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POSTED 6:39 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006

VIKES INK E.J.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson, not long ago considered a second-round bust, has blossomed in the team's Tampa 2 defense, earning a five-year extension worth more than $25 million, including $10 million in bonuses.

Henderson, a fourth-year pro from Maryland, already has 108 tackles in 2006, a career high.

Perhaps more amazing than Henderson's turnaround is the fact that the new agreement was reached between the Vikings and agent Kevin Poston. Previously known for making ridiculously high demands and then forcing his clients to languish on the shelf while other players got paid the big dollars, Poston now sounds almost, gulp, reasonable.

"There really was no reason not to [do the deal], Poston said. "They liked him, he liked them, the number was fair. . . . What E.J. was seeking was a fair market value deal."

Henderson was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2006 season.

POSTED 3:33 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006

MORA TRIES TO SCRAPE THE POO OFF HIS SHOE

Faced with a brush fire regarding comments that he made on Thursday to KJR-AM in Seattle, Falcons coach Jim Mora has apologized for creating the distinct impression that he would fly the coop in a nanosecond to become the head coach at the University of Washington.

"First and foremost, I'm sorry," Mora said in a statement released by the team. "Despite my off-the-cuff intentions, what I said was not appropriate for my players, the Falcons organization and our fans, and [current Washington coach] Tyrone Willingham. I got too relaxed with the radio talk show host who is a former college roommate, and I got carried away with the banter.

"I want every fan in Atlanta to know that my heart and passion are right here with the Falcons and winning our game this weekend."

Mora separately told ESPN.com that he was joking.

"I want to be here in Atlanta forever," Mora said. "This is where I want to raise my family. Our 10-year-old, she's how many years away from college, and she's already trying to decide whether she wants to go to Georgia or Georgia Tech. I guess you've got to watch what you say to anybody anymore. I'm doing an interview with my best friend, joking around, and all of a sudden it's a big story. Believe me, there's nothing to it."

Look, we like Jim Mora, but we think the guy has huffed too much ammonia. We've listened to the interview a dozen times, and it's obvious to us that he was speaking from the heart.

Some of you might be wondering why Mora would now say he wants to stay in Atlanta. First of all, he needs a job until the Washington gig comes open again, and the one he currently has pays pretty well. Second, his open declaration of an intent to potentially breach his contract with the Falcons could, based on the specific text of the agreement, allow the Falcons to fire him without owing him any future salary. Third, Mora likely realizes that he comes off as horribly disloyal to his current employer, which could ultimately make the folks at Washington leery about ever hiring him.

We realize that there was/is no good way out of this mess for Mora, but we don't think he has made the situation any better by lying about his true intentions.

On a brighter note for the team, Michael Vick's single-finger salute to fans at the Georgia Dome from last month will now be a distant memory come Saturday night, when the doors re-open for the Falcons home game against the Cowboys.

POSTED 12:40 p.m. EST; UPDATED 1:26 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006

MORA READY TO BOLT TO UW?

A few weeks back, comments from former NFL coach Jim Mora Sr. caused some commotion in Atlanta. Now, comments from current NFL coach Jim Mora Jr. are certain to send shock waves through the South.

In a recent radio interview with KJR-AM radio in Seattle, Mora says bluntly and candidly that he would leave his current team in a heartbeat to become the head coach at the University of Washington, his alma mater.

The interview apparently occurred on Thursday, December 14.

"I don't care if we're in the middle of a playoff run," Mora said. "I'm packing my stuff and going back to Seattle. . . . The further I get away from it, the more I'm drawn to it. That's the job I want."

Asked if he would leave the Falcons for that job, Mora said, "Absolutely."

At first, it sounds like Mora is kidding around. By the end, it's obvious to us that he's dead serious.

We've received the clip from several different readers, but we'd love to get more information regarding the date of the interview and the hosts of the show on which Mora appeared. (They're vaguely familiar to us, but hell it's easier for Michael Scott to tell two Benihana waitresses apart than it is for us to distinguish radio voices.) If anyone knows more about this, please let us know.

POSTED 12:03 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006

PORTER BLAMES MEDIA FOR FINE

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, who seems to always use his mouth to deal with situations caused by the use of his mouth, is blaming the media for the $10,000 fine imposed on him for twice calling Browns tight end Kellen Winslow a "fag" after a December 7 game between the two teams.

"There was enough publicity about it," Porter said. "Y'all keep talking about it. Y'all going to make them do something. If y'all wouldn't have just kept talking about it, [the fine] wouldn't have happened. Y'all need a story so you keep talking about it. So they say, all right, let's fine him then because everybody seems to be upset about it."

It's not the first time Porter has refused to take full responsibility for his statements. Earlier this year, he huffed and puffed about the things he planned to say to President Bush during a team Super Bowl trip to the White House. Because the media: (1) heard his words; and (2) reported them, Porter was pissed off.

But, to our surprise, Porter actually makes a pretty good point in comparing the fine for calling a guy a "fag" to the penalty for violation of the substance abuse policy.

"I just don't understand how you can get a DUI or fail a drug test and nothing happens," Porter said. "You say something, you get fined. That just don't make any sense.

"You'd think if you get a DUI or something, you should get fined. If you fail a drug test, you should get fined. But for saying a word, you get fined. That's kind of backward to me."

Of course, failing multiple drug tests or having multiple DUIs can be a problem. A minor one. Just ask Ricky Williams. Or Onterrio Smith. Or Koren Robinson. Or Odell Thurman.

But we agree with Porter's observation that there should be a stiffer penalty for a first offense under the substance abuse policy.

Then again, it's possible that guys who fail drug tests or drive drunk have some type of an actual disease. For Porter, the most he can claim is a chronic case of creamed caa-caa of the cake hole.

POSTED 8:53 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:46 a.m. EST, December 15, 2006

POLLACK DONE?

The Bengals' much-heralded 2005 rookie linebacker duo from Georgia will, by all appearances, never take the field again in Cincinnati.

Odell Thurman, the team's second-round pick, has been banished from the NFL, and is eligible to seek reinstatement next year. To qualify, he'll have to successfully avoid the same demons that have put him out of the game. Even if he does, there's no guarantee that coach Marvin Lewis will want him back.

And now David Pollack, the first-round selection, looks to be finished, due to injury. The C-6 vertebra that he fractured in Week Two has not healed, which means that surgery will be required. And Pollack previously has acknowledged that surgery to repair the fracture likely will mean the end of his football career.

"It's a very real possibility that I won't play again," Pollack said last month. "At the end of it, if the doctor says I'm five percent more likely to get injured again, there's a zero percent chance I'll ever play again. That's a fact."

Pollack was a beast with the Bulldogs before becoming the 17th overall pick in last year's draft. A holdout and injuries limited him as a rookie, but he showed flashes of promise. He suffered a leg injury in the offseason (apparently while playing pickup basketball), and a hamstring injury kept him out of the first game of the 2006 regular season. He suffered the neck injury the next week.

ENJOY "TWELVE DAYS OF POWER SHOPPING" WITH SPRINT

Every Friday, we tell you to buy a Sprint phone. Well, we're not going to do it today.

Okay, we are. Buy a Sprint phone.

But we also want you to buy some accessories for the folks already on your Christmas list, as part of Sprint's "Twelve Days of Power Shopping" campaign.

For starters, how about a Motorola NFL Bluetooth headset, which comes with the logos of all 32 teams?

Sprint also has Bluetooth headsets from Samsung, Jabra, and Plantronics. The Jabra model allows the fashion-conscious cell phone user (like Dante) to sport up to 33 different designs. (Dante also wants a pack of peel-and-stick crystal gems and charms, which he thinks will make him feel "special" when affixed to his phone.)

For folks who don't like to walk around with that big plastic doohickey attached to an ear, Sprint sells a Motorola Bluetooth hands-free speaker.

Other possible gifts (for others or for yourself) include the Sprint 2-in-1 charger, which can be used both to beef up the battery while driving and while near an outlet, and the Energizer Energi to Go, which will charge your phone wherever you might be.

Or how about a Body Glove Sport stereo headset or Sprint portable mini-speakers, for those Sprint phones that double as music players?

And if you plan to buy any of this stuff (and buy plenty of this stuff you should), make it easy on yourself. Don't head to the mall and stand behind that big sweaty guy who smells like your Aunt Ethel's house. Click the Sprint ads on this page, and follow your nose to the Accessories section.

TEN-PACK TAKES ON MERRIMAN

In this week's PFT Ten-Pack, we take a look at the question of whether Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman should be considered for the Pro Bowl or any other postseason award, based on the fact that he missed 25 percent of the season due to violation of the league's steroids policy.

We raise the point because an alarming number of "real" media types have given Merriman a complete pass, either by ignoring the fact that he was suspended or by accepting his lame-o explanation (in our opinion) that he took a supplement that was spiked with nandrolone.

In our view, the penalty for violation of the steroids policy should include disqualification from consideration for any postseason honors.

The Ten-Pack also offers up our late-season playoff and Super Bowl predictions (Ravens fans might be keenly interested in what we have to say on the topic), and we present a usual smattering of takes regarding the things that we saw and heard during Week Fourteen.

PLAX RUNS HIS YAP, AGAIN

Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, who has yet to understand the connection between the things he says about the opposing team and the manner in which the opposing team thereafter performs, is again saying stuff that could rile up the members of the defense he'll be facing.

Baited into addressing whether the Eagles will be able to shut him down, Burress said, "I don't see that happening. They would be crazy to think they could do it. I'm just going to go out and do what I've been doing, go out and make some plays."

Yeah, he has said worse in the past. But shouldn't he have learned his lesson by now? When it comes to the players he'll be facing on Sunday, this guy shouldn't be saying anything.

So while the Eagles try to come up with a way to shut him down, the Giants would be wise to come up with a way to shut him up.

POSTED 10:09 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:20 p.m. EST, December 14, 2006

JOHNSON FACING GUN CHARGES

Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson is facing six misdemeanor charges resulting from the possession of six guns without appropriate Illinois paperwork.

The charges, as we see them, are not much more significant than a six-pack of parking tickets. But given that Johnson is already on probation, he could be facing hot water if the authorities argue that Johnson has violated the terms of said probation.

It's unlikely, in our view, that any such consequences would keep Johnson out of action over the balance of the 2006 season. The Personal Conduct Policy is triggered only by a conviction, a guilty plea, or a plea of no contest, and our guess is that the team won't take action against him.

Bottom line -- it's a distraction for the Bears, but not a big one.

BEARS JOINING BENGALS, BOLTS?

Folks around the league are reacting to the arrest of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson with a shrug of the shoulders.

As one league source told us, Johnson was regarded as a potential problem coming out of college, and multiple teams removed Johnson from their respective draft boards.

Johnson isn't the first member of the team to raise eyebrows. The source with whom we spoke expressed concern regarding the potential for misbehavior from defensive tackle Tommie Harris, defensive end Alex Brown, linebacker Lance Briggs, and cornerback Ricky Manning, who was suspended several weeks ago after pleading no contest to felony assault charges. The source also opined that rookie cornerback/punt returner Devin Hester can be "a handful."

On offense, there's center Olin Kreutz, who jacked the jaw of teammate Fred Miller at an FBI shooting range last year, and running back Cedric Benson, who had a brush with the law in college.

"I've wondered how Lovie [Smith] has kept this group together," said the source, who added that Smith fully deserves to be named coach of the year again for leading the team to an 11-2 mark, and for avoiding the rash of arrests that teams like the Bengals and Chargers have seen.

MARCUS EMULATES MICHAEL

In early 2005, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was sued for giving his girlfriend herpes. Now, his little brother Marcus is also facing a civil suit involving alleged sexual misconduct.

The AP reports that a 17-year-old girl claims that she had a two-year sexual relationship with Marcus Vick, starting when she was 15 and he was a quarterback at Virginia Tech.

The suit alleges that the girl in question is the same girl with whom Vick allegedly had sex in January 2004. Vick was convicted at the time for contributing to the delinquency of a minor for giving underage girls alcohol. But because the girl refused to testify, Vick was not charged with statutory rape.

We don't know what the criminal statute of limitations is in Virginia for claims of that nature, and it's arguably possible that Vick could still be prosecuted.

The lawsuit seeks $6.3 million in damages. Vick currently is making $250,000 as a bottom-of-the-roster free agent with the Dolphins.

POSTED 4:36 p.m. EST, December 14, 2006

JOHNSON'S HOUSE RAIDED FOR DRUGS

New reports indicate that the home of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson was raided by law enforcement officers on Thursday who were looking for -- and who found -- drugs.

We've confirmed via a league source that Johnson was not in the house when it was raided. He was with the team at Halas Hall.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 4:18 p.m. EST, December 14, 2006

TANK JOHNSON IN BIG TROUBLE?

Multiple published reports indicate that police executed a search warrant on Thursday, apparently at the home of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson.

The items sought in the warrant were recovered. A 26-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, an infant, and a toddler were present at the home. A man (presumably Johnson) was later led away in handcuffs.

Yikes.

Few other details are available. We've heard scuttlebutt that a SWAT team was involved in the enforcement of the warrant.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 11:29 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:32 p.m. EST, December 14, 2006

COACH CHIN NOT COMMITTING TO '07

Steelers coach Bill Cowher says that he'll determine his future with the team he has led since 1992 shortly after the 2006 season.

"There will be something at the end of the year," Cowher said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. "I'll sit back and put a lot of thought into it and make a decision accordingly."

Some think (us included) that Cowher will "retire" after the season, spend some time working in television, and then re-emerge to the highest bidder in 2008 or 2009.

We have believed for a while that he's destined to coach the Redskins after Joe Gibbs retires.

There's a sense in some circles that Cowher won't leave the Steelers on a sour note. But a late surge has pushed the 'Burgher meisters back to 6-7, and an 8-8 finish could be good enough to allow Cowher to conclude that his legacy won't be tarnished upon his departure.

Our money is still on Cowher leaving, and the real cause is that he'll never get the real money in Pittsburgh. With the guy who lost last year's Super Bowl making $7.5 million per year, Cowher could be the first eight-figure head coach, especially if he goes to work for Dan Snyder.

And if Cowher sticks around, we think he's got one more year at most in him. Thus, everyone will be better off (in our view) if he packs it in sooner rather than later.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Lawyer Bob Fitzsimmons (who practices in the Poobah's hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia and who frankly is one of the very best attorneys in the nation) has stuck it to the NFL and the NFLPA regarding the disability claim of late Steelers C Mike Webster.

Falcons QB Mike Vick is doing his best to manipulate the Georgia Dome faithful into not booing him when he returns for the first time since flipping off some of them last month.

Pats QB Tom Brady thinks that some of his teammates have their fingers in their ears and are saying, "La la la la la la la."

Lions RB Kevin Jones had surgery Wednesday on a "severe" Lisfranc injury.

Pats DT Vince Wilfork (ankle) is unlikely to play on Sunday.

The Pats have signed TE O.J. Santiago. (They couldn't find Dave Casper's number.)

Former G.M. Ron Wolf will be added to the Packers' Ring of Honor.

Why did it take the "real" media three days to notice the content of the T.O. interview from Sunday NFL Countdown?

The lawsuit filed against Falcons CB Jimmy Williams by a Norfolk, Virginia lawyer who claimed he gave Williams money in college has been dropped.

Should the Bears put Devin Hester on offense?

Bears QB Rex Grossman has a "chip on his shoulder." (Maybe that's why he's having trouble throwing the ball accurately.)

Bears RB Thomas Jones has a bad ankle, which could increase reps for RB Cedric Benson.

The Chargers are expected to sign WR Az Hakim.

Boston College has received permission to speak with Giants quarterback coach Kevin Gilbride.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards is taking up for LB Kendrell Bell, the latest former Steelers linebacker who was a star in Pittsburgh but a bust with his next team.

POSTED 10:12 a.m. EST, December 14, 2006

GILBRIDE A B.C. CANDIDATE?

A league source tells us that Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin "Buddy Ryan's Biatch" Gilbride is a candidate for the head-coaching gig at Boston College.

"He better hope he gets it," the source said. "Because he is getting canned at the end of the season."

Gilbride has been the quarterbacks coach of the Giants since 2004, Tom Coughlin's first season as head coach of the team. And, coincidentally, 2004 was the first season for quarterback Eli Manning, who to date has been inconsistent at best.

Prior to getting hired by the Giants, Gilbride spent two seasons with the Bills as offensive coordinator. He was out of football in 2001. Before that, he spent two years as the offensive coordinator of the Steelers. Before that, he spent two years as the head coach of the Chargers. Before that, he spent two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Jaguars. Before that, he spent six seasons with the Oilers, where he famously was punched in the head by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan in January 1994.

Before that, Gilbride coached at the college level for 15 years.

The connection between Gilbride and B.C. possibly comes from Giants quality control assistant John DeFilippo, whose father, Gene, is the Athletics Director at Boston College. If Gilbride leaves, the younger DeFilippo possibly gets promoted.

As the "it is what it is" crowd now says, "We're not saying. We're just saying."

POSTED 8:43 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:35 a.m. EST, December 14, 2006

LAMAR HUNT PASSES

Chiefs owner and founder Lamar Hunt, one of the most important figures in the rise of the modern NFL, has died at age 74, of complications from prostate cancer.

Spurned by the NFL, Hunt created the Dallas Texans in the early 1960s. He moved the team to Kansas City and renamed it the Chiefs in 1963.

Hunt coined the term "Super Bowl" for the AFL-NFL Championship Game, and his Chiefs played in the first one, and won the fourth one.

The Kansas City Star has a lengthy tribute to Hunt, who became the first AFL figure inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in 1972.

MARSHALL MOVIE A MUST-SEE

As if there was any doubt as to whether hard-core football fans would check out "We Are Marshall" over the holidays, we're prepared to put the official PFT stamp of approval on the effort.

We saw the movie last night at a special advance screening, and it was excellent. Not "excellent" in the foofy Oscar sense, but "excellent" in the way that it plays on the emotions like Itzhak Perlman on a Stradivarius.

