February 2011 4for4 Player News Articles

The Jaguars have placed the franchise tag on TE Mercedes Lewis.

Tim Tebow, a first-round pick last year, was not selected by new coach John Fox. Most members of the Broncos who were there when the Tebow pick was made are looking to distance themselves from the choice, which is a classic way for things to operate in the NFL.

Last year, no one associated with the Broncos complained about the Tebow pick, thinking they were being loyal to the head coach, when in reality, not voicing an opinion or pretending you like a player is the highest form of disloyalty and disservice.

So Tebow is a man without much support in Denver, making quarterback a huge need. Can the Broncos be so focused on defense that they ignore an NFL team's most essential position? Or will they feel like Kyle Orton can manage the game well enough to allow them to replenish the defense, something near and dear to Fox's heart?

Bucs CB Ronde Barber has decided NOT to retire just yet and just told me today he signed a 1-year deal w the only team he's ever played for.

Browns placed their franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson. Kicker tag projects to be about $3.25 million.

The New Orleans Saints released four-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey on Tuesday.

“Jeremy played an important role in helping our team bring a Super Bowl championship to New Orleans,” coach Sean Payton in a statement. “He contributed to the success of our offense, both as a pass-catcher and run blocker, and we’re appreciative of his efforts.”

Jimmy Graham is expected to move into the starting lineup with Shockey out of town. Graham has a ton of 2011 upside.

Champ Bailey probably took less than market value to stay with the Broncos. The team and its star left cornerback reached an agreement today on a four-year, $43 million contract.

Bailey, who turns 33 in June, took a pay cut to stay. He will make a guaranteed $11 million this season, or $2 million less than the $13 million he made in 2010.

"The commitment and loyalty that Champ has shown to the Broncos, the city of Denver and this region is exemplary," stated John Elway, the Broncos' vice president of football operations, on Twitter.

Bailey also has $4 million of his 2012 money guaranteed for a total guarantee of $15 million.

According to an NFL source, the Ravens decided at their recent evaluation meetings not to bring RB Willis McGahee and his $6 million in base salary back for the 2011 season.

If we reach March 4 without a new deal, everything changes. No free agency, no minicamps, no OTAs, and no sign of the normal spring routine for the league's scouts, coaches and personnel executives until there's a CBA.

"We're operating like we're going to be ready to go on March 4," one NFC general manager said. "It's been business as usual. We're having our free agent meetings, our draft meetings, at the exact same time we always have, because until March 4 happens, we don't know that it will be different."

Over the last week, in panning football people, that's just what I tried to figure out. I'm not here to rain on the parade of optimistic talk that happened on Thursday, but simply ask, 'What if?' Here are some of the things teams are preparing for:

Draft Before Free Agency
Normally, teams that spend big in free agency do so to fill a specific need on the roster. But if the draft comes before free agency, more clubs could be making needs-based picks in April, and those will certainly have fewer holes to fill when the market is flooded after a CBA is reached.

Lack of Spring Camps
This is where veteran players who are under contract have an edge and probably an easier road to keeping their jobs. And it's another area in which the 2011 free-agent class could take a hit, since a team might be less likely to spend on a player who won't be able to get a full offseason under his belt before his first year in that new uniform. Then, there's the fact that a truncated process could lead to more problems team-wide.

The Trade Market
If the draft does happen before a CBA is reached, then that means veterans who might be expecting to move locales won't be able to be traded for current-year draft picks. So say you're Philadelphia and teams are coming after Kolb, the club has to consider that the windfall would more than likely be a 2012 pick, and that means going through 2011 without either Kolb or the player(s) you'd ultimately get in return. So why not wait?

The bottom line here is it might be harder, for teams looking at players on trading block, to pry them away, since the trading teams have the above knowledge. And the team-in-pursuit might be less fervent anyway, since the 2011 return might be limited as the player has to learn his new surrounding without the benefit of a full offseason.

Undrafted Free Agents
In the scenario that we've laid out, either there will be a lot of handshake deals between teams and players who go undrafted, or this will be the most well-scouted group of undrafted free agents ever. Those guys won't be able to sign deals, absent a CBA, after the draft. And so teams will be able to further evaluate who's on the market, something that could hurt lower-tier veteran free agents.

The Browns say Montario Hardesty is close to 100 percent after his knee surgery. He would be able to take part in all the minicamps, drills, etc. They know that there is a risk of further injury, but believe he can be a big-time back (especially combined with Peyton Hillis) in the West Coast offense. He was not used much to catch passes at Tennessee, but the Browns believe he can do that here.

Vikings will place franchise tag today on LB Chad Greenway. This means that neither WR Sidney Rice nor DE Ray Edwards will be tagged.

As much satisfaction as Le'Ron McClain got out of blocking for Ray Rice for the past few seasons, the two-time Pro Bowl fullback wanted to be a lot more involved in the Baltimore Ravens' offense.

And not touching the football nearly as much as he wanted could complicate McClain's decision on whether he'll return.

"It's a great fit blocking in this offense, if that's all you want to do every week," McClain told the National Football Post in a telephone interview. "When you feel like you can give a lot more and have proven you can do a lot more and all you're doing is blocking, it's a little frustrating at times when they're telling you, 'All you got to do is go block this guy.' But I never let it get to me. I take pride in my game.

"I gave it my all. With all my heart and might and will, I blocked for Ray Rice. My frustration comes from wanting to do more. When we lost that game against Pittsburgh in the playoffs to not even get one attempt, it was pretty frustrating."

McClain rushed for a career-high 902 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2008 season.

