January 2012 4for4 Player News Articles

Per a league source, Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is expected to play. Though it’s unclear whether his range of motion will be limited, the source was optimistic that Nicks will be “fine.”

49ers RB Frank Gore did not suffer a serious injury like he did in 2010 when he broke his hip. But his heavy workload at the beginning of the season left him with an array of nagging, smaller injuries by midseason that, according to a source with knowledge of Gore's condition, kept him from shouldering the same load he did at the beginning of the season.

Gore will be 29 years old heading into next season with youngsters Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon nipping at his heels for playing time.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen say Carson Palmer "absolutely" will be the Week One starter.

For all the discussion over Peyton Manning’s future with the Indianapolis Colts, the underlying issue is that people close to him don’t believe he’ll resume his career.

Patriots HC Bill Belichick said RT Sebastian Vollmer was close to playing in the AFC Championship against the Ravens, which would make one think he has a good chance of suiting up Sunday against the Giants. That would be a huge boost for the Patriots. Consider what Belichick said last Thursday: "If Sebastian is ready, he can help our football team. He’s a good football player. There’s no question he would absolutely be on the game day roster if he’s ready."

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski says he shed his walking boot Monday.

Gronkowski is going to play at less than 100%.

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has agreed to take the same position with the Oakland Raiders, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Knapp helped the Texans finish 10th in scoring and 13th in total offense in 2011 despite injuries to wide receiver Andre Johnson and quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart.

Knapp served as the Raiders' offensive coordinator for two seasons (2007-08) under former head coach Lane Kiffin. He also worked with new Raiders coach Dennis Allen from 2004 to 2005 as the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Eagles are set to hire former Miami interim head coach Todd Bowles to be their defensive backs coach in charge of cornerbacks, and Juan Castillo will remain defensive coordinator, an NFL source told The Inquirer on Monday.

SI's Peter King said that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is struggling to get healthy. With barely more than a month to go before the March 8 trigger for payment of $28 million, that makes it even less likely that the Colts will pony up the cash.

Also, Peter said that Colts owner Jim Irsay strongly denied an NFL Network report that a decision was made “weeks ago.”

Still, if a decision hasn’t been made a decision is coming soon. Don’t expect it to be made, or at least announced, before the Super Bowl.

Cornerback Charles Woodson didn't hesitate when asked what the Green Bay Packers need to improve on.

"Personnel," said Woodson, one of five Packers players in tonight's Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

"I think the last game, our entire organization saw the same thing out on the field," Woodson said earlier this week. "There were some things we just weren't able to do, so hopefully we'll bring some guys in to accomplish the same goal we achieved last year."

Not only do the Colts plan to add Bruce Arians, but Indianapolis also plans to hire former Steelers LB coach Keith Butler as its DC.

Former Steelers OC Bruce Arians has agreed to become the Colts new OC. He's flying to Indianapolis on Monday to review and sign contract.

Pay no attention to the recent squabble between Colts owner Jim Irsay and QB Peyton Manning.

“According to sources who were involved in the Colts’ GM search, the organization was planning to move on from Manning weeks ago, well before this public squabble between the quarterback and his owner,” NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora said Friday on “NFL Total Access.”

“So Friday’s joint statement won’t be changing a thing.”

Irsay took to Twitter on Saturday night to respond, saying, “No he hasn’t been released nor was a decision reached weeks ago.”

La Canfora reported the Colts will make a move on Manning “almost certainly” before the start of the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine.

That means Irsay only will be able to avoid the distinction of being the owner who dumped Manning for a few more weeks. It’s difficult to blame Irsay for the circumstances, though, given Manning is owed a $28 million roster bonus and the owner has acknowledged his franchise is rebuilding with a new front office, new coaching staff and the likely choice of Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the top overall draft pick.

Eagles president Joe Banner declined to discuss his team's own 11 unrestricted free agents, including DeSean Jackson. Owner Jeff Lurie said earlier this month that the Eagles would welcome the wide receiver back, "if the right terms develop." But league sources said Jackson's opinion of his worth continues to be night-and-day different from the Eagles'.

While Jackson has said he would be willing to get franchised, the Eagles aren't likely to do that. If he signed the franchise tender, they would have to pay him $9.5 million next year. That's an awful lot of money to give a guy who has just five touchdown catches in his last 22 games.

Steve Johnson's agent, C.J. Laboy, says there has been no progress made in contract talks with the Buffalo Bills

"We did speak to them following Buddy’s press conference, but we have had no contract talks," Laboy told WGR on Friday.

Now, this isn't supposed to ignite critical concerns by the fan base. With free agency about a month-and-a-half away, things usually start to heat up right around the time of the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Laboy said as much when asked if Johnson would just test the market with it being so close.

"Far too early for that," Laboy said. "The Bills have options. They can use the franchise tag on him, they can negotiate an extension, or they can let him walk. It is no secret where Stevie’s heart is, but at the same time he has to do what is best for his family."

The Denver Broncos hired Jack Del Rio as their defensive coordinator.

Gordy Gronkowski says his son, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship game last Sunday. But he says with two weeks to go until the Super Bowl, he expects his son will be fine for the game.

High ankle sprains are usually 3-4 week injuries, so it will be interesting to see just how effective Gronkowski can be against the Giants. Luckily, he relies more on his strength and size than he does his speed, so he should still make an impact in the red zone.

The Baltimore Ravens have promoted linebackers coach Dean Pees to defensive coordinator and retained Cam Cameron as their offensive coordinator.

Pees replaced Chuck Pagano, who left to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Mike Sherman (offensive) and Kevin Coyle (defensive) have agreed to terms to be the Dolphins' new coordinators.

Brad Childress has agreed to terms to be Browns offensive coordinator. Has strong ties to that offense and coach Pat Shurmur.

Childress had mixed success in Minnesota, but he does have experience with the WCO.

I was told Sidney Rice had surgery on BOTH his shoulders after the season, not just the one with the torn labrum.

On Tuesday morning, Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells tweeted he was set to go in for surgery. While most figured that it was likely to have some work done on his right knee that bothered him most of the regular season, he did not elaborate.

However, later in the day, azcardinals.com writer Darren Urban confirmed that Wells in fact had arthroscopic surgery on his knee by Dr. James Andrews in Florida. While no details were given beyond that, other than that there was no timetable set yet for him to resume football activities. Urban, though, was confident that Wells would not miss any offseason practice.

The Cowboys drafted DeMarco Murray in the third round last year, and he wound up as the team’s leading rusher despite missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury and then missing the final three games because of a broken ankle.

Owner Jerry Jones said Murray’s power separates him from Felix Jones.

“He’s just harder to bring down than Felix,” Jones said. “Felix has the quickness, the vision and can get outside. But Murray did bring that dimension of power, and there’s probably not five pounds’ worth of difference between the two. But he finishes. He’s just so powerful into the finish. And there’s no question that he really gave us a lift last year.”

After introducing new head coach Chuck Pagano Thursday, Colts owner Jim Irsay met with reporters and took some subtle but clear shots at Peyton Manning, who said earlier in the week that the Colts complex with so many getting fired wasn't a healthy environment for his rehab from neck surgery.

"Look, I have so much affection and appreciation for Peyton," Irsay said. "We're family, you know, we always will be and we are."

But then the team owner added, "He's a politician," all the while admitting both he and Manning were ultra-competitive types.

That said, Irsay didn't care for the tenor of some of Manning's comments, which also made reference to not wanting to get into a war of words for public support.

"I don't think it's in a good interest to paint the horseshoe in a negative light, I really don't," Irsay said. "He's such a big part of that and everything else, but the horseshoe always comes first.

"I think one thing that he's always known, because he's been around it so long, is you keep it in the family. If you've got a problem, you talk to each other. It's not about campaigning or anything like that."

This situation is deteriorating quickly. Adam Schefter said on SportsCenter earlier in the day that the Colts were expected to release Manning before March 8, when his bonus ($28 million) comes due.

A Dolphins team source e-mailed me this afternoon that the priority is Peyton Manning. This coincides with news out of Mobile, Ala., where the Senior Bowl is going to be played Saturday. A league source there tells The Herald's Barry Jackson that the Dolphins have shown no interest in Flynn as of yet -- not even informal interest.

Now, teams are not allowed to show formal interest in soon-to-be free agents at this time. But at those Senior Bowl practices, where agents and team personnel departments mingle on the sideline, it's common for preliminary signs of future interest to be displayed. In fact, it's almost expected.

The Dolphins have shown no such interest in Matt Flynn.

That combined with the e-mail tells me the Dolphins will wait until there is a clear course of action on Manning -- when they know if he's going to be in Indy or on the market, when they know his health - before they decide what other direction to take.

New OC Mike Tice believes the Bears can make better use of their current wide receivers by getting the ball in their hands quicker, but also sees a possibility for additions, decisions the new general manager and Smith will make.

"If I had a question asked of me, 'What do we need?' I would say we're going to run what I learned from (Joe Gibbs with the Redskins and did with Denny Green with the Vikings) and did myself when I was the (Vikings) head coach.

"If you're going to take advantage of the box count and you're going to get the ball to that guy with single coverage, you need a guy who is going to get open more than 90 percent of the time. We don't have a guy who has stepped up, in my opinion, and shown us that ability. We either have to develop one who is in the building or we have to bring one in via the draft or free agency."

Tampa Bay plans to hire Rutgers coach Greg Schiano as the next Buccaneers head coach. Two sides trying to finalize contract.

While reports suggest A.J. Smith now is “comfortable” exploring a long-term deal for Vincent Jackson, the Chargers wide receiver said he has yet to speak to the general manager himself.

“There hasn’t been any communication as far as contracts go,” Jackson said after Wednesday’s Pro Bowl practice. “If that’s their feeling, that’s great. I would like to stay in San Diego. Obviously, that’s my home, that’s where I was drafted. I’ve got some good guys around me -– Philip Rivers (Antonio) Gates, Ryan Mathews. It would be a great place for me to stay, so we’ll see if that works out.”

Jackson, who earned $11.4 million this past season as the team’s franchise player, said he’d prefer to avoid the tag again.

The Indianapolis Colts have settled on Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as their next head coach.