For anyone who doesn't own a television, the film deals with the 1970 Marshall plane crash and, more specifically, its aftermath. The school was prepared to suspend the program, but decided to re-start it, basically from scratch, the next year.

Frankly, the acting is good, but not great. The script is good, but not great. The attention to the football detail was, as usual in Hollywood, a little lacking, with for example the Marshall home field carpeted in FieldTurf, not green cement. (There also was talk of the nickel defense, which we doubt was in wide use at the collegiate level in the late 1960s.)

But the message was powerful and the film was uplifting and we'll probably see it again when it's officially released on December 22 and we'll surely own the DVD when it comes out, probably next August as another football season prepares to launch.

POSTED 10:05 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:20 p.m. EST, December 13, 2006

FINS FOR SALE

Our Florida sources have tipped us off to a looming development that, in our view, makes Dolphins coach Nick Saban's disinterested interest in the Alabama job understandable.

The Fins, as we hear it, are in the process of being sold.

Per a source with knowledge of the transaction, advertising executive Jordan Zimmerman, a co-owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers, will become majority owner of the Dolphins.

Also involved in the new ownership will be Papa John's founder John Schnatter.

Since it was Huizenga who hired Saban, Saban might be interested in keeping his options open. And that's why, we believe, Saban declined an opportunity (when pressed by Peter King of SI) to state unequivocally that he will not under any circumstances pursue the Alabama job. Saban, in our opinion, will be looking for either an extension from the new ownership, or a ticket out of town.

Coincidentally, Zimmerman's clients include Papa John's and the Miami Dolphins.

'BAMA PISSED AT SEXTON

Speaking of Alabama, a league source tells us that the powers-that-be in Tuscaloosa are miffed (to put it mildly) at agent Jimmy Sexton, whose list of high-profile clients includes Nick Saban.

Per the source, Sexton led 'Bama to believe that Saban was interested in the vacancy created when the son of former Fins coach Don Shula was fired. Then, after Alabama made an offer to Saban, he rejected it.

Really, why would Alabama have made an offer to Saban unless Alabama had some reason to think that the offer might be accepted? Rejection is not good for the image of a college program, and the notion that Saban already has turned down a much more lucrative deal arguably contributed to the decision of West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez to stay put.

With all that said, and as explained above, Saban is still in play for the Alabama job.

POSTED 8:31 a.m. EST; UPDATED 8:58 a.m. EST, December 13, 2006

PORTER "APOLOGIZES" FOR SLUR

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter has apologized for calling Browns tight end Kellen Winslow a "fag" after last Thursday's game between the two teams.

Actually, Porter hasn't apologized to Winslow. Porter has merely said that "it was a poor choice of words" when he referred to Winslow with that word.

"I didn't mean to offend nobody but Kellen Winslow," Porter said. "Pretty much, that's it about that." (Under that reasoning, of course, Michael Richards only meant to offend the guys who were heckling him.)

Porter also expanded on Michael Irvin's recent "I was just trying to give the fans a taste of how we talk in the locker room" explanation for his Tony Romo family tree exercise by noting that Porter's "poor choice of words" was merely a reflection of his, well, usual choice of words.

"I guess how we used that word freely, me growing up using it, I didn't think nothing of it like that," Porter said.

So let's envision a day in the Porter household, circa 1989.

"Hey, Mom -- who's the fag that ate my cupcake?"

"Dad, when you hug me it makes me feel like a real fag."

"Hey, little brother, if you wear that pink shirt to school people will think you're a fag."

Memo to anyone out there who feels a need to apologize for anything. Don't offer up a contemporaneous (thanks, Tiki) excuse while apologizing. It makes the apology sound more like a justification. Just say you're sorry (you don't really have to mean it), and then move on.

In Porter's case, the best approach might be to not say anything. Ever.

FINS DIDN'T BREAK ANY RULES

The NFL says that the Miami Dolphins broke no rules by securing New England Patriots game tapes with audio in preparation for Sunday's 21-0 drubbing of the AFC East leaders.

Per Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald, the league said that the Fins' efforts to determine the tendencies of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady regarding pre-snap protection adjustments do not constitute cheating, even if the Dolphins "purchased" the tapes.

''It's on TV,'' coach Nick Saban said on Tuesday. "You always try to get the other team's cadence. I'm sure they try to get ours, so when you know when a guy's checking off, when he isn't checking off. When a team does as much presnap stuff as they do, you're always trying to find out exactly why they're doing it.''

We're nevertheless intrigued by the manner in which the Dolphins acquired the tapes. Saban's explanation suggests that they merely recorded the CBS broadcast of the game, which would not have required the team to "purchase" anything, if someone in the organization has DirecTV and a DVR.

So did Miami acquire raw video with field audio from the networks that have carried New England games this year? (NBC has aired two New England games, ESPN has televised one, FOX has televised one, and CBS has carried the balance.)

If so, did the Fins pay for it? If so, how much?

Did the transaction(s) occur between the Fins and the networks, or between the Fins and someone with access to the information, on an "under the table" basis?

Did they also pay someone from one of the networks to "synch up" the audio and video?

Have the Dolphins acquired similar tapes for other teams on their schedule?

We're not suggesting that this matter should launch an investigation along the lines of tracking down the origins of a plate of radioactive sushi, but based on the clip we saw last night on NFLN of Saban explaining the situation we developed a distinct feeling that the process was slightly more involved than Nick calling up the wife and asking her to fire up the TiVo for the game between the Patriots and the Bills.

POSTED 10:05 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:09 p.m. EST, December 12, 2006

GOODELL OFFERS TO HELP BENGALS

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly has offered his assistance to Bengals president Mike Brown in connection with a rash of player arrests this year.

Here's something you can do, Commish -- implement a system in which teams face a penalty of some sort every time one of their guys is arrested, regardless of whether there ultimately is a conviction or a guilty plea. And we'd suggest an increasing level of penalties for each arrest, up to and including the forfeiture of draft picks.

We also advise the Bengals to make character a bigger factor in screening players. As to many of the guys who have gotten on the wrong side of the law in Cincy, it's not as if they suddenly experienced a dramatic change in their personalities.

Once a turd, always a turd. And several of the players who have been arrested were turds long before they took a tour of the Queen City in the back seat of a cruiser.

NFLN MAKES A WISE P.R. MOVE

Attention, football fans. The NFL has just said "uncle."

Sort of.

Mired in a battle with cable giants Time Warner and Cablevision regarding the specific placement of the league's in-house network on their respective systems, the NFL is attempting (we believe) to score points with consumers by making NFLN available for free later this month.

Coincidentally, the so-called "free view" will include the Texas Bowl, featuring Rutgers and Kansas State. But for the "free view," plenty of New Jersey residents would be unable to see the game.

"We are trying to accommodate consumers, our fans and the fans of Rutgers, to let them know we are trying to resolve this issue," said Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Surely, NFLN didn't lock up the right to televise two college bowl games so that it could merely give the broadcasts away. Instead, the bowl games were intended to help leverage the Time Warners and Cablevisions of the world to bend over for the NFL when the time came to put NFLN on their systems, as part of the basic package.

More than P.R., the league's ultimate goal in offering up the Texas Bowl for free could be to take some of the steam out of current efforts in Congress to revoke the league's antitrust exemption.

Cablevision will air the Rutgers game only, and no other programming for the week. Time Warner has yet to decide what to do.

But if anyone in Jersey can't see the Rutgers game, it now won't be the NFL's fault.

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt continues to fight for his life.

The Pats have taken a sledgehammer to WR Doug Gabriel; the former Raider had been acquired earlier this year in a trade with Oakland.

Lions RB Kevin Jones is on IR with a Lisfranc injury.

Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski has interviewed for the job at B.C.

God will be able to watch the Cowboys at their new stadium (but only if He cooperates).

Will Giants DE Michael Strahan play again this year?

Will Mike Vick and Matt Schaub be on the field at the same time?

Uncle Rico graces the cover of SI.

Greg Knapp and Jim Fassel are among the candidates for the Stanford gig.

The Fins have signed QB Shane Matthews. (They first tried to call Sid Luckman but he's, you know, dead.)

POSTED 6:29 a.m. EST, December 12, 2006

WILL HARRIS BE MISSED?

Amid reports that Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury that requires surgery, the real question is whether the 11-2 NFC North champs will miss him.

Some league insiders think that the answer is a resounding "no," given that Harris essentially disappeared after being anointed as the Cover 2 heir to Warren Sapp.

The Cover 2-style attack relies on all four defensive linemen to rush the passer effectively, and Harris was doing it well through the first four games of the season, notching five sacks.

In the eight games in which he played since then?

None.

Before Harris went down with the hamstring injury on December 3, a league insider asked us: "Have you noticed that since the 'real' media proclaimed Harris the greatest defensive tackle in the history of the NFL, he has done literally nothing since then? People are speculating that he might be sick, hurt, or reading his own press clippings but no one seems to know."

Our source guessed that Harris merely was believing the hype, and the hamstring tear (which as we understand it is similar to the injury suffered last year by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis) intervened before Harris could turn it around.

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Former Cowboys RB Ron Springs (father of Redskins CB Shawn Springs) will get a kidney from former teammate Everson Walls.

It's looking more like Lions RB Kevin Jones' absence due to his foot injury will extend into 2007.

Lions QB Dan Orlovsky recently spoke to his mother -- for the first time in two decades.

Fins QB Daunte Culpepper won't play again this season. (Did anyone think he would?)

Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson (toe) won't play on Thursday night against the 49ers.

Why does a team that blows a late lead insist on talking of "revenge" when it's time to play the team that benefited from the blowing of the lead?

Giants DE Michael Strahan has missed five weeks and counting.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs says that his top assistants -- Gregg Williams and Al Saunders -- will be back in 2007.

The Packers are 4-3 on the road, 1-5 at home.

The Pats are screwed if DT Vince Wilfork is out for an extended period of time.

The Fins bought New England game tapes with sound in an effort to decipher Tom Brady's pre-snap protection calls, and the Fins think it worked.

The Steelers will be bounced from playoff contention if the Jags and Bengals win this weekend.

Steelers S Troy Polamalu is doubtful and WR Hines Ward is questionable with knee injuries.

Coach Chin says that quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple will finish the season with the team if he gets the Boston College gig.

The Big Show is pissed off about playing on Thursday night after a Sunday road game.

POSTED 8:55 p.m. EST, December 11, 2006

'BAMA SNIFFING AROUND HAZ?

Our friends (okay, work acquaintances) at CFT tell us that the word on the grapevine is that Alabama is exploring whether Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett might be interested in taking over the Crimson Tide football program.

Haslett most recently served as the head coach of the Saints. He has not coached at the college level since 1990, when he worked at the University of Buffalo.

We're also told by the folks at CFT that several Alabama boosters are urging the school to delay the hiring process until after the season, and to then make another run at Dolphins coach Nick Saban.

POSTED 2:57 p.m. EST, December 11, 2006

RABACH HAS HAND SURGERY

A league source tells us Redskins center Casey Rabach had surgery Monday to repair a broken bone in his hand. Rabach is not expected to miss any time, since the injury was sustained by his left (non-snapping) hand.

The veteran center suffered the injury in the fourth quarter. Interestingly, the departure of Rabach indirectly contributed to the sputtering of what could have been the go-ahead drive, since a penalty for having too many men in the huddle was assessed as a replacement package was shuttled onto the field for third and goal from the Eagles' three yard line. The Redskins later were forced to take a field goal, which cut the Philly lead to two points. The Eagles then chewed up the remaining four minutes and 52 seconds of the game on offense.

"We're putting ourselves in good positions," Rabach said after the game, "and we just kind of screw ourselves."

POSTED 9:06 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:15 a.m. EST, December 11, 2006

JONES HAS LISFRANC FRACTURE?

An industry source in the Detroit area tells us that the Lions currently fear that running back Kevin Jones suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his foot against the Vikings on Sunday, which would wipe out the remainder of his 2006 season and call in question his availability for 2007.

Per the source, Jones was exhibiting symptoms of the Lisfranc fracture on Sunday night. More testing will be done on Monday to determine the specific extent of the injury.

Though the organization is hoping for the best, the source says that there is "definitely concern" about the situation within the building.

ANOTHER DUI ARREST

Drunk driving isn't a phenomenon that is limited to NFL players. Coaches are also getting in on the act.

The most recent suspect? Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods, who reportedly was arrested Friday night on suspicion of drunk driving. Coach Brad Childress says that he didn't know enough about the incident in time to make a decision regarding Woods' status for Sunday's 30-20 win over the Lions.

Specifically, Childress says that he wasn't even aware of the incident until Sunday morning.

Um, if the guy got busted Friday night and kept it quiet from the boss for more than 24 hours, isn't that failure alone enough to warrant swift, decisive action from Childress?

"That will be between Joe and I," Childress said on Sunday regarding the overall incident. "I don't know enough about it to talk about what's going on. I was just made aware of that this morning."

Woods came to Minnesota with defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, who previously served as defensive backs coach in Tampa. Woods worked with Tomlin as a quality control assistant.

POSTED 5:56 a.m. EST; UPDATED 6:30 a.m. EST, December 11, 2006

ONE MORE YEAR FOR MILLEN?

Despite yet another loss on Sunday in one of the few remaining games on the schedule that were potentially winnable, we're hearing that Lions President/CEO Matt Millen will get one more year to make the chronically crappy team into a playoff qualifier.

And, as we hear it, it's that simple. If Detroit makes the playoffs in 2007, Millen continues. If Detroit misses the postseason (again), Millen finally will be out the door.

Of course, there's always a chance that Millen will decide to walk away on his own. Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News pleads with him to do so on Monday, calling it "the only honorable thing to do."

The Lions are now 23-70 under Millen. And that helps us to understand why four fans held up pieces of a sign that read: "Matt Millen Fan Club" during Sunday's 30-20 loss to Minnesota.

The fans in question were wearing Vikings jerseys.

MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Lions RB Kevin Jones could be lost for the season with a broken foot.

Is Yeremiah Bell the key to the Dolphins' turnaround?

The Pats lost TE Ben Watson and DT Vince Wilfork to injury on Sunday.

Pats CB Ellis Hobbs is miffed that he was demoted on Sunday.

Jeff Garcia, elite quarterback?

Bills RB Willis McGahee had 16 carries, 125 yards, a touchdown, a ham sandwich, and a vomit. (Not in that order.)

The Panthers have fallen to 6-7; how long until owner Jerry Richardson starts firing people?

The 'Skins have clinched . . . last-place in the NFC East.

Inside joke alert: One of the ESPN sock puppets said to Sean Salisbury that it's a shame he's not available to take home on DVD. (But you can get a picture of "him" on your cell phone.)

Redskins WR Brandon Lloyd is in the doghouse.

Before Sunday, the Chiefs hadn't lost at home in December since 1996.

Steelers WR Hines Ward (knee) says he'll be able to play next weekend at Carolina.

Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El finally showed up on offense for the 'Skins, only 14 weeks into the season.

Did the Dolphins offensive line get dressed in the wrong locker room on Sunday?

Lord Favre is 11-1 against the 49ers.

This KGB might be putting polonium on Cullen Jenkins' pepperoni pizza.

The Packers used a full-house backfield against San Fran.

Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple has not yet been hired by Boston College, but he was interviewed for the job on Sunday.

POSTED 7:19 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

L.T. SETS THE RECORD

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has set the single-season touchdown record.

With three full games left to play.

Tomlinson broke the mark set a season ago by Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, who scored 28 times. With three touchdowns against the Broncos on Sunday, including two in the fourth quarter, Tomlinson now has 29.

The record-breaker came with less than four minutes to play, after linebacker Shawne Merriman recovered a fumble deep in the Denver end of the field. Tomlinson's teammates hoisted him in celebration of the accomplishment.

The new L.T. is a lock to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. We recommend against, however, Tomlinson agreeing to appear on the cover of Madden 2008.

Oh, and by beating the Broncos, the Chargers have locked up the AFC West. They also have the inside track to home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

And next up for Tomlinson? The all-time scoring record of 176 points, set by Paul Hornung of the Packers in 1960. With one more touchdown, L.T. will get it.

POSTED 4:26 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

RICO ON THE RUN

Titans quarterback Vince Young (a/k/a Uncle Rico) showed his hometown fans in Houston what he can do in the NFL by beating the Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday.

And Rico capped off the win with a 39-yard touchdown run out of shotgun formation in overtime, catapulting the Titans to a 26-20 victory.

Though the play wasn't as exciting as Michael Vick's overtime touchdown run from four years ago against a Vikings defense that looked more like the Keystone cops than an actual professional football team, it was the crowning moment of a Tennessee Trifecta that featured the Titans coming from 21 down to beat the Giants, from 14 down to beat the Colts, and from eight behind to beat the Texans.

The Titans are now 6-7.

The Texans took plenty of flak in Houston for passing on Young and selecting North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick in the 2006 draft. With Young landing in the same division two spots later, we've got a feeling that the Houston fans will be seeing this kind of stuff from Young every year for the next decade or so, if not longer.

POSTED 1:00 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

OWENS MAKES ANOTHER ATTENTION GRAB

Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, who apparently can't stand not being the first player talked about whenever his team is mentioned, has made yet another attempt to get his name back in the conversation.

And maybe this one will finally prompt the Cowboys to get rid of him.

The key word, as ESPN's Tom Jackson noted after the interview that ran on Sunday NFL Countdown, is "contradiction."

While insisting that he's happy with the Cowboys, T.O. pissed and moaned about things like, for example, the fact that coach Bill Parcells "didn't say anything" after Owens' accidental suicide attempt.

"He never asked how were you?" asked Michael Irvin in response.

"I found it very odd that he wouldn't be concerned," Owens said.

Regarding the stream of issues and distractions in which he has been involved this season, Owens insisted, "I'm doing nothing any other football players that has doing [sic] or done around the league."