McClain could be a viable fantasy option if he lands in the right situation, or plays a bigger role in Baltimore with Willis McGahee likely released.

Agent James Gould confirms via phone that Brandon Banks leaving hospital today. "He'll resume normal training in 3-4 weeks."

Rams release S OJ Atogwe, deciding not to pay his 8 million dollar roster bonus.

Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said Tony Romo has been to Valley Ranch four or five times since the end of the season to throw the ball. Wilson's assessment:

"He's throwing great,'' Wilson said. "His delivery and velocity and revolutions and all that stuff is really, really good.

"As far as his throwing motion, it's back to normal.''

The Indianapolis Colts released two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders on Friday, according to team owner Jim Irsay.

"We have released Bob Sanders today," Irsay said in a statement released by the team. "We thank Bob for all his incredible contributions, from his Super Bowl interception to his Defensive Player-of-the-Year honor."

Sanders, the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-Pro selection, sustained a torn biceps in his right arm in the Colts' first game of the season. The Colts placed Sanders on injured reserve in December.

The Steelers have officially franchised LB LaMarr Woodley, as expected.

The Cardinals promoted Mike Miller to offensive coordinator.

The Buffalo Bills released defensive lineman Marcus Stroud on Wednesday in a move that freed up salary and playing time for the team's young, developing players.

The Bills had no comment aside from announcing Stroud's release. Stroud responded on Twitter by writing: "Thanks for my time in Buffalo. I enjoyed it and I wish all of my boys the best. Go Bills."

he Chiefs placed the franchise tag on linebacker Tamba Hali, who went to the Pro Bowl this past season as the AFC's leading sacker.

In an announcement Wednesday on their official website, the Chiefs said they still hope to reach a long-term agreement with the outside linebacker, who was a first-round draft pick in 2006.

As a non-exclusive franchise player, Hali is guaranteed a one-year contract equal to the average salary of last season's five highest-paid players at his position -- approximately $10 million -- if he stays with Kansas City. Hali can negotiate with other teams, but the Chiefs would receive two first-round draft picks from any team that signed him.

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour agreed to a two-year contract extension worth approximately $30 million with the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday, according to league sources.

The deal prevents Seymour from becoming an unrestricted free agent and makes him the NFL's highest-paid defensive player in terms of annual salary.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh on does RB Frank Gore need take fewer carries this season? "Having studied our team and our own personnel and other backs across the league, I really think Frank Gore is one of the best running backs in the National Football League and one of the most complete backs. Frank Gore is the kind of guy who doesn't want to come out. He wants to be in there every single down. Can he have more production by coming off the field at times? And I think (Anthony) Dixon did a tremendous job last year. His productivity and growth as a football player will be elevated this year. So I think he'll be able to take some of those carries. Frank might not want to hear that." Harbaugh said there will be times they want to keep Gore fresh. "But it won't be the type of thing where we have Frank Gore come off the field too much because he's one of the best backs in the league, in my opinion."

Colts have placed the Franchise Tag on Peyton Manning while continuing to negotiate a long term deal.

Peyton Manning will be 35 next month and is looking to become the highest paid NFL player.

Bucs QB Josh Freeman, who already has begun personal workouts at One Buc Place, plans to continue working out with teammates even if the owners lock the players out in early March, as many expect, when the collective bargaining agreement expires.

"Hopefully the CBA gets resolved," Freeman said, "but if it doesn't, I've already been in contact with all of our receivers and everybody's excited to come (to Tampa) in March and get going.

"We're going to hit up a couple of the local high schools here and work out that way. Hopefully, they'll let us use their weight room or whatever it is we need, because we're anxious to get going.''

Freeman also is eager to improve on his footwork, both in and out of the pocket, his throwing accuracy and his ability to break down opponents' tendencies through film study.

"I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of our offense, and I feel great about all the defenses we've been seeing, but the league is constantly changing and you have to have a good understanding of those changes,'' Freeman said. "So, I've basically got every blitz that every team in the NFL ran last year all on my computer at home. I've got a whole storage device t

The Ravens have officially assigned the franchise tag to DT Haloti Ngata. Signing the two-time Pro Bowler long-term has been a top priority

The New York Jets on Tuesday confirmed that they have placed their franchise tag on linebacker David Harris.

The move had been expected, and the one-year tag will be worth in the neighborhood of $10 million, which was the average of the five highest-paid linebackers from the 2010 season.

The San Diego Chargers have designated wide receiver Vincent Jackson as their non-exclusive franchise player.

Jackson, who sat out the first 10 games of last season in a bitter contract dispute, can negotiate with other teams. If he receives an offer, the Chargers can either match the other club's offer or receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.

The Chargers and Jackson could also negotiate a long-term contract, although the sides would have to get past last year's bad feelings.

Jackson should be in for a big year as Philip Rivers' #1 wide out and San Diego is a great landing spot for Jackson from a fantasy perspective. He is falling in early 2011 drafts simply because of his lack of total fantasy points in 2010 due to only playing 4 games. In those 4 games he caught 14 balls for 248 yards and 3 TDs.

The Tennessee Titans named Chris Palmer as offensive coordinator.

Palmer has 20 years of NFL experience, including two seasons as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns and seven seasons as an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. Last year, he was the head coach of the Hartford Colonials in the United Football League. From 2007-09, Palmer was the quarterback coach for the New York Giants. He worked with Eli Manning during his tenure in New York and saw him post significant increases in his passer rating each year, including a career high 93.1 rating in 2009. The 2008 edition of the Giants captured Super Bowl XLII and Manning earned MVP honors for the game. Before joining the Giants, Palmer spent one season as the quarterback coach with Bill Parcells at the Dallas Cowboys. In his one season there, Tony Romo led the Cowboys to the playoffs in his first season as the starter.

