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POSTED 9:08 p.m. EST, December 31, 2006

RAIDERS REEL IN NO. 1 PICK

A loss to the Jets coupled with a victory by the Lions over the Cowboys has cemented the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft for the Oakland Raiders.

Speculation immediately will center on Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, especially since the current corps of signal-callers in Oakland leave much to be desired.

But what if Quinn pulls an Elway or an Eli and declares that he's not interested in playing for a struggling franchise?

Stay tuned.

POSTED 6:28 p.m. EST, December 31, 2006

TIDE OFFER ROLLING TO SABAN SOON

Gred Bedard of the Palm Beach Post reports that the University of Alabama is about to offer its vacant head coaching gig to Dolphins coach Nick Saban.

Saban reportedly rejected an offer from the Tide several weeks ago. After also being rejected by West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, the Crimson Tide's coaching search has gone dark amid speculation and widespread rumors that another effort would be made to land Saban.

Bedard also reports that the package to be extended by Alabama will be "so overwhelming that university officials are confident he might take it."

The prior offer that Saban rejected reportedly was worth more than $50 million over 10 years, but those numbers were debunked by numerous other sources and reports. This time around, however, the offer could approach that original magnitude.

POSTED 8:29 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:18 a.m. EST, December 31, 2006

ROONEYS EXPECT COACH CHIN TO PACK IT IN

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the ownership of the Steelers expects long-time coach Bill Cowher to call it quits not long after the 2006 season ends with the team's Sunday afternoon game in Cincinnati.

This report essentially confirms that the announcement to which Cowher referred several days ago likely won't be that he's staying, since the only way that he would be staying for 2007, the final year of his contract, would be with a contract extension.

Bouchette also reports that the Rooneys have compiled a list of potential replacements. The candidates could include Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, whom we first identified as a potential candidate (to much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth from Steelers fans) on October 19. We initially had heard when Wannstedt took the Pitt job two years ago that part of the attraction was the possibility of replacing Cowher.

Other candidates include Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, a Pittsburgh native, and current offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

Though not mentioned by Bouchette, there is some buzz that former Steelers defensive coordinator and former Saints coach Jim Haslett will get serious consideration for the job, since he would be able to make good use of defensive personnel that were selected specifically for the 3-4, zone-blitzing scheme that the team has been using for years.

Another former Steelers assistant whose name is getting tossed around in his current locale is Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. Though Lewis is a Pittsburgh native and a member of Cowher's initial staff, we don't see Lewis returning to the 'Burgh, for two reasons. First, Lewis is under contract with one of the Steelers' arch-rivals for four more years. Second, Lewis has presided over a roster chock full of guys who have been on the wrong side of the law, something that will repel, not attract, the Rooneys or Steelers fans. Heck, when rookie receiver Santurdio was arrested twice in three weeks earlier this year, there was a strong outcry from the locals that the team should rescind their rights to the first-round pick.

SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that money (as we've believed) is a factor in Coach Chin's decision to retire.

There's no way that Redskins owner Dan Snyder will respond to a 5-11 season with anything other than significant changes.

Bucs FB Mike Alstott could be wrapping up his career on Sunday.

DT Vince Wilfork and TE Ben Watson are out again for the Pats.

Says Sir Tiki: "I know when I get an opportunity to do my job, that I'm damn good."

POSTED 10:48 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

NFL NETWORK BURP FEST

It's a good thing only 40 percent of the country has access to the NFL's in-house network. If the channel went to all of the USA, a lot more people would have heard the sock puppets BURPING on the air.

Not once, but twice.

The first one came late in the third quarter. It sounds like Cris Collinsworth.

The second one came in the fourth quarter. It's likely Bryant Gumbel, unless Collinsworth can conjure a burp while talking.

Meanwhile, Tiki Barber is now up to 227 yards and three touchdowns. He has not, to our knowledge, burped.

POSTED 10:25 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:35 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

TIKI NOT DONE YET

While the NFLN sock puppets are entertaining the viewing audience with an audible on-air burp (it came with 3:02 to play in third quarter, per a reader with TiVo), Giants running back Tiki Barber is pumping air into his team's postseason chances with 167 yards rushing (as of this posting) and two touchdowns.

The G-men lead the Redskins 27-14. A win likely wraps up the No. 6 seed for New York, making the rest of the NFC games to be played this weekend largely irrelevant.

If the Giants hold off the 'Skins and nail down a playoff berth, they'll be the No. 6 seed, and they'll most likely travel to Philly next weekend for a Wild Card matchup.

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Lions coach Rod Marinelli is undergoing hip replacement surgery next week; he already has had the surgery on one of his hips.

The Cards have signed S Aaron Francisco (that's fun to say) to a contract extension.

The Eagles have signed another starter deep into the next decade.

POSTED 6:24 p.m. EST; UPDATED 6:32 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

BUSH, ORNSTEIN STILL TOGETHER

As Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reported earlier this month, Mike Ornstein is still the marketing representative for Saints running back Reggie Bush.

Though Ornstein told Mullen that he never was fired, we're learned that Ornstein and Bush were temporarily estranged. As we understand it, Bush had been growing frustrated with his inability to take the league by storm, and he was grousing about some of his marketing responsibilities. Ornstein had to give him a firm talking-to in order to get him to fulfill his obligations.

The relatively minor confrontation sparked a short separation, but Bush at no time formally terminated the relationship.

And now, as the recruiting season for incoming NFL players hits full speed, rival marketing reps are telling prospects that Ornstein no longer works with Bush. It's simply untrue; Ornstein and Bush are still together, and at most their rift was the kind of normal thing that happens from time to time in any long-term relationship.

GREETINGS FROM JACKSONVILLE

All PFT updates for the next few days will be coming to you live from Jacksonville, Florida, where the Florio clan will be watching the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.

The Jags are in Kansas City for Sunday's regular-season finale with the Chiefs, and we'll be at the airport tomorrow night to welcome the boys home.

Okay, actually we just want to throw eggs and tomatoes at Mike Tice.

POSTED 7:24 a.m. EST; UPDATED 7:42 a.m. EST, December 30, 2006

NAMES EMERGE FOR NEW STEELERS COACH

Since the hiring of a new head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers happens roughly as frequently as the selection of a new pope, the process that apparently will be kick-started when (as everyone with a pulse believes) Bill Cowher announces his retirement in the coming days figures to be mysterious, compelling, and (in the end) full of potential surprises.

The obvious candidates for the job -- offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm -- arguably have been diminished by the team's 7-8 season. Though these guys haven't suddenly morphed into unworthy coaches, we think that the powers-that-be will be more inclined to go outside the organization in the hopes that a breath of fresh air will get the players who were on the Super Bowl-winning team to quit feeling so good about themselves for winning a Super Bowl, and to start focusing on getting another one.

Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes a decent stab at compiling a list of potential candidates not currently on the payroll. Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is obvious, and one of the few "hot" coordinators this season. We're also intrigued by 49ers assistant Mike Singeltary, a high-intensity Hall-of-Famer who is still light on coaching experience but who could be exactly what a seemingly rudderless roster needs to get back on track.

Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron gets a mention by Brown, primarily because his team is 13-2. (Under that same reasoning, San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips also merits consideration, but then again he's not a spring chicken and, he has failed in to head-coaching stints.)

Brown also brings up the name of Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, a 40-year-old up-and-comer who recently declined an opportunity to be considered at the University of Miami.