Let's see. Milked hamstring injury. Drug overdose. Public spat with position coach. Falling asleep in meetings. Tuning out head coach. Dropping easy passes. Yeah, pretty much every pro football player does that.

And Owens admits that the media scrutiny to which he was subjected caused him to lose his focus. "I'm not really into it. It's like I'm almost kind of faking it. . . . it was affecting my game."

He now blames his rash of dropped passes on these external events. Which really isn't surprising, since he finds an external target for pretty much anything that ever goes wrong in his life.

The most shocking statement? A direct slap at head coach Bill Parcells. Owens says he loves being a Cowboy "despite Bill's coaching style."

(Ironically, Owens' last sit-down with Irvin, which was aired in June, included gushing from Owens regarding how much he likes Parcells and how much he thinks they'll get along, because they both want to win.)

After the segment, the guys on the Countdown set teed off. Jackson called Owens a "dangerous teammate," and later wondered aloud whether Parcells might soon come to the same conclusion regarding Owens that Parcells did regarding kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

Ron Jaworski (who's wearing the ladies' frames this weekend) called Owens' admitted failure to pay attention to Parcells' speech to the team on Monday "disgusting and inexcusable."

And Mike Ditka put it best. "There's an old saying in life. Either you be a leader -- and he's not a leader. You either be a follower -- and he's not a follower. That only leaves you one alternative. Get the hell out of the way and let this team go where it's got to go. And believe me he's in the way right now."

Amen. Our guess? If/when owner Jerry Jones asks Parcells to come back for another year, the Tuna will have one request.

"Get the player the f--k out of here."

POSTED 12:20 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

REX ON HALF-BY-HALF LEASH

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the Bears will evaluate the performance of quarterback Rex Grossman on a half-by-half basis and that, if he stumbles in any 30-minutes stretch between now and the end of the regular season, Brian Griese will get the call.

Per Glazer, the Bears still think that Grossman is the better quarterback, but the team doesn't have the time to help him work through his recent struggles with the postseason approaching.

Grossman arguably was exposed as a guy who can be rattled by pressure during the Monday night epic against the Cardinals, which the Bears came back to win notwithstanding an awful performance by Grossman.

The poor play of Grossman highlights the importance of the Chicago defense, which in our view can stake a legitimate claim to "best ever" in light of the fact that it is overcoming such poor play on the other side of the ball.

POSTED 12:12 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

SABAN STILL IN PLAY IN 'BAMA

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Dolphins coach Nick Saban still could end up coaching at the University of Alabama, if the Crimson Tide have yet to roll out a new coach before the end of the NFL regular season (assuming the Fins don't make the playoffs).

Mort says that the 10-year offer to Saban was worth $35 million to $40 million, far less than the ridiculous reported number of $57 million, which most likely was floated (in our opinion) by Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton.

Our guess? If Alabama doesn't have a new head coach by Christmas, they'll make one more hard run as of New Year's Day at Saban, who (we think) will use their interest to leverage a better deal for himself in Miami, if Fins owner Wayne Huizenga bites. Smarting from the dissing dished out by WVU's Rich Rodriguez, Alabama needs to make the kind of hire that will re-energize a staggering program.

POSTED 12:04 p.m. EST, December 10, 2006

WEEK 14 FANTASY PICKS AND PUNKS

One more time -- our guys to use and guy to lose for this weekend's fantasy games. Courtesy of Fanball.com's Charch.

Jeff Garcia, quarterback, Eagles: Garcia is better than most believe, and the Redskins defense is giving up plenty of yardage and scoring.

Vince Young, quarterback, Titans: Rico comes home and has a big game against the team that passed on him.

Warrick Dunn, running back, Falcons: Atlanta has been able to run over Tampa for the past three years, and it's a good chance for an underperforming runner to get some big numbers.

Cadillac Williams, running back, Buccaneers: Another underachiever who plays well against Atlanta, which hasn't been stopping the run well lately.

Randy Moss, wide receiver, Raiders: Who? Exactly. But today against the Bengals could be his best shot at a big game before his time in Oakland ends.

Lee Evans, wide receiver, Bills: A hot-and-cold guy who could get very hot on Sunday at home against the Jets.

And here are the guys to avoid:

Matt Hasselbeck, quarterback, Seahawks: MVP is back to form, and Hasselbeck isn't.

David Garrard, quarterback, Jaguars: Up-and-down performer on up-and-down team.

Joseph Addai, running back, Colts: Indy runners don't score much against the Jags, who don't give up many points at home.

Jamal Lewis, running back, Ravens: Facing a tough Chiefs defense on the road.

Reggie Wayne, wide receiver, Colts: Usually a no-brainer, Wayne has no touchdowns and an average of 46 yards per game in his last six against the Jags.

Roy Williams, wide receiver, Lions: Detroit receivers have been shut out in five of seven games against Minnesota. (However, Williams was tearing them up in a game at Minnesota earlier this year before getting hurt.)

POSTED 9:30 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:32 a.m. EST, December 9, 2006

WHIPPLE DEPARTURE A HUGE LOSS FOR STEELERS

Reacting to the news that Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple is heading to Boston College, a league source tells us that Whipple's departure is going to hurt.

"He's a great coach and a big loss for the Steelers," said the source. "One of the best coaches nobody talks about. He'll be an NFL head coach in five to seven years."

To get there, he'll have to prove himself at Boston College, in the same way that Tom Coughlin did before becoming the coach of the Jaguars.

Regardless, the Steelers will be facing even more challenges for the rest of the season.

"What has been a bad year for Big Ben has become a really bad year," said the source.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs might consider adding a General Manager (which could mean subtracting a Vinny Cerrato).

Time Warner won't be able to sue DirecTV for telling New Jersey folks that they won't see Rutgers' bowl game without a deesh.

Eagles DE Darren Howard is trying to get back to full health.

Pats TE Ben Watson is looking to avoid catching the ball with his body.

Is Bill Belichick under contract for 2007?

With six wins, the Steelers won't have the worst record of a defending Super Bowl champion.

The Jets players are forbidden from reading the NFL standings.

Falcons K Morten Andersen is seven points away from the all-time scoring record.

With Giants K Jay Feely nursing a sore foot, the team brought in a few kickers on Friday, none of whom with the name "Vanderjagt."

The Packers will be putting DE Aaron Kampman on the field less in the hopes that he will have more success.

The Lions are breaking in a new mascot for 2007. (Is Matt Millen wearing the suit?)

Redskins WR Santana Moss (hamstring) is back to full strength.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak says that the next four games won't decide QB David Carr's future.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is lecturing Texans fans who might be tempted to root on Sunday for Titans quarterback Vince Young.

Is Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star suggesting that Cris Carter wasn't a loudmouth?

Jags DE Bobby McCray is a speed rusher (even when he isn't driving his car).

The Human Joystick has become the Human Punching Bag.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald still doesn't realize that someone is making him look like a fool with that trumped up Alabama offer to Nick Saban.

Sid Hartman thinks that Vikings QB Brad Johnson will start, but that Tarvaris Jackson could get the call to replace him if Johnson struggles.

Hollis Thomas apparently is full of crap. (And asthma medicine. And performance-enhancing drugs.)

When Kevin Kaesviharn played in the XFL, our guess is that the back of his jersey read "He Can't Spell My Name."

Due to a rash of injuries at wideout, Chargers CB Cletis Gordon might be forced to catch passes.

49ers CB Walt Harris was surprised to learn that he was the NFC's defensive player of the month for November. (We were surprised to learn that he's still in the league.)

Rams DE Leonard Little was fined $5,000 for hitting Cardinals QB Matt Leinart at the knees.

Bucs RB Cadillac Williams will be working on his pass-catching in the offseason.

Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow is still in the mix to become the head coach at Arizona State.

POSTED 8:06 a.m. EST, December 9, 2006

ANOTHER DUI ARREST, ANOTHER BENGAL BUSTED

We've complained in the past about: (1) the number of DUI arrests of NFL players; and (2) the number of Bengals players who have been arrested in the last 12 months.

And, of course, we've now learned that another Bengals player has been arrested, for DUI.

Specifically, Cincy cornerback Deltha O'Neal was busted at a DUI checkpoint early Saturday morning.

When will the NFL or its teams take real action to prevent its high-profile employees from putting the lives of local citizens at risk? Susan Gutweiler already has died due to the drunk driving of Rams defensive end Leonard Little (who is still earning millions more than eight years later). How many more have to be killed or maimed until the NFL wakes up?

Attention, "real" media. Please start speaking out about the NFL's failure to take action despite clear evidence that too many of its players have a bad habit of drinking booze and driving cars.

POSTED 7:35 a.m. EST; UPDATED 7:54 a.m. EST, December 9, 2006

B.C. WHIPS OUT A PRO COACH

FOX 25 in Boston reports that Boston College soon will name Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple to replace Jim O'Brien as the head coach of the Eagles.

Whipple has been with the Steelers for three seasons. He replaced Tom Clements, who was the first quarterbacks coach that the Steelers had since the 1970s.

The new coach of B.C. has strong ties to New England. He went to college at Brown, and he has coached there, too. He also spent six seasons at UMass, winning a Division I-AA title in 1998.

Given the importance of recruiting, Whipple most likely will leave sooner rather than later, leaving the team without a position coach for Ben Roethlisberger over the last three games of the regular season.

TIME WARNER SUES DIRECTV

The increasingly nasty battle between the NFL and Time Warner regarding the placement of NFL Network on the cable giant's dial has enveloped on of the NFL's television partners.

Time Warner is suing DirecTV for using allegedly deceptive advertising in local markets suggesting that fans won't see their home teams on NFLN if they don't have DirecTV.

"These false ads were obviously targeted at markets where DirecTV believes that loyalty to the local football team will drive consumer purchasing decisions," the suit says.

A couple of weeks back, we noted that a full-page DirecTV ad in USA Today seemed to imply that fans would miss playoff games without NFLN, even though the league's in-house network won't be in a position to air playoff games until 2012, at the earliest, given the terms of the current broadcast rights contracts. We've also been told by a reader in Tampa of advertising efforts in Central Florida suggesting that fans who don't have NFLN will miss Buccaneers games, despite one minor detail.

Tampa isn't scheduled to play on NLFN this year.

Time Warner also claims that commercials featuring William Shatner and Jessica Simpson suggest that DirecTV provides better picture quality than cable. And we recently noticed somewhere on the Internet a bizarre ad that compared the pictures from DirecTV and cable. The DirecTV image was clear, and the cable image was grossly pixilated.

We've got both Time Warner and DirecTV, and there's no difference between picture quality. Ditto for HD -- we've seen both, and they are the same.

Except when it's snowing or raining really hard.

POSTED 8:21 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 9:34 p.m. EST, December 8, 2006

BETTS DEAL A BAD ONE?

Several league insiders have spoken out regarding the contract extension signed by Redskins running back Ladell Betts, who was only four games away from getting a chance to test the free-agent market.

The deal, per the Associated Press, is worth $11 million over five years. A league source tells us that the contract pays out $7.5 million over the first three seasons, and includes a $3 million signing bonus.

Those numbers are nothing to sneeze at. But with Betts so close to hitting the open market, why not see what he could get to go somewhere else and be the starter?

LaMont Jordan did that very thing two years ago. A backup with the Jets, Jordan snagged from the Raiders a five-year, $25 million contract that pays twice the amount Betts will make over the first three years.

Chester Taylor, a backup with the Ravens, inked a four-year, $14.1 million deal in March to become the go-to guy with the Vikings.

Teams that might be in the market for a tailback for 2007 include (as we see it) the Jets, the Browns, the Texans, the Broncos, the Giants, and the Packers.

We realize that, because Betts has been carrying the load of late, there was an increased chance that he might get injured in December, which could have killed his value in March. Still, he possibly left a lot on the table by taking the money now.

DUKES IS STEALING OUR SHTICK

We'll admit that we'd never heard of Jamie Dukes before he showed up on NFLN over the past few months, part of a revolving door of player-analysts that has included guys like Ken Norton, Jr. and Seth Joyner and Terrell Davis and Lincoln Kennedy over the past few years. A couple of our league sources complained about Dukes' habit of spouting off apparently for the sole purpose of spouting off, and we really don't like those segments that he does with the camera zooming in an out while he pontificates.

But our real beef with Dukes is that he has swiped without any apparent attribution the name we coined for Packers quarterback Brett Favre roughly a year ago.

Lord Favre.

A few readers told us that they recently heard him refer to Favre with that moniker, and we witnessed it with our own ears Friday night.

We know we don't own the trademark, but show some integrity, dude. You lifted it, you know it, and all those folks at NFLN who read our site know it, too.

FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

It's looking more likely that the Panthers will have to show off their Weinke.

LB Junior Seau might spend another season in New England.

Broncos LB Al Wilson might play on Sunday.

Meshawn will be required to fork over $5,000 for pitching his helmet after Monday night's game.

The criminal case against Bengals rookie WR Reggie McNeal now includes a drug charge.

The Cardinals have re-signed DT Kenny King.

What if the Cardinals had signed MVP?

The Falcons have begun discussing a contract extension with DE Patrick Kerney.

With B.J. Sams out for the year, WR Mark Clayton will return punts for the Ravens.

Bills S Donte Whitner suffered a hamstring injury during practice on Thursday, and is questionable for Sunday.

Eagles CB Lito Sheppard knew that a fade route was coming during crunch time on Monday night.

Despite 175 yards on Monday night, Panthers rookie RB DeAngelo Williams is getting elbowed out by DeShaun Foster.

If Bears QB Rex Grossman stinks it up on Monday night, Brian Griese might get the call.

Ocho Stinko is heaping praise on the Raiders defense.

Browns C LeCharles Bentley might have another surgery that would knock him out for the entire 2007 season.

The salary cap moves to $109 million in 2007 and $116 million in 2008.

The Cowboys have claimed S Tony Parrish off of waivers from the 49ers.

Lions WR Mike Williams is 20 pounds heavier than where the team wants him to be.

POSTED 4:59 p.m. EST, December 8, 2006

ROD STAYS PUT

What a week it's been.

Seven days ago, rumors surfaced that WVU coach Rich Rodriguez was heading to Alabama. Rodriguez tried to throw water on the talk by declaring on a statewide radio show an intention to remain the poobah in Morgantown for the rest of his career.

By Tuesday, however, Rodriguez was meeting with Crimson Tide athletic director Mal Moore, and the wheels appeared to be in motion for a job offer. On Thursday, an offer was indeed made, and by Thursday night word had broken that Rodriguez and Alabama had reached an agreement in principle. ESPN pounced on the information, and the story soon took on the air of a done deal.

We were, frankly, very upset by the developments. Yours truly goes to most of the Mountaineers home games, and we'll be in Jackonsville for the Gator Bowl. To have Rodriguez deny any interest in leaving before flirting openly with another school was very tough for lots of West Virginians to stomach.

So we were a little rough on Coach Rod last night. But we said what we said and we're not going to conveniently wipe any of our stories or opinions off of the site. He created the monster and he should realize that folks would be miffed by the appearance that he wasn't being truthful.

At the end of the day, however, we're glad that he decided to stick around and continue his excellent work on behalf of the Mountaineers.

We're told that the package of eleventh-hour promises made to Rodriguez includes a commitment to add roughly 10,000 seats to the stadium, a hefty raise for Rodriguez and his staff, a new locker room, an airplane for recruiting, and other improvements to the facilities. We've specifically heard from friends and family members a salary figure of $1.87 million, but we can't find any online story corroborating this amount.

In the final analysis, Rodriguez's statement regarding his career plans might have been truer than he ever meant them to be. Now that he has left Alabama at the altar, further undermining a program that has been in steady decline for the last decade, no one will be knocking on Rodriguez's door for fear that he'll use the opportunity to once again leverage a better deal in his current situation.

At a minimum, any future suitors will be very leery.

Bottom line -- we don't like how it all came down, but we're glad that Rodriguez is sticking around. Now that the issue is behind him, it's time to start figuring out a way to keep Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson in check on New Year's Day.

POSTED 9:11 a.m. EST, December 8, 2006

LIMITED VACANCIES IN 2007?

With four weeks left in the 2006 regular season, it very well could be that only one NFL franchise is looking for a new head coach for next season.

The process might begin and end with the Arizona Cardinals.

Other struggling teams that might (and we emphasize "might") fire their head coaches are the Browns and the Raiders. There also could be some surprise moves, if for example the Chargers flame out in the playoffs or the Ravens stumble down the stretch, lose the division to the Bengals, and/or drop a first-round playoff game (or fail to qualify at all).

In the NFC, the Giants, Panthers, and Falcons could pull the trigger on a change, with the Bucs also a possibility.

And the fact that there might not be many vacancies could be the final factor in getting some teams to make a change. Last year, it widely was believed that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti kept Brian Billick because Bisciotti couldn't be sure that, with so many jobs open, he'd find someone better.

If there's only one or two jobs this year, a team that makes a move will have a broader pool of candidates, and less competition for snaring them.

POSTED 8:40 a.m. EST, December 8, 2006

PORTER CALLS K2 A BAD NAME

After Thursday night's yawn-inducer on NLFN between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter reportedly referred to Browns tight end Kellen Winslow with "a slur that is associated with a person's sexual orientation."

"It was late," Porter said in reference to a hit from Winslow after a play, "that's what [slur] do. He's soft. He wants to be tough but he's really soft."

And the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review actually printed the word "slur" in brackets in place of the word. But why not "f--" or "h---" or "f--- packer" or "a-- pirate" or something that will give us a clue as to what he actually said?

Our money is on "f--".

Porter also refused to shake Winslow's hand, before or after the game.

"We're not friends," Porter said. "He's out there talking mess during the game and trying to get late hits and acting like he did something good. You don't get praise for trying to hit someone late."

Based on the league's 2006 schedule of fines, it appears that Porter should be nailed with a $5,000 fine for his words. Stay tuned.