Pagano, 51, was the Ravens defensive coordinator in 2011 after serving as defensive backs coach the previous three seasons. This will be his first head coaching position at any level. He replaces Jim Caldwell, who was fired Jan. 17.

“It’s difficult to leave the Ravens but I couldn’t pass up on this great opportunity,” Pagano said. “I’m just thrilled and so excited.”

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland says he’s happy with the situation at running back, though he’s looking for more depth (UF’s Chris Rainey was among the players Miami has interviewed this week): “I’m very proud of Reggie Bush. We had a vision to utilize his skill set. He did a nice job of establishing himself as a runner more than he did in New Orleans. He’s a lot tougher than what maybe people thought of him.

“Daniel Thomas is going to be a fine player, a pretty good player,” Ireland said. “I believe in him. He’s tough, strong, really learned to pass protect, really quick. He’s got to stay healthy and keep his feet in the ground when he’s making contact.”

The Oakland Raiders will hire Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach, according to league sources.

The two sides spent much of Tuesday night hammering out an agreement and the contract is agreed to in principle but has not been signed, sources said.

New general manager Reggie McKenzie decided on his new coach exactly two weeks after he was hired. He immediately fired Hue Jackson, who went 8-8 in his only season as coach, and began the search.

Allen, a relative unknown to fans, was a finalist for the Rams' coaching job, according to sources, and would have been under strong consideration had Jeff Fisher not opted for St. Louis.

Free agent QB David Garrard is expected to be 100 percent healthy by end of March.

Colts QB Peyton Manning isn't on the cusp of retirement. In a wide-ranging, exclusive interview with The Star on Monday night, the Colts' future Hall of Fame quarterback addressed a number of pressing topics, including his health, his sadness over the firings of several coaches, his minimal relationship with new general manager Ryan Grigson and the future.

Cardinals RB Beanie Wells is having a surgical procedure on his knee today.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco isn't going to the Super Bowl, but the Ravens quarterback did enough to prove he can take a team there.

"Obviously, he played well enough to win this game. I think his best football is in front of him," Harbaugh said. "He's only getting better. He's our kind of guy. He's a tough guy, a competitive guy. He's a leader, and I just can't wait to see where this thing goes with him. The plays that he made down the stretch, I think it says a lot about him and his future."

Asked whether he would like an extension, Flacco told Baltimore reporters on Monday: "Definitely. We’ll see how it goes. If it goes, it goes. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks injured his shoulder in the first quarter, but returned and finished with five catches for 55 yards. He said he fell on the AC joint in his shoulder, but added that he did not think the injury was serious.

A source told me this morning that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski’s left ankle, which he injured on a 23-yard catch in the third quarter, won’t prevent him from participating in the game in Indianapolis in two weeks. The source with direct knowledge of Gronkowski’s condition said simply, “He’ll be ready to go.”

Gronkowski wore a walking boot following the game, and had tests done immediately afterward. He had five catches for 87 yards against the Ravens, but none after the injury.

There's something about getting hot at the right time. The Giants have played five straight elimination games and won them all, which sounds a lot like the last time they played the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Giants Inactives
WR Ramses Barden
RB Da'Rel Scott
LB Mark Herzlich
OL Jim Cordle
DE Justin Trattou
DT Jimmy Kennedy
OL James Brewer

TE Jake Ballard is active for the Giants, but may be less than 100%.

49ers Inactives
Ted Ginn WR
Daniel Kilgore G
Moran Norris FB
Mike Person G
Shawntae Spencer DB
Scott Tolzien QB
Ian Williams DT

Kyle Williams will start across from Michael Crabtree with Ted Ginn out.

Ravens Inactives
WR Tandon Doss
CB Chykie Brown
RB Anthony Allen
LB Josh Bynes
LB Sergio Kindle
G/C Justin Boren
NT Brandon McKinney

Patriots Inactives
WR Chad Ochocinco
RB Stevan Ridley
RB Shane Vereen
OT Sebastian Vollmer
LB Gary Guyton
OL Donald Thomas
QB Ryan Mallett

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead should see a bit more work today.

The Giants expect TE Jake Ballard to play. But due to the nature of his knee injury, they're going to wait to see him move before making final call.

There were indications Thursday that Bengals WR Jerome Simpson’s cooperation with law enforcement and the fact it’s his first offense could result in probation as opposed to jail time. Simpson’s lawyer told the paper that his client is not accused of selling marijuana and said that the word “trafficking” can still be used in the indictment even if there is no proof of a sale because according to Kentucky law there was more than eight ounces in possession.

A first offense against the NFL’s substance abuse policy is subject to a four-game suspension, although the league doesn’t usually rule until the case has been resolved.

49ers WR Ted Ginn appears doubtful for the NFC Championship Game.

49ers TE Delanie Walker is expected to return to action on Sunday, just four weeks after sustaining a fractured jaw against the Seattle Seahawks on Christmas Eve.

“I’m not concerned,” Giants TE Jake Ballard said. “They told me they didn't want me to go into details. I did a little something; the knee was a little sore today. But I should be ready to go for the game.”

A source familiar with the situation said Ballard had an injection of medication in his knee to reduce swelling. He suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament earlier this season, and missed the Giants' final two games before returning for the playoff opener against Atlanta.

The Giants' postseason touchdown machine, WR Hakeem Nicks, rolled an ankle in practice Friday, but said he's “not at all” worried about missing — or being limited in — the game against the 49ers with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco boarded a plane bound for the Miami area last night past 6 p.m., according to a source, and he planned to attend his father’s funeral today.

With the Patriots playing in the AFC Championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m., Ochocinco plans to get back in time for the game. With weather concerns around the country — it’s snowing in Boston — it’s not a sure thing.

Less than a week after Steelers OC Bruce Arians told people he intended to return for the 2012 season, the Steelers said Friday that he has decided to retire -- a bizarre turn of events that began with the team's decision to not renew his contract, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

That decision appears to have come from team president Art Rooney II, even though coach Mike Tomlin told Arians several times since the playoff loss in Denver that he wanted him to return next season.

The Rams have hired Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator.

Patriots QB Tom Brady (left shoulder) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday. He's dealing with a sprained non-throwing shoulder, but it shouldn't be much of an issue this weekend.

Giants QB Eli Manning (illness, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 20. It looks like Eli is over his stomach flu.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot, probable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is probable for Week 20. The probable tag means that Bradshaw is virtually certain to play. The Giants are just allowing him to rest his troublesome foot during the week.

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle, probable) was limited Friday after taking full reps earlier in the week and is probable for Week 20. The downgrade would normally be worrisome, but that fact that Nicks is probable means that he's fine to play against the 49ers this week.

Patriots WR Wes Welker (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20. There is little chance that Welker will miss Sunday's game. This is a case of the Patriots playing games with the injury report.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20. Branch was questionable last week and played against the Broncos, catching three passes for 85 yards and a TD.

49ers WR Ted Ginn (knee, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 20. Ginn is looking very iffy for Sunday's game.

Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee, questionable) missed practice Friday and is questionable for Week 20. Ballard told reporters that he "should be ready to go" for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (concussion, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20. The fact that Hernandez practiced all week indicates that he's passed his concussion testing and should play on Sunday.

49ers TE Delanie Walker (jaw, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20.

Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin will become the 10th head coach in Miami Dolphins history, sources told The Miami Herald.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross decided Philbin, who has no head coaching experience, will be hired after he impressed the owner during two interviews, including a second one Wednesday in New York.

Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles were the other finalists for the job.

The Dolphins would like to keep Bowles as defensive coordinator, and Philbin was reportedly receptive, according to the NFL Network. But source close to Bowles says he has not been approached by the Dolphins about that.

The Packers’ offensive coordinator since 2007, Philbin didn’t call the plays — coach Mike McCarthy handles that — but he crafted the game plan.

“He does a ton,” Packers receiver Greg Jennings said. “He runs all the walk-throughs, the meetings. He’s comfortable being in front of the team. He’s definitely fully capable of being a head coach.”

Not to be overlooked is Philbin's connection with QB Matt Flynn, who is set to enter free agency this offseason. The Dolphins may want to see if the pair can replicate the kind of success that the Packers have had in recent years.

Packers GM Ted Thompson has several tough personnel decisions to make. Veteran LT Chad Clifton and WR Donald Driver both have a year left on their contracts, but capable -- and perhaps more effective -- youngsters are already waiting in the wings. FS Nick Collins suffered an early season neck injury, and his loss was a major blow to the defense. He plans to tell the team prior to the draft if he'll be able to continue his career. TE Jermichael Finley and C Scott Wells can both be free agents and would seem like top priorities for retention, though backup QB Matt Flynn is likely headed for a lucrative career as a starter in another city.

The running game ranked 27th (97.4 ypg) and rarely provided explosive plays. RB Ryan Grant is another of the team's free agents, however Alex Green could get a longer look in 2012 after a torn ACL scuttled his rookie year. The free agent market at the position could be bountiful, but Thompson rarely wades into those waters. Still, the record-setting Saints offense provides a prime example of what a more-balanced approach might do for QB Aaron Rodgers and Co.

Redskins coaches head into the offseason feeling upbeat about the team’s running backs: Roy Helu, Evan Royster and Tim Hightower.

“You can see we have some depth,” head coach Mike Shanahan said. “I think Roy has done a fantastic job as well as Royster coming in and taking advantage of an opportunity. I though Tim did a great job before he got hurt. So we have some depth at that position.”

Added offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan: “You feel like you have two guys who can help you in the future.”

It's interesting that Mike Shanahan mentioned all three RBs, while Kyle Shanahan only mentioned two, presumably Helu and Royster.

Regarding Colts 2012 $: Peyton Manning option (28M) + salary (7.4M) = 35.4M. Andrew Luck bonus plus salary = approx 15.1M. Total = 50.5M

It's going to be difficult for the Colts to retain Manning and draft Luck #1 overall.

While it's common today for NFL stars to back out of the Pro Bowl for the smallest reasons, first-time players rarely miss.

Bears running back Matt Forte isn't going to pass on an expenses-paid trip to Hawaii. The club announced that Forte passed a physical and has been cleared to participate in the all-star game Jan. 29 in Honolulu.