The key factors, we believe, will be minority and youth. Since the rule that has encouraged consideration of minority hiring is named for Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, and given that the team's last two head-coaching hires were both under the age of 40, our guess is that the Rooneys will feel compelled to name the franchise's first African-American head coach, and that they also will want someone young enough to stick around for at least 15 years.

The best guy who fits those two criteria is, in our view, Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin, at 35, has five years' experience as the defensive backs coach in Tampa and one year as a defensive coordinator. He likely would have had more time as a coordinator, but the Bucs are notorious for refusing to allow assistant coaches still under contract from accepting promotions short of head coach.

And in one year with the Vikings, Tomlin has put together an excellent run defense. The pass defense has been somewhat suspect, primarily because the team doesn't yet have ideal personnel to run the Cover 2 defense.

That would also be a problem in Pittsburgh, where the 3-4 attack has been the base package for years. But in an era where plenty of free agents are available every offseason, we think that Tomlin could within a year or two have the right people in place to make the Steelers the next great Cover 2 unit in the NFL.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Live from Columbia, South Carolina, on our way to Jacksonville . . . .

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey (ankle) will miss Saturday night's looming loss to the Redskins.

Packers DE Cullen Jenkins, who'll be a restricted free agent in March, has yet to receive an offer from the team.

Vikings TE Jermaine Wiggins could be looking for a new job in the offseason.

Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons has hired Drew Rosenhaus, and will enter the 2007 draft.

The Fins could be cutting ties with QB Joey Harrington.

Since WR Mike Williams hasn't done sh-t in two seasons with the Lions, it's kind of odd that he's imposing conditions about his possible return in 2007.

POSTED 8:59 p.m. EST, December 29, 2006

HUIZENGA BACKING SABAN INTO A CORNER?

A newspaper headquartered somewhere in Florida (hey, if they'll only refer to our stuff as "Internet reports", then we'll return the favor) reports that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga has said that he will not be selling the team.

Huizenga's statement is, we believe, an effort to seal off a potential face-saving escape route by coach Nick Saban, who otherwise could have claimed that rumors of a potential sale prompted him to accept the head coaching job at Alabama.

"Absolutely, positively, no way,'' Huizenga said regarding the rumored sale. "We are not selling, and there is no waffling on that. How's that for a definitive answer?"

Huizenga's statement contradicts our report that a sale to advertising billionaire Jordan Zimmerman is pending. Huizenga's unequivocal message also runs counter to conventional wisdom in media circles that Huizenga would cash out of the team and the stadium that goes with it for payment in the neighborhood of $1 billion.

Since Huizenga and Zimmerman both denied our report more than two weeks ago, why would Huizenga go out of his way to make such an unambiguous statement two days before his team's season finale? (And it's our understanding that Huizenga contacted said Florida newspaper, not vice-versa.) It can only be because he has heard the rampant rumors in league circles that Saban is hammering out an agreement with the Crimson Tide, and that he's going to jump to Alabama not long after the last game ends. By removing the "I left because I think the owner is selling" arrow from Saban's quiver, it suddenly becomes more difficult for the second-year NFL coach to extricate himself gingerly from his present job.

And even as Huizenga declares that the team won't be sold we continue to hear from more and more sources that Saban is expected to leave.

Let's be clear on this. We're not reporting that Saban is leaving. Our report is only that the rumor of his departure is as rampant and widespread as any rumor we've ever heard. Huizenga's most recent statement serves only to confirm, in our opinion, the breadth and intensity of the rumor.

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:15 a.m. EST, December 29, 2006

BIG BEN NEEDS TO BUCKLE DOWN

Regardless of who the head coach of the Steelers will be in 2007 (and we don't think it will be anyone named Cowher or Grimm or Whisenhunt . . . or Joey Joe-Joe Junior Shabadoo), the guy leading the way starting next season needs to get quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to take his job more seriously.

Industry sources tell us that Roethlisberger's motto is "last in, first out" -- a reference to his substandard work ethic. He has developed a reputation for not working with his receivers, and for not studying film.

There's no room for complacency in the NFL, and we've got a feeling that other players in Pittsburgh are also guilty of cutting corners in the season after the long-coveted One for the Thumb. If the next coach can get Roethlisberger to bust his ass, it will go a long way toward getting others in the building to do the same.

FAREWELL, MR. MAAS

Though an official announcement has yet to emerge from FOX headquarters, we don't think that formal confirmation of the termination of analyst Bill Maas is necessary.

Maas, who is working a reduced schedule this year, almost certainly is done.

Why, you ask? Because in Week Seventeen, guys like Tony Boselli and Dale Hellestrae will be working games instead of Maas.

NEW YEAR'S TEN-PACK IS UP

Instead of watching the clock on the last work day of 2006, do something productive, like checking out our latest Ten-Pack.

This time around, we offer up ten resolutions for 2007 that we'd like to see.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

ESPN pays $1.1 billion this season for a show that is watched in only 9 million homes per week, and that's considered a good investment of money? (Man, we're glad we don't own stock in Disney. Oh, sh-t . . . we actually do.)

And to the extent that MNF has been successful, let's keep in mind that it's not because of the broadcasting crew, but in spite of them.

Jack Del Rio could be fined for his recent statements advocating that his players should have "speared" Pats quarterback Tom Brady.

Sir Tiki's approval ratings seem to be falling faster than the footballs he used to fumble.

Pats P Todd Sauerbrun might be a turd, but at least he's not offering up some B.S. excuse for the fact that he tested positive for ephedra.

Hey, New York media, if/when Charley Casserly becomes the next G.M. of the G-men, we hope you remember how fervently you were pooh-poohing the possibility.

Jay Greenberg of the New York Post on Sir Tiki: "Barber's goodbye has been too long, too staged, too unsuccessful for the Giants, and too emotionless by him for us to much care."

DE Michael Strahan won't need surgery on the Lisfranc injury that has landed him on IR.

If Packers RB Ahman Green rushes for 162 yards against the Bears, he'll pocket $500,000.

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan could be the next head coach to come from the side of the ball that has carried the franchise for most of the last decade.

POSTED 7:26 a.m. EST, December 29, 2006

BAILEY SAYS SHAWNE NOT WORTHY

Well, well, well. Jason Taylor isn't the only NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate to sound off about Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman's worthiness for that and other postseason awards.

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey -- the guy whom ESPN's Len Pasquarelli believes is the best defensive player in football -- agrees with Taylor's assessment that Merriman's positive test for steroids should preclude him from consideration for any honors.

"I just don't like cheating in the game, there's no room for it," Bailey said Thursday, according to the Denver Post. "I don't think there is any place for steroids or performance enhancers in the NFL.

"After testing positive, I don't think he should be given anything this year," Bailey said. "I hope he didn't do it. I hope he took it unknowingly. I don't want to throw him under the bus any more than he already has been. I think he's a great player and I love talking to him. But I don't think guys who tested positive should win anything the year they test positive."

Wow. We didn't realize that Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, had once been fired by Merriman, too.

GIANTS TO MAKE RUN AT PIOLI?

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that ownership of the Giants has discussed contacting Patriots V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli regarding the soon-to-be-vacant G.M. job in New York.

Pioli is widely regarded as being interested in the job, since he grew up not far from New York City. We've never seen, however, any news reports confirming that he actually wants the position.