POSTED 8:13 a.m. EST; UPDATED 8:27 a.m. EST, December 8, 2006

ROD SAYS HE HASN'T AGREED TO ANYTHING

The soap opera involving the Alabama football program and two men from Marion County, West Virginia simply won't go away.

As rumors persist that Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban has not privately told the Crimson Tide "no", WVU coach Rich Rodriguez says that he hasn't told them "yes."

According to the Charleston Gazette, Rodriguez said early Friday that he hasn't accepted the job, in principle or otherwise.

"Where do they get this stuff?" Rodriguez said after seeing the report on ESPN, citing the Birmingham News, that he is headed to Tuscaloosa.

Most telling in this regard is that Rodriguez spoke to the Gazette from his Morgantown residence. Per reports indicating that the deal was done, Rodriguez was supposed to fly from Jacksonville, where he attended a Gator Bowl press conference, to Alabama to be introduced as the new coach. Instead, he traveled from Florida back to his home.

Rodriguez said that his agent "was getting information, that's all I know. I've not agreed to anything."

Of course, Rodriguez hasn't said that he won't take the job, just that he hasn't already done so.

Then again, he said less than a week ago that he plans to remain at WVU for his entire career, which would suggest to the average truth-telling person that he'll eventually pass.

With all that said, we doubt that the Birmingham News was making stuff up, unless there are influential people in Alabama who don't want Rodriguez, and who think that a premature report of a done deal might drive a wedge in any eventual agreement.

Or maybe someone who wants Rodriguez to take the job is trying to force his hand.

We really don't care at this point. Like a playoff game that had dragged into a second overtime, we just want the thing to be over, regardless of the outcome.

But if you choose to stay at West Virginia, Coach Rod, don't read anything below this item. None of it will interest you. Trust us on that.

ANOTHER REASON TO GET (AND USE) A SPRINT PHONE

Attention, all you cell phone users who might have been restricting, subconsciously or consciously, the use of your device because you feared that over time the contraption might cause a golf ball to grow on the inside of your head.

A 21-year Danish study of more than 420,000 cell phone users has concluded that there is no increased incidence of cancer.

In fact, the cancer cases found in the study group were slightly lower than the cancer rate in the general population.

Prior studies also have concluded that there is no connection between cell phones and cancer.

So get a Sprint phone and use a Sprint phone, without concern. (Except when driving a car. Or landing a plane.)

And don't forget that a cell phone makes for a much better stocking stuffer than a candy bar, a pack of crayons, or a box of rusty paper clips.

POSTED 11:52 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

BERTON TEES OFF ON ROD

NFL tight end Sean Berton, a three-year veteran who currently is out of football as he rehabs a knee injury, recently contacted us once it became apparent that incoming Alabama coach Rich Rodriguez was speaking with forked tongue regarding his desire to remain the head coach at West Virginia for the rest of his career.

Berton, as he told us by e-mail, was the victim of an untruth from Rodriguez several years ago, when Rodriguez came to Morgantown to take over the WVU program.

Though Berton, a Pittsburgh native, wanted to stay with the Mountaineers after the retirement of Don Nehlen, Berton also recognized that the quarterback in Rodriguez's spread-option offense throws the ball to the tight end roughly as often as he throws it to the kicker.

So Berton asked Rodriguez how many catches the tight ends made during his last year as offensive coordinator at Clemson.

"I asked him flat out if he'd have a role for me and how much the tight ends played at Clemson and how many catches they had last year," Berton said. "He said yes, and told me they caught around 30 to 35 [passes]."

Thinking that the number sounded a bit high, Berton fired up his computer and checked the real numbers.

In reality, the tight ends caught five passes in Rodriguez's final year with Clemson.

Upset that he'd been lied to by Rodriguez, Berton went to see Nehlen, who stayed on to coach the Music City Bowl after Rodriguez was hired. Nehlen signed the paperwork allowing Berton to transfer to N.C. State.

Then, Berton went to see Rodriguez.

"I met with Rodriguez after the game and told him cordially and politely, thanks for taking the time to meet with me but I intended to transfer," Berton said. "He looked me dead in the eye, and said, 'Well, what makes you think I'm gonna let you transfer?'"

So Berton then pulled out the release that Nehlen already had signed, and Rodriguez's hands were tied.

Thus, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Rodriguez apparently has a little problem with telling the truth. And we suggest that the folks in Tuscaloosa keep that in mind when Bobby Bowden retires at Florida State, and when Rodriguez promptly declares that he plans to stay at Alabama for the rest of his career.

POSTED 11:22 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

NFLPA "GROUP LICENSING" COULD UNDERMINE BRADY'S CLAIMS

Multiple league insiders and persons with knowledge of the manner in which the NFL Players Association handles the rights to player images have advised us that Tom Brady's lawsuit against Yahoo! could be undermined by so-called "Group Licensing," which applies when the likenesses of six or more players are used at once.

Coincidentally, the Yahoo! ad in Sports Illustrated that is mentioned in the Brady lawsuit contains images of six players, making it subject to Group Licensing.

So if Brady has signed the NFLPA's Group Licensing Agreement, the use by Yahoo! of his likeness in the SI ad appears to be permitted, if Yahoo! has obtained an appropriate license from Players, Inc., the NFLPA's marketing arm.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 10:58 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

ROD TO 'BAMA

Nearly a week after we reported it would happen, it has.

According to the Birmingham News, West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez has reached an agreement in principle to become the next head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Rodriguez responded to reports that he was headed to Alabama on December 1 with a rambling, agitated, animated phone call to the West Virginia Statewide SportsLine, during which he chided co-host Greg Hunter for reporting that Rodriguez would accept the Alabama job, if offered.

Rodriguez declared twice during the call that his plan was to remain the coach at West Virginia for his entire career.

Now, Rod has set himself up to be forever remembered by the residents of his home state not as the guy who carried the football program to its only Sugar Bowl victory and back-to-back ten-win seasons for the first time in school history, but as a big-feeling liar who pounced on an offer that, in the end, wasn't worth all that much more than what he was already making.

Hey, Rod, on your way out of town do you think you can maybe stop by the house and explain to my ten-year-old how what you said last Friday meshes with what you're doing now? Because he's at that age where he's still dumb enough to actually believe the words that come from people's mouths, and we're having trouble finding the right words to explain to him that sometimes grown ups are full of sh-t.

POSTED 10:12 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

ARRINGTON APPEARS BEFORE CONGRESS

In an effort to defend the man who admittedly failed to proofread a contract that allegedly omitted a $6.5 million payment, Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington appeared before Congress on Thursday and argued that the NFL Players Association's procedures for disciplining agent Carl Poston were unfair.

"All I ask is to have a fair process. That's it," Arrington told a House Judiciary subcommittee, according to the Associated Press. "Nothing more and nothing less -- a fair process."

On Wednesday, Arrington compared the NFLPA to "organized crime."

One area in which change could come relates to the selection of the arbitrator who issues a final and binding decision as to the enforcement of any proposed discipline. "The core issue is: Is it fair that the agents have the same arbitrator every time? Or should there be some kind of panel? I think the NFLPA is likely to reconsider that issue," said subcommittee chairman Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

Aiding Poston's cause will be the fact that Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is in line to assume control of the subcommittee in January. Lee was one of two members of the House of Representatives who sent a letter to the NFLPA earlier this year imploring relief for Poston.

Poston wasn't present at the hearing, due to recent knee surgery. He submitted written testimony and a note from his doctor. (Coincidentally, we hear that Poston was a no-show in a recent effort to conduct a hearing on his original two-year suspension, due to the same health condition.)

POSTED 9:56 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

SPECTER TAKING AIM AT NFL ANTITRUST EXEMPTION

Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said during a hearing on Thursday that he will sponsor legislation to strip the NFL of its antitrust exemption for broadcast rights, which would as a practical matter prohibit the NFL from negotiating global broadcast rights for all of its teams.

Such a development could be disastrous for the NFL, since the lifeblood of the league is the giant pool of money generated by the 32-franchise broadcast contracts.

And it would pave the way for teams like the Cowboys to cut Notre Dame-type deals, which might ultimately fall beyond the scope of revenue sharing.

"Wouldn't consumers be better off if teams could negotiate?" Specter said. "This is the NFL exerting its power right down to the last nickel."

The catalyst for the current confrontation is the league's efforts to place NFL Network on as many cable systems as possible, preferably as part of the basic package. The league, some believe, is being too greedy as it uses its regular-season games as leverage to dictate financial terms to the cable systems.

And, to date, it appears that NFLN's efforts to expand its profile by airing games has blown up in its face. The games aren't being widely viewed outside of the involved team's local markets, because not many households have access to the station. And there really hasn't been the kind of "I want my MTV!" hue and cry from a football-viewing public that gets more than its full fix on Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, and Monday night.

POSTED 9:41 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

LAST WORD ON SABAN OFFER

We've been told by a very credible source that Alabama did make an offer to Dolphins coach Nick Saban, but that the terms reported in the media (seven years, more than $50 million) are simply not correct.

So our conclusion is that Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, floated phony numbers in the hope that the buzz created by the offer might be enough to get Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga to give Saban a raise. We also think that there might be a little hometown rivalry going on between Saban and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, with Saban's camp hoping to show that he is the much more prominent and desirable of the two Marion County, West Virginia natives.

The fact that Rich Rodriguez received only (only?) a six-year, $12 million offer confirms, in our opinion, that Alabama didn't offer $38 million more than that to Saban. And the surprisingly low offer (in relation to prior reports) makes us think WVU won't need to do as much as previously thought to get Rodriguez to stick around.

POSTED 9:00 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

BRADY TAKES ON YAHOO!

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has sued Internet giant Yahoo! for using his likeness in print and web ads for its fantasy football service.

The complaint is available at thesmokinggun.com.

The print ad in question appeared in the NFL preview issue of Sports Illustrated. It features images of Brady, Jeremy Shockey, Randy Moss, LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Smith, and Larry Johnson.

The photos appear to omit helmet logos and shirt logos, which would have gotten Yahoo! in hot Yoo-hoo with the NFL. (The resulting picture reminds us of the old Topps football cards, which had the NFLPA license but not the NFL license.) The problem is that the identity of the players is obvious.

And that's a major no-no.

So now that Brady is blazing the trail, we wouldn't be surprised at all if one or more of the other guys in the ad join in.

Brady also hit General Motors (an NFL sponsor) with a similar claim in 2005. And we don't blame him one bit. These companies are using his image to help make money, without paying him any of the money that his image is generating.

The real issue, as we see it, is whether the Yahoo! attorneys got their law degrees from the bottom of a box of outdated Post Toasties. Are they just stupid? They recognized that they couldn't use the NFL logos, but apparently gave no thought to the misappropriation of player likenesses.

POSTED 8:26 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:32 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

DID SABAN OR DIDN'T SABAN GET $50 MILLION OFFER?

Although it's being reported as gospel truth by certain segments of the media, there is some dispute in league circles as to whether Dolphins coach Nick Saban actually got a sight-unseen $50 million-plus offer from Alabama.

Some league insiders believe that the numbers are phony, and that they are being floated by Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, for the sole purpose of pumping up Saban's overall reputation.

Elsewhere, however, there's a feeling that the offer was legit. One source with a connection to Saban said that Saban hasn't necessarily rejected the Alabama overtures, and that he might still make the move. Per the source, the reported $7 million signing bonus is intended to enable Saban to buy out the balance of his contract in Miami.

The whole thing is bizarre to us. Maybe an offer was made and rejected, but we think it's highly unlikely that there currently are two open offers on the table -- one to Saban and the other to WVU's Rich Rodriguez, who is from the same county in North Central West Virginia as the Nicktator, which also happens to be 20 minutes from PFT world headquarters.

And word is circulating Thursday night in this area that Rodriguez soon will accept the offer and head for Alabama.

If/when Rodriguez reneges on his words from six days ago, we might have some more to say about all of this. For now, we'll just watch and wait.

IF HE GOT IT, HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT

Some league insiders believe that, if Fins coach Nick Saban was offered a deal worth more than $50 million from Alabama, Saban should have taken it.

Why? Because there's a persistent belief in some league circles that Saban will never be as successful in the NFL as he was in college, where his uncanny ability to close the deal in recruiting made him one of the best coaches in America.

We think that Saban can still get it done at the NFL level, and we don't see him giving up so quickly on his quest to prove that he's every bit as good at the professional level as he was in the college game. Still, if the reports of that 1/20th-of-a-billion-dollar offer are accurate, we tend to agree that he should have pounced on it.

POSTED 3:39 p.m. EST, December 7, 2006

SABAN REJECTS $50 MILLION OFFER FROM 'BAMA

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that Dolphins coach Nick Saban rejected a jaw-dropping $50 million contract offer from the University of Alabama.

There have been persistent reports that the Crimson Tide was interested in Saban, and Saban consistently has said that he plans to stay in the NFL.

And although we've heard that Saban did not meet with Alabama officials on Wednesday night regarding the vacancy, we have no reason to doubt Salguero's report regarding the fact that an offer was made, or regarding its magnitude.

The deal included, per the report, a $7 million signing bonus.

Saban confirmed on Thursday that the University had contacted his agent, Jimmy Sexton, but that Saban said he was not interested.

As we surmised last night, it appears that Alabama made the offer sight-unseen, without any interview.

Meanwhile, there are reports that an offer has been made by Alabama to West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez amid uncorroborated rumors flowing into PFT headquarters that recent reports of a multi-million-dollar commitment by the WVU administration to the football program are embellished and/or downright false.

It appears to us that the powers-that-be in Morgantown are trying their damnedest to be able to paint Rodriguez as disloyal and/or greedy if he leaves, and at the same time to characterize the school as blameless in the fracturing of the relationship.

But Rodriguez, as we see it, did himself no favors by professing six days ago his plan to stay with the Mountaineers for the rest of his career. Put simply, it left him with little or no leverage in the behind-the-scenes discussions that surely are and have been occurring with the University. Because everyone involved realizes that, if Rodriguez walks away now, he'll most likely be branded the villain by the fan base.

POSTED 9:06 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:33 a.m. EST, December 7, 2006

SABAN REPORT BOGUS

As we suspected, the report that Fins coach Nick Saban was going to interview for the Alabama job Wednesday night was bogus.

A league source tells us that Saban was at the Dolphins facility until late last night and then headed home. After all, his team hosts the Patriots on Sunday at a time when one more loss likely will knock Miami completely out of any shot at the postseason.

Meanwhile, the clear front-runner for the Alabama job appears to be West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. Reports on whether he has received an offer and whether he will accept it are all over the map. If his objective was to flirt with Alabama long enough to get the administration to pour money into the football facilities, then he has succeeded. On Wednesday, WVU announced plans to invest "millions" into the program.

And it sounds like maybe Rodriguez in the end might stick around. “Like I've said all along, I plan on finishing my career here," Rodriguez said Wednesday, according to the Charleston Gazette. "I've said that time and time again, and I mean it. That's what I want to do. But there also comes a point in your career where you have to at least listen to other offers."

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Here we go again with the Lord Favre watch.

Lions DT Shaun Rogers has been placed on IR, and reading between the lines we wouldn't be surprised if he ultimately gets cut or traded.

Why do we have a feeling that QB Jake Delhomme's thumb injury is simply a pretext for giving Chris Weinke a test drive?

The Fins have 20 looming free agents, but no 2006 cap space to extend any of them.

Is Bill Belichick trying to pull a Jedi mind trick on Fins DE Jason Taylor?

Chiefs QB Trent Green says that quarterbacks need more, not less, protection.

Rams QB Marc Bulger is standing by comments regarding his belief that some of his teammates don't care.

Raiders DT Warren Sapp says that the Bengals yanked an offer to him off of the table (yeah, and they also took a dump in his chili the last time he was in Cincinnati).

Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt has been hospitalized for more than two weeks.

Vikings RB Chester Taylor (ribs) is listed as doubtful for Sunday against the Lions.

POSTED 10:35 p.m. EST; UPDATED 11:28 p.m. EST, December 6, 2006

SABAN INTERVIEWS WITH ALABAMA?

WALA-TV in Pensacola reports that Dolphins coach Nick Saban was scheduled to interview on Wednesday night with the University of Alabama for its vacant head-coaching position.

Saban reportedly issued a list of demands that must be met before he would consider the job.

Dolphins Senior V.P. of Media Relations Harvey Greene told the station, "We are not commenting on any rumors."

Though we love some good scuttlebutt as much as anyone, we're not buying this one. Saban declined an offer to dine with the President during training camp; why would he take time out of his schedule on a Wednesday night prior to a game against the Patriots to talk to anyone about anything other than getting ready for the game?

And there's no need for an interview, as we see it. This isn't about shaking hands and slapping backs. Either Alabama is willing to make Saban an offer better than the deal he now has in Miami, or it isn't. Why does Saban need a sit-down with Mal Moore if it's already obvious that in order to have any chance at getting him the Tide will have to make him the highest-paid coach at any level of the sport?

Still, we're keeping an eye on this one. Greene's response suggests that something might be going on.

NFL SHOULD BAN FANTASY FOOTBALL FOR PLAYERS

We're having a bit of a déjà vu, um, thing going on right now, because we can recall addressing this subject several months ago. After reading an excellent and revealing item from Greg Garber of ESPN.com regarding the growing influence of fantasy football, we need to revisit the subject. And we're ready to offer some free advice to the NFL.

It's time to treat this popular "game" no differently than gambling. NFL players and coaches and front-office employees and anyone else connected to the 32 teams and the league office should be barred from playing, either for money or for "fun".

As Garber notes, there currently are no rules preventing players from engaging in fantasy leagues, even though there are plenty of leagues out there that involve paying money to join -- and getting paid if the owner's team is successful.

Even when money isn't involved, participation in a fantasy football league with friends, family members, casual acquaintances, and/or total strangers gives rise to a complex stew of ego, pride, and competitiveness. The rush of winning is arguably better than the satisfaction that comes from savoring a favorite team's victory on the field, because in fantasy football it really is "your" team.

