday as they cruised into the AFC and NFC Championship Games, respectively, each posting impressive victories coming off of their bye weeks. New Orleans throttled Arizona in the early game, giving up a long touchdown run on the game's first play from scrimmage but scoring the next three TDs - all in the first quarter - en route to an easy 45-14 win. Reggie Bush starred for the Saints, adding an 83-yard punt return for a TD to his 5-for-84, 1 TD day on the ground. Not the career-capper Cards QB Kurt Warner was hoping for, obviously, if Warner indeed decides to retire rather than return next season. The late game was not much closer, as Indianapolis used efficient offense and crisp defense to turn away the Ravens by a 20-3 tally. Next week's conference title games will take place in the same stadiums as Saturday's games, with the Saints' and Colts' opponents to be determined Sunday. Source: NFL.com.

As expected, Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin is inactive for this afternoon's game. Look for continued contributions from Steve Breaston and Early Doucet in Boldin's absence. Source: NFL.com.

Adam Schefter reports that the hip injury Baltimore QB Joe Flacco sustained in the team's Week 17 win at Oakland was so painful it kept Flacco from sitting down during the team's return flight after the game. Some of the quarterback's teammates apparently wondered if Flacco would be able to play at all in last week's Wild Card game. Writes Schefter: "Flacco did [play], but his leg filled with fluid and had three inches of swelling." One can only assume the Colts will be shooting for the hip this evening; we wonder how many inches of swelling it takes to be visible in HD. Source: ESPN.

San Diego appears to be the healthiest team remaining in the NFL, as only punter Mike Scifres (groin; probable) appears on the team's injury report. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Scifres was not limited at all in Friday's practice, and - more generally - having last week off appears to have done the Chargers a world of good; the team hadn't previously had fewer than six players on its injury report since Week 1. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

Despite having played a week ago against a fairly rugged Bengals team - in Cincinnati, no less - the Jets are as healthy as could possibly be hoped. All players nursing injuries were listed as probable for Sunday; running back Thomas Jones characterized himself as "100 percent" despite a bruised knee that had him wearing a brace in Wild Card Weekend. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield should play Sunday vs. Dallas, perhaps splitting time between his usual left corner spot and the nickel spot on third downs - but no one knows how many reps he'll get. One thing that seems certain is that Winfield will not be 100 percent. He missed Weeks 7 through 13 with a foot injury (the Vikings' bye was Week 9) and isn't expected to be fully healthy until he has a chance to recover after the season. Otherwise the Vikes are largely healthy coming off last week's bye. Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune.

After sitting for much of last week's game vs. Philadelphia, then missing practice Wednesday with a bruised knee, RB Marion Barber completed a second day of workouts with the Cowboys on Friday and was listed as probable for Sunday's game at Minnesota. The game should mark Barber's first playing time in the Metrodome since his college days as a Golden Gopher. Even with Barber returning, however, expect Felix Jones to be heavily involved, as Jones has been very hot carrying the ball the last two weeks vs. the Eagles (15-for-91 with a TD in Week 17; 16-for-148 with another TD in the Wild Card game). Source: DallasCowboys.com.

Running back Pierre Thomas is working through a rib injury but should play Saturday vs. Arizona. Thomas is probable, as are three of the four other players on the Saints' injury report. Only DT Rodney Leisle won't play; he's been moved to IR with a knee injury. In a nice story that appears to have more symbolic than actual significance, the Saints have signed RB Deuce McAllister into the roster spot opened by Leisle's injury, and will have McAllister (though inactive) serve as a team captain Saturday. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona WR Anquan Boldin is unlikely to play Saturday with the same knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of Wild Card Weekend. Boldin is officially listed as questionable for the game in New Orleans. We note that the Cardinals' passing game didn't seem to suffer - at all - in his absence vs. Green Bay; Steve Breaston and Early Doucet combined for 13 catches, 202 yards and 3 TDs, and Larry Fitzgerald was pretty decent himself. Should Arizona upset New Orleans, it appears possible that Boldin would be back for the NFC Championship Game next weekend. Source: ESPN.

Despite an injury report listing 22 different players (all as probable), the Colts should be healthy for Saturday night - and well-rested, obviously, after sitting so many frontliners for so much of Weeks 16 and 17. Each of the Indianapolis Star's football writers has predicted a Colts win; several cite the home team's health as a primary reason to expect a W. Here's a surprise: They all seem to prefer Indy's quarterback to Baltimore's, too. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Ravens beat writer Mike Preston has zoomed in on the matchup of Colts DEs Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney vs. Ravens OTs Jared Gaither and Michael Oher as one key to Saturday night's game. Writes Preston, "Advantage: Mathis and Freeney." Not only are Gaither (in his third season) and Oher (in his first) relatively inexperienced, but Gaither has been bothered by an ankle injury this week, at times looking unlikely to be ready. Gaither practiced in full on Friday and is listed as probable, but if he happened to sit, any advantage the Colts already have would only grow. Source: Baltimore Sun.

NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira offered some insight into the last play of the Cardinals/Packers game, won by the Cardinals in overtime 51-45. On that play, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby grabbed the ball out of the air and scored when Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked by cornerback Michael Adams. The ball was knocked loose, but Adams' hand was on Rodgers' mask, prompting some to wonder why a facemask penalty wasn't called. Pereira called the contact incidental. "He's got a finger hooked on the mask," Pereira said. "It's a tough play, but it really is one of those you don't get the big look you got on the other facemasks (in that game) of the clear and obvious pull or the clear and obvious twist." He also said that if the ball had hit the ground, the "tuck rule" could have come into play. But he suspected that the call on the field -- whatever it would have been -- would have stood. Source: NFL.com .

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher knows better than to leave running back Chris Johnson on the sidelines for too long. But he also doesn’t want to wear down his biggest offensive weapon too quickly. So while he’s not looking for a 50/50 split, he is looking for another player to take some carries – and some wear-and-tear – off Johnson next season. “I’d like to see, not balance,” Fisher explained, “but I’d like to see another back in the rotation.” Former Titans running back Eddie George agrees, noting that several years of 300+ carries can affect a player’s longevity. And he should know: George, the team’s all-time leading rusher, averaged 341 carries in seven of his first eight seasons. Source: The Tennessean.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers provided a sample play – Jack right. Act 4. Five-eight-five. – that might sound confusing to fans. But the play (a play-action pass to tight end Antonio Gates) made sense to an old quarterback who used to wear lightning bolts on his helmet. “Sounds familiar,” said Dan Fouts , the Hall-of-Fame quarterback who played for the team from 1973-1987. “I don’t know about the Jack right stuff, but the rest of it’s pretty similar to what Don had us doing, like the 5-8-5 part.” Don Coryell was head coach of the Chargers from 1973-1986. Rivers was happy to hear that Fouts recognized some of the play. “How cool is that?” Rivers asked. “To get to call the same play on the same field with a lot of the terminology that Dan Fouts used? To me, that’s pretty neat.” Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

Running back Marion Barber was back at practice on Thursday, ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings. Barber was seen participating in individual drills and did not appear to be wearing a brace. Toward the end of the open period of practice, Barber was working with the second team and Felix Jones lined up with the first team when a running play was called. Barber's status is still uncertain for the game. Source: ESPN.com .

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin did not practice on Thursday, the last practice scheduled in the team's short week. Linebacker Gerald Hayes was also unable to practice and both players are considered game-time decisions for Saturday's contest against the Saints. Source: azcardinals.com .

The Indianapolis Colts bring the league’s best regular-season record (14-2) into the playoffs, but they also bring the league’s worst rushing attack at 80.9 yards per game. Their 3.5 yards-per-carry ranked just a little better at 30th. In contrast, last week’s playoff winners averaged almost 190 yards rushing. Still, the Colts, who face Baltimore’s top-ranked run defense this Saturday, note that running the ball isn’t the offense’s top priority. “You’ve got to understand that in this offense you’ve got to pass first, run second. We know that,” said Colts running back Joseph Addai . And center Jeff Saturday agrees. “We’re not going to run the ball 50 times a game. We’re not going to run the ball 30 times a game. That’s not our ballclub,” he said. Source: Indianapolis Star & News.

When former Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown went on Rich Gannon’s Sirius radio show (Gannon is also a former Raider) to discuss the team’s issues, he was asked about quarterback JaMarcus Russell , who was benched after nine starts. Brown said the team asked him for his opinion before Russell was drafted. “The Raiders sort of called me unofficially before they drafted him and asked me what did I think? And I told them then that I didn’t think this guy was a player,” Brown said, adding that Russell seemed more like a “sandlot player” more than an NFL quarterback. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Dean Pees will no longer serve as defensive coordinator for the Patriots. But after four years, he wanted to be clear as to who made the decision to part ways. “I’ve enjoyed my time here, but with my contract being up, I’d like to pursue some other endeavors. I was not fired. My contract’s up. I’m going into free agency,” Pees said. The Patriots finished 11th in total defense and fifth in points allowed, but had trouble maintaining leads and gave up a number of big plays, especially to high-powered offenses such as the Colts, Saints and Texans. Source: Boston Globe.