Vacchiano also says that the Giants have not ruled out hiring an internal candidate. Many league observers, however, view last week's interview of former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly as evidence that the next G.M. of the Giants won't be the product of an inside job. And while the knee-jerk reaction of many (including us) was that Casserly isn't a viable candidate for the gig, there is a school of thought in some circles that Casserly is actually the front runner, if Pioli isn't interested or can't be pried away.

In theory, the Giants can acquire Pioli if he is given finally say over personnel matters. The Patriots know that they are vulnerable in this regard, and owner Bob Kraft supposedly has pushed in the past a rule that would allow teams to block one front-office executive who doesn't possess final say.

Here's a possibility to keep in mind. What if the Patriots were to give Pioli final say? Sure, it could potentially create a conundrum between ownership and the guy who currently has final say -- but such a move likely would be enough to keep Pioli in place.

NEW SPRINT PHONE FOR ROMO?

Matt Mosley of the Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be getting a new cell phone number after his current digits were posted in a fan forum on the Eagles' web site.

Romo received "several" messages from Eagles fans -- none of whom we suspect happened to mention any words with which Tony's last name rhymes.

Hey, Tony. Sprint and Nextel have plenty of great options. You should check out their products via the links on this site. (As should the rest of you.) We can't guarantee that Tony's number won't end up back on another message board, but we think he'll like the phone and the service it provides.

POSTED 7:31 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:26 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

SABAN TALK CONTINUES

We're absolutely blown away by the extent to which league insiders and sources close to Dolphins coach Nick Saban are of the unequivocal belief that Saban will ditch the Fins to become the head coach at Alabama.

The talk of Saban's looming departure is widespread, even though it's not getting much play in the media.

There's really nothing new for us to add to this, and we're mentioning it again only because we continue to hear the talk from new and different sources.

So stay tuned. It figures to be a compelling week or so in NFL circles as coaching hot spots in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Arizona, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland heat up.

PASTABELLY'S SCREWED UP CONSPIRACY THEORY

In a Thursday appearance on ESPN Radio's Man-Girl and Meatball in the Morning, Len Pasquarelli suggested that Fins defensive end Jason Taylor ripped Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman on Wednesday because Taylor's agent, Gary Wichard, was fired by Merriman within days after the 2005 draft.

"I would add this caveat," Pasquarelli said while discussing the topic, "and I'm gonna write about this Friday. Jason Taylor is represented by Gary Wichard. Shawne Merriman when he was drafted last year was represented by Gary Wichard, and a week after the draft Shawne Merriman fired Gary Wichard. I'm not suggesting that Jason Taylor's remarks were directed at Shawne Merriman having dissed an agent or dumped an agent that Jason Taylor was loyal enough to stay with his entire career, [but] I think it would be negligent of me not to point that out."

Huh? What? Len, do you really believe that there's a connection? Or is it that, since Wichard is one of the NFL agents that you don't "like," you're willing to go out of your way to make him look bad?

(Full disclosure: Wichard is also the agent for Redskins safety Adam Archuleta, whose workout video is advertised on this here site.)

And if, Len, you're now going to point out all of the various conflicts of interest and other below-the-surface connections that influence what people say and why they say it, are you now going to tell us when you're nuzzling the crotch of a crappy player like Todd Stinkston that you're doing so because his agent is Joel Segal, who feeds you a bunch of information so you don't have to actually, you know, roll your sleeves up over those distended forearms and actually work?

If, Len, you're going to declare yourself to be the hall monitor for hidden agendas, we suggest that you identify in parentheses the name of the agent of every player who is ever mentioned in any of your stories, so that the readers will instantly know when you're being objective, and when you're simply scratching someone's back.

And if you're looking for a motivation for Taylor's remarks, why not argue that Taylor's attack on Merriman was intended to sway the folks who'll vote on the AP Defensive Player of the Year award? After all, a vote not for Merriman could end up being a vote for Taylor.

For that reason alone, the fact that Taylor stuck his neck out on the issue could actually hurt both Merriman and Taylor, pushing votes toward Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Meanwhile, Taylor tried to take a little of the steam out of his Wednesday remarks on Thursday -- but at the same time Taylor reinforced his belief that guys like Merriman, who test positive for violation of the steroids policy, shouldn't be playing football.

"There's a way to end the whole steroid situation and that's if you get caught using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, you can't play the game anymore," Taylor said, after explaining that his comments from Wednesday weren't intended to be an attack on Merriman. "It will go away. It's as simple as that. Be clean. We've got to be careful because we're looked at as role models, whether you like it or not. This league, this organization and us as players are looked at as role models. You've got youth in America that are already under a tremendous amount of pressure to make varsity teams or try to get scholarships to college. And if you're sending the wrong message that you can do illegal things and still end up on top and really don’t have to deal with the consequences because of it, it's the wrong message in sports and in general."

Asked whether he advocates a one-strike/zero-tolerance policy, Taylor said: "You would stop it. Wouldn't you? I guarantee you would stop it. I'm not the smartest man in the world, but I know if you did that it would stop."

To guys like Pasquarelli, however, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is an off-field issue, which has no relation to the question of whether on-field play merits awards and, ultimately, consideration for the Hall of Fame. Len, who loves to remind anyone who'll listen that he holds a vote for entry into Canton, explained that he had no reservations about putting Merriman on his 2006 All-Pro team: "I had no qualms. I'm a Hall of Fame elector, and the rules in the Hall of Fame are you vote based on what a player does on the field."

But, Len, taking performance-enhancing drugs while off the field tends to enhance performance on the field (ergo the name).

Under Len's reasoning, cheating is okay as long as the cheating occurs before you step onto the field.

And that's reason enough to never pay attention to anything that Pasquarelli ever has to say.

ARCHULETA SAYS 'SKINS "LIED" TO HIM

Redskins safety Adam Archuleta, a sponsor of this site, tells the Associated Press that he believes the coaching staff has "lied" to him.

"I'm a grown man. I don't like getting lied to," said Archuleta, who hasn't participated in a defensive snap in seven weeks. "All people want is for people to be straight up with them. I don't mind bad news. I don't mind negativity. I don't mind if somebody says to my face what my flaws are and what I'm doing wrong and what kind of person they think I am.

"I welcome those kind of things because an honest assessment is all anybody wants in this business. I don't need someone to sit here and tell me how great I am: 'I'm doing good, just keep working hard.' I don't need that. I need real stuff. That's the only way I can make an evaluation as to who I am as a player."

Though Archuleta doesn't cite the specific lie, it sounds to us like he believes that false promises were made about playing time.

The Redskins signed Archuleta to a seven-year, $35 million contract, with $10 million in bonuses. He received $5 million up front, and he's due in early 2007 a $5 million option bonus -- which as we understand it is fully guaranteed by future base salaries.

So if the 'Skins choose not to pay the option bonus, the team is still on the hook for $5 million in future wages. (It's also our understanding, however, that those amounts can be offset by salary paid to Archuleta by another team.)

Some league insiders also believe that Archuleta landed in the doghouse because the team concluded that he was the unnamed player who spoke negatively about the coaching staff to Tom Friend of ESPN: The Big Floppy Booklet That Doesn't Fit Very Well On The Stack Of Magazines Atop The Toilet Tank. The fact that Archuleta's agent, Gary Wichard, was quoted in the Friend article served only to increase suspicion that Archuleta was the player who blabbed.

Bottom line -- Archuleta is going to end up with $10 million for one year of part-time employment.