Jermichael Finley isn’t going anywhere. A very wise person reminded me today that if the Packers are considering a future minus Donald Driver, one of the teams most tried and true offensive weapons, they sure as heck aren’t going to take a gamble by kicking Finley to the curb and hope something better floats their way. There is a lot of untapped potential in Jermichael Finley. He has shown some flashes of brilliance. But, as Mike McCarthy pointed out, he still needs to be developed. He is still very much a work in progress–more focus on holding on to the ball, more commitment to running the proper routes, more filter before opening mouth and saying whatever comes to mind first.

I know this for sure -- on the night home from Philadelphia a little over two weeks ago - Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan and his father, Mike, had a detailed conversation over Matt Flynn's performance against the Lions.

They were very impressed and pleased to see the results, despite not being able to witness the work. I am told that they have had other conversations about Flynn, and it would appear based on a few sources inside the organization that the Redskins are 'very interested' as one source described to me.

Of course, we shall see when 'rubber meets the road' and it comes down to contract time. I think the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and a few other teams could be in the mix.

Our ESPN 980 Front Office NFL Insider, J.I. Halsell expects a very modest contract for a potential NFL starter, because simply -- teams do not know how good Flynn will be as a starter, with limited experience.

We're not so sure that Flynn's contract will be all that "modest" given the deal that Kevin Kolb received from the Cardinals. Flynn will likely be a top (if not THE top) QB on the free agent market. Those teams that strike out in the draft will be clamoring for his services.

The Green Bay Packers are interested in signing Jermichael Finley to a long-term deal and would rather not use the franchise tag on the tight end, Finley’s agent said Thursday.

“We’ve been speaking and they’ve made it clear they would like him to be back there and Jermichael’s made it clear he would like to be back there,” Blake Baratz said. “Now that the season’s over there’s a little more time to time to focus on the particulars.”

The two sides had several discussions throughout the season, though there is no immediate time frame from either side on getting a deal done. The primary issue seems to be finding a number acceptable for a young player (Finley will be 25 on March 26) who has yet to reach his potential and has an impact on the offense that isn’t measurable by stats. Finley (6-5, 247) along with Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski and the Saints’ Jimmy Graham are this new breed of tight end that are nightmare matchups and play more like giant receivers than traditional tight ends.

Finley put up career highs with 55 receptions, 767 yards, 8 touchdowns, 14 catches of 20-plus yards. He also had 11 drops, according to STATS.

Finley is not in the same category as Gronkowski or Graham, but the potential is there. The question is whether the Packers can come to terms with his camp on a fair salary. He doesn't deserve an elite TE contract given the number of drops he had this year. Finley averaged 8.3 fantasy points per game this season, which was 5th behind Gronkowski (15.1), Graham (12.2), Antonio Gates (10.0) and Aaron Hernandez (9.7).

Bruce Arians has put a bow on his 37-year coaching career.

The Steelers announced Friday that their offensive coordinator is retiring.

Fantasy owners should keep an eye on this job search as the hire will impact the entire Pittsburgh offense.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady missed all of Wednesday's practice, setting off some alarms in New England, but it was all a part of a schedule he currently is on in order to make sure his injured left shoulder continues to heal properly.

Brady sprained the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) in his left shoulder against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 24, according to sources with knowledge of the injury, but he hasn't missed any game time as a result of the injury. He was held out of practice that week and during the bye week, but one source said his condition gradually has improved.

49ers LB Patrick Willis, C Jonathan Goodwin and WR Ted Ginn did not participate during the portion of 49ers practice Thursday that was open to the local media. Ginn's status for Sunday's game appears to be in doubt.

Jets owner Woody Johnson says WR Santonio Holmes will definitely be on Jets in 2012. "He may be one of the best players we've ever had."

Four months after marijuana was delivered to Jerome Simpson’s home, the Bengals wide receiver was indicted on a drug charge Thursday in Kenton County.

Simpson was indicted on one count of trafficking marijuana in excess of eight ounces. Prosecutors have requested Simpson be served a summons to appear in Kenton Circuit Court. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 30. The charge is punishable by one to five years in prison.

This certainly puts a damper on Simpson's long-term (and short-term) fantasy prospects. We'll have to let the legal process run its course to know the real implications. Simpson's 2012 season is certainly in doubt.

For the second day in a row, Ahmad Bradshaw is the only Giants player not practicing. Bradshaw, who has not practiced more than once a week since his return from a foot injury, is expected to participate Friday.

Eli Manning "is in the building and will return to practice today," the Giants' official Twitter account proclaimed minutes ago.

Manning was unable to finish practice on Wednesday because of a stomach bug. Tom Coughlin was hoping it was the 24-hour variety and that appears to be the case. So far, there are no indications Manning's bug has spread, though that bears watching.

The Titans have no intention of cutting Johnson after his sub-par season.

It's official. Terrell Owens signed a deal to play for and co-own the Allen Texas Wranglers indoor football team.

It's safe to say Terrell Owens is now 100% fantasy irrelevant.

49ers WR Tedd Ginn (knee) and center Jonathan Goodwin (leg) were not practicing. Ginn was injured in the third quarter of last week’s win against the Saints and did not return. Goodwin exited the game briefly in the second quarter before returning.

49ers TE Delanie Walker returned to practice today for the first time since breaking his jaw in two places in a win at Seattle on Dec. 24.

Jim Harbaugh says Delanie Walker will return to practice today and they'll make determination later on game, depending on doctors thoughts.

As the Giants began their week of preparation for the NFC Championship Game, quarterback Eli Manning left today's practice early with what coach Tom Coughlin called "a stomach bug."

"Hopefully it is just a 24-hour deal," Coughlin said, "and he’ll feel better tomorrow."

Manning was in meetings all morning, and he participated in the jog-thru period of practice and took a few reps, but was sent inside when he felt ill. Back-up David Carr took over and said he took about 75 percent of today's reps.

The health of tight end Aaron Hernandez is of primary importance to the Patriots this week. Hernandez left Saturday's win over the Broncos with a head injury in the fourth quarter -- he appeared to be given a concussion test on the sideline -- and didn't return.

After the game, Hernandez said he was OK, and that remains the case today.

"I feel great," Hernandez told reporters. "Ready to play."

Rams HC Jeff Fisher listed the tenets of his offensive philosophy: "It's a team that's going to run the football and protect the quarterback."

The lack of protection helped make 2011 a year to forget for Bradford, who was sacked 36 times and missed six games because of a high ankle sprain that has yet to heal completely. Bradford said the topic came up in that first meeting and again Tuesday morning, before Fisher was introduced officially.

"He said whoever he brings in here as offensive coordinator, that will be a top priority," Bradford said. "Anytime you can hear that and be reassured of that, it makes my job a lot easier."

In the early part of practice, Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw appears to be only Giant not practicing.

Standard operating procedure for Ahmad Bradshaw. Expect him to return in some capacity later in the week and be fine for game day.

49ers RB Frank Gore appeared to re-injure his right leg on the 49ers' final drive, but Gore said Monday: "I feel good. I'll do whatever it takes to get to the Super Bowl."

49ers TE Delanie Walker posted on his Twitter account that he plans to suit up Sunday for the first time since suffering a broken jaw Dec. 24. Harbaugh said that decision hasn't been made and will be up to team doctors.

49ers WR Ted Ginn entered the 49ers training facility with virtually the same limp he's had for nearly a month. But Ginn did not have his tender right ankle in an orthopedic boot or a brace on the right knee that forced him out of Saturday's game.

The Atlanta Falcons today announced that Mike Nolan has been hired as the team’s defensive coordinator. Nolan is one of the most experienced defensive coordinators in the NFL, having served in that capacity for over 14 seasons.

“Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this league,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith. “He brings more than 25 years of NFL experience to our team and has been a coordinator at this level for 14 years. Mike has a history of developing physically intimidating defensive units, and we are fortunate to have him join our staff.”

Nolan spent the last two seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator.

The Chargers promoted Hal Hunter to offensive coordinator/offensive line and named former Colorado State Head Coach Steve Fairchild as senior offensive assistant/special assignments Tuesday, the latest of several changes to the coaching staff.

“Hal has been an important part of our offense since I’ve been here,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “He has a complete understanding of what we want to do in the run and the pass.”

Hunter replaces Clarence Shelmon, who is not planning on coaching in the NFL in 2012.

The Indianapolis Colts have released Jim Caldwell of his duties as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

While Drew Brees could become a free agent this winter and shop around for another team, that scenario strikes New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton as a bit far-fetched.

"I don't even know if stunned would be a strong enough word," Payton said Tuesday after players had been dismissed for the season following their divisional playoff loss at San Francisco. "I don't see that happening."

Jeff Fisher was the most coveted name among teams seeking a new coach, and he was widely known to be the top choice of the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. Fisher took his time deciding between the two franchises before agreeing to terms with the Rams late last week and finalizing the contract Monday. When he was formally introduced as the Rams' coach Tuesday, Fisher said his decision was made easy.

"I had two factors," Fisher said. "One was a good owner. The other was a good quarterback."

That quarterback is former No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford, who struggled through injuries in what Fisher described as a "difficult" 2011 season. Bradford completed 53.5 percent of his passes for 2,164 yards in 10 games, with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Fisher said Bradford's rookie season, when he passed for 3,512 yards with 18 TDs and 15 interceptions, is a better indication of his future.

"I think he has a chance to be a top quarterback in the NFL very, very soon," Fisher said of Bradford.

John Elway, meeting the media, says Tim Tebow "has earned the right" to go into training camp as the Broncos starting QB.

Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post also reports that Elway said there's not a lot of things you can change about a QB's release. The Broncos offseason work with Tebow will focus on feet, drops, and timing.

Gregg Williams has agreed to join Jeff Fisher's staff, leaving as the Saints defensive coordinator for the Rams.

Longtime coordinator and former head coach Mike Martz is retiring from coaching.

Giants WR Victor Cruz appeared to suffer a knee injury in the second half but said he merely took a shot to the quad and would be fine.

Bills HC Chan Gailey on RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller: It’s a great situation we have at running back. We have two very good players. Hopefully we’ll end up with a two-headed monster which will be pretty strong.

Receiver Ted Ginn appears to be the 49ers' biggest injury concern. Ginn is questionable for the NFC title game after sustaining a right knee injury on Saturday. Ginn was injured when New Orleans Saints linebacker Martez Wilson shoved him to the ground within the legal 5-yard contact zone on a crossing route in the second quarter.