“I was able to talk to a number of candidates and Chris was the coach who fit what I was looking for,” said Titans head coach Mike Munchak. “Chris has a wealth of experience as a coordinator and a coach. He is a great teacher of the game and has been around a variety of good coaches and winning football programs. He has helped develop many quarterbacks and understands what that process is like, as he raised their games to a high level over time.”

The Eagles, as expected, placed the franchise tag on Michael Vick this morning, giving them the ability to retain the Pro Bowl quarterback for at least another year.

Vick said he was "happy."

"Happy to be an Eagle," he said, smiling as he left the team's NovaCare Complex Tuesday afternoon. He did not stop to answer further questions.

The team also placed the transition tag on Pro Bowl kicker David Akers, which would allow the Eagles to match any offers he receives if and when free agency begins.

"Michael Vick and David Akers were two of our most valuable players last year," Andy Reid said in a news release. "They were well deserving of their Pro Bowl berths and we're happy to take this step to ensure that they'll be back in Philadelphia next season."Vick: "Happy to be an Eagle" after franchise tag

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/Eagles_franchise_Vick_put_...
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Ravens signd HC John Harbaugh to a three-year contract extention in the $12 million range.

Patriots officially placed franchise tag on Pro Bowl G Logan Mankins on Monday. Franchise OL number is projected to be $10.1 million.

Visanthe Shiancoe didn't waste any time doing his homework.

As soon as he learned Bill Musgrave had been named the Vikings offensive coordinator last month, the tight end broke out film from the Atlanta Falcons and perused that team's statistics. He liked what he saw.

"The tight end is just very involved in their offense," Shiancoe said this weekend while attending the Vikings' Arctic Blast event in the Lake Mille Lacs area. "I'm very excited. ... You can't ask for a better situation than that."

Packers RB James Starks debuted in Week 12 but didn't play more than 24 snaps in a game until the playoffs, when he averaged 37.3. Having sat out the first 11 games with a pulled hamstring, Starks had fresh legs compared with everyone else. That should be a factor in evaluating his strong, 110-carry, 416-yard (3.8) rookie season. Remarkably, he didn't have a fumble, penalty or dropped pass. His blitz pickup wasn't bad, either. Despite rare height (6-2) for the position, he kept his pad level down and didn't take many vicious hits. He ran hard, usually was able to lunge forward and got north-south most of the time. It's possible Starks has more balance and wiggle than Grant, but Grant packs more punch.

Ryan Grant's season lasted only 18 snaps before an ankle-leg injury intervened. He was healthy by mid-December, but the decision had been made three months earlier to place him on injured reserve. Thus, the Packers will get back one of the NFL's most productive ball carriers with the freshest of legs. Grant, 28, has a year left on his contract with a base salary of $3.5 million and a roster bonus of $1.75 million.

Through 4 games, Jermichael Finley played 81.9% of the snaps (37.3% as a split receiver) and had seven of the team's 12 receptions for 20 yards or more. He displayed the best hands on the squad (zero drops in 25 passes) and blocked adequately. An upright runner, he suffered a second major knee injury in two years and his hopes for a blockbuster extension went by the boards. He'll be back for the $555,000 minimum in '11.

Jordy Nelson started the season as the No. 4 but finished with more snaps than James Jones, 701-649. Improved after the catch (4.68, up from 3.78 in '09 and 2.58 in '08). Became more confident in his routes and his ability. Still dropped way too many (10 of 92), a departure from his first two seasons (four of 83).

Packers WR James Jones has dropped 17 passes in last two seasons, which makes no sense given his natural hands. Dropped what probably would have been long TD passes against Miami, the Jets, the Giants, the Eagles and the Steelers. Fumbled three times and failed to break up a sideline interception against Miami.

Once Jermichael Finley was lost for the season, the Packers offense turned to Greg Jennings and he delivered like never before. In 20 games, he had 97 receptions for 1,568 yards (16.2) and 14 TDs, led the WRs in lowest drop ratio (3.77%) and was OK after the catch (4.91). He had 30 gains of 20 yards or more, 10 more than either he or Driver ever had in a season. Smooth as silk but deceptively tough and competitive, too. Excelled from the inside spot on three-WR sides.

Counting playoffs, Donald Driver finished fourth on the Packers in receiving yards (734) even though his snap count (803) ranked second on the unit. He also averaged merely 3.06 yards after the catch, the lowest among the receivers and his lowest since '04. The YAC stat is a reflection of one's legs, and other than his magnificent 62 yard catch-and-run against the 49ers, there wasn't much there.

Don't read too much into it, but one of the phone calls seeking information on Cam Newton's media-only workout came from Panthers general manager Marty Hurney. The Panthers were so locked into Andrew Luck it's unclear if they considered Newton as a possible top pick, or just want to create the impression of interest to spark some trade talk.

NFL teams still have over a week (until Feb. 23) to decide whether they want to use the franchise tag, which may not even be valid, depending on the interpretation.

But complicating matters is the fact teams still don't have a firm grasp on how much it would cost to franchise players this year. While there are estimates teams are working with, no official terms have come from the NFL Management Council, according to a league source.

Generally, the NFL Players Association distributes tag values to reporters at its pre-Super Bowl news conference. But since the NFLPA disputes the legitimacy of the tags, those weren't passed out in Dallas.