POSTED 7:17 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

CASSERLY'S STRENGTH? SCHMOOZING THE MEDIA

As many league observers and Giants fans try to figure out why former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly would have a realistic opportunity to steer a third franchise into the jagged rocks of mediocrity, the thinking in informed circles is that Casserly's value would come from his ability to work the media.

And despite any bad decisions that he has made or over which he has presided, Casserly is a viable candidate to succeed Ernie Accorsi because he knows how to make and keep members of the media happy.

In New York, that skill is arguably as important (and maybe more important) than the other aspects of the job.

We've talked to Casserly a couple of times, and we agree. He's very direct and logical, and he speaks in a decisive, authoritative manner. He also recognizes the importance of giving the guys who gather information for a living some information that is at once useful to the information gatherer but not harmful to the information disseminator.

So that's why Casserly could be the next G.M. of the Giants. And it raises questions as to whether he'd be merely a figurehead, or whether he'd have real juice when it comes to picking a roster and shaping a coaching staff.

POSTED 4:43 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

SAVAGE GETTING CANNED NEXT WEEK?

Last year at this time, former Browns president John Collins was in the process of pushing G.M. Phil Savage out the door. Coach Romeo Crennel and owner Randy Lerner intervened, and Savage stayed.

Not long thereafter, Collins was out.

This time around, there are rumors that Savage could get the shoe next week from Lerner.

Peter King reports on HBO's Inside the NFL that Savage and Lerner will meet after the regular season ends to discuss the future of Crennel. King says he has a gut feeling that Crennel will be let go.

Our sources tell us that both Crennel and Savage are vulnerable.

And that would make sense. It was Savage, after all, who hired Crennel. Why should the G.M. be any less accountable than the head coach? We realize that, traditionally, the G.M. gets at least one mulligan (or, in the case of Matt Millen, two). But both guys should be in the same boat, in our not-so-humble opinion.

Another possibility is that Savage will transition into a scouting-only role, and that a G.M. will be hired to handle the bigger picture. There were reports along these lines earlier in the year, and such an outcome has worked well in New York, where former G.M. Terry Bradway took a step down in connection with the promotion of Mike Tannenbaum.

POSTED 11:43 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 12:07 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

MAMA MCNABB FEARING THE WORST

The mother of Donovan McNabb, the self-described "America's Favorite Sports Mom," is offering up some insights regarding the temperature of the McNabb clan given the superb performance of the Philadelphia Eagles despite the latest significant injury suffered by her son.

In the wake of the Eagles' stirring 23-7 win over the Cowboys on Christmas Day, which puts them in position to secure the NFC East with a win over the Falcons on Sunday, Mama McNabb has this to say on the official D-Mac site:

"The win this week was great and I could actually say that's what I wanted for Christmas. Yes, now we have solidly beat the Cowboys with my son and without him. But I can hear you asking, mama McNabb what are you really thinking? Well here it is, the real deal. Its kind of bitter sweet for me as my son, the quarterback sits out on injured reserved watching the game during his rehab. I polled my family too and they feel the same. We want our team to win and even go to the Superbowl and win it in Miami especially if they continue to play as they have. But oh oh, if they win the Superbowl without my son, what would be the real outcome with the fans? Will they crucify him? Maybe, then the trade talks would begin. Off season madness, worse than last years fiasco. But guess what, I guess I'll have to take the beating if it comes. I would have to hope that scenario of the madness would not happen or be that bad. Well lets wait and see. Bitter sweet."

(A reader sent us the link to the McNabb site; Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News first disclosed the entry on Thursday morning.)

Mama M, we don't know what's gonna happen if the Eagles somehow find a way to win the Super Bowl without your baby boy puking all over the field in the second half. But to the extent that you're trying to avoid a situation in which the fans have decided that it's time to move on without a quarterback named McNabb, your comments will do nothing to help you achieve that goal.

DEL RIO STILL A DEL DUMBASS

In response to comments from Pats quarterback Tom Brady advocating a fine for Jags linebacker Clint Ingram for a hard hit delivered on Christmas Eve, Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio says that Brady deserved a second illegal hit for choosing not to slide at the end of a run earlier in the game.

"They should've speared him then," Del Rio said. "You go face-first and you're a runner."

Speared?

It looks to us like an NFL coach is advocating a deliberate violation of the rules by one of his players. And that's the kind of thing that could get Del Rio called to the principal's office.

Meanwhile, it still appears that Del Rio will save his job even if the Jags fail to make the playoffs after a 12-4 season in 2005. The Jags need to win on Sunday at Kansas City, and they need a loss from the Jets, a loss or tie from the Bengals, and a loss or tie from the Titans.

Come 2007, however, count on Del Rio's name to be at the top of the list of the guys on the hot seat.

POSTED 9:21 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:01 a.m. EST, December 28, 2006

GIANTS' SHORT-TERM FUTURE FULL OF POSSIBLE SURPRISES

Okay, we know that we promised to share the "stunning" news that we've picked up regarding the future of the Giants last night, but we were putting up other stories and doing other holiday-related stuff and wanted to have the time to sit down and focus on this one.

Anyway, here's what we've picked up, all from our network of league and industry sources.

First, former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly is regarded as the top prospect to replace Ernie Accorsi in New York. Casserly was interviewed for the job last week.

Second, New England V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli wants the Giants G.M. job, but Bob and Jonathan Kraft (who own the Patriots) don't want to let him go -- and the Giants apparently are inclined to defer to them, which Cleveland owner Randy Lerner supposedly did a couple of years ago before Phil Savage was hired as the Browns G.M.

Third, the Patriots (as we hear it) are more inclined to let coach Bill Belichick leave than Pioli. Myra Kraft, the wife of Bob Kraft, is said to be very troubled by reports of Belichick's alleged "relationship" with a married woman in New Jersey, which information surfaced earlier this year in connection with the woman's divorce proceedings.

Fourth, the Giants aren't inclined to hire Belichick because of those same dynamics. "They don't need another P.R. nightmare," said one source. Just last week, Page Six of the New York Post disclosed that the divorce complaint has been amended by Vincent Shenocca to accuse his wife and Belichick of adultery.

Fifth, if Casserly gets the G.M. job, his first choice for head coach will be former Packers coach Mike Sherman, who was hired as an assistant with the Texans while Casserly's tenure was winding down.

Sixth, a dark horse candidate for the Giants job is Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Morningsomething. (Insert shudder here.)

Seventh, and finally, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis wants the Giants job, but realizes that it could be a dead end in the short term. He likewise doesn't want to leave the Irish so soon after his arrival two seasons ago.

So there you have it. The current talk from folks in the know. Regardless of what actually happens, it's gonna be an interesting ride for the G-men over the next couple of weeks.

SABAN RUMORS CONTINUE TO TAKE ROOT

Although Fins coach Nick Saban now says that he won't make any further comment regarding the vacant gig with the same title at the University of Alabama, league circles continue to be buzzing regarding the possibility that Saban will take the job.

In fact, some folks in the know are no longer calling it a "possibility" -- they regard it as virtually a done deal.

Adding fuel to the fire are accounts that Saban is not liked by the staff (not a surprise) or by the owner (definitely a surprise).

And the consensus is that rumors of a sale of the team will be enough to provide Saban with a face-saving avenue out of Miami, since he'll say (as we and others believe) that he came to the NFL to work for Wayne Huizenga and that he's not comfortable working for another owner.