Ginn landed hard on his kneecap and got up slowly. He was in on the next play, but was clearly hobbled. Kyle Williams replaced Ginn as the No. 2 receiver and on punt returns. Receiver Brett Swain became the No. 3 receiver.

Kyle Williams could have some fringe fantasy value with Ginn out, but Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis are the only 49ers receivers to get excited about next week against the Giants.

49ers TE Delanie Walker, who sustained a fractured jaw on Christmas Eve, hopes to receive medical clearance Monday to return for the 49ers' NFC championship game next Sunday.

Packers Inactives
Rob Francois ILB
Howard Green DE
Graham Harrell QB
Davon House DB
Vic So'oto LB
Herb Taylor OT
D.J. Williams TE

Giants Inactives
Ramses Barden WR
James Brewer T
Jim Cordle C
Mark Herzlich LB
Jimmy Kennedy DT
Da'Rel Scott RB
Justin Trattou DE

Texans Inactives

QB Jeff Garcia
WR Jeff Maehl
CB Brandon Harris
FS Troy Nolan
G Thomas Austin
OT Andrew Gardner
TE Garrett Graham

Ravens Inactives

CB Chris Carr
OLB Sergio Kindle
WR Tandon Doss
CB Chykie Brown
RB Anthony Allen
LB Josh Bynes
OL Justin Boren

Patriots Inactives

Ron Brace DT
Gary Guyton MLB
Nate Jones FS
Ryan Mallett QB
Donald Thomas OG
Shane Vereen RB
Sebastian Vollmer OT

Broncos Inactives

Brian Dawkins S 
Eric Decker WR
Ryan Harris OT
Derrick Harvey DE
Mike Mohamed LB
Lonie Paxton LS
Julius Thomas TE

49ers Inactives
Joe Hastings WR
Daniel Kilgore G
Mike Person G
Shawntae Spencer DB
Scott Tolzien QB
Delanie Walker TE
Ian Williams DT

Saints Inactives
Nate Bussey LB
John Gilmore TE
Tory Humphrey TE
Turk McBride DE
Lance Moore WR
Eric Olsen OG
Leigh Torrence DB

All year, though he’ll never say anything about it, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has fought off a painful toe injury. It has seriously limited him. Yet this week, he is off the injury report. And that 53-yard screen pass he caught against the Bills had him looking as fast as he has all year.

I said that to him. Basically I told him, you look healthy. Is that right or am I crazy?

“You’re about right,” he told me with a nod. “I‘m all right. I feel good.”

That’s about all you get. But for the Law Firm, that’s a lot. He’s healthy again. That’s why, even if Ridley gets carries, the secure, non-fumbling Green-Ellis may be the safer option. He may be primed for a big game.

Texans QB T.J. Yates (left shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot, back, probable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is probable for Week 19.

Packers RB James Starks (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19. Starks is back, but it's doubtful he'll see significantly more touches than Ryan Grant, who has been playing well in his absence.

Texans RB Ben Tate (shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Giants RB Danny Ware (concussion, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 19.

Saints WR Lance Moore (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 19. Robert Meachem (knee, probable) was limited Friday after taking full reps earlier in the week and is probable for Week 19. Meachem figures to see extra targets with Moore sidelined.

Packers WR Greg Jennings (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19. Jennings looks great according to reports so he should have a nice day despite missing the last three games due to injury.

Texans WR Andre Johnson (knee, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 19.

Patriots WR Wes Welker (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 19. Welker is fully expected to play against the Broncos.

Ravens WR Anquan Boldin (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Packers WR Randall Cobb (groin, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Broncos WR Eric Decker (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 19. Eddie Royal gets the start and should have a nice day against the Patriots generous secondary.

49ers WR Ted Ginn (ankle, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 19.

49ers WR Kyle Williams (concussion, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 19.

Texans TE Owen Daniels (hand, knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Texans TE Joel Dreessen (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 19.

Broncos TE Daniel Fells (ankle, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 19.

49ers TE Delanie Walker (jaw, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 19.

WR Lance Moore & TE John Gilmore have been ruled OUT for Saturday.

This is a big boost for Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, who will see a few more looks with Moore sidelined.

It wasn't quite as overwrought as LeBron James' decision on which team to abandon Cleveland for, but Jeff Fisher has finally chosen a coaching destination. He will take his talents to the St. Louis Rams.

Last week, Fisher interviewed with both the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, visiting both teams' facilities. Rumors of where he would land started to leak on Monday, but there was no definitive news until ESPN reported today that he is headed to St. Louis.

This would seemingly be good news for Steven Jackson, given the fact that Chris Johnson thrived during Fisher's tenure.

Aaron Rodgers doesn't trace his distaste for turnovers back to that frigid NFC championship game against the Giants — "That game, I was just trying to stay warm most of the time," he joked — or any other moment he spent behind Brett Favre.

Instead, Rodgers said it goes back to his days at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif..

"I mean, that's No. 1, it really is — really going back to my freshman year of high school, when I actually threw more interceptions than touchdowns," Rodgers said. "Just making a conscious decision to be smart with the football. Since then, I haven't had any of those years."

In their first meeting, the Broncos had what they thought was a solid scheme against the high-scoring Patriots.

Champ Bailey helped keep Rob Gronkowski in check, limiting the talented tight end to just four catches.

In the middle of the field, undrafted rookie cornerback Chris Harris shadowed Wes Welker and held him to just four catches.

Normally, that might be enough to derail the high-scoring Patriots.

Not even close.

All the attention on those two left Aaron Hernandez free to roam around the field. Covered mainly by linebackers, Hernandez had a memorable day at the office.

For Denver, it's back to the drawing board. With a new tactic that will almost certainly include more focus on Hernandez.

"We've got to have a better plan of who our matchups are, where those matchups are and how we're going to defend them," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. "I think we've got a pretty good plan for how we're going to defend those guys."

The Packers are planning on having a sharp, effective Greg Jennings back in their receiving corps this week.

Jennings missed the final three regular-season games because of a sprained MCL but has been back practicing the past two weeks, including taking part as a full participant this week. He appears to be running and cutting without problems, and during his layoff worked on catching skills so he wouldn’t have much if any rust.

“He was doing a lot of (catching) when he was rehabbing, but last week and this week he’s obviously done more as we get closer to the game,” said Edgar Bennett, the Packers’ receivers coach. “He’s shown everything to prove he’s ready to roll.”

Browns GM Tom Heckert said he hasn’t talked to Peyton Hillis’ representatives since midseason but will do so “in the next week or so.” Hillis can hit the free agency market March 13.

“We wouldn’t be adverse to bringing him back,” Heckert said. “Now we have to see what else is available and what our plans are for our other free agents.”

Yeesh - "wouldn't be adverse" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for Hillis, who clearly lost a lot of money this season after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the Browns in the offseason.

It was assumed Sean Payton would resume calling plays for the Saints' high-powered offense when his broken leg mended and he returned to the sideline in mid-November. Payton, after all, is widely regarded as one of the game's foremost offensive wizards, and he had called every play during his first six seasons with the Saints.

But the Saints surged offensively in Payton's absence, and to his credit, he selflessly ceded the duties to OC Pete Carmichael for the good of continuity.

Payton continues to have final say and remains heavily involved during games, offering suggestions on almost every series, as do Kromer and quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi. But it's Carmichael's voice that's in Drew Brees' ear. And it's Carmichael's mind that is cataloguing and creating the on-field rhythm.

"We're on a roll, and obviously he's doing a great job -- not just a good job, he's doing a great job," Brees said. "I think we all feel comfortable with the way the dynamics have been here the last 10 weeks."

By mid-March, the Titans must decide whether to keep or cut Chris Johnson.

If he’s on the team’s roster on the fifth day of the league year, Johnson gets his base salary of $8 million. If the Titans cut ties with him, Bud Adams doesn’t have to write that check.

Coach Mike Munchak is on record as saying he expects Johnson to be on the roster, although he acknowledges the final personnel call lies with GM Mike Reinfeldt and, ultimately, the owner.

“I would assume that he is going to be on our roster, yes,” Munchak said.

And in a moment of candor that is rare for those in his chosen profession, Munchak verbalized what most of us have been saying for the last several months: Johnson is no longer the 4.24-second blur he was at the ’08 combine.

“Is he a step slower? Yeah, I’m sure he is,” Munchak said when asked if Joshson had lost some of his speed. “I don’t know how you would measure that exactly, but I’m sure he has.”

Is Johnson running on empty? I honestly don’t think so. While he has lost a touch of speed, his failure to break long runs appeared to be rooted in a lack of confidence.

In the past, Johnson would find an opening and accelerate through traffic. This season, he seemed unsure that he could get to and through the hole. And let’s not pretend that the blocking was there. Pass protection was excellent. Run blocking? Not so good.

Laurent Robinson, who led the Cowboys in touchdown catches this year after being signed off the street, said he would like to come back and doesn’t care if he’s the No. 1, 2 or 3 receiver.

“I think I fit in good here, you know, getting along good with the guys,” he said Friday in a radio interview on KESN 103.3-FM ESPN. “This is where I want to be. It doesn’t matter if I’m the No. 1, 2 or 3. I feel like I have a good fit here.”

Robinson told KESN’s “The Ben & Skin Show” that the Cowboys want him back, too.

“They just said they were proud of what I did for the team and hopefully they can bring me back,” Robinson said. “I’m just waiting for free agency to start. They can’t negotiate with my agent yet. I’m just waiting around to see what happens.”

Robinson has likely earned a multi-year deal, and he may get a chance to listen to other offers. But he said money won’t be his prime consideration.

“Money doesn’t drive me to play this game,” he said. “I play because I like to have fun. I think I have a good fit here with the Cowboys. Got a good group of receivers. Great QB. Witten. The o-line and defense. I think I fit in good here.”

The Saints leave for San Francisco Thursday night, which means Thursday’s practice was really a Friday practice if this was a normal NFL week.

And that means Lance Moore (hamstring) didn’t practice all week long, according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Unless Houdini makes him appear, the slot receiver looks unlikely to face the 49ers despite some optimism early in the week.

Saints beat writer Jeff Duncan tweeted: "It'll be a game-time decision but my guess is Moore plays."