Teams can still technically use the franchise tag until Feb 23rd, but the ramifications of doing so are unknown as they will be largely defined by the next CBA. It is possible (although somewhat unlikely) that franchise tags could not exist in the next CBA, making any tagging done now irrelevant.

Albert Haynesworth appeared at the Reston District police station Saturday morning in regard to assault charges related to a road rage incident earlier this month. The Redskins defensive tackle spoke to police and left, Fairfax County police said.

Haynesworth and his attorney showed up at about 10 a.m., police said. He signed a summons and left after being interviewed by police. Haynesworth is scheduled to appear in Fairfax County Criminal Court on March 31.

The incident occurred Feb. 2 on Fairfax County Parkway in Reston. Haynesworth allegedly struck another driver after a confrontation on the road. Haynesworth's attorney has denied his client committed an assault.

The Titans have hired Jerry Gray as defensive coordinator.

Just visited with client Plaxico Burress. He is doing great! He is running & lifting weights 5 days a week. He looks in terrific shape.

He is in great spirits and is excited to be reunited with his family on June 6th. We talked at length about his future in the NFL & he can't wait to get back on the football field in 2011!

He is mentally & physically strong right now and is looking forward to the future! He has set some great goals for his life on and off the field. Get ready to see him do some amazing things this year in all areas!

Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush was arrested and charged with OWI in Indiana early Saturday, according to the Clark County Jail. Bush was arrested at about 4:30 a.m. in Jeffersonville for allegedly driving while intoxicated, according to Clark County police. He was booked into the Clark County Jail.

Washington Redskins kickoff-punt returner Brandon Banks has been treated for superficial knife wounds and released after he was injured in an altercation at The Park, a District nightclub, a source close to the player said.

Banks, who just completed his rookie season, and another man were both cut by a third individual during an argument early Saturday morning at the Northwest nightclub. The suspect now is in custody. Banks was released after being treated, but his associate remains hospitalized and in serious condition, said the source with knowledge of the situation.

The Patriots, who went coordinator-less on both offense and defense last year, have named an offensive coordinator for the 2011 season: Bill O'Brien.

The team announced some shifting of responsibilities on the coaching staff for the coming year, and chief among them is O'Brien's promotion to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas suffered what has been described by two NFL sources as a torn Achilles tendon that will require surgery. Late Thursday afternoon, the Broncos acknowledged "an injury" that will require six to eight months worth of recovery time for Thomas.

In a statement, coach John Fox said: "I have no doubt that Demaryius will overcome this setback. He's proven he can handle adversity and will get through this. We look forward to getting Demaryius back on the field as soon as possible."

Neither Thomas nor his agent, Todd France, could be reached for comment Thursday night.

Even the most optimistic of recoveries would have Thomas starting to work himself back to full speed after the start of the 2011 regular season. An eight-month, or longer, recovery would put his 2011 season in doubt.

It sounds like Thomas making an impact in 2011 is a longshot, and many are speculating that this could essentially be the end of his playing career. If nothing else, the Broncos WR position is much clearer heading into 2011 with Brandon Lloyd & Jabar Gaffney locked in as wideouts with Eddie Royal in the slot & second year man Eric Decker in the mix.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said he had a good conversation with veteran wideout Steve L Smith, who has hinted at wanting out of Charlotte (and had his house on the market last year).

Rivera indicated he expected Smith, at a minimum, to participate in the team's minicamp (provided a new CBA is in place in time for teams to stage minicamps).

“We have to go through the process and see how things fit and where he sees it. It's a touchy thing,” Rivera said of Smith. “We're going to have to wait until everything's cleared up and see where he is.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur confirmed Thursday he will go without an offensive coordinator -- an unorthodox move in the NFL -- and said his staff is basically complete. He said he will call the plays and act as head coach/offensive coordinator his first season on the job.

While many teammates have been getting away from football and the team facility, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Arrelious Benn has been working hard at One Buc Place since the end of the 2010 season. Benn suffered a torn knee ligament after taking a helmet to his left knee from Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant in the Bucs Week 16 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Benn, one of the team’s starting receivers, had caught a 16-yard pass from quarterback Josh Freeman at the 14:27 mark in the second half when he sustained the injury.

 Benn was moving well without a limp or brace on his knee on Wednesday at the Buccaneers Play 60 Challenge.

“Rehab is coming along great. I’m doing all the things I need to do. I’m just looking ahead to the season coming up,” said Benn. “Right now I’m not looking at a timetable. I’m taking it one day at a time getting better. I’ll be right and ready to go when it is time to go (training camp).”

The Browns have cut Shaun Rogers.

Many times disgruntled sports fans start rumors that an unpopular player's house is up for sale, as if to give fellow malcontents hope things will change if the right buyer comes along.

Then there's the case of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer who tells friends the organization doesn't believe he's serious about wanting to play elsewhere. Maybe now they will attach more significance to his request.

Channel 9 Sports has learned that Palmer is about to list his Indian Hill home for sale. A local Comey-Shepherd representative confirmed that preparations are being made to put Palmer's residence on the market, hopefully by March.

"He's not coming back", according to a real estate agent who talked Wednesday morning with the disenchanted Bengals quarterback.

That is the same theme echoed by another associate of Palmer, who says that unless he is released by the Bengals so as to play somewhere else, he is prepared to retire.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz had positive news on Matthew Stafford's recovery from Jan. 21 surgery on his right shoulder. Stafford's shoulder was injured twice last season, limiting him to two starts.

"Matthew's doing great," Schwartz said Tuesday night during an appearance to promote a new television partnership in Metro Detroit. "It'll set him back in the short term. Once we get into training camp . . . he'll be 100 percent."