So we believe that, at this point, the only thing that will keep Saban from leaving is an extension to his contract, which currently has three seasons remaining on it.

POSTED 9:45 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

ANOTHER TURD FOR THE BENGALS?

Undeterred (or is it undeturd?) by the arrests of eight players this year, the Cincinnati Bengals worked out on Wednesday former Iowa State defensive end Jason Berryman.

Berryman was not selected in the 2006 supplemental draft. He missed the entire 2004 season while serving 258 days in jail for theft and assault convictions.

Though Berryman has not yet been signed, why would the Bengals even sniff around someone with a history of incarceration, given the stream of embarrassments that the franchise has faced this season?

Clearly, coach Marvin Lewis has decided that talent trumps turdishness, and it looks like he'll continue to risk further tarnish to the team's reputation if, in the end, his troubled players might help to deliver a shining silver trophy.

POSTED 8:58 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

TIKI'S FULL OF CACKEY

We're counting the days until we no longer have to deal with Tiki Barber the football player, and we're hoping that the "real" media outlets who are thinking about making an offer to Tiki the sock puppet will take a broader view of the man before merely jumping on the Barber bandwagon and paying him a lot of money to use big words and act smug on camera.

Put simply, he's a liar. And if an aspiring news anchor and/or morning show host doesn't have credibility with his audience, he has nothing.

But don't take our word for it. Look instead at the words that have come from Tiki's mouth.

On Wednesday, Barber was asked in a conference call with the Washington media whether he has lost his passion for the game of football.

"Absolutely not," he said, "because on Sunday afternoons I am as competitive and as passionate a person as there comes. During the week I am sitting in a meeting and instead of being solely focused on the Washington Redskins I will be thinking about other things."

But in the puff piece published by Sports Illustrated earlier this month regarding Sir Tiki, Barber openly admitted that he has lost that lovin' feeling.

"Quite honestly, I don't have the passion to do it anymore. I'll sit in meetings and I'm bored, or my mind is drifting or I'll go out on Sunday on the football field and the blood isn't flowing like it used to."

Tiki, there's a teensy problem with being infatuated by the sound of your own voice. Sometimes in your desire to keep speaking, you might say things that aren't, you know, true. Especially when you're apparently not smart enough to keep your various versions of reality straight.

In this case, we suspect that Tiki's words to SI were the truth, but that he couldn't bring himself to repeat them to the folks who cover the team he's about to play. But did he think no one would realize that he was contradicting himself?

And that's the biggest problem with guys who think they're the smartest people in the crowd -- they tend to underestimate the basic cognitive abilities of the rest of us.

POSTED 7:09 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:18 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

TAYLOR TAKES ISSUE WITH MERRIMAN

Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who has remained a force in the NFL despite weighing less than 240 pounds, has spoken out regarding the accolades that have been heaped on Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended for four games this season after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone.

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said in a conference call with Indianapolis reporters. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.

"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is," Taylor said. "You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right. It's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it."

Amen, Jason. As we've said in the past, Merriman should be disqualified from any and all postseason awards. His dog-ate-my-homework excuse for the positive test (i.e., "I unknowingly took a tainted supplement") should be given no credence unless and until Merriman produces hard proof to support his claim.

Really, what cheater is ever going to admit that he was cheating? Even though the justification wasn't enough to avoid the suspension, we suspect that Merriman might not have made it to Honolulu if his response to the positive result had been, "Yep. You got me. I've been on steroids. Oh well."

And despite Merriman's claim that he accidentally ingested steroids, something has accounted for his weight gain of nearly 20 pounds in the two years since he emerged from the University of Maryland. As a prospect for the 2005 NFL draft, Merriman's weight was listed at 253 pounds. His published weight is now 272. And we've heard from league sources that the bulk of the gain occurred in the time between the completion of his college career and his Pro Day workout.

Maybe it was natural. Maybe it wasn't. But given the positive steroid test, it's hardly unfair to conclude that one or more banned substances had something to do with the transformation.

VIKINGS PLACE SMOOT ON NFI LIST

The Minnesota Vikings have placed cornerback Fred Smoot on the non-football injury list after he suffered a badly broken jaw in a single-car automobile accident in Mississippi over the weekend.

The move allows the Vikings to refuse to pay the balance of Smoot's $800,000 salary, which equates to $47,000. If the Vikings opt not to pay Smoot, it safely can be assumed that he won't be back with the team in 2007.

Smoot is scheduled to earn $2.7 million next season. Cutting Smoot would result in a limited cap hit, since the bulk of his guaranteed money came in the form of a roster bonus paid shortly after he signed with the team in 2005.

POSTED 5:26 p.m. EST; UPDATED 5:41 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

SIMMS TO BE TRADED?

A league source tells us that the father of Bucs quarterback Chris Simms recently has been overheard saying that he expects his son to eventually be traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Another league source, however, tells us that Simms won't be traded.

Simms' father, former Giants quarterback Phil, works as the No. 1 analyst for CBS.

The younger Simms has signed a two-year extension to remain with the Bucs. Our friends at WDAE radio in Tampa tell us that the deal is worth $10 million, with a $3 million signing bonus.

Per a league source, the $3 million will be prorated over 2006, 2007, and 2008. Thus, a pre-June 1 trade in 2007 would result in a cap charge of $2 million. The source says that the deal also includes a $2 million base salary for 2007, and a base salary of $2 million for 2008, plus incentives.

In Dallas, starter Tony Romo is signed through 2007. He's scheduled to earn $1 million next season.

If Simms isn't traded, then the move suggests (as we recently explained) that coach Jon Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen are safe for another year. If Gruden and Allen were on the outs, we doubt that a decision on Simms would have been made before a new coach and/or G.M. had been hired.

ROBINSON CLEARS WAIVERS

Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that former Vikings receiver Marcus Robinson has cleared waivers, making him a free agent. He is now eligible to sign with any team.

Look for Robinson to scope out a playoff team with a need for a tall, jump-ball, "all he does is catch touchdowns" type of a guy. His best bet at making a real contribution could be in New England, where the starters are Reche Caldwell and 54-year-old Troy Brown.

Meanwhile, Vikings coach Brad Childress has denied that Robinson's statements to the media about the offense and his role in it played a part in his late-season release.

Since Robinson is a vested veteran, the Vikings are on the hook for termination pay in the amount of $117,000, which represents his final game check for Week Seventeen. But because termination pay is available only one time in a player's career, Robinson might choose not to exercise his right to the remainder of his $2 million base salary, in the event that he gets cut in the future under circumstances that might pay him even more money over the balance of the season.

POSTED 5:09 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

SOUP NAZI TO BE CANNED

A well-connected branch of our ever-growing network of league and industry sources tells us that Giants coach Tom Coughlin will be fired upon completion of the 2006 season, regardless of whether the Giants win their regular season finale.

A win most likely will translate into a spot in the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. And the Giants would most likely open the playoffs with a trip to Philly, where the Giants pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind win earlier this year.

But the team that rallied to beat the Eagles in overtime is long gone, physically and emotionally. The Giants are downtrodden, and the gale-force winds of change are blowing through the organization.

So what happens next in New York? We've picked up some stunning details in this regard, and we'll share them right here later tonight. Meanwhile . . . .

BUY SOME SPRINT STUFF

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And please don't forget why we're still a free site. It's because Sprint and Nextel recognize that our readers are smart enough to realize on their own that the decision of Sprint and Nextel to monitor a high-quality NFL news and information site means that Sprint and Nextel are committed to providing high quality products and services.