Schefter on the Jaguars' coaching changes: Jacksonville plans to hire former Falcons QB coach Bob Bratkowski as its offensive coordinator, reuniting him with HC Mike Mularkey.

As much as the New York tabloids would love to run with this for months, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora throws a pretty wet blanket on the Peyton Manning-to-the-Jets story.

“People I talk to in the league just don’t see it happening,” La Canfora told “NFL Total Access” on Thursday. “It just doesn’t add up to where (Manning) wants to be.”

Rather, general managers around the league mention teams such as the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers to La Canfora as possible destinations for Manning.

The popular theory is that Eagles WR DeSean Jackson will be saddled with the franchise tag and then dealt, but the team has a variety of options here. To franchise tag solely for trade purposes would be risky, since another team would have to fork over picks and acquiesce to Jackson's salary demands. That's quite an asking price for a wideout who didn't break 1,000 yards this past season and made headlines Tuesday for posing for pictures with strippers in Miami. The Eagles could simply choose to let him walk, but that's not their style. Best guess is that they use the franchise tag and try to find a suitor. If they don't get their desired deal, they bring him back for one more season.

When Jermichael Finley looks back on the 2011 regular season, he doesn’t like what he sees.

“A guy like me, I’m pretty pissed off about the season I had,” the Green Bay Packers fourth-year tight end said matter-of-factly Wednesday. “I view it as mediocre. An average season – just because of the level of play I know I can play at. I don’t think I played well this year.”

That’s what makes Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field so important to Finley. While he caught 55 passes for 767 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season – more than solid numbers in the Packers’ spread-the-wealth passing game – Finley would like nothing more than to atone for what he considers a subpar season by taking his game to a dominant level in the postseason.

“I’m viewing the playoffs like wiping the slate clean,” said Finley, who caught six passes for a season-high 87 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ first meeting with the Giants, a 38-35 victory at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 4. “The (Denver) Broncos were 8-8, but when you get to the playoffs, you’re 0-0. That’s the thing right now.”

There are more than a few fantasy owners who were disappointed with Finley's 2011 campaign as well. He was #5 in total fantasy points (standard scoring system) and was also #5 in points per game. Unfortunately 21% of his total points came in one game against the Bears, where he caught seven passes for 85 yards and three TDs. Finley is looking for a new contract this offseason so he's plenty motivated for these playoffs.

Mike Wallace becomes a restricted free agent in March, and, while the Steelers partially can protect their rights to him by offering him a one-year tender, there is no guarantee another team might see more value in him and try to sign him.

The Steelers likely will tender him a contract high enough -- those numbers have yet to be determined by the league -- to guarantee that, if someone else signs him, the Steelers would receive a first-round draft choice in return or be able to match the contract and keep him. They also could negotiate a long-term deal with Wallace before he becomes a restricted free agent.

New Jets OC Tony Sparano believes in a power-running game (how long before he's uttering the words "Ground & Pound"?) and he emphasizes pass protection with the tight ends and running backs. In other words, he's not going to leave Wayne Hunter singled up against pass-rusher Jason Babin, as outgoing OC Brian Schottenheimer did last month in Philadelphia.

Sparano's philosophy should help QB Mark Sanchez, who needs the support of a strong running attack, but it remains to be seen whether he tweaks the passing game to suit Sanchez. People in the organization felt Schottenheimer tried to make Sanchez a pocket passer and never adjusted to his strengths -- play-action bootlegs, allowing him to throw on the run.

Look for Sparano to scale back the playbook. Schottenheimer ran a high-volume offense and it overwhelmed Sanchez at times, according to sources. Sanchez also needs a quarterback coach who can help him better understand pass coverages. Too often he doesn't know how to react when his first read is covered.

Once again, we're hearing that the Jets are going to go back to power football, so it would seem to hurt the value of Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes while boosting the upside of Shonn Greene. We wouldn't take this too seriously, however, as the Jets are going to have to throw the ball -- after all, it's a passing league.

Duncan: "The injury to Roman Harper is a new one and its significant. Don't remember seeing him get injured vs. DET. Harper is key to Saints run D."

Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore has learned that Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden signed a three year extension with the Bengals to remain in that position.

Pingalore's NFL sources confirm the deal is worth 3.6 million dollars.

The extension doubles the salary Gruden made in his first year with the Bengals.

"Carson Palmer will not be immune to a good player...pushing him." - Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has hired Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as his new head coach, the team announced.

Mularkey, who went 14-18 as coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2004-05, is Khan's first major hiring as new owner.

The 50-year-old has spent the last four seasons with the Falcons, overseeing the development of quarterback Matt Ryan since the Falcons drafted Ryan third overall in 2008, FOX Sports reported.

Mularkey actually interviewed for the position Tuesday, according to the report, after Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Giants on Sunday in a 24-2 loss in the wild-card round.

His first priorities will be assembling a staff and meeting with quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who just finished his rookie season.

Despite the Falcons' dismal showing against the Giants last weekend and general criticism about his uninventive play-calling, Mularkey has a good reputation around the league and helped to develop Matt Ryan into one of the league's better starting QBs. The Jaguars hope that he can find the same success with Blaine Gabbert.

A season torn by discord and dysfunction prompted several key Jets players and members of the organization to paint a sobering picture of Mark Sanchez, a polarizing figure within the franchise’s walls.

They raised serious doubts about his ability to lead the Jets, questioning everything from his practice habits to the organization’s coddling of him to how much of a role he truly played in the team making two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.

They also invited the opportunity to replace Sanchez with Peyton Manning.

The consensus among players who spoke to the Daily News was that, at the very least, the Jets must sign a legitimate veteran backup to push their young quarterback.

“We have to bring in another quarterback that will make him work at practice,” said one player. “He’s lazy and content because he knows he’s not going to be benched.”

On Dec. 28, Sanchez said that he was “light years ahead” in areas such as defensive recognition, clock management and understanding of the offensive system. Six days later, general manager Mike Tannenbaum said that Sanchez’s “rate of growth isn’t where it needs to be.”

The New York Jets have hired Tony Sparano as their offensive coordinator to replace Brian Schottenheimer.

The 50-year-old Sparano will be charged with improving an offense that finished 25th overall and further developing quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has been heavily criticized for not progressing as expected in his third season.

This will be Sparano's first job as an offensive coordinator, though he did call the plays for the Cowboys in 2006 as the assistant head coach. That year, the Cowboys were #5 in total offense and #4 in points per game, so there is some reason for Jets fans to be optimistic about the hire.

Everyone back, healthy at Packers practice, including RB James Starks.

Starks's appearance at practice is a great sign for his availability for Sunday's game, though Ryan Grant has played well of late and figures to see his fair share of touches.

The Raiders new regime will not include coach Hue Jackson, the coach confirmed to the Bay Area News Group on Tuesday. Jackson was fired less than four hours before new general manager Reggie McKenzie was to be introduced at a press conference at the club facility, with McKenzie informing Jackson he wanted to hire a new head coach.

Jackson's status had been a matter of speculation since McKenzie was hired Friday to be the club's general manager. McKenzie and Jackson were scheduled to meet Tuesday morning after McKenzie returned from a trip out of town with his family.

Dismissing Jackson means the Raiders will be looking for their 10th head coach since the franchise returned to Oakland in 1995, with the others being Mike White, Joe Bugel, Jon Gruden, Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and Jackson.

The Raiders have reportedly already told some defensive staff members, including coordinator Chuck Bresnahan, that they won't be back.

That means McKenzie will be presiding not only over a makeover of the infrastructure of the organization, but of the Raiders offensive and defensive systems of football as well after their second straight 8-8 season.

On Wednesday, the Packers will provide their first injury report since the regular-season finale. It’s expected to be the most positive one yet. Running back James Starks is the only question mark. For nearly two months, he’s been bogged down by ankle injuries. Last week, he was held back at practice.

Lions HC Jim Schwartz on rookie RB Mikel Leshoure: "His recovery's gone very well" ... Said he should be with the team when players return in April.

Bills GM Buddy Nix on RB C.J. Spiller: "Everyone's been surprised, I guess, about C.J. [Spiller] except us. We always knew what we had. The opportunity is what he needed and he got it when Fred got hurt. I'm one of the few who thinks C.J. can run inside and be a workhorse kind of back. I think he can run inside the tackles. He's stronger than you think he is."

Bills GM Buddy Nix on Steve Johnson: "He's not a criminal. He made a mistake. He cost us and he paid the price. We do want him back."

On Johnson's penalties: "We're not happy about that. The things he does at practice. You know, he practices hurt. I think he's a team guy. Yeah we want him back."

Bills GM Buddy Nix on Fred Jackson: "We want to extend Fred. I'd like for Fred to finish his career as a Bill. We're gonna try and get something done.

Following a stellar career in the NFL that spanned 15 seasons, veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason is going to retire. "I'm done," Mason told Scout in a telephone interview "I won't be playing football. I only knew one play to play football, going all-out and having fun out there."

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Mason caught 943 career passes for 12,061 yards and 66 touchdowns. He played for the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and the Houston Texans.

Lions RB Jahvid Best said he's symptom free and will "definitely" be back playing next year.

As the 49ers begin on-field preparations Monday to face the Saints, the only player not expected to play Saturday is tight end Delanie Walker. He is out for the game after sustaining a fractured jaw on the left side of his face in two places Dec. 24.

The New York Giants lost both cornerback Aaron Ross and backup running back D.J. Ware to concussions in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-2 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

While the Rams may be celebrating the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after a horrible season of play-calling, his signing with the Patriots as an offensive assistant creates some interesting controversies. One team labeled his hiring with New England as a loophole in the coaching rules that allows him to go to another team during the playoffs. McDaniels knows the Broncos better than anyone. He put them together in 2009 and 2010 and ended up losing his job as coach in the process. Now he gets to go up against many of the players he selected in the draft and in free agency, including Tebow.

"That's going to be strange," Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas said. "He drafted me and Tim."

Knowing Bill Belichick is big on knowledge, though, the Patriots will have a significant advantage in preparation.