Perry Fewell, who served as interim head coach in Buffalo and was courted by the Bears for their defensive coordinator opening (erroneous reports had him taking the Chicago job), has accepted the same position with the Giants. Fewell takes over a Giants unit that gave up 427 points last season -- second-most in team history. He replaces Bill Sheridan, who was fired about 10 days ago. Source: New Jersey Online.

After Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell resigned, team CEO Tod Leiweke contacted former Colts head coach Tony Dungy about the team's presidency, which Dungy declined. In fact, Leiweke said it was the first call he made. But technically, Dungy is still under contract with the Colts until March, meaning Seattle could be accused of tampering. But the Seahawks weren't aware of his contract status and the Colts apparently have no interest in pursuing such a charge; they likely would have granted permission if it had been asked anyway. Despite the rejection, Leiweke remains impressed with Dungy. "Tony would have made a heck of a president," he said. Source: NFL.com .

Running backs coach Bobby Turner, who had been with Denver since Mike Shanahan became their head coach in 1995, is leaving the Broncos to join Shanahan’s staff in Washington. Turner’s position will include an associate head coach’s title. The Broncos originally refused permission to interview Turner, but relented when Shanahan came back with the promotion in the offer. Turner is the second assistant coach who played a role in the Broncos’ dominant running schemes to leave the team: Rick Dennison left the Broncos to take the offensive coordinator position with the Texans. Source: Denver Post.

Saints running back Pierre Thomas put in another full practice on Thursday, while wide receiver Lance Moore was limited. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins was also limited. The Saints face the Cardinals on Saturday. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Running back Marion Barber took part in the morning walkthrough but did not practice on Wednesday. He is nursing a swollen bursa sac in his left knee. Head coach Wade Phillips said the injury did not get worse in last week’s win over Philadelphia, and expressed hope that Barber would be ready to play on Sunday against the Vikings. “If there’s any way he can play in the game I think he will,” Phillips said. “And I think he’s better, so we’ll see tomorrow as far as practice is concerned.” Source: Dallas Morning News.

Running back Chris Johnson won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, taking 38 ½ votes out of a possible 50. Saints quarterback Drew Brees was second with nine votes. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who won the Most Valuable Player award, earned just 1 ½ votes. San Diego’s Philip Rivers received the remaining vote. The winner is selected by 50 reporters and broadcasters who cover the league. Johnson became the first player in NFL history to have at least 2,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in the same season. He also ran for 800 yards in November, the best month recorded by any running back in NFL history. While he considers his effort to be a “dream season,” Johnson is setting his sights on Eric Dickerson’s rushing record of 2,105 yards and earning a league MVP. He noted that, despite his record-breaking season, he didn’t receive a single MVP vote. “That felt just like rookie of the year,” Johnson said, referencing another award he failed to earn despite a strong season. “It’s a quarterback thing I guess.” Source: ESPN.com.

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin missed practice on Wednesday, as did inside linebacker Gerald Hayes. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said both players are improving, but labeled their availability for Saturday’s game against the Saints a “game-day decision.” Source: East Valley Tribune.

Running back Pierre Thomas was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and said he’s running and breathing pain-free. Thomas suffered broken ribs in the Dec. 27 game against Tampa Bay. “I am anxious and glad to be back. I’m not having any problems,” Thomas said. He said he expects to be in the lineup on Saturday when the Saints face the Cardinals. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not listed on the injury report the team submitted on Wednesday. Flacco had been seen limping earlier in the week as he nurses a hip injury. All Ravens practiced in some capacity on Wednesday with the exception of offensive tackle Jared Gaither. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Quarterback Brett Favre’s Vikings host the Cowboys this Sunday, but he believes the visitors have plenty of reasons to be confident. “From the outside looking in, if you had to look at both teams, us and the Cowboys, you’d go ‘OK, aside from the fact that the Cowboys are playing at the Vikings, who is the hottest team right now?’ Well, I mean, no duh. The Cowboys are,” Favre said. He compared Dallas with the Giants team that won the Super Bowl in terms of confidence. The Giants defeated Favre’s Packers before upsetting the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl in February of 2008. Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Following a season in which nine of the team’s games (including two preseason contests) were blacked out and 17,000 season-ticket holders failed to renew from the previous year, the Jaguars have already launched a campaign to rekindle interest in the team by offering reduced prices for season tickets. East upper deck tickets will drop from $390 to $300 for the season and prices for four lower bowl sections will fall from $580 to $480. Club seats will also be reduced. The team will offer a monthly payment plan for general bowl seats that will lock in prices through the 2012 season as well. Jacksonville accounted for seven of the league’s 22 regular-season blackouts in 2009. Source: Florida Times-Union.

Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne called out Ravens free safety Ed Reed for killing his pet Burmese python named Law. When Wayne was a rookie with the Colts in 2001, he left his snake in Reed’s care. Reed texted Wayne later to say Law had died. “He killed my snake,” Wayne said. “He neglected my snake.” Despite the charge of pet neglect, Wayne and Reed remain close friends, talking a few times a week for 30 minutes at a clip. Since the Colts host the Ravens on Saturday, Wayne will take reed out to dinner and said he’ll be mentioning the incident involving Law when they meet. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer declined a request to interview for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy, even though New York granted Buffalo permission to approach him. Schottenheimer said he would be interesting in a head coaching position, but only when the time and circumstances are right. And right now, he likes being with the Jets. “For the first time in three years I’m really, really happy,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m happy working for rex. I love the area. I love the jest fans. I love what we’ve done. I love the guys on our roster.” Source: ESPN.com.

Romeo Crennel, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots as their defensive coordinator, has agreed to take the same position with Kansas City. He will join the staff after he coaches the East-West college all-star game on Jan. 23. Charlie Weis, the team’s new offensive coordinator, also served that same role with New England during those three Super Bowl victories. Source: Kansas City Star.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer signed a three-year extension to remain with Cincinnati. The Bengals ranked 27th in defense in 2007 before he took over; they improved to 12th in 2008. In 2009 the team finished seventh against the run and sixth against the pass. Zimmer was considered a candidate to become defensive coordinator for Washington or Miami if he left. The Bengals rallied around Zimmer’s wife of 27 years, Vikki, died on Oct. 8. “The fans have been fantastic during everything, and my kids the other day commented about how much support the fans have given,” Zimmer said. “It’s been really touching to see.” Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon has aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in Haiti, which was rocked by the biggest earthquake to hit the area in more than 100 years. Most live around Port-au-Prince, located about 10 miles from the center of the quake. Through his Twitter account, Garcon requested prayers “for my family, friends and people of Haiti.” Garcon was born in New York and grew up in South Florida; both of his parents and all three of his sisters were born in Haiti. They all live in the United States now but he has many family members still on the island. Source: Indianapolis Star & News.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio will keep that position in 2010 after a Tuesday morning meeting previously described as an “interview” for Del Rio’s job. He is 58-57 after seven years in Jacksonville. “Sitting here today, I feel good about my meeting this morning,” Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said. “I feel good that Jack and I are on the same page.” Del Rio had been tied to the USC head coaching job that became vacant after Pete Carroll left to coach the Seahawks, although the coach had disputed those reports. He said he always planned to stay in Jacksonville. “Just thought some truth would be good mixed with all the speculation,” Del Rio said. Source: Jacksonville Times-Union.

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, earning 28 out of a possible 50 votes. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was second in the voting with 14. Woodson had nine interceptions this season — tied for the league lead — and returned three for a touchdown. He also had 81 tackles, four forced fumbles, two sacks and 21 passes broken up. He is the first cornerback to win the award since Deion Sanders in 1994. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Chargers used their bye week to get their players healthy, and it seems to have worked for some key players. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson said that while it’s hard for anyone to be 100 percent at this time of the year, he feels he should be closer to that level by Sunday after getting some rest. Linebacker Shawne Merriman, dealing with plantar fisciitis since November, is also getting healthier. When asked how long it’s been since he felt this good, he said “Probably since about four, five weeks ago…This is probably the best I’ve felt in a while.” The Chargers host the Jets on Sunday. Source: San Diego Union Tribune.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan wasn’t happy when he heard that Packers cornerback Charles Woodson had beaten out Darrelle Revis for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. “I would like to congratulate the people who voted for Darrelle Revis,” Ryan said, referring to the 50-member panel of AP journalists and broadcasters who cover the league. “These guys obviously really know the game.” Woodson received 28 of the 50 votes to claim the award; Revis garnered 14. Revis said Ryan was cussing when they talked about it on the practice field. Source: New Jersey Online.

Mike Shanahan has selected Jim Haslett as the Washington’s new defensive coordinator. Haslett, who served as defensive coordinator for the Rams, Saints and Steelers, was also head coach of the Saints from 2000-2005 and recently completed a stint as head coach of the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League during its inaugural season. Haslett will replace Greg Blache, who is expected to retire after six seasons with Washington. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and tight end Todd Heap were both participants in Tuesday’s practice as the team prepares for its game against Indianapolis on Saturday. Flacco was joking and laughing with teammates, but was observed with a slight limp. Heap was running routes and catching passes and appeared to be a full participant. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Broncos assistant coach Rick Dennison is the new offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. Dennison fills the vacancy created when Kyle Shanahan left Houston to work with his father, Mike, in Washington. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak tried to hire Dennison in 2006, but Mike Shanahan, then-coach of the Broncos, refused permission to interview him. Kubiak and Dennison also played together in Denver as players; Kubiak was a quarterback, while Dennison was a linebacker. Source: Denver Post.