The fact that a guy like Colts linebacker Cato June opted not to use Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on June's fantasy team when Indy played New England last month suggests to us that some players could have difficulty separating their obligations to the team from their individual desires. And when a player is going to get paid his football salary regardless of whether his real team wins or loses, the short-term embarrassment in the film room of a missed tackle or a blown assignment could be outweighed by the fact that the faux pas resulted in six points for the player's fantasy team.

In June's case, he wisely avoided any temptation to tank it by putting Brady on the bench. But would every NFL player do the same thing? What if the playoffs are coming up? Does Brady get benched by the guy who plays free safety for the Pats' opponent that week if Brady's fantasy backup is Rex Grossman?

We know that some will scoff at the possibility that an NFL player would consciously or subconsciously go easier against an opponent in order to help the player's fantasy team. But they're all human beings. (Well, most of them are, anyway.) With no rules of any kind prohibiting it, then it's safe to assume that plenty of them are doing it. Which means that there's a growing chance that, sooner or later, a player's performance on behalf of his football team will be compromised by his financial and/or emotional investment in his fantasy team.

And since the goal of the NFL should be to avoid not only impropriety but also the appearance of it, the safest course of action would be to politely advise the players that they've got the rest of their lives after they retire from the NFL to play the game.

Of course, the irony here is that the NFL is butt-deep in the fantasy industry, maintaining its own leagues through the NFL.com web site. For that reason alone, the NFL is likely to do nothing.

Until, that is, there is evidence that the outcome of a game potentially has been compromised by a player hoping to "help" his fantasy team. Chances are, however, that such a day won't ever arrive; like the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the NFL isn't going to go looking for guys who might be giving less than 100 percent in key spots in order to help out their fantasy teams, as long as those guys keep their mouths shut about doing so.

POSTED 9:10 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:20 p.m. EST, December 6, 2006

ARRINGTON PLAYS MAFIA CARD ON NFLPA

As he prepares to testify before Congress regarding the manner in which the NFL Players Association handled the suspension of agent Carl Poston, Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington has compared the union to the mafia.

"They suspended him without a hearing, the NFLPA," Arrington said. "If you are educated and you pay attention to what is going on around you, they do a lot of foul stuff. It's like organized crime, to be honest with you. They are bad."

Though we've disagreed with plenty of things the union has done over the years -- and despite the fact that NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen won't talk to us anymore -- we are of the opinion that Arrington's words are the product of a guy with a low Wonderlic score who has been brainwashed by his agents into believing: (1) that they know what they're doing; and (2) that anyone who criticizes or questions them is evil.

We believe that Carl Poston committed two grievous errors as to Arrington over the past several years. First, he failed to read the final draft of a contract extension with the Redskins, which as he ultimately alleged omitted a $6.5 million roster bonus that the Redskins had promised to include. Second, he allowed Arrington to give up $4.4 million in earned but unpaid bonus money in order to hit the free-agent market, where he languished as all of the big money was spent.

Regarding the phantom roster bonus, our guess is that Poston didn't communicate the terms properly to Arrington, and that when he started asking questions and/or poking around the contract Poston cooked up the bogus claim that the deal was missing a $6.5 million roster bonus for 2006. Indeed, the deal already had a $6.5 million roster bonus for 2006, and two of them would have meant a minimum cap charge of $13.0 million for the current cap year.

To help make their frivolous claim fly, Carl Poston claimed that he didn't read the final draft. Which, in turn, gave the union all the evidence that it needed to justify acting against him.

But because Arrington isn't the sharpest bulb in the drawer, he still believes that the Redskins told Poston that Arrington would receive $13 million in roster bonus money in 2006, and that the Redskins intentionally and deliberately omitted half of the money.

"I guess when they sent that, there was deception involved from the start and I guess they were hoping to bank on that and they got away with it," Arrington said. "I had no reason to believe at that time that if you are going to give me an eight-year contract and you are going to sit there and rob me, but that's the type of organization it is."

(At this point, we're tempted to pose to Arrington the question that Tom Jackson asked Michael Irvin on the first Sunday of the 2006 regular season. But we think we already know the answer.)

The irony, of course, is that Arrington didn't receive the $6.5 million roster bonus, and wouldn't have gotten the other one, either. The Redskins decided in 2005 that it was time for Arrington to go.

And the notion that Poston would later allow Arrington to give up $4.4 million in earned money for the right to become a free agent in February instead of before July 15, the date on which the original 2006 $6.5 million roster bonus came due, was preposterous to us, for two reasons. First, Poston agreed to allow Arrington to give up the money at a time when the status of the CBA was still up in the air. Without an extension, the cap charge for keeping Arrington was less than the cap hit for cutting him, before or after June 1. Once the extension was done, however, the Redskins were less desperate for cap space, and they might have opted to cut him loose before June 1 without any rebate -- especially since the new CBA allows a team to dump two guys before June 1 and to process the move financially as a more cap-friendly post-June 1 cut.

As to the suspension of Poston without a hearing, Arrington should talk to Carl about the multiple efforts to delay his day of reckoning by claiming an inability to attend the hearing. Indeed, we've recently heard that Poston again was a late scratch from yet another effort to conduct a hearing on the original two-year suspension.

So maybe Arrington is just dumb. Or maybe he doesn't want to look dumb to his teammates by acknowledging that Poston has done a substandard job for him. Or maybe Arrington gets a piece of the fee generated by any guys that he refers to the Postons. (We've never heard that the Postons do this, but we've heard of other agents who do.)

Regardless of the reason, Arrington is living in a dream world if he thinks that Poston doesn't deserve some type of discipline.

Bottom line -- the NFLPA might need a kick in the butt or two, but Poston simply isn't the guy to swing the shoe.

FINS-BILLS GAME MOVED BACK TO 1:00

The NFL has moved the December 17 game between the Dolphins and the Bills back to 1:00 p.m. EST, a day after shifting the game to 4:05 p.m. EST.

"We spoke to CBS today and told them we did not believe the shift to a later start time was in the fans' best interest,” a league spokesman said. “We regret the inconvenience that we may have caused fans who are planning to attend the game or watch on television that day."

So why the move in the first place? Well, in all weeks in which the flex scheduling thing applies, the original slate of games listed all of them with a kickoff of 1:00 p.m. local time. Then, once a game gets moved to 8:15 p.m. EST on NBC, the league "hand picks" the contests that will move to 4:05 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

POSTED 8:00 p.m. EST, December 6, 2006

JOHNSON YIELDING TO JACKSON?

Eight years ago, Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson lost his starting job after suffering a broken leg in week two. His backup, Randall Cunningham, performed remarkably well, leading the team to a 15-1 regular-season record. After Johnson got healthy, Cunningham kept the gig. Johnson was traded to Washington in the offseason.

Now, Johnson could be losing his starting job again, but not because of any broken bones. Johnson's generally poor play this season has coach Brad Childress thinking about giving rookie Tarvaris Jackson a try.

Jackson, a second-round draft pick from Division I-AA Alabama State, turned heads in the preseason with Vick-like mobility and a strong arm. He is splitting snaps in practice this week with Johnson, and Childress won't say which guy is getting the start.

"I'm probably not going to share that with [the media] just because I'm not competitively going to do that," said Childress.

So will it be Johnson or Jackson? Our guess is that it will be Johnson, but that he'll be on a very short leash. If Johnson throws one interception in the first half, Jackson will get a chance to show what he can do.

POSTED 3:23 p.m. EST, December 6, 2006

LIONS FANS PLANNING WALK OUT

If the calendar says "December," it means that disgruntled denizens of Detroit are finding new ways to express their displeasure with the refusal of the Lions to poop-can President/CEO Matt Millen.

A year ago, an "Orange Out" was proposed for a late-season game against the Bengals. The game was preceded by a "Millen Man March."

This time around, fans plan to get up and leave with eight minutes remaining in the first half of the game against the Bears on December 24. It's a move reminiscent of the "walk out" staged by Orioles fans in September at the behest of "Nasty" Nestor Aparicio of WNST-AM radio in Baltimore.

Meanwhile, there's no truth to rumors that, with nine minutes remaining in the first half of the Bears game, the video board operator at Ford Field will display the following message: "ANYONE WHO LEAVES WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MINUTES OF THE GAME IS GAYER THAN JOEY HARRINGTON. NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT." [Editor's note: We're not saying that Joey Harrington is gay.]

POSTED 12:59 p.m. EST; UPDATED 1:16 p.m. EST December 6, 2006

KOSAR OFFERED BROWNS GIG?

In throwing his hat into the ring for the vacant job as head coach of the University of Miami football team, former Hurricanes quarterback Bernie Kosar pumps up his credentials by suggesting that he was offered the job as president of the Cleveland Browns.

"UM people knew that I had been offered the president of the Cleveland Browns job," Kosar said. "They knew I wanted to get back into football and asked if I'd be interested in the UM job."

Holy crap, we say. Maybe we just missed it (covering 32 teams often results in some facts in the cracks), but we don't remember the Browns offering Kosar anything.

With that said, we've heard on multiple occasions that Kosar has been trying to get a job with the Browns since attempting to put together an ownership team when the franchise returned to the NFL after the original Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens, and we can't imagine him turning down the gig as president, if it had been offered.

We're checking with some of our Cleveland sources to see if Kosar is telling the truth. But we're skeptical, especially in light of some of the stuff that came out earlier this year in connection with his divorce proceedings, in which his wife accused him of irrational behavior.

REILLY CALLS FOR IRVIN TO BE FIRED

In a "Riffs of Reilly" segment available at SI.com, columnist Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated makes an open call for the termination of ESPN's Michael Irvin as a result of his recent remarks regarding the heritage of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

"This is about the 1303rd stupid thing Irvin has said lately. In the name of Jimmy 'The Greek' fire this moron!"

Adding intrigue to this development is that Reilly is a weekly guest on the radio program that gave birth to Irvin's comments, The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio.

Although the issue ended up gathering plenty of steam in newspapers throughout the country, Reilly's call for termination is significant because of the size of his national audience.

Our feeling is that, while Irvin somehow has weathered the latest storm, he's finally down to his last "second chance." The next time he screws up -- and a next time there will be -- Irvin will be bounced from Bristol.

POSTED 9:14 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 12:29 p.m. EST, December 6, 2006

FIRE MILLEN, HIRE LEWAND?

Based on our discussions with members of the Motown media, it appears there's a belief that, if the Lions finally decide to pull the plug on the Matt Millen experiment (long after, of course, the laboratory has exploded and burned to the ground), the next president of the Detroit Lions very well could be Tom Lewand.

We've recently argued that Lewand is every bit as responsible for the problems with the team as Millen, if the contents of Lewand's bio in the team's media guide are true and accurate. So, in our view, giving him the keys to the building will do nothing to solve the problem.

There's also a belief, as we've heard it, that folks within the Lions building have been pushing us to call out Lewand, because they fear being fired if Lewand is the president. It's not true; actually, we think everyone in the front office should be fired.

Every one of them. It's time to flush the commode and scrub the bowl, baby. Sure, some quality workers might end up out of jobs because of it, but if they're quality workers they'll land on their feet.

Frankly, this franchise is so far gone that it needs not a tweaking but a fumigation. A fumigation so strong that it'll prevent anyone in sniffing distance from tasting Mackinaw peaches for a year.

So fire Millen. Fire Lewand. Fire everyone.

Oh, and Merry Christmas.

MORE EASY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

In addition to buying and/or asking for a Sprint and/or Nextel phone this Holiday season, we've got other stuff that you can add to your own Christmas list -- or put on someone else's.

Mike Freeman's new book, Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Hero, is available with a click on either of the two ads on this page. (If you're going to buy it -- and we suggest that you do -- we ask you to buy it through the ads on our site.) It's an excellent look at the life of one of the best football players of all time, and a controversial pioneer in the fight for racial equality.

And to plan for your post-Holiday fitness commitment, why not pick up a copy of Adam Archuleta's "Freak of Training" video? Anyone can go to the gym and spend 75 percent of the time there BS-ing with the guy who sort of looks like your cousin Phil from Jersey. But to really get in shape, it makes much more sense to bogart the training secrets of a veteran defensive back and first-round draft pick.

So help us out by helping our sponsors. Our content is free because of their commitment to us. So spend some of that money that you'd gladly fork over if this were another of the growing throng of pay-only sites and help us pay for that GI Joe with the kung fu grip.

ROD GIVING WVU THE SHAFT?

We haven't said much in the past few days about the bizarre events surrounding West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez because: (1) this is a pro football site; and (2) we've been too pissed off about the situation to articulate our thoughts in a manner that would allow us to use terms more appropriate than "pissed off."

But our frustration has subsided a bit and we'd like to pause for a moment from our NFL coverage to address the current state of affairs at the place where yours truly somehow managed to sneak out the back door with a law degree.

As a preliminary matter, we're not happy at all with Rodriguez. He's a great coach, but he's a bad liar.

When rumors were rampant on Friday that he'll end up as the next coach at Alabama, he called in to the Statewide SportsLine nightly radio show and went bonkos on co-host Greg Hunter for reporting that sources within the athletics department had said that if Rodriguez is offered the Alabama job he will take it. (As it now appears, Hunter was right on the money.)

But it wasn't enough for Rodriguez to merely declare that he has not spoken at all with Alabama and that his sole focus is preparing his current team for its final game of the regular season. Instead, Rod gave the Mountaineer faithful reason to let out a deep sigh when he declared, "I plan on being at West Virginia the rest of my career."

So, if that's the case, why was he even meeting with Alabama athletic director Mal Moore on Tuesday in New York? And please, Coach, don't give us that "plans change" nonsense. They might change in the course of one or two years, but not over three or four days.

If his game is to use the situation to leverage a better deal out of the West Virginia administration, there's a better way to play it than to openly flirt with another employer less than 100 hours after professing undying loyalty for his present one. Greg Schiano of Rutgers, who actually was on the hot seat before the Scarlet Knights began to turn things around in 2005, didn't play footsie with Miami in order to squeeze more money out of New Jersey. He declared that he is staying where he is, in the kind of unequivocal terminology that apparently doesn't reside in Rodriguez's vernacular.

Unless, of course, he wasn't being honest on Friday. And it's becoming increasingly clear that he wasn't.

Our other beef is with the University itself. If WVU truly aspires to continue to grow in size, scope, and prominence, it's time to act that way. With all of the money that has been generated by the football and basketball programs over the past couple of years, it shouldn't be like pulling teeth from a crocodile to get a competitive salary package for coaches who have obtained high marketability via their hard work and success.

The impression we get is that the University is willing to let Rodriguez walk and take its chances that the next guy will be as effective. But then if the next guy is as effective there will be another Alabama that comes calling, and the cycle will continue.

Or maybe the next guy will screw things up, and the Mountaineers can become a bottom feeder in the Big East before eventually slinking into Conference USA.

Bottom line, we're mad at everyone on this, because WVU had the table set for a national championship run in 2007. With a brand new head coach who might or might not know how to run the spread option effectively, it might be a long year for guys like Pat White and Steve Slaton.

Unless, of course, they transfer to Alabama.

WEDNESDAY EARLY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

T.O. got a chance to love him some him on Tuesday. (What grown man throws a birthday party . . . for himself?)

Bucs WR Michael Clayton is done for the year with a partially torn MCL.

Redskins QB Jason Campbel is above the Kordoza Line (but barely) in his three career starts.

Pats S Rodney Harrison says that a broken scapula won't end his season.

Another day, another Giant running his yap.

Lions QB/WR Josh McCown wants to bitch about the fact that he's not playing quarterback without, of course, bitching about the fact that he's not playing quarterback.

The New York Post is only a month or two behind us regarding the successor to Ernie Accorsi.

Newsday is only a week or two behind us regarding the leadership skills of Eli Manning. (Or the complete absence thereof.)

Deanna Favre wuz robbed.

POSTED 11:47 p.m. EST; UPDATED 11:55 p.m. EST, December 5, 2006

POSTON'S POWER PLAY RESULTS IN CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS

Several months ago, we reported on efforts by two members of the United States Congress to squeeze the NFL Players Association into laying off of agent Carl Poston, whom the union eventually suspended for two years based upon his chronic failure to comply with the hearing process as to a separate two-year suspension.

Poston's pull has resulted in Congressional hearings regarding the manner in which the NFLPA operates.

Scheduled to testify is Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington, a client of Carl and Kevin Poston who remains devoutly loyal to the agents despite an admitted failure to read the final draft of his December 2003 contract extension, which allegedly omitted a $6.5 million roster bonus, and their authorization of his decision to sacrifice more than $4 million in earned but unpaid bonus money in order to hit the free-agent market in February 2006. Arrington signed several months later with the Giants, not long before the date on which the Redskins would have had to decide whether to cut him free or to pay him a separate $6.5 million roster bonus.

Also on the tentative list is NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen and a law professor.

Curiously, Carl Poston isn't on the witness list.

Regardless of whether the NFLPA's regulations regarding agent discipline would benefit from some tweaking, it's an issue that affects only a very small percentage of Americans. At a time when there are many other issues that would benefit from Congressional involvement, we think that taxpayer money would be better devoted to scrutinizing something other than the grievance process available to a sports agent who, in our opinion, had no business being a sports agent in the first place.

RADIO WEDNESDAY

The law practice was active again on Tuesday, and we had to clear out our radio stops, with the exception of our weekly 10:25 p.m. EST spot with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio.

On Wednesday, we'll visit with Howard Balzer of ESPN Radio in St. Louis at 9:20 a.m. EST, Redskins Lunch on Triple X ESPN Radion in D.C. at 12:45 p.m. EST, Chris McClain of WFNZ in Charlotte at 2:25 p.m. EST, Steve Duemig of WDAE in Tampa at 4:15 p.m. EST, the guys at 105.5 The Fan in Macon at 5:20 p.m. or so, and Brad Riter of WGR at 8:00 p.m.