Josh McDaniels and the New England Patriots have agreed to a deal that will make McDaniels the team's offensive coordinator in 2012, according to a league source. The Patriots announced Sunday night that McDaniels has been hired as an offensive assistant coach for the rest of this season. McDaniels will replace Bill O'Brien, the new head coach at Penn State. O'Brien will work as the Patriots' offensive coordinator for the remainder of this season.

The Patriots should be healthier along the offensive line. Guard Logan Mankins had an extra week to recover from a knee injury. They might even have tackle Sebastian Vollmer, who has been fighting back problems for the past couple months. Safety Patrick Chung (foot) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee) will be available for the defense.

Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff finished the regular season with a nagging calf injury, but he healed up enough for the Ravens to release veteran Shayne Graham.

The Ravens will have wide receiver Anquan Boldin back after missing two games because of knee surgery.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels, who was already bothered by a knee injury, reportedly broke a bone in his hand Saturday and is listed as questionable. Because the injury wasn't a compound fracture, Daniels isn't being ruled out for the Ravens game.

At this point, Daniels is expected to play. Joel Dreessen would start at TE if Owen Daniels can't go.

The Chargers will remain in San Diego for at least one more season. The team released a statement Monday to announce they have no intention to exercise an out clause that would allow them to negotiate with other cites or move the team.

The knee injury to Broncos receiver Eric Decker in Denver's 29-23 victory over the Steelers on Sunday was not as severe as it initially appeared, but he will not play against the Patriots on Saturday night at New England.

Decker was helped off the field. He has a sprained medial collateral ligament that will be further examined with a magnetic resonance imaging test today. A tear to the anterior cruciate ligament would have meant a long recovery period.

With Decker out, the Broncos are down to Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and Matt Willis.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially removed the interim tag from head coach Romeo Crennel. Crennel and team agreed to a contract late Sunday night. Crennel's agent, Joe Linta, said it is a three-year deal.

Eagles owner Jeff Lurie said the other day that he would welcome WR DeSean Jackson back next season "if the right terms develop." But I don't see that happening, and I also don't see the Eagles franchising Jackson because if they did that and couldn't trade him, they would have to pay him about $9.5 million next season, which is a lot of money to give a guy who had four touchdown catches and two red-zone receptions.

We think the Eagles would be better off moving on from DeSean Jackson. He isn't worth the money or the headache.

Broncos Inactives
Brian Dawkins SS
Ryan Harris OT
Derrick Harvey DE
Spencer Larsen FB
Mike Mohamed LB
Austin Sylvester RB
Julius Thomas TE

Steelers Inactives
Cortez Allen DB
Dennis Dixon QB
Mortty Ivy OLB
Jamon Meredith OT
Mewelde Moore RB
Maurkice Pouncey C
Al Woods DT

The Broncos plan to use Brady Quinn on at least 3rd downs today if Tim Tebow struggles.

Falcons Inactives
CB Brent Grimes
QB John Parker Wilson
LB Stephen Nicholas
C Brett Romberg
OT Kirk Chambers
DE Cliff Matthews
WR Kerry Meier

Upgrade Giants WRs with Falcons CB Brent Grimes out. This is a big loss for the Falcons secondary.

Giants Inactives
WR Ramses Barden
RB Da'Rel Scott
LB Mark Herzlich
OL Jim Cordle
DE Justin Trattou
DT Jimmy Kennedy
OL James Brewer

Saints Inactives
Jonathan Casillas OLB
John Gilmore TE
Tory Humphrey TE
Turk McBride DE
Lance Moore WR
Eric Olsen OG
Leigh Torrence DB

Lions Inactives
Joique Bell RB
Leonard Davis G
Andre Fluellen DT
Chris Harris FS
Doug Hogue LB
Brandon McDonald DB
Drew Stanton QB

Texans Inactives
Thomas Austin G
Jeff Garcia QB
Andrew Gardner OT
Brandon Harris DB
Jeff Maehl WR
Troy Nolan FS

Bengals Inactives
Armon Binns WR
Anthony Collins OT
Nick Hayden DT
Otis Hudson G
Taylor Mays DB
Dontay Moch LB
Robert Sands DB

Broncos backup quarterback Brady Quinn has received roughly half the snaps with the first-team offense this week.

Multiple sources say that Broncos coach John Fox is prepared to bench Tim Tebow, if he struggles once again.

As one source explained it, Broncos players don’t regard the development as a big deal. It’s no surprise that Tebow hasn’t been the same guy lately, with as many turnovers in the last two games (six) as he had in all of the prior 10 games combined. Indeed, it’s smart coaching by Fox to be ready to do whatever needs to be done to win.

Giants TE Jake Ballard has missed two games after partially tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee against Washington in Week 15. He is listed as probable on the injury report and expects to play at “full speed.” He doesn’t plan to wear a knee brace, but expects to have his knee wrapped and wear extra padding.

The Steelers have just one touchdown in their past seven trips inside the opposing 20 with the injured Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. But the offense struggled to score points even before that. The Steelers have scored one offensive touchdown in three of the past six games -- a number that will need to improve if the Steelers get past the Broncos.

The New England Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant. He will coach in the playoffs and becomes OC in 2012.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton (illness, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18. Dalton had the flu but is reportedly fine now.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18. He'll start against the Broncos, but his ankle isn't 100%.

Texans QB T.J. Yates (left shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18. He's going to start against the Bengals.

Bengals RB Cedric Benson (foot, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18. He's good to go for the Texans this week.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot, probable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18. The Giants have been managing his foot injury and Bradshaw has responded with 210 total yards and five TDs in his last three games.

Texans RB Arian Foster (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18. He's good to go for the Bengals this week.

Lions RB Kevin Smith (ankle, knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18. Smith suffered a collision with Tony Scheffler in practice earlier in the week but both players appear to be fine.

Falcons RB Michael Turner (groin, probable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

Steelers RB Mewelde Moore (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 18. Look for Isaac Redman to see a ton of work against the Broncos with both Moore and Rashard Mendenhall out.

Falcons RB Jason Snelling (knee, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18.

Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18. Johnson won't play a full complement of snaps in the playoffs but the Texans are expecting him to play 45-50 if all goes to plan.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (achilles, probable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18. Megatron is a go for the Saints.

Falcons WR Roddy White (hip, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

Falcons WR Julio Jones (thumb, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

Saints WR Robert Meachem (knee, probable) was limited Friday after taking full reps earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18. Lance Moore (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 18. Meachem should have a big day with Moore out.

Falcons WR Harry Douglas (groin, probable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

Broncos WR Eddie Royal (toe, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18.

Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18. It looks like Eli Manning will have another weapon back for Sunday's tilt with the Falcons.

Texans TE Owen Daniels (knee, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 18. He should be good to go for the Bengals this week.

Texans TE Joel Dreessen (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 18.

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (not injury related, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

If Matt Flynn is in another uniform next season, what kind of compensation can the Packers get for him?

The 2012 draft is a good one for quarterbacks. But if Flynn reaches free agency, someone will pay him huge money to be their starter and the Packers will receive only a 2013 compensatory pick, which can't be higher than a third-round selection.

Green Bay could place the franchise tag on Flynn, a move that would pay him $14 million in 2012. That could be tricky, though, with Aaron Rodgers slated to make $8 million in 2012.

If Green Bay tagged Flynn, they'd only be doing so to eventually trade him. Back in 2008, the Packers placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Corey Williams, then traded him to Cleveland 10 days later for a second-round draft choice.

There's also some precedent for teams tagging one quarterback when they already have a superstar at the position.

In 2009, the New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel even though they had Tom Brady. The Patriots eventually traded Cassel to Kansas City for the 34th-overall pick in the 2009 draft.

With starter Rashard Mendenhall out for the postseason with a torn ACL in his right knee, the Steelers will turn to a player who tries to make up in ferocity what he lacks in finesse.

That’s fine by Isaac Redman, who understands at 27, this may be his best — and perhaps only — shot to show he belongs.

“It’s a national stage, everybody’s watching and I’m just trying to go out there and prove that I’m not just a back of doing just enough to get us there,” he said. “I want to be a back that led us to the Super Bowl.”

Ravens WR Anquan Boldin admitted this afternoon that he has played through a partially torn meniscus for this entire season, and he only opted to get surgery to repair the knee after it worsened during a Tuesday practice on Dec. 20.

"I played with it partially torn all year," Boldin said. "I just felt like I'd just play until it (tore), and that's what it did. It tore enough to where it flipped up and my knee started catching. I couldn't run or anything like that. Felt it necessary to go ahead and get it taken care of."

The nine-year veteran was back running around in practice just eight days after the procedure, and he's looked pretty sharp in the two practices this week.

"I'm feeling good," Boldin said. "Probably the best I've felt all year. I'm full-go right now."

Cowboys' opponents did a better job of taking Jason Witten out of games in the second half of the season. They often used bracket coverage against Witten by covering him with a safety over the top and a linebacker underneath.

Witten had only one touchdown catch over the Cowboys' last eight games. Of his five touchdown catches, the first three were for 1 yard each.

Witten was targeted an average of 8.9 times over the first eight games and only 5.8 times over the last eight games of the season.

Colts owner Jim Irsay, though, sees a tough road ahead.

“Clearly we are in a rebuilding stage, there is no sugar-coating the fact that there are areas of talent that we need,” Irsay said earlier this week.

“So the decisions that are coming up are crucial, and obviously, when you’re looking at general manager, head coach, having the number one pick in the draft and knowing that you’re rebuilding in some areas, that is about as massive as it gets. But we are up for the challenge, and I’m excited about the future.”

Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez are now free agents. Wayne wants to come back but may price himself too high for the Colts to make a deal. Garcon reportedly wants look around before deciding on whether to come back or not. Gonzalez, meanwhile, found himself on the outside looking in during the last couple of seasons under the Polians’ regime.

Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis started strong but then faded, finishing 27th in the league in rushing with 667 yards. The guess is something is hurting him because in the latter stages of the season he didn’t hit the holes with his usual abandon.

The good news is that Green-Ellis’ troubles allowed for the late-season blossoming of Stevan Ridley, the rookie running back who looks like he may be a rare thing of late in New England — a draft choice worth the “value.” Ridley averaged 5.1 yards per carry with nearly half of his 441 yards (210) coming in the final three games.

Perhaps the Browns’ ongoing quest for their franchise quarterback is their most important mission of the offseason. Team president Mike Holmgren said he’s not convinced quarterback Colt McCoy is the long-term answer.