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POSTED 4:50 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

MORE WEIRDNESS FROM MICHAEL VICK

Michael Vick continues to prove that, in reality, he's a glorified tailback with a strong throwing arm and marginal accuracy.

A quarterback he isn't, in any sense of the word. First and foremost, quarterbacks are leaders. We've presented in the past evidence to support our belief that Vick isn't. Most recently, he was wearing a groove in his back after setting the single-season quarterback rushing record in a defeat that dealt a crushing blow to his team's playoff prospects.

In a Wednesday conference call with Philadelphia reporters, Vick provided even more proof to support the conclusion that he's not a leader by taking steps to insulate himself from any blame for the team's 7-8 record.

"I rushed for [over] 1,000 yards this year," Vick said. "I threw a career-high 19 touchdowns, still one game to go. I've accomplished a lot of things. I think I've played consistently week in and week out. I can't say what more I could've done. What I can say is that I feel good about what I've accomplished this season."

So what went wrong for the team this year?

"I don't know. I can't really say," said Vick. "That's for you guys to go watch the film and see what really went wrong. Stat-wise, everything looks good. It looks gravy. I think we had a good year, but at the same time something didn't go right. That's the question that needs to be answered.

"Anytime you have over 3,000 yards of total offense in a season as a player, I think you should be in the winning bracket in the wins and loss column. You should have way more wins than you have losses."

Another account of the conference call includes an admission from Vick that he recalls little about the Falcons last visit to Philly, for the 2004 NFC Championship Game, other than the fact that it was cold and that he "wished he had taken it more seriously."

He also said that one of his priorities for the New Year's Eve game in Philly is to ensure that the Falcons get back to Atlanta before midnight.

Nice. Hey, Falcons fans, you and the "real" media created this monster. Now that he's crapping all over the furniture, what are you gonna do about it?

POSTED 9:50 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:04 a.m. EST, December 27, 2006

MOSS BACK TO MINNY?

A December 24 item in the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests that the Raiders would be willing to trade receiver Randy Moss back to the Vikings for as little as a third-round pick.

Though we've had a gut feeling ever since his departure in March 2005 that Moss is destined to return to Minnesota, we can't envision coach Brad Childress, who got all he could handle in Philly from a turdish receiver named Terrell Owens, wanting Moss on the roster. Given the manner in which receiver Marcus Robinson was unceremoniously ushered out the door this week, it's clear to us that Childress isn't inclined to put up with problem children at the one position that seems to breed them.

Indeed, when there was talk of a Moss trade before the October 17 deadline for doing deals, we looked into whether the Vikings might be interested. And we learned unequivocally that the Vikings had no desire to bring him back.

Still, the one thing that could make it happen is concern by ownership that ticket sales for 2007 could dry up, since a decade of explosive offense was replaced in 2006 by a horizontal passing attack that conjured memories of the 1970s. But back in the days of Tarkenton and Foreman and Gilliam, the rest of the league was strapped with rules that made it harder to stretch the field. Today, the yardage-challenged Vikings are the exception, not the rule.

A return of Randy Moss would energize the fans and, in turn, the offense. Sure, he'd have to learn the West Coast offense. And, yeah, he might have lost a step. But if the goal is to keep the locals interested in the on-field product at a time when the franchise is trying to get a new stadium built, bringing back Moss could be a wise move.

Even if the coaching staff doesn't want him.

HARRINGTON BENCHED TO AVOID INCENTIVES?

Our initial information gathering regarding the decision of the Miami Dolphins to go with quarterback Cleo Lemon for the final game-and-a-half of the 2006 season (scroll down for more) suggests that the move might have been driven by the reality that prior starter Joey Harrington was in line to cash in on some significant incentives if he had stayed on the field.

It's our understanding that there is a play-time incentive in the deal, and that Harrington's eligibility for it will depend on a play-by-play count of the team's total offensive snaps.

If the motivation is true (and we're not saying that it is), the situation would be ironic, to say the least. Rams backup Gus Frerotte recently claimed that Miami coach Nick Saban wanted to bench him at the end of the 2005 season in order to keep Frerotte from reaching incentive triggers in his deal, but that then-Fins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan intervened on the quarterback's behalf. Saban has since denied the allegations.

Stay tuned. We're trying to track down more details on this one.

RADIO STUFF

The Christmas holiday has thrown off our weekly radio schedule. Here's the abbreviated schedule for this week.

On Tuesday night, we visited with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio at 10:25 p.m. EST. On Wednesday morning, we chatted with Howard Balzer of ESPN Radio in St. Louis at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Other firm spots on the schedule this week include WDAE in Tampa at 4:15 p.m. EST on Wednesday, and ESPN Radio in Jacksonville at 4:20 p.m. EST on Thursday. More to come.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:03 a.m. EST, December 27, 2006

GIANTS WON'T PROMOTE FROM WITHIN?

More and more league insiders are reaching the conclusion that the decision of the New York Giants to interview former Redskins and Texans G.M. Charley Casserly is an indication that the Giants will look outside the organization for a successor to Ernie Accorsi.

As one league source opined, the failure of the franchise to automatically promote in-house favorite Jerry Reese suggests that Accorsi has lost his juice within the organization, since Reese was Accorsi's hand-picked choice to take the job.

"If [Accorsi's] opinion was that relevant or trusted, there would be no interviews," said the source. "It’d be Reese’s job all the way."

There's also talk that the Casserly interview was arranged in part by the league office, where some of the folks feel bad that Casserly didn't get Art Shell's old job. Casserly's "resignation" from the Texans was sold as an effort by Casserly to land Shell's old gig.

But there's likewise a school of thought that the Giants talked to Casserly because ownership is trying to determine the most appropriate structure of the front office moving forward.

Meanwhile, some are wondering about the current mood within the building, given that the scouting staff potentially will be hung out to dry, despite the reality that the team is still in the playoff hunt.

Our guess? Even if the Giants qualify for the postseason, and even if they manage to catch fire and win a game or two in the playoffs (a proposition which becomes more unlikely with defensive end Michael Strahan on injured reserve), big changes are coming. And it will get started in the front office.

MORE ON COWHER

Although most league observers (including us) believe that the Tuesday announcement from Steelers coach Bill Cowher that he'll announce his plans for 2007 soon after the end of the current season means he won't be back, one league insider thinks that maybe, just maybe, the Rooneys put a firm offer on the table before the 2006 season, and Cowher's announcement will be that he has decided to accept it.

It's an intriguing theory, but we continue to believe that the Rooneys won't pay Cowher his market value. On Tuesday night, we said that they can't afford to do so; one league insider explained to us early Wednesday that they surely can, and that the real question is whether they will.

Said the source, "Hey, there isn't one owner that 'can't afford it'. These guys have more money than they could spend in a lifetime. Unless you're Art Modell."

Cowher currently makes in the neighborhood of $4 million per year. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is somewhere in the $7.5 million to $8.5 million range. If Cowher takes a year or two off and accepts a market-value deal in 2008 or 2009, he'll quickly earn back the total money he would have made if he had continued to coach the Steelers.

And that's not counting the million or so he's sure to get from ESPN or one of the other television networks in 2007 for a couple of days of work per week.

MORE LEMON AID FOR THE FINS

Alex Marvez and Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel report that quarterback Cleo Lemon will start for the Miami Dolphins in the team's final game of the 2006 season.