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who missed last week’s playoff win over the Packers with an injured ankle and knee, expressed optimism that he would be able to practice this week and participate in Saturday’s game at New Orleans. “Any time you have an injury like this,” Boldin said, “you have to get the strength in your knee back and I’m in the process of doing that.” Boldin said he’s seen improvement in the injuries, noting that his house resembles a training room as he works to get better. Source: Arizona Republic.

Running back Pierre Thomas and wide receiver Lance Moore were both present for practice on Tuesday. The Saints don’t have to release an injury report until Wednesday so their participation levels were not released by the team, but Moore said he practiced and felt good. Moore couldn’t say that he was 100 percent, however. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Peyton Manning and the Colts have been successful at securing a first-round bye in the playoffs, but they haven’t been successful once the games are played: The team is 0-3 coming out of a playoff bye with Manning at the helm. The Colts have lost to the Titans, Steelers and Chargers in close games that were memorable to Colts fans for providing disappointment and an end to a promising season. Manning won his only Super Bowl ring when the team failed to earn a bye and had to win three games in the conference playoffs. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne dismissed the poor history as “old news” that needs to be blocked out. “If you start worrying about all that stuff, you tend to get derailed,” Wayne said. “I feel good about where we are as a team.” Source: Indianapolis Star & News.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is believed to have a Lisfranc injury, which is a dislocation and/or fracture between the forefoot and midfoot joints. He was scheduled to see Dr. Robert Anderson, who repaired the injury suffered by Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown. But general manager Mike Holmgren, while acknowledging that the thought is Quinn has a Lisfranc injury, didn’t believe it would require surgery. If not, Quinn could be working out in a few weeks. But if surgery is required, his timetable would be set back several months. Quinn suffered the injury in the game against Kansas City on Dec. 20. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

New Orleans might be expected to win Saturday’s game against Arizona, but the Saints know that they’ll be dealing with a hot quarterback and a team that knows it can win in the playoffs. “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Kurt,” said linebacker Scott Fujita, discussing Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. “He always plays well when guys are playing well around him, he’s always played well in the postseason. They’ve played well when they’re the underdogs. So they’ve got a lot of things going for them.” Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

When Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby grabbed the ball out of the air and ran into the end zone in overtime, the high-scoring game between the Arizona and Green Bay was over. But debates continue, from the type of turnover committed and whether the infamous "tuck rule" applies, to whether a facemask penalty should have given Green Bay the ball back. In an e-mail, NFC information manager Randall Liu said that the play is considered a fumble and the "tuck rule" would not apply since the ball never hit the ground. Instead, the ball bounced off quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ foot and into Dansby’s arms. But he wrote that "had the ball hit the ground it would've been subject to (instant) replay. And that would be a judgment call by referee Scott Green." If Rodgers' arm had been ruled to be coming forward, the play might have been considered an incomplete pass instead. Regarding a facemask penalty, a player needs to be seen twisting or grabbing the facemask for a personal foul to be called. There is no longer an incidental contact facemask penalty, and Liu said it's a judgment call whether a flag should be thrown. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel .

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco completed just four passes for 34 yards in the team's win over the Patriots, but said his bruised hip isn't preventing him from doing his job. "I felt like what is asked of a quarterback, I was able to do everything," he said. While his hip is also affecting his thigh, Flacco said he could "definitely" have thrown the ball 30 times if circumstances required. The Ravens travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts this Saturday. Source: Baltimore Sun .

Jets head coach Rex Ryan wants his team to visualize becoming world champions, so he's already put their Super Bowl victory and parade on their calendar. Ryan, who earlier said his team should be favorites in their playoff games, wasn't apologetic about the move. "If you're not man enough or have enough faith in your team to put in on the schedule, you wouldn't," he said. "But we do. We feel we have an outstanding chance." Source: New York Daily News .

Ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against Dallas, Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams bristled at the notion of the Cowboys being "America's team," a nickname they've had for decades. "They ain't my team," Williams said. "There's no Dallas fans here. Our fans could care less. America's team? They ain't Houston, Texas' team. Just the Dallas area." Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe added that the hype surrounding the game would be "the equivalent of the Green Bay circus." Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press.