“I’m not ready to anoint Colt yet,” Holmgren said. “Have I changed my mind? No. Do I love him? Yes, I do. But I love Seneca Wallace. We have three good quarterbacks, [including third-string player Thaddeus Lewis], I think on our team right now. Having said that, heck, we don’t know what’s gonna happen, and I had that conversation with Colt as well.”

This much is certain: Unlike last year, McCoy will not be handed a starting job.

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen were the leading vote getters for The Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro Team, each falling one vote short of being unanimous choices.

Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback for the first time, easily beating New Orleans’ Drew Brees, 47½ to 2½. Rodgers led Green Bay to a league-best 15-1 record, maintaining the brilliance he showed in taking the Packers to the Super Bowl title last February.

In the All-Pro backfield joining Rodgers, whose quarterback rating of 122.5 broke Peyton Manning’s single-season mark, were Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, LeSean McCoy of Philadelphia, and fullback Vonta Leach of Baltimore.

Record-setter Rob Gronkowski was the tight end. The Patriot set the single-season mark at his position with 1,327 yards receiving. Teammate Wes Welker (league-high 122 catches) was the other receiver.

After watching Broncos QB Tim Tebow pile up comeback after improbable comeback, opponents seem to have solved the unorthodox QB, hemming him in the pocket with disciplined defense and daring him to beat them with his erratic left arm.

The result: back-to-back poor passing performances with a half-dozen turnovers and the first three-game losing streak of his career.

For the first time since injuring his knee last month, receiver Greg Jennings was able to run routes against the Green Bay Packers defense in practice -- an indication that the Pro Bowl wide receiver is on track to return for the playoffs.

"Running out there, running routes on air [by yourself], anybody can do that," Jennings said.

"When you have a guy leaning on you and trying to jam you and reacting to it, you're kind of going to instinctively react. And that was huge for me to know that I can just react and respond to a guy up in my face and be able to still beat the jam and try to kick it into another gear when the ball's in the air."

Jennings tore his left medial collateral ligament in the Packers' Dec. 11 victory against Oakland, and sat out the final three games of the regular season.

"Right now, my knee is as stable as it's going to be, and it's been as stable as it's going to get for the last two weeks now," Jennings said.

"So I've pretty much been cleared to do most things that we need to do as a receiver to perform at a high level."

Mario Manningham does not appear on the injury report this week, a strong indication he is feeling better after battling a sore and swollen knee throughout the second half of the season.

The Giants wide receiver missed three games with the injury but returned last week against the Cowboys. He did not catch a pass and did not have a single pass thrown his way, though he said, "I felt great."
Manningham said he did not know why he was not involved in the passing attack.

"I feel like I got open," he said. "I know I got open."

Just as Marshawn Lynch became the Skittles-loving face of the Seattle Seahawks, he could just as quickly be leaving town.

Or he could remain part of the foundation that led to the Seahawks' turnaround in the second half of the season.

Lynch tops the list of 18 unrestricted free agents that the Seahawks must make decisions on this offseason. The list features seven starters from Seattle's season finale last Sunday in Arizona, plus a few former starters who missed all or parts of the season with injuries.

"Our first concern is to take care of our team and take care of the guys that are unrestricted on our football team and fit that back together," coach Pete Carroll said this week.

It starts with Lynch.

Coming off the finest season of his career, Lynch is at the peak of his NFL financial prospects. He's 25, has just rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns and embodies the attitude Carroll wants the rest of his roster to emulate. Lynch also showed a maturity this season that might have been absent in the past.

When Seattle was struggling at midseason and Lynch had rushed for more than 80 yards just once, Lynch sat down with assistant head coach Tom Cable to ask how he could become more productive.
The result was six 100-yard games over the final nine weeks. In the three games during which Lynch failed to top 100 yards, he rushed for more than 80 twice and had two touchdowns rushing the other time.

"He was more than willing to say, 'Teach me, I'll do it the way you need it and don't let me off the hook if I don't do it right,'" Cable said. "So big, big props, if you will, to him to have that kind of integrity and discipline and desire to be great at it."

If Lynch stays in Seattle and the team's O-line stays relatively intact, he looks like he'll hold late-1st/early-2nd value heading into this summer's fantasy drafts.

The dream season is over for Giants WR Victor Cruz—at least if you believe Roddy White.

The Falcons receiver told reporters that the Paterson native is in for a "rude awakening" next season when teams begin game-planning to stop him after his breakout season.

But White added: "Any time you put up those kinds of numbers, he’s going to be in for a really good pay day. But he deserves it. Any guy that goes out there and puts up 1,500 yards, that’s remarkable."

We hear what White is saying, but it will be tough for defenses to pay too much attention to Cruz with Hakeem Nicks (and Mario Manningham) to deal with as well.

It's been a fairly public request by Bills RB Fred Jackson on his wishes to have a new contract in place before next season. A big part of the offense, and perhaps the most valuable player on the team, Jackson told Howard Simon and Jeremy White that there haven't been any negotiations between the two sides just yet.

"Well, as of right now, nothing," Jackson said. "But I have all the confidence in the world in Buddy [Nix] and I look forward to getting something done sooner rather than later. Hopefully we can get something moving here soon."

Still with a year left on his current contract, the Bills' top running back reiterated that he wanted to get a new deal done that would keep him with the franchise for the rest of his career.

"Without a doubt. I love all the guys in the locker room, the front office is great. The people in Buffalo are awesome. This is where I started my career and this is where I want to end it."

If not for an injury that cut his season six games short, Jackson would be coming off his most-productive season as a professional football player. He had 934 yards, 39 receptions for 442 yards and six touchdowns in just ten games this season. There was even a time during the year when he was on the short-list for MVP candidates in the NFL.

Ravens WR Anquan Boldin returned to practice following his recent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

He looked like he’s ready to play, displaying sound mobility and ability to cut in pass patterns.

For the third time in three days, GM Mike Tannenbaum endorsed Mark Sanchez, telling WFAN's Mike Francesa Wednesday that Sanchez will be the Jets' starting QB in 2012.

But the more Tannenbaum talks about Sanchez, the more I get the distinct feeling that the Jets are planning to acquire a veteran backup that could put pressure on Sanchez.

"Mark will be our starter," Tannenbaum said. "With that said, I think we will look at that position as a whole -- (Kevin) O'Connell, (Greg) McElroy, (Mark) Brunell -- and see if there are ways to improve the depth ... The depth at quarterback is very critical, and we look at that very closely."

In Tannenbaum-speak, that means, "We're bringing in some competition for a change."

Signing Vincent Jackson to a long-term deal would accomplish a couple things. It would allow A.J. Smith to use one of his favorite arguments about how retaining the team’s own free agents counts just as much as signing someone else’s. And getting Jackson locked up for many years on a long-term deal would constitute a great PR move considering not only his importance of Jackson to the Chargers’ passing game but the contentious history between the two sides.

Moreover, it may be the only way to keep him.

Considering all the Chargers have to do – pass rusher, strong safety, possibly replacing three starters on the offensive line, etc. – sources said this week that it is unlikely the team would place the franchise tag on Jackson again in 2012.

The tag is an option, of course, should negotiations, which the team will likely initiate in February, yield no long-term deal. But paying one receiver more than $13 million for one year, especially with so many other players to secure, is unlikely.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is feeling better, thank you very much. He was back on the practice field today after a bout with a nasty bug.

“I feel great. It was a tough day [Wednesday], but I feel a lot better than I did. I’ll be out there practicing and be ready to go,” Dalton said (via the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy). “It was just a one-day thing. It was kind of out of nowhere. But I feel good now, so that’s a good thing.”

Dalton sought treatment, receiving fluids via IV, at a hospital for his flu-like symptoms after missing practice Wednesday and, Coach Marvin Lewis said in a Sirius interview, spent the night “by the sink and toilet.” Dalton did his best to prepare for the Bengals’ wild-card game Saturday against the Houston Texans and has a bit of a break because the Bengals played the Texans less than a month ago. (Houston won 20-19 on Dec. 11 in Cincinnati.)

It would be easy to overlook the contributions of Stevan Ridley this season in an offense featuring names like Brady, Gronkowski and Welker. After all, 53 running backs had more rushes than Ridley’s 87 carries, and Ridley only scored one touchdown on the season. However, evidence is mounting that the Patriots found a pretty solid player with the 73rd overall pick in last year’s draft. Ridley’s 5.1 yards per rush is 10th among the 56 running backs with at least 85 rushes. Ridley has been among the league’s most powerful runners, averaging 2.6 yards after contact per rush. That trails only Ben Tate, Isaac Redman and Donald Brown among running backs with at least 85 carries. However, Ridley was far more than just a niche power rusher, averaging a 20+ yard run once every 17.4 carries. That was the seventh-best average among backs with at least 85 carries, trailing Darren Sproles, DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden, C.J. Spiller, Matt Forte and Fred Jackson.

If he played for a different team, we'd be high on Ridley as a keeper/dynasty grab, but the Patriots have a reputation for shuffling their backfield around at a moment's notice.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger revealed that he re-injured his ankle against the Browns (via Mark Kaboly on Twitter): “I felt really good going into the Cleveland game. I don’t know if I caught it on the ground wrong or got hit we’ll see, we’ll be alright.”

Coach Hue Jackson said on radio show that Darren McFadden would have practiced today if Raiders were in playoffs.

It does not appear that DMC will have to have surgery this offseason.

Lions HC Schwartz said both Kevin Smith and Tony Scheffler are fine and finished practice after collision.

Robert Meachem (bruised knee) told reporters afterward he was fine but didn't go into details. The adrenaline often masks the severity of injuries on game days.

If serious, Meachem's injury could prove problematic since Lance Moore isn't expected to be available any time soon with his hamstring injury. Adrian Arrington filled in well for Meachem and Moore but the Saints are suddenly getting thin at the position after a series of good fortune. Only three healthy receivers are on the active roster.

Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga and Greg Jennings all returned to Packers practice.

Considering that the Packers don't play this weekend, it's a great sign that Cobb and Jennings returned this week instead of continuing to sit out. The Green Bay offense should be at full strength in the playoffs.

Eagles tight end Brent Celek had two surgeries Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and for a sports hernia.