POSTED 5:31 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:03 p.m. EST, December 5, 2006

NFL REJECTED THOMAS ASTHMA CLAIM

The agent for Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas has forwarded to us the text of the letter submitted to the NFL in October 2006 by the Saints' team physician, Dr. John Amoss.

Wrote Dr. Amoss: "I am the team physician of New Orleans Saints and this letter is to document that Hollis Thomas has severe asthma and requires high dose inhaled steroids, a long acting beta agonist and a short acting beta agonist to control [his] asthma. At the time of his drug test in August 2006, Hollis was taking Advair 500/50 twice daily along with singular 10 mg daily and albuterol inhaler four times daily. Hollis continues to be on this same drug regimen to control [his] asthma. Advair contains both the steroid fluticasone and the long acting beta agonist salmeterol. Hollis' urine drug test in August of 2006 was positive for clenbuterol which is a beta agonist. At the time of the test, Hollis was taking two beta agonist to control his asthma (albuterol and salmeterol) and the possibility of a false positive test in this case would appear to be highly plausible."

The fact that the team doctor vouched for Thomas but the appeal process nevertheless resulted in a four-game suspension tells us that the NFL is sticking by the notion, as emphasized in the policy, that players are responsible for what is in their bodies.

And unless the NFL decided that Thomas was using the asthma excuse to get away with cheating, the league's apparent decision to impose discipline on Thomas for taking medicine aimed at controlling a real medical condition could create potential issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any comparable provision under Louisiana law.

Put simply, the law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for any employee who has a disability. If asthma is regarded as a disability, and if Thomas has asked the NFL to soften its steroids policy based on his asthma so that he can take the medicine that he needs, Thomas might be able to file suit, if he so chooses.

And the potential damages would be his lost wages and, possibly, the injury to his reputation due to the branding of him as a steroids user. Also, the fact that he's already had one strike under the steroids policy could make him less marketable on the free agent market in 2007.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement could limit the options in this regard, but Article IX of the CBA, which sets forth non-injury grievance procedure, does not contain a "clear and unmistakable waiver" of statutory human rights claims, which could make it easier for Thomas to file a legal action.

So Thomas possibly could sue, if he chooses to do so. If, of course, the goal is to continue to participate in the playing of professional football, he might want to consider the potential connection between any lawsuit he files and the convenient lack of interest in his services for next season and beyond.

Apart from the lawsuit angle, why wouldn't the NFL want one of its players with asthma to be able to take his medicine? Does the name Korey Stringer ring any bells?

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Redskins RB Clinton Portis has had surgery on his shoulder, and is facing a six-month rehab.

Steelers WR Hines Ward and S Troy Polamalu will miss Thursday night's game with knee injuries.

It sounds like Pacman is gonna get sued.

Browns QB Charlie Frye (wrist) is questionable for Thursday night.

Giants DE Michael Strahan won't apologize for his outburst at ESPN's Kelly Naqi.

The Bucs game-ending field goal to avoid a shutout was the first such move since 1933.

The December 17 game between the Fins and Bills has been moved to 4:05. (We suggest a.m.)

QB Jon Kitna will remain the starter in Detroit . . . in 2007.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli is trying to teach rookie LB Ernie Sims not to blow up his own guys.

The Soup Nazi nearly threatened to cut off Mike Francesa's mulligatawny.

The Pats have placed S Eugene Wilson on IR.

The charges against Rams TE Dominique Byrd also include misdemeanor assault, due to grabbing a woman's butt.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden has put everyone on notice. (Including himself?)

Ravens LB Dan Cody has a torn PCL.

Broncos LB Al Wilson (neck) could return to practice soon.

The active ingredient for "Terrence Kiel Purple Drank" was obtained from a pharmacy technician who was lifting the stuff from her place of employment.

Enter Shaun Suisham, exit Nick Novak.

POSTED 4:44 p.m. EST, December 5, 2006

GIBBS SAYS HE'LL BE BACK IN 2007

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs told reporters on Sunday that he'll definitely return as the team's head coach in 2007.

"There is no equivocation. I plan on going forward and being the coach again," Gibbs said. "As long as I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be, I'm going to be here."

We had heard rumors in the offseason and earlier this year that Gibbs would pack it in and return on a full-time basis to his NASCAR team. There also were rumblings that Gibbs' wife had been pushing him to retire. More recently, we reported that Gibbs would definitely return.

The Hall of Fame coach led the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles during his first stint with the team. He returned in 2004 after an eleven-season absence from the game.

Gibbs has two years remaining on a five-year, $25 million contract.

POSTED 4:13 p.m. EST, December 5, 2006

HOLLIS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas has been suspended by the NFL for the final four games of the 2006 regular season for violation of the league's steroids and related substances policy. Glazer reports that the suspension resulted from medication for his asthma.

The veteran defensive tackle was acquired by the Saints in a trade with the Eagles. He becomes a free agent after the 2006 season.

He'll miss the next four games, but will be eligible to rejoin the team for the postseason.

POSTED 9:01 a.m. EST, December 5, 2006

COWHER COMING BACK?

With many observers (including us) convinced that Steelers head coach Bill Cowher will call it quits after the 2006 season, take a year or two off, and then make himself available to the highest bidder, there's now a growing school of thought in league circles that the Steelers and Cowher will resolve their differences and work out a new contract not long after the season.

Of course, there really is no option "C" here. Either Cowher will walk or he'll re-up; he most likely won't serve out 2007 without a contract for 2008.

The issue comes down to money. Can or will the Rooneys pay enough to keep Cowher? How far will Cowher discount his market value as a gratuity to the family that stood behind him even in seasons when the team was slumping?

Really, there aren't many owners that would have been as patient with Cowher, waiting 14 seasons to win a Super Bowl.

There's also a theory snaking through the grapevine that Cowher will feel obligated to leave the team on a higher note. Of course, that feeling could change if the team surges to an 8-8 or 9-7 finish. But a 5-11 or 6-10 mark surely isn't the way that Cowher wants to wrap up his tenure.

We still think he'll "retire" after the season, but if he stays look for a two-year extension (at most), which would be enough to remove the "lame duck" stigma even though 2007 would then likely be his last season with the team.

POSTED 8:04 p.m. EST, December 4, 2006

STEELERS SAY "SEE YA" TO STALEY

In a move that was considered by many in the league as long overdue, the Steelers have released running back Duce "Money for Nothing" Staley.

Staley, a high-priced free agent addition several years ago, never really did much for the team. Coach Bill Cowher inexplicably opted to keep him on the roster through opening day, making his $1.5 million salary fully guaranteed.

The Steelers also placed receiver Willie Reid on injured reserve, and re-signed receiver Lee Mays and cornerback Chidi Iwuoma.

POSTED 7:45 p.m. EST, December 4, 2006

HUIZENGA HAPPY WITH SABAN

Dolphins coach Nick Saban says he's not leaving. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga doesn't want him to.

"I may be way off base," Huizenga said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "but when I sit with Nick Saban for breakfast, lunch or dinner or shooting the breeze . . . I'm just convinced he's on the right track. He knows what he's going to do and it's going to work. I may be wrong, but I don't think so. I'm completely sold on Nick Saban and I'll be the first to admit that I made a mistake if we did make a mistake. But I firmly believe in Nick and his approach."

[Editor's note: Huizenga also predicted that A.J. Feeley would be the next Dan Marino, so Wayne's football expertise might be lacking. A bit.]

As to rumors linking Saban to other jobs, Huizenga said, "I walked in and said, 'Tell me,'" said Huizenga. "He said, 'No, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here.'

"And he said, 'If I was going to go somewhere sometime, I won't go until this job is finished, and we haven't finished our job here.' That makes me feel good."

POSTED 7:26 p.m. EST, December 4, 2006

FREE SANTURDIO

An Ohio judge has dismissed domestic violence and assault charges against Steelers receiver Santurdio, who was arrested twice in three weeks earlier this year.

Prosecutors asked for the dismissal due to concerns regarding the evidence (i.e., the alleged victim likely wasn't cooperating because if Santurdio goes to San Quentin the child support check goes bye-bye) and because Santurdio had undergone anger management classes.

The case was set to go to trial on December 11.

So now that there are no pending criminal charges against Santurdio, do we quit calling him Santurdio?

For now, we're standing pat.

POSTED 1:44 p.m. EST, December 4, 2006

ANOTHER PLAYER ARRESTED

Maybe the NFL's theory is to get enough players arrested to make the fans and the media numb to it all.

We're being facetious (we think . . . and thanks, Tiki). But there's got to be an explanation for this rash of arrests. Or, more accurately, for the inability of the NFL and its 32 member teams to persuade its employees to not engage in behavior that might get them arrested. Or get other people hurt. Or worse.

The latest guy in handcuffs is Rams rookie tight end Dominique Byrd, a third-round draft choice out of USC. The charge? Stabbing a bar patron in the face with a broken bottle in the wee hours after the team's home loss to the Cardinals.

Nice. God rest ye merry gentlemen, or something.

Dear NFL, please don't let incidents like this kill the sport we love. Plenty of guys can play football at a high level. The league needs to find a way to improve this situation before the folks who are spending their time and money following football find something else on which to spend their money and time. And they will. Just ask the NBA, which is trying its damnedest to force the toothpaste back into the tube, and getting toothpaste all over the place in the process.

POSTED 11:13 a.m. EST, December 4, 2006

PARCELLS, GIBBS BACK FOR 2007

The prevailing sentiment in league circles is that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and Redskins coach Joe Gibbs will return to their respective teams in 2007, despite rampant speculation and rumor earlier in the year regarding the possibility that one or both would pack it in.

Parcells is having a rebirth of sorts in Big D, with a 5-1 record since making the switch from Drew Bledsoe to Tony Romo at quarterback, a decision made by Parcells. The Tuna had another personnel move vindicated on Sunday when the team's new kicker, Martin "Hamburglar" Gramatica nailed three field goals, including the game winner, against the Giants.

Despite Terrell Owens' comments from last week questioning the decision to dump former kicker Mike Vanderjagt, T.O. has been generally well behaved since Romo got the gig, even though Owens has been anything but the focal point of the offense of late.

So there's a good feeling right now around the organization, and the sense is that Parcells has another season left in him. If not more.

The only caveat, as we understand it, is this: If the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, Parcells will ride off into the sunset.

As to Gibbs, the chances of a fourth Super Bowl are remote. But he'll get another shot in 2007 as he returns for the fourth season of his second stint with the team. There also is ongoing talk and speculation in league circles that, if/when Gibbs calls it quits, Redskins owner Dan Snyder will make a run at Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

RADIO MONDAY

We're doing a little juggling today with the web site and the law practice, but we're still going to be able to free up some time to make two of our regular stops.

At 12:18 p.m. EST or so, we'll visit with Jamie Mottram and company at AOL's Sports Bloggers Live. Then, at 12:30 p.m. EST, we'll talk with Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay of KFAN in Minneapolis.

POSTED 9:00 a.m. EST, December 4, 2006

LEFTWICH DONE IN JAX

With one year remaining on his rookie contract, a bad ankle, a résumé that includes only one postseason appearance (and not a single postseason point), and the mobility of Drew Bledsoe on muscle relaxers, the talk in league circles is that Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich is done in Jacksonville.

It doesn't help Leftwich's cause that "backup" David Garrard continues to perform well at the position. He led the Jaguars to a victory in Miami on Sunday against a red-hot Fins team that had ten days to prepare for the game. The victory puts the Jaguars at 7-5 with four other AFC teams, a cluster from which two wild card qualifiers will emerge.

As to Leftwich, who was placed on IR last week, the future is uncertain. Teams currently thought to be ready to upgrade the starting quarterback position after the season include the Browns, Lions, Raiders, and Vikings.

And although Leftwich is represented by agent Tom Condon, who has a reputation for aiming very high when negotiating quarterback contracts, Byron might have to accept a contract with a large option or roster bonus in year two or three, which would give his new team a chance to cut the cord after a short-term look-see at a relatively low investment. Also, there likely will be the issue of compensation for the Jags, who'll surely want a second-day pick (at a minimum) in exchange for the rights to the former first-rounder.

An intriguing subplot to Leftwich's status is the fact that Condon also represents Tampa's Chris Simms, who'll likewise be on the market in March. Though not as delicate as the situation that would have arisen if, for example, Condon represented both Vince Young and Matt Leinart in the 2006 draft, having two veteran quarterbacks who are available to other teams at the same time could create a little awkwardness for Condon, especially if one team decides to pursue both of them. Given that circumstance, it wouldn't shock us if one of them, Leftwich or Simms, opts to make a change.

DEL RIO SAFE FOR 2007

One relatively sure thing in Jacksonville for 2007 is that coach Jack Del Rio will return, regardless of how the rest of the season plays out for the team. However, Del Rio likely will be on the hot seat entering next season if the Jags fail to make it to the playoffs in 2006.

There had been talk that Del Rio could be in trouble, if the team fails to return to the postseason in a year that carried higher-than-usual expectations for the franchise. But even before Sunday's win at Miami, the sense was that Del Rio will survive.

The guy in the most danger, as one league insider explained to us over the weekend, is offensive coordinator Carl Smith. This former quarterbacks coach at USC, who was hired by Del Rio instead of former Trojans and current Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, has been with the Jags since 2005. Despite having an arsenal of young, talented receivers, the passing game has been subpar of late.

If Smith gets the shoe, it's unlikely that assistant head coach/offense Mike Tice would inherit the job. For starters, Tice has never served as an offensive coordinator; he jumped straight from offensive line coach to head coach in Minnesota. Second, the guy is still a meathead, in our not-so-humble opinion.

Example? The coaching staff of an NFL team usually arrives on game day earlier than anyone else, especially at a home game. But a league source tells us that, when the Jags played the Giants two weeks ago, Mr. Meaty blew in to the stadium roughly two hours before kickoff, after 99 percent of the players had arrived.

Our source acknowledges that Tice might have had a good excuse for his tardiness. Even if he did, the fact remains that he showed up roughly two hours before kickoff for a Monday night game -- which also happened to be the first game played after he expressly had been commissioned to get the receivers to quit dropping so many passes.

Then there's the whole Super Bowl scalping fiasco, the Love Boat embarrassment, and every other bad thing that occurred on his watch while he was the head coach of the Vikings. Some think Tice shouldn't have a job in the league, in any capacity. Thus, we believe that the chances of him climbing any higher than he currently is are remote, at least in the short term.

POSTED 10:45 p.m. EST; UPDATED 11:05 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

ANOTHER BENGAL BUSTED

Man, you can't make this stuff up.

After a couple of quiet months, another member of the Cincinnati Bengals has gotten into trouble.

This time, it's receiver Reggie McNeal, who was arrested early Sunday for trying to get into a Houston nightclub after it had closed.

McNeal, a rookie, played quarterback in college for Texas A&M.

An off-duty Houston Police Department officer was working security at the club. McNeal reportedly became aggressive and pushed the officer when he was told that he couldn't enter.

McNeal was also involved in the incident from earlier in the season that resulted in the banishment of linebacker OdellThurman and a one-game deactivation of Chris Henry. It was McNeal's vehicle that Thurman was driving while intoxicated, and from which Henry was vomiting while Thurman was being arrested.

The Bengals have worked their way to 7-5 after a rocky start to the season.

KIWANUKA'S BAD DAY

Bad things, they say, often happen in threes.

For Giants rookie Mathias Kiwanuka, we already knew about two of the potholes he hit last Sunday. First, he inexplicably released his grasp on Titans quarterback Vince Young, who then scampered to sustain the game-tying drive on a fourth-down play. The Giants would go on to lose by three despite leading 21-0 after three quarters.

Then, immediately after the play, Kiwanuka got a face full of coach Tom Coughlin, who was livid to say the least regarding the mistake.

And a league source now tells us that the trifecta was completed when the Giants returned from Tennessee.

It was then that Kiwanuka learned that his car had been stolen.

D'oh!

POSTED 10:27 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

COSTAS CALLS OUT STINKO ON PAYTON DINERO

Kudos to NBC's Bob Costas for putting Bengals receiver Chad Johnson a/k/a Ocho Cinco a/k/a Ocho Stinko regarding Jay Glazer's report that Stinko recently stiffed Saints coach Sean Payton for $1,600 in tickets to the November 19 game between their teams.

In an interview during Sunday night's game between the Seahawks and the Broncos on NBC, Costas asked Stinko if he planned to honor the debt, and Stinko said that the money should have been received by now.

"So the check is in the mail," Costas said in reply.

Costas then asked Johnson point blank if Payton would be paid, and Stinko sheepishly said, "Of course."

The tone of Costas' questioning was tongue-in-cheek but at the same time direct. And we liked it.

Hey, Payton did the guy a favor. The fact that Stinko dragged his feet to pay the man is low class, in our opinion.

POSTED 8:50 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

VICK TAKES DIG AT COACHING STAFF

The fact that the Atlanta Falcons finally have reversed a full-out free-fall with a win against the Redskins wasn't enough to bring an end to the internal strife that could eventually trigger big changes after the season.

After the 24-14 road win, Vick offered up this explanation of a 22-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins, which gave the Falcons the lead after they had fallen behind by 14: "[Jenkins] actually wasn't even in the read. Sometimes you've got to overcome coaching. I told him before the play to make sure he ran his route to win, and he did. Nobody on the field knew what I was going to do but me and him, so it kind of works out that way."

Sometimes you've got to overcome coaching.

The statement implies, obviously, that there's something bad about the coaching that needs to be overcome. Our guess is that, if Vick is pressed on the question, he'll say that he was misunderstood. Or maybe he'll offer up another perfunctory apology, perhaps with a $5,000 donation to a charity of coach Jim Mora's choice. Still, Vick said what he said, and it means what it means.

So regardless of the fact that (drum roll, please) the Falcons found a way to outscore the up-and-down Redskins, the Atlanta football franchise still has deeper issues that won't go away until there's a new coaching staff in the building. Or until Vick is gone.