For just the second time, advertising rates for the Super Bowl are averaging lower than the previous year. A 30-second ad is going for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, a drop from last year's $3 million average price tag, which was a record. Familiar Super Bowl advertisers like Pepsi and General Motors are sitting out this year, but only about four of the 62 available commercials have yet to be sold. CBS, which is carrying this year's game, said that the pace of sales has been faster than it was for NBC last year. Source: Boston Globe .

Cowboys running back Marion Barber was limited to just three carries for four yards in the team's playoff victory over the Eagles due to a swollen bursa sac in his left leg, which causes pain when accelerating or making moves. Felix Jones picked up the slack against Philadelphia with career-highs in carries (16) and yards (148). Dallas won't have to submit an injury report until Wednesday as they prepare to face the Vikings this weekend. Source: Dallas Morning News .

Tight end Todd Heap, who suffered a stinger in the fourth quarter of the team's 33-14 victory against New England, had an x-ray taken of his back and received some good news. The results were negative and head coach John Harbaugh sounded optimistic that Heap would be ready for Saturday's game against the Colts. "He's got some lower-back-type spasms," Harbaugh explained. "That stuff can be tough, but usually you can work through that pretty well. So he should be fine." Further testing is scheduled for this week. Source: ESPN.com .

While many players might be relaxing during a bye week, Saints quarterback Drew Brees wrote an op-ed piece for the Washington Post. In it, Brees weighed in on the upcoming American Needle v NFL case which will present oral arguments before the Supreme Court shortly. The NFL is arguing that its 32 teams act as a single entity and cannot violate anti-trust laws by negotiating exclusivity agreements for all its teams. Reebok has such an agreement with the league, leaving a company like American Needle unable to compete in the NFL merchandise market. Brees argues that such a determination could impact not only merchandising, but allow owners to control—or even eliminate-- free agency, and enter other agreements that restrict competition and ultimately raise prices for fans. “If the Supreme Court agrees with the NFL’s argument that the teams act as a single entity rather than as 32 separate, vigorously competitive and extremely profitable entities, the absence of antitrust scrutiny would enable the owners to exert total control over this multibillion-dollar business,” Brees wrote. Source: Washington Post.

As the Seahawks prepares to welcome Pete Carroll as their new head coach, dismissed coach Jim Mora spoke out on KJR-AM radio. He said that he believed he would be retained when he answered questions at a press conference last Wednesday. "I figured I wouldn't be put out to do a press conference if things were going to change," Mora said. Once he was fired, the first person to contact him and offer support was wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Mora, who took the Falcons to the conference championship game as a rookie head coach in 2004, had three years and nearly $12 million remaining on his contract. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid said that quarterback Donovan McNabb will be his starter in 2010. McNabb, who has one year left on his contract, had said he wanted to return to Philadelphia. "I think he's a great player. His work over the last 11 years has proven that," Reid said. The team will have a new general manager, as Tom Heckert is leaving the team to take the same position for Cleveland. Howie Roseman, a vice president of player personnel with the Eagles, is expected to be promoted to general manager. Source: ESPN.com .

Pete Carroll has accepted the head coaching position with the Seahawks, and he's taking USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates with him-- likely as his offensive coordinator. Though speculated for days, the final details were finally worked out o Sunday and Carroll submitted his resignation as USC's head coach. "It hurts to separate right now," Carroll said about leaving USC, where he compiled a 97-19 record. "But it can't keep on going, because I can't pass up this opportunity." Source: Sports Illustrated .

Titans running back LenDale White said that he feels at home in Tennessee and appreciates the support he’s received from the people in Nashville. But he wants to see the ball more than he did in 2009, when he ran for just 222 yards after compiling 773 yards in 2008 and 1,110 yards in 2007. “I am a football player,” White said. “I like to play football and I didn’t get to play much this year. I took a backseat to greatness, but I want to play, man.” He said he’s excited to see what the free agency process brings. White would be an unrestricted free agent in most years, but without a collective bargaining agreement in place he would be a restricted free agent. A new agreement has yet to be reached. Source: The Tennessean.

While the Eagles are still looking for answers in the wake of Saturday night’s loss to Dallas, the team still likes what they’re building and wants to add to that success in 2010. “Hopefully we can explode again next year,” said quarterback Donovan McNabb. “And possibly win 13 or 14 games.” Receiver Jeremy Maclin, who had 146 receiving yards and a touchdown in the loss, is also optimistic. “You saw a little bit of what we’re capable of,” he said. “I’m excited already for next year.” Source: Philadelphia Enquirer & Daily News.