Lemon replaced Joey Harington during Monday night's game against the Jets.

The Fins acquired Lemon from the Chargers in 2005, in a trade that was swung by San Diego G.M. A.J. Smith without the input of coach Marty Schottenheimer. The move further alienated the two men, since Lemon was regarded as a Schottenheimer favorite. (Of course, Smith and Schottenheimer are getting along a lot better now, given that the team is 13-2 -- and that they were ordered by ownership to get along or get out.)

The move suggests on the surface that coach Nick Saban wants to see what he has with Lemon, so that he can decide whether to extend a tender offer to the soon-to-be restricted free agent. And this suggests that Saban might be back with the team in 2007.

If Lemon stays, our guess is that either Harrington or Daunte Culpepper could get the boot. More and more teams are carrying only two quarterbacks on the active roster, and those with three typically have a young project at the bottom of the depth chart. For the dollars that it likely will require to keep Lemon from heading to another team as the No. 2 option, we think it will be hard for the Fins to justify keeping the same three guys who have been on the roster this year.

The challenge for the Dolphins will be to select the right tender offer amount. Since Lemon was not drafted, the Fins would be entitled to no compensation if he is tendered at the lowest possible level. Under the revised CBA, there's a new level that would entail a second-round pick as compensation. Other available levels include a first-rounder as compensation, and a first and a third.

Given the rise of the "poison pill" device, any other team can cobble together an offer sheet that the Fins would not be able to match without having to guarantee the full amount of the contract. So maybe the Fins are trying to showcase Lemon in the hopes that, if they tender him at the second-round level, someone else will give up a first-day draft pick to get him.

To make that happen, Lemon would have to play pretty darn well against the Colts. A second-round pick is a big one to surrender, and someone else would have to want Lemon badly before parting with such a selection.

For more breaking NFL news and information, check out the PFT Fantasy Mill, powered by Fanball.com.

POSTED 10:06 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

TEA LEAVES SUGGEST COWHER IS DONE

With Steelers coach Bill Cowher disclosing that he'll announce his plans for 2007 within a few days after the 2006 season ends on Sunday, we are now fully and completely convinced that Cowher will be "retiring."

Why, you ask? Because if he were staying for 2007, he'd be doing so with an extension to his contract, which is set to expire after next season. And if his contract were being extended, the deal almost certainly wouldn't be done with games left to play.

So farewell, Coach Chin. You've done a mostly great job, and we look forward to seeing whether you can restore the Redskins to glory, beginning in 2008 or 2009.

The rumors of Cowher's departure began not long after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, when he purchased a multi-million dollar home in Raleigh. Rumors intensified when it was learned that his wife and youngest daughter would move there, and when he proclaimed that he was operating on a year-to-year basis.

Then, former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who now works for NBC, said on the air that he believes Cowher will retire after the 2006 season, based on discussions the two of them have had. Also, it was common knowledge among the local media in Pittsburgh that Cowher would pack it in, unless the team were to win a second straight Super Bowl.

The root of the issue, in our view, is money. Cowher's market value significantly exceeds his current salary, and there's no way that the Rooneys ever would be able to pay Cowher what he can get elsewhere. Indeed, Cowher arguably is worth twice his current $4 million annual pay. And we wouldn't be surprised at all if Redskins owner Dan Snyder eventually offers Cowher $10 million per year to come out of retirement.

Though the presumption is that the leading candidates to replace Cowher are offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, we've got a feeling that the team will look outside the organization for an up-and-comer who is ready, willing, and able to succeed -- and to stick around for a long time. The next coach will be only the second hire made by the team since 1969, and our guess is that the Rooneys would like the next coach to be on the job for a decade, or longer.

POSTED 8:20 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

RUMORS FLY OF BELICHICK TO GIANTS

A league source tells us that there are emerging rumors in NFL circles linking Patriots coach Bill Belichick to the New York Giants.

The move, per the rumors, would entail a package deal of Belichick and Pats V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli.

We don't buy it. Though Pioli clearly is in play for the Giants G.M. job (although there could be an effort by New England ownership to block a move), Belichick won't be coaching the Giants without the blessing of Robert and Jonathan Kraft. And there's no way in hell that the Krafts will allow both Pioli and Belichick to escape from the organization.

Despite some speculation in media circles that Belichick's contract might expire after 2006 (including an oddball shot-in-the-dark by Ron Borges that Belichick could end up with the Texans in 2007), Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe recently reported that 2006 is not the final season of Belichick's contract.

Though the Krafts can't force Belichick to coach their team, the Krafts can stop him from coaching any other NFL team during years that are covered by his contract with the Pats.

So while we love to monger a good rumor as much as anyone, this one simply won't happen.

POSTED 7:52 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:00 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

SABAN RUMORS INTENSIFY

With Dolphins coach Nick Saban blowing off his day-after press conference, rumors are heating up in league circles that he will be the next coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Fueling the scuttlebutt in this regard is a Monday nugget from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, which (as we hear it) gave credence to our recent report that owner Wayne Huizenga soon will sell the team. Since Huizenga was instrumental in luring Saban from the college ranks, the potential absence of Huizenga from the organization could be the trigger that forces Saban to make the jump back to the NCAA version of the game.

If Saban isn't the next coach at Alabama, word is that the Tide will focus on someone with head coaching experience. There is a rumor that former Packers coach Mike Sherman has been interviewed for the job, but we have been unable to corroborate it. An NFL source tells us that there also are whispers about Bucs coach Jon Gruden landing in Tuscaloosa, where the opening line of his introductory press conference very well might be, "Can someone please tell me what in the f--k a grit is?"

Either way, things will likely heat up considerably after the NFL regular season concludes.

SPEND SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS CASH AT SPRINT.COM

As you might have noticed, we've had some technical difficulties over the past few days with the Sprint ads at the top of the page, and in the right margin.

Until we can get the situation resolved, do us a huge favor and click on the Sprint logo next to the PFT logo -- and spend some of that Christmas money on some Sprint stuff. Even if you have your service through a different carrier (and shame on you if you do), you can buy certain accessories for the phone through Sprint.

Meanwhile, stay tuned to the site for some intriguing changes, which likely will be implemented as soon as we get back from our upcoming trip to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl.

POSTED 12:50 p.m. EST; UPDATED 1:18 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

RAIDERS TO KEEP SHELL TO SPITE SCHEFTER?

One of the theories making the rounds in league circles of late is that, if Raiders owner Al Davis had intended to fire coach Art Shell after the season, Davis might ultimately choose to keep Shell around -- merely in order to spite Adam Schefter of NFL Network, who reported on Thursday that Shell will be dumped.

It would be stupid, illogical, and nonsensical. But it would be classic Al Davis.

The Raiders think that Schefter, a former Broncos beat writer, is getting his information and/or marching orders from the franchise he previously covered. Davis and company promptly issued a pointed and biting statement calling out Schefter's report.

On Sunday, FOX's Howie Long (a former Raider) and Joe Buck (a current weenie) took some shots at Schefter on the air. Long called the information "third-hand," and Buck said, "Who's Adam Schefter?" -- a comment that reveals more about Buck's attention to league-related details than Buck might want the hardcore NFL fan to know.

Our guess? Shell isn't going anywhere. If for no reason other than that Davis will want Schefter to look foolish for reporting that Shell was done.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Fins DE Jason Taylor got poked in the eye on Monday night.