POSTED 7:27 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

HAMBURGLAR IS TUNA HELPER

Kicker Martin Gramatica, to whom we lovingly refer as the Hamburglar, helped his new boss, Bill Parcells, to a win over his old team, the New York Giants, by nailing a 46-yard field goal with one second left on the clock.

The kick put the Cowboys up by three points, 23-20.

The Hamburglar was out of football a week ago, but suddenly found himself kicking for the NFC East leaders after Parcells abruptly decided to cut Mike Vanderjagt.

In all, Gramatica made three out of four field goals on the day.

For the Cowboys, the win gives them a two-game cushion in the division, with four games to play. It was a devastating loss for the Giants, who could have pulled into a tie with Dallas. New York also would have owned the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Cowboys, since the Giants had beaten the 'Boys in the Monday nighter that featured the bench-and-switch from Drew Bledsoe to Tony Romo.

Romo threw two interceptions and no touchdown passes against the Giants, but he connected on a long pass with tight end Jason Witten on the team's last drive, which came after the Giants had knotted the score -- but left too many ticks on the clock.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Giants, dropping them to 6-6.

POSTED 7:17 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE FOR GREEN

Even though the Arizona Cardinals went into St. Louis and came out with an unexpected victory, the fate of coach Dennis Green is sealed.

After the season, he'll be fired. One league source tells us that it is an absolute certainty.

There's nothing Green can do at this point to save himself, including running the table with victories in the team's final four games.

The candidates for the job, as we've heard it in recent weeks, will be USC coach Pete Carroll, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, and Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Other names that have been mentioned include former Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil and Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

The Cardinals franchise generally has been a graveyard for head coaches, with few of them ever resurfacing as a successful head coach elsewhere. The exceptions? Don Coryell, who would become an offensive mastermind with the Chargers, and Gene Stallings, who won a national championship with Alabama three years after being fired by the Cardinals in 1989. In all, the Cardinals have had 42 head coaches since 1920. Coryell was the last one to leave with a winning record.

As to Green, he might be able to find refuge at the college level. He is owed $2.5 million for 2007, and he could pocket that money and return for a year to ESPN, which now employs his son, Jeremy. If the elder Green pounces on one of the openings at the college level, his buyout likely would be reduced by his earnings next season.

Green was the head coach at Northwestern and Stanford before being hired by the Vikings in 1992.

POSTED 5:11 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

FISHER SAFE IN NASHVILLE

Even before Sunday's stirring, come-from-behind win over the Indianapolis Colts, Titans owner Bud Adams had decided to keep coach Jeff Fisher for 2007, and beyond.

The Titans hold an option on Fisher for 2007, and the contract requires him to be paid the equivalent of the top five highest-paid coaches in the NFL. A league insider tells us that the Titans will extend Fisher's contract beyond 2007.

Fisher has been the franchise's coach for so long that it was known as the Houston Oilers when he was hired.

And the retention of Fisher doesn't mean that G.M. Floyd Reese will be released. The thinking is that Reese, whose contract expires after the 2006 season, also will be retained.

It's a stunning change of direction for a franchise that was floundering early in the season. But since the decision was made to insert Vince Young as the starting quarterback, the Titans have surged, and are now only two games under .500.

Fisher would have been a hot commodity, if he had been released by the Titans. He is well respected in league circles, and the rumor mill had connected him to possible openings with the Cowboys, Redskins, and Steelers.

POSTED 4:07 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

ROOKIE TRIO ARRIVES

On the same day that the BCS matchups for 2007 will be announced, the three biggest names from last year's BCS championship game have had a simultaneous coming-out party on the 13th Sunday of the NFL season.

Saints running back Reggie Bush, who had only one touchdown from scrimmage prior to today, has scored four times in his team's game against the 49ers. (And he might still get another one or two.)

Titans quarterback Vince Young, who was taken with the third overall selection one spot behind Bush, led his team to another stirring come-from-behind win, as Tennessee handed the Colts their second loss of the season on a 60-yard field goal from Rob Bironas.

And Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who threw for more than 400 yards a week ago in a loss, has led Arizona to a 34-13 win at St. Louis.

Of the three, we think the most promising is Young. He has the poise of a seasoned veteran, and his skills have translated well to the NFL, despite concerns that pro-level defenders would be better able to prevent him from being an effective runner. Last week, he rallied the Titans from a 21-0 deficit against the Giants. This week, the Titans trailed 14-0 before eking out a 20-17 victory.

POSTED 3:32 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

BRAD GETS BENCHED

After throwing four interceptions in less than three full quarters, Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson has been yanked in favor of Brooks (or, as Dick Stockton said on FOX, "Bruce") Bollinger.

It could be the end of the road for Johnson in Minnesota, both for the 2006 season and for . . . for . . . well, forever. (Nod to the Soup Nazi.)

A league insider told us earlier today that the Vikings are expected to make a big push in free agency for a quarterback. They spent a second-round pick this year on Tarvaris Jackson, who is regarded as a two-to-three-year project.

Matt Schaub wll be a restricted free agent in Atlanta, but the Falcons are expected to tender him at the highest level, requiring both a first-round pick and a third-round pick in order to secure his rights.

As to Johnson, plenty of media types were pissing and moaning earlier this year about his salary of only (only?) $1 million, which was negotiated when he signed aboard to back up Daunte Culpepper. At this point, Johnson should in all fairness offer the team a partial refund.

POSTED 3:10 p.m. EST; UPDATED 3:19 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

CHITOWN GETTING RESTLESS

Although the Bears are holding lead against their NFC North rivals from Minnesota, the fans at Soldier Field are clamoring for a quarterback change.

Starter Rex Grossman has completed only three of 12 passes for 22 yards. He also has thrown three interceptions.

Yikes. (Man, we're glad we didn't make him one of our fantasy picks for the week.)

In our view, there's no way that the Bears will have any success in the postseason if Grossman is the quarterback.

Then again, the Vikings now have no chance of getting to the postseason, thanks to their quarterback. Brad Johnson has thrown four interceptions, one of which was returned by Ricky "Borat" Manning for a touchdown.

POSTED 12:49 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

STINKO STIFFS PAYTON

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Bengals receiver Chad Johnson a/k/a Ocho Cinco a/k/a Ocho Stinko has stuck Saints coach Sean Payton with the tab for 10 tickets, at $160 each.

Johnson called Payton out of the blue and asked Payton for a favor prior to the Bengals' November 19 game against the Saints at the Superdome. The receiver requested the best seats possible from the Saints head coach, who didn't know Johnson and had never spoken to him previously.

Johnson woke Payton up with a text message in the early morning hours of game day regarding the tickets. Payton came through. Two weeks later, however, Johnson still hasn't paid Payton the $1,600.

Nice one, Chad. Now pay the man, please.

POSTED 12:12 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

SABAN TO 'BAMA RUMORS WON'T GO AWAY

Although he has made it clear that he's not leaving the Miami Dolphins, coach Nick Saban continues to be linked to the vacancy in Tuscaloosa.

Per the Huntsville Times, by way of Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the University of Alabama is expected to interview Saban this week.

The Times reports that the Tide will make a push for Saban and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, both of whom coincidentally grew up within the same West Virginia county.

But Saban has said he's not interested, and we've heard that there's no way Saban would leave for Alabama or any other job. He's getting too much money and he has too much control with the Dolphins. He has climbed the ladder at the college level; the 55-year-old's career won't be complete until he wins a Super Bowl.

Though Saban loves the attention, we doubt that he'll interview for the Alabama gig or any other job within the next two years, if not longer.

POSTED 10:53 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:59 a.m. EST, December 3, 2006

FALCONS WON'T TRADE VICK

There's strong talk in league circles that the Atlanta Falcons will not trade quarterback Michael Vick, even if he asks for a fresh start via a ticket out of Georgia.

The plan, as we understand it, is to pump up the offense, either with a new offensive coordinator or an infusion of better receivers, or both. A new head coach also is a possibility, and could hinge on whether and to what extent Vick lobbies for a change.

After all, there are no salary cap consequences when a coach is fired. But if Vick were to be moved before June 1 (as we reported earlier in the week), the Falcons would take a cap hit of more than $22 million.

(Keep this in mind. If head coach Jim Mora has decided that he's had enough of the Vick fiasco, don't be surprised if Mora refuses to fire Knapp, setting the stage to be let go, too.)

Whoever the new coordinator/coach might be, we strongly recommend that the offense be designed specifically for Vick. Maximize his strengths, conceal his weaknesses. Let Vick be Vick. Don't force a square peg into a round hole. Look both ways before crossing the street. Eat your damn broccoli. Et cetera. Et cetera.

It sounds like a cliché, but as far as Atlanta is concerned it isn't, because it's never been attempted by the Falcons.

The problem is that, as to anyone currently in the NFL, it would require scrapping the system with which he is familiar and starting from scratch.

The best alternative, in our view? A guy right up the road from PFT headquarters.

West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, who has been linked to Alabama and who reacted angrily when word of his potential departure broke on the eve of the Mountaineers' regular-season finale, runs an offense that would suit Vick perfectly. But Rodriguez was forced by the 'Bama rumors to make a broad proclamation regarding his future intentions (he says he's "planning on being the coach at West Virginia for the rest of my career, if they’ll have me"), and Rodriguez likely won't be available for 2007. Even if he were, he'd need an offer better than the reported $20 million package that Alabama is/was prepared to offer.

If we were Arthur Blank, we'd make a run at Rod. The offense contains a lot of designed quarterback runs, and the package of passes and reads is pretty simple. The only traditional pocket passing involves hoisting the ball down the field if the primary receiver is open, and pulling the ball down and moving around if he isn't, looking for another open man or taking off.

The Falcons already have bogarted some of the spread option attack that the Mountaineers employ, using to much acclaim earlier in the season a quarterback option handoff/run from the shotgun formation. But cutting and pasting one play isn't enough; the Falcons should incorporate the entire attack if Vick is ever to be the best quarterback that he can be, based on his unique set of skills and abilities.

As to the receivers, why do they continue to be the scapegoats for Vick's shortcomings? Sure, there were some dropped passes last week. But maybe they're feeling more than a little pressure to help Vick look like a better quarterback, since they know based on past precedent that the front office and coaching staff will always blame the pass catchers before blaming the pass thrower.

In Atlanta, there are three first-round picks tied up in the receivers -- Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, and Ashley Lelie, a former first-round pick for whom Atlanta gave up one of their own former first-rounders, running back T.J. Duckett. We don't think that Jenkins and White are Charles Rogers and Mike Williams; the problem is Vick.

More specifically, the problem is the offense he has been running. If the Falcons would ever put in the right attack, they might just help Vick to fulfill his full potential.

LAST MINUTE WEEK 13 FANTASY PICKS AND PUNKS

Our pal Charch of Fanball.com was under the weather this week, so we had to cobble together a list of fantasy picks and punks without his sage advice.

First, the guys we like:

Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback, Steelers: Assuming Bart Scott doesn't sneak into the Tampa lineup, Ben should go bonkos against the Bucs.

Rex Grossman, quarterback, Bears: The Chicago quarterback is having a yo-yo season. This week, he plays well against a Vikings defense that is great against the run, porous against the pass.

Shaun Alexander, running back, Seahawks: This guy used to be a no-brainer starter, and is now working his way back to that category after a 200-yard performance on Monday night. The Broncos have been a little soft up front lately, so don't be afraid to use him at Mile High.

Travis Henry, running back, Titans: His numbers in Tennessee's epic come-from-behind win against the Giants were poor, primarily because the offense was in such a deep hole so early. We think that the Titans will turn Travis loose this weekend against a Colts run defense that consistently has been gashed.

Marvin Harrison, wide receiver, Colts: With single-digit receiving yards last Sunday night, Peyton Manning will feed him a healthy dose of footballs.

Santurdio, wide receiver, Steelers: With Hines Ward out, Santurdio could have his coming-out party against a Tampa defense that is a shadow of what it used to be.

Now, the guys to avoid:

Jay Cutler, quarterback, Broncos: Don't fall for the hype. All rookie quarterbacks have lost their initial starts this year, and the Broncos will likely insulate Cutler with a run-heavy attack against a Seattle defense that could befuddle the first-rounder with blitzes.

David Carr, quarterback, Texans: Quietly having a solid season, Carr's numbers will suffer as the Texans take on the Raiders, who have one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL.

Edgerrin James, running back, Cardinals: Yeah, the Rams have given up a lot of rushing yards. But that was against good rushing attacks. Look for the Cards to continue to throw, throw, throw -- and for James to continue to get paid millions to do not much of anything.

Chester Taylor, running back, Vikings: Fatigue is becoming a factor for the free-agent pickup, who has had more touches this year than a blind guy in a furniture factory. The Bears will beat him up, limit his yards, and possibly force a fumble or two.

Andre Johnson, wide receiver, Texans: On pace to have a great season statistically, he runs up against a very good defense today.

Braylon Edwards, wide receiver, Browns: With Ty Law across from him and a quarterback that he has pissed off, Edwards' uninspiring sophomore season will continue to not inspire.

SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

ESPN's Rachel Nichols said "crap" on the air.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that Giants coach Tom Coughlin is concerned about his reputation and the reputation of the organization in light of the past week or two of turmoil.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen says that the Soup Nazi is not in hot water, because ownership doesn't think he's losing the team; Coughlin won't get fired unless the team quits down the stretch, which isn't expected.

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News puts Charlie Weis at the top of the list of possible candidates to replace the Soup Nazi.

The Commish doesn't think the league has gone too far in its efforts to protect quarterbacks.

It's Sammy Morris time. (Okay, who's Sammy Morris?) [Editor's note: Whenever we make a statement like that, it's for effect. We know who Morris is. But thanks for all those e-mails we recently got advising us that the backup quarterback of the Bengals is Anthony Wright.)

David Neal of the Miami Herald should apologize to no one for this item regarding the all of the hollow apologies that have been flooding the sports world.

The Pats rarely if ever lose to inferior opponents.

POSTED 10:18 a.m. EST, December 3, 2006

SOUP NAZI ON HOT SEAT?

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports (kind of) that Giants coach Tom Coughlin is coaching for his job on Sunday against the Cowboys.

Vacchiano initially paints a gloomy picture for Coughlin, pointing out that his contract expires after the 2007 season and that the organization doesn't want a lame duck. So either Coughlin gets an extension, or he gets canned.

But then Vacchiano writes that, according to sources in the organization, "the odds still remain in Coughlin's favor." To stick around, however, Coughlin need to find a way to pull his dysfunctional team together and win games.

So is Sunday "make or break" for the Soup Nazi?

"I don't know if it's 'make or break,' unless he's about to get fired, and I don't think our head man is about to get fired," linebacker Antonio Pierce told Vacchiano. "I think he's doing a good job. Hey, I back the guy. I don't think guys are quitting to the point where you can say he doesn't have control of this team. That's not the case."

Part of the problem, as we see it, is that too many of the players are too willing to talk about matters too sensitive for discussion -- and then too influenced by the things that others within the organization say. Pierce's comments regarding Coughlin, for example, possibly could have come out a different way, causing yet another off-field distraction for a team that is splitting at the seams.

Really, why do so many of the Giants players so willingly spout off whenever the opportunity arises? We realize that the New York media is large and relentless, and that the paying customers like to hear from the guys who wear the uniform. But shouldn't there be some internal rules (or, at a minimum, an unspoken culture) regarding the lines that won't be crossed?

This gets back to our ongoing belief that G.M. Ernie Accorsi is getting far less blame for this mess (i.e., none) than he deserves (i.e., plenty). It's one thing to assemble a stew of dissimilar personalities and hope that they can find a way to get along. It's quite another to give them no apparent guidance or structure regarding the manner in which their opinions regarding others in the organization should be expressed.

And we're not talking about telling Jeremy Shockey or Tiki Barber not to criticize the coaching staff again. There should be no "again"; these guys should know -- as they do in most other NFL cities -- where the line is when it comes to pontificating for the press, and they should stay the hell away from it.

For example, Pierce didn't stop with his five sentences supporting Coughlin; the defensive leader then threw a dart at some of his teammates.

"We've had guys that just didn't make plays at the right times and guys are making mistakes," Pierce said. "[Coughlin] can coach, but he can't play. You can train your dog not to [urinate] on the floor, but if he's got to [urinate] he's going to [urinate] on the floor anyway. You can only control people so much. Some of it is on the coach, but you can't put 100% of what one player does on the field on him."

Even though Pierce didn't name any players, there surely will be guys who will assume that Pierce was talking about them. It's just another issue unrelated to the on-field performance that the Giants will have to confront, and it becomes part of the overall burden that this team has to carry as it tries to come together.

GILBRIDE THE MORE LIKELY FALL GUY

Our own sources are telling us that Giants coach Tom Coughlin is safe, and that the guy who should be worrying about his future is quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride, who has presided over the regression of Eli Manning.

Gilbride once took a fist to the face from Buddy Ryan when they were the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, with the Houston Oilers. This time around, Gilbride might get a shoe to the sh-tcan.

As to Coughlin, our information is that ownership is not down on the veteran coach "at all," and that he's likely to return in 2006.

Whether he should is a different issue. But as Antonio Pierce explained above, with the kind of terminology that we often use here, Coughlin can only do so much. If the front office has made mistakes by acquiring guys who persistently make mistakes, either with their bodies or their mouths, Coughlin can't make those players into something they aren't.

POSTED 1:19 p.m. EST; UPDATED 3:03 p.m. EST, December 2, 2006

FIRE LEWAND

At a time when the cries of "Fire Millen!" within the Lions faithful (all 24 of them) are inching toward another, and perhaps final, crescendo, we strongly advise the fine folks who frequent Ford Field to call not only for the ouster of the President/CEO of the Lions, but also for the dismissal of the franchise's version of the guy who is there to claim credit for on-field success (if the team ever, you know, has any) and who can conveniently insulate himself from any blame as it continues to struggle.

Tom Lewand.