Hines Ward will have two surgeries this week, the first on his left knee, the second on his left thumb. His knee, the one without an ACL, has cartilage damage that must be repaired, something that has bothered him since training camp. He has a torn ligament in his left thumb from throwing a block in the second game of the season at Tennessee. The thumb can bend all the way back past his wrist, which is why he wore a protective cast on it all season.

Ward isn't the only player who will have surgery. Rookie receiver Emmanuel Sanders will have his broken foot repaired and untold others are in line.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith appears to be one step closer to finally serving the four-game suspension that has been looming since 2008, thanks to a court ruling Tuesday in Minnesota.

The NFL hasn't announced whether it plans to proceed with the suspensions of the players involved in the Starcaps saga, including New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith. Smith was one of several players who tested positive for a banned diuretic in the infamous "StarCaps" saga, along with former Saints players Deuce McAllister and Charles Grant and Minnesota Vikings players Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. But their suspensions have been on hold for more than two years while the players have battled the merits of their punishments in the courtroom.

All five players lost their cases and appeals through the federal court system in 2009, but the Vikings players have continued to fight the NFL's ruling in Minnesota state courts.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled against the Williamses, affirming the state's lower-court ruling that the NFL didn't violate state law by trying to discipline them. The players could still appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court, but it's unclear if they plan to do so.

The NFL hasn't yet announced whether it plans to proceed with the suspensions, but the league has time to make a decision with no games scheduled until September, at the earliest.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who is not signed for 2011, told his players he wants to return.

Nelson said he’s on crutches and waiting to get treatment on his knee in the training room right now. He said he’s trying to get the swelling down.

New Titans head coach Mike Munchak informed Mike Heimerdinger on Tuesday he will not be retained as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Heimerdinger just finished this third season as offensive coordinator with the Titans, his second stint with the team. In 2010, the Titans offense ranked 27th in the NFL.

“He decided to let me go," Heimerdinger said. “I am disappointed but Mike is going to do what’s best for the Titans and I appreciate my time here. Hopefully I can move on and get a job down the road sometime.’’

New Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden still hasn't talked to Carson Palmer. He's leaving that awkward coach-to-quarterback talk for another time.

Gruden was in town Monday to start teaching his philosophy to the rest of the coaching staff. He's implementing a far different offense -- totally new terminology -- on a team unsure about its franchise player.

Titans new HC Mike Munchak sounded like a man open to change on both sides of the ball, even willing to move away from the Titans' long-standing emphasis on the running game. Of course, the caliber of the Titans' starting quarterback next season will go a long way in determining just how much the Titans could open things up.

"It all starts with the quarterback," Munchak said. "If we get a veteran guy, if we sign someone who's one of these so-called top guys out there that everyone feels is a great fit, then everyone feels we can do a lot more things."

Just who's in charge of the offense remains to be seen.

Mike Heimerdinger, like Munchak a finalist for the head coaching position, has served as offensive coordinator the past three seasons — and eight years overall. Heimerdinger said Monday that he would be happy to serve under Munchak, but Munchak did not indicate that Heimerdinger's continued role was a given.

"Right now, to me anything is open," Munchak said. "To me, we're starting fresh. It's not the same old, same old. I think we come in, figure out what's best for the Titans going forward with what we have and just go from there. … Anything is possible."

Heimerdinger and all of the other assistants on staff are still under contract, many signed to extensions by Fisher late in the season. But the organization will still allow Munchak broad discretion to craft the staff he wants — keeping or cutting whomever he sees fit.

"He's got to work with them, live with them," Titans Executive Vice President Steve Underwood said. "These are guys he's going to be married to for however long. You can't hire someone and give him a job to do and say, 'By the way, you have to keep these people, get rid of these guys and bring these guys in.' "

The Titans have hired Mike Munchak as the team's second head coach since moving to Tennessee, deciding to promote from within to replace Jeff Fisher.

Owner Bud Adams Monday called the move a special day for the franchise; Munchak becomes the first former player to coach the team. He becomes the 16th head coach in Titans/Oilers franchise history.

"Mike has been successful at everything he has been associated with at our franchise and I have no reason to believe that he won't be successful as our head coach," Adams said in a statement. "He earned Hall of Fame distinction as a player and yearly he has been one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. He understands where we have been and knows where we need to go."

Munchak, a favorite of Adams, was the first man interviewed to replace Fisher and had been considered the top candidate.

This will be the first head coaching job for Munchak, who turns 51 in March, with the only franchise the offensive line coach and Hall of Fame lineman has ever played or worked for since being selected eighth overall by the then-Houston Oilers in 1982.

The imaginary world heavyweight championship belt that Aaron Rodgers strapped himself with so many times now actually exists. As Rodgers raised the Lombardi Trophy, linebacker Clay Matthews joined him on the podium and presented him with a championship belt.

It's actually not the first time that belt's made the sports scene in recent history. It's the same one that Rasheed Wallace wore after the Detroit Pistons won the NBA Finals in 2004.

Obviously, the belt's got a long history in professional wrestling, too. It's most closely associated with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who sported it as the champion of the NWA, WCW, and in the WWF. The belt is actually called "The Big Gold Belt" and was designed in 1985 by a silversmith named Charles Crumrine.

Across the top, it reads "WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLING CHAMPION," and at the bottom, there's a removable nameplate, meant to display the name of the current title holder. Rasheed Wallace's belt read "Roscoe" in 2004.