The Dallas defense is coming apart at the seams.

The Bengals are only 3-5 against teams with winning records.

The Pats appear set to nail down the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Matt Millen, back for 2007?

Former Fins LT Richmond Webb is in the team's Ring of Honor.

To make it to the playoffs, the Jags need to beat the Chiefs on Sunday -- and the Bengals, Jets, and Titans must all lose.

If the Rams give up 196 yards rushing on Sunday at Minnesota, it will be the worst single-season rush defense performance in team history.

Veterans who might not be back for the Vikings include QB Brad Johnson, TE Jermaine Wiggins, CB Fred Smoot, LB Napoleon Harris, and WR Travis Taylor.

T.O. is bitching again -- but we get the feeling that less people are listening.

POSTED 11:04 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:50 a.m. EST, December 26, 2006

PRIMETIME FAREWELL FOR LORD FAVRE?

If Packers quarterback Brett Favre decides to call it a career after the 2006 season, what could be his final game will be broadcast on NBC in prime time.

After digesting the full impact of the Week Sixteen games on the playoff scenarios, the NFL has moved the December 31 game between Green Bay and Chicago to 8:15 p.m. EST.

For the Bears, the game technically is meaningless. But they still would love to beat their biggest rivals, especially since a loss would knock the Pack out of playoff contention.

Surprisingly, a win by the Pack at Soldier Field could very well trigger a playoff appearance, as the No. 6 seed. Though the Packers don't automatically enjoy a "win and in" scenario, they'll know whether a win secures a postseason berth when the game starts, and the odds aren't as long as you might think.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Rams lose or tie, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Falcons win, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Panthers win, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose, the Rams lose, the Panthers lose or tie, and the Falcons lose or tie, the Packers are in with a tie.

If the Giants win, the Packers need a win -- and they need to secure the convoluted "strength of victory" tiebreaker, since the Packers and Giants would have the same record against NFC teams, at 7-5, and the same record against common opponents, at 1-4. The Packers currently trail New York in the strength of victory category, but could swing the pendulum if a bunch of teams the Packers have beaten win on Sunday.

Whew.

This all means that the Packers are out if they lose, or if they win and the Giants lose or tie and the Falcons lose or tie and the Panthers lose or tie and the Rams win, of if they win and the Giants win and the strength of victory thing falls to the Giants.

A Packers win and only a Rams win would result in a two-way tie at 8-8, which the Rams would win by virtue of a 23-20 victory over the Packers in Week Five. If any of the other 7-8 teams also win, the head-to-head result between the Rams and Packers becomes irrelevant.

So, of the various possible candidates for the New Year's Eve prime time game, the Packers and Bears present the closest thing to a pre-playoff -- the Packers at Bears game will be meaningless. Still, there's a chance that the Packers will be out by the time Sunday night rolls around, making the game completely meaningless.

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Daunte Culpepper wants to kick Steve Young's ass.

The screw-job that the Chargers put on the Giants in April 2004 is almost enough to make San Diego G.M. A.J. Smith smile. (Almost.)

Alabama is expected to make a final run at the Nicktator after Sunday's game.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus was on the field after the Christmas Day game -- but with Eagles receiver Donte' Stallworth, not Cowboys receiver T.O.

Could Jeff Garcia be swiping Donovan McNabb's job?

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News wants to see Charlie Weis as the coach of the Giants.

Steve Serby of the New York Post calls for the G-men to be blown up.

Ditto for Paul Schwartz of the Post.

And Neil Best of Newsday.

The Soup Nazi's son-in-law is doing his part to maintain marital harmony.

Well, at least one of the New York teams appears to be headed for the playoffs.

Rookie QB Jay Cutler is finally lifting the Broncos.

Is it already over in Cleveland for Romeo Crennel?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is getting upset.

POSTED 10:38 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:09 a.m. EST, December 26, 2006

SIGNING SWEEPSTAKES HEAT UP

As NFL agents continue to swarm over college players who soon will be getting ready for the April draft, we're starting to hear some talk about who will sign with who. (Or is it whom?)

It previously has been reported that Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton has signed with Drew Rosenhaus. We mentioned recently that Dave Dunn has inked UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer and Fresno State center Kyle Young.

We're also hearing the following likely/potential/possible connections:

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith and Neil Cornrich.

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and Don Yee.

Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Todd France.

Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson and Ben Dogra.

USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett and Chuck Price.

Michigan running back Mike Hart and Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer.

Michigan cornerback Leon Hall and Octagon or Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer or Davd Dunn.

Cal running back Marshawn Lynch and Joel Segal.

Michigan defensive lineman Alan Branch and Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer.

Florida State linebacker Buster Davis and Todd France.

LSU safety LaRon Landry and Todd France.

That's all for now. More to come.

POSTED 7:56 p.m. EST, December 25, 2006

MANNING SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR, AGAIN

With the Colts defense suddenly unable to stop a wagon with rusty wheels from rolling uphill against a stiff breeze, quarterback Peyton Manning is pulling his old "I'm trying to be a good teammate here" routine by throwing a not-so-subtle barb at the side of the ball charged with keeping the opponents from gaining yards and scoring points.

After the Colts fell to the Steelers in the playoffs in January, Manning blamed "protection problems" for the relentless pass rush that disrupted his timing and limited his time.

After the Colts' loss on Sunday, in which a ball-control, clock-chewing approach by the Texans kept the Indy offense to six possessions and 45 total plays, Manning bemoaned the fact that not enough of the team approached the game with a postseason mindset.

"Maybe you have to be in this league and be in these playoff scenarios a couple of times to really understand," Manning said. "But I thought the veterans, we talked about playing with a sense of urgency, like we needed this game to get into the playoffs. That's how we prepared for it offensively.'' And although Bob Kravtiz of the Colts' P.R. department a/k/a the Indianapolis Star insists that Manning wasn't throwing the defense under the bus, the application of common sense and objectivity suggests otherwise.

As one league insider responded, "Here we go again. Perhaps it's [Manning] being a pig and not allowing enough cap space for any defensive players , or perhaps it's the great Bill Polian not building it correctly, [spending] all the cash on offense. Great job of planning, Bill."

The "pig" line is a reference to the fact that Manning hijacked the team a couple of years back on a cap-busting contract, which as a practical matter makes it harder to surround him with talent. Compounding matters are big-money deals given both to receiver Marvin Harrison and receiver Reggie Wayne.

Though the Colts have tried to spend a little money on the other side of the ball, "squander" might be the more appropriate term, given the cash that was handed to defensive tackle Corey Simon, who has been a huge disappointment.

The reality for the Colts? With the No. 3 seed, at best, becoming a serious reality, it likely will be another January without an AFC title -- especially since to get to Miami for the Super Bowl the Colts will have to win on the road at Baltimore or San Diego.

Or both.

We wonder who Manning will blame when 2006 becomes the latest NFL season to end in disappointment for him. If he's smart, he'll start with the large-headed mammal whose reflection he sees when brushing his teeth.

POSTED 10:31 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:30 p.m. EST, December 25, 2006

CHANGES COMING IN THE 'BURGH?

In the wake of a 31-7 thumping at home against the Baltimore Ravens, Steelers chairman Dan Rooney has hinted that there will be changes come 2007 in areas other than the roster of players.

"The players? Yeah," Rooney said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We need some players, obviously, but I think we're going to be able to get some."

What about the coaching staff?

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