Sources close to Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner are saying that this is his last playoff run, and he plans to retire at the conclusion of this season. The 38-year-old Warner has a Super Bowl ring, two MVP awards and five Pro Bowl selections on his resume. For his part, Warner only said he didn’t want to make such an important decision right after a big victory (like the team’s 51-45 overtime win over Green Bay Sunday) or a tough loss. Warner also said he wants to avoid hanging around too long or leaving too early. Source: ESPN.

Packers tight end Jermichael Finley finished the season with a disappointing loss, but an impressive game: Six catches for 159 yards, a Packers record. But Finley, who had a dominating second-half of the season, said that this year was just the start of bigger things down the road. “This is like the appetizer,” Finey said. “The full course meal is coming pretty soon.” Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Just days after his team’s 24-14 loss to the Jets in the playoffs, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will have surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb. Palmer injured the thumb back in October in a win over Baltimore. He has been wearing a protective glove on his hand. The surgery is scheduled to take place in the next week. Source: ESPN.com.

The New England Patriots struggled in their 33-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Quarterback Tom Brady threw for just 154 yards and threw three interceptions to go along with two touchdowns. No Patriots receiver topped 50 yards, although rookie Julian Edelman had six receptions and scored two touchdowns filling in for the inured Wes Welker. Source: NFL.com.

Working without wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is dealing with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain, quarterback Kurt Warner looked to other players to pick up the slack. A couple responded, with Steve Breaston catching seven passes for 125 yards and a score, and Early Doucet catching six for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The reliable Larry Fitzgerald also did his part with six catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Warner acknowledged that the playoffs require teams to execute even if a key player is injured. “You have to step up. That’s what it takes this time of year,” he said. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick acknowledged that his team made too many mistakes to win the game, and gave the Ravens plenty of credit for their 33-14 victory. “They were the better team,” Belichick said. “They outplayed us. They outcoached us. They won the game convincingly. They deserve to move on.” Baltimore will face Indianapolis on Saturday. Source: Baltimore Sun.

It took more than four quarters, but defense finally showed up at the end of the game as the Cardinals sent the Packers home with a 51-45 defeat. Aaron Rodgers, who had thrown for 422 yards with four touchdown passes (and another rushing), fumbled the ball in overtime, and linebacker Karlos Dansby grabbed it out of the air and returned it for a touchdown. The score helped validate an impressive outing for Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who threw for 379 yards and five touchdowns. Warner had more touchdown passes than incompletions (four) in the highest-scoring NFL game in playoff history. Source: NFL.com.

The Baltimore Ravens picked up 234 yards on the ground and scored four rushing touchdowns as the Ravens defeated the Patriots 33-14. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee both scored twice, and Le’Ron McClain scored once for Baltimore, who only threw for 34 yards the entire game. The Ravens travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Saturday. Source: NFL.com.

With Pete Carroll all-but-guaranteed to be the next coach of the Seattle Seahawks—Carroll has resigned from his position at USC—the team is lining up interviews from its general manager position. Among the candidates are Floyd Reese, senior football advisor for the Patriots, and Omar Khan, business and football administration coordinator for the Steelers. Current directors for the Packers and Giants are also scheduled to interview for the position. Source: ESPN.com.

While Carolina head coach John Fox is under contract for the 2010 season. But Fox, who makes $6 million per season, has reportedly been given the option to void the final year of his contract and take another position if he wants. Still Fox is expected to return for his final year; a television reporter said that Fox told him he would coach the team “barring something crazy from developing.” Source: Charlotte Observer.

Jets punter Steve Weatherford, who was a last-minute scratch in the team’s victory over the Bengals due to an irregular heartbeat, said he will punt next week against the Colts. Weatherford’s pre-existing condition is not life-threatening but caused him to feel light-headed and his heart rate jumped to 150 beats-per-minute. He said he tried to come into the game in the first quarter against doctors’ wishes. Kicker Jay Feely took over punting duties and earned praise from head coach Rex Ryan for his extra work which included pinning the Bengals inside their own 20 three times. Source: New York Daily News.

The Arizona Cardinals will have to face the Green Bay Packers without receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin, who didn't practice all week with knee and ankle injuries, was declared inactive for the game. Source: ESPN.com.

While past success won’t put any points on the board in Sunday’s game against the Ravens, the patriots can point to an impressive home playoff streak as a reason for optimism despite the loss of wide receiver Wes Welker. New England is 8-0 at home this season, but head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have also never lost a home playoff game, going 8-0 over the past 10 seasons. The franchise is 11-1 in home playoff games over its history, including 11 straight wins. Tight end Benjamin Watson said those numbers are no fluke. “That’s impressive. And I don’t think that’s one of those wacky (random) statistics because it’s happened a lot,” he said. Source: Boston Globe.