Look for the Bears to bring in a veteran wide receiver, possibly one that will jump over Devin Hester or Johnny Knox and into the starting lineup. The Bears will be one of the teams looking at Plaxico Burress when his prison stint finishes, and others like Roy Williams from Dallas or the Jets’ Braylon Edwards will be under consideration.

One source told CSNChicago.com that Chester Taylor would be cut after his one disappointing year at huge money, and at 32, Taylor’s arrow is definitely not pointing up. But the team has paid him already and is not under money pressure at the position because Forte and Taylor combined are far below elite money.

Packers Inactives
Evan Dietrich-Smith OG
Josh Gordy DB
Graham Harrell QB
Quinn Johnson FB
Nick McDonald G
Dimitri Nance RB
Brandon Underwood CB
Erik Walden OLB

Steelers Inactives
Charlie Batch QB
Dorian Brooks OG
Crezdon Butler DB
Jonathan Dwyer RB
Steve McLendon DT
Chris Scott T
Aaron Smith DE
Jason Worilds LB

It’s looking like rookie outside linebacker Frank Zombo will return to the starting lineup in place of an injured Erik Walden for the Packers. The Packers may not have an answer for Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller unless Woodson eyes him all over the field. Miller may be the game’s best all-around tight end; he’s a great blocker.

The Steelers are a rugged bunch on defense with six starters over 30. They will be looking to put a lick on Aaron Rodgers early in this game. They have the best linebacking corps in football, and inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons is as good rushing the quarterback as LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison. I wouldn’t put it past any Steeler to take a borderline shot in order to knock Rodgers from the game with so much at stake.

“This is probably the only Super Bowl ever that the players from either team could jump in the defensive huddle and understand the terminology and probably run the defense,” Pittsburgh’s LeBeau said.

To combat the Pittsburgh pressure, look for the Packers to slide their offensive line protection in order to protect Rodgers’ blindside. Pittsburgh’s defenders are sure tacklers, and I don’t suspect Rodgers will be able to escape as many rushers as he has in previous games. With Troy Polamalu playing a center field role in the defense, Rodgers will throw either quickly to the outside or deep to the outside to his quartet of receivers led by Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, who is expected to start despite sitting out three days of practice here to rest a quad injury. The Packers believe they can beat Pittsburgh cornerbacks Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden.

Center Doug Legursky is starting his first NFL game with talented Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) sidelined.

Look immediately for Packers outsided linebacker Clay Matthews, their leading sacker, to see whether he can shoot a gap against the nervous Legursky. How this undrafted center plays against nose tackle B.J. Raji and the rest of Green Bay’s defense could decide how well Roethlisberger fares.

New York Jets plans to use its lone franchise tag not on receivers Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards, but on linebacker David Harris, according to a league source.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie and special teams ace Brad Smith also will be free agents.

Contract of Redskins WR Santana Moss voids five days after the Super Bowl, making him an unrestricted free agent whenever there's a new CBA.

Donald Driver took part in the Packers Saturday walkthrough practice. He is expected to play.

Packers LB Erik Walden didn't participate in the Saturday walk-through. He is a game-time decision.

University of Texas product Casey Hampton does not plan to take a back seat in this Texas Super Bowl and, by all measures, that would be a rather large back seat.

The 340-poundish Hampton knows the Steelers defense will deploy plenty of nickel and dime schemes against the pass-happy Green Bay Packers. And, in such defenses, Hampton usually is nowhere to be found.

He promised that will change Sunday.

"I'm playing in every package -- nickel, dime, everything," Hampton declared. "I'm not coming out. I'm starting everything, so I'm out there."

Donald Driver is officially listed as probable for the Super Bowl.

The guessing game is over for two key Pittsburgh Steelers. Center Maurkice Pouncey and defensive end Aaron Smith have been declared out for Super Bowl XLV.

Smith, sidelined since Oct. 24 because of a torn triceps, never came close to playing again in the final days before the Super Bowl matchup with the Green Bay Packers. But the Steelers held out faint hope that Pouncey, the rookie keystone to their offensive line, might be ready after concentrated rehabiliation on his sprained left ankle.

Pouncey didn't appear at practice for the third consecutive day, rehabbing inside the Texas Christian University trainers' room, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said as his team left the session: "He's out."

Asked after the Steelers' two-hour practice inside TCU's Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility how Pouncey's absence will affect the Steelers' offensive game plan, Tomlin said: "It won't. Obviously he's a quality player, and how it affects the game, no one knows. But as far as what we do, we have a plan, and that won't change."

Green Bay Packers OLB Erik Walden (ankle-questionable) was limited in practice for the third straight day on Friday. If he’s unable to play, rookie OLB Frank Zombo (knee-probable) would start for the ninth time this season.

“We’ll take Erik up the game and see what happens,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said after Friday’s practice. “I have a good feel for what he can and cannot do. Sunday I’m going to trust him and the medical staff to make that call.”

McCarthy on Driver's quad: "I would be shocked if Donald Driver didn't play Sunday. ... I don't want to take any chances," so no practice.

During an interview Wednesday on The Dan Patrick Show, a nationally syndicated television and radio show, Browns QB Colt McCoy didn't directly answer whether or not he had been told he is the starter. But as the questions kept coming, McCoy asserted himself as the No. 1 quarterback on the Browns' depth chart.

Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has been charged with simple assault for a road rage incident with another motorist on the Fairfax County Parkway in Reston, Fairfax police said.

Haynesworth, 29, has not been arrested but is planning to turn himself in next week, Officer Shelley Broderick said.