Celek finished as the #9 TE in total fantasy points and #10 in average fantasy points. He will be a mid- to late-round sleeper heading into next season.

The Chargers announced Tuesday that coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will return next season.

In a press release, team president Dean Spanos said Smith and Turner were the best men for their jobs.

"Bottom line, I believe these two men give us the best chance to get back to the playoffs."

The Jets’ chemistry experiment blew up on Rex Ryan. Holmes, on his best behavior in his first year with the Jets in 2010 as he played for a new contract, became toxic in the locker room after Mike Tannenbaum gave him a five-year. $45 million contract following the lockout and Ryan incredibly appointed this All-Pro distraction a team captain.

“I don’t see how he can come back,” one respected Jets veteran said.

Is that the majority opinion in the locker room?

“Yes,” the veteran said.

Holmes’ antics have been going on all year but exploded in Miami when he pouted during the game, ignored Sanchez in the huddle and infuriated his teammates.

“Go home. Go to the sidelines,” one player yelled at him.

Holmes and the player began screaming at each other in the huddle. On the next series, tackle Wayne Hunter and Holmes got into it in the huddle. Soon after, Holmes was benched by Schottenheimer. Holmes then sulked on the bench. He alienated so many players in the locker room that the Jets have to get rid of him.

“He’s a cancer. It’s like dealing with a 10-year-old,” a Jets source said Monday.

One Jets source described how Holmes undermined Sanchez last week. The struggling quarterback called a meeting Wednesday with his wide receivers. Holmes showed up but gave Sanchez a hard time.

“He went back and forth with Mark at the meeting,” the source said. “He was saying stuff like, “What am I even here for?’”

Sanchez called another meeting for Thursday. Holmes disrespected his quarterback. “He blew off Mark by not even showing up,” the source said.

The Chicago Bears had a black and blue Tuesday. Hours after the team relieved general manager Jerry Angelo of his duties, there is change in the coaching staff. Mike Martz will not return as the team's offensive coordinator after two seasons on the job.

Martz's resignation came after a meeting with head coach Lovie Smith, according to the Chicago Tribune. A source told the newspaper the reason was tied to irreconcilable "philosophical differences."

Seahawks beat writer Danny O'Neil: Sidney Rice looking at a three to four-month recovery from shoulder surgery.

Glennon on Twitter: HC Mike Munchak wouldn't tell Jake Locker he can't start next year ... Sounds like it will be more of open competition than this year.

Locker looked great when called upon, but was never given the reins as the starter due to Matt Hasselbeck's experience as a 13-year vet.

Mike Tannenbaum assures that Mark Sanchez will be the starting QB for Jets when 2012 starts. However, there will be positional tweaks.

Sanchez finished the season as the #10 fantasy QB in terms of total points scored. On a per game basis, he was in the #13 QB, so he was a fringe starter in 2011. He scored six rushing TDs, which certainly enhanced his value. Heading into 2012 fantasy drafts, he'll likely go in the QB15-QB20 range as fantasy owners focus on players with more upside or better consistency.

Bouchette on Twitter: I confirmed that Rashard Mendenhall has a torn ACL in his right knee. The only good news: No other damage. Surgery in 1-2 weeks.

Obviously tough news for Mendenhall, but this is an opportunity for Isaac Redman to show what he can do in a full time role. He's averaging 4.4 ypc this season, which is a bit better than Mendenhall's 4.1 ypc.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian and general manager Chris Polian are out in Indianapolis, a source told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

HC Jim Caldwell is still with the team, at least for now.

Kyle Orton was something less than definitive about his future with the Chiefs after their season ended with Sunday’s 7-3 win over the Broncos. But he sounded like a guy who has played his last game with the Chiefs.

“I thank the Chiefs for giving me an opportunity to get a fresh start. I really enjoyed playing with those guys in the locker room. I think they’ve got a solid group of character guys. I appreciate them letting me come in and be a part of the team and finish this season on a strong note.” Orton will be a free agent in March if he doesn’t re-sign with the Chiefs. Cassel and rookie Ricky Stanzi, who didn’t play a down this season, are also under contract.

“I don’t know,” Orton said when asked whether he thought he would return next season. “I’m going to step away. I know they’ve got a great quarterback in Matt Cassel. Matt’s a good friend, he’s a great teammate, and he’s a great quarterback. As I look at it, it’s his team. We’ll see what happens.”

Beanie Wells said there's 90 percent chance he'll have surgery on right knee. Not sure of problem, probably a clean out.

This is speculation, but it sounds as if Wells was playing with a torn meniscus. Once scoped, recovery time is about a month.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Santonio Holmes is due to receive a guaranteed base salary of $7.75 million in 2012. It’s fully guaranteed, for injury, skill, and salary cap.

And here’s where the decision gets even thornier. If he’s on the roster on the second day of the 2012 league year, $7.5 million of his $11 million base salary in 2013 becomes fully guaranteed, too.

And so the Jets have to decide whether to cut him loose and owe him only $7.75 million, or whether to keep him and owe him a fully guaranteed $7.75 million for 2012 and a fully guaranteed $7.5 million for 2013.

Meanwhile, the storm clouds are gathering for Holmes. An unnamed Jets player told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that Holmes is a “cancer,” and that playing with Holmes is “like dealing with a 10 [year] old.”

Talent-wise, Santonio Holmes is arguably a top 10 WR in the NFL, but his locker room antics are wearing thing in New York. Holmes had a disappointing season largely due to lack of use (i.e. not enough targets) and Mark Sanchez's spotty accuracy.

Rashard Mendenhall leaned on his crutches and bowed his head.

The pain wasn't unbearable for Pittsburgh's leading rusher. However, the thought of missing the AFC playoffs might have been too much to handle.

And the Steelers will likely be without Mendenhall, who went down after a 5-yard gain in the first quarter and didn't return.

"It's not good, of course, when a guy goes down in open grass and is not touched by anyone," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Experience tells me that in general that's not good."

Tomlin said Mendenhall would have tests after the team got back to Pittsburgh. But the Steelers already seemed resigned to not having Mendenhall for their wild-card game -- or maybe at all.

"You should anticipate that he won't be participating next week," Tomlin said.

Schefter on Twitter: Does not appear as if Brian Urlacher's injury was as bad as it looked. Bears believe he tore MCL/PCL but he will undergo MRI to be sure.

Texans HC Gary Kubiak on WR Andre Johnson's Week 17 workload:

“I think we played him like 18 to 20. He was somewhere right in there. But he felt good about it and he felt really good after he got going about six or seven plays. He came to me and said, ‘I really felt good those last 10.’ But it’s time to get him to next week.”

On AJ's role against the Bengals next week:

“Yeah, I don’t think Andre’s ready to play 70 plays, but we don’t want him doing that anyway. We want him playing 45 to 50 good ones, but I think he’ll be ready to do that.”

The Buccaneers have announced that HC Raheem Morris has been fired. He had one year left on his contract.

To no surprise, Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the rest of the coaching staff will be fired, too.

Unlike Rams G.M. Billy Devaney, who was fired along with HC Steve Spagnuolo, G.M. Mark Dominik is expected to stay. Dominik received a new contract after the season.

Giants Inactives
Jake Ballard TE
Ramses Barden
James Brewer T
Jim Cordle C
Mark Herzlich LB
Jimmy Kennedy DT
Justin Trattou DE

WRs Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks are active.

Cowboys Inactives
David Arkin G
Shaun Chapas RB
Clifton Geathers DE
Chris Greisen QB
Andre Holmes WR
Danny McCray DB
Frank Walker DB

Broncos Inactives
Brian Dawkins SS
Derrick Harvey DE
Tony Hills OT
Mike Mohamed LB
Manny Ramirez OG
Austin Sylvester RB
Julius Thomas TE

Raiders Inactives
Mason Brodine DE
Bruce Campbell G
Jason Campbell QB
John Henderson DT
Taiwan Jones RB
Darren McFadden RB
Terrelle Pryor QB

Jacoby Ford is active for the Raiders.

Chargers Inactives
Everette Brown DE
Travis LaBoy OLB
Ryan Mathews RB
Tony Moll G
Nate Triplett LB
Bryan Walters WR

Mike Tolbert is a nice play today with Ryan Mathews out.

Falcons Inactives
Kirk Chambers T
Brent Grimes CB
Cliff Matthews DE
Kerry Meier WR
Stephen Nicholas OLB
Brett Romberg C
John Parker Wilson QB

Bucs Inactives
Arrelious Benn WR
Rudy Carpenter QB
Anthony Gaitor DB
Derek Hardman OT
Sammie Stroughter WR
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim DE
Jeremy Trueblood T

Cardinals Inactives
Kevin Kolb QB
Kerry Rhodes FS
DeMarco Sampson WR
Beanie Wells RB
Stephen Williams WR
Brandon Williams DE
D.J. Young T

Beanie Wells is out for the Cardinals. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Chester Taylor & Alfonso Smith will fill the void. None are good fantasy plays. John Skelton will start at QB again.

Seahawks Inactives
Phillip Adams DB
Paul Fanaika G
Jeron Johnson DB
Jarriel King OT
Lazarius Levingston DE
Josh Portis QB
Malcolm Smith LB

Chiefs Inactives
Brandon Bair DE
Jon McGraw SS
David Mims OL
Jake O'Connell TE
Tyler Palko QB
Jerrell Powe NT
Jerheme Urban WR

Bengals Inactives
Armon Binns WR
Colin Cochart TE
Nick Hayden DT
Otis Hudson G
Taylor Mays DB
Dontay Moch LB
Robert Sands DB

Browns Inactives
James Dockery CB
Colt McCoy QB
Jordan Norwood WR
Tony Pashos T
Kiante Tripp DT
Steve Vallos OT
Rod Windsor WR

Steelers Inactives
Arnaz Battle WR
Chris Carter LB
Doug Legursky G
Jamon Meredith OT
Mewelde Moore RB
LaMarr Woodley OLB
Al Woods DT

Ravens Inactives
Anthony Allen RB
Anquan Boldin WR
Dannell Ellerbe ILB
Danny Gorrer DB
Shayne Graham K
D.J. Jones T
Sergio Kindle LB

Kicker Billy Cundiff is active for the Ravens.