While DeSean Jackson is considered Philadelphia’s dangerous offensive threat, it was fellow wide receiver Jeremy Maclin who provided much of the team’s offense in a 34-14 loss to Dallas. Maclin picked up 146 yards on seven catches, including a 76-yard touchdown reception from Michael Vick. Jackson was held to three catches, 14 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. Source: NFL.com.

Prior to Saturday night’s game between the Dallas and Philadelphia, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was 0-2 and Wade Phillips was 0-4 over his head coaching career in the playoffs. On the other side of the ball, Eagles head coach Andy Reid was a perfect 7-0 in first-round playoff games. But those streaks are over as Dallas handled Philadelphia for the second straight week, this time a 34-14 victory. The Cowboys travel to Minnesota next Sunday to face the Vikings. Source: Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Running back Cedric Benson set a team playoff record with 169 rushing yards in Cincinnati’s 24-14 loss to the New York Jets. Benson also caught three passes for 12 yards. His 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was also a team record. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Much of the credit for the Jets’ 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday can be attributed to outstanding play by two rookies. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was an efficient 12-of-15 for 183 yards and one touchdown; it was Sanchez’ third straight turnover-free game. Running back Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards on 21 carries, including a 39-yard touchdown run. The jets will face either the San Diego Chargers or the Indianapolis Colts, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s Patriots-Ravens game. Source: New Jersey Online.

The Cincinnati Bengals picked the wrong time of the season to have a letdown, losing four of their final five games and ending their 2009 campaign with a 24-14 loss in the playoffs. Kicker Shayne Graham missed two field goals, including a 28-yarder, and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco didn’t have a catch until the fourth quarter. With Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis shadowing him, Ochocinco finished with just two receptions for 28 yards. Quarterback Carson Palmer, playing in his first full playoff game, completed 18-of-36 passes for just 146 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Going by this season’s trends, the officiating crew overseeing Sunday’s game in New England between the Patriots and Ravens doesn’t call many roughing-the-passer or pass interference penalties. The crew, led by Gene Steratore, ranked 14th in roughing-the-passer penalties (just three such flags in 15 games) and 12th in pass interference penalties (10 flags) out of the 17 full-time officiating crews that work NFL games. The Ravens led the league with nine roughing-the-passer penalties this season. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, fresh off his team’s 24-14 victory over the Bengals, expressed mock disappointment about USC head coach Pete Carroll’s decision to take the top job in Seattle. “I just wanted everyone to know I completely disagree with his decision,” Sanchez said. “Statistics show that it’s not a good choice.” His remarks were made in jest and referenced what Carroll—Sanchez’ coach at USC—said a year ago when Sanchez decided to enter the NFL draft. “The facts are so strong against this decision,” Carroll said at the time. “After analyzing all the information, the truth is there, he should have stayed for another year.” Sanchez said he still speaks to Carroll, wished him the best and warned him that he would be mocking his old comment. Source: ESPN.com.

When the Cowboys defeated the Eagles on Saturday night, they set one-half of the NFC’s divisional round matchups. The Cowboys will face the Vikings next weekend, meaning the winner of the Cardinals/Packers game will travel to New Orleans to face the Saints. It also means that the Cardinals will play their one and only home game in the playoffs on Sunday. Even if they win, they’ll be on the road for the duration of the post-season. Source: NFL.com.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been named the recipient of a record-fourth NFL Most Valuable Player award. Manning received 39 ½ votes from the 50-member panel made up of Associated Press sportswriters and broadcasters. Saints quarterback Drew Brees finished second in the voting with 7 ½ votes. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers received two votes and Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, a three-time winner of the award himself, received one vote. Source: Indianapolis Star & News.

While the Jets grab the spotlight in the playoffs, the Giants are making moves to get themselves back on track. The agent for Romeo Crennel said that the team has contacted him about their defensive coordinator position, and the team has already interviewed Bills interim head coach Perry Felwell for the same job. Crennel’s agent downplayed the extent of the talks so far, making the analogy that Crennel and the Giants “are only Facebook friends right now.” Source: New Jersey Online .

While Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin was unable to practice this past week and spent Saturday testing his injured left ankle and knee, there has been no decision made as to whether he will play in Sunday’s game against the Packers. But fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald feels like Boldin will give it his best shot. “If I were to be a betting man and, knowing his toughness, I know he’s going to give it a go,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t know if he’s going to be 100 percent, but I know he’s going to want to go out there and play. He’s worked too hard.” Source: Arizona Republic.