The episode occurred Wednesday morning, and involved a 38-year-old man driving a 1994 Honda Civic and another driver, allegedly Haynesworth, both driving south on the Fairfax County Parkway, Broderick said. The driver of the Civic reportedly felt that a pickup truck following behind him was tailgating, and issued a "non-verbal hand gesture" to the pickup driver, Broderick said.

About 9:16 a.m., at the intersection with New Dominion Parkway, near the entrance to Reston Hospital Center, the two vehicles came to a stoplight. Broderick said the driver of the pickup truck emerged from his vehicle, had a brief exchange of words, and then struck the Civic driver.

She declined to be more specific about the circumstances of the assault.

Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen had foot surgery last week, had follow-up with Dr. Robert Anderson yesterday. Am told it was a minor procedure.

Detroit Lions DT NDAMUKONG SUH is the 2010 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, Pepsi and the National Football League announced today.

Suh led the Lions, NFL rookies and all defensive tackles with 10.0 sacks and recorded 66 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown. Suh became the second rookie defensive tackle in NFL history to record 10.0 sacks. He also was the only rookie in the NFL to record a sack, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown this season. He was selected to the 2011 NFC Pro Bowl team as a starter. Suh, who attended the University of Nebraska, was nominated for four Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning once.

Coach Mike McCarthy cut out one step of the Packers' practice tour, having players dress at the team hotel rather than bussing to Southern Methodist to use the locker room there. Practice was again held at an indoor facility at Highland Park high school. Receiver Donald Driver (quadriceps) was held out of team drills, but McCarthy said: "He’s fine. He wants to practice and all that, but I’m not taking any chances with him. I'll probably hold him out tomorrow, as well."

In his conference call with the Cincinnati media Thursday, Jay Gruden called the new scheme quarterback-friendly and believes it will energize quarterback Carson Palmer, currently a question mark with a trade request. The Bengals hope the West Coast brings the quarterback back from the West Coast.

"I think he'll welcome the challenge and be open to the change because it will be a major change for him," Gruden said. "He's been in the same system for a long time. The terminology is going to be different. We'll try to take the success the Cincinnati Bengals have had over the years and keep those in place, but for the most part everything is going to be new to him. It will be a challenge but I think he'll enjoy it once he sits down and checks it out.

No word yet from the Palmer camp, but running back Cedric Benson, not pleased with Palmer's franchise-high 586 passes last season, had to like Gruden's opening act.

"We have to run the ball between the tackles," Gruden said. "We have to be a physical team up front. We're going to challenge our offensive line to be physical. We're not going to spread out and go no-huddle every down and throw the ball 65 times a game. I intend on pounding the ball and being able to pound the ball."

Pittsburgh Steelers starting C Maurkice Pouncey (high ankle) won’t practice Thursday, but he fells that he's making progress.

“It’s feeling good. I actually did more stuff today on the bike. I am not practicing today,” he said during Thursday’s media session.

As for practicing on Friday?

“There is a good chance. Rehab has been going good for me. If I am out there, I will play and if I’m not, I won’t play,” the rookie offensive lineman said. “It’s still a 75 percent chance. I am not doing any running yet. We aren’t going to push it that far yet. The biggest issue is the swelling. It’s not all out yet and I’m trying to get all the rotation back into my ankle. It’s been going good.”

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw will have surgery a week from Saturday to clean out debris from his left ankle, copying a similar procedure he underwent last year on his right ankle.

“A bunch of junk … they just clean it out, scope it,’’ he said.

Bradshaw on Thursday while making the rounds inside the Super Bowl Media Center also revealed he played the last six games of this season with a broken left wrist. The Giants and Bradshaw said during the season that the wrist was sore. He will not need surgery for the wrist to heal and said “I can’t blame it on that’’ when asked if the problem with his wrist contributed to his fumbling issues.

The New York Jets face several tough personnel decisions this offseason, and one of them is cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who will be a free agent. Darrelle Revis, for one, believes Cromartie is a must-sign.

"It will be very important. We need him," the Jets' star cornerback said Thursday at the Super Bowl XLV media center, where he made promotional appearances. "He's made a lot of plays for us. We'll see. I don't know the situation. I know he's free, but I hope we really sign him back because he's a great corner."

Cromartie is one of the Jets' key free agents. The others are wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith and linebacker David Harris.

Chiefs to name veteran O-line coach Bill Muir as offensive coordinator.

Todd Haley is expected to call the plays in Kansas City.

The Atlanta Falcons today announced that head coach Mike Smith has signed a three-year extension of his contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jay Gruden has accepted the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator job, according to league sources Thursday.

The contract is being finalized.

Gruden was on his brother Jon's Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff from 2002-08 as an offensive assistant.

Jay Gruden coached in the Arena Football League before that, and in the UFL after, most recently as the head coach of the Florida Tuskers.

Barring some sort of court challenge by the players’ union – and it would likely be fruitless -- NFL teams will be able to use the franchise and/or transition tags.

There has been some discrepancy on whether the tags could be used this year and applied to the 2011 season, mostly from the union side.

But NFL senior vice president and general counsel Peter Rucco, who is one of the league’s in-house CBA wonks, said today that the league has told teams they can apply the tags in a 14-day window beginning Feb. 10.

“The CBA hasn’t expired and the CBA has the right to franchise players so we are telling clubs that you have the right to franchise players and then depending on what the new agreement says, that will take into account,” Rucco said. “Neither party is proposing to get rid of the franchise tag. But as far as we’re concerned, clubs have the right to tag players, the agreement continues with the same terms and conditions that it has been; it isn’t expiring until March 4 and the window to franchise players is 14 days. From our standpoint, you have every right to franchise players.”

