2008 Backup QBs cooling off Even though Kerry Collins is doing a nice job with the 5-0 Titans, backup quarterbacks as a whole aren't faring as well as they did earlier in the season. After winning six of their first eight games,... John Clayton | Monday, October 6 Week 5 inactives Week 5 inactive players for Sunday's games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 5 Packers won't decide on Rodgers until game time Packers coach Mike McCarthy is going to give starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers until 90 minutes before game time to see if he can play Sunday's game against the Falcons. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 3 Clayton: Week 5 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for Week 5 of the 2008 season. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Friday, October 3 Bills in great shape after inking Evans to extension The Bills signing of wide receiver Lee Evans to a four-year, $37.25 million contract extension leaves the 4-0 team in great shape for years to come. Center Melvin Fowler is the only starter who is an ... John Clayton | Thursday, October 2 Bills' Evans signs four-year, $37.25M extension The Buffalo Bills made Lee Evans one of the league's highest-paid wide receivers on Thursday. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Thursday, October 2 Clayton: Urgency sets in for Eagles Is it too early for a must-win game? Not if you're Andy Reid and the Eagles, who need to beat the surging Redskins on Sunday to keep pace in the highly competitive NFC East, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, October 2 Rodgers likely to sit out against Falcons How the Packers handle Aaron Rodgers ' injury will be fascinating. The organization, and coach Mike McCarthy in particular, won't rush Rodgers back if his shoulder isn't healthy enough to throw in a g... John Clayton | October 1, 2008 Clayton mailbag: Coaching firestorm under way In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Lions, Roy Williams' future in Dallas, the Redskins' offense and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 1, 2008 Davis, Kiffin fail to see eye to eye Cutting through the verbiage of Al Davis ' long-awaited rant, the difference of opinion between the Raiders owner and Lane Kiffin on who should be defensive coordinator and who should be the quarterba... John Clayton | September 30, 2008 Source: Davis begins discussions to replace Kiffin Even though Lane Kiffin remained head coach of the Oakland Raiders long enough to meet with the Bay Area media Monday, the process of replacing him has begun. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 29, 2008 Kiffin navigating stormy waters Raiders coach Lane Kiffin announced Monday he's no longer going to publicly discuss his relationship with Al Davis . Kiffin is trying to get through this bye week, but Tuesday might be the biggest cha... John Clayton | September 29, 2008 Clayton: Linehan didn't show authority Under Linehan, Rams had fallen from "Greatest Show on Turf" to "Greatest No-Show in NFL," John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 29, 2008 Week 4 inactives Week 4 inactive players for Sunday's games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 28, 2008 Clayton: Week 4 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for Week 4 of the 2008 season. John Clayton , ESPN.com | September 26, 2008 Clayton: Redskins at critical juncture Are the Redskins legitimate contenders? It depends on how they weather a critical two-game road swing, which starts Sunday in Dallas, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 25 Rebuilding of Lions can officially commence The weird part about the firing of Matt Millen is that rebuilding the Lions may come down to what they do with a wide receiver, the position that seemed to bring the most heat on Millen during his ten... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 24 Clayton mailbag: Schonert fitting the Bills In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on Oakland's coaching situation, the state of the QB position, the Vikings' playoff chances and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, September 24 Age is not an issue at QB Recent decisions by coaches to go with veteran quarterbacks such as Kerry Collins (Tennessee), Gus Frerotte (Minnesota), Trent Green (St. Louis) and others have suddenly made the NFL look like it did ... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 23 Saints running out of weapons Tight end Jeremy Shockey's sports hernia surgery will further bottle up the Saints' offense. Without Shockey and WR Marques Colston , who's out for six weeks with a thumb injury, RB Reggie Bush become... John Clayton | Monday, September 22 Week 3 inactives Week 3 inactive players for Sunday's games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 21 Dan Rooney still in charge of Steelers The decision by four brothers of Dan Rooney to reject the bid for the Steelers by Pittsburgh billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller is a mini-victory for the owner and his son, Art . It buys Dan more time ... John Clayton | Friday, September 19 Clayton: Week 3 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for Week 3 of the 2008 season. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Friday, September 19 Clayton: Prime-time test keeps pressure on Rodgers Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is off to an impressive start. Can he outduel Dallas' Tony Romo on Sunday night? John Clayton breaks down the best games of Week 3. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 18 Running attacks make progress One interesting trend -- sparked by great rookie runners such as Darren McFadden , Matt Forte , Chris Johnson and others -- is how the first two weeks have been dominated by running attacks. The 56 ... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 17 Vikings name Frerotte starter for rest of season The Minnesota Vikings, with an 0-2 start to the season, are turning to veteran Gus Frerotte to bring them out of the hole. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, September 17 Clayton mailbag: NFC on the rise In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Chiefs' QB situation, the Steelers' Super Bowl chances, Lane Kiffin and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 17, 2008 Free agency not answer to WR The trade of wide receiver Keary Colbert by the Denver Broncos to the Seattle Seahawks is just another confirmation of how tough it has been to improve the receiver position through free agency. Colbe... John Clayton | September 16, 2008 Kiffin can't shake speculation When Raiders coach Lane Kiffin met with the Bay Area press on Monday, he had yet to have his meeting with Raiders boss Al Davis. There is enough evidence to suggest Kiffin will be fired. The question ... John Clayton | Monday, September 15 Week 2 inactives Week 2 inactive players for Sunday's games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 14 Clayton: Week 2 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for Week 2 of the 2008 season. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Friday, September 12 Clayton: McNabb, T.O. reunion highlights Week 2 In a weekend full of rivalry games, the Monday night matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys -- thanks largely to the McNabb vs. T.O. backdrop -- is clearly the headliner, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 11, 2008 Clayton: Five best rivalries today Three of the five best rivalries in the NFL today renew this weekend, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 11, 2008 Saturday injury makes for long day The most interesting name on the injury report Wednesday was center Jeff Saturday . Saturday decided not to have knee surgery, which would have sidelined him for 10-to-12 weeks. He was on the Colts in... John Clayton | September 10, 2008 Former Broncos LB Wilson announces retirement Five-time Pro Bowler and former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson officially announced his retirement. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 10, 2008 Clayton mailbag: Free-agent follies In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Chiefs' QB situation, Reggie Bush, the strength of the NFC and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 10, 2008 Titans' Young has MCL sprain, no time for return Vince Young has a sprained MCL, but the team wouldn't set a timetable for his return. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 9, 2008 Quarterback carousel proving to be interesting ride The interesting twist to the quarterback scramble following Sunday's flurry of injuries is how teams in need of quarterbacks handled visits and decisions. Tim Rattay and Chris Simms went to New Englan... John Clayton | September 9, 2008 Short-handed Seahawks start reshaping roster Down four wide receivers because of injuries, the Seahawks have started to reshape their roster to make some moves. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 9, 2008 Jags sign veteran G Brown to bolster offensive line Veteran guard Milford Brown, signed as a backup last year who bailed out the Rams with 15 starts, agreed to bail out the Jaguars, who have lost the interior of their offensive line because of injuries. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 9 Jags perilously thin along O-line The Jaguars' draft-day decision to trade up to get pass-rushing defensive end Derrick Harvey seemed good at the time, but they might have cost themselves dearly for the season. Instead of drafting an ... John Clayton | Monday, September 8 Week 1 inactives Week 1 inactive players for Sunday's games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 7 Broncos agree to five-year deal with LB Williams The Denver Broncos locked up their most important free agent, reaching a five-year, $32 million deal with linebacker D.J Williams on Saturday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 7 Source: Texans, OT Winston agree on $30M deal For years, the Texans have been trying to build an offensive line, using the draft and free agency. Right tackle Eric Winston, a third-round pick for 2006, has turned into a immediate hit. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, September 6 Clayton: Week 1 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for Week 1 of the 2008 season. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Friday, September 5 Pro Bowl tackle Peters rejoins Bills, ends holdout Jason Peters will end his holdout and report to the Bills on Saturday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 5 Culpepper: The QB that was The frustration that fueled Daunte Culpepper 's retirement was his resume wasn't good enough to get him into a team facility as early as March. Last year, Culpepper waited until summer before taking ... John Clayton | Thursday, September 4 Ex-Bengals tackle Anderson gets deal with Ravens With job security in mind, former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson turned down trips to Tampa Bay and San Diego and accepted a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Thursday, September 4 Unable to find work, Culpepper retires from NFL Daunte Culpepper has retired from the NFL. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 4 Clayton: NFC East reigns supreme Thanks to the Giants' Super Bowl upset and three other teams that can compete with anyone, the NFC East is the best division in football, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 4 Clayton: Rodgers, Packers have plenty to prove vs. Vikings John Clayton previews the best Week 1 games, including a Packers-Vikings Monday night game with plenty on the line for Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 4 Former Bengal Anderson in demand Former Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson appears to be the biggest prize from the list of players cut over the weekend. According to his agent, Terry Bolar, Anderson has limited his op... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 3 Clayton mailbag: Gonzalez is Chief asset In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the future of Tony Gonzalez, Bryant McKinnie's suspension, Jeremy Shockey and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 3, 2008 Steelers trade offensive lineman Mahan to Bucs A year after signing Sean Mahan to help the interior of their offensive line, the Steelers decided to go a different direction by trading him back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a seventh-round pick. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 2, 2008 Source: Ravens add Bouman to back up QB Flacco Veteran Todd Bouman, one of three veterans to work out for the Ravens Tuesday, accepted a one-year offer to sign with the team, a source said. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 2, 2008 Peters, Bills not getting close There isn't any progress in the Jason Peters holdout. The Bills and Peters have not talked for a month, according to a source. Peters remains willing to hold out into the season for a new contract. Th... John Clayton | September 2, 2008 Lions strike deal with Rudi Johnson, release Bell Running back Rudi Johnson reached a one-year agreement with the Detroit Lions, the team confirmed Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | September 1, 2008 Raiders reach agreement on 1-year deal with Lelie In need of downfield speed for their passing offense, the Raiders reached a one-year agreement with Ashley Lelie. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, September 1 Clayton: Cardinals' James likes latest trends Edgerrin James believes the leaguewide emphasis on the short, safe passing game will make him a more effective running back and allow him to play well into his 30s, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, September 1 Fourth preseason game becomes expendable The way 26 teams handled their final preseason game Thursday night only adds to the campaign to extend the regular season to 17 games and to shorten the preseason to three. Looking at the official gam... John Clayton | Friday, August 29 Marshall suspension reduced from 3 games to 1 Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall had his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy reduced from three games to one on Thursday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 28 Chargers did nothing wrong in Merriman case Perhaps the most baffling part of the Shawne Merriman story is somehow the Chargers are being portrayed as the bad guys. How did that happen? Team doctors told Merriman and his agent, Tom Condon, that... John Clayton | Thursday, August 28 In need of lineman, Ravens acquire Bucs' Douglas In need of defensive line help, the Baltimore Ravens went back to an old friend, trading for Buccaneers defensive end Marques Douglas. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 27, 2008 Clayton mailbag: Giants' pass rush is suddenly suspect In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on Donovan McNabb, Alge Crumpler's impact on the Titans and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 27, 2008 Strahan faced tough deadline The chance to return to the Giants appealed to Michael Strahan , but the quality of life outside of football won out. The Giants got in touch with Strahan, but it was unlikely they would have paid him... John Clayton | August 26, 2008 Strahan, Giants open communication It should be no surprise the Giants reached out to retired defensive end Michael Strahan . Strahan tipped off through friends he would consider coming out of retirement if the price was right. The sea... John Clayton | August 25, 2008 Clayton: Warner showed he can still play The Cardinals gave Kurt Warner the chance to compete with Matt Leinart for the starting spot, and the 37-year-old quarterback made the most of the opportunity, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 25, 2008 Clayton: Who might succeed Upshaw? Who might the NFLPA select as Gene Upshaw's successor? There are several prominent candidates, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 21 Clayton: What's next for NFLPA? The NFLPA, reeling from the unexpected death of Gene Upshaw, will move slowly on finding a replacement for him and starting talks on a new labor contract, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 21 Clayton: Gene Upshaw played game hard on and off the field As a Hall of Fame guard for the Raiders, Gene Upshaw played tough. Those skills served him well as NFLPA executive director, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 21 After holdout ends, Jackson's work begins The end of Steven Jackson's holdout was inevitable. The Rams had been wanting to make Jackson one of the highest paid running backs, but Jackson, 25, naturally wanted more. Knowing that this would be ... John Clayton | Wednesday, August 20 Clayton mailbag: Shortened preseason inevitable In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on Rod Coleman, Alex Smith's future in San Francisco and much more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 20 Jags' latest offer to Harvey might not get deal done The Jaguars slightly improved their offer to unsigned first-round choice Derrick Harvey , but the adjustment may only worsen the negotiations. According to a source, Jacksonville upped its offer on a ... John Clayton | Tuesday, August 19 Source: Vikings QB Jackson has sprained MCL An MRI revealed that Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson suffered a sprained medial collateral knee ligament during Minnesota's 23-15 victory over the Ravens on Saturday night, according to a source. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 17 Patriots work to fill offensive line gaps The Patriots have tried to buy some insurance policies for their offensive line, but the cost is expensive. New England has signed five veteran offensive linemen. Two of them -- Barry Stokes and Antho... John Clayton | August 15, 2008 Patriots, safety Lynch agree to one-year contract The New England Patriots have met with nine-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch but have not signed him. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 14, 2008 Lynch must pass physical with Pats Bill Belichick 's interest in former Broncos safety John Lynch is real, as long as Lynch can pass a physical. The need for a hard-hitting situational safety was created last weekend when safety Tank W... John Clayton | August 13, 2008 Clayton mailbag: Underdogs lead in QB battles In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on Daunte Culpepper, Steven Jackson's holdout, the outlook for the Raiders and much more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 13, 2008 Feeley should find new home soon Cut from the Miami Dolphins, 32-year-old kicker Jay Feely should find a new home before the start of the regular season. The only problem he is facing is the continued accuracy of the field-goal kicke... John Clayton | Wednesday, August 12 Dolphins make way for rookie, cut kicker Feely The Miami Dolphins have cut kicker Jay Feely, a year after he set the team's single-season record for field goal percentage. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, August 12 Archuleta signs with Raiders, to switch positions Adam Archuleta agreed to a one-year, $730,000 contract with the Raiders and plans to start his career anew. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 11 Clayton: Vince Young ready to take next step The Titans' Vince Young is well on his way to becoming an elite quarterback, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 11 Veteran linebacker Spikes finds home with 49ers Linebacker Takeo Spikes, one of the best defensive players awaiting a job with a new team, signed with the 49ers, the team announced Sunday night. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 10 Steelers sign QB Leftwich to fill in for injured Batch The Steelers filled two injury-created needs Sunday by reaching agreements with quarterback Byron Leftwich and punter Mitch Berger. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 10 Pennington lands 2-year deal, starting job in Miami Chad Pennington agreed Friday night to a two-year, $11.5 million contract that pretty well locks him into starting, according to a source. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 8 Goodell sick of complaints about 80-man roster Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams ordering them to stop complaining about the 80-man roster. Most coaches and GMs believe the 80-man roster is a disaster because it makes it hard to keep... John Clayton | Friday, August 8 Clayton: History working against Favre, Jets Jets fans shouldn't expect Brett Favre to deliver a championship. When Hall of Fame QBs switch teams late in their careers, the results are usually unspectacular, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 8 Clayton: This deal a downer for Favre The deal sending Brett Favre to the Jets isn't a good one for the legendary quarterback, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 7 Clayton: Questions, answers on Favre trade Favre took on Packers management and lost. Now, he must try to rediscover the itch to play football in the AFC. Here are answers to five questions involving the trade. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 7 Clayton mailbag: Vikings firmly in Jackson's corner In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on Tarvaris Jackson's mindset, the 49ers' chances, the Steelers' O-line and much more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 6 First-round pick Rivers signs contract with Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals signed first-round pick Keith Rivers Tuesday night, ending a 10-day holdout. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, August 5 Clayton: Five reasons Favre would start for Green Bay Here are John Clayton's five reasons Brett Favre would win the starting QB spot with the Packers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 4 Clayton: Favre wins this ugly contest In this ugly battle of wills between the Packers and Brett Favre, the quarterback looks like the winner, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 3 Clayton: No one should be surprised by latest Favre move No one should be surprised about the latest move in the Brett Favre saga, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 3 Clayton mailbag: Raiders have a shot at respectability In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Raiders' chances in 2008, Brett Favre (surprise), Donovan McNabb and much more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 30 Saints' top pick Ellis gets contract, ends holdout The Saints' top pick, Sedrick Ellis, ended his holdout and signed a deal on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, July 29 Packers lowballing Grant? Ryan Grant's holdout in Green Bay is particularly weird because it comes when Devin Hester of the Bears received a four-year extension that could be worth as much as $40 million. The Bears paid Heste... John Clayton | July 28, 2008 Favre-Packer relationship on thin ice Once again, the Brett Favre -Packers relationship breakdown needs a mediator. Favre is threatening to show up at Packers camp Sunday even though he hasn't filed his reinstatement papers. The Packers ... John Clayton | July 26, 2008 Jets carve out 5-year deal with Gholston Late-night negotiations Thursday culminated with the New York Jets reaching a five-year contract agreement with first-round draft pick Vernon Gholston that includes $21 million in guarantees. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 25, 2008 Colts' Manning missing camp after knee surgery Peyton Manning is sacked only 3.4 percent of the time he attempts a pass, but recent surgery on a bursa sac problem in his left knee has temporarily left him down for the count. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 24, 2008 McCardell waiting for call While Terry Glenn tries to resolve his injury-waiver beef with the Cowboys and Joe Horn wonders how long he'll be with the Falcons, one longtime veteran wide receiver is waiting around for the chance ... John Clayton | July 24, 2008 Clayton: Orton's makeup suits Bears' style With the Bears once again committed to winning with defense, look for Kyle Orton to ultimately emerge as the team's starting quarterback, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 24, 2008 Clayton: It's tough to watch Packers-Favre divorce The Favre-Packers divorce is painful, John Clayton writes, and it begs the question: How much damage will be done? John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 24, 2008 Colston, Saints agree to 3-year extension The Saints and Marques Colston have agreed to a three-year extension. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 23, 2008 Bears agree to deal with first-round pick Williams The Bears reached an agreement with first-round pick Chris Williams, who is projected to be the team's starting left tackle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 23, 2008 Clayton mailbag: Cowboys must bolster WR corps In his latest mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Cowboys' WR situation, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, the Chargers' health and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 23, 2008 Smith mum on Bears QB starter Lovie Smith is going to keep the Chicago media and Bears fans guessing when it comes to who steps into the huddle as the team's No. 1 quarterback at the team's first training camp practice on Wednesda... John Clayton | July 22, 2008 Giants deal Shockey at wrong time The weirdest part of the Jeremy Shockey trade was why the Giants waited so long to make the deal. They could have had the Saints second- and fifth-round choices in the 2008 draft. That would have put ... John Clayton | July 21, 2008 Giants agree to trade Shockey to Saints for picks The Saints acquired Jeremy Shockey for a second- and a fifth-round draft pick in 2009. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 21, 2008 Clayton: Brewing controversies Training camp has arrived, but not without its issues. John Clayton details the top controversies not involving Brett Favre or Chad Johnson. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 21, 2008 Ruling could hasten signings The NFL Players Association won its special master grievance against the NFL management council, which should speed up the process of getting lower first- and all second-round selections signed. ... John Clayton | July 20, 2008 Clayton: Getting Taylor worth price for Redskins Getting Jason Taylor was worth the price for the Redskins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 20, 2008 Skins DE Daniels out for year; Taylor on radar? Washington Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels suffered an injury Sunday to his anterior cruciate knee ligament, according to a source, a potentially season-ending injury that could lead to Jason Taylor coming to Washington. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 20, 2008 Jaguars receiver Porter nursing hamstring injury Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jerry Porter is expected to miss part of training camp because of a hamstring injury that hasn't healed. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, July 19 Jets ink TE Keller; Gholston remains unsigned The New York Jets have come to terms with one of their first-round choices, tight end Dustin Keller, the team announced Friday. Terms of the Keller deal weren't available. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, July 19 Redskins' second-round pick gets four-year deal The Redskins reached agreement Friday with their top draft pick, wide receiver Devin Thomas, that will allow him to report to training camp on time Saturday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, July 18 Packers, Favre passing point of no return Now that Brett Favre has taken his shots at Packers general manager Ted Thompson and the Packers may try to affect Favre's reputation with a tampering suit against the Vikings, it's going to be hard f... John Clayton | Thursday, July 17 Sources: Pack files tampering charges over Favre The Packers have charged that the Vikings have tampered with Brett Favre. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 16 Timing right for Peyton's problems The Indianapolis Colts are relatively relieved about the timing of Peyton Manning 's bursa sac procedure because it eliminates a worry that he would have big problems later in the season. Doctors told... John Clayton | Tuesday, July 15 Clayton mailbag: Chargers have golden opportunity In the first installment of his weekly mailbag, John Clayton tackles questions on the Chargers' chances of ruling the AFC, the Giants' chances of repeating, the Bengals' D and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, July 15 Clayton: NFL ownership growing increasingly complicated With the recent news of the Rooney family's potentially losing control of the Steelers, will there be a transition from family ownership to corporate billionaires? John Clayton examines. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, July 15 League: Ex-Vikes DE Scott suspended 3 games Former Viking Darrion Scott was suspended by the NFL for three games on Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 14 Source: Hamlin, Cowboys close to deal The Cowboys and safety Ken Hamlin drew closer on Monday, to completing a six-year deal that will keep the team's franchise player in Dallas the remainder of his career, a source told ESPN.com. Talks ... John Clayton | Monday, July 14 Brennan, Redskins agree to terms of 4-year deal The Washington Redskins reached a four-year deal with sixth-round draft choice Colt Brennan on Monday, leaving them with only two unsigned second-round selections six days before their first training camp practice. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 14 Clayton: Five suggestions for Packers GM Ted Thompson Packers GM Ted Thompson has found himself in a tough spot. He can either rectify the Brett Favre saga or potentially be the most hated man in Green Bay. What should he do? John Clayton weighs in. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 14 Clayton: Pack must handle Favre delicately Saturday's events only underscore why the Brett Favre situation must be handled delicately, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 12, 2008 Redskins sign WR Kelly to 4-year, $3.3 million deal The New York Yankees signed left-hander Eric Milton to a minor league contract Friday, returning Milton to the organization that originally drafted him. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 11, 2008 Ex-Charger Olivea gets one-year deal from Giants Former Chargers right tackle Shane Olivea, suspended last months for four games for violations of the NFL Substance Policy, has been reinstated and agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 10, 2008 Draft day signings delayed The push by teams to get all of their draft choices signed on time may get a little bit of a delay. The NFLPA informed agents for the remaining unsigned draft choices to negotiate cautiously while the... John Clayton | July 9, 2008 No way out for Packers What an amazing transition for Brett Favre . In 2007, he's the king of Wisconsin again, coming off one of his best seasons. Now, he's like that unpopular relative who always threatened to show up at y... John Clayton | July 8, 2008 Clayton: Steelers ownership Q&A News that the Rooney family must restructure their ownership of the Steelers surprised many. John Clayton looks at the issues and provides answers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 8, 2008 Steelers try to rework ownership Don't minimize the significance of the Steelers' announcement Monday that the team is restructuring ownership. The Steelers revealed that discussions have been ongoing for two years and that club chai... John Clayton | July 7, 2008 Clayton: With Quinn, Browns in a win-win situation A year ago, the Browns seemed to have disaster in the works at QB. Today, the Browns not only have a Pro Bowler in Derek Anderson, but a seemingly much improved Brady Quinn as the backup. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 30, 2008 Bucs' Graham agrees to 3-year, $10.5M extension Earnest Graham agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million extension that will keep him in Tampa through the 2011 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 29, 2008 With no takers, Steelers release Davenport After shopping him for a trade, the Steelers released Najeh Davenport on Friday. According to a source, Pittsburgh had been contacting teams to determine if there was trade interest. Davenport, who w... John Clayton | June 27, 2008 Spicer, Jaguars agree to two-year extension Paul Spicer, who was entering the final year of his contract, agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract extension that will keep him in Jacksonville until at least 2010. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 27, 2008 Niners beat out Rams for services of OT Sims The 49ers beat out the rival Rams for the services of former Raiders offensive lineman Barry Sims. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 23, 2008 Clayton: How the Packers got smart From the chaos that was the Packers' running game early last season, calm emerged in the form of Ryan Grant. John Clayton reviews how Grant became a star, and previews what's ahead. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 21, 2008 Bills' Lynch likely to duck jail Bills halfback Marshawn Lynch probably escaped any jail time and possibly community service time by admitting to the Erie County District Attorney's office that he was the driver in an alleged hit-and... John Clayton | Saturday, June 21 Clayton: Jaguars spring checkup The Jaguars appear to have plenty of weapons, especially at WR, but their offensive line is a cause for concern, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, June 20 Clayton: Texans spring checkup The Texans have finished .500 just once in the franchise's history. But with the hirinig of Alex Gibbs and an improved defensive line, Houston is ready to make a serious playoff run, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, June 20 Clayton: Titans spring checkup Even though the Titans were a surprise success story in 2007, they felt the need to make a lot of changes this offseason, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, June 20 Clayton: Colts spring checkup With Marvin Harrison's knee still a question mark, the Colts are focused on developing the back end of their receiving corps in an attempt to ensure consistency in the passing game, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, June 20 Taylor unlikely to end up with Packers Don't lose any sleep over over the rumor that Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor could end up with the Packers. While the Packers have looked at the possibility of a trade, talks between the two team... John Clayton | Thursday, June 19 Clayton: Rodgers' strong arm finally coming to light It's never easy to replace a legend. However Aaron Rodgers' strong arm is easing some of the worry over how the Packers will manage without Brett Favre, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, June 18 Bengals' Johnson to have surgery on both ankles Chad Johnson will have surgical procedures on both ankles on Wednesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, June 17 Clayton: Subpar defense real issue for Bengals It's hard to tell why Chad Johnson really wants out of Cincy. But an improved defense would make his stay better. John Clayton John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, June 16 Clayton: Bills' offense going retro Looking to get more creative and explosive on offense, the Bills have adopted some of the philosophies made famous by Sam Wyche in the 1980s and '90s, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 14, 2008 Bengals agree to 5-year extension with DT Peko Starving for positive news on a day Chad Johnson stirred up minicamp by his presence, the Bengals reached a five-year extension with one of their better young players, defensive tackle Domata Peko. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 12, 2008 Clayton: Time to trade Johnson Chad Johnson's "ailment" just emphasizes how much the Bengals need to rid themselves of the tantrum-prone receiver, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 12, 2008 Clayton: Ogden changed the game at left tackle The retirement of 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden means the NFL is losing a man who not only paved the way for running backs but also future offensive lineman, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 12, 2008 Silver lining for Lynch As much as the Marshawn Lynch hit-and-run possibilities are bad for the Bills, it's not going to change the hopes of Buffalo for this season. Lynch, if found guilty, likely wouldn't serve any jail tim... John Clayton | June 11, 2008 Jauron addresses Lynch's issue, Peters' absence Clear skies greeted the Buffalo Bills for the opening of their mandatory camp Wednesday, but a few nasty clouds hovered around the franchise. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 11, 2008 Clayton: Rogers giving Browns much-needed nose job With Shaun Rogers flashing the ability to become a formidable nose tackle, the Browns are optimistic they'll finally field a top-10 run defense in 2008, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 11, 2008 Jones, Bears make interesting pair The interesting name to watch now that the Bears cut Cedric Benson is Kevin Jones , the former starting running back in Detroit. Jones is holding a league-wide workout toward the end of the month. He ... John Clayton | June 9, 2008 Bears waive tailback Benson after latest arrest The Bears waived running back Cedric Benson on Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 9, 2008 Clayton: Strahan can make convincing case for Hall of Fame The case for ex-Giants star Michael Strahan as a first-ballot Hall of Famer is convincing, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 9, 2008 Taylor likely a no-show until camp Jason Taylor and Bill Parcells may have cleared the air during a 90-minute meeting Thursday night at a golf club, but the situation still isn't resolved. Taylor didn't promise to show up at minicamp t... John Clayton | June 6, 2008 NFL suspends ex-Bengal LB Thurman indefinitely Linebacker Odell Thurman, released by the Bengals on May 19, has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, the league confirmed Friday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 6, 2008 Raiders' McFadden signs six-year, $60 million deal Running back Darren McFadden reached a six-year, $60 million agreement Thursday night with the Oakland Raiders that includes $26 million guaranteed. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 6, 2008 Clayton: Today's HOF-caliber backs Plenty of potential Hall Of Fame running backs are playing today. But offensive tendencies and market trends for older ball carriers might affect statistics and candidacies, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 4, 2008 Teams get salary cap relief On Tuesday, the contracts of Mike Wahle and Dan Morgan in Carolina, Kalimba Edwards in Detroit and Brandon Lloyd in Chicago came off the salary cap books. They were pre-June 2 designees, which gave th... John Clayton | June 3, 2008 NFL commish grants Pacman partial reinstatement Adam "Pacman" Jones and the Dallas Cowboys got what they were hoping for Monday -- a partial reinstatement of the suspended cornerback. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 2, 2008 Broncos gain short-term savings By waiting until Monday to release halfback Travis Henry , the Broncos ended up saving $1.1 million in cap room instead of suffering a $2.5 million net loss had they released him in May. On Monday, a... John Clayton | June 2, 2008 Clayton: No. 1 WRs becoming endangered species The dearth of No. 1-caliber wide receivers is becoming the No. 1 problem for teams looking to add playmakers, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 2, 2008 Jags add depth at receiver, reach deal with Thorpe The Jaguars have reached a one-year deal with former Colts wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 31, 2008 Tight ends coach bolsters Stevens The Tampa Bay Bucs' re-signing of tight end Jerramy Stevens goes in part to faith and loyalty displayed to him by tight end coach Bob Casullo . Casullo kept pushing the organization to give Stevens, ... John Clayton | May 30, 2008 Bears reach deal with rookie tight end Davis As the Bears assembled for the first day of minicamp Friday, they came to terms on a four-year contract with tight end Kellen Davis. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 30, 2008 Urlacher's move could pay off Brian Urlacher 's decision to attend the Bears' three-day minicamp doesn't mean he stopped his pursuit of a bigger contract -- but it could help. The Bears offered him a $5 million signing bonus and a... John Clayton | Thursday, May 29 Clayton: Prepping for the uncapped storm Which teams would be affected most if the league can't get a new labor deal before 2010? John Clayton forecasts five of the best and five of the worst teams facing that scenario. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, May 28 Source: Bolts don't want Taylor If you had any questions about the Chargers' interest in Jason Taylor , scratch them from your thoughts immediately. The Chargers aren't interested in trading for Taylor, according to a source. With S... John Clayton | Tuesday, May 27 Jets add depth to backfield by signing Musa Smith The Jets added more depth to their backfield by signing Ravens halfback Musa Smith. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 27 Vikings trade defensive end James to Redskins On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings informed Erasmus James that they planned to release him. James was an injured defensive end without a home. Now, he's a member of the Washington Redskins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 27 With questions in backfield, Broncos add Pittman A few weeks ago, the Broncos toyed with the idea of signing Dominic Rhodes or Shaun Alexander, but on Tuesday, they got serious, reaching an agreement with former Buccaneers halfback Michael Pittman. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 27 Clayton: Seven non-moves that could prove costly John Clayton identifies seven teams that failed to improve significantly in key areas. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, May 25 Taylor dances through offers Jason Taylor will host his foundation's annual fund-raiser on June 1 in Miami. It's at the Hard Rock in north Miami with a golf tournament scheduled for June 2. Of course, that doesn't mean Taylor wil... John Clayton | May 23, 2008 Injury-depleted Browns sign veteran CB Cousin Down two cornerbacks with the release of Kenny Wright and the potential season-ending knee injury to Daven Holly, the Cleveland Browns reached an agreement Thursday with veteran cornerback Terry Cousin. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 22, 2008 Taylor dancing out of Miami Jason Taylor danced his way into the Hollywood elite with his "Dancing with the Stars" success, but it looks as though he could be entering his last dance with the Dolphins. Dolphins coach Tony Spara... John Clayton | May 21, 2008 Clayton: The 17-game solution? Increasing the regular season to 17 games might seem like an odd way to resolve the NFL's pending labor problems, but an additional game could smooth some of the differences between the league and the union. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, May 21 CBA gone, but long hair and conduct fines remain The CBA, long hair and conduct fines were covered in the NFL meetings on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 Cowboys give Newman, Barber new big contracts Using the salary-cap loopholes created by Tuesday's decision to have a possible uncapped year in 2010, the Dallas Cowboys locked up two of their key young players -- cornerback Terence Newman and halfback Marion Barber. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 Falcons agree to massive deal with new QB Ryan Matt Ryan agreed to a six-year contract that ESPN.com's John Clayton and ESPN's Chris Mortensen report guarantees him $34.75 million and could be worth as much as $72 million. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 Money talks: Indy host to 2012 Super Bowl After losing the right to host Super Bowl XLV to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones by two votes last year, Colts owner Jim Irsay and the city of Indianapolis improved their bid by $25 million and were awarded Super Bowl XLVI on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 Here we grow again? NFL considering 17th game NFL commissioner Roger Goodell raised the possibility of having a 17th regular-season game as an option to help settle some of the league's future labor problems. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 NFL owners unanimous, will opt out of labor deal NFL owners have voted unanimously to opt out of a labor contract, which will now expire in 2011. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, May 20 Walsh testimony didn't add much Things have been pretty predictable on the Matt Walsh front the past couple of days. Although he has tried to fill in some gaps on his videotaping with the Patriots, Walsh hasn't presented any evidenc... John Clayton | May 15, 2008 Clayton: Top players over 30 to watch this season At 30 years old, a player's career is at a crossroads, and how successful he is can impact his team. John Clayton examines the top 10 players age 30 and older to watch this season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 14, 2008 Harrison to attend minicamp Marvin Harrison will attend the Colts minicamp this weekend, but he will not participate as he recovers from last season's knee injury. It's also unlikely he will be available for any media interviews... John Clayton | May 13, 2008 Suggs' franchise tag grievance vs. Ravens settled Terrell Suggs' grievance against the Baltimore Ravens over whether he should be classified as a defensive end or a linebacker has been settled. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 13, 2008 Clayton: Five things we learned about Spygate The Patriots got their just desserts for stealing signals. But Matt Walsh, the media and even the Rams share responsibility for Spygate, John Clayton writes. John Clayton , ESPN.com | May 13, 2008 Labor talks progress NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw described last Thursday's labor negotiation session with an owners' committee as a "first step in the process," according to the NFLPA Web site. ... John Clayton | May 12, 2008 Clayton: Five surprise teams to watch in 2008 With the draft over and free agency exhausted for finding impact players, John Clayton picks five surprise teams for the 2008 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 12, 2008 Robinson to Raiders? Koren Robinson wasn't caught by surprise when he was released by Green Bay on Friday. When the Packers used their top draft choice -- a second-round pick on wide receiver Jordy Nelson -- Robinson sens... John Clayton | May 9, 2008 Clayton: Spygate closing with a whimper The NFL sensed that Matt Walsh had no huge revelations to offer in his stash of game tapes. What the former Pats assistant reportedly presented this week confirms that hunch, John Clayton writes. John Clayton , ESPN.com | May 8, 2008 Rhodes happy in Indy Halfback Dominic Rhodes felt good about accepting a minimum salary deal from Indianapolis because his former Colts teammates reached out to him. Peyton Manning and other former teammates kept in tou... John Clayton | May 7, 2008 Source: Chiefs get $8M rookie pool to pay picks The Chiefs received the largest rookie pool to pay draft choices. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 7, 2008 Clayton: Left tackles loom large Teams are placing a high premium on left tackles, who will play a vital role in shaping the league's power structure for years to come, writes John Clayton. John Clayton , ESPN.com | May 7, 2008 Strahan likely retiring Officially, Michael Strahan is undecided about his future. But he looks and sounds like a player who is going to retire before training camp. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce went on the radio and s... John Clayton | May 6, 2008 Deep at safety, Bears release veteran Archuleta In a surprising move, the Bears released safety Adam Archuleta, a little more than a year after they acquired him in a trade. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 6, 2008 Protecting Eli pays: Giants' Diehl gets new contract Replacing Luke Petitgout as the Giants left tackle, David Diehl proved he was the real deal and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII. Diehl's reward is a new deal that compensates him for the important job of protecting Eli Manning's blind side. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 6, 2008 Alexander making connections Shaun Alexander 's two-day meeting with Cincinnati allowed each side to get to know each other, and it could lead to a signing down the road. The Bengals appear to be pretty well set at running back w... John Clayton | May 5, 2008 Clayton: Five things we learned from first minicamps Is Cedric Benson's latest brush with the law the last straw for him in Chicago? Who will emerge as the 49ers' starting quarterback? After the NFL's first weekend of minicamps, John Clayton answers those questions and more. John Clayton , ESPN.com | May 5, 2008 Expand offseason rosters The impact from the 80-man roster is really being felt as teams bring players to minicamps. As of Friday, only 362 undrafted free agents have signed or reached agreements with teams. That's little mor... John Clayton | May 2, 2008 Bengals to bring in Alexander The Bengals are making a great public relations move by bringing in former Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander for a visit Monday. He grew up near Cincinnati and is a popular player. It still might ... John Clayton | May 1, 2008 Culpepper in limbo Daunte Culpepper will have to wait until next week at the earliest to see where he stands with the Green Bay Packers. He visited the Packers before the draft but they drafted two rookie quarterbacks, ... John Clayton | April 30, 2008 Oft-injured Seahawks DT Tubbs has knee surgery Seahawks defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs, a former No. 1 draft choice, recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his chronically-injured right knee. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 30, 2008 Clayton: Quarterbacks still hold the key Without the benefit of a franchise-type quarterback, a strong running game can take a team only so far, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 30, 2008 Chargers revamp front office, hire ex-GM Mueller The Chargers revamped their front office on Tuesday, hiring former GM Randy Mueller. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 29, 2008 A change in philosophy After years of trying to build their team through free agency and trade, the Redskins seem to have switched their philosophy. Under executive vice president Vinny Cerato , Washington held onto its dra... John Clayton | April 29, 2008 Texans, free agent Weary agree on one-year deal Fred Weary's patience was rewarded Tuesday when the Texans re-signed the offensive lineman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 29, 2008 Rhodes on the market Like Shaun Alexander , halfback Dominic Rhodes might find new job opportunities in free agency after being released by the Oakland Raiders. Twenty teams added running backs during the draft. A dozen b... John Clayton | April 28, 2008 Raiders release Rhodes, get some cap space back Oakland Raiders notified halfback Dominic Rhodes that he is being released. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 28, 2008 Clayton: Six draft trends It was the draft to be an offensive tackle. It was not the draft to be an unhappy veteran star wishing for a new home. These were among the trends of this weekend's draft, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 28, 2008 Clayton: Day 1 winners and losers John Clayton breaks down the winners and losers from Day 1 of the NFL draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2008 Titans sign Roos to six-year, $43M extension The Titans locked up a big key to the future by reaching a six-year, $43 million extension with left tackle Michael Roos. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2008 Shockey deal still possibility The delay in a possible Jeremy Shockey trade is price. The Giants apparently want more than a second-round pick for the former Pro Bowl tight end. The Saints have been contemplating offering a second-... John Clayton | April 25, 2008 Pasquarelli to be honored by pro football writers Len Pasquarelli, a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com, has been selected by the Pro Football Writers of America as the 2008 recipient of the Dick McCann Award. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 25, 2008 Clayton: As the draft turns ... In the course of an hour, BC QB Matt Ryan could lose $10 million, while Michigan QB Chad Henne could make millions. Those are just two things to watch for on Saturday as the draft unfolds, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 25, 2008 Taylor likely to remain a Dolphin Jason Taylor is dancing with the stars, but odds still favor him playing for the Dolphins this season. Bill Parcells would be willing to part with Taylor but for a No. 1 pick -- something it seems unl... John Clayton | April 24, 2008 Chiefs on the move One of the reasons the Jared Allen trade works for the Chiefs is that the organization is completely on the same page as to where it's going. It's going young in one of the boldest rebuilding efforts... John Clayton | April 23, 2008 Clayton: First and 10, draft edition The NFL shortened the amount of time between picks to create better TV. The change also could lead to fewer trades and some embarrassing blunders, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 23, 2008 Chiefs send DE Allen to Vikings, get 1st-round pick The Chiefs have reached agreement to send Jared Allen to the Vikings, according to sources. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 22, 2008 Dolphins, Long persevere Getting Jake Long signed to a five-year, $57.75 million contract five days before the draft wasn't easy for the Dolphins or Long's representatives. In fact, it almost didn't happen. Both sides were s... John Clayton | April 22, 2008 Fins still have long way to go People rushed to judgment on Monday thinking the Dolphins are close to a deal with Michigan tackle Jake Long . Tuesday and Wednesday will be critical in the negotiations because Miami has to determine... John Clayton | April 21, 2008 Bengals linebacker Thurman reinstated by NFL After being suspended for two seasons due to repeat violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was reinstated by the NFL, the team announced Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 21, 2008 Clayton: Five compelling pre-draft story lines Potential trades and lingering questions regarding Darren McFadden's character have created a lot of uncertainty at the top of the draft, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, April 21 Steelers re-sign tackle Starks to 1-year contract Steelers tackle Max Starks cleared up any uncertainty about his feelings about playing for the Steelers in 2008 by signing his transition tender. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 19, 2008 Restricted period not too exciting Once again, restricted free agency is going away with a whimper. The Patriots didn't work out a tender sheet with Panthers linebacker Adam Seward so he will remain with Carolina when the restricted fr... John Clayton | Friday, April 18 Chiefs have intriguing problem Don't expect to see anything happen quickly with Chiefs franchise player Jared Allen . If the Chiefs trade him, it could have a major impact on the draft. With the No. 5 pick, it makes sense for the C... John Clayton | Thursday, April 17 Chiefs' franchise player Allen to visit Bucs, Vikes Defensive end Jared Allen, the Chiefs' designated franchise player, has scheduled visits with the Buccaneers and Vikings, even though he doesn't have any assurance the Chiefs would consider trading him. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, April 17 A welcome surprise: Suggs at Ravens minicamp Terrell Suggs, the Ravens designated franchise player, wanted to surprise his new head coach, John Harbaugh, with a goodwill gesture. Even though he is unsigned, Suggs stunned Harbaugh Thursday by walking unannounced into Harbaugh's first minicamp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, April 17 Cards sign free-agent LB Stewart to one-year deal Linebacker Matt Stewart, an unrestricted free agent from the Browns, signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, April 16 Johnson, Bengals near stalemate With Chad Johnson 's statements about not planning to show up at any Bengals functions this offseason, the battle lines are drawn for a long stalemate between both sides. Johnson wants a trade. The ... John Clayton | Wednesday, April 16 Johnson leaves no room for doubt, demands trade Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson left no room for doubt Wednesday: He wants out of Cincinnati as fast as possible and he doesn't plan on reporting for any future Bengals functions -- mandatory or voluntary. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, April 16 Raiders return to familiar face, sign CB Starks The Raiders went back to an old friend to replace departed cornerback Chris Cash when they signed veteran Duane Starks to a one-year contract. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 15 Clayton: AFC North must play 'survivor' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has to read the new 2008 schedule and weep, while Patriots coach Bill Belichick should look forward to a magic-carpet ride to January, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 15 Clayton: Networks shine spotlight on NFC East John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 15 Dolphins, Long taking shot The Dolphins are maintaining regular conversations with first-round choice Jake Long , but the sides aren't close enough to get a deal done. The interesting thing will be the Dolphins' strategy. The... John Clayton | Monday, April 14 Groves gets clean bill of health Although a heart operation could be damaging to a draft choice's stock, Quentin Groves shouldn't be too affected by his recent procedure. In some ways, it could have helped his position because it cle... John Clayton | April 11, 2008 Clayton: For a few more dollars ... The NFL recently spurned a chance to expand rosters. John Clayton argues that simply by expanding training camp roster limits, the NFL could have done itself a huge favor at little cost. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 10, 2008 Parcells expects No. 1 pick to sign It's pretty evident Bill Parcells expects to sign the No. 1 pick in the draft. With a new Dolphins owner coming aboard and plenty to do to reshape the roster, Parcells cannot be held hostage by a trai... John Clayton | April 9, 2008 Chiefs might call on Vanderjagt The Chiefs worked out veteran kicker Mike Vanderjagt on Monday, and they might consider signing him. Vanderjagt, the former Cowboys and Colts kicker, made 13 of 14 field goals from 50 yards and close... John Clayton | April 7, 2008 Clayton: Seat heating up for 5 coaches in '08 With owners having quick trigger fingers when firing coaches, several jobs may be in jeopardy at season's end, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 7, 2008 Cards' Green, Smith sign 1-year, $2.017M tenders Cornerback Eric Green and defensive end Antonio Smith signed one-year, $2.017 million tender sheets with the Cardinals. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 3, 2008 Eagles' franchise player Smith signs $4.5M tender Philadelphia Eagles starting tight end L.J. Smith eased the minds of everyone in the organization about possibly missing any time this offseason by signing his one-year franchise tag Wednesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 2, 2008 NFL owners table reseeding playoffs idea NFL owners concluded their annual meeting owners with quick passages of several proposals and by tabling the re-seeding idea for the playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 2, 2008 Vikings agree to deal with backup QB Frerotte The Vikings have reached an agreement in principle with former Rams backup quarterback Gus Frerotte. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 2, 2008 NFL tables hair issue; defensive helmet radios OK The Kansas City Chiefs' proposal to tuck or cut long hair so it doesn't hang below the nameplate on a uniform was tabled until the NFL owners meeting in May. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 1, 2008 Getting on Goodell's good side Even though Roger Goodell says he doesn't have to decide on the futures of suspended players Odell Thurman and Pacman Jones until the start of training camp, the feeling is Thurman has the best chance... John Clayton | March 31, 2008 Walsh still working on deal for Spygate testimony Former New England Patriots videographer Matt Walsh has yet to work out a deal with the NFL in order for the league to hear if he has additional evidence involving Spygate. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 31, 2008 Clayton: Day 1 NFL meeting wrap-up The sale of the Dolphins was approved at the NFL owners meeting Monday, but there's more pressing business ahead, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 31, 2008 Titans mulling trade options The next move is for the Titans to see how much they really want to move Adam (Pacman) Jones . The Cowboys reportedly have offered a player and a seventh-round draft pick, and it would appear that the... John Clayton | March 29, 2008 League tackling tampering issue The NFL has come up with an interesting way to stop team tampering before the start of free agency in 2009. The league is considering letting teams have a window of time before free agency to discuss ... John Clayton | March 27, 2008 Clayton: Owners meeting preview From reseeding playoffs to wiring defensive players' helmets to offering replay review on some field goals, there are several controversial proposals for the next owners meetings. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 27, 2008 Hairy situation: NFL owners to consider hair length NFL owners will consider a proposal to ban players from having hair flow from their helmets below their names on the back of their jerseys. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 26, 2008 Seahawks, Trufant agree on six-year, $50.2M deal Marcus Trufant reached a six-year, $50.2 million deal with the Seahawks Wednesday morning that includes $20 million in guarantees. In the first three years of the contract, he will make $28 million. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 26, 2008 McFadden makes the rounds A lot of people wondered why Arkansas halfback Darren McFadden worked out for NFL teams at the Arkansas Pro Day, but the answer has more to do with McFadden getting to know scouts, coaches and general... John Clayton | March 25, 2008 Goodell lowers boom again Commissioner Roger Goodell showed he's not going to mess around when it comes to punishment. Though the 49ers felt as though they didn't do anything wrong, Goodell found them guilty of tampering with ... John Clayton | March 24, 2008 Utecht a good catch for Cincy The Bengals have to wait until midnight Friday to find out if they obtain the rights to Colts restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht , but, according to a source, they don't have to worry. The Col... John Clayton | March 21, 2008 49ers, Strickland reach one-year, $800,000 deal The 49ers maintained their cornerback depth Friday by reaching a one-year, $800,000 deal with Donald Strickland. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 21, 2008 Seahawks LB Tatupu agrees to six-year extension Seattle Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell took some criticism in 2005 for trading up in the second-round for USC middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who was considered slightly undersized and a little slow. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 21, 2008 Raiders' six-pack of deals adds up The completion of the DeAngelo Hall deal in Oakland means that Al Davis has committed $180.6 million in contracts to acquire six players. Hall, traded by Atlanta, received $70 million over seven years... John Clayton | March 20, 2008 Raiders finalize $70 million, 7-year deal with Hall DeAngelo Hall has reached an agreement on a seven-year, $70 million deal to come to Oakland, according to a source. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 20, 2008 Thin at corner, Patriots agree to deal with Bryant The Patriots, down two cornerbacks because of free agency hits, reached agreement with another veteran, Fernando Bryant, to give them a competitive stable of coverage players. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 20, 2008 Garrard extension complicated Don't expect a fast contract extension between quarterback David Garrard and the Jaguars even though a deal could be put together quickly considering Jacksonville has more than $40 million in cap room... John Clayton | March 19, 2008 Punter Turk, 39, gets two-year deal from Texans Matt Turk, 39, agreed to a two-year, $2.35 million deal, which included a $500,000 signing bonus, to stay in Houston. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 19, 2008 Hartwig agrees to 2-year, $4M deal with Steelers With their offensive line in transition with the departure of Alan Faneca, the Steelers found a new anchor to their line by reaching a two-year, $4 million deal with former Panthers center Justin Hartwig. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 18, 2008 Clayton: Integrity of game key issue at owners meeting With the owners meeting set to begin Monday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hopes owners will accept a lower standard of proof in cases involving integrity -- particularly spying, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 18, 2008 Clayton: Raiders immersed in wild spending spree Frustrated by his team's lack of success, the Raiders' Al Davis has spent a lot of money this offseason. And he's not done yet, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 18, 2008 Hall-to-Raiders deal still stalled Talks between the agent for Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall and the Raiders remained stalled for a second straight day. The problem is coming up with enough upfront money to get this deal completed. ... John Clayton | March 17, 2008 Clayton: Top five remaining free agents Despite a flurry of signings, the free-agent market isn't completely tapped. John Clayton looks at the five best players still available. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 17, 2008 49ers waive wideout Jackson after one season The San Francisco 49ers waived receiver Darrell Jackson on Saturday after one unproductive season with the club. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 15, 2008 Texans sign linebacker Thompson to two-year deal Linebacker Chaun Thompson has signed a two-year deal with the Texans. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 14, 2008 Lions continue draft-bust fire sale It was fitting the Lions would release halfback Kevin Jones and defensive end Kalimba Edwards on the same day. Jones was a first-round choice in 2004. Edwards was a second-round pick in 2... John Clayton | March 13, 2008 Buccaneers stay aggressive, sign 49ers' Douglas The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued an aggressive off-season free agency pace by reaching a four-year deal with 49ers defensive end Marques Douglas. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 13, 2008 Alexander's future up in air The holdup in the eventual release of Seahawks halfback Shaun Alexander is the wrist injury that held him back all last season. Alexander struggled most of the season because of a broken left wrist. H... John Clayton | Thursday, March 13 Clayton: Top 10 free-agent gambles Wading into the free-agent pool is always a gamble. But which transactions made thus far have been the biggest risks? John Clayton provides a top-10 list. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 12 Teams go back for the future One of the themes in 2008 NFL free agency was teams signing their own players. A few teams are adding a new trick this year. They are bringing back former players who left in free agency or trades in... John Clayton | Tuesday, March 11 Fitzgerald signs 4-year, $40M deal with Cards Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald signed a blockbuster four-year, $40 million contract with the Cardinals on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, March 11 Walsh a whole different issue To simplify the latest info on Spygate, the best way to figure things is that Spygate and Matt Walsh, the former team videographer, should be considered separate issues. Commissioner Roger Goodell clo... John Clayton | Monday, March 10 Green agrees to three-year, $8.9M deal with Rams Trent Green, who ended last season on injured reserve after his second concussion in 13 months, agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 10 Bell decides to stay with Lions, signs one-year deal After losing a bidding war for halfback Julius Jones, the Detroit Lions went back to their own roster and re-signed Tatum Bell. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 10 Jury is out on Chicago's moves Did the Bears help themselves at receiver with the signings of Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd ? That's still a huge question. As expected, the market for wide receivers was going to be thin after the ... John Clayton | Friday, March 7 Broncos bolster linebacker corps Mike Shanahan is reshaping his linebacking corps, and the Boss Bailey signing completes the transition. The Broncos signed Bailey to a five-year, $17.5 million contract that includes $1.4 million in g... John Clayton | Thursday, March 6 Raiders keep Rhodes Halfback Dominic Rhodes restructured his contract and will stay with the Raiders. Terms of the deal weren't available, but the move was significant. The Raiders have Justin Fargas , Rhodes and Michael... John Clayton | Wednesday, March 5 Browns sew up new $42M contract for Rogers The Cleveland Browns moved quickly to acquire former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers after a trade with the Bengals was nixed, but the team moved just as fast in securing him to a long-term deal. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 5 Free agency no longer frenzied Maybe it was Brett Favre 's retirement or the fact some general managers were visiting college campuses for workouts, but Day 5 of NFL free agency was slow. The pace in the first 4½ days had bee... John Clayton | March 4, 2008 Clayton: Five questions surrounding Favre Brett Favre's retirement raises a number of questions. John Clayton provides the answers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 4, 2008 Clayton: Welcome back to the pack, Packers The Packers still could be a potential playoff team, but without Brett Favre, they are just part of the pack in the NFC. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 4, 2008 Bears send Griese to Bucs for undisclosed pick The Bears, who re-signed Rex Grossman and gave Kyle Orton a contract extension, traded backup Brian Griese to Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft choice. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 3, 2008 Clayton: Browns among big winners in free agency John Clayton identifies the winners and losers after the first three days of free agency. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 3, 2008 Tight end Crumpler, Titans agree to 2-year deal A late push by the Tennessee Titans was able to give Vince Young a big target, tight end Alge Crumpler, to help him be more efficient at quarterback. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday March 2 Moss, Culpepper together again? Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper have discussed the possibility of finishing what they started together in Minnesota on any NFL team interested. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday March 2 NFL free agency period kicks off with frantic start Everyone expected a quick start to free agency, but the limited market of players made things ever crazier than normal Friday morning. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 29 Bruschi returning to Pats, will sign multiyear deal New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi decided Thursday to return for his 13th and apparently, he wanted more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 28 Raiders sign DE Kelly to seven-year, $50.5M deal The Raiders signed Tommy Kelly to the largest contract even given to a defensive tackle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 28 Busy Panthers re-sign key backup CB Wesley The Carolina Panthers, one of the busiest teams before Friday's start of free agency, reached a two-year agreement Thursday to retain backup cornerback Dante Wesley. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 28 Little restructures contract to save Rams cap room Rams defensive end Leonard Little restructured his contract Wednesday in order to save the Rams a little over $3.5 million of cap room. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 27 Anderson talks go to limit The Derek Anderson negotiations are taking a lot of twists and turns, but this one truly should go down to the last minute. The Browns made a big pitch by going to a shorter deal at grea... John Clayton | Wednesday, February 27 Saints work to keep line continuity with signings The New Orleans Saints made two bold decisions to maintain continuity on their offensive line Wednesday by reaching agreements with guard Jamar Nesbit and center Jonathan Goodwin. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 27 Clayton: Free agency to be fast, furious With free agency about to crank up, the key will be not which players you sign, but which ones you keep, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 27 Owners set to blow up CBA Jerry Jones ' statements that the owners may blow up the collective bargaining agreement are more than valid. They will blow up the CBA in November. That move was destined since they signed the CBA ex... John Clayton | Tuesday, February 26 Niners re-sign nose tackle Sopoaga, LB Green The 49ers re-signed nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and linebacker Roderick Green on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 26 Clayton: Five combine observations The track was fast and the speeds were blazing. What else did we learn from this year's combine? John Clayton has five key observations. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 26 Fans part of combine's future? Perhaps the most interesting future change at the scouting combine could be the inclusion of fans. The move to the Colts' new home stadium next year opens up the possibility of fans being able to rent... John Clayton | Monday, February 25 Clayton: Don't screw up the QB pick For the Dolphins and Falcons to maximize the early portion of the draft, they should follow the approach of the Cleveland Browns in last year's draft, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 25 Report: Dorsey injury concerning LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, considered one of the top players in the 2008 draft, said he's not concerned about his injured right tibia. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, February 24 Otah proves to be tough customer University of Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah didn't run a great time in the 40 yard dash but he deserves a lot of credit for trying. He's only eight weeks removed from a bad high ankle sprain. Doctors pr... John Clayton | Saturday, February 23 One more try: Bears re-sign Grossman Rex Grossman has reached a one-year deal to remain as the starting quarterback of the Bears. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 23 Falcons' coach Smith mum on CB Hall's situation Falcons coach Mike Smith reacted Saturday morning to DeAngelo Hall's statements that his chances of playing with the Falcons again are "slim to none." "I heard the comment and I'm sorry DeAngelo feels that way," Smith said. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 23 Source: Lions d-lineman Rogers drawing interest Lions general manager Matt Millen acknowledged he would listen to offers for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, and there is no question that there is interest. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 23 Pacman may have to re-petition Goodell to return Suspended Titans cornerback Pacman Jones remains outside of the Tennessee organization indefinitely and might have to re-petition NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to see when he can return to football. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 22 Vikings give Williamson OK to seek trade options The Minnesota Vikings have given wide receiver Troy Williamson the opportunity to shop himself in a trade, and there appears to be a lot of interest. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 22 Jags reach 1-year deal with backup guard Reyes The Jaguars continue to chip away at their unrestricted free agent list by reaching a one-year deal with backup guard Tutan Reyes on Friday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 22 Thomas speeding up process Apparently, Zach Thomas couldn't wait until next week. After making visits to New England and New Orleans earlier this week, Thomas -- who was scheduled to meet with Dallas and Houston next week -- de... John Clayton | Friday, February 22 Falcons win coin toss, get No. 3 pick The Atlanta Falcons, who won only four games last season, won a coin toss Friday morning that will allow them to select third in the 2008 draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 22, 2008 Clayton: Rich left tackle pool As many as seven tackles at the scouting combine could be candidates for first-round draft consideration. Teams hope they can land the next Joe Thomas, the 2007 draftee who was a Pro Bowl participant. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 22, 2008 Pats, Bears take calculated risks With the transition and franchise tags taking 12 players off the market and the Colts getting a six-year, $41 million deal with tight end Dallas Clark , the Patriots and Bears made strategic gambles b... John Clayton | February 21, 2008 Patriots do not tag Moss, but hope to re-sign him The New England Patriots did not place their franchise tag on wide receiver Randy Moss on Thursday, technically leaving Moss open to free agency on Feb. 29. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 21, 2008 CB Trufant gets franchised by the Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks placed the franchise tag on cornerback Marcus Trufant Wednesday, according to his agent Mike Sullivan. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 20, 2008 Clark, Colts get deal done The Colts went with priorities and now can settle into a quiet offseason. A day after franchising tight end Dallas Clark , they reached a six-year deal with him on Wednesday that is worth between $36 ... John Clayton | February 20, 2008 CB Asomugha gets franchise tag from Raiders The Raiders placed the franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, considered one of the top potential cornerbacks in free agency. John Clayton , ESPN.com | February 20, 2008 Steelers apply transition tag to linebacker Starks The Steelers have been trying to work a deal with right tackle Max Starks but instead of losing him in free agency, Pittsburgh has chosen to give him its transition tag. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 20, 2008 Surprise, Packers franchise tackle Williams The Packers franchised defensive tackle Corey Williams, a former sixth-round pick who would have been one of the top defensive tackles available in free agency. John Clayton , ESPN.com | February 20, 2008 Dolphins reach three-year deal with CB Lehan The Dolphins, who cleared out nine players a week ago in Bill Parcells' first move to clean up the roster, made their first move in bringing back players by reaching a three-year deal with cornerback Michael Lehan John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 20, 2008 Coughlin deal in works Tom Coughlin 's contract extension with the Giants is not complete yet, but it has taken shape. Coughlin is expected to receive a contract extension for four years at around $5 million per year, a sig... John Clayton | Tuesday, February 19 No deal so Colts put franchise tag on TE Clark Tight end Dallas Clark was given the franchise tag by the Colts on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 19 Steelers reach two-year deal to retain Kirschke The Steelers began work on their list of unrestricted free agents Tuesday by reaching a two-year, $2.28 million contract agreement with defensive end Travis Kirschke. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 19 Ravens franchise Suggs, but at what position? With no long-term contract in sight before Thursday's deadline, the Ravens notified linebacker Terrell Suggs he will be given the franchise tag Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 19 Clayton: Pats, Colts head list of top draft evaluators Why are the Patriots and Colts consistently among the league's elite? Because they're two of the best in the business at evaluating talent, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 19 D-line to chorus line: Taylor on Dancing with Stars Miami's Jason Taylor will take part in Dancing with the Stars this season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 19 Chiefs slap franchise tag on defensive end Allen The Chiefs put the franchise tag on defensive end Jared Allen. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 18 Bears release Muhammad, extend Brown's deal The Chicago Bears released wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad Monday, but reached a two-year extension with defensive end Alex Brown. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 18 Thomas still commands attention Zach Thomas wasn't wanted any longer by the new management of the Dolphins, but he's having no problem generating interest from other NFL teams. Thomas visited the Patriots on Monday and headed off t... John Clayton | Monday, February 18 Bengals place franchise tag on lineman Andrews Bengals guard Stacy Andrews became the third NFL free agent to receive the franchise designation. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 18 For Bill Cowher, the season never ends Even in March, Steelers coach Bill Cowher has a case of January Madness. John Clayton | Wednesday, February 13 Clayton: All Day can't be stopped in Pro Bowl Vikings rookie RB Adrian Peterson refused to take it easy. As a result, the NFC rallied to beat the AFC in the Pro Bowl, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 10, 2008 Clayton: Great returners Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs head a crowded field of the NFL's most effective return specialists, as seen by John Clayton.. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 9 Clayton: Free agents mull options at Pro Bowl While some Pro Bowl players are soaking up the Hawaii sun, those on the verge of free agency are fretting over their futures, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 8 Johnson's Pro Bowl starts with wrong kind of buzz Chad Johnson arrived late to the Pro Bowl, but he definitely made an impact. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a good one. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 7 Eagles take Smith off the market It was a little surprising the Eagles franchised tight end L.J. Smith , but that's a sign that most teams won't let quality free agents hit the market. Smith would have been the best tight end on the ... John Clayton | Thursday, February 7 The latest on Spygate NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed few extra details about what's going on with former Patriots videographer Matt Walsh , who might have evidence of spying that took place during a Rams walkthrou... John Clayton | Thursday, February 7 Clayton: The price of 'Painsworth' After years of frustrating the Titans, Albert Haynesworth blossomed into a Pro Bowl player in 2007. Soon he'll know whether the Titans will reward him with a long-term deal or a one-year franchise tag. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 7 Clayton: Winslow savoring Pro Bowl To date, 17 stars have pulled out of the Pro Bowl. But despite the prospect of a possible fourth knee surgery, Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has joined five Cleveland teammates to play. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 6 Clayton: Top five Super Bowl XLIII contenders While the Giants will be a contender next season, there are five better bets to make it to the next title game. John Clayton explains. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 5 Clayton: Can the Giants repeat? The Giants have all the elements needed to win consecutive Super Bowls, including youth and relative roster stability. But there are some questions about the futures of key players and an assistant coach. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 4, 2008 Clayton: Giants' Manning lets instincts take over On the biggest stage possible, Eli Manning demonstrated poise under pressure and a flair for the unpredictable, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 3, 2008 Clayton: Giants' defense makes name for itself New York pressured Tom Brady throughout the Super Bowl, sacking him five times and knocking him down on 10 occasions. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 3, 2008 Toronto key to Bills' survival The five-year plan to have the Buffalo Bills play eight games in Toronto could be a savior for the franchise. The market for corporate sponsors is taped out in western New York. The Bills needed to fi... John Clayton | February 1, 2008 Clayton: Giants' O-line worthy of accolades Although it toils in relative obscurity, the Giants' offensive line has become one of the league's elite blocking units, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 1, 2008 Clayton: This won't distract Pats While the latest spy story should make for good offseason reading, it won't affect the Patriots, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 1, 2008 Injured Burress misses second straight practice Plaxico Burress, who didn't practice Wednesday because of his chronic right ankle injury, missed Thursday's workout because of swelling and soreness in his left knee. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 31, 2008 Clayton: Super Bowl First and Goal The Patriots have not scored fewer than 20 points this season, so expect Plaxico Burress' prediction to fall short, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 31, 2008 Linehan lands Saunders Rams head coach Scott Linehan couldn't have sounded any happier after announcing the signing of Al Saunders as offensive coordinator Wednesday. Saunders had been contacted by the Raiders to come in f... John Clayton | January 30, 2008 Coughlin, Giants talk extension The Giants haven't approached coach Tom Coughlin about a contract extension, but those talks will start soon. "We haven't talked about that," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "We'll talk abou... John Clayton | January 30, 2008 Clayton: Youth serving Giants well After two disappointing trips to the playoffs, the Giants made a conscious decision to get younger. The move has been a key factor in New York's surprising run to the Super Bowl, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 30, 2008 Ross gets sick as unified Giants torn up by flu The Giants wore black but some players turned colors as flu ripped through the team. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 28, 2008 Skins call back Colts' Meeks The Redskins will give Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks a second interview Tuesday in Indianapolis. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 27, 2008 Fassel forced to wait Now that the Redskins have changed their offensive and defensive coordinators, it's pretty clear that Jim Fassel will end up being their head coach. Unfortunately for him, he won't know that until aft... John Clayton | January 27, 2008 Clayton: Super Bowl First and Goal What elements could help make this the most-watched Super Bowl in history? John Clayton outlines 10 hype magnets. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 25 Big pay days on tap for corners Cornerbacks Marcus Trufant of the Seahawks and Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders have to be happy about the recent contracts given to Nate Clements of the 49ers and Quentin Jammer of the Chargers. The fr... John Clayton | Friday, January 25 Holmgren returning as Seahawks coach in '08 Mike Holmgren has decided to return as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 22 Clayton: Eli's managing just fine Whether his critics like it or not, Eli Manning did enough good things in three playoff games to get the Giants to the Super Bowl -- and to be considered a franchise quarterback, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 22 Colts will get similar Dungy Colts players won't see much difference in the return of Tony Dungy . He won't do much differently than in the past. Dungy, who spent the past week deciding if he wanted to continue coaching, will s... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 22 Mora chief in line for job in Seattle Jim Mora 's decision to pull out of the Redskins coaching job doesn't mean Mike Holmgren is going to step down next week, but it does put him in position to eventually become the Seahawks coach when H... John Clayton | Saturday, January 19 Mora withdraws from Redskins' coaching search Jim Mora pulled his name out of consideration for the Redskins head coaching job Friday afternoon. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 18 Callahan set to join Jets as assistant head coach The Jets reached agreement with former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan to be the assistant head coach and be in charge of the running offense. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 18 Garrett is well worth the money For Jerry Jones , it was worth $3 million a year to keep Jason Garrett . Losing him would have caused a major disruption in the Cowboys offense and Jones was wise not to lose the karma that carried th... John Clayton | Friday, January 18 Does Jason Garrett have cold feet? The one reason Jason Garrett would turn down the chance to be a head coach in Baltimore or Atlanta would be if he doesn't feel he's ready. The way he's lingering on the decision shows that perhaps thi... John Clayton | Thursday, January 17 Clayton: Chargers-Pats turning into nasty rivalry The Chargers have confidence. They have talent. But it will still be tough to knock off the unbeaten Patriots in New England, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 17 Clayton: Chargers-Pats turning into nasty rivalry The Chargers have confidence. They have talent. But it will still be tough to knock off the unbeaten Patriots in New England, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 17 Clayton: Sparano's inside track Tony Sparano's four-year history with Bill Parcells in Dallas was a big factor in Sparano becoming the Dolphins' new head coach, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 16, 2008 Clayton: Packers' secondary has turned corner After enduring some growing pains, especially at safety, the Packers' secondary has jelled into a formidable unit, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 15, 2008 Clayton: Colts can't overcome mistakes In what could very well have been coach Tony Dungy's final game, the Colts were an undisciplined, mistake-prone bunch against the Chargers, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 13 Clayton: Another Grant turnaround In the span of a few minutes Saturday, Ryan Grant went from Packers goat to hero. His transformation mirrors some of his recent life experiences, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, January 12 Clayton: Chargers' Cromartie is a natural Just like Roy Hobbs in "The Natural," Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie has physical gifts and a passion for the game that make him one of a kind, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 11 Schwartz has inside track on job Maybe this is the time for Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz . Titans head coach Jeff Fisher , who is always good with his staff, has been pushing Schwartz as a head coaching candidate for the... John Clayton | Thursday, January 10 Clayton: Divisional First and Goal With the exception of one star, both the Chargers and Colts should have rosters at full strength for their rematch this weekend. John Clayton analyzes that playoff matchup and the three others. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 10 Clayton: Other playoff front offices For the seven teams other than the Green Bay Packers who remain in the playoffs, what coach-general manager system works best? John Clayton offers analysis. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 10 Ex-Broncos LB Wilson can return from neck woes Former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson has been cleared to return to the field. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 9 Jets talk to Callahan Former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan interviewed Wednesday with the New York Jets. Even though Brian Schottenheimer 's job is safe as offensive coordinator, coach Eric Mangini wants to hire a running c... John Clayton | Wednesday, January 9 Gibbs thinks of others The more you hear about Joe Gibbs ' life away from the game, the more you understand his decision to retire. You can understand because he is such a caring person. Obviously, he wants to spend time ... John Clayton | Wednesday, January 9 Clayton: Job took toll on Gibbs Joe Gibbs is healthy enough to coach the Redskins in 2008, but the drain of four long seasons apparently was enough, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 8, 2008 Ryan's Raiders future? The Raiders came out with a terse statement last week that called rumors of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan being fired "inaccurate." The team said he was staying. Still, there was a lot of buzz early... John Clayton | January 7, 2008 Clayton: Turner gives Chargers what Marty couldn't In Seattle's NFC wild-card playoff win over Washington on Saturday, Mike Holmgren showed in five plays why he's probably the most dangerous coach in the playoffs, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 6, 2008 Clayton: Holmgren's cool head, new play make difference In Seattle's NFC wild-card playoff win over Washington on Saturday, Mike Holmgren showed in five plays why he's probably the most dangerous coach in the playoffs, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 5, 2008 Ryan remains with Raiders Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said a week ago he wouldn't be out of work for five minutes before finding a job. Now, he doesn't have to worry about his employment. Al Davis and the Raiders de... John Clayton | January 4, 2008 Clayton: NFL shifting to wide-open passing attacks What do the top seeds in this year's playoffs have in common? An elite passing attack, which is becoming a prerequisite for success, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 4, 2008 Raiders' Sapp calls it a career Warren Sapp 's retirement wasn't much of a surprise, but it's good to see a player leave the league on his own terms and playing well. Sapp should have gone to the Pro Bowl last year, but it's hard fo... John Clayton | Friday, January 4 Clayton: Titans-Chargers will be good theater If the regular-season meeting between the Titans and Chargers was any indication, Sunday's wild-card rematch will be full of hard hits and high drama, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 3 Clayton: Parcells wants his own guy, so Cameron's out Bill Parcells wanted his own guy. And he didn't known Cam Cameron. That's why the Dolphins will have a new head coach next season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 3 SMU eyes Martz Mike Martz , let go as offensive coordinator of the Lions, got a call Wednesday from Southern Methodist University, a school that is considering him for their head coaching job. Hawaii coach June Jo... John Clayton | Wednesday, January 2 Clayton: Steelers piecing things together Without their best defensive end, two left tackles and a star running back, can the Steelers regroup to avenge last month's home loss to Jaguars in the playoffs Saturday? John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 2 Sources: Nolan tells aides he expects to be back Mike Nolan will remain coach of the Niners but will surrender personnel power. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 1 Cameron waits word Bill Parcells called Cam Cameron into his office Tuesday for a meeting to talk about whether he will be back for a second season. No decision appeared to be made on New Year's Day, but that's not a su... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 1 Chargers reward GM Smith with lucrative new deal The Chargers, who made the playoffs for the third time in four years, rewarded general manager A.J. Smith with a five-year, $11 million extension that will keep him in charge through the 2014 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 1 2007 NFL Week 17 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 17 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 30 Clayton: Key playoff questions for the AFC The question facing everyone in the AFC is how to stop the Patriots. While no one has supplied an answer yet, John Clayton uncovers several other important questions. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 30 Clayton: Resolutions review The NFL should be headed for a happy New Year, as trends and story lines developed that made the game more intriguing this season. But in his review of 2007, John Clayton writes there is one scary prospect looming. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 29 One down, one to go for Colts Now that the Colts have reached an agreement with safety Bob Sanders for a five-year, $37.5 million contract, the Colts have two months to work on a deal with tight end Dallas Clark . Just as the Colt... John Clayton | Friday, December 28 Clayton: Week 17 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for the rest of the games in Week 17. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 28 Clayton: Pats' pursuit creates dilemma for Giants T he Patriots' pursuit of a perfect regular season creates a tough situation for the Giants, who have little to gain by going all out on Saturday night, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 27 Touchdown mark special Tom Brady should break Peyton Manning 's touchdown record Saturday against the Giants, but the fact Brady needs that last game to do it shows you how special Manning's 49-touchdown mark was. Manning g... John Clayton | Monday, December 24 NFL Week 16 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 16 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 23, 2007 Bills' Everett attends Buffalo's final home game Bills tight end Kevin Everett arrived at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday morning to watch Buffalo's home finale, less than four months after suffering a severe spinal cord injury on the same turf. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 23, 2007 Clayton: Giants overcome weather, costly mistakes The Giants shouldn't go too crazy celebrating their playoff berth. They have a lot of problems to fix, and not a lot of time to fix them, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 23, 2007 Clayton: Romo's blunder triggered kicking boom Tony Romo, by virtue of his botched hold in last season's playoffs, has indirectly produced the greatest kicking season in history, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 22 Clayton: Week 16 injury report John Clayton tracks down injury updates for the rest of the games in Week 16. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 21 Clayton: Redskins hoping to stunt Jackson's growth Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson is making progress, but he'll be tested by a Redskins defense that will likely bring plenty of pressure, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 21 Once-burned Blank now twice shy After being burned by Bill Parcells , Falcons owner Arthur Blank isn't making the next move as quickly as he did in trying to get the Tuna. As of Thursday, there has been no contact with Marty Schotte... John Clayton | Thursday, December 20 Clayton: Parcells' five biggest challenges in Miami What to do with the No. 1 pick in next year's draft will be among Bill Parcells' biggest decisions as he settles into his new role in Miami, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 20 Clayton: Loss of Parker puts Steelers in bind What to do with the No. 1 pick in next year's draft will be among Bill Parcells' biggest decisions as he settles into his new role in Miami, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 20 Clayton: Depleted but undefeated '72 Dolphins When the 1972 Miami Dolphins should have seen their unbeaten season end in Pittsburgh, all the elements came together in their favor -- including unseasonably warm winter weather. John Clayton recalls covering the AFC Championship Game that year. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 20 Parcells thinks Dolphins closer It's pretty simple to see why Bill Parcells would void an agreement in principle with the Atlanta Falcons to take a four-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. It comes down to what team is in position to... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 19 NFC South out of Pro Bowl The oversight of not having a single player from the NFC South make the Pro Bowl is even more baffling when you realize that the division had a 10-3 record against the NFC West. The West had 10 Pro Bo... John Clayton | Tuesday, December 18 Clayton: Peterson's bizarre run beats Bears How good is Vikings RB Adrian Peterson? On Monday night, he beat the Bears on a play that appeared to have disaster written all over it, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, December 18 Clayton: Peterson's bizarre run beats Bears How good is Vikings RB Adrian Peterson? On Monday night, he beat the Bears on a play that appeared to have disaster written all over it, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, December 17 Dawson thriving under pressure One of the great sights of the Browns' 8-0 victory over the Bills was the kicking of Phil Dawson , who has been a star this year with his ability to make pressure kicks. Dawson made a 49-yarder on Su... John Clayton | Monday, December 17 NFL Week 15 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 15 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 16 Clayton: Browns talk big after beating Bills The Browns have caught the Steelers, and they have momentum to boot, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 16 Clayton: Rewriting the 'script' Defenses this season are willing to take more chances with blitzes on early possessions, their way of forcing offenses to move away from the standard 15-play "script" most attacks follow. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 15 Clayton: Loss in Pittsburgh could ruin Jags' playoff plans A loss to the Steelers on Sunday could put a crimp in Jacksonville's playoff plans, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 14 The lessons of NFL's steroid policy While watching ESPN's continuous coverage of the Mitchell report, my mind flashed back to the beginnings of the NFL steroid policy. It was the mid-1980s, and the NFL had a budding steroids policy. Own... John Clayton | Thursday, December 13 Bills caught inside revolving door Colorado State was pleased with its hiring of Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild Wednesday, but that will have major consequences on the Bills in 2008. Once Fairchild leaves after the season,... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 12 Clayton: Hottest 2008 QB derbies The fastest and most exciting way to improve a team is to get better production out of the quarterback play. Here are the five biggest QB quandaries next season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, December 12 Clayton: Family ties make Broncos-Texans compelling Although the Broncos and Texans are on the verge of playoff elimination, Thursday night's game is compelling because of the principals involved, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, December 12 Petrino's exit is fitting The way Bobby Petrino resigned fit his 13-game resume with the Falcons. He had a failure to communicate so it was fitting he stepped down without even talking to the players. The Falcons hired Petrin... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 12 Vick eyeing 2009 return? Some people have brought up an interesting point regarding Michael Vick . Because he's on an indefinite suspension from the NFL while he deals with the legal affairs stemming from his dogfighting scan... John Clayton | Monday, December 10 Clayton: Sentence puts Vick's NFL career in jeopardy If he serves all 23 months of his prison sentence, Michael Vick's NFL career is in serious jeopardy, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, December 10 NFL Week 14 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 14 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 9 Clayton: Strong core carries Seattle to another division title The Seahawks have talent, but it's their strong core of veteran leaders that sets them apart from other NFC contenders, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 9 Clayton: Wiser instant replay use In the first season instant replay was voted in on a permanent basis, the NFL needs to go under the hood of the replay machine for a long review, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 8 Campbell eyes season finale return Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has a chance to play the final game of the season as long as he rehabs his knee injury well. No surgery is going to be needed, which is a surprise for a dislocated ... John Clayton | Friday, December 7 Clayton: Week 14 injury report John Clayton gives injury updates for the rest of the games in Week 14. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 7 Clayton: Pats' ultimate trump card The key for the Steelers against the Patriots on Sunday is to get hits on Tom Brady and try to confuse him. There's just one catch, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 7 NFL ref weighs in on Rolle matter Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice present of officiating, came out in support of head linesman Phil McKinnely after reading the officials' report from the Monday night game between the Ravens and the Patri... John Clayton | Thursday, December 6 Cards' Fitzgerald faces fitness race Larry Fitzgerald was limited in practice for the Cardinals Wednesday because of a groin injury, but you get the feeling he's going to try to play. It appears that Anquan Boldin will miss Sunday's make... John Clayton | Thursday, December 6 Clayton: Desperate times for disappointing Bears A loss to the Redskins on Thursday night would crush Chicago's faint playoff hopes and prove that the Super Bowl losers' curse still exists, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, December 5 Clayton: If the playoffs started today Three-fourths of the playoffs are pretty well set, and the rest is easy to figure out, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, December 5 NFL to investigate ref remarks The NFL will investigate what might have been said by head linesman Phil McKinnely to Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle and other members of the Ravens' defense during the Monday night loss to New Englan... John Clayton | Tuesday, December 4 Broncos' Henry wins appeal, won't be suspended Broncos running back Travis Henry won his appeal and will not be suspended. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, December 4 Trying times in Detroit Wide receiver Roy Williams ' knee injury is the latest blow to the Lions, who have fallen from playoff contenders to also-rans. During their fourth consecutive loss in Week 13, Williams suffered a PCL... John Clayton | Monday, December 3 NFL Week 13 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 13 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 2 Clayton: Saints pay dearly for Payton's horrible call Saints coach Sean Payton made a horrible call -- and it might have cost his team a spot in the playoffs, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 2 Clayton: Where will this Eagle land? At the age of 31, Donovan McNabb is at the crossroads of his Eagles' career. With McNabb's contract running out in 2009, John Clayton examines some possible scenarios. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 1 Clayton: Week 13 injury report John Clayton gives injury updates for the rest of the games in Week 13. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 30 Clayton: Healthy Colts primed for stretch run Expect to see the real Colts now that several key players are getting healthy, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 30 Russell may have to play JaMarcus Russell may see his first action at quarterback this weekend but not because of any designed plan. Starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper woke up Thursday morning with a sore thigh and didn'... John Clayton | Thursday, November 29 Turf not only Steelers problem As much heat as the Steelers are taking over the conditions of the Heinz Field sod on Monday night, they are getting more flak for not playing the national anthem. The Steelers' switchboard had nume... John Clayton | Thursday, November 29 Clayton: GB-Dallas Injury Report John Clayton gives injury updates heading into the Green Bay-Dallas game kicking off Week 13. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, November 28 NFL works on Steelers' turf The NFL is working closely with the Steelers on their horrible turf situation, but the league had already been working with the team prior to Monday's game. The NFL recommended a resodding of the old ... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 27 Clayton: Steelers prevail in 'horrendous' conditions On one of the worst playing surfaces in recent NFL memory, the Steelers made just enough plays to keep the Dolphins winless, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 27 Shanahan staying positive Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan has the amazing ability to turn nobodies into successful running backs. This week, he might be put to the ultimate test. Travis Henry , who's been out with a knee in... John Clayton | Monday, November 26 NFL Week 12 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 12 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 25, 2007 Clayton: Browns show swagger of a playoff team Instead of looking like some lucky squad, the Browns had the look and feel of a playoff team in beating Houston, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 25, 2007 Clayton: Why the Browns are in the black The Browns have combined old offensive strategies and a previously unsung QB to spin some miraculous victories, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 24 Gallery late bloomer at guard Raiders coach Lane Kiffin considered moving Robert Gallery from left guard to right tackle, but he changed his mind at the last minute. Cornell Green , the starting right tackle, was lost for the seas... John Clayton | Saturday, November 24 Clayton: Jags hoping to stay hot against Bills With the Packers and Cowboys taking care of business on Thanksgiving, here are 10 other games you'll need to watch in Week 12, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 23 Clayton: Week 12 Injury Report John Clayton gives injury updates heading into Week 12. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 23 Browns FG good but call bad On the NFL Network Wednesday, Mike Periera , the NFL's supervisor of officials, gave his review of the weird Phil Dawson field goal at the end of regulation in the Browns' 33-30 victory over the Raven... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 21 Clayton: Thanksgiving Day games injury report John Clayton gives injury updates heading into Week 12. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, November 21 Broncos can laugh about timeout The best laugh following the Broncos' 34-20 victory over the Titans Monday night came from Denver coach Mike Shanahan . As he has done before this season, Shanahan arranged to call a timeout as the pl... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 20 49ers bring in Tollner as consultant on offense The 49ers brought in Ted Tollner as an offensive consultant on Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 20 Clayton: Broncos' Cutler emerging as leader Jay Cutler made several key plays on Monday night and proved he's quickly maturing into the Broncos' leader, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 20 Dawson's emotional rollercoaster Browns place-kicker Phil Dawson has gone through every emotion possible in the past three games. In Week 9, he won a wild game with a field goal against the Seahawks. In Week 10, he missed a field goa... John Clayton | Monday, November 19 NFL Week 11 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 11 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 18, 2007 Clayton: Arguments on dressing 53 The 45-man active list -- as silly as it sounds -- is best for the competitive nature of the sport. It sounds illogical, but it's right. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 17, 2007 When a QB's rehab goes wrong If you are wondering how Alex Smith 's third-degree shoulder separation can lead to a forearm injury, we have the answer. According to Smith's agent, Tom Condon, trainers put Smith through a rigorous ... John Clayton | November 16, 2007 Clayton: Week 11 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates heading into Week 11. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 16 Pro Bowl: new spin to old standby There is some thought being given to playing future Pro Bowls between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl, but the way the early vote totals are coming in on NFL.com, it might not be ... John Clayton | Thursday, November 15 Clayton: Giants, Lions turn attention to wild-card race The winner of Sunday's Giants-Lions clash will take a big step toward securing a wild-card spot in the NFC, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 15 Cause of Freeney injury unclear The sad twist to the Dwight Freeney story is how his Lisfranc injury could have happened. Freeney thought someone stepped on his foot as he was making a spin move rushing the cornerback. But it's deba... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 14 Pacman good for 2008 Pacman Jones ' plea agreement in Las Vegas won't change commissioner Roger Goodell 's position on his one-year suspension, but it will play a huge factor in his chances of playing in 2008. Goodell k... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 13 Source: Freeney's foot injury could end his season The Colts already expect Dwight Freeney not to play for several weeks because of a left foot injury, but now there's reason to believe the Pro Bowl defensive end's season might be over. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 13 Clayton: Seahawks lean on passing game in MNF rout With RB Shaun Alexander ailing, the Seahawks adopted a pass-first mentality on Monday night. Look for the approach to stick, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 13 Clayton: Cromartie delivers big in first start at corner Making his first start at corner, Antonio Cromartie rewarded his coaches' faith in him by picking off Peyton Manning three times, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, November 12 Clayton: The Colts had a chance … but they deserved to lose On a night filled with head-scratching frustration and dagger-through-the heart disappointment, Tony Dungy ultimately came to one conclusion: Justice was served. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, November 12 NFL Week 10 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 10 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 11 By icing Brown, Bears get younger The Bears' decision to place guard Ruben Brown on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury was the most interesting move of the day. Brown has been playing hurt for a while, but what 35-year-old p... John Clayton | Thursday, November 8 Clayton: Pressure remains high on vindicated Coughlin After weathering an early season firestorm, Tom Coughlin has the Giants riding high. But a loss to Dallas would severely hinder their chances of winning the NFC East, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 8 Smart Patriots The wisdom of the New England Patriots is amazing. Though it hurt to lose their own first-round choice in the Spygate incident, the Patriots had already worked out a trade with the 49ers that gives t... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 7 Clayton: Circle Steelers-Pats on Dec. 9 New England's pursuit of an undefeated season makes its matchup with Pittsburgh the biggest game of the second half, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, November 7 Browns' Thomas hits jackpot This is the time of year a lot of the top rookies hit escalation clauses and bonuses in their contracts, and Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has hit the jackpot. With the Browns' fifth victory and hav... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 6 More fuel for Pats-Colts rivalry The bizarre non-story accusing the Colts of pumping extra noise into the RCA Dome on Sunday illustrates the bitterness that exists between the Patriots and Colts. The Colts rightfully were furious to... John Clayton | Monday, November 5 Clayton: Patriots stay perfect … but they aren't happy The Patriots are 9-0 and have just won the NFL's biggest regular-season game. So why aren't they happy? John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 4 Clayton: Colts' Addai comes up big in losing effort Even though his Colts lost to the Patriots, running back Joseph Addai produced a monster game. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 4 NFL Week 9 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 9 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 3 Reid gets NFL support, not wrath The NFL will offer support instead of disdain to Eagles coach Andy Reid , who's fighting a family crisis with two sons battling addiction problems. Eagle players may have talked about a double standar... John Clayton | Friday, November 2 McCown is back in the pocket So much for the Daunte Culpepper experiment. Lane Kiffin said after practice Thursday that Josh McCown will regain the starting quarterback job of the Raiders. The offense has scored only two offensiv... John Clayton | Thursday, November 1 Clayton: Pats primed to unleash offensive weapons Instead of trying to shut down Peyton Manning, the Patriots intend to outscore the Colts' QB in Sunday's showdown, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 1, 2007 Clayton: Pats-Colts is big, but it doesn't decide anything Patriots-Colts is a big game for sure, but it ultimately might mean little in the big picture, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 1 Jags go without Stroud Believe it or not, the Jaguars can actually survive as a defense without Marcus Stroud , who is the anchor of Jack Del Rio 's squad. The Jaguars should find out by either Friday or early next week w... John Clayton | Wednesday, October 31 Losman not one-week wonder Don't think J.P. Losman 's second chance of starting for the Bills at quarterback is going to be a one-week thing. Dick Jauron named Losman the starter Tuesday when he found out Trent Edwards would ... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 30 Injuries forced Belichick's hand Although it wasn't justification for going for two fourth-quarter fourth downs or calling a 35-yard bomb with a 38-point lead, Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a reason for staying in a three-receive... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 29 NFL Week 8 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 8 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 28 Clayton: Running it up: Belichick, Pats take no prisoners On Sunday, Bill Belichick kicked a Hall of Fame coach while he was down, running up the score on Joe Gibbs' Redskins, 52-7. Welcome to the Patriots' no-mercy policy. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 28 California fires keep Bolts in limbo The Chargers awaited word from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders whether they have a chance to play Sunday's game against Houston at Qualcomm Stadium. The mayor only said Qualcomm will be closed to evacue... John Clayton | Thursday, October 25 Clayton: Trap game for unbeaten Patriots? Before the Patriots set their sights on the Colts in Week 9, they have to deal with a Redskins team that's capable of causing a lot of problems, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, October 25 QB carousels on high The weird part of Week 8 is how many quarterback positions are in flux. Half of the six teams going into bye weeks even have quarterback issues. The Falcons are going back to Joey Harrington after ... John Clayton | Wednesday, October 24 Ricky just wants to play Leigh Steinberg , the agent for Ricky Williams , is hopeful his client will come off the NFL's suspension list within the next week or two. The league has not hinted when it will decide whether it wil... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 23 Dolphins lose lone bright spot The sad part about the season-ending knee injury to Dolphins halfback Ronnie Brown is it ends a great story about how Brown rebounded from a so-so offseason. During training camp, Dolphins coach Cam ... John Clayton | Monday, October 22 Clayton: Lions' changeup throws off Bucs Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz used a little-used weapon -- Kevin Jones and the running game -- to defeat the Bucs, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 21 Clayton: San Diego's tough task The addition of Chris Chambers may extend the Chargers' championship window, but they still won't outlast the Pats and Colts, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 20, 2007 QB passing setting new standards After six weeks, quarterback efficiency is changing the way the game is being played. It's an offensive game. Scoring is up from 40 points a game a year ago to 42.3 this season. The biggest surprise i... John Clayton | October 19, 2007 New injury setback for Broncos The Broncos had another major setback Thursday when they learned wide receiver Jevon Walker will be out another four weeks because of arthroscopic knee surgery. With Rod Smith not expected back from t... John Clayton | October 18, 2007 Clayton: Developmental camp makes plenty of sense With rosters becoming increasingly thin, the time has come for the NFL to give teams better options, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 18, 2007 Clayton: Jaguars have a lot at stake vs. Colts The Jaguars have visions of winning the AFC South, which means they can't afford to lose to the Colts on Monday night, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 18, 2007 Warner braces to play with injury Kurt Warner has a lot of swelling in his injured left elbow, but he practiced a little Wednesday and may have a chance to play. He has torn ligaments in his left elbow, so he tried out different brace... John Clayton | October 17, 2007 K.C. youth movement in full swing Quietly, the Chiefs are doing a nice job of rebuilding against some tough odds. The Chiefs finished last season with an old roster. Entering training camp this year, about half of their starters were ... John Clayton | October 17, 2007 Chargers make big move A rather quiet trading period closed with a bang when the Chargers acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers from the Dolphins for a second-round draft choice. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith realizes... John Clayton | October 16, 2007 Will Lions' Bell get his wish? Tatum Bell spoke to the Detroit media on Monday and expressed his interest in a trade if he's going to lose his starting job to Kevin Jones this week. The Lions have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to det... John Clayton | October 15, 2007 Clayton: Diminutive Welker looms large for Pats Wes Welker is small in stature, but he had a huge impact for the Patriots in their convincing victory over the Cowboys, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 15, 2007 Clayton: Moss on Brady: The best QB I've had Tom Brady shredded the Cowboys' defense ... and in the process, forced even Randy Moss to sit up and take notice. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 15, 2007 NFL Week 6 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 6 games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 14, 2007 Bell asks Lions for trade over diminished role Hearing that he will come out of the bye week as a backup, halfback Tatum Bell has informed the Detroit Lions through his agent that he wants to be traded. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 12, 2007 Slim pickings at quarterback The fact that Vinny Testaverde at the age of 44 was the choice of both the Cardinals and the Panthers illustrates how bad the quarterback market is for teams scrambling for replacements for injured qu... John Clayton | October 12, 2007 Tank Johnson itching to play NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might be giving serious thought into reducing the suspension of Cowboys defensive tackle Tank Johnson . Johnson is on the books for an eight-game suspension, but he's ap... John Clayton | October 8, 2007 Clayton: Chargers find their identity in Denver With their season already hanging in the balance, the Chargers respond with a blowout win at Denver. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 8, 2007 NFL Week 5 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 5 games John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 7, 2007 Clayton: Chargers find their identity in Denver With their season already hanging in the balance, the Chargers respond with a blowout win at Denver. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 7 Clayton: Fresh blood? Several of last season's playoff teams are paying the price for quiet offseasons, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, October 6 Clayton: Denver's weird scheme fails against Colts Denver's weird defensive scheme didn't faze the Colts and Peyton Manning, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 30 Colts lose Harrison, Morris; Broncos' Henry hurt Colts receiver Marvin Harrison left Sunday's game in the second quarter with an apparent knee injury. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 30 NFL Week 4 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 4 games John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 30 Clayton: Scoring on the rise A perfect storm of officiating and strategy could lead to several passing records falling this season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, September 29 Clayton: Denver faces critical stretch Rivalries and grudge matches abound this week, but the New England-Cincinnati Monday night matchup is the best, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 27 Hall fight a good sign The fact that cornerback DeAngelo Hall is going to fight his $100,000 fine is a sign this was a fair team penalty for his blowout that possibly cost the Falcons a game against the Panthers. Hall mad... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 26 Clayton: Curing what ails NFC teams John Clayton identifies a malady and potential cure for every NFC team. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 25 Lovie had to make QB move Lovie Smith had no choice but to change quarterbacks. With Tommie Harris , Nathan Vasher and Lance Briggs hurt and possibly missing games on defense, the Bears needed more out of the offense. They wer... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 25 Russell finally in Raiders' mix Now that JaMarcus Russell has been put on the active roster from the exempt list, the Raiders have figured out their quarterback plans for the season. They informed Andrew Walter that they will try to... John Clayton | Monday, September 24 Clayton: 49ers take it on the nose With All-Pro nose tackle Casey Hampton helping shut down the 49ers' running game, San Francisco was no match for Pittsburgh, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 23 NFL Week 3 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 3 games John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 23 Clayton: Eight-man fronts are all the rage Defensive coordinators are taking full advantage of the youth at the quarterback position, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 21 Unsung heroes in Everett recovery The news that Kevin Everett is going to be transferred from a hospital in Buffalo to Houston to begin rehab is great. Doctors are hopeful he will walk again. Lost in the story is how well the doctors ... John Clayton | Thursday, September 20 Clayton: First and 10 Things remain unsettled for the 1-1 Bears, who face their first major NFC test when they play host to the Cowboys on Sunday, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 20 Walking wounded into Lambeau The Packers had 15 players miss all or portions of Wednesday's practice, making them perhaps the most injured team in the league. For the first two games, the Packers have carried the injured likes of... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 19 Reid behind McNabb Andy Reid did a good thing Tuesday. Despite the disappointment of the Eagles' two-game losing streak and Donovan McNabb 's struggles with his accuracy, the coach said he saw great things from McNabb i... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 18 Seahawks give versatile DB Babineaux new deal The Seahawks rewarded versatile defensive back Jordan Babineaux on Tuesday by giving him a five-year extension worth $10 million. There are enough incentives and escalators in the deal that could make it worth as much as $17 million. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 18 Kickers off the mark early It might be nothing more than early season rust, but kickers aren't off to great starts. Adam Vinatieri of the Colts missed an extra point and a short field goal and was kicking the ball low Sunday a... John Clayton | Monday, September 17 Clayton: Colts have just enough to beat Titans The Colts didn't play their best, but they still found a way to beat AFC South rival Tennessee, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 16 NFL Week 2 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 2 games John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 16 Clayton: My short and sweet movie career In his first -- and perhaps last -- movie role, John Clayton has a scene that is short and sweet. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 14 Clayton: Pats can survive this penalty John Clayton answers questions about the Patriots' videotaping shenanigans and the penalty the NFL assessed against them. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 14 Clayton: Belichick penalty too light Bill Belichick deserved a much stiffer penalty than a $500,000 fine and loss of draft pick(s) for videotaping an opponent's signals, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 13 Clayton: First and 10 for Week 2 After dealing with a major distraction this week, the Patriots must find a way to focus on one of the biggest games of their season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 13 Breaking down Pats' film In case you're wondering what advantage during a game Bill Belichick would have with taped defensive signals from opposing defensive coaches, here's the story: A photographer can take the pictures of... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 12 Browns' plan isn't a good one It appears the Browns have a plan to give Brady Quinn playing time this year. It's not a very good plan obviously. Cutting your opening-day quarterback less than 48 hours after kickoff is ridiculous. ... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 11 Clayton: Goodell will treat this seriously How will the NFL commissioner rule in the Patriots "spying" incident? What advantage can a team get by taping defensive signals of an opponent? John Clayton has the questions and answers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 11 Hester mostly watches offense Plan was 15-20 plays a game on O: In case you are wondering, the Bears only used Devin Hester on one offensive play, at wide receiver, in Sunday's 14-3 loss to the Chargers. Although the plan was to u... John Clayton | Monday, September 10 Clayton: Smith, Leinart wake up when everybody else is asleep Alex Smith and Matt Leinart were supposed to shine on the West Coast prime-time stage. But they didn't show up until much later. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, September 10 Clayton: Chargers bottle up Bears in second half Chicago held LaDainian Tomlinson to 25 yards rushing, but the NFL's best running back found other ways to beat the Bears, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 9 Bears lose starting defenders Brown, Dvoracek The Bears defense put every bit of energy and emotion into stopping the potent Chargers offense Sunday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 9 NFL Week 1 inactive players Inactive players for Sunday's 1 p.m. Week 1 games John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 9 NFL rescinds one-game ban for Bengals' Rucker A one-game suspension of Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker has been rescinded. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 7 Cowboys' Glenn injures knee Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has ruled out wide receiver Terry Glenn for Sunday night's game against the Giants. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 7 Clayton: Owners don't realize salary-cap benefits Some owners are talking about doing away with the salary cap in 2008. But considering the surplus of cap room this season, that would be a huge mistake. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 7 Ravens pass on Leftwich The Ravens' decision to sign Kyle Boller to a one-year extension pretty much ends their bid to get Byron Leftwich and tells a lot. Organizationally, the Ravens are saying the ratings on Boller and Lef... John Clayton | Thursday, September 6 Clayton: First and 10 for Week 1 Rex Grossman played in the Super Bowl last season, but he remains a point of contention in Chicago. The schedule-makers didn't do him any favors with the Bears' Week 1 opponent: San Diego. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 6 Raiders' QB race causes circus Lane Kiffin seemed very uncomfortable handling his unnamed starting quarterback situation on Wednesday. While it appears Josh McCown will get the start, Kiffin isn't saying whether it will be him or D... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 5 McCown plays favorite in Oakland Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said he would announce a starting quarterback on Wednesday, but he supposedly told the quarterbacks on Tuesday who would be the starter. Body language would indicate ... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 4 Rice makes sense in Denver The Broncos' signing of former Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice shouldn't come as a surprise. Once the Broncos lost Ebenezer Ekuban for the season, they became desperate for a pass rusher even though ... John Clayton | Monday, September 3 Leftwich market slow The market is moving a little slower than expected for former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich . Conversations have begun with seven teams, but no team has yet to step up and recruit him hard. The ... John Clayton | Monday, September 3 Clayton: Cincy loses out on Pittman but improves team John Clayton summarizes the highlights and trends from waiver claims around the NFL on Sunday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 2 Steelers, G Simmons agree on 4-year extension The Steelers made one of their key decisions along the offensive line by locking up guard Kendall Simmons to a four-year extension that will keep him with the team through 2011. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 2 Clayton: Surprisingly, Pats' Seymour to miss six weeks John Clayton summarizes the highlights and trends from a fast and furious cutdown Saturday around the NFL. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 2 Clayton: Schedule filled with showdowns The 2007 season will certainly feature plenty of matchups between the league's elite teams, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, September 1 Strahan ends holdout 9 days before Giants' opener After 24 hours of soul-searching and a conversation with general manager Jerry Reese, defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout and report to the New York Giants. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 31 Clayton: Five sleeper teams for 2007 season Whether it's an easier schedule or an upgrade in talent, these teams should be better than expected in 2007 John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 30, 2007 Clayton: Goodell's swift response predictable It will take a lot of time for the commissioner to forget how Michael Vick lied to him, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 24 Clayton: What we've learned from training camp With training camps coming to a close, John Clayton looks at 10 things we've learned this summer. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 22, 2007 Johnson agrees to five-year extension with Chiefs Larry Johnson ended his 25-day holdout Tuesday morning by working out a five-year extension that will keep him with the Chiefs through 2012. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 21, 2007 Clayton: Vick's NFL future could be bleak John Clayton answers questions regarding the football future of Michael Vick, who agreed to plead guilty Monday to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 16, 2007 Clayton: Turner sees no need to make major changes Knowing he inherited a team ready to win, new coach Norv Turner isn't changing too much about the Chargers' formula for success, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 13 Clayton: Observations from Chargers camp As San Diego looks for ways to keep LaDainian Tomlinson fresh, expect him to catch more passes this season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 13 Clayton: Observations from 49ers camp Cornerback Nate Clements should be a very good addition in a division featuring some big targets at wide receiver, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, August 11 Clayton: Smith finally blessed with weapons Thanks to an infusion of talent offensively, the 49ers now seem ready to challenge the Seahawks in the NFC West, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, August 11 Clayton: Observations from Raiders camp Robert Gallery was supposed to be a franchise left tackle the Raiders could count on for years. Instead, he's been a huge disappointment, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 10 Clayton: Time not on Culpepper's side Daunte Culpepper is making a strong impression with the Raiders, but the odds are against his being ready to start by Week 1, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 10 Clayton: Observations from Cardinals camp As good as Larry Fitzgerald has been, he's going to be even better this year, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 9, 2007 Clayton: James, Cardinals serious about winning in 2007 Edgerrin James reported to camp in great shape, and the Cardinals as a whole appear to be shaping up as a contender, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 9 Clayton: Observations from Cardinals camp As good as Larry Fitzgerald has been, he's going to be even better this year, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 9 Clayton: Shanahan goes to extremes to better Broncos Never satisfied with mediocrity, Mike Shanahan his hoping his version of "Extreme Makeover" will make the Broncos a legitimate Super Bowl contender, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 8 Clayton: Big bodies make Broncos' D-line more imposing Offseason additions Jimmy Kennedy and Sam Adams are making their presence felt along the Broncos' D-line, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 8 Clayton: In short time, Roethlisberger shows plenty He played just one series in the Hall of Fame game, but Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger gave a tantalizing preview of things to come this year, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 6 Strahan: Money's not issue, but future undecided Michael Strahan says money is not the factor in deciding whether to keep playing, but he hasn't decided. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 5 Clayton: Rams look to maximize opportunities The additions of Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael should help the Rams improve in the red zone, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 3 Clayton: Observations from Rams camp With Marshall Faulk retied, the spolight is on Steven Jackson who could be poised for a monster season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 3 Clayton: Memories that defined a Hall of Fame career As he prepares to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, John Clayton recounts the most memorable moments of his career. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 3 Clayton: Packers look to future, but Favre's future is now Green Bay may be building for the future, but the future is now for QB Brett Favre, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 2 Clayton: Observations from Packers camp The Packers' offensive line has gone from being a weakness to a strength, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 2 Clayton: No Glenn? No problem While Peyton Manning and the Colts were blindsided by the loss of All-Pro LT Tarik Glenn, the offensive machine keeps marching forward, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 1 Clayton: Observations from Bears camp Despite the departure of Thomas Jones, Chicago's running game should be in good hands in 2007, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 1 Bills deal disgruntled DT Walker to Bears for pick The Chicago Bears, for weeks looking for extra help in the middle of their defensive line, traded a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for disgruntled defensive tackle Darwin Walker. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, July 29 Clayton: Vikings placing faith in youngster Despite a difficult first day, the Vikings still feel Tavaris Jackson can lead the team to success in 2007, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, July 28 Clayton: Observations from Vikings camp It's not out of the question for Brooks Bollinger to enter the 2007 season as the team's starting quarterback, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, July 28 Clayton: Observations from Lions camp The additions of WR Calvin Johnson and RB Tatum Bell should provide a big boost to the Lions' attack, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, July 27 Clayton: Kitna, Lions confident dark days are over The Lions are convinced they can be a winner. Now they have to convince their long-suffering fans and the rest of the league, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, July 27 Browns, Thomas agree to five-year, $42.5M deal The Browns reached an agreement in principle Thursday night with left tackle Joe Thomas, the third in the NFL draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, July 26 Falcons sign draft pick Anderson to five-year deal Eager to grab some positive headlines in what has been a summer of Michael Vick negativity, the Falcons made sure they signed first-round pick Jamaal Anderson in time for the start of training camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 25 Meachem last of Saints picks to get under contract To get his career off to a good start, Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem reached agreement on a five-year contract with New Orleans that allows him to report to training camp on time. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, July 24 Dolphins reach deal with quarterback of future Miami Dolphins second-round draft pick John Beck will be to clock in just in time for the start of rookie camp Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 23 Clayton: Patriots keep familiar veteran presence The Patriots' decision to bring back receiver Troy Brown and linebacker Chad Brown helps maintain the veteran presence on New England's roster, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 19, 2007 Clayton: Beginning of end for Vick in Atlanta? Despite Michael Vick's indictment in a Virginia dogfighting probe, the Falcons have no choice but to stand by the quarterback, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 17, 2007 Lions make franchised Redding richest DT in NFL Cory Redding, the Lions' franchise player in 2007, agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract that included $16 million in guarantees, including $13 million in signing bonus and roster guarantees. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 16 Grateful Freeney signs $72 million deal with Colts Dwight Freeney, the Indianapolis Colts' franchise player, signed a six-year, $72 million contract with the team Friday that includes a $30 million signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, July 13 Two taken in supplemental draft The San Diego Chargers selected cornerback Paul Oliver in the fourth round of the supplemental draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, July 12 Lions, Redding making progress Over the past couple of days, the Lions have made significant progress in negotiations with franchise defensive tackle Cory Redding . Though Redding initially wanted to leave the Lions through free ag... John Clayton | Wednesday, July 11 Clayton: Schedule favors these five teams After taking a close look at the 2007 schedule, John Clayton identifies five teams that could make significant improvements this season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 11 Johnson negotiations on hold Not much news to report on the Larry Johnson negotiations for a contract extension. Both sides are wisely taking a week off from talks. The Chiefs are on vacation until next week. But the pressure wil... John Clayton | Tuesday, July 10 Freeney deal in the works? Of the four unsigned franchise players awaiting next Monday's deadline, Dwight Freeney of the Colts has the best chance to sign. However, there's no guarantee a deal will get done in time. Freeney is ... John Clayton | Monday, July 9 Clayton: Look for these five to make a difference It's hard to find players who can be the difference between a good season and a great one, but here are five who could do just that this year, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 2, 2007 Hearing won't help Culpepper The Daunte Culpepper hearing is a strange one. Like the Steve McNair grievance a year ago, it's hard for the grieved party to win much. A year ago, McNair was banned from the Titans facility during th... John Clayton | Friday, June 29 Clayton: Questions to ponder as June ends Can Romeo Crennel save his job? Is Matt Schaub the answer in Houston? John Clayton poses five questions to ponder as June winds down. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, June 27 Tank for sale ... cheap The phones initially will be quiet for former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson , but he may be able to land some kind of a job by the time training camp starts. For that to happen, Johnson would ha... John Clayton | Tuesday, June 26 Clayton: Summer story lines to occupy down time As the NFL hits vacation mode, John Clayton looks at five story lines that will play out between now and training camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, June 25 Steelers agree with Hoke on contract extension The Steelers have reached a contract extension with defensive tackle Chris Hoke. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, June 21 Oliver makes his case for scouts Former Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver may not have wowed the 27 teams attending his workout Wednesday, but he may have done enough to earn the chance to be a reasonably high pick in the 2007 NFL suppl... John Clayton | Wednesday, June 20 Clayton: Offense more important than ever While defense is needed to win a championship, in today's NFL you need an offense that can score points, too, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, June 20 Pacman needs new friends The sad part of the recent Pacman Jones story, in which he is a witness in a shooting, is that he can't shake the friends who keep putting him in positions to be in trouble. To get back into the leagu... John Clayton | June 19, 2007 Clayton: Lewis running for the Browns now After years of running over the Browns, Jamal Lewis is hoping to have just as much success running for them this season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 13, 2007 Clayton: Quinn working through early growing pains At Browns minicamp, Brady Quinn has looked like a rookie trying to find his way, not the team's long-awaited savior, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, June 13 Clayton: Offense starting to click in Buffalo J.P. Losman looks like a totally different quarterback than he did one year ago and that could make the Bills dangerous on offense, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, June 11 Clayton: Time for NFL Europa to take a vacation NFL Europa has had a long run, but it seems likely that the NFL will pull the plug on the league, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, June 11 Ex-Seahawk Herndon comes to terms with Titans Following a furious weeks of contacts and visits after being released by the Seahawks, cornerback Kelly Herndon accepted a three-year contract to play for the Titans. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, June 9 Rams deal defensive tackle Kennedy to Broncos After a couple years of frustration, the Rams have traded former first-round choice Jimmy Kennedy to the Denver Broncos for what is believed to be a sixth-round pick. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, June 8 Baltimore a good fit for Culpepper The team that makes the most sense for Daunte Culpepper once he's cut by the Dolphins is the Baltimore Ravens for several reasons. Steve McNair was acquired to make a two- or three-year run at the pla... John Clayton | Thursday, June 7 Culpepper asks for release from Dolphins Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who initially wanted to stay and compete against Trent Green, has asked for his release, something that should happen very soon. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, June 7 Clayton: Dolphins decided to ante up for Green John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 5, 2007 Clayton: Rating top offseason moves While the 49ers scored big by signing Nate Clements, the Packers really might suffer without Ahman Green. John Clayton looks at 10 of the biggest moves of the offseason and rates their impact. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 5, 2007 Goodell sets precedent The way commissioner Roger Goodell handled the Tank Johnson situation gave a glimpse into how he's going to rule on these conduct matters in the NFL. Though his penalties for repeat violators will be ... John Clayton | June 4, 2007 Clayton: Suspension makes sense NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was tough but fair in suspending the Bears' Tank Johnson for eight games, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 4, 2007 Vick playing waiting game The key words to understand what might happen in the Michael Vick dog-fighting investigation is "prove to be involved." The NFL, the Falcons and commissioner Roger Goodell really can't do much until t... John Clayton | Tuesday, May 29 Clayton: It's all in the numbers Looking for teams ready to turn into contenders? It's easy to spot them by looking at the QB stats, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, May 24 Green seeing red with Chiefs Trent Green plans to attend Chiefs minicamp, but he's not a happy camper. Green will return to the Chiefs to honor his contract and try to force a trade with the Dolphins that remains sta... John Clayton | May 21, 2007 Clayton: What we've learned so far From Brett Favre's guilt to just how athletic the Bears are to some players still not getting it, minicamps are teaching us plenty, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 21, 2007 Franchise-tagged Freeney won't miss team camps Unlike Lance Briggs, Asante Samuel and Cory Redding, Dwight Freeney doesn't mind being a franchise player. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 17, 2007 Eager Jackson excluded from Packers' minicamp Brandon Jackson felt on top of the world when the Packers made him a second-round pick on draft day. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 17, 2007 Clayton: Don't overlook these big moves Lost in the shadows were these five moves that might have huge impacts on the NFL this season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 17, 2007 Wong turns down backup offer, will depart Texans Linebacker Kailee Wong, an original member of the Texans, announced his retirement on Wednesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 16, 2007 Keyshawn favors Raiders The latest twist to the Keyshawn Johnson job search is his desire to be a Raider. Johnson has told friends he's always wanted to be a Raider. The Raiders seem to have some interest, but it isn't known... John Clayton | May 15, 2007 Dolphins looking to move on The decision by the NFL drug authorities to delay Ricky Williams ' reinstatement until September at the earliest should kill his relationship with the Dolphins. If Williams can come back this season, ... John Clayton | Saturday, May 12 NFL faces tough obstacles before any 17th game NFL officials must overcome several obstacles before the addition of a 17th regular-season game can take hold. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, May 10 Clayton: NFC West rivals closing gap on Seahawks The NFC West has improved, but the Seahawks believe they've taken the necessary steps to remain on top, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, May 10 No surgery for Hawks' Spencer The Seahawks got the best news possible on Tuesday when they learned starting center Chris Spencer won't need surgery on his sore shoulders. Spencer visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Mond... John Clayton | Tuesday, May 8 Barlow, Steelers near deal The Steelers are looking at former 49ers and Jets halfback Kevan Barlow , and the player might be interested in Pittsburgh. Both sides are considering a one-year deal that will enable Barlow, a former... John Clayton | May 7, 2007 Clayton: AFC big questions With minicamps around the corner, John Clayton answers the big questions facing AFC teams. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 7, 2007 Clayton: Russell already wowing Oakland teammates Although he still has to win the starting job, Raiders rookie QB JaMarcus Russell is already winning over his new teammates, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 7, 2007 Clayton: Kiffin brings hope to Oakland After a season to forget, the first day of minicamp under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin was one to remember, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 4, 2007 Clayton: NFC big questions With minicamps around the corner, John Clayton answers the big questions facing NFC teams. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 3, 2007 Clayton: Colts quietly make themselves better The Patriots grabbed the draft weekend headlines, but the Colts might have acquired the biggest impact player when they drafted Ohio State WR Anthony Gonzalez, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, May 2 Panthers make youth movement The Panthers didn't lose cash when they released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson . Some media outlets have the team giving him a $3 million roster bonus, but in reality, Johnson had a $1 million roster... John Clayton | May 1, 2007 Packers fans voicing frustration Packers fans are flooding chat rooms and Web sites with complaints about their team's surprisingly silent offseason. Their hope for excitement was a Randy Moss trade, but that slipped away when Moss w... John Clayton | April 29, 2007 Clayton: It was time for Moss to go Randy Moss was traded to the Patriots for a fourth-round choice Sunday, a huge discount from the trade Oakland made to acquire him two years ago., John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 29, 2007 Clayton: Five observations from Day 2 Trent Green was hoping to be the third notable veteran traded on Sunday, but the Chiefs and Dolphins could not strike a deal, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 29, 2007 Raiders eager to unload Moss How desperate are the Raiders to trade Randy Moss ? They called Mike Shanahan of the Broncos. Shanahan and the Raiders have been at odds since Al Davis fired him and the Raiders shorted him several hu... John Clayton | April 28, 2007 Clayton: Veterans could be traded on Day 2 With a number of big-name veterans on the market, Day 2 of the draft could be interesting, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 28, 2007 Clayton: Winners and losers from Day 1 The Browns got two franchise building blocks, making them big winners on the first day of the draft, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 28, 2007 Clayton: First ... and 10, NFL draft edition Al Davis set the Raiders back by passing on a QB last year. Will he do it again? John Clayton examines Oakland's plight and more in his First ... and 10. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 27, 2007 Ravens' Gregg gets $20.3M, four-year extension Ravens DT Kelly Gregg inked a 4-year, $20.3 million extension that will keep him a Raven until $2011. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, April 25 Clayton: Chiefs hold first-round Green card Although Oakland holds the No. 1 overall pick, Kansas City controls how the top of the first round will go, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 24 Green trade talks at standstill The Chiefs and Dolphins haven't talked in days about a Trent Green trade. The Chiefs' stance hasn't changed. They want a second- and seventh-rounder in exchange for the veteran quarterback. The Dolphi... John Clayton | Tuesday, April 24 Faneca plotting exit strategy Steelers guard Alan Faneca is too professional to speak out about wanting to be traded, but it's pretty clear that behind th scenes he's angling to get the team to move him during the draft. Faneca is... John Clayton | Monday, April 23 Clayton: NFL teams need to look at LBs differently NFL teams can fall into the trap of judging a LB by the scheme he played in college. Bad idea. The key is to find good players, like Ole Miss' Patrick Willis, talented enough to make the transition, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, April 23 Raiders cut veteran linemen Badger, Johnstone New Raiders coach Lane Kiffin made his first major decisions as head coach Friday when he cut veterans Brad Badger and Lance Johnstone. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, April 20 Clayton: Welcoming in a new era of left tackles There's a new breed of left tackle coming in. Guys like Joe Thomas and Levi Brown may be smaller than the old guard, but they have the potential to be just as good, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, April 20 Solving the Green stalemate Here's an interesting solution to the Trent Green stalemate. The Chiefs continue to ask for a second-round pick from the Dolphins in exchange for Green. That won't happen. The Dolphins are scrambling ... John Clayton | Thursday, April 19 Sauerbrun a free agent after Patriots' offer voided A Special Master ruled Wednesday punter Todd Sauerbrun is now a free agent -- available to sign with any team -- after winning a grievance that voided the New England Patriots right to match a one-year contract he recently signed with the Denver Broncos. John Clayton , ESPN.com | Wednesday, April 18 Bengals talk tackles The Bengals, who have sat out the free agency period, had a visit from Broncos defensive tackle Michael Myers on Tuesday. On Thursday, Bears defensive tackle Ian Scott comes to town. While the Benga... John Clayton | Tuesday, April 17 Clayton: Evaluating QBs just got tougher Finding NFL-ready QBs coming out of college is tougher than ever. That's what makes the case of Brady Quinn's stock slipping even more puzzling, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, April 16 Rams sign Dolphins punter Jones to offer sheet The Rams, who have been back and forth in stalled negotiations with punter Matt Turk, signed restricted free agent Donnie Jones of the Dolphins to an offer sheet Thursday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 12, 2007 Clayton: Colts face tough road The league has once again made it difficult for the champ to repeat, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 11, 2007 Clayton: Here are 10 great matchups for '07 New England at Indianapolis is just one of the many intriguing AFC games in '07, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 11, 2007 Titans may need to draft CB Pacman Jones ' season-long suspension hits the Titans harder than the eight-game suspension of the Bengals' Chris Henry because Tennessee has an uncertain future at cornerback. Jones could theoretical... John Clayton | April 10, 2007 NFL ready to announce regular-season schedule On Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, the 2007 NFL schedule will be revealed. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 10, 2007 Raiders discuss trade for McCown The Raiders have zeroed in on a veteran quarterback they would like to acquire while they ponder the possibility of drafting LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell . Oakland has entered into trade negotiati... John Clayton | Thursday, April 5 Gibbs lures ex-Cards CB Macklin to Redskins On Thursday, Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs talked Cardinals cornerback David Macklin into accepting a one-year deal with the Redskins over three other more lucrative deals with other teams. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, April 5 Clayton: Two not better than one in OT The idea of changing the overtime rules so that each team is guaranteed one possession is misguided, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, April 5 Bears cool down Briggs deal It's pretty clear the Bears want to slow down the Lance Briggs trade talks while the Redskins want to move quickly. By calling the Redskins and asking for more than just a swap of No. 1 picks, Bears g... John Clayton | Tuesday, April 3 Bears turn down draft swap with Skins for Briggs A proposed trade sending the Bears' Lance Briggs to the Redskins is in trouble as the Bears have turned down the Redskins' terms. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 3 Counteroffer may kill Briggs deal Any counteroffer from the Bears that would ask more of the Redskins could be a deal breaker in the tenuous Lance Briggs trade talks. This isn't much of a negotiation. The Redskins are offering to sw... John Clayton | Monday, April 2 Clayton: Assistants have to be prepared With many teams turning to young head coaches, assistants know they always need to be prepared for every opportunity. But it's hard to be ready for all of the obstacles a first-time head coach will have to overcome. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 28 Clayton: Overtime format staying the same Those in favor of changing the overtime format got some disappointing news on Wednesday, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 28 Clayton: Reid focuses on football, keeps private life private Just days after taking a five-week leave to tend to his family, Andy Reid is keeping the focus strictly on football, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 28 Bears say 'No' to Briggs deal The Bears are saying no to a Lance Briggs trade to Washington. That stand won't change during this week's owners meeting, but don't be surprised if they take the weekend and the early part of next wee... John Clayton | Tuesday, March 27 Clayton: Instant replay here to stay Instant replay finally wore down its opponents as NFL owners voted 30-2 to make it a permanent fixture in games, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, March 27 Indy, New Orleans will open 2007 NFL season The feel-good story of last year and the defending Super Bowl champions will square off in Week 1 when the Saints travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the NFL's first game of the season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 26 Dolphins passing on QB Green? Don't expect the Dolphins to land quarterback Trent Green anytime soon because the price is too high. Even though the Dolphins have come to a reasonable compromise on what Green could make if he becom... John Clayton | Monday, March 26 Clayton: History of drafting WRs not kind to Lions The Lions growled at conventional wisdom, drafting WRs in the first-round in three straight drafts. That gamble didn't pay off, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 21, 2007 Committee ponders OT changes Give the NFL Competition Committee a lot of credit. There isn't a lot broken on the field in the National Football League, so the committee is wise in not recommending many changes for the upcoming se... John Clayton | March 20, 2007 Skins agree to trade S Archuleta to Bears for pick ESPN.com's John Clayton has learned that the Redskins have agreed to trade safety Adam Archuleta to the Chicago Bears for what is believed to be a sixth-round draft pick that can be upgraded to a fifth-round pick. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 20, 2007 Broncos reach agreement with Browns' McKinley On Tuesday, the Broncos reached a four-year agreement in principle with Browns defensive lineman Alvin McKinley. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 20, 2007 Broncos, receiver Stokley agree on one-year deal The Denver Broncos, looking for a dependable pass-catcher, reached a one-year agreement with former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 20, 2007 Eagles snag Rams' Curtis Kevin Curtis' six-year, $32 million agreement with the Eagles pretty much concludes the first major phase of free agency. In two weeks, 133 players -- including 76 unrestricted free agents who moved t... John Clayton | Thursday, March 15 Browns have 4-year deal with ex-Titans DT Smith The Browns helped their defense Wednesday night by reaching a four-year, $12 million deal with Titans defensive tackle Robaire Smith. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 14 Briggs situation gets interesting The Lance Briggs situation in Chicago continues to get more interesting by the day, but it's not going to change the outcome. Briggs will remain property of the Chicago Bears this season. Even though ... John Clayton | Tuesday, March 13 Clayton: What to make of free-agent spending spree John Clayton recaps the first wave of free agency, in which guards won big and running backs played musical chairs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 12 Clayton: Compensatory picks can be important With a number of compensatory picks coming their way, teams such as the Ravens and Patriots were able to be more aggressive this offseason, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 12 Cowboys re-sign Colombo to two-year, $7M deal A week after the Cowboys paid more than $49 million to add Leonard Davis to the right side of their defensive line, the Cowboys filled out the rest of the right side by re-signing ri John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 9, 2007 Seahawks make Jags' Grant third-highest-paid safety The Seahawks signed safety Deon Grant to a six-year deal worth in excess of $30 million a year. John Clayton , ESPN.com | March 9, 2007 Did Bills make a good deal? While on the surface it looks as though the Bills cleaned up by getting three draft choices for running back Willis McGahee , don't applaud them until you look at the numbers. The Ravens surrendered a... John Clayton | March 8, 2007 Rams sign four-year, $4M deal with Bears' Johnson The Rams added help for their defense by reaching a four-year, $4 million deal with Bears safety Todd Johnson. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, March 8 Browns sign former Ravens tailback Jamal Lewis Jamal Lewis, Baltimore's all-time leading rusher, broke away from the Ravens and signed with the rival Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 7 Does Dillon fit the Bills? So much for Corey Dillon 's retirement. Dillon, who asked for and received his release from the New England Patriots last week, will visit the Buffalo Bills Thursday with hopes of landing a job. The r... John Clayton | Wednesday, March 7 Clayton: Early winners and losers in free agency It is probably too early to declare winners and losers in free agency, but the 49ers and Patriots look pretty good. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 7 Broncos snare TE Graham ... The Broncos outbid the Seahawks for Patriots tight end Daniel Graham in a negotiation that went well into Tuesday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, March 6 KC's Green has options After meeting with Chiefs president Carl Peterson, quarterback Trent Green started looking for trade options. Expect one to happen. At least two or three teams have checked in on him so there appears ... John Clayton | Tuesday, March 6 Dolphins land former Steelers LB Porter The Dolphins didn't want to wait for Joey Porter to make a five- to six-team NFL tour. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, March 6 Seahawks reach six-year agreement with DE Kerney After two days of negotiations, the Seahawks reached agreement with Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney, considered the best remaining free agent on the market. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 5 Raiders' options drying up Monday was not a good day for people in the Raiders organization who might consider moving Randy Moss to another team in a trade. First, the Packers had to start mapping out plans to replace departed ... John Clayton | Monday, March 5 Browns sign Steinbach to seven-year, $49.5 million deal A year ago, no one thought a guard would ever get $7 million a year but Steve Hutchinson got a seven-year, $49 million deal from the John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2007 Falcons reach six-year, $18 million deal with Mughelli On Friday, the Falcons reached a six-year, $18 million deal with Ravens fullback Ovie Mughelli that included a $5 million signing bonus. The blockbuster deal is the biggest contract John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2007 Eagles strike five-year, $12.5M deal with DE Thomas The Eagles reached a five-year, $12.5 million deal with Juqua Thomas that could be worth $1 million more per year in incentives. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2007 Free agency commences, several meetings arranged Free agency opened with an explosion of phone calls to set up visits for the 308 NFL available players. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2007 Character an issue with vets' cuts There was a significant theme to the 21 veteran cuts on Thursday, the eve of the start of free agency. The theme involved character. Teams were proactive in trying to clean up some of the off-the-fiel... John Clayton | March 1, 2007 After kicking around Porter, Steelers cut him loose After two weeks of internal debate, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to cut ties with one of their most recognized players -- linebacker Joey Porter. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 1, 2007 Chargers make Neal league's highest-paid fullback The Chargers continue to take care of their core players by reaching agreement on a three-year extension with Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 1, 2007 Clayton: Potential free-agent bargains and risks John Clayton identifies five potential free-agent bargains and five players who might be dangerous at big money. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, March 1 Ravens' RB Lewis is gone, for now Jamal Lewis may not be done with the Ravens so his release wasn't a surprise. After two off seasons, Lewis probably needed to find his value as a free agent to see where he stands. He's 27 and has tak... John Clayton | Wednesday, February 28 Clayton: 49ers will be aggressive in free agency With a lot of space under the salary cap, the 49ers are poised to be big players in free agency this year, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 28 Cowboys agree on five-year deal with punter McBriar The Coywboys have reached an agreement on a five-year, $8.5 million contract with punter Mat McBriar. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 28 Clayton: Speed was on display at 2007 combine John Clayton checks in with a lot of winners, a few losers and more observations from an impressive 2007 scouting combine. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 28 Niners stay Young, keep DE around with one-year deal Defensive end Bryant Young has worked out a deal to stay with the 49ers for at least another season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 27 Steelers lock up DE Smith with extension through 2011 The Steelers reached a four-year contract extension with defensive end Aaron Smith that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2011 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 27 Clayton: Johnson impresses at combine With Calvin Johnson leading the way, this year's class of wide receivers is big and fast, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 26 Clayton: Brown looking to catch up Joe Thomas is expected to be the first left tackle selected, but Levi Brown is determined to change that, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 24 Clayton: Russell makes a big impression JaMarcus Russell, who could be the No. 1 overall pick, made a big impression at the combine, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 23, 2007 Garcia will have options Even though Jeff Garcia was disappointed the Eagles didn't offer him a contract and instead gave a three-year extension to A.J. Feeley , the quarterback is still in a good bargaining position. Garci... John Clayton | February 23, 2007 Clayton: Texans won't give Carr away John Clayton looks at David Carr's future in Houston and has more notes from the first day of the scouting combine. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 22, 2007 Lions deny Redding freedom Lions defensive tackle Cory Redding didn't win his plea with the Lions to let him hit the free agent market. On Wednesday, Redding was giving the franchise tag. Making matters worse, Redding was tagge... John Clayton | February 22, 2007 Rams likely to part with Timmerman Though nothing is official, Rams guard Adam Timmerman is not expected to be paid a $200,000 March 2 roster bonus, making him a free agent. Timmerman has been a mainstay along the Rams offensive line s... John Clayton | February 21, 2007 Clayton: First and 10 at the scouting combine From QB debates to the lack of RBs, here are 10 things to watch at the NFL scouting combine, writes John Clayton. • Clayton: Carr move John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 21, 2007 Gurode worthy of big contract The Cowboys had no choice but to do a good deal to keep center Andre Gurode . He went to the Pro Bowl last year and is one of the best young centers in the NFC. Gurode, who signed the contract Tuesday... John Clayton | Tuesday, February 20 Cowboys reach six-year deal with No. 1 priority Gurode The Dallas Cowboys, fresh off their hiring of head coach Wade Phillips as Bill Parcells' replacement, resolved their top free agent priority by reaching agreement on a six-year deal with center Andre Gurode. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 20 Chargers add Rivera to coaching staff Ron Rivera accepted a job to be the Chargers' linebackers coach hours after learning his contract would not be extended by the Bears. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 19 No deal yet for Kermey The Falcons failed to reach a contract agreement over the weekend with defensive end Patrick Kerney . Barring a last minute miracle, Kerney plans to void the final two years of his contract Tuesday an... John Clayton | Monday, February 19 Patriots apply franchise tag on cornerback Samuel Teams looking to help their defense suffered another major blow Friday when the Patriots took away one of the top defensive players on the market -- cornerback Asante Samuel. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 16 NFC champion Bears place franchise tag on LB Briggs The Bears ended the first big question about keeping their players by placing the franchise tag on linebacker Lance Briggs, their top priority to re-sign this offseason. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 16 Clayton: Spotting some early trends in free agency How will teams respond to having more money to spend this offseason? John Clayton previews a new era of free agency. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 16 Turner, Ryan logical for Chargers The closer you look at the Chargers' head coaching position, the more logic you can see in picking the 49ers' Norv Turner and the Ravens' Rex Ryan as two of the early finalists. Turner is a perfect co... John Clayton | Thursday, February 15 Clayton: Time to stop playing musical coaches Something's got to give. The way owners are going through head coaches these days, there's just not enough new coaching talent to keep up with the demand, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thrusday, February 15 Raiders reach deals with top defenders Thomas, Sands The Oakland Raiders became one of the first NFL teams to make major moves before the start of free agency by re-signing two of their top defensive players. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 14 Chargers could do OK in search When you look at the Chargers' chances of hiring a good head coach, they have a decent chance of coming out OK in their attempts to replace Marty Schottenheimer. There are plenty of former head coache... John Clayton | Tuesday, February 13 Clayton: Who's next in San Diego The timing makes it tougher, but here are some of the names expected to come up in the Chargers' search to replace Marty Schottenheimer, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, February 13 Clayton: Coach-GM relationship just couldn't last The Chargers bombshell regarding Marty Schottenheimer is not totally unexpected, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 12 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams With free agency nearing, find out how much each NFL team is over or under the salary cap. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 12 Cowboys' D happy to have Phillips Jerry Jones may not know how welcome the Cowboys defenders will be to having Wade Phillips as their coach. Quietly, they had been grumbling toward the end of the season about the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. ... John Clayton | Thursday, February 8 Phillips firmly in Cowboys' mix Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't want to compete with national signing day, so he won't announce about his next head coach until at least Thursday. When he does make a decision, don't be surprised if... John Clayton | Wednesday, February 7 Redskins work to stay together The Redskins made an interesting move Tuesday by extending the contract of right tackle Jon Jansen through 2011. Financially, they gave him a five-year, $23 million contract that keeps him with the te... John Clayton | Wednesday, February 7 Clayton: Arizona game was turning point for Bears' defense Thanks to halftime tweaks made by Ron Rivera in Week 6, the Bears' defense was able to find its comfort zone, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 3 Clayton: The Colts will win Super Bowl XLI if ... John Clayton has been picking the Colts for three years and here are the five things they need to do Sunday to make that prediction finally come true. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 2 Clayton: Hall of Fame voters face tough task this year With a deep and talented final list of eligible candidates, it's tough to say who will be going to the Hall of Fame this year. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 2 Clayton: The Colts will win Super Bowl XLI if... John Clayton has been picking the Colts for three years and here are the five things they need to do Sunday to make that prediction finally come true. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 2 Rivera will listen to offers The biggest crowd at Thursday's Bears media session was at the table of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Rivera is emerging as a possible candidate for a job in Dallas. Whether it's head coach or de... John Clayton | February 1, 2007 Clayton: First and 10 (Super Bowl edition) So what's better to have? A great defense or a great offense? John Clayton looks at that and 10 other key questions about Super Bowl XLI. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 1, 2007 Freeney won't hit open market Colts general manager Bill Polian cleared up any confusion involving soon-to-be-free agent Dwight Freeney on Tuesday. Polian said Freeney won't be become a free agent. Although Freeney's contract tech... John Clayton | January 31, 2007 Colts CB Harper about 85 percent The biggest injury concern is not the right thumb of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning , it's the ankle of Colts cornerback Nick Harper . Harper said Saturday he's about 85 percent. Tony Dungy only let... John Clayton | January 28, 2007 The latest officiating trends The latest officiating trends don't favor light Cover 2 defenses, but the Colts and Bears still managed to thrive, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 27, 2007 Clayton: Colts, Bears overcame tough odds The latest officiating trends don't favor light Cover 2 defenses, but the Colts and Bears still managed to thrive, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 27, 2007 Cowboys play Wade-ing game Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was the first major interview request by the Cowboys for the open head coaching job. The Cowboys notified the Chargers on Wednesday afternoon that they wan... John Clayton | January 24, 2007 Cowboys' coach search begins Two names that might be added to the list of candidates for the Cowboys head coaching job are Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and Broncos assistant head coach Jim Bates. Both have co... John Clayton | January 23, 2007 Raiders ink USC assistant Kiffin to be next coach The Oakland Raiders have hired USC offensive coordinator Lane s as their head coach. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 22, 2007 Clayton: Next stop for Parcells is HOF Whether he is really finished coaching or not, Bill Parcells next stop should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 22, 2007 Clayton: Who's next in Dallas? Bill Parcells' retirement puts the Cowboys in a tough spot as far as finding a new coach, but here are some names you can expect to see on Jerry Jones' list, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 22, 2007 Clayton: Smith, Dungy make Super Bowl special Thanks to good friends Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, expect a classy matchup in Super Bowl XLI, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 22, 2007 Mora could have future in Seattle Even though his immediate duties will focus on the secondary, the Seahawks' hiring of former Falcons head coach Jim Mora as the team's assistant head coaching could have some long-term ramifications. ... John Clayton | January 21, 2007 The search continues in Oakland The Raiders are saying their head coaching job wasn't offered to USC assistant Steve Sarkisian , but the fact he withdrew his name is a blow to the team's head coaching search. Sarkisian was clearly e... John Clayton | January 19, 2007 Clayton: First and goal (championship game edition) There's history on the line in Indianapolis, while the Bears are looking to end the Saints' magical march in Chicago. John Clayton breaks down the championship games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 18 San Diego's complex scenario Sometimes, the good of the team trumps the good of the individual. That's clearly the story coming out of San Diego, as the Chargers decided Wednesday to keep Marty Schottenheimer as head coach in 200... John Clayton | Thursday, January 18 Clayton: Here's why the Bears are going to Super Bowl XLI From a better performance by the defense to pounding the ball on the ground, John Clayton explains why the Bears are going to the Super Bowl. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 17 Dolphins' search normalizes The interesting turn in the Miami Dolphins head coaching search is the comfort level they have fallen into, which is a good thing. For the first week of interviews, owner Wayne Huizenga was all over t... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 16 Foley Charging forward Steve Foley was on the field after the Chargers' devastating loss to the Patriots on Sunday. The San Diego linebacker's season ended early when he was shot by an off-duty police officer in September. ... John Clayton | Monday, January 15 Clayton: Patriots teach Chargers a lesson The Chargers got schooled by the best (Bill Belichick and Tom Brady) in the art of doing whatever it takes to win in the playoffs, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 14 What happened to the Bidwills? The amazing part of the Cardinals' hiring of Ken Whisenhunt as their offensive coordinator is that the Bidwills weren't Bidwill-like in the way they did business. They were decisive and generous in ho... John Clayton | Sunday, January 14 Clayton: Divisional playoffs injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates heading into the divisional playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 12, 2007 Clayton: NFC players under the most pressure John Clayton identifies four players in the NFC who will be under extraordinary pressure in the divisional playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 12 Cards going on offensive? The move to bring former Packers coach Mike Sherman in for a second interview could be hinting the Cardinals will go with an offensive head coach. That could cost Ron Rivera the chance to get the job.... John Clayton | Thursday, January 11 Clayton: First and goal (divisional playoffs edition) Will the No. 1 seed be a blessing or curse for the Chargers? John Clayton breaks down this weekend's divisional playoff games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 11 Sherman may be leading candidate Mike Sherman is an interesting fit in Arizona, and the fact he is going back to the Cardinals facility with his wife Thursday is the most interesting development in the Cardinals head coaching search.... John Clayton | Wednesday, January 10 Coughlin job looks more safe Tom Coughlin may keep his job after all. The Giants ownership has been in a two-day evaluation process, and as of Tuesday, the owners haven't decided whether to give Coughlin another year to coach. By... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 9 Carroll hears Dolphins' pitch The fact that Pete Carroll was willing to meet Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga during a vacation in Costa Rica shows he's as interested in this job as any that has come along for him in the NFL in years... John Clayton | January 8, 2007 Clayton: Eagles-Saints breakdown It can't get any easier than this. Here are the three things each team needs to do to win, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 7, 2007 Clayton: Seahawks-Bears breakdown It can't get any easier than this. Here are the three things each team needs to do to win, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 7, 2007 Huizenga looking for big name Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga tried to get a big name interested in the Dolphins job. More than most owners, Huizenga is willing to give all the football decision-making powers over to a coach. Dallas... John Clayton | January 7, 2007 Clayton: Fates of Parcells, Owens up in the air Both the immediate and 2007 futures of Bill Parcells and Terrell Owens were left in limbo after Dallas' loss to Seattle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 7 Clayton: A painful loss in more ways than one The Dallas Cowboys were setting up for a game-winning field goal when one fumbled snap ruined everything. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 7 Clayton: Seattle gets secondary makeover Thanks to a series of injuries, Seattle's secondary features a rookie and a guy who was employed as a loan officer four days ago. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 5 Clayton: Wild-card playoffs injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates heading into the wild-card playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 5 Shell out as Raiders' coach after 2-14 season Oakland coach Art Shell is scheduled to meet with his staff at 2 p.m. ET Friday to inform them that he's done as the Raiders' coach. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 4 Cowher steps down as coach of the Steelers Bill Cowher has stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 15 seasons. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 4 Falcons third team to request interview for Cameron The Atlanta Falcons became the third team to put in a formal request to interview San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator coordinator Cam Cameron. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 4 Clayton: First and goal (wild-card playoffs edition) It was easy to rush to judgment after the playoff pairing were set, but John Clayton reexamines and breaks down this weekend's wild-card playoff games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, January 4 Clayton: Cowher leaves behind a rich legacy The Steelers are entering a strange, new era, but the knowledge gained during the tenures of Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher put them in a pretty strong position, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 3 Clayton: Miami search likely to target assistant coaches Wayne Huizenga would love to find the next Jimmy Johnson, the kind of guy who can make all the decisions for Miami. But they just don't have that luxury, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 3 Saban seems Bama-bound It will be an upset if Nick Saban doesn't take the Alabama job by Wednesday morning. Even though he has vehemently denied he would leave for Alabama, it's probably the right choice. First, after sayin... John Clayton | Wednesday, January 3 Cameron added to list of Cards' coaching candidates The Arizona Cardinals made a formal request and were granted permission to interview Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 2 Cards fire coach, extend VP The most interesting part of the Cardinals' firing of Dennis Green as head coach is that vice president of football operations Rod Graves got a three-year extension for picking the players in the draf... John Clayton | Monday, January 1 2006 Clayton: Surveying coaches on the hot seat It wasn't supposed to be a big year for coaching changes. But suddenly, there could be plenty of coaching changes, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 31 Clayton: Experience at QB could be key From experience at QB to his updated Super Bowl pick, John Clayton breaks down the 2007 playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 31 Clayton: Schedule plays huge role in determining playoff teams With teams being so close on talent, schedules have become a huge factor in the hunt for playoff berths, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 30, 2006 Clayton: Week 17 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates heading into Week 17. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 29, 2006 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 17 The Giants may not be playing for only a playoff berth; they may be playing to save Tom Coughlin's job. That's just one of the intriguing subplots of Week 17, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 28, 2006 Coughlin's walking along firing line Tom Coughlin is obviously fighting for his job, and making the playoffs could be important to the organization and could allow him to stay as Giants coach. One of the reasons members of the Mara famil... John Clayton | December 27, 2006 Owens gives more than receives Terrell Owens wore his Santa hat during his postgame press conference Monday night following the Cowboys' 23-7 loss to the Eagles, but he wasn't in the spirit of giving. As always, Owens is only inter... John Clayton | December 26, 2006 Vikes' Robinson called out Brad Childress apparently isn't going to take much criticism of his play-calling. Wide receiver Marcus Robinson took issue with Childress' play-calling in a published story over the weekend. Now, he's... John Clayton | December 24, 2006 Vikes' Robinson called out Brad Childress apparently isn't going to take much criticism of his play-calling. Wide receiver Marcus Robinson took issue with Childress' play-calling in a published story over the weekend. Now, he's... John Clayton | Sunday, December 24 Clayton: Strange season threatening old NFL axioms The unpredictable nature of this season has put some of the NFL's most tried and true axioms in jeopardy, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 23 Clayton: Week 16 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates heading into Week 16. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, December 22 Bengals on the mend Carson Palmer did his best to make a joke about his right shoulder injury. With reporters watching Thursday, he faked hurting his shoulder while making a throwing motion. He was fine. Palmer, Chad Joh... John Clayton | Thursday, December 21 Clayton: Painting a playoff picture With two weeks left in the regular season, John Clayton looks at the wild-card contenders and how it might shake out. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 21 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 16 Jeff Garcia and the Eagles can inch closer to the NFC East title when they visit Dallas, and tweak T.O. as well in a game that highlights Week 16, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 21 Season likely over for Browns' Frye Charlie Frye is listed as questionable on the Browns' Wednesday injury report with a right wrist injury, giving him some hope of being able to play. A Wednesday visit to a hand specialist in Pittsburg... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 20 Chargers GM vindicated Chargers general manager A.J. Smith received a lot of criticism for making the Eli Manning trade on draft day three years ago. Manning didn't want to go to the Chargers because he and his family didn'... John Clayton | Tuesday, December 19 Clayton: Sapp, Brady among Pro Bowl snubs The Raiders might be 2-12, but Warren Sapp is having a great season. He's just one of the players who was slighted in Pro Bowl voting, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, December 19 Bears' Johnson still awaiting word of punishment Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson continued to await word Monday on a possible punishment after being arrested last week on misdemeanor weapons charges, then going to a nightclub with a friend who was shot to death. Associated Press | Monday, December 18 Clayton: Get ready for a T.O. Christmas Carol The ghosts of Terrell Owen's past -- the Eagles and Jeff Garcia -- have bonded together to form a scary sight for the Dallas Cowboys and the NFC East, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 17 Clayton: Red zone means go for RBs Rex Grossman dispelled many doubts while leading the Bears to a rout of the Rams on Monday night. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 17 Niners lose starting center Heitmann for season San Francisco lost starting center Eric Heitmann midway through the first quarter with an apparent knee injury on Thursday night. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 14 Clayton: Hunt always had common touch Lamar Hunt was a billionaire who lived like the common man. Despite coming from one of the country's richest families, he wasn't tainted by his billions. And Hunt was all about sharing. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, December 14 Teams not waiting on injuries With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, teams don't have to be patient waiting for players coming back from injuries. That's why roster moves in these next three weeks will pick up and ... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 13 Fishy tactics part of the game The NFL doesn't have any plans to investigate rumors that Dolphins coach Nick Saban may have purchased audio of quarterback Tom Brady 's cadence and protection calls. The reason is simple. A league sp... John Clayton | Tuesday, December 12 Clayton: Rex back on top again after weeks of agony Rex Grossman dispelled many doubts while leading the Bears to a rout of the Rams on Monday night. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, December 12 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 15 John Clayton breaks down the best games of Week 15, highlighted by the Colts' playing host to the Bengals on "MNF" in a battle between teams heading in opposite directions. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, December 11 Hester sets NFL kick return record Chicago rookie Devin Hester ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns Monday night for his fifth and sixth return scores of the season, an NFL record. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, December 11 Panthers limp into final weeks John Fox is going to need a day or two to assess the carnage of the 2006 season. Sunday's loss to the Giants was devastating. The thought is Jake Delhomme , who missed Sunday's game with a partially t... John Clayton | Sunday, December 10 Clayton: Ravens believe in each other on defense One big breakdown wasn't enough to derail the Ravens, who have developed a trust factor on defense, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 10 Clayton: Powerful place-kickers changing late-game strategies The improved range of kickers has coaches rethinking how they approach late-game situations, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 9 Redskins reward tailback Betts with five-year extension Ladell Betts considered hitting the lucrative free-agent market in 2007, but he opted to go with the safe money of the Washington Redskins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 8, 2006 Hammy injury puts Harris in doubt On Sunday night, defensive tackle Tommie Harris painted a bleak picture of his injury suffered in the victory over the Vikings. He told teammates and friends on other teams he might be done for the se... John Clayton | December 7, 2006 Panthers might be forced to change Jake Delhomme status for Sunday's game against the New York Giants is very much in question because of a partial tear of a ligament in his right thumb. The Panthers officially labeled Delhomme as ques... John Clayton | Wednesday, December 6 Saints run defense has to step up Losing defensive tackle Hollis Thomas for four games because of a steroid suspension from asthma medication is going to hurt an already struggling run defense that is giving up 133 yards a game on the... John Clayton | Tuesday, December 5 Saints' Thomas slapped with four-game 'roid suspension The Saints suffered a big blow to their defense Tuesday when they found out defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who is having a career year, is being suspended for four games because he violated the league's steroid policy due to asthma medication he takes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, December 5 Good injury news for Bears' Harris It appears the Bears dodged a bullet with the knee injury to Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris . Lovie Smith says the injury, a knee sprain, isn't season ending. With four virtually meaningless ... John Clayton | Monday, December 4 Clayton: Bush TD landslide buries 49ers The 49ers had no answer for Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush, who finally had his breakout game, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, December 3 Clayton: Once again, AFC reigning supreme over NFC This was supposed to be the year the NFC gained ground on the AFC, but that hasn't been the case, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, December 2 Raiders could use a leg up The Raiders will audition kickers because of the back injury suffered by kicker Sebastian Janikowski . Former Chicago Bears kicker Paul Edinger is the biggest name among the kickers the Raiders will s... John Clayton | November 30, 2006 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 13 The Cowboys-Giants rematch highlights Week 13 and so much has happened since the first time they met, most of it good for Dallas and bad for New York, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 30, 2006 Texans get fast look at Gatlin Gary Kubiak made it sound as though Justin Gatlin 's workout with the Houston Texans was just an interesting look-see at a great, fast athlete. Gatlin, who has the world's fastest time in the 100 mete... John Clayton | November 29, 2006 Sprinting to NFL? Texans work out Gatlin The Houston Texans worked out the world's fastest man, Justin Gatlin, on Tuesday, but that doesn't mean he's making a fast entrance into the NFL. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 29, 2006 Walsh demotion tough, necessary Though the decision was tough to demote offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, Art Shell needed to make a move to win back some of the frustrated Raiders players on offense. The offense simply wasn't workin... John Clayton | November 28, 2006 Hasselbeck has to go through his own speed drills With its two stars -- Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck -- back, Seattle's ready for the stretch run, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 28, 2006 Broncos' Cutler 'excited' about QB change reports The Jay Cutler era is about to begin in Denver and the rookie quarterback says he's ready for the opportunity. ESPN.com news services | Monday, November 27 Clayton: Ravens embarrass Steelers and love every minute of it The Ravens all but ended Pittsburgh's playoff hopes and all but guaranteed that any talk about Super Bowl contenders must include Baltimore, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 26 Clayton: Newsome deserves credit for Ravens' success Ozzie Newsome's smart use of the draft and free agency has the Ravens geared up for a Super Bowl run, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 25 Clayton: Scheduling a playoff trip With all the focus on the playoffs at this point, John Clayton breaks down the remaining schedules by division to see what the playoff picture might look like. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 24 How healthy is Favre? Brett Favre insisted he will play Monday night against the Seahawks, With 231 consecutive starts behind him, you'd have to agree. Still, his description of the nerve injury affecting his right elbow d... John Clayton | November 22, 2006 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 12 While Indy-Philly once looked like the marquee matchup, it's a possible Super Bowl preview when the Bears visit the Patriots that highlights Week 12, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 22, 2006 Chiefs can give thanks to Herm Some good strategy has been used by some coaches who have to deal with the difficulties of playing a Week 11 game on Sunday and coming back for a Thanksgiving game four days later. Herm Edwards of the... John Clayton | November 21, 2006 Clayton: Lightning strikes twice for Chargers Thanks to Philip Rivers' ability to forget, the Chargers have another win they'll remember for a long time, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 20, 2006 Quick hits on Week 12 Don't rush to judgment on Brett Favre 's elbow injury. Early reports are he should be probable for the Monday night game against the Seahawks. But it's too early to make a determination, according to ... John Clayton | November 19, 2006 Clayton: Speed rushers taking a toll on O-linemen Offensive linemen have been dropping like flies, and John Clayton thinks increased speed on defense is a big reason why. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 18 WR Lelie may recoup $220,000 repayment to Broncos Ashley Lelie may be able to recoup the $220,000 repayment he made to the Broncos after an arbiter ruled in the receiver's favor. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 17 Surgery likely for Leftwich The usually cheery Byron Leftwich was a little grumpy Thursday. He refused to discuss his injured ankle, telling reporters he won't say anything about the ankle until next Tuesday. That gave everyone ... John Clayton | Thursday, November 16 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 11 Things are heating up in the AFC West and the battle between the Broncos and the red-hot Chargers highlights Week 11, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 16 QB job in Green's capable hands Herman Edwards planned on starting Trent Green once he was cleared to practice and he was cleared for contact. Edwards even admitted during Wednesday's post-practice news conference that he was trying... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 15 Green to start for Chiefs Herman Edwards planned on starting Trent Green once he was cleared to practice and he was cleared for contact. Edwards even admitted during Wednesday's post-practice press conference that he was tryin... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 15 Testaverde to ease Brady's burden The Patriots' signing of 43-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde had nothing to do with injuries. If anything, the move was made for the mental health of quarterback Tom Brady. Having Testaverde arou... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 14 Switch to Campbell makes sense Joe Gibbs was going to go to Jason Campbell sometime soon. After losing to the Eagles and effectively falling out of the NFC East race, the time was now. Even though Gibbs loves the way quarterback Ma... John Clayton | Monday, November 13 Clayton: Heroes come in all shapes, sizes for Seahawks Maybe it's Nate Burleson. Or Seneca Wallace. Or Maurice Morris. Or Josh Brown. There's certainly no shortage of heroes in Seattle, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 12 Campbell's time getting closer Every Monday, Joe Gibbs assembles his assistants for a staff meeting. The subject of third sting quarterback Jason Campbell comes up. Each week, Gibbs goes around the room and has an open discussion o... John Clayton | Sunday, November 12 Clayton: Pocket passers still producing the best results Recent QB changes might suggest that pocket passers are losing stature in today's NFL. But that's not the case, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 11 Glenn's 'quad injury' more serious Cowboys coach Bill Parcells made an interesting revelation about the injury to wide receiver Terry Glenn. Glenn missed his second day of practice with what is reported as a quad injury. Parcells revea... John Clayton | Thursday, November 9 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 10 The Bears and Giants have emerged at the NFC's best. Their matchup in the Meadowlands highlights an interesting Week 10, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 9 No changes at free safety for Tuna Bill Parcells doesn't plan changes at free safety for now, but he reserves the right to do so if things don't improve. Last Sunday against the Redskins, Keith Davis and Marcus Coleman played free safe... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 8 Clayton: Games to watch in second half John Clayton previews the best games of the second half, starting with a huge NFC matchup between the Bears and Giants Sunday night. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, November 8 NFL to decide Brayton discipline The NFL plans to rule Wednesday on whether to suspend Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton, who was caught by the ESPN Monday Night Football cameras kicking Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens in the gr... John Clayton | Tuesday, November 7 Clayton: Blitz works wonders for Seahawks The Seahawks needed a lift and defensive coordinator John Marshall provided it with a blitz package that knocked the Raiders cold. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 7 With crack still in foot, Alexander's return still uncertain Halfback Shaun Alexander will have another X-ray of his injured foot Tuesday morning, but there is no guarantee he will be able to play in Sunday's game against the Rams. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, November 7 McGahee injury could cripple Bills McGahee aching: The Bills aren't saying how badly halfback Willis McGahee is hurt, but it's apparent he suffered a cracked or a badly bruised rib or ribs and could be out a week or two. The fact he ha... John Clayton | Sunday, November 5 Clayton: Huard lifts Chiefs into playoff hunt Damon Huard or Trent Green? Huard has played so well that it's going to be a hard decision for Herman Edwards, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, November 5 Clayton: Runners must make most of time Running backs might have an easier time getting into the Hall of Fame than landing long-term contracts, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, November 4 Clayton: Week 9 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates on all 28 teams playing this weekend. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, November 3 Bears sign center Kreutz to three-year extension Four years ago, Olin Kreutz had the opportunity to make more money by leaving the Chicago Bears and going to the Miami Dolphins. He wanted to stay a Bear. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 2 Eagles DT Patterson inks seven-year, $32M extension At 5-foot-11, Mike Patterson didn't tower over other top defensive tackles available in the 2005 draft, but now he can say he towers over his draft class financially. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, November 2 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 9 Colts-Patriots. Manning-Brady. It doesn't get much better than this. Indy's trip to New England highlights an intriguing Week 9, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, November 2 Blame runs through Palmer, too Carson Palmer did an interesting thing Wednesday -- he took the blame for some of the problems with the Bengals offense. Halfback Rudi Johnson is complaining about not getting the ball enough. A coupl... John Clayton | Wednesday, November 1 Merriman picks good time to sit Shawne Merriman made the right move in dropping his appeal of his four-game suspension for a steroid product found in a supplement. The Chargers linebacker could have gone to a hearing next Tuesday in... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 31 Cards making intentions clear The only surprise out of Arizona is that ownership continues to make statements saying Dennis Green isn't going to be fired during the season. Normally, teams and owners keep quiet on such subjects. D... John Clayton | Monday, October 30 Simple approach helps Giants on D Tim Lewis needs to be credited for the simplicity he installed in the Giants defense during the bye week less than a month ago. The Giants defensive coordinator was able to hold the Bucs to three poin... John Clayton | Sunday, October 29 Clayton: Manning, Colts still too good for Denver Denver has been stocking its defense to try to stop Peyton Manning and the Colts. It's obvious the Broncos still need some help, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 29 Jags' TE gets extension The Jacksonville Jaguars recently extended the contract of tight end George Wrighster for five years by giving him a five-year, $7.5 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2011 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 27 Falcons RT Weiner agrees to five-year, $22M extension The Atlanta Falcons quietly resolved one of their biggest offseason issues during the regular season by reaching a five-year, $22 million extension with right tackle Todd Weiner. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 27 Clayton: Carr driving Texans in right direction Fans may still wish the Texans drafted Vince Young, but it's obvious that the right choice to lead this franchise is David Carr, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 27 Jags QB situation in flux While the change in quarterbacks in Dallas is grabbing all the headlines, what's going on in Jacksonville is every bit as interesting. In many ways, it's not that much different than the Drew Bledsoe ... John Clayton | Thursday, October 26 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 8 How good is the Denver defense? We'll know more after the Broncos play Indianapolis. John Clayton breaks down that game and more in his preview of Week 8. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, October 26 Dallas asking a lot of Romo Although it was totally predictable and expected the Cowboys would start Tony Romo at quarterback Sunday at Carolina, here are some of the pitfalls. First, the starting offensive line remains a proble... John Clayton | Wednesday, October 25 Seahawks' insurance provider Shaun King had a good workout for the Seahawks on Tuesday, but Seattle decided to go with a guy they knew better to be an insurance quarterback for injured starter Matt Hasselbeck . The Seahawks signe... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 24 Big Ben's status unknown The Steelers won't know until later in the week whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play after suffering a concussion in Week 7. The concussion doesn't appear to be bad. Roethlisberger was on ... John Clayton | Monday, October 23 McFarland a steal for the Colts The second-round pick the Colts gave up last Tuesday for defensive tackle Anthony McFarland may have been a bargain. Where would the Colts be without him? McFarland, despite arriving midweek, started ... John Clayton | Sunday, October 22 Clayton: Minnesota trifecta pays huge in Seattle Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor and Tony Richardson -- Minnesota's three big free-agent signings -- paid off big in the Vikings' win over Seattle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 22 Clayton: Hasselbeck injury latest blow to Seahawks Sunday's loss to the Vikings and Matt Hasselbeck's injury have to make Seahawks fans wonder if the curse of the Super Bowl loser is striking again, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 22 Clayton: Running with a lead becoming outdated strategy Improved speed on defense leaguewide has forced teams to rethink how they go about protecting a fourth-quarter lead, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, October 21 Clayton: Week 7 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates on all 26 teams playing this weekend. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 20 Brown out darkens Chicago Losing safety Mike Brown for the season is going to be a big blow to the Bears. First, he's a leader. Second, he's a playmaker. Third, because he's getting older there is no guarantee he will be back ... John Clayton | October 19, 2006 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 7 T.O. in prime time, the Steve Hutchinson Bowl and how the Bengals' offense can improve are just a few of the highlights of Week 7, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 19, 2006 Cardinals rattle Grossman So what went wrong with Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman on Monday night? After he overthrew Bernard Berrian on the first play, Grossman lost his composure. He was involved with six turnovers, i... John Clayton | October 18, 2006 Colts stumble upon McFarland The Anthony McFarland trade went down -- almost accidentally -- during the final hour leading to Tuesday's deadline. Chris Polian of the Colts checked in Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. with Bucs general ... John Clayton | Wednesday, October 17 Clayton: Despair in the desert They tried to Monday night, but the Cardinals couldn't shake their past. Only this time they're taking Matt Leinart along for the forgettable ride. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, October 17 Young gets Titans on right track Titans quarterback Vince Young suffered only a minor ankle injury Sunday. With a bye week ahead, Young should be fine for the Oct. 29 start against Houston. For the Titans (1-5), it was huge for Young... John Clayton | Sunday, October 15 Clayton: No longer hamstrung, Smith burns Ravens The Panthers are unbeaten since Steve Smith's return from injury, and that's no coincidence, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 15 Ravens' McNair leaves Panthers game with concussion Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was removed from Sunday's game against Carolina with a concussion and neck sprain. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 15 Clayton: Bears set up for extended run of excellence Not only are the Bears for real, they're poised to rule the NFC North for the foreseeable future, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, October 14 Clayton: Week 6 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates on all 26 teams playing this weekend, including the Eagles, who gave Brian Westbrook the day off Friday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, October 13 Poison pills here to stay Poison pills here to stay: Attempts to fix the poison pill problem like the one used by the Vikings when they signed guard Steve Hutchinson are failing. The Management Council and the NFLPA are in the... John Clayton | Thursday, October 12 Bledsoe favors Glenn, not T.O. Watching Terrell Owens act like a spoiled baby in times when he didn't get the ball Sunday against the Eagles was so typical of him. To yell "Why am I here?" to a Cowboys coach was inexcusable. Gettin... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 10 Offensive genius Shanahan rides defense to victory The Broncos are winning on defense -- a big change for coach Mike Shanahan. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, October 10 Clayton: Another victory for Denver defense The Broncos are winning on defense -- a big change for coach Mike Shanahan. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, October 10 Hits just keep on comin' in Motown The Lions' season went from bad to worse after Detroit blew a two-touchdown lead in a 26-17 loss to the Vikings. On one play early in the game, the Lions lost wide receiver Roy Williams (back) and gua... John Clayton | Sunday, October 8 Clayton: Scary side of the game On Thursday, three NFL players provided some insight into the physical and emotional reality of pro football, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 6, 2006 Clayton: Giants keep it simple to whip Redskins A loss two weeks ago against Seattle is a distant memory for the Giants, who went back to basics, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 6, 2006 Simon's illness drains Colts 'D' The non-football illness that prematurely ended the season of Colts defensive tackle Corey Simon is not related to his knee injury, but it is not a life-threatening problem. According to sources, it's... John Clayton | October 5, 2006 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 5 Forget T.O.'s return to Philly. The Cowboys-Eagles game itself means much more in a week of intriguing divisional matchups that highlight Week 5, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | October 5, 2006 Can't put Favre on ice Brett Favre dismissed questions Wednesday about continuing his playing streak, saying he just has a pinched nerve and a possible slight concussion. Favre said he intends to play with those injuries. "... John Clayton | October 4, 2006 Clayton: Parcells perfect ringleader for T.O. By keeping his distance and staying out of the way, Bill Parcells is doing a masterful job of leading the Terrell Owens circus, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, October 4 Carroll a Packer mistake no more Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team's decision to release cornerback Ahmad Carroll was a matter of going in a different direction at cornerback. What it came down to was the Packers not liking w... John Clayton | Tuesday, October 3 Clayton: His name says it all -- Young Vince Young's first start wasn't exactly one to remember, but looking past the rookie mistakes, it's easy to see his potential. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 1 Clayton: Just another (strange) day in the life of T.O. After a week of intense hype and scrutiny, Terrell Owens returned to the field and was, well, simply T.O. in the Cowboys' win. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, October 1 Clayton: Ten things we learned in September The AFC East's plunge and the Eagles' return to form are among the 10 things that caught John Clayton's attention in September. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, September 30 Clayton: Week 4 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates on all 32 teams, including the Bears, who are slowly running out of wide receivers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 29 Chargers' Kiel will return The San Diego Chargers will allow safety Terrence Kiel to be on the field Monday when the team returns from its game against the Ravens. Kiel was given the week off to deal with a felony charge relate... John Clayton | Thursday, September 28 Bucs spinning QB carousel The fact the Bucs didn't sign any of the quarterbacks they worked out Tuesday makes you think Tampa is still trying to find a quarterback in a trade. Coach Jon Gruden said the team is going to continu... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 27 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 4 A sneak peak at some potential playoff matchups and some heavyweight defensive battles highlight Week 4, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, September 27 Patience leads Green to right call Dennis Green's decision to go with Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart is a classic example of how a veteran coach is better served to make a personnel decision 48 hours after the game instead of 24. Green ... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 26 Green leaning in Leinart's direction Though Dennis Green on Monday didn't announce his starting quarterback for Sunday's game in Atlanta, it's pretty obvious he's leaning toward making a switch to rookie Matt Leinart. Green doesn't make ... John Clayton | Monday, September 25 Sunday Quick Hits • The NFL is making a huge effort to clean up end zone celebrations and taunting. While a lot of the rules were made to stop the end zone celebrations of Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson ... John Clayton | Sunday, September 24 Clayton: Bengals come of age in impressive victory Instead of buckling in the face of adversity, the Bengals were able to bear down and beat the Steelers, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 24 Clayton: Back on the defensive The no-huddle offense is giving defensive coordinators plenty of headaches early in the season, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 22 49ers putting plan to work You have to give a lot of credit to Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan. The 49ers coach and the team's vice president of player personnel came to the franchise in 2005 with a plan that they're executing w... John Clayton | Thursday, September 21 49ers give OL Snyder four-year, $10.5M extension The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday reached a four-year, $10.5 million extension to guard Adam Snyder, a third-round choice in 2005. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 21 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 3 John Clayton discusses the best games of Week 3, highlighted by the Colts playing host to the Jags in a key AFC South battle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 21 Niners lock up cornerback to long-term deal The 49ers made their first move in locking up players for the future by giving a $20 million contract extension to Shawntae Spencer that will keep the cornerback with the team through 2012. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, September 20 Parting shots in Tennessee For Titans coach Jeff Fisher to say Wednesday quarterback Billy Volek lied to him and threw the organization under the bus, Fisher had to be steamed. Fisher is one of the most standup coaches in the l... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 20 Chargers score with Volek trade The Chargers made a good deal in acquiring quarterback Billy Volek from the Titans for a sixth-round pick, and the Titans were wise to move him because Volek had lost favor in the organization and was... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 19 By George? Raiders mull options Art Shell said he would look at some outside options if he determines the Raiders need an additional quarterback because of the pectoral strain that will sideline starter Aaron Brooks for two to four ... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 19 Sunday Quick Hits The Bengals might have had one of the costliest victories Sunday. Linebacker David Pollack , who has been battling injuries at the beginning of the season, suffered a neck injury that concerns the tea... John Clayton | Monday, September 18 Clayton: Comeback win leaves Giants beaming with pride Saddled with the toughest schedule in the NFC, the Giants might have saved their season Sunday in Philly, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 17 Clayton: Replacing Branch will be difficult The Patriots didn't want to pay Deion Branch. But they're going to find out that replacing him is going to be difficult, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 15 Jets beefing up offensive line The Jets must have some concerns about injuries along their offensive line because they are going to sign former Dolphins offensive tackle Wade Smith . Smith was a third-round draft choice of the Dolp... John Clayton | Thursday, September 14 Clayton: First ... and 10 for Week 2 John Clayton highlights the best games of Week 2, which is highlighted by a large number of key divisional matchups. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, September 14 Raiders already in turmoil Can things get any worse for the Oakland Raiders ? They are coming off a horrible 27-0 home loss to the Chargers. The Jerry Porter situation is becoming a major distraction. The offensive line is havi... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 13 Clayton: Merriman, Chargers dominate Raiders The Chargers' defense, led by linebacker Shawne Merriman, simply dominated the Raiders, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 12 Hard hit knocks out Chiefs' Green It's unclear how long Trent Green will be out for, but not having him next week against the Broncos could put the Chiefs in a big hole. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 10 Clayton: Palmer's promising start has Bengals fans breathing easier Although he wasn't Pro Bowl sharp, Carson Palmer emerged from the season opener victorious and unscathed. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 10 Clayton: Teams must find better insurance The lack of quality backup quarterbacks in the NFL gives players like Jeff George and Tommy Maddox hope. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 8 Clayton: Week 1 injury updates John Clayton gives injury updates on all 32 teams, including the Panthers, who might be without Steve Smith. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, September 8 Bucs struggling with patchwork OL Fixing the offensive line was one of the main missions of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , and they were aggressive in trying to do so. They signed veteran linemen Torrin Tucker and Toniu Fonoti and drafted... John Clayton | Thursday, September 7 Big Ben heads short injury list One of the beauties of the first game of the regular season is that the injury reports are pretty clean. Only 68 players didn't practice Wednesday, which isn't bad for 32 teams. Defensive tackle Marcu... John Clayton | Wednesday, September 6 Remember this Titan? Defensive tackle Robaire Smith made a bold and interesting decision Tuesday by signing a one-year deal with the Titans at the NFL minimum of $710,000 instead of going for a $1 million signing bonus an... John Clayton | Tuesday, September 5 Clayton: It's all about the schedule Having a favorable schedule is huge in the NFL. John Clayton looks at the numbers and says the Giants and Bengals could be in trouble. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, September 5 Foley done for season; Chargers don't have to pay The San Diego Chargers have placed linebacker Steve Foley on the "non-football injury list", ending his season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, September 4 Thirty-nine draft choices released The final cutdown turned out to be a little tougher for draft choices than usual. A total of 39 draft choices were released Sunday when teams juggled their rosters to make waiver claims and roster add... John Clayton | Monday, September 4 Likin' Ike: Steelers re-sign Taylor to 4-year extension Days after locking up one of their best young offensive players, Willie Parker, the Steelers gave one of their best defensive players, cornerback Ike Taylor, a four-year extension that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in team history. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, September 3 For some, three's a crowd at QB The biggest surprise of cutdown day on Saturday was how more teams gambled on going into the first week of the season with only two quarterbacks. Nine teams -- Baltimore, Denver, Carolina, Dallas, San... John Clayton | Saturday, September 2 Patriots deal for Raiders wide receiver Gabriel The Oakland Raiders made the first surprise move of Saturday's final cut day by trading starting wide receiver Doug Gabriel to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed draft choice. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, September 2 A matter of perspective In some ways, Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch called the team's bluff and ended up getting better-structured contract offers than New England's. The Patriots offered Branch a three-year, $18.75 mi... John Clayton | Friday, September 1 Patriots held all the cards The Patriots controlled all the cards in the Deion Branch trade discussions. It was pretty easy to figure out they weren't going to be satisfied with trade offers from other teams. The Seahawks and Je... John Clayton | Friday, September 1 Eleventh hour for running backs Several running backs will be fighting for roster spots Thursday and Friday as the preseason ends in the NFL. Ron Dayne is fighting an uphill battle to make the Denver Broncos roster. Mike Shanahan ha... John Clayton | Wednesday, August 30 Steelers' Parker cashes in with new four-year deal The Steelers rewarded starting halfback Willie Parker Thursday with a four-year, $13.6 million extension that included $3.75 million to sign. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 30 Clayton: Top story lines to watch in 2006 Miami has a legitimate shot to win the AFC East, writes John Clayton. And don't count out Philly in the loaded NFC East. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, August 29 Veteran quarterback Feeley cut loose by Chargers The San Diego Chargers cut backup quarterback A.J. Feeley on Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 28 Stallworth a smart move for Eagles The Donte' Stallworth trade -- he was sent to Philadelphia from New Orleans on Monday -- is much smarter for the Eagles than giving up a No. 1 or higher for Deion Branch of the Patriots. Even though S... John Clayton | August 28 Clayton: Strong leadership, stability set Steelers apart In addition to having elite talent, the Steelers' stability and ability to handle adversity make them a threat to repeat, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, August 28 Henson's release inevitable The only reason Drew Henson wasn't cut Wednesday was because the Cowboys wanted to check out his trade value. Considering his base salaries are guaranteed, don't expect any team to make a trade. That ... John Clayton | Wednesday, August 23 Clayton: 10 observations from camps and preseason action From impressive rookie QBs to the amazing recoveries of a number of injured signal callers, John Clayton checks in with some observations. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 23 Trade benefits all three franchises The three-team trade that sent wide receiver Ashley Lelie to Atlanta late Tuesday might have been one of the most difficult to put together in the past couple of years. The Broncos wanted a good first... John Clayton | August 23 Trade benefits all three franchises The three-team trade that sent Ashley Lelie to Atlanta late Tuesday might have been one of the most difficult to put together in the past couple of years. The Broncos wanted a good first-day draft cho... John Clayton | August 22 Barlow the latest 49er to be traded The 49ers' trade of Kevan Barlow came down mid-morning Sunday, hours before the team's preseason game against the Raiders. Barlow was scheduled to get 10-12 touches in the Raiders game. The 49ers reje... John Clayton | Monday, August 21 Clayton: Seahawks know they need to improve The last five Super Bowl losers have been under .500 the following season. To avoid that fate, the Seahawks know they need to be even better in 2006. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 17 Clayton: Observations from Seahawks camp The loss of Steve Hutchinson hurt, but it hasn't forced the Seahawks to alter their offensive philosophy, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 17 Vikes' Robinson in hot water Koren Robinson 's biggest problem isn't just with the NFL, a league that could suspend him for a year, or the Vikings, the team that could cut him. Robinson's biggest problem could be his violation of... John Clayton | August 16 Redskins ship WR Jacobs to Niners for CB Rumph The Redskins and 49ers swapped two former top draft choices on Monday to fill needs on both sides of the footabll. The Redskins sent wide receiver Taylor Jacobs, a second-round pick 2003, to the 49ers for cornerback Mike Rumph, a first-round pick in 2002. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 14 Clayton: 49ers' rebuilding starts on offense The 49ers' draft philosophy is to take the best player available. That has led to an influx of offensive talent, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 14 Clayton: Observations from 49ers camp Wearing the number T.O. made famous in San Francisco, Antonio Bryant has found a home in the 49ers' offense, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 14 Comeback derailed: 49ers center Newberry out for year Jeremy Newberry's comeback from chronic knee problems took a major setback Saturday when it was determined the San Francisco 49ers center will be lost for the season because he needs surgery. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, August 12 Clayton: Marinelli is shaking things up in Detroit The Lions needed someone to come in and shake things up and Rod Marinelli has done exactly that, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 11 Clayton: Observations from Lions camp An underachiever in 2005, Lions RB Kevin Jones is looking forward to a fresh start in a new offense, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 11 Bell following in T.D.'s footsteps Broncos running back Mike Bell is one of the most amazing stories of training camp. Although he lacks breakaway speed, he hits the hole quickly. Bell was a big fan of former Broncos running back Terre... John Clayton | August 10 Clayton: Observations from Rams camp Jim Haslett is having fun again, and the Rams' defense stands to benefit as a result, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 10 Clayton: Stretch play remains big part of Colts' offense The Colts will miss Edgerrin James, but it's not a stretch to say their offense can thrive without him, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 9 Clayton: Observations from Colts camp Adam Vinatieri is the best closer in football, and the Colts are hoping he's the final piece to their puzzle, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 9 Clayton: Vikings ditching flash for substance The Vikings lack their usual sizzle, but new coach Brad Childress is making sure they won't lack toughness, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 7 Clayton: Observations from Vikings camp The Vikings took a chance on Koren Robinson, and the once-troubled WR is delivering on his promise, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, August 7 Clayton: Class of 2006 among the best ever Just looking at who didn't get into the Hall of Fame this year tells you all you need to know about how great the Class of 2006 is. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 4 Eagles, No. 14 pick Bunkley have 6-year, $17.5M deal Eagles first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley is ready to end a 16-day holdout Friday by agreeing to a six-year, $17.5 million deal that includes $9.775 million in guarantees. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 4 Clayton: Packers have talent to compete The Packers might not be a playoff team, but it's apparent they have added a number of talented players, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 4 Clayton: Observations from Packers camp What a difference a year has made for QB Aaron Rodgers, writes John Clayton in his observations from Packers camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, August 4 Clayton: Grossman's health key to Bears With one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Bears just need to find a way to score 21 points a game, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 3 Clayton: Observations from Bears camp TE Desmond Clark is under pressure to elevate his game, writes John Clayton in his observations from Bears camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, August 3 Crunching the contract numbers The numbers are in and, no surprise, Mario Williams , the first pick in the NFL draft, ended up coming up with the best contract. Although the contracts are complicated, it's pretty easy to see how th... John Clayton | Wednesday, August 2 Clayton: Broncos reload offense for Super push Mike Shanahan has built a winning program in Denver and with the addition of Javon Walker, expectations are high again heading into 2006, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 2 Clayton: Observations from Broncos camp Jay Cutler looks good but likely will enter the season as the No. 3 QB, writes John Clayton in his observations from Broncos camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, August 2 Clayton: James having fun in Arizona It's all smiles so far in Arizona for Edgerrin James, who has impressed the Cardinals with his talent and infectious attitude. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 1, 2006 Clayton: Observations from Cardinals camp Cornerback Antrel Rolle looks like he's ready to emerge as a star, writes John Clayton in his observations from Cardinals camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | August 1, 2006 Clayton: Chargers believe Rivers is ready Philip Rivers has thrown only 30 passes in his NFL career. But the Chargers believe he has the talent to lead them back to the playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 31, 2006 Clayton: Observations from Chargers camp San Diego's defense is sending a message with its physical style, writes John Clayton in his observations from Chargers camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 31, 2006 Taking rookie deals to the max Even though Vince Young signed a six-year contract with the Titans that could be worth up to $58 million, Mario Williams is still the highest-paid player in the 2006 draft. Young's contract did not su... John Clayton | July 29, 2006 Clayton: Observations from Cowboys camp Terrell Owens' biggest impact might be on the Cowboys' rushing attack, writes John Clayton in his observations from Cowboys camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 29, 2006 Clayton: All smiles with Owens in Cowboys camp There will certainly be some fireworks along the way, but for now, the T.O. era with the Cowboys is all smiles, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 29, 2006 Parcells: Davis a victim Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and the organization seem to be backing safety Keith Davis , who still has a bullet in a leg from a shooting. Parcells says everything he has heard leads him to beli... John Clayton | July 28, 2006 Packers reach $37.5 million agreement with LB Hawk The Green Bay Packers have agreed in principle to a six-year, $37.5 million contract with A.J. Hawk, the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 28, 2006 Niners make No. 6 pick Davis highest-paid tight end The 49ers have signed tight end Vernon Davis, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 28, 2006 Building Ferguson's contract It figures that an offensive lineman whose nickname is "Brick" would start his NFL career with a contract that has some building blocks. D'Brickashaw Ferguson 's deal, which could go as long as six y... John Clayton | July 27, 2006 NFLPA decides to suspend agent Poston two years The NFL Players Association notified the NFL that agent Carl Poston has been suspended for two years. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 28 What can Brown do for Pats? LB returns to New England Chad Brown agreed to a one-year, $810,000 deal to rejoin the Patriots, who released him during the offseason but kept in touch with him while he trained. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 27 Porter in Shell's doghouse Jerry Porter has emerged as the first test for Art Shell, and it appears he will be a big test. Shell kicked Porter out of his office early in the offseason because of the wide receiver's position abo... John Clayton | Wednesday, July 26 Clayton: Observations from Raiders camp The Raiders are going young on their offensive line, writes John Clayton in his observations from Raiders camp. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 26 Clayton: Shell getting back to basics with Raiders A big part of Art Shell's job with the Raiders is restoring the faith and installing discipline and accountability. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, July 26 Clayton: Top 10 story lines of training camp Now that training camps have finally arrived, John Clayton reveals the top 10 story lines. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 24 Patriots agree to deals with draft picks Jackson, Mincey New England reached agreements Saturday with second-round draft pick Chad Jackson and sixth-round choice Jeremy Mincy. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, July 22 Bennett is insurance for Saints The news that Rams running back Marshall Faulk will miss the season because of a knee reconstruction won't necessarily speed up trade discussions with the New Orleans Saints over halfback Michael Benn... John Clayton | July 21, 2006 Eagles reward OL Jackson with five-year extension The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the best teams in identifying good, young offensive linemen and locking them up for the future, and on Thursday night, they made center Jamaal Jackson their next star of the future. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 20 Jets' rookies starting early In case you're wondering, the Jets' conditioning drills for rookies from July 20-27 is only a pre-camp. The official start of camp is July 27 and the first practice is July 28. That buys the organizat... John Clayton | Tuesday, July 18 Clayton: Bengals becoming NFL's "Jail Blazers"? The Bengals have found success under Marvin Lewis, but it's been marred by the off-field trouble of recent draft picks, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, July 17 Bengals face criticism with pick Don't necessarily blame Marvin Lewis if there is criticism for the selection of Ahmad Brooks in the third round of the supplemental draft. Character issues over the past couple of drafts have put the ... John Clayton | Thursday, July 13 Bengals nab Brooks in supplemental draft The Bengals jumped in front of the 49ers and other teams to select Ahmad Brooks in the third round of the supplemental draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, July 13 Faulk deserves last chance It's not a surprise the Rams plan to put Marshall Faulk on injured reserve because of a bad knee. But it is a shame. Faulk wants to play but he doesn't know if he can because of a knee that has been s... John Clayton | Tuesday, July 11 Clayton: Moss planning to catch more deep balls With mobile QB Aaron Brooks now leading the Raiders' offense, WR Randy Moss figures to catch more deep balls. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, July 11 Clayton: Strategies for maintaining 53-man roster While constructing a 53-man roster was a breeze, John Clayton acknowledged that the challenge comes in keeping the squad together. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 7, 2006 Clayton: The Best Team Money Can Buy John Clayton, armed with a 2,330-player database of salaries and contract terms, constructed a 53-man roster to fit under the '06 salary cap. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 6, 2006 Clayton: Things you can count on in '06 John Clayton shares 10 random thoughts, including why he has high expectations for WR Randy Moss and the Dolphins in '06. John Clayton, ESPN.com | July 5, 2006 Clayton: Top offseason issues that need resolution It's relatively quiet right now, but there are still a few things that need to be resolved around the league. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 28, 2006 Big Ben pushing for quick return Ben Roethlisberger worked out at the Steelers' facility Monday, showing he is making his push to come back from his motorcycle accident and be ready for the start of training camp. You heard me right.... John Clayton | June 27, 2006 Clayton: Undrafted players face tougher road to NFL With all the information available now, fewer good players are falling through the cracks and going undrafted. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 20, 2006 Clayton: Will Williams succeed in CFL? Will Ricky Williams dominate in the CFL? Probably not. But he still should be successful, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, June 15 Clayton: Steelers relieved by positive news With the news surrounding Ben Roethlisberger's recovery mostly positive, don't look for the Steelers to be in the market for another QB. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, June 13 No motorcycle clause for Big Ben In case you're wondering about clauses in Ben Roethlisberger's contract, there was none inserted relating to motorcycle accidents. Roethlisberger has standard language in his contract in regard to def... John Clayton | Monday, June 12 Ravens made it too hard for Titans Bus Cook, agent for Steve McNair , and Floyd Reese, general manager of the Titans, talked out McNair's future in Tennessee and that's why the trade came down Wednesday. Cook made it clear it was going... John Clayton | June 7, 2006 Ravens to acquire Titans quarterback McNair Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been traded to the Baltimore Ravens, pending McNair passing a physical. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 7, 2006 Saints must march to Payton's beat The Saints' trade of underachieving defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan won't be the team's last in the next few weeks. New coach Sean Payton shook up the roster Monday by trading Sullivan to New Engla... John Clayton | June 5, 2006 Grievance won, now McNair must take Titans physical The latest delay in Steve McNair's return to the Titans facility after winning a grievance in order to return is that he has to take a physical. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 5, 2006 Low-key cap casualty day As expected, the June 1 salary cap casualty day passed without any big news. Only two veterans were cut -- Seahawks wide receiver Alex Bannister and Texans offensive lineman Matt Murphy . Murphy was m... John Clayton | June 2, 2006 Saints get help at linebacker, sign Polley, Foreman The Saints reshuffled their linebacking corps Friday by signing veterans Tommy Polley and Jay Foreman. John Clayton, ESPN.com | June 2, 2006 Clayton: Expansion unlikely option for L.A. market Whenever the NFL moves back to L.A., the area is more likely to get an existing franchise and not an expansion team. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 24, 2006 Clayton: Waiting game can hurt players The rule that is keeping a number of college players from practicing with their NFL teams until after graduation needs to be revisited. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 24, 2006 Clayton: McNair will have big impact in Baltimore Steve McNair is finally headed to Baltimore, where he could be the final piece of the playoff puzzle, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 24, 2006 Clayton: Steelers relieved by positive news With the news surrounding Ben Roethlisberger's recovery mostly positive, don't look for the Steelers to be in the market for another QB. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 24, 2006 Owners plan three-month process to replace commish NFL owners held an all-day meeting Tuesday in Denver to escalate both priorities, but no one can estimate how long each process will take. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 23, 2006 Bush loses numbers game; back can't wear No. 5 The NFL Competition Committee rejected the request by Reggie Bush and other players to change their uniform numbering system for the 2006 season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 23, 2006 Survey says ... A headhunting firm has completed a survey of what the league's 32 owners want in their new commissioner. Once that report has been distributed to the owners, the commissioner search committee can begi... John Clayton | May 22, 2006 Owners' timetable for team in L.A. remains uncertain Twelve years have passed since the NFL was planted in the Los Angeles area. It could be another four years -- at least -- before Los Angeles gets a team. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 22, 2006 New commish, NFL in L.A. on agenda at owners meeting Among the hot topics at the owners spring meeting are replacing the commissioner and determining a stadium home in L.A. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 22, 2006 Holmgren gets handsome raise Mike Holmgren appears to have hit the jackpot with his new, two-year extension. Though full details aren't known, Holmgren got a raise from his $7 million salary. His two-year deal is going to be wort... John Clayton | May 17, 2006 Teams lining up for Bennett Add the Kansas City Chiefs to the teams interested in trading for Saints halfback Michael Bennett . Bennett signed with the Saints to be Deuce McAllister 's backup, but those plans went the other way ... John Clayton | May 16, 2006 Ricky to CFL not farfetched Though nothing is close to being done to get Ricky Williams into the Canadian Football League, the process is moving along nicely. Toronto Argonauts management is talking to Dolphins coach Nick Saban ... John Clayton | May 12, 2006 Clayton: Teams need to let first-round WRs develop NFL teams need to learn that first-round receivers don't always have to turn into No. 1 receivers, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 10, 2006 Clayton: "Weak" becoming a strength for NFL defenses The popularity of Cover 2 defenses has teams putting emphasis on finding fast and undersized weak-side linebackers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 10, 2006 Holmgren extension on the horizon Agent Bob LaMonte's Tuesday visit to Seattle could lead a contract extension for Mike Holmgren by the end of the week. LaMonte met with Holmgren a month ago to plot out a plan that could lead to an ex... John Clayton | May 8, 2006 Clayton: Seahawks not worried about Super Bowl jinx The Seahawks, aggressive during free agency, don't believe they'll be the next Super Bowl runner-up to struggle mightily. John Clayton, ESPN.com | May 8, 2006 Hamlin practices with Seahawks The biggest news and happiest news for the Seahawks on Friday was the presence of strong safety Ken Hamlin . Hamlin has been cleared for contact work but there isn't much contact during mini-camps bec... John Clayton | Friday, May 5 Clayton: Plenty of questions still to be answered The NFL draft is over, but that doesn't mean all the issues around the league have been resolved. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, May 3 Harrington still a Lion ... for now After the Lions tried to get the best of the Dolphins by threatening to trade Joey Harrington to Cleveland, the Dolphins are turning the heat up on the Lions. They've pulled their offer of a sixth-rou... John Clayton | Tuesday, May 2 Lelie left out in the open Ashley Lelie might be learning that getting what you asked for might not be the best thing. Lelie, who is entering the final year of his contract, asked Denver to trade him. The Broncos shopped him, b... John Clayton | Sunday, April 30 Browns pass on trade with Lions for QB Harrington The Lions might trade Joey Harrington to the Browns on Sunday, despite the quarterback's wishes to be dealt to the Dolphins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 30, 2006 Clayton: Vets sent packing during draft weekend An increase in the salary cap led to an unusual amount of trades and trade talk during draft weekend. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 30, 2006 Clayton: Eagles bring Bloom back to football Jeremy Bloom, ruled ineligible to play football during his final two seasons at Colorado, was drafted in the fifth round by Philly. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 30, 2006 Saints playing waiting game The Saints are waiting to see if either Mario Williams or Reggie Bush falls to them. They claim to be considering D'Brickashaw Ferguson and A.J. Hawk, but Williams still appears to be their ideal pick... John Clayton | April 28, 2006 Bills address RB, OL needs The Bills reached agreement on a one-year deal with running back Anthony Thomas after agreeing to terms with former Panthers guard Tutan Reyes . That takes some of the urgency out of attempting to tra... John Clayton | April 28, 2006 Packers listening to Walker offers The Packers are acknowledging for the first time that they are fielding calls for disgruntled wide receiver Javon Walker . Packers GM Ted Thompson has granted Walker permission to visit teams and migh... John Clayton | April 27, 2006 Clayton: Teams have choice of big or small CB prospects There are so many strong CB prospects that teams have the luxury of debating whether to go tall or short in the first round. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2006 Clayton: QB mystery will shape top of draft Despite Houston's stunning choice at no. 1, it will be the top three QBs who shape the top of the draft, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2006 Clayton: Winners and losers from Day 1 of NFL draft By adding the QB of their future and a veteran WR, the Broncos were big winners on Day 1 of the draft. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2006 Clayton: OTs popular on Day 1 Because of a lack of depth, teams rushed to draft offensive tackles in the first three rounds, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 26, 2006 Clayton: Last hurrah Why return? Because Hall of Fame QBs like Brett Favre simply don't walk away after a 4-12 season, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 25, 2006 Bush's status shouldn't change Reggie Bush 's explanation of his parents' living accommodations during the previous season while he was at USC should satisfy the Texans. After all, the Texans aren't about to go on probation if some... John Clayton | April 24, 2006 Clayton: Davis next in line of game-altering TEs In the mode of Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, TE Vernon Davis brings a skill set to the NFL that should cause headaches for defenses. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 22, 2006 Agent: Giants, Arrington close to reaching deal The Giants and LaVar Arrington are close to a deal that will keep the three-time Pro Bowler in the NFC East, according to Arrington's agent, Carl Poston. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 21, 2006 Bills focused on Bunkley? The Bills sound as though they are focused on taking Florida State defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley with the eighth pick in the first round. Though left tackle is a need position, the Bills don't wan... John Clayton | April 21, 2006 Bears re-thinking CB strategy The Bears seemed to have cooled on the idea of signing Panthers restricted free agent cornerback Ricky Manning Jr . to an offer sheet. Part of the reason could be the first-round depth at the cornerba... John Clayton | April 20, 2006 Cornerbacks a hot commodity Saying that cornerbacks in this draft are being closely studied is an understatement. Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall has been so hot that he's hardly been home. His travels started March 29 ... John Clayton | April 20, 2006 Harrington picks Dolphins, awaits Millen's move Joey Harrington finally decided he wants Miami to be his new home. Now, he's asking Lions president Matt Millen to give him the chance to go there. John Clayton , ESPN.com | April 19, 2006 Clayton blog - 060419 - Quick Hits The Broncos trade of the 22nd pick in the first round to the 49ers shows that Mike Shanahan wants to deal with volume on offense instead of isolating on one top player. It's fitting that they made the... John Clayton | Wednesday, April 19 Clayton blog - 060418 - Quick Hits SLOTTED1 The more you hear out of the New York Jets , the more you get the feeling they may not take quarterback Matt Leinart . The Jets have Chad Pennington , Patrick Ramsey and Brooks Bollinger , and while t... John Clayton | April 19 Clayton: Rookie QBs better off sitting? In most cases, teams are better off when they can sit their rookie QBs instead of playing them immediately. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, April 18 Clayton blog - 060417 - Quick Hits Matt Leinart 's visit to the Saints late Tuesday and Wednesday creates an interesting scenario. Even though the Saints aren't expected to draft a quarterback with the second pick after signing Drew Br... John Clayton | Monday, April 17 No rush: Packers, Favre delay roster bonus to late July The Packers have pushed back the April 15 trigger date for quarterback Brett Favre yet again. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, April 14 Clayton blog - 060413 - Quick Hits LenDale White probably feels vindicated, but the revelation that he has a hamstring tear near the pelvic area could cost him any chance of getting selected in the first round. White learned this week ... John Clayton | Thursday, April 13 Steelers reward key reserve Harrison with new deal The Steelers locked up one of their most valuable reserves by reaching a four-year, $5.5 million deal with linebacker James Harrison. Included in the deal is a $1.375 million signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 13, 2006 Clayton blog - 060412 - Quick Hits The trade of 49ers wide receiver Rashaun Woods for Chargers cornerback Sammy Davis shouldn't be much of a surprise. Both were first-round disappointments. Niners coach Mike Nolan might have cut or tra... John Clayton | April 12, 2006 Clayton blog - 060411 - Quick Hits The Packers say their visit from linebacker LaVar Arrington was coincidental. They say they were just looking at one of the top free agents available, not a bad move for a team with $19 million of cap... John Clayton | April 11, 2006 Clayton blog - 060410 - Quick Hits The Bills' move to sign Peerless Price is a good one, but the fact they gave him a four-year, $10 million contract signifies a few things. First, it shows the Bills may not have all the faith in Josh ... John Clayton | April 10, 2006 Clayton: Wilson's complaints about CBA are disturbing The time has come for Bills owner Ralph Wilson to stop his public bashing of the CBA extension, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 10, 2006 Clayton blog - 060406 - Quick Hits Here are 10 quick observations about the 2006 NFL schedule that was released Thursday. 1. The Eagles have the most penalizing closing schedule, playing three consecutive road games in the NFC East -- ... John Clayton | April 6, 2006 Clayton: Owens vs. Eagles among top matchups Featured among the top matchups in 2006 is a certain WR squaring off against his former team twice, including Christmas Day. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 6, 2006 Clayton blog - 060405 - Quick Hits Here's the latest on the Joey Harrington waiting game. The former Lions quaterback has all but agreed to a two-year contract with the Dolphins. He picked the Dolphins over the Bengals. But the Dolphin... John Clayton | April 5, 2006 Clayton blog - 060404 - Quick Hits Steve McNair had to feel blindsided after learning Monday he can't train at the Titans' facility until he resolves his contract problem. McNair has a $23 million cap number and has a $9 million salary... John Clayton | April 4, 2006 Moulds headed to Texans, gets chance to 'start new' The Bills and Houston Texans have worked out their trade and informed Eric Moulds that he is going to the Texans. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 4, 2006 Chiefs sign Walls to one-year, $1.75M deal It's been a tall order trying to fix the Chiefs secondary over the past two years, but the Chiefs made a big move Saturday by reaching a one-year, $1.75 million deal with former Denver Bronco Lenny Walls. John Clayton, ESPN.com | April 1, 2006 Clayton blog --060331 -- Quick Hits Packers general manager Ted Thompson confirmed the team again moved the triggering clause in Brett Favre's contract past Saturday to April 15, giving the Packers quarterback two more weeks to decide w... John Clayton | March 31, 2006 Burleson heads to Seattle as Vikings fail to match deal The Vikings failed to match the seven-year, $49 million offer sheet wide receiver Nate Burleson signed with the Seahawks. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 31, 2006 Clayton blog -- 060330 -- Quick Hits Even though Packers coach Mike McCarthy wants a decision from Brett Favre about his future no later than Saturday, the Packers are prepared to move back the April 1 deadline for a $3 million bonus aga... John Clayton | March 30, 2006 Bills appear closer to trading away receiver Moulds Talks between the Bills and two teams are heating up to a point that an Eric Moulds trade could happen as early as Thursday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 30, 2006 Clayton: New NFC coaches lack experience All five NFC teams that hired new coaches this offseason picked first timers. QB play could ultimately decide if it was a wise trend. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 30, 2006 Jets, CB Dyson agree to five-year, $11.5 million deal The New York Jets beat out two of Andre Dyson's former teams -- the Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks -- and reached an agreement with the cornerbackl on a five-year, $11.5 million deal, including $3 million in signing and roster bonuses. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 29, 2006 NFL votes to rein in TD celebrations, expand replay The NFL owners meetings concluded in Orlando on Wednesday afternoon with owners giving big thumbs up to 15 playing rules proposals by the competition committee. Player safety and player conduct headlined the long list of recommendations. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 29, 2006 Clayton blog -- 060329 -- Quick Hits The Bengals are moving to the lead in the Joey Harrington sweepstakes. Harrington flew from Miami to Cincinnati on Wednesday for a meeting with Bengals coaches. The Bengals have a chance to get him be... John Clayton | March 29, 2006 Clayton blog (2) -- 060328 -- Quick Hits Joey Harrington's visitation schedule seems like a rock tour. The former Oregon quarterback and classical pianist has seven teams wanting him to visit. He's in Miami on Tuesday. Then he's scheduled to... John Clayton | March 28, 2006 Clayton blog -- 060328 -- Quick Hits The Seahawks always wanted to bring back running back Maurice Morris as Shaun Alexander's backup, but they were willing to let him test the market. When Morris didn't find any starting opportunities, ... John Clayton | March 28, 2006 Panthers reach agreement to re-sign punter Baker The Panthers reached a two-year, $1.8 million agreement to re-sign punter Jason Baker. Included in the deal is a $400,000 signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 28, 2006 Clayton: NFL has a poison pill problem Paul Tagliabue wants to ban the type of "poison pills" the Vikings and Seahawks used recently. But that will come at a price. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 28, 2006 Clayton blog -- 060327 -- Quick Hits Chad Johnson of the Bengals and Steve Smith of the Panthers aren't going to have any fun with the celebration rule change being proposed by the NFL Competition Committee. By Wednesday, NFL owners have... John Clayton | Monday, March 27 Clayton: Next commissioner faces challenges The NFL's next commissioner will have to be a combination of Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 22 Clayton blog -- 060321 -- Quick Hits SLOTTED1 The interesting part of the Bears' signing of Brian Griese is the commitment they are making with a five-year deal. Griese will make $6 million in the first year of the contract. Rex Grossman and Kyle... John Clayton | Tuesday, March 21 Clayton blog -- 060320 -- Quick Hits That the Seahawks were on the losing end of Monday's ruling by a special master, a decision that cost them All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson , is another example of why an NFL team should not let another... John Clayton | Monday, March 20 Seahawks pass on Hutchinson, land LB Peterson The Seahawks decided Monday not to match the seven-year, $49 million offer sheet on Steve Hutchinson, allowing the All-Pro guard to go to the Minnesota Vikings. John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com | Monday, March 20 Signings: Bucs keep Hilliard; Steelers re-sign Mays The Buccaneers re-signed receiver Ike Hilliard, while the Steelers kep wideout Lee Mays on Monday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, March 20 Dolphins reach deal with former Giants CB Allen The Dolphins ahve reached a four-year, $12 million deal with Giants cornerback Will Allen. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, March 19 Clayton blog -- 060317 -- Quick Hits You can see what the Seahawks are doing by working out a trade for John Abraham with the Jets and having linebacker Julian Peterson visit. What they are trying to do is weigh options in case they don'... John Clayton | March 17, 2006 Steelers hang on to Townsend with 4-year, $8M contract The Steelers fought off the Patriots to hang on to cornerback Deshea Townsend with a four-year deal worth $8 million. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 17, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060316 -- quick hits SLOTTED1 The Bucs had former Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks in for a visit Thursday. They are also trying to make arrangements to meet with Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey . The Bucs received permission W... John Clayton | March 16, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060315 -- quick hits SLOTTED Stalled in trade talks with the Jets over quarterback Patrick Ramsey , the Redskins have given Ramsey permission to visit the Bucs. Ramsey lost two teams interested in him Tuesday when the Lions signe... John Clayton | March 15, 2006 A new Hope: Titans agree to deal with Steelers safety Chris Hope reached an agreement in principle with the Titans. Terms of the deal weren't available. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 15, 2006 Packers win recruiting battle for DT Pickett In perhaps the most competitive negotiation Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers beat out the Bills and the Rams for Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 15, 2006 Seahawks, DT Bernard agree to three-year deal The Seahawks and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard reached a three-year, $13 million deal that included a $5.4 million signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 15, 2006 Clayton: Revised disciplinary rules favor players, not teams If Terrell Owens acts up with his next team, the new CBA ensures he won't be punished as severely as he was in 2005, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 15, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060314 -- quick hits SLOTTED1 Three potential starting quarterback moves happened within a couple of hours, starting with the trade of Daunte Culpepper to Miami and the signings of Drew Brees (New Orleans) and Jon Kitna (Detroit).... John Clayton | March 14, 2006 Brees takes money, runs to Saints Drew Brees agreed to a six-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints that included a $10 million signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 14, 2006 Decision day for QBs begins with Kitna joining Lions Jon Kitna made the first move Tuesday for what will be a busy day for NFL quarterbacks by agreeing to a four-year deal with the Detroit Lions. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 14, 2006 Clayton: Are the Vikings on course, or in disarray? First Randy Moss. Then Daunte Culpepper. Are the Vikings in disarray, or do they have a master plan? John Clayton examines. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 14, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060313 -- quick hits When he officially became a free agent, Jamal Lewis thought his days with the Ravens were over. Shaun Alexander , Edgerrin James , Lewis, Ahman Green and Michael Bennett headed an all-star cast of ru... John Clayton | March 13, 2006 49ers replace Lloyd with Browns WR Bryant The 49ers swapped the potential of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd for two draft choices from the Redskins, but they replaced him with one of the best receivers left on the free agent market. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 13, 2006 Redskins continue haul with Archuleta Safety Adam Archuleta kept getting calls from his former Rams defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith, who was trying to recruit him to come to the Chicago Bears and help out his defense. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 13, 2006 Eagles sign former Saints defensive end Howard Free agent defensive end Darren Howard agreed to a six-year, $30.5 million deal Sunday night with the Eagles. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 13, 2006 Rams continue to revamp D with LB Witherspoon Will Witherspoon agreed with the Rams on a six-year, $33 million contract that includes $15 million in guarantees. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 12, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060312 -- quick hits The Drew Brees saga dragged on when he left New Orleans on Sunday afternoon and flew to Miami after promising Dolphins coach Nick Saban that he would pay a visit. Brees seems firm in wanting a $10 mil... John Clayton | March 12, 2006 Chargers address safety needs, add McCree The Chargers reached a five-year, $16 million agreement Saturday night with Panthers safety Marlon McCree. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 12, 2006 Clayton Blog - 060311 - quick hits (second) The Saints may have the edge in signing San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees . But they didn't make a deal good enough to preventing him from making a visit to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Dolph... John Clayton | March 11, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060311 -- Quick Hits Philadelphia never was a real spot for former Saints center LeCharles Bentley . He was looking to go to his hometown of Cleveland all along. His contract hit the lottery, though. He signed a six-year,... John Clayton | March 11, 2006 Jags nab cornerback Williams with 6-year, $32M deal Cornerback Brian Williams agreed to a six-year, $32 million deal with the Jaguars that included a $10 million signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 11, 2006 Panthers, Foster agree on three-year, $14.5 million deal Minutes before the start of free agency, the Panthers locked up running back DeShaun Foster to a three-year, $14.5 million deal. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 10, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060310 -- Quick Hits Priest Holmes is expected to be with the Kansas City Chiefs this fall, but not in the way you might think. Holmes restructured his contract by taking his 2006 pay from $3.75 million to $710,000 to giv... John Clayton | March 10, 2006 Vikings lift transition tag on cornerback Williams The Minnesota Vikings lifted the transition designation on cornerback Brian Williams after a recalculation of the one-year tender based on changes in the new collective bargaining agreement. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 10, 2006 Clayton: Five potential winners in free agency NFC North foes Green Bay and Minnesota stand to be big winners when free agency finally gets under way, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 10, 2006 Clayton: Running backs lead the way in free agency With the new CBA, teams will have more money to spend. But will there be players worth spending it on? John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 9, 2006 Clayton: 10 facts about the new CBA deal One day after owners agreed to a CBA extension, teams learned of some changes and ramifications. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 9, 2006 Clayton: Owners overcome dizzying pace, agree on deal Amid a lot of fast-paced discussions and much confusion, the NFL owners eventually agreed on a deal with the NFLPA. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 8, 2006 Clayton: NFL faces the most critical day in its history Paul Tagliabue's eloquent and passionate speech set the stage for the owners essentially to decide the future of the NFL. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 7, 2006 Clayton: Uncertainty in air as owners approach meeting It's hard to get a read on which way the owners will vote in Dallas as they mull the NFLPA's latest proposal for a CBA extension. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 7, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060306 -- Quick Hits Extending the free agency deadline again, this time to Thursday, might not be the best way to settle the labor problems, but it was the only alternative. Unable to reach a deal Sunday night, the NFL w... John Clayton | March 6, 2006 Clayton: 'High five' owners must have support blocked The key to getting a deal done in Dallas is derailing the support of five upper-echelon owners who reject the revenue-sharing model. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 6, 2006 Packers re-sign running back Green to one-year deal The Packers re-signed running back Ahman Green to a one-year deal that is going to be worth between $3 million and $5 million. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 5, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060302 -- Quick Hits SLOTTED1 Just in case you are wondering, the Eagles don't have to cut wide receiver Terrell Owens until next week, and they probably won't. The team is still holding out hope of making a trade, but that obviou... John Clayton | March 2, 2006 Raiders release DT Washington, others in salary purge The Raiders, who entered Thursday as the team most over the salary cap, released three players to save $8.8 million of cap room. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2006 Seahawks release cornerback Dyson, LB Sharper The Seahawks have informed starting cornerback Andre Dyson that he is going to be released. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2006 To start, Chiefs cut Warfield, Stills, McCleon, Barber The Chiefs started their salary cap purge Thursday by terminating the contracts of four veteran players: cornerbacks Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon and linebackers Shawn Barber and Gary Stills. John Clayton, ESPN.com | March 2, 2006 Brees' shoulder improves as he enters free agency The Chargers failed to reach a contract with quarterback Drew Brees, and he will hit free agency Friday as the top quarterback on the market. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, March 2 Titans begin roster purge, release tackle Hopkins The Titans began their roster purge to get under the cap by releasing veteran left tackle Brad Hopkins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 1 Clayton Blog -- 060301 -- Quick Hits A special master ruled against the several teams trying to convert roster bonuses that were set aside into signing bonuses. The ruling indicated that such conversions had to be subject to the 30 perce... John Clayton | Wednesday, March 1 Panthers cut three, including running back Davis The Panthers cleared $4.64 million of cap room Wednesday by releasing three veterans -- running back Stephen Davis, running back Rod Smart and defensive tackle Brentson Buckner. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 1 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams With free agency nearing, find out how much each NFL team is over or under the salary cap. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 1 Clayton: Great performances highlight strong combine Speedy times and outstanding player participation helped produce a very impressive '06 scouting combine, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, March 1 Clayton Blog (2) -- 060227 -- Quick Hits After a lot of gloom and doom over the last week, there are rumblings that progress is being made in negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue sent an e-mail t... John Clayton | Monday, February 27 Clayton Blog -- 060227 -- Quick Hits Vernon Davis, the tight end from Maryland, was the most impressive player during Monday's workout. The guy is a freak. He weighs 254 pounds, and he ran the best 40-yard time among the tight ends at 4.... John Clayton | Monday, February 27 Clayton: Strong draft class, vet market creates RB logjam The top RB prospects aren't just competing among themselves; they're also going up against a strong veteran contingent. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 25 Clayton: Linebackers ready to make instant impact Linebackers tend to be undervalued in the draft. But a large group, led by A.J. Hawk, is ready to make an instant impact. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 25 Upshaw tells agents to prepare for uncapped '07 NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw told a seminar of agents Friday morning to prepare for a 2006 season without a collective bargaining extension, setting up an uncapped year in 2007. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 24, 2006 Clayton: Ferguson not the only good OT prospect Former Virginia standout D'Brickashaw Ferguson leads an impressive group of left tackle prospects. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 24, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060223 -- Quick Hits The Colts cleared $1.845 million of salary cap room Thursday by releasing defensive tackle Josh Williams and quarterback Travis Brown . They needed the room after signing wide receiver Reggie Wayne to... John Clayton | February 23, 2006 Panthers place transition tag on running back Foster The Carolina Panthers preserved the chance of keeping DeShaun Foster by placing the transition tag on him Thursday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 23, 2006 Seahawks make Hutchinson a transition player Seattle saved a little less than $600,000 of cap room by making Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson a transition player instead of a franchise. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 23, 2006 Clayton: List of possible salary cap cuts Check out the list of players who could be cut this offseason and those who already have been cut. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 23, 2006 Clayton: Levy greeted by messy situation in NFL return Marv Levy finds himself in the middle of the labor discord, after giving up retirement to take over as the Bills' GM. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 23, 2006 Upshaw tells agents that CBA talks are in standstill At an NFLPA advisory board meeting of 16 handpicked agents, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw told them to hold off on signing new contracts or restructuring deals until March 2, the evening before the start of 2006 free agency. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 22, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060222 -- Quick Hits As he entered a Wednesday morning Competition Committee meeting, Colts general manager Bill Polian was optimistic he could get a deal done with wide receiver Reggie Wayne . He was right. The Colts agr... John Clayton | February 22, 2006 Clayton: Combine will be busy on and off the field There will be plenty of action on and off the field at what should be one of the busiest combines in history. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 22, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060221 -- Quick Hits SLOTTED1 The figures are in. Marvin Lewis of the Bengals went from a four-year deal worth $2 million a year to a five-year deal worth $3.5 million per year. The impact of that contract is significant and shoul... John Clayton | February 21, 2006 Broncos reach deal to keep defensive end Engelberger The Broncos reached a three-year, $5 million contract agreement with defensive end John Engelberger that can void into a two-year deal that is worth $1.6 million a year. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 20, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060217 -- Quick Hits Even though it's clear Daunte Culpepper is available in a trade, don't discount the possibility of him hitting the waiver wire. Culpepper has a $6 million roster bonus coming due March 17. Several gen... John Clayton | February 17, 2006 Options narrow as Chargers rule out tagging Brees The Chargers have all but ruled out the possibility of placing the franchise or transition tag on quarterback Drew Brees, leaving them only two options. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 17, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060216 -- Quick Hits The Titans prevented their most important free agent from leaving by reaching a four-year, $21 million deal with Pro Bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch . Included in the deal is about $15 million of... John Clayton | February 16, 2006 Clayton: Questions and answers on CBA negotiations What's the hold up with the CBA negotiations and what happens if a new deal isn't completed soon? John Clayton addresses those questions and more. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 16, 2006 Chargers keep Feeley with $2M deal San Diego restructured A.J. Feeley's contract, giving him a two-year, $2 million contract that included a $455,000 signing bonus. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 15, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060215 -- Quick Hits The Chargers' decision to keep quarterback A.J. Feeley , whom they signed to a two-year, $2 million contract, could mean the team won't place the franchise or transition tag on injured quarterback Dre... John Clayton | February 15, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060214 -- Quick Hits Forget about a Ray Lewis trade. Even though the Ravens' linebacker is getting word back to the team that he wants a new contract, general manager Ozzie Newsome has a firm stance -- he's not trading hi... John Clayton | February 14, 2006 Clayton: Pros and cons for new coaches John Clayton weighs in the good and bad awaiting the 10 coaches hired this offseason. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 14, 2006 Clayton: Pros and cons for new coaches John Clayton weighs in the good and bad awaiting the 10 coaches hired this offseason, including the Vikings' Brad Childress. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 14, 2006 Shell to return to Raiders as head coach After considering outsiders such as Ken Whisenhunt, Bobby Petrino and Mike Martz, the Raiders went with one of their own and hired Art Shell as their new coach. John Clayton, ESPN.com | February 10, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060209 -- Quick Hits Ken Whisenhunt left the Oakland Raiders ' facility Wednesday night without an offer to be Oakland's head coach. Thursday afternoon, before Al Davis even had a chance to produce an offer, Whisenhunt de... John Clayton | February 9, 2006 Clayton: Seahawks might find it tough to bounce back The Seahawks have the talent in place to make another Super Bowl run, but history suggests they're in for an immediate struggle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, February 6 Clayton: Mistakes doom Seahawks in Super Bowl Despite a fast start and an early lead, Seattle couldn't overcome its penalties, dropped passes and missed field goals. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, February 5 Clayton: Manuel's injury grounded Seahawks Injuries, especially to safety Marquand Manuel, were part of the Seahawks' downfall. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, February 5 Clayton: Five keys to a Seahawks victory Coach Mike Holmgren thinks he has his Seahawks ready for Super Bowl XL. John Clayton thinks he knows how Seattle can win. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Saturday, February 4 Clayton: Underdog Seahawks look title worthy John Clayton breaks down why he thinks the Seahawks have a slight edge over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, February 3 Clayton Blog -- 060202 -- Quick Hits The excitement in Detroit surrounding the agreement to hire Mike Martz as offensive coordinator has been tempered somewhat. Contract talks continue between Martz and the Lions, but no deal has been st... John Clayton | Thursday, February 2 Clayton: Steelers' D-line overlooked but productive The Steelers' D-line doesn't command a lot of attention, but frees up Joey Porter and others to make big plays. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Thursday, February 2 Deals in the works for Martz, Whisenhunt Mike Martz is wrapping up a multi-year contract with the Lions to be their offensive coordinator. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, February 1 060201 Clayton (Martz and other deals) Mike Martz is wrapping up a multi-year contract with the Lions to be their offensive coordinator. The job was offered on Wednesday and Martz told his agent to work out a deal. The former Rams coach hi... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 31 Clayton Blog -- 060130 -- Quick Hits Bill Cowher's first Super Bowl question involved his second-year quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger , and how he was being somewhat protected from the growing press corps. The Steelers landed in Detroit ... John Clayton | Monday, January 30 Clayton: Alexander's future in Seattle still cloudy Shaun Alexander helped carry the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. But will that be enough to ensure that he remains a Seahawk? John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, January 30 Clayton: In fifth year, Hasselbeck thriving in Seattle It took him a few years, but Matt Hasselbeck has arrived as one of the NFL's best QBs in his fifth season in Seattle. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, January 30 Clayton Blog -- 060129 -- Quick Hits It's a good thing for Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson that they're not asking Brett Favre to make up his mind this minute about playing next season. They need him, but as ... John Clayton | Sunday, January 29 Clayton: Hamlin provides Hawks an emotional boost Despite head injuries that have kept him off the field, safety Ken Hamlin has continued to uplift the Seahawks. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 29 Clayton: Coaching carousel causes problems Having 10 coaching changes and so many first-time head coaches is bad for the NFL. But owners have nobody to blame but themselves. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 27 Clayton Blog -- 060126 -- Quick Hits Instead of putting all their eggs in the Ken Whisenhunt basket, Raiders boss Al Davis did a smart thing in interviewing Mike Martz Thursday. He might follow through and do another smart thing if he in... John Clayton | Thursday, January 26 Clayton Blog -- 060125 -- Quick Hits Bills coach Dick Jauron got a later start than the Jets' Eric Mangini, but he's jumped to a significant lead in assembling his staff. Jauron beat out the Jets for former Rams offensive coordinator Ste... John Clayton | Thursday, January 26 Clayton Blog -- 060124 -- Quick Hits Now that word has gotten back to Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt that the Raiders are going to wait for him to be their next head coach, he is ready to interview once the Super Bowl is o... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 24 Haslett signs on as Rams defensive coordinator The Rams have hired former Saints head coach Jim Haslett to be their defensive coordinator. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Tuesday, January 24 Clayton Blog -- 060123 -- Quick Hits The Raiders seem as though they will work the phones and make a few more contacts in their search for a head coach, but don't expect them to go fast. Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt rema... John Clayton | Monday, January 23 Clayton: 'Underdog' Seahawks finally make Super Bowl The Seahawks, a franchise that's had to overcome a lot of adversity, managed to put it behind them this season for a Super Bowl run. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Monday, January 23 Clayton: Title games' injury updates John Clayton checks in on the injury status of Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson and others heading into the conference title games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 20, 2006 Clayton: Broncos, Seahawks have defended home field Road teams have left Seattle's Qwest Field and Denver's Invesco Field without earning a single victory this season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 20, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060119 -- Quick Hits II Former Bills coach Mike Mularkey walked away from a head coaching job, but he's going to have no problem finding work. Mularkey is a hot name in coaching circles. He interviewed for an offensive job w... John Clayton | January 19, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060119 -- Quick Hits A major fight is brewing with the New York Jets. At the moment, Jets coach Eric Mangini is considering holding offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to his contract even though Heimerdinger was hire... John Clayton | January 19, 2006 Redskins hire Saunders as offensive coordinator Al Saunders agreed Thursday to become the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 19, 2006 Clayton: Breaking down conference title games John Clayton previews the championship games and believes the AFC matchup will be determined by which quarterback better handles the pressure. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 19, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060118 -- Quick Hits Lions GM Matt Millen didn't win friends the way he hired Rod Marinelli, the assistant head coach of the Bucs. He didn't call any of the other candidates involved in the process after making the hire. ... John Clayton | January 18, 2006 Clayton: Three's company RB Shaun Alexander, the league's MVP, owes much of his success to the three-receiver sets often run by Seattle's offense. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Wednesday, January 18 Clayton Blog -- 060117 Quick Hits The Saints made a smart move in not waiting until Wednesday to hire a head coach. General manager Mickey Loomis picked Sean Payton of the Cowboys out of Maurice Carthon of the Browns, Mike Sherman for... John Clayton | Tuesday, January 17 Clayton Blog -- 060116 -- Quick Hits Former Vikings coach Mike Tice was the runner-up, so to speak, to Eric Mangini to coach the Jets. But Tice wowed Jets officials in the presentation he made Monday. Tice brought in a detailed plan of t... John Clayton | Monday, January 16 Clayton: Keys to NFC title game Seattle's ability to cover Steve Smith and Carolina's ground attack will be among the key issues during the NFC championship game. John Clayton, ESPN.com | Sunday, January 15 Clayton: Divisional playoffs injury updates John Clayton checks in on the injury status of DeShaun Foster and more heading into the divisional playoffs. •  Scouts: Analysis John Clayton, ESPN.com | Friday, January 13 Clayton Blog -- 060112 -- Quick Hits The leading candidate for the now vacant Buffalo Bills job is expected to be former Saints coach Jim Haslett, who is also under consideration for openings with the Jets and the Lions. The Bills job op... John Clayton | Thursday, January 12 Clayton: First ... and Goal John Clayton breaks down the divisional playoffs, in which all four games will be rematches from the regular season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 12, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060111 -- Quick Hits The Chiefs made their first significant signing of the offseason by reaching a three-year, $1.03 million deal with B.C. Lions quarterback Casey Printers, the 2004 CFL most valuable player. Printers pi... John Clayton | January 11, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060110 -- Quick Hits The Packers could be ready to make a move on a head coach, most likely defensive coordinator Jim Bates, following Tuesday's interview. That was the seventh interview for Packers general manager Ted Th... John Clayton | January 10, 2006 Clayton: Pittsburgh's tricks and treats The Steelers have a reputation for being conservative on offense, but no team rolls out more gadget plays. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 10, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060109 -- Quick Hits Perhaps the most surprising part of Jets general manager Terry Bradway's news conference Monday was how cool he was to the idea of considering former Packers coach Mike Sherman for the job. Sherman wo... John Clayton | January 9, 2006 Clayton: Keys to AFC divisional games The Pats' run defense and Pittsburgh's ability to frustrate Peyton Manning are among the keys in the AFC divisional matchups. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 8, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060106 -- Quick Hits ESPN's Chris Mortensen made the thought off the top of his head Friday that Jets general manager Terry Bradway might have thoughts of considering his close friend, Marty Schottenheimer, for the soon-t... John Clayton | January 7, 2006 Clayton: A matter of availability Because some candidates are hindered by the playoffs, owners aren't always hiring the best prospects; they're getting the best available . John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 6, 2006 Clayton: Hasselbeck carries the load With Shaun Alexander sidelined, Matt Hasselbeck lifted Seattle to its first playoff win in 21 years. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 6, 2006 Clayton: Experience pays off With Carson Palmer injured and out of the game, the Steelers put away the more inexperienced Bengals. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 6, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060105 -- Quick Hits Talks between the Jets and the Chiefs on Jets coach Herman Edwards are stalled temporarily and that only puts the Jets in a precarious position. It benefits the Chiefs, who are willing to make a trade... John Clayton | January 5, 2006 Clayton: First ... and Goal The Bengals aren't happy about being underdogs, John Clayton writes in his preview of wild-card weekend. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 5, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060104 -- Quick Hits Bills president Ralph Wilson held two news conferences Wednesday, but the second was more definitive than the first. Wilson announced that Mike Mularkey will be back as the head coach in 2006. Tom Mod... John Clayton | January 4, 2006 Clayton: Capitol connection The reunion of Miami teammates Clinton Portis and Santana Moss is a key reason the Redskins are in the playoffs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 4, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060103 -- Quick Hits Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders was the NFL's hottest coaching candidate on Tuesday. He spent five hours Monday interviewing for the Chiefs' job. He left Tuesday morning for an interview with... John Clayton | January 3, 2006 Clayton Blog -- 060102 -- Quick Hits The Chiefs appear to be the most active during the first wave of Black Monday coaching interview calls. They made contact with Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, Redskins defensive coordinato... John Clayton | January 3, 2006 Clayton: Colts clearly the front-runners John Clayton handicaps the race to Detroit and says it's the Colts and everyone else. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 1, 2006 Clayton: Silencing the critics Joe Gibbs proved he still knows what he's doing as the Redskins clinched an improbable playoff spot with a victory over Philly. John Clayton, ESPN.com | January 1, 2006 2005 Clayton: Future uncertain for Alexander Shaun Alexander is having his best season in the NFL. But despite that, his future in Seattle remains up in the air. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 30, 2005 Clayton: Keep the status quo There has been a renewed call for expanding the number of teams in the playoffs. That's a bad idea, writes John Clayton. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 30, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051229 -- Quick Hits These aren't your father's Cincinnati Bengals . Could you believe the Bengals, once considered one of the cheapest teams in the NFL, initiated negotiations that led to Carson Palmer 's contract extens... John Clayton | December 29, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Panthers have one obstacle left on their route to the playoffs: a bitter Falcons team that would love to ruin their season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 29, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051227 -- Quick Hits Tedy Bruschi 's left leg injury isn't a bad as it looked, but the Patriots won't give any indication of the extent of the injury until Wednesday. Bruschi injured his left leg Monday night on the punt ... John Clayton | December 27, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051226 -- Quick Hits The Redskins may have gotten a major piece of good luck with quarterback Mark Brunell . His sprained medial collateral knee ligament isn't too bad. Joe Gibbs is going to list him as day-to-day and see... John Clayton | December 26, 2005 Clayton: Up in the air While the Week 16 action took some of the suspense out of next weekend's season finales, there are still playoff scenarios to be sorted out. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 26, 2005 Clayton: Alexander the great One year after missing out on the rushing title, Shaun Alexander got the chance to put his name in the record book Sunday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 24, 2005 Clayton: Three hours of solace The Colts' game in Seattle provided coach Tony Dungy, who watched it on TV, a brief distraction from his son's tragic death. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 24, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051221 -- Quick Hits The team feeling the most left out from the Pro Bowl was the Cowboys. They had seven legitimate candidates -- safety Roy Williams , nose tackle La'Roi Glover , guards Larry Allen and Marco Rivera , qu... John Clayton | December 21, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 A loss Saturday would likely put a stamp on Dick Vermeil's tenure in K.C., John Clayton writes as he previews Week 16's top games. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 21, 2005 Clayton: Living up to expectations Joey Galloway and Thomas Jones have never been to a Pro Bowl. That might not change this year, but they've both played like Pro Bowlers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 21, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051220 -- Quick Hits Friends of Brett Favre believe he wants to play one more year with the Green Bay Packers . What he won't do is play another year like this, and it's hard to tell the impact of the horrible showing aga... John Clayton | December 20, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051219 -- Quick Hits Jacksonville used to be a dreaded division rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the old AFC Central. The Jaguars, then an expansion team built by Tom Coughlin, modeled their whole talent acquisition pr... John Clayton | December 19, 2005 Clayton: Inside job The Steelers aren't supposed to be built for domes. But Sunday, they looked right at home in the Metrodome. •  Steelers' fate John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 18, 2005 Clayton: Man in the middle The success of Lofa Tatupu in Seattle is another example of the increased importance teams are putting on drafting MLBs. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 16, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051215 -- Quick Hits The memo sent by the NFL to teams this week was a reminder of the rules on club-generated crowd noise. Violations of the policy could result in fines and possibility the loss of draft choices. The rul... John Clayton | December 15, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 Despite already clinching home-field, the Colts will come to play Sunday. That's bad news for the Chargers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 15, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051214 -- Quick Hits Aaron Brooks is being benched by Saints coach Jim Haslett this week, not for his critical comments about commissioner Paul Tagliabue or the Saints' plight. The decision was made because the team is 3-... John Clayton | December 14, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051213 -- Quick Hits Eric Moulds took the high road for the second time in two weeks. He didn't blast Bills coach Mike Mularkey during his 30-minute meeting with Bills owner Ralph Wilson last week. He didn't blast Mularke... John Clayton | December 13, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051212 -- Quick Hits Texans owner Bob McNair's decision to hire Dan Reeves as a six-week consultant tells a lot about the future of the team. First, it says for sure that Dom Capers is gone as head coach. Why hire a consu... John Clayton | December 12, 2005 Clayton: Return to basics In the up-and-down NFC South, the Bucs are up this week because they returned to basics against the Panthers. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 11, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051208 -- Quick Hits The sight of Bills owner Ralph Wilson announcing Eric Moulds ' one-game suspension is not a good one for the Bills' front office and coach Mike Mularkey. It's not a good sign when the coach or the gen... John Clayton | December 8, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Colts would clinch home-field advantage and could start resting players later this month with a win at Jacksonville. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 8, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051207 -- Quick Hits The Eric Moulds suspension -- that isn't quite a suspension right now -- appears to be poorly handled on the surface. Bills coach Mike Mularkey apparently told Moulds that he is going to be suspended ... John Clayton | December 7, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051206 -- Quick Hits Brian Westbrook became the 16th player and seventh starter lost for the season for the Eagles because of injury. If you include the suspended Terrell Owens , they have lost eight starters and four Pro... John Clayton | December 6, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051205 -- Quick Hits Norv Turner made the biggest NFL news Monday when he suggested he might start Marques Tuiasosopo over Kerry Collins against the Jets in Week 14. It's a sign of desperation for Turner, and the Raiders ... John Clayton | December 5, 2005 Clayton: Building blocks It took a while through free agency and the draft, but the Panthers finally put together a collection of players capable of stopping Michael Vick. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 4, 2005 Clayton: Plan and execute If there is one offensive trend that seems to be dominating 2005, it's execution over trickery, John Clayton writes. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 2, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051201 -- Quick Hits The Cardinals may have lost half of their offense Thursday when kicker Neil Rackers tore the calf muscle on his plant foot, which should keep him out of Sunday's game against the 49ers and could put h... John Clayton | December 1, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton previews a loaded Week 13 of NFL action that is highlighted by great divisional matchups. John Clayton, ESPN.com | December 1, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051130 -- Quick Hits Dick Jauron's first two moves as the Lions' interim coach was a surprise. First, Jauron closed practice to the Detroit media. That's probably not a good thing to do for an organization that has been l... John Clayton | November 30, 2005 Clayton: Job openings? John Clayton looks at the NFL landscape and writes that there could be as many as nine head coaching changes this offseason. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 30, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051129 -- Quick Hits The confusion that led to the NFL making a statement about the officiating from the Giants-Seahawks game is that Mike Holmgren never said the NFL admitted officiating mistakes on two Giants touchdowns... John Clayton | November 29, 2005 Clayton: Black and gold and blue If this were an AFC championship game preview, the Steelers had better burn the tape. The Colts were so good Monday that the Steelers' confidence is in shambles. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 29, 2005 Clayton: Next in line? Steve Mariucci's firing in Detroit will get the ball rolling on the names of coaches who will be considered as possible replacements. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 28, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 Can anyone stop Peyton Manning and the Colts? The Steelers will try Monday night in Week 12's best game. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 27, 2005 Clayton: Timing and good fortune As they have on a few occasions this season, the Seahawks got some big plays ... and a little luck to pull out the win on Sunday. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 27, 2005 Clayton: Hard to feel thankful As the Saints continue to try and get a handle on things, this was a difficult Thanksgiving holiday for the franchise. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 25, 2005 Clayton Blog -- 051124 -- Quick Hits Anyone who thinks that Lions coach Steve Mariucci isn't in trouble didn't watch his team's turkey of a performance on Thanksgiving Thursday. The Lions lost to the Falcons 27-7. Anyone who thinks this ... John Clayton | November 24, 2005 Clayton Blog - 051123 -- Quick Hits It will be interesting to see if Terrell Owens qualifies for a $2.5 million buyout of his contract in 2006. The Eagles won't have him back, so it's clear they will exercise the buyout provision. Owens... John Clayton | November 23, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 Can anyone stop Peyton Manning and the Colts? The Steelers will try Monday night in Week 12's best game. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 23, 2005 Clayton Blog - 051122 -- Quick Hits Steve Mariucci, considered one of the most media-friendly coaches in the NFL, closed Tuesday's practice to keep everyone guessing who is going to be the starting quarterback for Thursday's game agains... John Clayton | November 22, 2005 Clayton Blog - 051121 -- Quick Hits Falcons coach Jim Mora isn't making excuses but he says there are reasons to explain the team's recent fade that has now cost them three home losses this season. The problem is young and a defense tha... John Clayton | November 21, 2005 Clayton: Room to grow The Bengals have some nice players on offense, but the Colts proved on Sunday that Cincy's not quite on their level yet. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 20, 2005 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams Find out how much each NFL team is over or under the $85.5 million salary cap for 2005. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 19, 2005 Clayton: Super Bowl to bust The last four Super Bowl losers have had losing records the following season. The Eagles appear on their way to making it five. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 18, 2005 Clayton Blog - 051117 -- Quick Hits Friday's hearing involving the Eagles and Terrell Owens shouldn't be too eventful. Arbiter Richard Bloch is expected to take the weekend to make a decision, and remember, this hearing only involves th... John Clayton | November 17, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Bengals will get a chance to test their development against the Colts in one of the best games of the season. John Clayton, ESPN.com | November 17, 2005 Clayton Blog - 051116 -- Quick Hits The Eagles' stance on Donovan McNabb is pretty easy to figure. He did some damage to his groin, not his sports hernia, but the damage is pushing him closer to surgery. The question is when to schedule... John Clayton | November 16, 2005 051115 Clayton Quick Hits II The word on Donovan McNabb 's groin problem was very sketchy Tuesday, but it appears as though he could be out for a long period of time, maybe the season. Andy Reid strongly suggested McNabb will be ... John Clayton | November 15, 2005 051115 Clayton Quick Hits Even though Seahawks halfback Shaun Alexander rushed for 165 yards against the Rams on Sunday, Rams coach Joe Vitt thought his team did a decent job stopping the run except for a couple of long runs. ... John Clayton | November 14, 2005 November 13, 2005 Clayton: Zoned in As they have all season long, the Seahawks made a habit of cashing in once they reached the red zone on Sunday. November 11, 2005 Clayton: Week 10 injury updates  Check out the status of Rams WR Torry Holt, Pats DT Richard Seymour and others heading into Week 10. November 11, 2005 Clayton: Stay in your place As win-loss records show, backup QBs are generally better suited for the occasional start -- or staying on the sidelines. November 10, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 Already 0-2 in the division, the Eagles can ill afford to lose to the Cowboys. Their MNF game is John Clayton's top matchup of Week 10. November 8, 2005 Clayton: Crystal ball John Clayton takes a look at the second-half schedule and breaks down each division, predicting who will make the playoffs. November 6, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 (MNF) There is a lot on the line when the Patriots host the Colts on Monday night in John Clayton's top matchup of Week 9. November 6, 2005 Clayton: Unconventional wisdom Instead of settling for an easy field goal to force OT, Dick Vermeil made a gutsy call in the Chiefs' incredible win over Oakland. November 4, 2005 Clayton: Week 9 injury updates  Check out the status of Raiders WR Randy Moss, Pats DT Richard Seymour and others heading into Week 9. November 4, 2005 Clayton: Receiving issues A look at the statistics shows that it's a down year in the AFC for wide receivers, writes John Clayton. November 3, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 There is a lot on the line when the Patriots host the Colts on Monday night in John Clayton's top matchup of Week 9. October 30, 2005 Clayton: Slow start grounds Eagles The Eagles tried to mount a comeback against the Broncos, but a 28-0 hole was too much to dig out of. October 28, 2005 Clayton: Week 8 injury updates  Check out the status of Falcons QB Michael Vick, Pats DT Richard Seymour and others heading into Week 6. October 28, 2005 Clayton: Safety measures The safety position has definitely been an unsafe place, an area where guys have been getting hurt at an alarming rate this season. October 27, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 Don't be surprised to see the Eagles and Broncos make some changes on offense in John Clayton's top matchup of Week 8. October 23, 2005 Clayton: Flipping the script The Seahawks did the improbable on Sunday -- won the type of wild, close game they have typically lost in the past. October 21, 2005 Clayton: Week 7 injury updates  Check out the status of Steelers WR Hines Ward, Saints WR Joe Horn and others heading into Week 7. October 21, 2005 Clayton: Ground control Teams know the importance of winning on the ground. But that might not be reflected in the stats as aggressive defenses gear up to stop the run. October 20, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton previews Week 7, with a huge AFC North matchup between the Bengals and Steelers leading the way. October 16, 2005 Clayton: Group of impostors The jerseys and numbers might be the same, but those weren't the Patriots during Sunday's loss to the Broncos. October 15, 2005 Clayton: In good hands With Mike Martz sidelined with a heart infection, the Rams will turn to a coach used to overcoming adversity. October 14, 2005 Giants ink guard Diehl to five-year contract The Giants continue to lock up some of the best young players around quarterback Eli Manning by reaching a five-year, $14 million deal for guard David Diehl that included $3.92 million in signing bonus money. October 14, 2005 Clayton: Week 6 injury updates  Check out the status of Falcons QB Michael Vick, Pats DT Richard Seymour and others heading into Week 6. October 14, 2005 Clayton: Wrong time and place The proposal by owners to essentially "franchise" some executives is ill-timed and ultimately a bad idea. October 12, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton previews Week 6, with a big matchup between the Giants and Cowboys leading the way. October 9, 2005 Clayton: The real deal Even in their defeat to the Broncos, the Redskins sent the message that their fast start this season is no fluke. October 7, 2005 Clayton: Scheduling a playoff berth A quick glance at the schedule tells you that home field in the AFC is going to come from the North and South, writes John Clayton. October 7, 2005 Clayton: Week 5 injury updates  John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5's games. October 5, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Chargers host the Steelers on MNF in Week 5's top matchup, writes John Clayton. October 2, 2005 Clayton: Transference of energy Donovan McNabb is in a great deal of pain, but it was the Chiefs who felt sick after Philly's stunning comeback on Sunday. September 30, 2005 Clayton: Week 4 injury updates  John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4's games. September 29, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 An ailing Donovan McNabb will try to avoid suffering more pain when the Eagles and Chiefs square off Sunday. September 25, 2005 Clayton: Familiar script The Patriots notched another win -- and added to their mystique -- by overcoming a spat of injuries to knock off the Steelers. September 23, 2005 Clayton: Endangered position With versatility a prized trait in the NFL, teams are looking for alternatives to full-time fullbacks, writes John Clayton. September 22, 2005 Clayton: Week 3 injury updates  John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 3's games. September 22, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton highlights the best games of Week 3, including an AFC Championship rematch in Pittsburgh. September 18, 2005 Clayton: Heart of a Champ Champ Bailey played through a shoulder separation and sparked Denver over San Diego, writes John Clayton. September 16, 2005 Clayton: Week 2 injury updates  John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 2's games. September 16, 2005 Clayton: Change of heart College QBs once bristled at switching positions in the NFL. Now, the increase of three-WR sets has started a trend. September 15, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton highlights the best games of Week 2, including Jags-Colts in Indy. • Expert picks September 13, 2005 Clayton: All the right moves With Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson sharing carries, the Chiefs will run and run, writes John Clayton. September 11, 2005 Clayton: All the right moves With Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson sharing carries, the Chiefs will run and run, writes John Clayton. September 9, 2005 Clayton: Week 1 injury updates  John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 1's games. September 9, 2005 Clayton: The upper hand The wealth of impressive RBs has provided teams several options on the field, writes John Clayton. September 7, 2005 Clayton: First ... and 10 John Clayton breaks down Week 1, including Donovan McNabb and the Eagles facing the Falcons. September 5, 2005 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams Find out how much each NFL team is over or under the $85.5 million salary cap for 2005. September 5, 2005 Clayton: What to watch in 2005 Can the Patriots repeat? Will T.O. be a distraction? Those are just a few of the questions John Clayton is asking as the 2005 season draws closer. August 31, 2005 Clayton: The chemist Good chemistry generally hasn't been associated with the Cardinals. At least not until Dennis Green became coach. August 30, 2005 Clayton: Shaky ground The Redskins, Bears, Cardinals and Lions have struggled because of instability in either the coaching staff or roster. August 29, 2005 Clayton: Not measuring up Yards gained and yardage allowed aren't sufficient barometers to judge a team's efficiency. August 19, 2005 Clayton: Inside Seahawks camp  Although Lofa Tatupu was a risky pick to some, the Seahawks believe he eventually could start at MLB this season. August 19, 2005 Clayton: The right mix? Despite winning the NFC West last season, the Seahawks spent a busy offseason making numerous changes. August 16, 2005 Clayton: Inside Cowboys camp  Drew Henson was hoping to challenge Drew Bledsoe, but he is having a hard enough time beating out Tony Romo. August 16, 2005 Clayton: The right stuff? After two years in Dallas, Bill Parcells finally has his type of players. But will that be enough to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs? August 15, 2005 Clayton: Inside Cardinals camp  The biggest question surrounding rookie J.J. Arrington is whether he has the durability to be an every-down back. August 15, 2005 Clayton: Warn-ing sign The Cardinals have a strong defense, but QB Kurt Warner's impact on the offense could determine the team's fortune this season. August 12, 2005 Clayton: Inside 49ers camp  The 49ers plan to let linebacker Julian Peterson rush the quarterback more than he ever has in the past. August 12, 2005 Clayton: Forced into action QB Alex Smith is sure to experience many growing pains, but the 49ers don't have the luxury of sitting him. August 11, 2005 Clayton: Inside Raiders camp  Though the Raiders still lack big names at linebacker, they seem to be taking a saner approach to defense. August 10, 2005 Clayton: Eagles knew T.O. spelled trouble The Eagles knew Owens could be trouble. They put clauses in his $49 million to protect themselves for situations like Wednesday. August 10, 2005 Clayton: New attitude WR Randy Moss has a businesslike approach with the Raiders that has been greatly appreciated. August 9, 2005 Clayton: Inside Chargers camp  Backup Philip Rivers appears to be no threat to overtake Drew Brees as the team's starting QB. August 9, 2005 Clayton: Make no mistake Despite facing the league's second-toughest schedule, the Chargers want to prove that last year's success wasn't a fluke. August 5, 2005 Clayton: Inside Packers camp  With just one year left on his contract, Mike Sherman is on the hot seat in Green Bay. August 5, 2005 Clayton: Favre's last stand? Brett Favre doesn't know how much longer he will play, but there is definitely a sense of urgency in 2005 for Favre and the Packers. August 4, 2005 Clayton: Inside Chiefs camp  Larry Johnson continues to improve as a RB, and will be running behind an offensive line with plenty of experience. August 4, 2005 Clayton: On the defensive Dick Vermeil says he might want to return after this season. Whether he does will depend on how much better the revamped Chiefs' defense is in 2005. August 3, 2005 Clayton: Inside Vikings camp  A healthy Michael Bennett, and the emergence of Nate Burleson, should help the Vikings survive without Randy Moss. August 3, 2005 Clayton: No Moss, no problem Without Randy Moss, the Vikings changed their personality, and so far the results are encouraging. August 2, 2005 Clayton: Inside Lions camp  RB Kevin Jones, who came on strong at the end of last season, should open things up for the Lions' passing attack. August 2, 2005 Clayton: Under fire Joey Harrington has an impressive supporting cast. But if the losing continues, he'll likely lose his starting job with the Lions. August 1, 2005 Clayton: Inside Rams camp  After a painful 2004 campaign and early offseason, Adam Archuleta is ready for his new role in the Rams' defense. August 1, 2005 Clayton: Turning back the clock The Rams believe they have what it takes to put up the big offensive numbers they did during their Super Bowl years. August 1, 2005 Former Seahawks WR Robinson checks into rehab Finally realizing he has a problem with alcohol, former Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson has checked himself into a 30-day treatment center in South Carolina July 29, 2005 Clayton: Circle the calendar For Peyton Manning and the Colts, their season seemingly comes down to one game: Monday, Nov. 7 against the Pats. July 29, 2005 Clayton: Inside Colts camp  Edgerrin James isn't happy with his contract situation. But don't expect that to have a negative impact on the Colts. July 28, 2005 Clayton: Inside Bears camp The Bears are banking on linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. July 28, 2005 Clayton: Pressure's on Rex The Bears added some talent on offense in the offseason. But how much the offense improves rests squarely on the shoulders of Rex Grossman. July 26, 2005 Clayton: Top holdouts Over the years, there have been some big holdouts. John Clayton looks at 10 of the best from the past 20 years. July 25, 2005 Clayton: Deal with it! There will probably be more rookie holdouts than normal this year, but it shouldn't be cause for major concern. July 20, 2005 Clayton: The right instincts Bill Belichick made the personnel moves to temporarily replace Tedy Bruschi but the Pats can't replace the intangibles Bruschi offered on the field. July 19, 2005 Clayton: Questions around the NFC With the start of training camp nearing, John Clayton explores the big question that faces each NFC team. July 19, 2005 Clayton: Questions around the AFC With the start of training camp nearing, John Clayton explores the big question that faces each AFC team. July 14, 2005 Clayton: Running in place Despite being among the NFL's leading rushers, Shaun Alexander and Edgerrin James failed to land deals. July 13, 2005 Clayton: Ready or not? Manuel Wright has the talent to play in the NFL. But does he have the work ethic to turn that talent into a long NFL career? July 6, 2005 Clayton: Heating up The steady addition of complementary components has put more pressure on Lions QB Joey Harrington. June 30, 2005 Clayton: Step in the right direction Green Bay's impressive financial report is good news as the league and NFLPA work on a CBA extension, writes John Clayton. June 29, 2005 Clayton: On the prowl After two straight 8-8 seasons, the Bengals believe they're ready to get over the hump and make the playoffs in 2005. June 22, 2005 Clayton: Market research Ross Verba, Peter Boulware and Ty Law are among the best players still available on the NFL free-agent market. June 22, 2005 Clayton: Limited resources Players often find out the hard way that big dollars generally aren't available through free agency in June. June 15, 2005 Clayton: Still dreaming Roscoe Crosby, a former big-time prospect who's overcome tragedy and injury, is still pursuing an NFL career. June 8, 2005 Clayton: European vacation The ongoing labor issues in the NFL could mean NFL Europe isn't back for a 14th season, writes John Clayton. June 7, 2005 Clayton: Eagles still soaring Even with all the distractions surrounding Terrell Owens, the Eagles should continue to be the class of the NFC East. June 6, 2005 Clayton: The right fit New general manager Randy Mueller will fit in well in Miami with Nick Saban. June 2, 2005 Clayton: Position of strength With Peyton Manning, Steve McNair, Byron Leftwich and David Carr, the AFC South is loaded at quarterback. May 31, 2005 Clayton: Grounded! Success among NFC South foes could be determined by their ability to stop the run this season. May 27, 2005 Clayton: Staying in the game Bill Romanowski pushed the envelope constantly when it came to keeping his body in shape to play in the NFL. May 25, 2005 Clayton: Gas in the tank Jerry Rice has obviously lost a step, but he still can be a solid contributor for the Broncos. May 25, 2005 Clayton: Summer shopping Johnnie Morton and Scott Gragg are on the rather unimpressive list of players who could be available after June 1. May 25, 2005 Clayton: Don't mark this date With teams getting better at managing the salary cap, June 1 has become a much less significant date in the NFL, writes John Clayton. May 23, 2005 Clayton: Q&A on Ricky Williams With Ricky Williams close to returning, John Clayton takes a look at some of the questions surrounding his return. May 18, 2005 Clayton: Nonstop competition Randy Moss and Patrick Surtain were the marquee attractions in another competitive offseason for AFC West foes. May 17, 2005 Clayton: Defensive shortcomings The NFC West was the weakest division in '04, and the defensive woes could lead to another year of struggling. May 11, 2005 Clayton: In Miami they trust Several NFL players have been allowed to skip their franchise's offseason programs to instead work out in Miami. April 24, 2005 Clayton: Thinking big The Lions and Jags are hoping to exploit the rule emphasis on illegal contact by adding more big targets. April 24, 2005 Clayton: No deal It was supposed to be a wild NFL draft featuring big trades and big names being moved. But then the trade market crashed. April 23, 2005 Broncos gamble on Clarett in third round Despite talk that he could actually go undrafted, former OSU RB Maurice Clarett was picked in the third round. April 23, 2005 Clayton: First-day winners and losers The Cowboys and Vikings took a step in the right direction while the Broncos and Bills took steps backwards. April 23, 2005 Clayton: Waiting is the hardest part After sliding all the way to Green Bay at No. 24, Aaron Rodgers enters the league with a point to prove, writes John Clayton. April 22, 2005 Clayton: Drama and unpredictability How far will Aaron Rodgers fall? That's just one of John Clayton's 10 things to watch in the NFL draft. April 20, 2005 Clayton: Stepping back The depth of this year's draft has more teams clamoring to move back instead of trading up. April 19, 2005 Clayton: Priorities in line 49ers coach Mike Nolan realizes the importance of getting the best player -- and deal -- with the team's No. 1 pick. April 18, 2005 Clayton: Major impact The success of Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich has changed the way teams look at mid-major QBs, writes John Clayton. April 18, 2005 Clayton: Position of need Poor QB play usually means a top-10 pick. Which is why the top of the draft will continue to be dominated by signal callers. April 15, 2005 Clayton: Still getting paid Despite the emphasis on illegal contact, cornerbacks are still in high demand around the NFL. April 14, 2005 Clayton: Lets get versatile Shawne Merriman can play linebacker or defensive end and that versatility has made him a hot prospect. April 13, 2005 Clayton: Prime-time appeal The Patriots and Raiders, foes in Week 1, are among seven teams with four prime-time contests in '05. April 11, 2005 Clayton: Last laugh One year after being rejected by the Mannings, the Chargers are sitting pretty. April 11, 2005 Clayton: Dropped pass While TEs have emerged as a major force in the NFL, this year's draft class isn't very strong. April 8, 2005 Clayton: Long-term gain Former USC WR Mike Williams has made the best of a bad situation after being ruled draft ineligible last year. March 4, 2005 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams Find out how much each NFL team is over or under the $85.5 million salary cap for 2005. March 22, 2005 Saban open to Williams rejoining team Coach Nick Saban is open to the idea of RB Ricky Williams rejoining the Dolphins ... if he's interested. March 21, 2005 CBA crisis? Tagliabue says talks 'at a dead end' NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue concerned about lack of progress towards a new collective bargaining agreement. March 18, 2005 Clayton: What's on the agenda? An extension to the CBA and the NFL in Los Angeles are on the agenda at the owners' meetings in Maui. March 17, 2005 Clayton: Keep moving forward Rules changes proposed by the Patriots and Chiefs would move the NFL backward, not forward. March 10, 2005 Seahawks willing to deal Alexander Add Seahawks franchise halfback Shaun Alexander to join the competition for finding a trading partner in a tight, tough market for tradable running backs. March 10, 2005 Clayton: Snooze you lose Breaking down some the major free-agent signings and trades from this offseason. March 4, 2005 About face: Baxter leaves Ravens for Browns Cornerback Gary Baxter signed a six-year $30 million contract Friday night with the Browns that included a $10.5 million signing bonus. March 3, 2005 Clayton: Offseason scorecard Breaking down some the major free-agent signings and trades from this offseason. February 22, 2005 Clayton: List of released players Check out the list of players who have been cut so far and the salary cap savings for their teams. February 16, 2005 Clayton: Inside the Huddle The sale of the Vikings should slow some of the Randy Moss trade talk. February 7, 2005 Clayton: Eagles expected to soar again in '05 Philadelphia may have fallen short in the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean the Eagles won't be back. February 6, 2005 Clayton: Simply amazing Terrell Owens defied odds and turned in a magnificent performance in his first game following ankle surgery. February 6, 2005 Clayton: Outcoached From poor clock management to trouble with the spread offense, the Eagles had plenty of problems Sunday. February 5, 2005 Young: Honored and humbled Steve Young is happy to have made it to the Hall of Fame after an illustrious career. February 4, 2005 Clayton: Keys to an Eagles win Here are the keys to victory for the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. February 1, 2005 Clayton: The right time Emmitt Smith still has more left in the tank, but this was the right time for him to retire. January 26, 2005 Clayton: Inside the Huddle QB Donovan McNabb's improvement as a pocket passer contributed to a career year and Super Bowl berth. January 23, 2005 Clayton: Early look at Super Bowl The experience of Tom Brady and the health of Terrell Owens will be big factors in Super Bowl XXXIX. January 21, 2005 Clayton: Hidden talents Plenty of undrafted players are making contributions for the four teams left in the playoffs. January 21, 2005 Clayton: Championship weekend injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. January 19, 2005 Clayton: First ... And Goal High-powered offenses thrived in the regular season, but the playoff survivors have excelled on defense. January 18, 2005 Clayton: Inside the Huddle RB Brian Westbrook's ability to cause matchup problems could help the Eagles finally get over the hump. January 14, 2005 Clayton: Running on empty As teams such as the Titans and Bucs have found out, winning runs in the NFL can't last forever. January 13, 2005 Clayton: Divisional injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into the divisional playoffs. January 12, 2005 Clayton: First ... And Goal John Clayton breaks down the divisional playoffs and says that offense could dominate. January 9, 2005 Clayton: Early look at AFC title game How Ben Roethlisberger bounces back and the impact of Corey Dillon are among the keys in the AFC title game. January 9, 2005 Clayton: What to watch in NFC Breaking down the matchups to watch in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. January 6, 2005 Clayton: Wild Card injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Wild-Card Weekend. January 2, 2005 Clayton: Wild and crazy In a game of strange play-calling and decisions, the Rams emerged as winners .. and wild-card qualifiers. January 2, 2005 Injury updates and inactives for Week 17 John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. 