Most NFL followers have never heard of Lewand. He's the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the team, and the biographical information contained in the Lions' media guide connotes an upbringing of privilege and influence. His father has served as the chief of staff for a former Michigan governor and chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party. Lewand has worked for former Indiana governor Evan Bayh and in the White House. Lewand was, we believe, the perfect guy to get Ford Field built and to make it financially successful.

Though a lawyer and a businessman, Lewand has no football credentials. So since he's not a "football guy," he has escaped most, if not all, of the scrutiny that has been directed to Millen over the past several years, as the franchise has disintegrated into one of the darkest eras in its existence.

But Lewand's fingerprints are on enough of the football operations to allow him to bask in the warm glow of, say, a Super Bowl run (if the team, you know, ever has one). The team's media guide touts his negotiation of player contracts, and his role in the selection of coach Rod Marinelli and Marinelli's staff. "Lewand's leadership positions every aspect of the Lions' organization, including Ford Field operations, to significantly impact the Lions' drive for a Super Bowl title," the guide explains, a tad clumsily. "For Lewand, everything from football transactions to Ford Field events influences the team's ability to compete and win."

Fine. Great. Good for him. So why isn't Lewand as accountable for the on-field results as Millen? If everything Lewand does right "influences the team's ability to compete and win," common sense suggests that the team's ongoing inability to compete and win traces in some way to Lewand.

"But I'm not a football expert," Lewand might argue if called on the carpet for the team's piss-poor performance on the plastic grass. Baloney, we say. He has insinuated himself into the heart of the football operation, and thus should be held to the same standard as the members of the football operation with real football experience.

Besides, who's to blame for the embarrassment to the franchise and the Ford family resulting from the decision to hire Joe "Lady Godiva" Cullen? A simple search on Google yielded more than enough evidence to suggest that Cullen was unfit. So should Millen the meathead have been responsible for vetting this guy, or should Lewand the lawyer have put in place sound, thorough procedures for ensuring that the team doesn't add to the organization a guy who has no qualms about making a butt-naked burger run?

Then there's the recent Joey Harrington incident on Thanksgiving Day. Although we criticized Millen based on the authority that his title implies, it's obvious that Lewand, not Millen, is responsible for game day operations at Ford Field.

How do we know this? Because the media guide says so.

"Lewand operates as the team's chief contract negotiator and architect of the salary cap, and oversees all day-to-day operation of both the Detroit Lions and Ford Field entities. This includes the management of finance, football administration, player development, security, equipment operations, medical staff, ticketing, sales and marketing, public/media relations, broadcasting, human resources, Ford Field operations and administration, and the development of Ford Field's lease space in the stadium's progression as a multi-use facility."

That's a big job, with a lot of duties. And for an organization that is failing so badly on the field, it's pretty safe to say that, in one way another, Lewand's skills and/or lack thereof are directly or indirectly responsible for it.

Bottom line? Replacing Millen isn't going to go far enough to turn this thing around. It's time for Lewand to go, too.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Excuses are being made for Eli Manning. (Who does he think he is, Michael Vick?)

Um, how does showing video from the Ice Bowl help Eric Mangini to demystify Lambeau Field for his Jets? (Why not just read off the scores of the games played there over the past couple of years?)

WR Nate Washington will start in place of WR Hines Ward (knee) on Sunday.

From the "How the Mighty Have Fallen" file, Sunday's Steelers home game will be called by Ron Pitts and the Bachelor.

From the "Are You Trying to Drive Me Back to the Bottle?" file, FOX has assigned Pat Summerall to work a game with Bill Maas.

RB T.J. Duckett has 19 carries for 90 yards in eleven games as a Redskin.

Bucs QB Bruce Gradkowski likes to throw it deep.

Tampa has yet to make an offer to G/C Sean Mahan, who'll become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Finally, the Texans will face an offensive line that's worse than their own.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak fears the Raiders. (He's also afraid of kittens.)

The Patriots might use more 4-3 fronts, given the absence of LB Junior Seau.

There should be a law preventing anyone named Pierre from playing football.

The Jags are making their first trip ever to Miami. (And they won't be back in February.)

Lord Favre's uncertain future is good for scalpers.

Ron Borges' affinity for all things Raider apparently doesn't extend to Matt Millen.

When the Fins were wearing a patch to commemorate their 40th anniversary, a friend of former defensive back Dick Anderson, who wore No. 40, thought that Anderson had died. (He hasn't?)

Can Tony Romo be the next Kurt Warner? (We assume that the article refers to Warner in 2001 or earlier, before he became just a guy.)

POSTED 12:12 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:39 a.m. EST, December 2, 2006

VICK'S FORCED CHARITY FEELS PHONY

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is giving $5,000 to The Warrick Dunn Foundation and $5,000 to the family of a firefighter who died on November 29. The donations are a direct result of the sanction imposed on Vick for giving the middle finger (twice) to fans at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.

Earlier this week, Vick was fined $10,000, and was asked to give another $10,000 to charity. Published reports indicate that the donation was the result of discussions between the league and agent Joel Segal, who saw first hand the extent to which goodwill could be purchased through the extremely public acts of charity in which Reggie Bush engaged. (Psst . . . Matthew 6:1-4.)

So why does Vick's forced act of charity end up on the news wire? And how is his giving of money as a penalty for misconduct any different than, say, the dudes who pick up trash in the median as part of their 80 hours of community service?

Vick wouldn't have given a cent this week to anyone in need if he hadn't been caught on film flashing middle fingers and mouthing "f--k you" five days ago. So if he wants to be a saint like Reggie, he should have given $100,000 this week, or more.

It all feels phony to us, just like his hollow apology, which sounded and felt so much like all of the other superficial contrition we've heard and seen of late.

In most cases, we think that as the apologizers are flashing droopy eyes and heavy hearts, they're thinking to themselves, "I ain't sorry . . . . suckers."

SATURDAY EARLY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Farewell, Fat Albert.

Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz is talking up WR Mike Williams. (Hey, Martz, the trade deadline was two months ago.)

G.M. Jim Popp of the Montreal Alouettes has hired a new coach; we hope he never has to fire him.

Wow -- Giants WR Sinorice Moss might actually play football this weekend.

Why can't more receivers confront adversity like Torry Holt of the Rams?

Is EA on the decline?

The Jets have signed DE-LB Bryan Thomas to a contract extension.

The Giants say they are in "perfect harmony." (Yeah, so are the Sunnis and the Shiites.)

POSTED 6:53 p.m. EST, December 1, 2006

RODRIGUEZ DENIES HE'S LEAVING

Okay, now it's getting weird.

West Virginia University coach Rich Rodriguez says that he is not going to Alabama, and that he plans to be with the Mountaineers for "the rest of his career."

Rodriguez made his remarks on the West Virginia Statewide Sportsline, which earlier in the 6:00 p.m. EST hour had reported that: (1) Rodriguez would be getting a formal offer from Alabama over the weekend; and (2) Rodriguez would accept it. The Sportsline report cited sources within the West Virginia University athletic department regarding Rodriguez's willingness to accept the job.

Rodriguez was animated during his remarks, saying that he had been called by his wife, whom he says was "in tears" regarding the reports.

Rodriguez declined to say whether he would accept an offer from Alabama, but he reiterated that he plans to stay at West Virginia for the rest of his career.

Weird stuff. It could be that Rodriguez was hoping to fly under radar until after Saturday night's game against Rutgers, and that the reports have forced him to throw water on the brushfire by making too strong of a statement regarding his desire to stay in Morgantown. In prior statements this week regarding the possibility of going to Alabama, he had not made such a strong, unequivocal statement that he would stay put.

So if he's planning to make a jump to a new job, he might have to wait a year before he can pull it off.

POSTED 5:15 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 6:21 p.m. EST, December 1, 2006

RODRIGUEZ TO 'BAMA

We know this isn't a college football site, but we can't track down Joe Collegio and we don't have the keys to the CFT site so we've got to post it here.

Per our connections in the media, we've learned that the University of Alabama has snared West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez with a whopping four-year, $20 million contract.

Rodriguez played at West Virginia in the 1980s, and could have been a Paterno or Bowden if he had stayed over the long haul. But there's only so much money that WVU could or would pay to keep him, and they never would have come close to $5 million a year.

The size of the offer suggests a level of desperation on the part of the Crimson Tide to return to elite status. Since winning an unexpected national title in the early 1990s, the Alabama program has been so-so at best. And at $5 million per year, the package is certain to drive up the asking price of NFL head coaches, many of whom are presently far short of that level.

Then again, it's possible that rumor mill is in the right church but the wrong pew. Most college deals are for at least five years, for recruiting purposes. So maybe it's $20 million over five years. And maybe it's "up to" $20 million, if (as my mom used to say) he can "do wonders and crap cucumbers."

Meanwhile, there are reports that any possible deal between 'Bama and Rodriguez would be in the range of $21 million over seven years, dropping the average to $3 million per. It's hardly chump change, and the deal would still have an impact on the NFL head-coaching market, in our view.

For the Mountaineers, the departure throws into disarray a program that was in position to contend for a national championship in 2007 under sure-fire Heisman candidates Steve Slaton and Pat White. Then again, WVU instantly becomes an attractive destination for a coach that can grab the baton and sprint with it.

NO FINE FOR HAYNESWORTH

The NFL won't be imposing a fine against Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for his hook-slide tackle of Giants running back Tiki Barber on November 26.

Per AFC information manager Steve Alic, Haynesworth's actions will result in nothing more than the 10-yard penalty for tripping that was called on the play.

Frankly, we're surprised. The move was stunning to us, and we thought at a minimum that the brazen nature of the violation would trigger some sanction, especially in light of Haynesworth's recent history.

POSTED 4:25 p.m. EST, December 1, 2006

TUCKER HAS "MENTAL DISORDER"

The Cleveland Browns have announced that tackle Ryan Tucker was placed on the non-football illness list due to a "mental disorder."

In a statement posted on the Browns' official web site, team physician Anthony Miniaci states that the issue "is one that is commonly experienced by the general population as well as by professional athletes, and it is a treatable disorder." Dr. Miniaci also says that Tucker "has been battling this condition since before the season began, and has been actively receiving treatment."

Given stern privacy laws regarding the disclosure of medical information, there's no way that this statement was prepared without the express, written authorization of Tucker.

So why would Tucker want this information to be disclosed? Possibly to counter rumors that possibly have been flying in league and media circles about the possible reason(s) for the previously undisclosed illness that kept Tucker out of action for a while before he landed on the NFI list.

POSTED 2:55 p.m. EST, December 1, 2006

EAGLES LIKE GARCIA

Word out of Philly is that players on the Eagles generally are pleased with the performance and abilities of quarterback Jeff Garcia, who has inherited the starting job following the ACL tear suffered by starter Donovan McNabb.

Garcia, a former Pro Bowler in San Francisco, completed 19 of 23 passes for 140 yards in Sunday night's 45-21 loss to the Colts, a game that arguably was closer than the final score indicated.

The Eagles have been criticized for not having a strong contingency plan in place, in the event that McNabb went down (as he did) with a serious injury. Beyond Garcia, however, who else was available? Kerry Collins? Craig Nall? Kordell Stewart?

Garcia knows the West Coast offense well, knows how to execute it, and has had success with offensive coordinator Marty Morningsomething when they were together in San Francisco. He's a better option than last year's backup, Mike McMahon, who was signed by the Vikings and cut before the start of the season.

The reality is that there are barely 32 quality starting quarterbacks in the NFL; the next 32 spots aren't filled with guys who'll ever have to worry about whether their busts in Canton will be bored to tears by John Madden's.

Think about it. Matt Cassel. Patrick Ramsey. The guy in Cincy who used to be in Baltimore whose name we can't recall. Kyle Boller. Ken Dorsey. Billy Volek. Jared Lorenzen. Todd Collins. Brooks Bollinger. Jamie Martin. Etc. Etc. Etc.

The best of the bunch is Matt Schaub of the Falcons, but he's stuck behind the Birdman of Valcatrex for five more games before he ends up a starter somewhere else via restricted free agency.

Whether or not Schaub should be the starter in Philly is an issue into which we won't delve at this time, but we suspect a few folks in Eastern Pennsylvania have mused about that possibility, given McNabb's chronic inability to close the deal with a Super Bowl title.

POSTED 11:58 a.m. EST, December 1, 2006

OMBUDSMAN CRITICIZES ESPN ON IRVIN

ESPN Ombudsman George Solomon has addressed the recent Romo-gate involving ESPN talking head Michael Irvin, and Solomon has some choice words for Irvin and the network that employs both of them.

Solomon, a longtime Washington Post sports editor and columnist, writes that Irvin's remarks about Romo's lineage "carried the same racial overtones that ended the television career of the late Jimmy 'The Greek' Snyder nearly 20 years ago."

Continues Solomon: "Irvin reflecting -- even in jest -- on Romo's family history was reminiscent of Snyder pontificating to a Washington TV news reporter about the inherited physical advantages of African-American professional football players. Minutes after that interview, Snyder was told by colleagues and friends he'd crossed the line. He was fired by CBS the following day."

Although Solomon doesn't recommend a sanction for Irvin, he believes that Irvin's apology doesn't go far enough.

"I'm not recommending a specific penalty for Irvin," Solomon writes. "That's not my role. What I would like to see, however, is ESPN take some action publicly as a result of remarks made by one of its most visible commentators. Irvin's apology on the Patrick show Monday, and ESPN's responses, don't seem sufficient."

And Solomon hits the nail on the head when addressing the manner in which ESPN must reconcile its duties as a news outlet with its responsibilities as an employer.

"[T]he network walks a fine line regarding what it can and can't tell the public regarding internal personnel matters. In this case, however, Irvin, by his own words, has surrendered whatever confidentiality normally accorded his colleagues."

Although ESPN executive vice president for production Norby Williamson told Solomon that the network covered the matter "as we would with any other public figure," ESPN's treatment of this matter has been, to our knowledge, virtually non-existent. On Monday, there was a link to an item on the NFL section at ESPN.com, but we never saw a link to it on the ESPN.com front page. We usually don't watch SportsCenter, but our loyal throng of readers would have told us if there was anything on the network's signature show -- the same show on which Irvin often appears in a state of debatable coherence.

Bottom line, in our view? Solomon is saying as tactfully as possible that ESPN screwed the pooch (or, as the case may be, the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma) in its handling of the situation. Given the extent to which ESPN saturated its airwaves regarding the recent Bobby Knight chin chop (which Solomon also addresses in his latest item) and the Michael Strahan Naqi knock, Irvin's remarks surely would have provoked breathless analysis and commentary from the sock puppets if they had been made by Shannon Sharpe or Jerome Bettis or Sterling Sharpe or Deion Sanders.

The end result? ESPN has damaged its overall credibility in an effort to preserve what little credibility Irvin still has left.

And we hope that Irvin remembers the bullet to the butt that Bristol has taken for him when he someday considers penning a tell-all tome about his time with ESPN.

POSTED 8:39 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:11 a.m. EST, December 1, 2006

JESUS IN STREET CLOTHES?

It's a story that has stayed under the radar despite the high profile of its subject. Jim Henderson of WWL-TV in New Orleans recently reported that Saints running back Reggie Bush, known in the Bayou as "Jesus in Cleats," would have been deactivated for last Sunday's game against the Falcons, if running back Aaron Stecker had been healthy.

Per the report, Bush got on the wrong side of coach Sean Payton by missing a team meeting.

It's easy for Payton to take the position that he would have punished Bush in this way if the guy who would have taken his place hadn't been injured. Would the rookie coach have really benched his prized rookie in a key NFC South game in late November? We don't think so.

Even more amazing to us is the fact that no one has picked this up. It's not in any newspaper reports, and we can't even find it on the station's web site. In fact, we initially brushed off the e-mail we received about it, but then our friend John Marie of Biz Radio 990 in New Orleans advised us that WWL had indeed reported the story.

Maybe the national media just missed this one. Or maybe the press outside of Louisiana has gotten over its crush on Bush. He hasn't performed like the reincarnation of Gale Sayers (if, you know, Sayers were actually dead), with a rushing average of 3.0 yards per attempt and only one touchdown from scrimmage through 11 NFL games.

PACMAN CAR BOUGHT BY . . . PACMAN

Bidding has ended on the auction for the Cadillac XLR with "Pacman" stitched in the seats. The car was seized as part of a drug bust earlier this year.

The winning bidder? Pacman Jones.

Jones got the $77,500 vehicle for $48,500, outlasting several other bidders after jumping into the process late.

The strangest part of the story is that Jones apparently never owned the car, despite news reports at the time of the arrest and seizure suggesting that Jones had a connection to the car, even though it was registered to a person in Nevada.

Jones arguably had his breakout game on Sunday against the Giants, snagging two interceptions as part of a stirring 24-21 comeback win, in which the Titans scored all 24 of their points in the fourth quarter.

'TIS THE SEASON TO ASK FOR A SPRINT PHONE (OR NEXTEL)

With only 23 shopping days until Saint Nick shoehorns his big butt down your chimney and eats your cookies and drinks your milk and defiles your guest bathroom, we've got a suggestion for anyone out there who's putting together a wish list.

Put a Sprint or Nextel phone at the top of the page.

Though we're still partial to our Samsung A900, Sprint has all sorts of new products, including the MOTOKRZR from Motorola, which has all of the latest bells and whistles -- and it has the indispensable Sprint NFL Mobile application built in.

Plus, it's different from the RAZR, which pretty much everyone and their great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma now has.

But if you want a RAZR you can get one through Sprint. Or a Blackberry. Or a Treo. Or a broadband card.

Hey, this is the time of year when your loved ones feel morally obligated to buy you stuff. So take advantage of that goodwill and ask for a great phone from the best cell provider there is.

Yeah, we're biased because Sprint and Nextel sponsor the site. But if you like the site and they like the site then you should support the site by supporting them.

And, as always, let us know whenever you buy (or, later this month, receive) a Sprint of Nextel product.

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