Two weeks after the Jets’ Super Bowl-or-bust season came to a premature end, LaDainian Tomlinson admitted that he’s willing to take on a reduced role in 2011 to help his team reach the promised land. However, the future Hall of Famer also said last night that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of retirement if he remains in limbo for an extended period of time.

Tomlinson has one year remaining on his two-year contract, but the Jets haven’t definitively told him whether he’ll be back or not.

“Part of it really does suck,” Tomlinson told me in a quiet moment during his “Project 21” fundraiser for his charitable foundation last night (more on that below). “It really does for me. To be in limbo… sometimes, I just want to say, ‘You know what? I’m just going to retire.’”

“It’s kind of a messed up feeling to be in,” he added about being in limbo. “Because I feel like we had a great season. Things went well. But here there’s questions about whether I’m going to come back (with the one) year that I have left (on my contract). So who knows.”

"Right now, until we have the opportunity to address it, (Chad Henne) is our quarterback," Ireland told 790AM. "I'm not giving up on da kid"

Matt Forte has quietly become one of the NFL's most productive running backs, according to the numbers. The sides already have held preliminary talks on an extension, according to a league source, despite there being a year remaining on Forte's original rookie contract.

Here's Packers coach Mike McCarthy on University at Buffalo running back James Starks: "He had a hamstring injury throughout the spring. We thought that we had it under control going into training camp, but that was not the case. He missed all of training camp so he was placed on PUP and just missed a lot of padded work, all the fundamental work, foundation work that you need as a young player. The development has been consistent since his opportunity to come onto the 53. I think it is clearly evident to everybody to see the player that he can be. What is exciting about him is that his best football is in front of him. He has all of the tools, the work ethic, the intelligene and the instincts to be an every-down player. Everything is in front of him. Running the football will definitely be a factor in this game and James will be a part of it."

In a stunning move, the Eagles have named their offensive line coach Juan Castillo to be the team's next defensive coordinator, a league source told The Inquirer.

Howard Mudd, considered one of the best offensive line coaches, will replace Castillo as the Eagles' offensive line coach.

The team later made the moves official.

Castillo has been the Eagles offensive line coach for more than 15 years. He was, however, once a linebackers in the USFL. The Eagles are known for promoting within, but the move is a shocker and will be questioned by many.

As Ndamukong Suh bounced around radio row at the Super Bowl the last two days shilling products for Gatorade and Subway, he did so without the slightest hint he’s less than a month removed from surgery on his right shoulder.

No brace, no sling, no restrictions.

“It’s done,” Suh said during a brief break between appearances. “I don’t have to wear it anymore.”

Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb joined the show to talk about his future and whether he'll be traded. "I just want to start somewhere and I feel like I'm ready," Kolb said.

Kolb said that it's not his personality to push things, but he is trying to make it clear that he wants to start.

Kolb said that he doesn't expect to compete with Vick for the job. "Mike had a great year and did some very special things," Kolb said.

Kolb said he had a sit-down with Andy Reid and let him know where he stands. "I trust Andy. He's always done what's best for me," Kolb said.

He said that Reid told him that he's ready ... but he has to just sit back and analyze the entire situation.

Raiders HC Hue Jackson on if Jason Campbell is the Raiders #1 QB:

No question. I mean, there’s no question he is. The guy won some very important games. The guy played hurt. The guy got to know his teammates, rallied his team, and finished very strong. He helped us win, obviously, every game in our division, there’s no question he is definitely the unquestioned starter on this football team at this point. But I think he knows without any shadow of a doubt, there’s work to do, and we have to do a great job of surrounding him, putting better players around him so he can go out and be the quarterback that we all know he can be.

Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton said he was confident that left cornerback Bryant McFadden would be 100% by Sunday. McFadden suffered an abdominal injury in Week 16 and wasn't able to finish either playoff game.

"He's fine," said Horton. "He's had three weeks to get over it."

Bruce Arians, the Steelers' offensive coordinator, indicated Tuesday there was no question in his mind that Doug Legursky would be starting at center in place of rookie Maurkice Pouncey.

"Now we'd much rather have Maurkice in there because he's a freak," Arians said. "But Doug's solid. Love the kid. Tough football player."

Pouncey told wave after wave of reporters Tuesday that he expects to play despite the high ankle sprain and reported broken bone that he suffered in the AFC Championship Game. But the Steelers have a game to play and aren't counting on a miracle.

Packers Outside linebacker Erik Walden will attempt to practice Wednesday on what he calls a high ankle sprain as the Green Bay Packers step up preparation for the 45th Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Walden damaged his left ankle 10 days ago in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game.

Packers LB Frank Zombo returned to practice last week & said Tuesday that he was 100% fit and presumably would start ahead of Rob Francois if Walden can't play.

Reports of receiver Hines Ward's retirement have continued even though Ward has said he does not plan to retire, that he wants to play another season. He tried to put them to rest again when asked about it.

"Whenever that time comes, trust me, I'll let you guys know," said Ward, who arrived in Texas wearing a cowboy hat and belt buckle. "I don't foresee this being my last game."

Wide receiver Mardy Gilyard has undergone surgery to repair a nagging wrist injury that bothered him even before he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams.

"He had it when he came here," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "I think he had it in Cincinnati." Gilyard was a fourth-round draft pick last April out of the University of Cincinnati, and from the earliest days of spring minicamp and practices the wrist appeared to bother him.

The surgery took place in mid January, with pins inserted in the wrist, and the wrist placed in a cast. Team medical officials hope Gilyard will be available for minicamps this spring, but want to make sure he takes the proper time to make sure the wrist fully heals.