2004 December 31, 2004 Clayton: Week 17 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. December 31, 2004 Clayton: Strange days With seven of the top eight seeds already wrapped up, it's going to be a weird Sunday of football. December 30, 2004 Clayton: On the hot seat Dennis Erickson and Mike Martz are among the NFL coaches who find themselves on the hot seat. December 29, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 A playoff spot is on the line -- maybe -- when the Saints and Panthers square of on Sunday. December 26, 2004 Clayton: Lackluster receptions Once again, the Ravens lost a game in which they got very little production from their receivers. December 26, 2004 Clayton: Wounded, but winning Starter QB Ben Roethlisberger was forced out the game, but that didn't slow the Steelers from rolling to another win. December 26, 2004 Injury updates and inactives for Week 16 John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 16. December 23, 2004 Clayton: You're Fired ... ... maybe not. Because of the financial repercussions, some owners just might keep their coaches. December 23, 2004 Clayton: Week 16 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 16's three early games. December 23, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The showdown between the Patriots and Jets on Sunday is suddenly meaningful for both teams. December 22, 2004 Clayton: Pro Bowl snubs Corey Dillon, Jevon Kearse and Rod Coleman were among the players overlooked for the Pro Bowl. December 19, 2004 Clayton: Record that matters Peyton Manning will get his record, but he has his sights firmly set on something more important. December 19, 2004 Clayton: Record that matters Peyton Manning will get his record, but he has his sights firmly set on something more important. December 19, 2004 Injury updates and inactives for Week 15 John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 17, 2004 Clayton: First ... And Bad Bad QBs and injuries are among the 10 reasons why the NFC is so bad this year. December 17, 2004 Clayton: Week 15 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 15, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Ravens and Colts meet in an AFC showdown that will carries significant playoff implications. December 15, 2004 Clayton: Week 14 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 15, 2004 Clayton: Plan of action The Chargers' 3-4 scheme has improved their overall defense and made them No. 1 in stopping the run. December 14, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Coach Andy Reid's decision to move Jeremiah Trotter to MLB is paying off for the Eagles. December 12, 2004 Clayton: Run for cover The Steelers' dependence on the run set up a trick pass play, the turning point in their win over the Jets. December 12, 2004 Injury updates and inactives for Week 14 John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 10, 2004 Clayton: Mixed results Drew Brees and Matt Hasselbeck show how differently players react in the final year of contracts. December 8, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Sunday's matchup between the Jets and Steelers could be a preview for a playoff meeting next month. December 7, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Cowboys coach Bill Parcells passed on drafting a RB in the first round and ended up with a clone of Curtis Martin. December 6, 2004 Clayton: Back to the future Julius Jones has it, and with him piling up yards from the backfield, so now do the Dallas Cowboys. December 5, 2004 Clayton: Fade route Once again, the Broncos limp into the final month of the season with their playoff hopes slipping away. December 5, 2004 Clayton: The new Chargers The old Chargers would have found a way to lose Sunday's game instead of finding a way to win it. December 5, 2004 Injury updates and inactives for Week 13 John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. December 3, 2004 Clayton: Week 13 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. December 3, 2004 Clayton: Missed tackles The struggles of former first-rounders like Chris Hovan and Johnathan Sullivan shows that drafting DTs is risky. December 2, 2004 Attorney: Ricky Williams' football career is over Ricky Williams' career as a football player may be over, according to his attorney, David Cornwell. December 1, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Mike Shanahan must get his Broncos refocused if they want to avoid falling two games back of the Chargers. November 30, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Willis McGahee's success has allowed Mike Mularkey to run a more physical offense in Buffalo. November 28, 2004 Clayton: Sleeping in Seattle The Seahawks' playoff hopes are still in good shape, but that's only because they play in the NFC West, football's worst division. November 26, 2004 Clayton: Week 12 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 12. November 26, 2004 Clayton: Complementary parts RBs have made a big impact in the passing game by allowing their QBs to be more effective with play-action. November 24, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Corey Dillon is ready for the Pats, while Baltimore's Jamal Lewis will be sidelined for this Week 12 showdown. November 23, 2004 Clayton: Williams' attorney paves way for return Ricky Williams' attorney David Cornwell did a great job negotiating a way for him to return to the NFL. The next problem is going to be seeing if Williams is going to agree to it. November 22, 2004 Clayton: Patriots triumph over adversity again If this is how the Patriots deal with adversity, they may never lose another game. November 21, 2004 Clayton: Down but not out Ben Roethlisberger struggled for the first time as a starter this season, but still led the Steelers to victory. November 21, 2004 Clayton: Anger management Marvin Lewis was extremely upset following a game in which the Bengals doomed themselves with mistakes. November 21, 2004 Injury updates and inactives: Hasselbeck out John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 11. November 19, 2004 Clayton: Week 11 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 11. November 19, 2004 Clayton: Aging ungracefully The Cowboys and others are finding out that getting older at the wrong positions is extremely dangerous. November 17, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Tom Coughlin's intriguing decision to switch QBs comes at a tough stretch of the season for the Giants. November 14, 2004 Clayton: Sheepish in Seattle Once again, the Seahawks found themselves incapable of overcoming a porous start in a big game. November 14, 2004 Clayton: Getting tough The Rams responded to a tough week of practice with a huge win over the Seahawks. November 14, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 11, 2004 Clayton: Week 10 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 11, 2004 Clayton: Piece of the action QBs once strayed away from Champ Bailey, but teams are now throwing at him and other marquee CBs. November 10, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Seahawks finally get a chance to redeem themselves for blowing a late lead against the Rams in Week 5. November 9, 2004 AFC midseason report At midseason, John Clayton has his All-AFC team and five things to watch in the second half. November 7, 2004 Clayton: Analyze this! After a week of criticism, Broncos QB Jake Plummer delivered a strong performance -- with no turnovers. November 7, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. November 5, 2004 Corner shop: Eagles extend Sheppard The Eagles locked up cornerback Lito Sheppard through the 2011 season by reaching a five-year extension that could be worth as much as $25 million. November 5, 2004 Clayton: Week 9 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. November 5, 2004 Clayton: Patience still a virtue Despite Ben Roethlisberger's success, the best approach is still to be patient with rookie quarterbacks November 4, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 With injuries to key players, the Eagles could see their undefeated run end against the Steelers. November 3, 2004 Clayton: Take it to the bank QBs Matt Hasselbeck and Drew Brees are among the players who should be eyeing big deals in the offseason. October 31, 2004 Clayton: Bouncing back After looking unprepared in an ugly home loss last week, the Giants jumped all over the Vikings. October 31, 2004 Clayton: Giant pain for Vikings For the second year in a row the Vikings were embarrassed at home by the Giants. October 31, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. October 29, 2004 Clayton: Mt. Rushmore The increase of 3-4 defenses and young starting QBs has led to a heavy emphasis on blitzing this season. October 28, 2004 Clayton: Week 8 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. October 27, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The decision Bill Belichick has to make is whether or not to blitz Steelers rookie Ben Roethlisberger. October 26, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Bill Musgrave's tweaks to the Jacksonville offense have already benefited QB Byron Leftwich. October 24, 2004 Clayton: For real With the calm and collected Byron Leftwich leading the way, the Jaguars proved that they're a contender in the AFC South. October 24, 2004 Clayton: Self-inflicted wounds Turnovers and penalties contributed mightily to the Colts losing the game, and divisional lead, to Jacksonville. October 24, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 7. October 22, 2004 Clayton: Jets' payoff The Jets' hard word and patience paid off this offseason and they are a playoff contender because of it. October 20, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 In what could be a rarity this season, the Jets and Patriots square off in a big divisional battle. October 19, 2004 Receiver shift: Cowboys trade Bryant to Browns After a Monday meeting with Antonio Bryant's agent about the wide receiver's diminished role, the Dallas Cowboys traded Bryant to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Quincy Morgan. October 17, 2004 Clayton: Losing direction At 2-3 the Cowboys are seeing their season head in the wrong direction. October 17, 2004 Clayton: Big Ben Ben Roethlisberger added another chapter to his rookie season, leading the Steelers to a come-from-behind win. October 17, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 6. October 15, 2004 Clayton: Week 6 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 6. October 15, 2004 Clayton: Enough already The slow starts by several NFC foes makes it hard for those advocating an expanded playoff field. October 13, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Seahawks' late collapse last week has increased the importance of Sunday's game at New England. October 13, 2004 Message received: WR Shaw not in Bills' plans The Bills made their first front-office reaction to owner Ralph Wilson's public frustration about an offense he labeled as boring. In a move Wednesday morning that John Clayton called strange, the team order wide receiver Bobby Shaw to clear out his locker. Shaw was released later in the day. October 11, 2004 Clayton: Wild and crazy league From the surprising Chargers to the wild NFC West, there was plenty going on during a crazy weekend of NFL football. October 10, 2004 Clayton: Self destruction With a chance to close out the Rams and build a nice divisional lead, the Seahawks imploded down the stretch. October 10, 2004 Clayton: Second effort With Marc Bulger leading a huge second-half comeback, the Rams reminded everyone that they're still in the NFC West hunt. October 10, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5. October 8, 2004 Clayton: Week 5 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5. October 8, 2004 Clayton: Empty yards Looking at defensive statistics shows that passing yards allowed can be misleading. October 6, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 A win at home against the Rams on Sunday would give Seattle a nice cushion in the NFC West. October 5, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Kurt Warner's early success has allowed the Giants to take their time in grooming rookie Eli Manning. October 3, 2004 Clayton: Empty yards Despite passing for over 300 yards, the Panthers came up empty against the Falcons. October 3, 2004 Clayton: The Vick Rules? Regardless of whether the league is overly protective of Michael Vick, the quarterback has Carolina's number. October 3, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4. October 1, 2004 Clayton: Week 4 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4. October 1, 2004 Clayton: Early-season observations Through Week 3, instant replay challenges are up; WR Roy Williams is hot; and Ben Roethlisberger has a win. September 29, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The stingy Jaguars defense will be tested Sunday against the Colts, who have scored 100 points so far. September 28, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle The addition of WR Terrell Owens is not the only reason for Donovan McNabb's improved accuracy. September 26, 2004 Clayton: Titanic problems After two stunning home losses, the Titans finds themseleves in a big hole just three weeks into the season. September 26, 2004 Clayton: Poise and prosperity Byron Leftwich's leadership was apparent down the stretch as the 3-0 Jaguars rallied to knock off Tennessee. September 26, 2004 Injury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 3. September 24, 2004 Clayton: Week 3 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 3. September 24, 2004 Clayton: Infirmary report Injuries have already had a huge impact just two weeks into the NFL season. September 22, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Expect the Packers to run often, while the ground attack could be an issue for Indy without Edgerrin James. September 21, 2004 Clayton: Inside the Huddle So far Michael Vick is adjusting just fine to the version of the West Coast offense the Falcons are using. September 20, 2004 Costly injury: Winslow might be hurting in wallet, too Kellen Winslow Jr.'s broken leg could cost him a $5.3675 million one-time roster bonus. September 19, 2004 Clayton: Dual deficiencies A shoddy run defense and injuries on offense have contributed mightily to the Chiefs' 0-2 start. September 19, 2004 Clayton: Holding on Panthers RB DeShaun Foster, plagued by a fumbling problem, held on to the ball tight as he ran over the Chiefs defense. September 19, 2004 Iinjury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 2. September 17, 2004 Clayton: Week 2 injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 2. September 17, 2004 Clayton: Sacked Defensive ends might see their sack numbers go down, but that doesn't mean they aren't doing their job. September 15, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Colts' tough schedule has them at risk of starting 0-2 heading into Sunday's game against rival Tennessee. September 12, 2004 Clayton: Long day for Dallas Aside from Vinny Testaverde's big day, not much went right for the Cowboys in their loss to Minnesota. September 12, 2004 Clayton: Top billing In a battle of the top offense and defense from 2003, the Vikings offense was too much for the Cowboys. September 12, 2004 Iinjury updates and inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 1. September 7, 2004 Clayton: First ... And 10 Sunday night's Chiefs-Broncos showdown is among the weekend's most impressive matchups. September 7, 2004 Dolphins trade for Rams' Gordon The Dolphins have ended their summer-long search for a replacement for Ricky Williams by completing a trade with the St. Louis Rams for running back Lamar Gordon. September 7, 2004 Clayton: Marquee matchups Get out your calendar as ESPN's John Clayton previews the 10 best NFL games of the season. September 6, 2004 Clayton: Title hunt Mike Holmgren doesn't have as many titles on his business card, but he's much closer to the title that really matters. September 6, 2004 Clayton: Taking a step back Former head coaches like Gunther Cunningham and Gregg Williams have to bide their time as assistants. September 1, 2004 Jet has landed: Pennington gets $64M extension Chad Pennington received his contract extension right on time -- and for the right amount of money to keep him a Jet through 2011. CLAYTON'S PRE-SEASON 2004 HOTSEAT August 31, 2004 Clayton: Flying flags The Patriots and Dolphins are among the teams that could be heavily penalized with the new emphasis on illegal contact. August 30, 2004 Clayton: Trend setter With Jerry Rice paving the way, WRs just continue to get bigger, stronger and faster every year. August 25, 2004 Turley (back) has time to ponder options Now that he's learned he's out for the season with back problems, Rams right tackle Kyle Turley will take some time to determine what to do next. August 18, 2004 Clayton: Running man QB Josh McCown's scrambling abilities should help the Cardinals compensate for the lack of depth in their running attack. August 18, 2004 Clayton: Benchmarks Regardless of pedigree or reputation, Cardinals coach Dennis Green has not hesitated demoting underachievers. August 17, 2004 Clayton: Matter of execution The Seahawks have plenty of firepower on offense, now they just need to execute better. August 17, 2004 Clayton: Pride and joy Generally a sore subject, the Seahawks are actually excited about the defense their fielding this season. August 16, 2004 Clayton: Silver and back A healthy Rich Gannon expects big things from himself and the Raiders this season. August 16, 2004 Clayton: Looking good Warren Sapp looks good playing at defensive end in Oakland's new 3-4 defense. August 13, 2004 Clayton: Silencing the critics Former Hurricane and current 49ers QB Ken Dorsey is gradually proving that he can play in the NFL. August 13, 2004 Clayton: No-name offense Terrell Owens' departure has reduced the noise at 49ers camp, but also has the franchise lacking star appeal. August 12, 2004 Clayton: Back of the future The Cowboys' late acquisition of Eddie George allows rookie RB Julius Jones more time to learn the system. August 12, 2004 Clayton: Blasts from the past Coach Bill Parcells has brought in a number of his former players in an attempt to improve the offense. August 11, 2004 Clayton: Shedding some pounds Chargers LG Toniu Fonoti showed surprised folks by showing up to camp a day late -- and having lost 25 pounds. August 11, 2004 Clayton: Business as usual Once again, the Chargers are involved in another lengthy contract impasse with a first-round pick. August 10, 2004 Clayton: Third time a charm? For years, the Vikings have tried to upgrade the defense. Coach Mike Tice thinks they have finally done so. August 10, 2004 Clayton: Ready, set, go The Vikings had the No. 1 ranked offense last year and more of the same is expected this season. August 9, 2004 Incomplete pass: Rivers-Chargers talks get ugly Contract talks between the San Diego Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers took a turn for the worse Monday. August 9, 2004 Clayton: Rising star With Tony Gonzalez and others missing time, rookie TE Kris Wilson has commanded a lot of attention at Chiefs camp. August 9, 2004 Clayton: Good and bad Assuming he doesn't retire, the Chiefs aren't too concerned about Priest Holmes. Their worry is improving the defense. August 5, 2004 Clayton: Last man standing Titans QB Steve McNair is forced to move on following the departures of Jevon Kearse, Frank Wycheck and Eddie George. August 5, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Titans camp While WR Tyrone Calico looks much improved in his second season, rookie DEs Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom have a lot to learn. August 5, 2004 Clayton: Learning curve After spending a year learning on the sidelines, Carson Palmer is ready to lead the Bengals. August 5, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Bengals camp In just three seasons Chad Johnson has emerged as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers. August 4, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Colts camp Dominick Rhodes is finally healthy, giving the Colts great depth at running back. August 4, 2004 Clayton: On the offensive With a healthy Edgerrin James things couldn't be better for Peyton Manning and the Colts. August 3, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Packers camp From Darren Sharper to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, there was plenty to watch at Packers camp. August 3, 2004 Clayton: Shrinking window of opportunity Retirement talk and pending free agency have created a sense of urgency in Packers camp. August 2, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Lions camp From Joey Harrington's accuracy to Charles Rogers improved technique, there was plenty to watch at Lions camp. August 2, 2004 Clayton: First and foremost The Lions' upgrade in team speed has coach Steve Mariucci hoping to go from worst to first in offense. August 1, 2004 Clayton: On the attack Under Lovie Smith the Bears will be more aggressive on offense and defense. But that might not translate into wins right away. August 1, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Bears camp From Thomas Jones to who will fill in for Brian Urlacher, there was plenty to watch at Bears camp. July 30, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Rams camp The Rams plan to run more this year and it will be interesting to see how Steven Jackson fits in that plan. July 30, 2004 Clayton: Change of plans After years of being criticized for not running more, coach Mike Martz wants to increase the Rams' ground production. July 29, 2004 Clayton: Champ-ions in Denver? Coach Mike Shanahan believes the addition of CB Champ Bailey makes the Broncos a legitimate Super Bowl threat. July 29, 2004 Clayton: Observations from Broncos camp Quentin Griffin is small, but he looks comfortable as Denver's starting running back. July 26, 2004 Clayton: Camp First ... and 10 New England's addition of Corey Dillon and Miami's loss of Ricky Williams are among the top training camp storylines. July 25, 2004 For Miami, Ricky's timing couldn't be worse The timing of Ricky Williams' retirement couldn't have been worse for the Miami Dolphins. July 22, 2004 Clayton: Rich man, poor man While QBs, CBs and other positions are commanding big bucks, RBs are going down in the salary scale. July 20, 2004 Clayton: Fresh legs As it stands now, Tyrone Wheatley will likely be the featured running back in Oakland. July 16, 2004 Quite a rush: Bills land ex-Steeler Gildon The Bills won out a waiting game to acquire the pass-rushing services of former Steelers linebacker Jason Gildon. July 15, 2004 Clayton: Cracking down on corners The NFL's decision to enforce illegal contact after five yards will have a huge impact on this season. July 13, 2004 Clayton: Arm strength Norv Turner believes that Rich Gannon's rehab from right shoulder surgery has increased his arm strength. July 8, 2004 Clayton: Defense mechanism Even with some key offensive additions, the AFC East still figures to be dominated by strong defenses. June 29, 2004 Clayton: Best in the West Dennis Green's preference in starting Emmitt Smith at RB is based on a trait of the West Coast offense. June 24, 2004 Clayton: One-two punch June 10, 2004 Clayton: Young guns The Bengals and Ravens are favorites in the AFC North and both are counting on young QBs. June 9, 2004 No. 1 and done: Browns ax Couch The Cleveland Browns finally brought an end to the Tim Couch saga by releasing him Wednesday, according to his agent, Tom Condon of IMG. June 8, 2004 Clayton: Strategic thinking If Eddie George returns to the Titans, he should expect for his role in the offense to remain the same. June 1, 2004 TE Cleeland unable to save motorist's life Unsigned TE Cam Cleeland has finally spoken publicly about his attempt to save a motorist from a burning car. May 27, 2004 Clayton: Transitional stage If you're an NFL veteran on the wrong side of 30, you can expect the AFC West to come calling soon. May 25, 2004 Conway agrees to 1-year deal with Niners The 49ers reached a one-year agreement with former Jets wide receiver Curtis Conway, who was released at the start of free agency. May 25, 2004 Gannon among best free agent pickups Rich Gannon's production with the Raiders has made him one of the league's all-time best free-agency acquisition. May 24, 2004 Raiders reassure Gannon about QB role Rich Gannon may not be gone from the Raiders after Monday's signing of Kerry Collins. May 11, 2004 Clayton: No openings With more depth at QB, veterans like Kerry Collins are having a hard time finding starting jobs. May 11, 2004 Inside the Huddle: Growing Moss Randy Moss has added weight in an effort to fight through more tackles. May 4, 2004 Bulger extended through 2007 ... Warner back? QB Kurt Warner has some time to explore his options, one of which is returning to the Rams. May 3, 2004 Clayton: Most improved The Lions and Raiders are among the most improved teams so far this offseason. April 25, 2004 Clayton: Thoughts on Day 2 Even on the second day of the draft teams had trouble finding offensive lineman. April 24, 2004 Clayton: Down on trading down It's hard to understand why the Cowboys traded back instead of taking one of the top RBs. April 24, 2004 Clayton: Lions excel on first day The Lions were among the winners on the first day of the draft. April 23, 2004 Clayton: Draft 1st ... and 10 Trades and the depth at wide receiver are a couple of the story lines heading into this weekend's draft. April 22, 2004 Clayton: Driver's seat Although San Diego picks first, the Raiders actually hold the key to the draft at No. 2. April 20, 2004 Clayton: The blueprint Heavy emphasis is placed on free agency, but winning teams are generally built through the draft. April 19, 2004 Clayton: Passing on Manning? The Chargers insist history won't influence their decision to draft Eli Manning or trade the top pick in the draft. April 19, 2004 Clayton: Easier said than done There's always plenty of draft trade speculation, but usually very little movement in switching selections. April 16, 2004 Clayton: "Small" Ben Ben Roethlisberger fears teams are shying away from him because he didn't play for one of the bigger programs. April 15, 2004 Clayton: Linebacker U Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams played four years together at Miami and will both be first-round picks in the NFL draft. April 14, 2004 Clayton: First and 10 ... If you're circling the 10 best games on the '04 schedule, start with the Terrell Owens Bowl on Halloween. April 13, 2004 Clayton: Need for speed Speed is more important than ever for CBs, which is why DeAngelo Hall is such a hot prospect. April 9, 2004 Clayton: Uptight! Franchises are starting to show concern over the thinning crop of tight end prospects. April 6, 2004 Clayton: Cleaning house GM Bruce Allen's salary cap expertise has helped the Bucs land a number of new veterans this offseason. April 1, 2004 Clayton: New guys on the block Lovie Smith, Jim Mora and Mike Mularkey are ready to jump into their first jobs as head coaches. March 31, 2004 Clayton: Yes league Everything that came up for vote at the recent annual NFL meetings passed with flying colors. March 31, 2004 Clayton: 1 ... or the other The Chargers have less than a month to make a decision regarding the No. 1 pick -- one option being to trade it. March 30, 2004 Clayton: Cracking down on corners The physical play during last season's playoffs will result in CBs getting flagged more for illegal contact. March 29, 2004 NFL Trust sharing arrangement to be extended Commissioner Paul Tagliabue anticipates passage of a resolution to extend the NFL Trust, a sharing arrangement involving trademarks and team logos and sponsorships that generate $4 million of annual income to teams. The usual three-quarters majority vote is required, meaning only 24 teams need to support the measure as opposed to all 32 teams. March 29, 2004 Clayton: Season of change? A few proposals will be made at the NFL annual meeting this week, but major changes are not expected. March 24, 2004 Clayton: Familiarity breeds acceptance A number of players have found themselves reunited with former coaches and coordinators this offseason. March 23, 2004 Clayton: Dillon trade stalled The Corey Dillon-to-Oakland trade was delayed with the Raiders signing of Warren Sapp, but could still happen. March 17, 2004 Clayton: Tough crowd Even though questions remain for some teams, available quarterbacks are finding this to be a rough market. March 15, 2004 WR Boston to Dolphins Wide receiver David Boston is heading to the Miami Dolphins in a trade from the San Diego Chargers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2005 draft and a player to be named later. March 11, 2004 Clayton: Moving on Veteran S John Lynch is not surprised to be leaving Tampa and is excited about being a free agent. March 3, 2004 Chargers grant Boston permission to seek trade WR David Boston, acquired by the Chargers last offseason, has been granted permission to seek a trade. March 8, 2004 Clayton: Wild on free agency Free agency got off to a wild start and here's a little of what we've learned so far. March 2, 2004 Clayton: Restricted market The Redskins made a splash in the restricted FA market last offseason. Will it happen again? March 1, 2004 Clayton: Room to roam With $33 million in cap room, the Vikings are well set up for the future. February 25, 2004 Clayton: Free agency terms What's an unrestricted free agent? How about a franchise players? Check out our glossary of free agency terms. February 25, 2004 Clayton: Combine complications The uncertainty surrounding Maurice Clarett and other underclassmen has made scouting for the draft that much harder. February 24, 2004 Clayton: Fourth-quarter Feeley One reason the Dolphins turned to A.J. Feeley is his fourth-quarter success. February 23, 2004 Clayton: Big hitter Former Miami safety Sean Taylor might be the best player in the draft, but he won't go No. 1. February 21, 2004 Clayton: Receiving their due The addition of Mike Williams to a draft that includes players like Larry Fitzgerald would make the WR position even more loaded. February 20, 2004 Clayton: On the clock With Mark Brunell off the market, expect the Chargers to turn their attention to QBs with the top pick in the draft. February 19, 2004 Clayton: Weighty issue Shawn Andrews is a first-round talent, but he has to answer questions about his weight. February 17, 2004 Clayton: Market value There are currently 10 teams interested in trading for Redskins CB Champ Bailey. February 17, 2004 Clayton: Speaking engagement Skill drills and 40 times are key, but interviewing has become a huge part of the NFL Scouting Combine. February 12, 2004 Clayton: Thinking caps With plenty of experience under their belts, teams are finding more creative ways to manage the salary cap. February 10, 2004 Clayton: Bittersweet moment Dennis Weathersby was unable to enjoy the thrill of getting drafted as he continues to deal with being shot. February 10, 2004 Clayton: Top priority Regardless of the rhetoric about teams winning without a good QB, franchises still build around their signal-callers. February 2, 2004 Clayton: Panthers have decisions to make After falling just short of a Super Bowl title, the Panthers have 17 potential free agents to deal with. February 1, 2004 Clayton: Untimely retreat Carolina's recently improved secondary reverted to its old ways against Tom Brady and the Pats on Sunday. February 1, 2004 Clayton: Vrabel's versatility From sacking Jake Delhomme to scoring a touchdown, Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel displayed his all-purpose abilities. February 1, 2004 Clayton: Super clutch The Patriots weren't perfect, but their Super Bowl-winning 15th straight victory places them in elite company. January 31, 2004 Clayton: Five keys to Panthers win Efficient play from QB Jake Delhomme and sacking Tom Brady are among the keys to Carolina upsetting New England. January 30, 2004 Clayton: First ... And Goal After 20 weeks of football, it comes down to the Panthers and Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. January 30, 2004 Clayton: Bittersweet The Patriots' postseason success hurt Romeo Crennel's and Charlie Weis' chances at getting a head coaching job. January 30, 2004 Clayton: Maximizing weaknesses The Panthers think they can run on the Patriots, while New England will try to force Jake Delhomme into mistakes. January 28, 2004 Clayton: Mr. Clutch Even though Adam Vinatieri missed nine FGs this season, he was still a sure thing in crucial situations. January 28, 2004 Clayton: Defensive plans Bill Belichick and John Fox use different methods, but the results are the same -- good defense. January 27, 2004 Clayton: Spread vs. Jam While offenses for the Patriots and Panthers have been effective, they couldn't be any more different. January 26, 2004 Clayton: New and improved After being on opposite ends of the spectrum in 2001, the Panthers and Pats have remade themselves into Super Bowl teams. January 23, 2004 Clayton: Copycats Teams will be closely studying the Super Bowl to see what they can learn from the Panthers and Patriots. January 22, 2004 Clayton: Most Super moments ESPN.com's John Clayton lists his top 10 most memorable Super Bowl moments. January 18, 2004 Clayton: Super plotlines Two years ago New England was the underdog in the Super Bowl. Now it's Carolina's turn. January 4, 2004 Clayton: 'Man' among boys Ricky Manning Jr. talked trashed about the Eagles WRs last week and backed it up with 3 INTs on Sunday. January 16, 2004 Clayton: Running out of options? Running is important, but the remaining playoff teams -- and history -- have proven that's not enough. January 16, 2004 Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Sunday's conference title games. January 14, 2004 Clayton: First ... And Goal How Peyton Manning performs against his nemesis, the Pats, will be something to see on Championship Sunday. January 13, 2004 Buffalo decides on Mularkey as next coach Following a Tuesday meeting with owner Ralph Wilson, Mike Mularkey has accepted an offer to be head coach of the Buffalo Bills. January 11, 2004 Clayton: What to watch in title games Indy's goal-line offense and the health of Stephen Davis are among the keys on Championship Sunday. January 11, 2004 Clayton: On fire Peyton Manning has gone from the QB who couldn't win a playoff game to the hottest QB in the playoffs. January 10, 2004 Clayton: In a rush The Panthers kept running even after Stephen Davis got hurt and racked up 216 yards on the ground. January 10, 2004 Clayton: Belief system The Panthers beat St. Louis in part because of their confidence in Jake Delhomme -- something the Rams lacked in Marc Bulger. January 9, 2004 Clayton: Eastern powers With Tom Coughlin, Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs and Andy Reid, the NFC East is a coaching hot spot. January 8, 2004 Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Saturday's divisional playoff games. January 8, 2004 Clayton: First ... And Goal The divisional round features four great matchups, with the Packers rematch against the Eagles leading the way. January 7, 2004 Clayton: Managing the bye week Earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage does no good if a coach mismanages the off week. January 3, 2004 Clayton: What to watch in NFC Can the Panthers keep up? Will injuries hurt the Eagles? Those are just two things to watch in the NFC. December 27, 2003 Clayton: Thrilling victory Al Harris' interception return for a TD was a thrilling end to a thrilling game. January 3, 2004 Clayton: Anderson boots Ravens Gary Anderson needed every inch to get his game-winning 46-yard FG over the crossbar. January 3, 2004 Clayton: By George Despite a dislocated shoulder, Eddie George carried the Titans past the Ravens. January 2, 2004 Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into wild-card weekend. January 2, 2004 Clayton: Ring-ing endorsement Six of the 12 coaches in this year's playoffs have already won at least one Super Bowl title. 2003 December 31, 2003 Clayton: First ... And Goal Broncos vs. Colts is the best matchup of wild-card weekend, but here's a look at all the games. December 28, 2003 Clayton: 10 things to watch The first round of the playoffs features three rematches and a battle between former divisional rivals. December 28, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. December 27, 2003 Clayton: Growth spurt After a three-month, six-game slide away from home, the young Seahawks finally pulled out a road win. December 26, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. December 26, 2003 Clayton: Derailed History shows that the AFC's top two seeds are less likely to reach the conference title game than their NFC counterparts. December 24, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Packers might need another heroic effort from QB Brett Favre against Denver to make the playoffs. December 20, 2003 Clayton: Frustration besets Chiefs' locker room The Kansas City Chiefs put on a 20-point second half rally but fell way short during a 45-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night, but they saved their best battle for after the game. December 20, 2003 Clayton: Vikings' receivers hair it out Randy Moss and his Vikings receivers let their hair out Saturday night, with liberating results. December 19, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 16. December 19, 2003 Clayton: Numbers game The NFL expanded from 14 games to 16 games 25 years ago and it changed the impact of some statistics. December 18, 2003 Clayton: Snubbed! Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who leads the league in yards from scrimmage, is among the Pro Bowl snubs. December 17, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Vikings and Chiefs bring high-powered offenses into the best matchup of Week 16. August 20, 2003 Clayton: Dismissed, but desired The Giants have decided to fire Jim Fassel at season's end, but he'll likely land another head coaching gig for '04. December 14, 2003 Clayton: Road woes continue Seattle's problems on the road and with officials continued Sunday in St. Louis. December 14, 2003 Clayton: Passing the baton When Isaac Bruce went down, fellow veterans Torry Holt and Marshall Faulk made critical plays for the Rams. December 14, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 11, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 12, 2003 Clayton: Coaching experience Experienced coaches like Tom Coughlin and Dennis Green could be in high demand. December 11, 2003 Clayton: Road trip If the Seahawks want to make the playoffs they need to find a way to win on the road. December 11, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Seahawks try to end their road woes in St. Louis in the top matchup of Week 15. December 7, 2003 Clayton: Helpless! Titans QB Steve McNair helplessly watched from the sidelines as the Colts used turnovers to dominate the time of possession. December 7, 2003 Clayton: Tough Colts Don't call the Colts a finesse team after they toughed out a win over the Titans. December 7, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 4, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 5, 2003 Clayton: Down and out While the Bucs' and Raiders' woes have been well-documented, they're not the only '02 playoff teams struggling. December 3, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 Peyton Manning and the Colts go for the sweep of the Titans in the top matchup of a loaded Week 14. November 30, 2003 Clayton: Denied! Willie McGinest's last play highlighted two significant defensive stands by the Pats in the final quarter. November 30, 2003 Clayton: Injured Colts Injuries contributed to the Colts' inability to score on games' final four plays from inside the two-yard line. November 30, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. November 28, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. November 28, 2003 Clayton: Season of discipline Teams have been quick to discipline players this season and in most cases it's the coaches making the call. November 26, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 Former AFC East rivals, the Patriots and Colts meet in the top matchup on the Week 13 schedule. November 23, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 12. November 21, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 12. November 9, 2003 Clayton: Group effort Coach Bill Belichick has done a remarkable job this season, but the Patriots front office should not be overlooked. November 19, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 Two of the NFC's best teams -- the Panthers and Cowboys -- meet in the best matchup of Week 12. November 16, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 11. November 12, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 It's Bill Parcells vs. Bill Belichick -- and the Cowboys vs. the Patriots -- in the best matchup of Week 11. November 9, 2003 Clayton: McNair's big breakthrough For the first time in a regular-season game, Titans QB Steve McNair got it done against the Dolphins. November 9, 2003 Clayton: Running on empty Tennessee shut down Ricky Williams, who failed to go over 100 yards for the sixth straight game. November 9, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 7, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 7, 2003 Clayton: Keep 'em or lose 'em? Terrell Owens, Warren Sapp and Corey Dillon are among the stars who could be dealt or franchised in the offseason. November 6, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 QB Brian Griese and the Dolphins face a big road test at Tennessee in the best matchup of Week 10. November 5, 2003 AFC midseason report At midseason, John Clayton has his All-AFC team and five things to watch in the second half. November 3, 2003 Clayton: Belichick's Call of the Year Bill Belichick's decision to take a late safety subsequently led to the Patriots game-winning touchdown against Denver. November 2, 2003 Clayton: Dilemma of the day Tim Rattay's sparkling start in replacement of Jeff Garcia could spark another QB controversy in San Francisco. November 2, 2003 Clayton: Blitzed! The 49ers used speed and lots of blitzes to disrupt Rams quarterback Marc Bulger. November 2, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. October 30, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. October 31, 2003 Clayton: Under review The replay system has come under attack lately and there is a good chance it could be gone following the season. October 30, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 Marvin Harrison and the Colts and Dolphins meet in Miami in the best matchup of Week 9. October 26, 2003 Clayton: Defining moment Chad Pennington looked good in his return until a fourth-quarter interception sent the Jets to their fifth loss. October 26, 2003 Clayton: Thumbs up Donovan McNabb still looked rusty, but he was good enough to get a win for Philly. October 26, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. October 24, 2003 Clayton: Against all odds The struggles of the Raiders and Bucs have illustrated just how difficult it is to make a repeat Super Bowl run. October 24, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. October 22, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Cowboys will get a big test against the Buccaneers in Week 8's best matchup. October 22, 2003 Clayton: Special breed Special teams coaches are a different breed, a group of men who could be heroes on one play and villains the next. October 21, 2003 Clayton: Chief concern is the offense The Chiefs improved to 7-0 on Monday night, but there are plenty concerns over an offense that sputtered. October 21, 2003 Raiders lose Gannon but like Tuiasosopo Starting QB Rich Gannon was knocked out of Monday night's loss to Kansas City and his status is uncertain against Detroit on Nov. 2. October 19, 2003 Clayton: Practice makes perfect Randy Moss' lateral TD to Moe Williams before the half knocked Denver out. October 19, 2003 Clayton: End of the road? Broncos QB Steve Beuerlein's season and career might have ended after he suffered a dislocated pinkie finger. October 19, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 7. October 16, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 7. October 17, 2003 Clayton: Save the QB One by-product of passing yards being down is that quarterbacks are getting hit less than in the past. October 15, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Vikings look to stay undefeated when they host the Broncos in Week 7's best matchup. October 12, 2003 Clayton: Two-headed monster Stephen Davis has 641 yards rushing, but the most dangerous runner in Carolina might be DeShaun Foster. October 12, 2003 Clayton: Double trouble An overturn of a Chad Bratzke interception and injuries to three running backs proved costly for the Colts. October 12, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 6. October 10, 2003 Clayton: Hall of a dilemma The "Don't kick to Dante Hall?" theory sounds good, but is not the best approach to containing the phenomenal returner. October 10, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 6. October 8, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 It's a battle of unbeatens as the Colts host the Panthers in Week 6's best matchup. October 5, 2003 Clayton: Shanahan's tricks The Broncos tried a little bit of everything on offense, even running a few plays out of the Wishbone formation. October 5, 2003 Clayton: Dante's inferno The play wasn't even set up for a return. But Dante Hall took nothing and turned into a 93-yard punt return. October 5, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5. October 3, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5. October 3, 2003 Clayton: Team game Terrell Owens' latest outburst will probably lead him out of S.F. and the next one could cost him big money. October 2, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 It's a battle of unbeatens as the Chiefs play host to the Broncos meet in Week 5's biggest matchup. September 29, 2003 Clayton: Bears need makeover It's too bad the architects who renovated Chicago's Soldier Field didn't fix the Bears, who left a 13-win team in 2001 and returned Monday night as the worst team in football. The Bears lost their home opener 38-23 to the Green Bay Packers. September 28, 2003 Clayton: End zone result The Steelers might have won time of possesion, but it was the Titans who figured out how to score TDs. September 28, 2003 Clayton: Rolle play Titans CB Samari Rolle struggled at times against Plaxico Burress, but made one of the game's biggest plays. September 28, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4. September 26, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4. September 26, 2003 Clayton: The dead zone Red zone possessions have often led to field goals instead of touchdowns for a lot of teams. September 24, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 They're not division rivals anymore, but Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee is still Week 4's biggest matchup. September 7, 2003 Clayton: Home sweet home The Titans used their home-field advantage to beat up on Rich Gannon and the Raiders. September 7, 2003 NFL injury updates/inactives around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 1. September 5, 2003 Clayton: Meaningless exhibitions While most owners will resist change, the NFL must find a way to limit the number of preseason games. September 4, 2003 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 1. September 3, 2003 Holmes gets four-year extension from Chiefs Chiefs star running back Priest Holmes reached a new four-year contract extension Wednesday that will increase his average salary to more than $5 million a year and give him a signing and option bonus of around $10 million. September 3, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Bucs are coming off a Super Bowl season, yet find themselves making another trip to dreaded Philadelphia. September 2, 2003 Clayton: 10 games to watch in 2003 From Week 1 to Week 17, here are some of the most compelling games on the schedule. September 2, 2003 Patriots release Milloy; Bills interested The Patriots announced Tuesday morning that they have released four-time Pro Bowl strong safety Lawyer Milloy because of his refusal to take a paycut. September 1, 2003 Player movement slow after cuts Apparently, the cutdown to 53 players didn't excite a lot of the NFL general managers. Only 13 waiver claims were entered Monday and only nine players went to different teams. That left virtually every team with the opportunity of re-signing their top five remaining cuts and bringing them back to the practice squad. August 30, 2003 Robbins expected to make Raiders' roster Barret Robbins' bid to come back from a diagnosed condition for a bipolar disorder apparently is going to be rewarded with a space on the Raiders 53 man roster. August 29, 2003 49ers backup Rattay signs 3-year extension The 49ers reached a three-year extension Friday with backup quarterback Tim Rattay that will keep him in the organization through the 2006 season. August 29, 2003 Clayton: Desert dreaming The Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs? Not likely, but with an easy schedule, who knows. August 29, 2003 Clayton: Scheduling a Super Bowl The Rams and Steelers should parlay easy schedules into high seeds in the playoffs. August 28, 2003 Clayton: Leaps and bounds With an explosive offense and improved defense, the Chiefs are equipped to make a big jump this season. August 27, 2003 Clayton: Step right up! WR Santana Moss is among the players expected to fill big shoes following a key offseason departure. August 26, 2003 Clayton: Miami heat Dave Wannstedt has had three straight winning seasons, but he could be in trouble if the Dolphins fade again. August 20, 2003 Zereoue, Riemersma break camp as Steelers starters As training camp broke Wednesday, Steelers coach Bill Cowher announced that Amos Zereoue will start at running back and Jay Riemersma will start at tight end. January 15, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 With camps winding down, here's some of the best (Steve McNair) and worst (Green Bay's D) things to watch. August 19, 2003 Pats get missing piece to defense with Washington The Patriots and Dolphins have played a game of trying to top each other throughout the offseason. The Patriots signed sackmaster linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. The Dolphins traded for Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau August 12, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Cardinals camp Vet Jeff Blake is the right quarterback to handle the challenge of working with Arizona's group of young receivers. August 18, 2003 Clayton: Vision quest The Cardinals are young and inexperienced, but Emmitt Smith sees a team that is going places. August 17, 2003 Wilkinson signs four-year deal with Lions The Detroit Lions reached a four-year agreement Sunday with former Redskins defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson. Terms of the deal weren't known. August 16, 2003 Cards' Vanden Bosch suffers serious knee injury Cardinals defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who blew out his right knee in 2001, suffered torn ligaments to his left knee in the first half of the Cardinals exhibition game against the Chargers. The injury could be season-ending but the team won't know until Monday. August 12, 2003 Clayton: Camp Swagger Seattle and swagger usually don't belong together. However, Mike Holmgren has a confident bunch. August 13, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Seahawks camp With Trent Dilfer's status a little shaky, the Seahawks could be thin at backup QB. August 11, 2003 Seahawks' Eaton might miss season opener The Seahawks efforts to fix the league's worst run defense suffered a setback Monday when it was revealed that starting defensive tackle Chad Eaton needed a second knee operation to clear up some problems with swelling. August 11, 2003 Clayton: Good fit Early indications are that a new start in Denver is exactly what quarterback Jake Plummer needed. August 11, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Broncos camp Expect a breakout season from WR Ashley Lelie, who has the qualities to emerge as a downfield threat. August 7, 2003 Clayton: Carr protection The Texans need to find a way to keep David Carr, who was sacked 76 times last season, on his feet. August 7, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Texans camp Rookie wide receiver Andre Johnson has been impresive so far in training camp. August 6, 2003 Clayton: Super Bowl or bust The Raiders kept the core of their team together in an attempt to make another run at the Super Bowl. August 6, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Raiders camp Jerry Porter has emerged as the second option in Oakland's offense behind Jerry Rice. August 5, 2003 Clayton: A big hit Dennis Erickson has brought more contact and aggressiveness to his first camp as 49ers head coach. August 5, 2003 Clayton: Observations from 49ers camp One player to watch for the 49ers is rookie OT Kwame Harris, who has shown a mean streak in camp. August 4, 2003 Clayton: Youth movement The Chargers added David Boston to boost the offense, while the defense is hoping a youth movement improves things. August 4, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Chargers camp Two former Cowboys -- Kelvin Garmon and Solomon Page -- have helped solidify the Chargers offensive line. August 3, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Dolphins camp There's no quarterback controversy in Miami. Despite Brian Griese's arrival, Jay Fiedler will remain the starter. August 3, 2003 Clayton: Seasons of change The Dolphins hope an influx of veteran newcomers changes their late-season misfortunes. August 2, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Titans camp Jevon Kearse might be a little rusty, but he should be back in form when the regular season starts. August 2, 2003 Clayton: Feeling good Steve McNair is actually healthy and that's good news for a Titans team that should be among the AFC's best. August 1, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Chiefs camp Priest Holmes looks healthy. But the Chiefs will take things slowly with their star running back. August 1, 2003 Clayton: Top of the world In what could be his last year with the Chiefs, coach Dick Vermeil is eyeing another Super Bowl title. July 31, 2003 Clayton: Thinking big The Vikings have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but they're expecting big things this year. July 31, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Vikings camp Projected to replace injured RB Michael Bennett, Onterrio Smith might not crack the starting lineup until late September. July 30, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Lions camp Joey Harrington's improvement is obvious as he gets ready for his second season in the NFL. July 30, 2003 Clayton: Michigan Mooch Coach Steve Mariucci has been more stern and direct with the Lions than he was perceived in San Francisco. July 29, 2003 Lions' Rogers dislocates finger, likely out for few days Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers suffered an open dislocation of his left ring finger Wednesday morning when he was trying to catch a pass while being covered by a defender. July 29, 2003 Clayton: Increased production for Harrison? The Colts believe personnel additions and improved health will lead to more yardage for WR Marvin Harrison. July 29, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Colts camp Edgerrin James struggled last season coming back from knee recontruction. This year he looks ready to explode. July 29, 2003 Clayton: Stumbling blocks The Colts have put up fancy numbers in recent years. But their accomplishments are followed by a bunch of "buts." July 27, 2003 Clayton: Chicago's hope The Bears are hoping that a fresh start for Kordell Stewart can lead them back from a 4-12 season. July 27, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Bears camp With a strong arm and good accuracy, Rex Grossman looks like the real deal. July 25, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Rams camp QB Kurt Warner, limited because of a thumb injury last year, is throwing tighter spirals and more deep balls. July 25, 2003 Clayton: Quick strike In order for the Rams to make another Super Bowl run, it's imperative they get off to a fast start. July 23, 2003 Clayton: Observations from Packers camp One encouraging sign from Packers camp is the progress of offensive lineman Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher. July 23, 2003 Clayton: Rejuvenated and ready The Packers' youth movement has inspired QB Brett Favre as he embarks on another Super Bowl run. July 22, 2003 Clayton: Shouldering the load While training camp is the first priority, the Saints ultimate goal is to make sure Aaron Brooks' is healthy in December. July 19, 2003 Pats reach six-year deal with DE Warren The New England Patriots and first-round choice Ty Warren reached agreement on a six-year deal, including escalators, which could be worth as much as $21 million. July 19, 2003 First-rounder Barnett last to sign with Packers The Green Bay Packers reached a seven-year, $8.4 million deal with their first-round choice, linebacker Nick Barnett. July 18, 2003 Tampa Bay CB raises pay issue, but reports to camp Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly, who contemplated not reporting to camp after being rejected in a bid to restructure his contract, decided Friday afternoon to report on time. July 18, 2003 Clayton: What to watch at camp From Bill Parcells in Dallas to Steve Spurrier's second season, there's plenty to watch at training camp. July 17, 2003 Bears safety Brown gets $17.5 million extension The Bears reached a five-year, $17.5 million contract extension with safety Mike Brown, who was entering the final year of his contract. July 17, 2003 Bucs CB Kelly will report to camp Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly, frustrated by denied requests to restructure his contract, is debating Thursday whether or not to report to the start of training camp Friday. July 16, 2003 Raiders reach one-year deal with safety Dorsett The Raiders continued their offseason successful in retaining most of last season's roster by reaching a one-year, $655,000 contract with safety Anthony Dorsett. July 16, 2003 Clayton: Backup plan First-round QBs are often thrown into the fire, but this year's class will start off learning on the sideline. July 15, 2003 Jets tackle hole in line by signing McGlockton Desperate for help at defensive tackle, the Jets signed former Broncos defensive tackle Chester McGlockton. July 15, 2003 Clayton: Detatched at the hip Priest Holmes has learned that Bo Jackson's hip injury was much more severe than the one he suffered. July 9, 2003 Holmes optimistic about return to top form Chiefs halfback Priest Holmes said Wednesday that he is as optimistic as he's ever been about the upcoming season and his comeback from last season's hip injury. July 9, 2003 Clayton: Not for long It takes three years now to evaluate a team's draft because players are unlikely to stick around any longer. July 8, 2003 Clayton: Keys to success WR Keyshawn Johnson, unhappy with the way he was used last year, enjoys his increased involvement in the offense. July 2, 2003 Clayton: Offseason trends The return to glory of the middle linebacker, the issues at safety and the rest of the offseason NFL trends. July 1, 2003 Clayton: Full load Not only does Marvin Lewis intend to get Corey Dillon 300-plus carries, but he also expects his back to get more receptions. June 24, 2003 Clayton: Cap-tivating circumstances While the Jaguars were finally able to spend big dollars, salary-cap restraints were placed on the Colts and Titans. June 16, 2003 Stokes agrees to 1-year deal with Jaguars After debating opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos for backup jobs, former San Francisco 49ers receiver J.J. Stokes decided to challenge for a starting job and agree to a one-year, $805,000 contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. June 13, 2003 Backing Brett: Akili Smith headed to Green Bay Akili Smith got his first post-Cincinnati wish Friday when he accepted a one-year, $545,000 contract from the Green Bay Packers that included a $15,000 signing bonus. June 12, 2003 Clayton: Taking their time Barret Robbins' future with the Raiders is uncertain. However, Raiders management won't rush to make a decision. June 12, 2003 Clayton: Steel about the 'Burgh While the rest of the AFC North faces uncertainty at QB, the Steelers have an edge because of Tommy Maddox. June 11, 2003 Clayton: Magic act Jon Gruden will have to be even more of a magician with the running game if he loses Michael Pittman. June 4, 2003 Clayton: Era of the linebacker Whether it's the growing conversions to 3-4 defenses or an influx of talent, linebackers have become hot targets. June 2, 2003 As expected, Niners release veteran WR Stokes The 49ers released WR J.J. Stokes and DE Junior Bryant and signed G DeMingo Graham on Monday. June 2, 2003 Broncos release Griese; Dolphins closing in Brian Griese finally got his walking papers Monday when the Broncos announced that he will appear on the waiver wire and that his contract is terminated. May 29, 2003 Clayton: Getting defensive Expect a dogfight in the AFC East, where teams made defense the priority during the offseason. May 28, 2003 Clayton: Troubling times NFL players are more likely to encounter trouble during May and June because of increased free time. May 27, 2003 Clayton: Speed demon Randy Moss, already perhaps the league's best overall wide receiver, has spent part of the offseason improving his speed. May 21, 2003 Clayton: June swoon Contrary to popular belief, there will not be a bevy of talent available after June cuts. May 16, 2003 Son also rises: Browns promote Dennis Green's son Jeremy The Cleveland Browns promoted Jeremy Green, one of two pro personnel coordinators, to become the team's director of pro personnel. May 15, 2003 Clayton: Wild AFC West The Chiefs made strides to improve this offseason. But it might not be enough in the NFL's toughest division. May 14, 2003 Clayton: Expand playoffs later, not now When the NFL eventually decides to expand the playoff format, it should be to 16 teams, not 14. May 13, 2003 Dolphins add former Saints safety Knight The Dolphins continued to add all-star talent to their defense by reaching agreement with former Saints Pro Bowl safety Sammy Knight. May 9, 2003 Passing the bucks: Culpepper signs $102M extension Vikings owner Red McCombs resolved one of the biggest personnel questions facing the franchise by signing quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a 10-year, $102 million contract extension that included $16 million in guarantees. May 7, 2003 Collins rehires agent, gets deal done with Raiders The Raiders re-signed guard Mo Collins on Wednesday, but the agreement wasn't a simple transaction. May 7, 2003 Clayton: Working out the issues The NFL and NFLPA have set up rules to regulate offseason workouts and make them more player-friendly. May 6, 2003 Clayton: Waiting game A number of first-round draft picks from the recent draft won't see very much playing time this season. April 30, 2003 Clayton: Undrafted and unwanted Unlike past years, teams didn't flood the undrafted free-agent market to fill needs not addressed in the NFL draft. April 29, 2003 Clayton: Rushing to help in Chicago With Rosevelt Colvin gone, the Bears plan to use Brian Urlacher more as a pass rusher. April 27, 2003 Clayton: Ten observations Among the most intriguing element of this year's draft was the number of defensive linemen taken. April 27, 2003 Clayton: Bittersweet moment Dennis Weathersby was unable to enjoy the thrill of getting drafted as he continues to deal with being shot. April 26, 2003 Clayton: Winners and losers Check out our winners and losers from the first day of the NFL draft. April 25, 2003 Clayton: Options game The Lions have plenty of options for what to do with the No. 2 overall pick. April 24, 2003 Clayton: Strange but true After the first few picks, this year's draft could take a bunch of unexpected twists and turns. April 22, 2003 Saints OG Bentley in civil suit filed by ex-Ohio State teammate Saints OG LeCharles Bentley is in the middle of a bizarre lawsuit brought by a former Ohio State teammate. April 21, 2003 Clayton: Head of war rooms General managers and player personnel directors usually make the final decision in selecting draft picks. April 21, 2003 Clayton: Wheeling and dealing The Patriots and Jets are among the four teams trying to figure out how best to use their two first-round picks. April 18, 2003 Suggs fails to improve 40-yard times in workout Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs took his second crack at improving his 40-yard dash speed and he failed. April 18, 2003 Clayton: School spirit Miami and Tennessee top the list of schools that send the most impact players to the NFL. April 17, 2003 Titans reach agreement to keep LB Sirmon The Titans reached a contract agreement with linebacker Peter Sirmon. April 17, 2003 Clayton: QB or not QB? History shows that taking a quarterback in the first round is a risky proposition. April 15, 2003 Clayton: Rating the RB Willis McGahee, still rehabbing, and Larry Johnson top the list of running backs in 2003 draft. April 14, 2003 Seau alters deal to help possible trade to Miami Junior Seau made an adjustment in his contract that may help facilitate a trade later this week with the Miami Dolphins. April 14, 2003 Tough decision: Conwell leaves Rams for Saints TE Ernie Conwell faced a tough decision. He could have stayed with the Rams or jump to the Saints. In a little bit of a surprise move, Conwell jumped to the Saints, agreeing to a five-year deal for more than $1.6 million a year. April 14, 2003 Clayton: Trading places Joey Galloway's tenure in Dallas is a prime example of the risks of trading first-round draft picks for veterans. April 11, 2003 Clayton: The Natural Dallas Clark has gone from being an unknown quarterback to a possible first-round pick as a tight end. April 10, 2003 Clayton: Snubbed no more! OT Jordan Gross, overlooked by Pac-10 schools coming out of high school, could go in the top 10 of this month's draft. April 10, 2003 Clayton: Rating the OL Jordan Gross and Kwame Harris top the list of offensive linemen in 2003 draft. April 9, 2003 Clayton: Aberration or trend? While restricted free agents were in hot pursuit this offseason, it might not be a yearly trend. April 7, 2003 Holliday ends pact with Green Bay, heads to Chiefs After spending the last five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Vonnie Holliday agreed in principle to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported Monday. April 7, 2003 Clayton: Mystery men Willis McGahee and Byron Leftwich are among the players who will have teams guessing prior to the draft. April 4, 2003 Rams fill holes, sign McCollum, Cleeland The Rams have filled holes on offense by signing OL Andy McCollum and TE Cam Cleeland. April 4, 2003 Seahawks improve pass rush, sign DE Okeafor After striking out with Hugh Douglas last month, the Seahawks have upgraded their pass-rush by signing former 49ers DE Chike Okeafor. April 3, 2003 Clayton: Schedule subplots The NFL unveiled is 2003 schedule, and there are a number of games with interesting subplots. April 2, 2003 Clayton: No snap decisions The league should do lots of research before expanding the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams. April 1, 2003 Loyalty pays off big-time for Packers' Gbaja-Biamila Loyalty paid big dividends for Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Resisting heavy recruitment from the Philadelphia Eagles, Gbaja-Biamila, known affectionately as KGB, agreed to a seven-year, $37 million deal to stay with the Green Bay Packers. April 1, 2003 Clayton: Ram tough? Even with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger, the Rams might target QB Kyle Boller in the draft. March 31, 2003 Clayton: Martz to address Congress Mike Martz and Terrell Owens are trying to increase research funding for Alzheimer's disease. March 27, 2003 Clayton: Quick study Jack Del Rio's quick rise from NFL assistant to head coach involved some luck and a great deal of sacrifice. March 26, 2003 Clayton: NFL plays it conservative The NFL once again turned conservative when it came to changing rules. March 26, 2003 Clayton: Are Cards step forward or back for Emmitt? Did Emmitt Smith make the first step backward in his career? John Clayton examines Smith's move to Phoenix. March 26, 2003 Clayton: $10 million and counting Just two years after Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe got record-setting contracts, more QBs are cashing in. March 26, 2003 Clayton: Meetings notebook Bill Parcells, Andy Reid and Jim Fassel check in from the NFL meetings in Phoenix. March 25, 2003 NFL to stop using all-star officiating crews for playoffs The NFL may not know until May how many playoff games it will have this season, but the league will have a completely new system for how its playoff games are officiated. March 23, 2003 NFL Europe's fate to be hot topic at owners' meetings The war in Iraq may force a possible delay or a readjustment in the NFL Europe season. March 23, 2003 Bills add defensive anchor, agree to deal with DT Adams The Buffalo Bills added an anchor to the defense that could make their two-year investments in linebackers that much better. Former Raiders defensive tackle Sam Adams agreed Sunday to a four-year deal with the Bills. March 23, 2003 Packers' Diggs signs $10M offer sheet with Lions While the Packers worried about receiving an offer sheet on defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, they were served with another. March 19, 2003 Jets act quickly to sign Conway after losing Coles The Jets moved so quickly to replace Laveranues Coles that they put Curtis Conway on a plane to New York before a deal was completed. March 19, 2003 Possible OT change to be hot topic at owners meetings Don't expect a lot of rule changes at next week's NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. March 19, 2003 Clayton: Time to activate Dick Vermeil is one of the most vocal proponents of allowing all 53 players on a roster to remain active on game day. March 13, 2003 Stewart accepts deal to become Bears' starting QB After letting Jeff Blake take the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback job, Kordell Stewart accepted a two-year deal to take over as the Bears' starting quarterback. March 12, 2003 Davis runs home, agrees to 5-year deal with Panthers The Panthers reached an agreement in principle Wednesday night with former Redskins halfback Stephen Davis. March 5, 2003 Super Bowl MVP Jackson joins Cards, not Steelers Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson, the top free-agent safety, has agreed to a five-year deal with the Cardinals. March 12, 2003 Clayton: Tag, you're it! Buffalo's use of the franchise tag on Peerless Price was smart. But Arizona dropped the ball on David Boston. March 10, 2003 Steelers close to deal with Super Bowl MVP Jackson The Steelers were finalizing a five-year deal Monday night to sign Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. March 9, 2003 Bengals continue to rebuild defense, add CB James Marvin Lewis vowed a changed Bengals organization after taking over as head coach of the Bengals. How right he was? The Bengals added their four new defensive starter in less than a week by reaching a four-year, $14.4 million agreement Sunday with former Raiders cornerback Tory James. March 5, 2003 Clayton: Two-fold effect The addition of David Boston should provide more running room for LaDainian Tomlinson. March 5, 2003 Clayton: Work it out The scouting combine would run more smoothly if teams and agents worked together. March 5, 2003 Quite a catch: Chargers land WR Boston David Boston felt so good about his visit to San Diego that he told his agent, Mitch Frankel, to cancel all future trips and finalize a deal that would make him a Charger. March 4, 2003 Cowboys reach agreement with FB Anderson FB Richie Anderson, who played for Bill Parcells with the Jets, will be reunited with his former coach in Dallas. February 27, 2003 Chiefs work out new deal with QB Green Chiefs quarterback Trent Green reached agreement on a contract that will keep him with the team. Green, who was scheduled to receive an $8 million roster bonus Friday, will now have a seven-year contract worth $50 million that includes an $11.25 million signing bonus. February 27, 2003 Clayton: List of released players Check out the list of players who have been cut so far and the salary cap savings for their teams. February 26, 2003 Niners' tackle Deese stunned he's being cut No defender has been able to get past 49ers left tackle Derrick Deese for the past 26 games to sack quarterback Jeff Garcia. Despite that near Pro Bowl record, Deese was blindsided by news that the team plans to sack him in June. February 25, 2003 Clayton: Free agency terms What's an unrestricted free agent? How about a franchise players? Check out our glossary of free agency terms. April 20, 2002 Clayton: Phone strategy pays big dividends in Oakland The Raiders had a bad feeling as the NFL draft go under way, but in the end their first-round success far exceeded their expectations. February 25, 2003 Clayton: The toughest offseason NFL jobs Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is one of five football administrators who face difficult offseasons. February 25, 2003 Clayton: Bear market While big names like David Boston and Hugh Douglas are available, this is not a booming year for free agency. February 24, 2003 Clayton: Waste of time? Extra days added onto this year's NFL Combine didn't give teams more time to evaluate draft prospects. February 23, 2003 Clayton: Newman's speed at corner amazes Terence Newman of Kansas State isn't tall, but he's the NFL draft's most coveted corner. February 23, 2003 Clayton: Running on empty NFL front office types were fuming Saturday over the lack of players opting to run at the combine. February 21, 2003 Clayton: QB stories For awhile Byron Leftwich was the No. 1 QB. But a leg injury and Carson Palmer's impressive play changed that. February 20, 2003 Clayton: Outrunning history Larry Johnson knows the recent history of Penn State running backs in the NFL. He wants to re-write it. February 19, 2003 Clayton: Bills tag Price The biggest surprise at the scouting combine Wednesday was the decision by the Bills to place the franchise tag on Peerless Price. February 19, 2003 Clayton: Ready to go? Willis McGahee thinks he'll be ready to start the season, but one doctor advises a more cautious approach. February 19, 2003 Clayton: On the clock The Bengals own the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and what they're planning to do with that pick is up in the air. February 18, 2003 Clayton: Cap cuts? Though teams don't have to get under the cap until the beginning of March, the following is a list of potential cuts. February 18, 2003 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams Find out how much each NFL team is over or under the $80.5 million salary cap for 2004. February 17, 2003 Clayton: What to watch at the combine Quarterbacks, injuries and a good crop of WRs. Those are just a few things to watch at the annual scouting combine. February 14, 2003 Clayton: What's next in AFC East Additions to the offensive and defensive lines will help the Jets make another playoff push next season. February 13, 2003 Clayton: What's next in AFC North QB Kordell Stewart's expected departure makes signing Charlie Batch a priority for the Steelers. February 12, 2003 Clayton: What's next in AFC South The Titans need a consistent complement to Derrick Mason at receiver and more help on defense. February 11, 2003 Clayton: His second chance The 49ers offered Dennis Erickson another shot at something he lacked -- NFL success. February 11, 2003 Clayton: What's next in AFC West After making several cap-related cuts, the Raiders should be older and thinner next season. February 10, 2003 Clayton: 12 things to watch A Raiders' overhaul? Is Bettis gone? Those are among 12 situations to watch. February 10, 2003 Clayton: Coming attractions Next week's scouting combine is the first of many important events on the NFL's busy offseason calendar. January 27, 2003 Clayton: Bucs enjoy glow of morning after Jon Gruden says Keyshawn Johnson isn't going anywhere, while Dexter Jackson isn't going to Disneyland. January 27, 2003 Clayton: Mornhinweg's ouster cleans Lions' house With his firing of Marty Mornhinweg, Matt Millen has completely revamped those closest to him in Detroit. January 27, 2003 Clayton: Raiders have decisions to make Oakland is $48 million over the salary cap, meaning that some players will be on the chopping block. January 26, 2003 Clayton: Battered and bruised Rich Gannon was the MVP of the NFL. But he didn't have an answer for the Bucs' defense Sunday. January 26, 2003 Clayton: Coaches win championships In the end, the Jon Gruden deal turned out to be the steal of the century for Tampa Bay. January 24, 2003 Minority hiring, OT focus of Tagliabue's address NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue talked about minority hiring, overtime rules and expansion during his annual state of the NFL address. January 24, 2003 Clayton: The Raiders win if ... If the Raiders are able to force an up tempo game and get the crowd on their side, they'll be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy Sunday night. January 23, 2003 Clayton: First ... And 10 Check out John Clayton's top 10 things to watch during the Super Bowl. January 23, 2003 Clayton: Difficult season for Brown After 15 years, Tim Brown is finally in the Super Bowl. A title would help finish what has been a difficult season. January 22, 2003 Clayton: Same ol' Al Al Davis continues to show that he's not concerned with titles or his reputation, but simply winning championships. January 21, 2003 Clayton: Who is Bill Callahan? Bill Callahan might not display the sideline intensity of Jon Gruden, but the new coach certainly shares Gruden's meticulous nature. January 19, 2003 Clayton: Commitment to passing The Raiders find themselves in their first Super Bowl since 1984 because of their potent passing attack. January 19, 2003 Clayton: Classic matchup Super Bowl XXXVII between the Raiders and the Buccaneers should be a classic. January 16, 2003 Clayton: Together again Jon Gruden and Andy Reid have come a long way since they started together in Green Bay. January 16, 2003 Clayton: Ten things to watch Protection for Brad Johnson? A big game from Eddie George? Those are things to watch Sunday. January 15, 2003 Clayton: Mariucci suffered from bad timing Steve Mariucci was a victim of bad timing -- among other things -- writes ESPN.com's John Clayton. January 15, 2003 Clayton: Passing takes precedence Teams are finding much more success passing the ball instead of relying on the run. January 12, 2003 Clayton: Why they'll win Take a look at five reasons why each team can win the AFC title game next Sunday. January 9, 2003 Clayton: Injury updates Clayton: Injury updates January 9, 2003 Clayton: First … And Goal The Jets' adjustment to Rich Gannon's tendencies in Week 13 could bode well for New York on Sunday. January 7, 2003 Vikings fire Shaw, promote O'Leary to defensive coordinator The Minnesota Vikings changed defensive coordinators Tuesday night, firing Willie Shaw and promoting assistant head coach and defensive line coach George O'Leary to take his place. January 6, 2003 Clayton: Safe and secure The 49ers' comeback not only was dramatic, it might have secured a new contract offer for Steve Mariucci. January 5, 2003 Clayton: What to watch in the NFC Here are five things to look for in each of next weekend's NFC matchups. January 5, 2003 Clayton: Another magical moment Down 24, the 49ers ended up putting together one of the most memorable performances in franchise history. January 4, 2003 Clayton: A strange night in Green Bay How dare the Falcons enter the hallowed, frozen ground of Lambeau Field and whip the Packers. January 2, 2003 Clayton: Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Wild Card weekend. January 2, 2003 Clayton: First … And Goal The Browns know from their two close encounters this season that they can knock off Pittsburgh. 2002 December 30, 2002 Clayton: Playoff prescriptions Every team has flaws, even those that made the playoffs. But will they be able to cure them in time? December 30, 2002 Clayton: Power struggle NFL coaches aren't just getting fired. They're also having personnel and business responsibilities taken from them. December 30, 2002 Clayton: What to watch Check out the top 10 things to watch as the playoffs get ready to start. December 29, 2002 Clayton: Happy Rudd With a trip to the playoffs clinched, Dwayne Rudd can forget about the game he cost the Browns in Week 1. December 27, 2002 Clayton: The Raven way The 49ers did it. Now, the Ravens have become the most recent team to climb out of salary-cap hell. December 26, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. December 26, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 With playoff spots on the line in nearly every game, it will be a wild weekend in the NFL. December 22, 2002 Clayton: Safety valve The Raiders were forced to play safeties at cornerback and the alignment helped stifle Denver's offense. December 22, 2002 Clayton: Broncos hopes flicker The Broncos looked flat in losing to the Raiders on Sunday. December 20, 2002 Clayton: Grab bag Among the more overlooked storylines: Carolina's front seven and the free agency of Peerless Price. December 19, 2002 Clayton: Pro Bowl snubs Among the worthy players left off of this year's Pro Bowl teams are QBs Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb. December 18, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 16. December 18, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Broncos and Raiders meet Sunday in a game that has huge playoff ramifications. December 16, 2002 Clayton: Back to basics After relying more on their rushing attack in the opening half, the Raiders took control by utilizing the passing game after intermission. December 15, 2002 Clayton: Missing in action During the most crucial time of the game -- the final four plays -- Jeff Garcia couldn't connect with Terrell Owens. December 15, 2002 Clayton: 'Favre-weather' friend The worse the weather, the better Packers quarterback Brett Favre seemed to perform against San Francisco. December 13, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 13, 2002 Clayton: Under review Tony Dungy thinks officials are becoming too timid because of instant replay. But what's the solution? December 11, 2002 Redskins' Lewis breaks off talks with Michigan State Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis broke off talks with Michigan State Wednesday night. December 11, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 Oakland's improved run defense will be put to the test by Ricky Williams and the Dolphins. December 11, 2002 Clayton: Unfulfilled expectations After four years in Seattle, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Mike Holmgren's future. December 8, 2002 Clayton: Lets get physical It's always physical when the Raiders and Chargers play and Sunday was no different. December 8, 2002 Clayton: Eight is enough The Raiders utilized eight-man fronts to shut down LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran over them in a previous meeting this season. December 6, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 6, 2002 Clayton: Terrible two's NFL coaches would help themselves by ignoring the cards that dictate when they should go for two points. December 5, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The winner of Sunday's Raiders-Chargers matchup will have the upper hand in the AFC West. December 4, 2002 Clayton: Ten to watch With four weeks left in the NFL season, it's time to look at some of the best matchups down the stretch. December 4, 2002 Clayton: AFC third-quarter report card The Raiders and Ravens were the only AFC teams to receive an "A" for the third-quarter report card. December 3, 2002 Clayton: Celebration for Brown helps Raiders win The Oakland Raiders are a statistical machine, but Monday night an onfield celebration helped them win. December 1, 2002 Clayton: Self destruction Turnovers and penalties contributed to the Broncos dropping their third contest this season in which they lost on a game-winning field goal. December 1, 2002 Clayton: LaDainian the great LaDainian Tomlinson stepped up for the reeling Chargers and carried them past the Broncos. November 29, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. November 29, 2002 Clayton: Cover 2 conundrum The success of short-passing offenses is giving Cover 2 defenses problems. But not the Bucs, who continue to excel using their version of the Cover 2. November 27, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The winner of Sunday's Broncos-Chargers matchup will maintain at least a share of the AFC West lead. November 27, 2002 Clayton: Feeley's time Stuck in the shadow of Joey Harrington at Oregon, A.J. Feeley is finally getting his chance to shine. November 26, 2002 Clayton: It's suddenly a touchy, 'Feeley' story in Philly The Eagles are proving they shouldn't be considered just a one-man, or even a two-quarterback, team anymore. November 24, 2002 Clayton: Ill-timed turnover hits home again Whether it's Brian Griese or Steve Beuerlein, Denver quarterbacks are hurting themselves with ill-timed interceptions. November 24, 2002 Clayton: What a night The Colts used great kicking from Mike Vanderjagt to beat the Broncos in a game that had a little of everything. November 22, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 22, 2002 Clayton: Sparking a change Julius Peppers won't win the appeal of his ephedrine suspension, but it might lead to a change in the NFL's penalties. November 21, 2002 Clayton: New team, same goal The Bucs still aren't scoring a ton of points, but Jon Gruden has achieved the No. 1 objective thus far -- simply win. November 20, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The winner of Sunday's Packers-Bucs matchup will become the NFC's top team. November 17, 2002 Clayton: Raiders get no breaks again While Oakland couldn't buy an officiating call Sunday, the Raiders did get past the more ref-friendly Patriots. November 14, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 11. November 15, 2002 Clayton: Don't cut the grass FieldTurf might be all the rage these days, but teams shouldn't be too quick to tear up their grass fields. November 13, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 There will be talk about the Tuck Rule heading into Sunday's game between the Raiders and Patriots. November 13, 2002 Clayton: Defensive burden Even though the Vikings have acquired solid players in the past year, it's likely to take at least two years before the defense is consistently playing well. November 12, 2002 Clayton: Raiders find identity is in the air The Raiders may seek balance, but it's clear they are a passing team only. November 11, 2002 Clayton: Perfect scenario Mike Shanahan's Broncos have a chance to add insult to injury when they take on the hated Raiders Monday night. November 10, 2002 Clayton: Far from content Even after beating the Chiefs, Steve Mariucci dwelled on his team's inability to finish off drives. November 10, 2002 Clayton: Matchup game One key to the game for the 49ers was Julian Peterson's play against Tony Gonzalez. November 8, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 8, 2002 Clayton: Imperfect format Even though the NFL's OT system is flawed, some of the alternatives would do a disservice to the game. November 7, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 Mike Shanahan's Broncos have a chance to add insult to injury when they take on the hated Raiders Monday night. November 6, 2002 Clayton: AFC midseason report card The Broncos and Chargers are the only AFC teams doing "A" work midway through the season. November 5, 2002 Clayton: Favre's legend continues to grow Brett Favre had a brace on his knee, but that didn't keep him from his usual tricks on Monday Night Football. November 3, 2002 Clayton: 'Nuff said Raiders fans harassed Jeff Garcia while he was on the sideline, but he tortured their team with his play. November 3, 2002 Clayton: Black hole After a 4-0 start Oakland has lost four straight and the frustration is starting to mount. November 1, 2002 Clayton: Oakland treat Jerry Rice used to be San Francisco's treat, but now he's catching passes for the Raiders. He'll face his former team Sunday. October 31, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. October 30, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The pressure is on Bill Belichick when the Patriots face their former QB Drew Bledsoe in Buffalo. October 27, 2002 Clayton: The Amazing Mr. Vick The battle of QB cousins was won by Michael Vick, who left the Saints defense grasping at air. October 27, 2002 Clayton: Saints' lament Mistakes doomed the Saints. But they still have plenty of confidence heading into their bye week. October 25, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. October 25, 2002 Clayton: Safety zone? Safeties feel they're being unfairly treated, but the league will not change its stance on helmet-to-helmet contact. October 23, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 Aaron Brooks and Michael Vick are cousins, but they'll be trying to beat each other Sunday. October 23, 2002 Clayton: Offense not suited for Smith Emmitt Smith can still play. But the Cowboys offense isn't suited for Emmitt's talents. October 22, 2002 Clayton: Front-running Steelers get it right from the start Give the Pittsburgh Steelers an early lead, and they will beat you every time, John Clayton writes. October 20, 2002 Clayton: New year, same story Even with Jon Gruden, the Bucs offense struggled again in Philadelphia. October 20, 2002 Clayton: Running to glory The Eagles used a ground attack led by Duce Staley to run past the Buccaneers. October 17, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 7. October 18, 2002 Clayton: Pass on passing Throwing 50 times a game might be fun to watch, but a balanced attack is still the way to go. October 16, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 This weekend is all about the NFC, with four of its best teams facing off against each other. October 15, 2002 Clayton: Owens finds ways to amuse and amaze Terrell Owens made sure he had a pen in his sock before he broke Seattle's heart. October 14, 2002 Clayton: Griese remains starter Brian Griese did enough to keep his starting quarterback job, at least for now. October 13, 2002 Clayton: Thumbs up Jay Fielder drove the Dolphins to victory despite playing with a broken thumb. October 11, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 6. October 11, 2002 Clayton: Endangered no more Once an endangered species, tight ends have made a resurgence and are proving invaluable to many offenses. October 9, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The running game should take center stage when the Broncos and Dolphins meet. October 9, 2002 Clayton: AFC first-quarter report card The first-place Raiders and Dolphins are among the four AFC teams receiving an A. The last-place Jets get an F. October 6, 2002 Clayton: Work in progress The Chargers were reminded that their run-oriented offense is not well suited for trying to overcome a deficit. October 6, 2002 Clayton: Career day Brian Griese had one of his best games as a pro, leading the Broncos past the Chargers. October 4, 2002 Clayton: Playoff realignment? With realignment producing eight divisions and only two wild-card teams in each conference, the NFL might have to expand the playoffs. October 3, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 5. October 2, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Patriots and the Dolphins meet in a battle for supremacy in the AFC East. September 29, 2002 Clayton: Contenders for sure! LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers silenced many of the doubters by beating New England. September 29, 2002 Clayton: Getting to Brady The Chargers let Tom Brady throw for over 350 yards, but they also pressured him into some critical mistakes. September 27, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 4. September 27, 2002 Clayton: Depth misperception Some of the league's more talented teams are suffering from a lack of depth because of injuries. September 25, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 For the second straight year, the Patriots hope to slow down the hot Chargers. September 22, 2002 Clayton: Sick by the Bay In between plays, several 49er players had to leave the game because of a stomach virus. September 22, 2002 Clayton: Bad ol' team The Redskins are struggling on both sides of the football. But it's the quarterback spot that needs the most work. September 20, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 3. September 20, 2002 Clayton: Passing fad The no-huddle offense makes the game exciting. But don't expect everyone to start using it. September 18, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Jets head to Miami reeling. But they've beat the Dolphins eight straight times. September 15, 2002 Clayton: Construction area The Colts' second half improvements against Miami could be an indicator of things to come. September 15, 2002 Clayton: Marriage in Miami The tandem of Ricky Williams and offensive coordinator Norv Turner is clicking in Miami. September 13, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 2. September 13, 2002 Clayton: Ugly openers The fantastic finishes in Week 1 were in part a result of sloppy performances on special teams and defense. September 11, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Sunday night matchup between the Steelers and Raiders highlights Week 2's NFL action. September 8, 2002 Clayton: Judgment play Mike Martz' decision to go for it in the third quarter instead of kicking a field goal proved costly. September 8, 2002 Clayton: Pine time! A bad third quarter, with two interceptions, led to a chorus of boos -- and a near benching for Brian Griese. September 6, 2002 Jets make Mawae league's highest-paid center The New York Jets finished their efforts to sign three of their core offensive players by reaching a six-year contract extension that makes Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae the highest-paid player at his position. September 6, 2002 Saints give Brooks six-year, $36 million deal The New Orleans Saints stepped up Friday and gave quarterback Aaron Brooks a six-year, $36 million contract extension. September 6, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 1. September 6, 2002 Clayton: Market correction Holdouts Bryant McKinnie and Wendell Bryant are haggling with their teams over market value. September 4, 2002 Clayton: First ... And 10 The rematch between the Patriots and Steelers highlights Week 1's NFL action. September 3, 2002 Panthers shell out the bucks to secure Rucker The Carolina Panthers gave out one of the richest contracts in team history by extending the contract of defensive end Mike Rucker, signing him to a five-year, $24.5 million extension that included $5.5 million in signing bonuses. September 3, 2002 Seahawks and Brown agree on a contract extension Seattle Seahawks reached a five-year, $28.5 million contract extension with outside linebacker Chad Brown, fulfilling one of the better free agent stories since the system was put in place in 1993. September 3, 2002 Clayton: The best matchups of 2002 John Clayton gives a preview of what he thinks will be some of the most compelling games this season. September 2, 2002 Texans and Bills most active teams on waiver wires A total of 21 waiver claims were awarded to NFL teams Monday. The Houston Texans, who picked up four players, and the Buffalo Bills, who acquired three, the most active. September 2, 2002 Linebacker Biekert quickly snapped up by Minnesota Given the fact that Terrell Davis had a physical approach, it was inevitable that injuries would plague his career. August 30, 2002 Clayton: Breaking down the schedule A number of teams were helped by realignment, but none more than the Buccaneers and Steelers. August 29, 2002 Clayton: Pressure cooker Every team has players on the hot seat. Here is the one player feeling the most pressure on every team in the NFL. August 25, 2002 Clayton: Follow the leader Randy Moss eagerly accepts the "team leader" role and also the flurry of passes that should come his way in Mike Tice's offense. August 28, 2002 Clayton: Stopping Brady A lot of the focus on the Patriots is on their defense. But teams need to solve their offense, too. August 27, 2002 Clayton: Looking for work With the emergence of free agency and the salary cap, head coaches are finding out that job security has become a foreign concept. August 26, 2002 Clayton: Chemistry matters As the last two Super Bowl champions have proved, having good team chemistry is essential in the NFL. August 20, 2002 Clayton: Ticking Time Clock Given the fact that Terrell Davis had a physical approach, it was inevitable that injuries would plague his career. August 19, 2002 Raiders win the free agency race for Sam Adams In a surprise move, the Oakland Raiders won the five-team battle for two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sam Adams. August 18, 2002 Seahawks seem set to sign Rypien at quarterback The agent for quarterback Mark Rypien anticipates an offer from the Seahawks on Monday after Rypien takes a physical. August 13, 2002 Clayton: Starting over At times, nothing seemed to go right for QB Matt Hasselbeck last season. But because of an injury to Trent Dilfer, Hasselbeck will get a chance to redeem himself this year. August 13, 2002 Clayton: Observations from Seahawks camp With Trent Dilfer injured, the Seahawks might turn to Mark Rypien for help at quarterback. August 11, 2002 Denver waiting: Davis undergoes MRI on knee The future of Denver Broncos halfback Terrell Davis is in question as he awaits the result of a Sunday MRI on his left knee. Though the injury might end up being minor, it could have a major impact on how the team feels about Davis, who has played only 17 games in the past three years. August 11, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Cardinals camp Pro Bowler David Boston is not the only Cardinals' wide receiver who possesses a great deal of speed. August 11, 2002 Clayton: Trying to keep pace Jake Plummer and David Boston give the Cardinals hope of surviving in an offensively-explosive NFC West. August 9, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Chargers camp Doug Flutie and Drew Brees have both been impressive in their battle for the quarterback job. August 9, 2002 Clayton: New general The Chargers have talent. But the discipline imparted by Marty Schottenheimer could be the piece they were missing. August 8, 2002 Clayton: New but not improved The Lions have a nice new training facility and stadium, but it could be another ugly year on the field. August 8, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Lions camp Joey Harrington might not be the prototypical quarterback for the West Coast offense. But that doesn't mean he won't succeed. August 7, 2002 Clayton: Nice guys finish ... Mike Tice 's plan in Minnesota: Get the ball to Randy Moss at least 120 times this season. August 7, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Vikings camp Michael Bennett struggled as a rookie. But he's looks more mature and poised for a better season. August 6, 2002 Clayton: Show us something! Even though the Chiefs made incredible strides at season's end, there are still a number of question marks surrounding this year's squad. August 6, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Chiefs camp The Chiefs like Eddie Freeman's aggressiveness, but the rookie needs to tone it down a little. August 5, 2002 Clayton: The new Ricky Ricky Williams is happy in Miami and he's ready to carry the Dolphins to new heights. August 5, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Dolphins camp Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain combine to form a dominant cornerback duo. August 3, 2002 Clayton: Return to health After a disappointing season filled with injuries, the Titans are healthy and ready to make a playoff run. August 3, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Titans camp The Titans could have their best receiving corps in years. August 1, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Colts camp Qadry Ismail should provide a new weapon to the Colts' three-receiver set. August 1, 2002 Clayton: The need for speed The Colts have the offense to win. Now they need a similar performance from their new and improved defense. July 31, 2002 Clayton: Passing zone The Rams are a passing team and a Super Bowl loss to the Patriots isn't going to change that. July 31, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Rams camp Eric Crouch looked good at receiver. But don't expect much of an impact until next season. July 30, 2002 Clayton: On the road Because of renovations to Soldier Field, the Bears will spend plenty of time on the road this season. July 30, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Bears camp Brian Urlacher actually looks bigger and faster than he was last season. July 29, 2002 Clayton: Big gamble The Packers' success this year could rest on the shoulders of their totally revamped receiving corps. July 29, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Packers camp Gilbert Brown can't play every down. But when he's on the field his impact is obvious. July 27, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Broncos' camp The healthy return of Ed McCaffrey is one of the keys for the Broncos on offense. July 27, 2002 Clayton: Pressure's on The Broncos' success or failure rests squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Brian Griese. July 26, 2002 Clayton: Pressure cooker Talk about pressure. Nothing short of a Super Bowl will be acceptable in Bill Callahan's first year as Raiders coach. July 26, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Raiders' camp At 39, Jerry Rice added 16 pounds of muscle over the offseason in an attempt to improve his performance. July 24, 2002 Broncos beat Rams to punch, sign Sinclair The Denver Broncos signed former Seahawks defensive end Michael Sinclair to a one-year, $750,000 contract to replace Paul Toviessi, a second-round choice who's had three knee surgeries and was released. July 24, 2002 Steelers show DE Smith the money in six-year pact The Pittsburgh Steelers reached a six-year agreement with defensive end Aaron Smith to make him one of the highest paid defensive players in team history. July 24, 2002 Clayton: Ready for prime time? The 49ers figure to be one of the NFL's top teams. But they have to figure out a way to beat the Rams. July 24, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from 49ers' camp The improved aggressiveness of the 49ers' defense will help take QB Jeff Garcia to the next level in big games. July 22, 2002 Clayton: The right stuff It might not translate into wins, but the Texans built their team the right way. July 22, 2002 Clayton: Five observations from Texans' camp One thing is clear from Texans' camp. David Carr is the real deal and is clearly the No. 1 quarterback. July 19, 2002 Clayton: Breakthrough teams Every year there is a surprise team in the NFL. Who will it be this season? July 18, 2002 Dale Carter suspended indefinitely by NFL Saints CB Dale Carter has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. July 16, 2002 Clayton: What to watch in training camp One thing to keep an eye on will be how many veterans and rookies are holdouts when camps open. July 16, 2002 Clayton: Breakthrough players LaVar Arrington and Courtney Brown are two players ready to emerge as stars. July 10, 2002 Clayton: Time running out on hoop dream Some might think Tony Gonzalez's hoop dream is a negotiating ploy. That couldn't be further from the truth. July 9, 2002 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Jim Haslett and the New Orleans Saints are still trying to hammer out a new contract. July 9, 2002 Clayton: Raiders thin without Russell The loss of massive defensive tackle Darrell Russell leaves the Raiders much thinner along the defensive line. July 5, 2002 Clayton: Biggest offseason moves The acquisitions that will have the biggest impact this season. July 3, 2002 Clayton: Studying the schedule Want to pick a Super Bowl champ in July? Looking at the schedule provides some clues. June 27, 2002 Clayton: Dream scenario The Patriots proved last year that anything can happen. Now the rest of the AFC East is dreaming big. June 26, 2002 Clayton: Training camp concerns Roster limits and injury concerns make training camp a stressful time of the year for NFL coaches. June 25, 2002 Clayton: New-look Plummer Through lots of offseason work, Jake Plummer has bulked up some 20 pounds. June 20, 2002 Seahawks ship disgruntled CB Charlton to Jags Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren lived up to his word to disgruntled cornerback Ike Charlton, trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday. June 20, 2002 Clayton: Super offseason? The Eagles weren't very active in free agency. However, coach Andy Reid says they did enough to be successful. June 18, 2002 Clayton: Hope for Upshaw? There is some hope that despite a torn ACL, Regan Upshaw won't miss the entire season. June 13, 2002 Clayton: Name changed, attitude the same The AFC Central may have a new name, but the "Go For It" attitude is the same. June 12, 2002 Clayton: Leaf starts over in Seattle Not much will be expected of Ryan Leaf in Seattle. Maybe that's exactly what he needs. June 11, 2002 Clayton: Hoops season for Gonzalez His contract negotiations stalled, Tony Gonzalez will start playing basketball again. June 5, 2002 Clayton: Steroid testing levels field Steroid use is a hot topic in baseball. The NFL went through the same debate more than a decade ago. June 3, 2002 Wide receivers top June 1 casualties No surprises as teams begin June 1 cuts May 31, 2002 Clayton: June 1 cuts won't be public until Monday NFL teams have been warned not to contact any June 1 cuts until they appear on the official waiver wire. May 30, 2002 Clayton: AFC South is rising The Titans and Colts are on the rebound, but everyone in the AFC South is keeping an eye on the Texans. May 29, 2002 Bears sign McKenzie in case Robinson can't go The Bears reached agreement Wednesday night with former Browns defensive end Keith McKenzie. May 29, 2002 Clayton: One of the best A look back at Cris Carter's career shows that he was one of the NFL's best wide receivers. May 29, 2002 Torn ACL could sideline Jets OG Szott for season Jets guard Dave Szott tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee Tuesday during an offseason workout and could be lost for the season. May 28, 2002 Clayton: George on stride After suffering through a toe injury last season, Eddie George is back on stride. May 16, 2002 If no deal by Monday, Cris Carter will retire Wide receiver Cris Carter told ESPN.com's John Clayton on Thursday that he would retire from the NFL and take a job with HBO Sports if he did not get what he considered a satisfactory offer from an NFL team by Monday. May 15, 2002 Clayton: Stadium fears The plot involves an attack on the Super Bowl. However, "Sum of All Fears" isn't a football movie. May 14, 2002 Watters in no rush to continue NFL career On the field, Ricky Watters was a warrior. To return to the field, though, Watters, like many proud former Pro Bowlers, places a value. May 14, 2002 Clayton: Retiring Watters? Free-agent running back Ricky Watters might retire if he doesn't receive a satisfactory contract offer. May 10, 2002 Clayton: Communication breakdown Randy Mueller was fired because of a perceived lack of communication with Saints owner Tom Benson. May 9, 2002 Clayton: New-look NFC West The NFC West has two new teams, but is still dominated by the Rams' and 49ers' high-octane offenses. May 8, 2002 Clayton: Ensuring participation Rookies need to participate in minicamps and teams need to act in good faith to insure that participation. May 7, 2002 Steelers build for future by re-signing LB Porter The Steelers did a great job of keeping last year's team together, and on Tuesday they made a major step toward keeping their core group together past the 2002 season. May 3, 2002 Vanover keeps faith, agrees to contract with Chargers Tamarick Vanover agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers on Friday. May 1, 2002 Clayton: June 1 cuts Check out the list of players who are likely to be June 1 casualties. May 1, 2002 Clayton: Drafting change? Limiting the time teams have to make picks in the draft would decrease the number of trades. April 30, 2002 Chiefs reach agreement with Jags backup QB Quinn The Kansas City Chiefs reached an agreement in principle Tuesday night with Jaguars backup quarterback Jonathan Quinn. Quinn is expected to finish up the deal Wednesday morning and begin preparation for the team's weekend mini-camp. April 30, 2002 Clayton: Inside the Huddle New Vikings coach Mike Tice is commited to getting the ball to his controversial star Randy Moss. April 29, 2002 Raiders complete overhaul by signing Rod Woodson The Raiders called a Tuesday press conference for the signing of former Ravens safety Rod Woodson. April 27, 2002 Jets lure DT Webster away from Ravens The Jets reached an agreement Saturday on a one-year, $675,000 deal with defensive tackle Larry Webster, who played for the Ravens last season. April 25, 2002 Clayton: What to do? Things should quiet down in the NFL the next month, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to do. April 24, 2002 Frerotte set to visit with Cincinnati On Wednesday, Frerotte is visiting the Bengals and times have changed. April 15, 2002 Chiefs sign Bears LB Holdman to $12M offer sheet The Chiefs signed Bears linebacker Warrick Holdman to a four-year, $12 million offer sheet that included a $2 million signing bonus Monday evening. April 15, 2002 Broncos sign Rams fullback Hodgins to offer sheet The Denver Broncos may have found a replacement for retired fullback Howard Griffith by signing the Rams' James Hodgins to an offer sheet Monday. April 15, 2002 Colts trade Wilkins to Rams instead of matching offer Instead of spending the rest of week fretting over the match the Rams' offer sheet, the Colts decided to trade wide receiver Terrence Wilkins to St. Louis for what is expected to be a sixth-round draft choice. April 12, 2002 Ravens back in business with McCrary set for new deal The Baltimore Ravens have been basically closed for business because of their salary cap. Relief is on the way. April 12, 2002 Niners reach four-year deal with Pro Bowl guard Stone The San Francisco 49ers continued what they label a winning offseason by reaching a four-year, $9 million agreement Friday with Pro Bowl guard Ron Stone. The deal includes a $2.35 million signing bonus. April 11, 2002 Bidding frenzy ends as DT Jackson lands with Saints The Saints beat out four other teams in some quick bidding and agreed to a two-year, $3.275 million contract with Grady Jackson that included a $750,000 signing bonus. April 10, 2002 Saints catch coveted receiver, sign Colts' Pathon The Saints found receiver help Wednesday night by reaching a four-year, $10 million deal with former Colts wide receiver Jerome Pathon. April 9, 2002 Jaguars' latest 'disrespect' the capper for McCardell The Jaguars are rebuilding, and Keenan McCardell is trapped. April 5, 2002 Jaguars add OL depth by bringing on Naeole The Jacksonville Jaguars strengthened their thin offensive line by adding Saints guard Chris Naeole on Friday. April 4, 2002 One days after matching offer, Bears waive Bates One day after matching the three-year, $2.85 million offer sheet signed by wide receiver D'Wayne Bates, the Chicago Bears, frustrated in their attempts to renegotiate his contract, released him Thursday. April 3, 2002 Clayton: Ticking Time Clock Given the fact that Terrell Davis had a very physical approach to his running style, it seemed inevitable that injuries would constantly plague his career. April 3, 2002 Clayton: Tampa's WR search Jon Gruden might look to free agency to bolster the Bucs' receiving corps. April 1, 2002 Bills awarded four compensatory draft picks The Bills were awarded a maximum four compensatory draft picks on Monday. March 28, 2002 Clayton: Cox can make a difference for Saints Bryan Cox wants to bring cohesion to a locker room that came unglued last season. March 28, 2002 Clayton: Schedule subplots The NFL unveiled is 2002 schedule, and there are a number of games with interesting subplots. March 27, 2002 Clayton: More moves Though the first wave of NFL free agent moves is almost complete, there is plenty of work left to do. March 21, 2002 Clayton: Tough Buc New Bucs coach Jon Gruden has a lot to work with in Tampa, but a lot of holes to fill as well. March 20, 2002 Tagliabue plans to sell networks, owners on flexible schedule NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was optimistic about the chance to sell flexible scheduling for the final weeks of the season. March 19, 2002 Clayton: Raiders to turn up the power Bill Callahan wants the Raiders to return to the power-first approach that has helped them win in the past. March 19, 2002 Roaf-to-Chiefs deal looking less likely by the hour Chances of a Willie Roaf trade look dim because the Chiefs continue to have trouble reaching a contract agreement with the Saints left tackle. If nothing can be completed by midnight Wednesday, the Saints plan to keep Roaf by exercising an option bonus in his contract. March 19, 2002 Still no decision from NFL on 'tuck rule' The NFL changed seven playing rules Tuesday but tabled a decision on the controversial "tuck rule" until later meetings. March 18, 2002 Strahan says Giants' offer was 'misleading' Giants defensive end Michael Strahan wants to make sure New York fans don't think he's being greedy by rejecting a seven-year, $56.1 million contract extension that included $17 million in signing and option bonuses. March 18, 2002 Clayton: 'Tuck rule' stirs debate among owners Buccaneers general manager Rich McKay and Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who are co-chairmen of the NFL Competition Committee, researched old booklets of past owners' meetings in an effort to find where in the world anyone came up with the "tuck rule." March 15, 2002 Szott gets wish to play in NY area by joining Jets In perhaps the most touching story in free agency, the New York Jets gave offensive guard Dave Szott a chance to fulfill a three-year goal of playing pro football in the New York area for family reasons. The goal was accomplished when the Jets gave Szott a three-year, $4.2 million contract on Friday. March 15, 2002 Clayton: Owners convene The annual NFL owners meeting gets underway this weekend. Don't expect any major announcements. March 13, 2002 Clayton: Introducing Bill Callahan Bill Callahan has the skills to succeed as the Raiders' new head coach, but it won't be easy. March 11, 2002 Saints reach agreement with CB Dale Carter The Saints have decided to roll the dice on one of the most interesting gambles in free agency. They are finalizing a seven-year, $28 million deal with 32-year-old cornerback Dale Carter. March 7, 2002 Clayton: Pass rush a priority With their move to the NFC West, the Seahawks know they need to improve their pass rush and pass coverage. March 7, 2002 Carter on Rams' rebuff: 'Terrible miscommunication' Cris Carter says chaos in Cleveland helped seal his fate in St. Louis. He'd like an opportunity to make amends. March 6, 2002 Clayton: Solving AFC team needs What does your team need? A look at the needs of the AFC teams and some possible solutions. February 28, 2002 Clayton: Special teams free agents Teams looking for a big-time kicker on the free-agent market might have to look elsewhere. February 28, 2002 Clayton: Defensive free agents Tackles head a fairly strong group of free agents on the defensive side of the ball. February 28, 2002 Clayton: Offensive free agents Without a lot of proven starters, this year's crop of offensive free agents is pretty offensive. February 28, 2002 Clayton: Dilfer heads QB class After two years of uncertainty, Trent Dilfer could be at the head of the class of free-agent quarterbacks. September 29, 2000 Clayton: A T.O. nobody needed Is it no fun in the NFL? If so, ESPN.com's John Clayton says Terrell Owens is at least partially to blame. February 26, 2002 Cap-strapped Ravens to cut Ismail, Gash, five others Ravens vice president Ozzie Newsome held a press conference Tuesday to spell out the rest of the roster changes needed to get the team under the salary cap. February 25, 2002 Clayton: The toughest offseason NFL jobs Ravens coach Brian Billick is one of five football administrators who face difficult offseasons. February 25, 2002 Clayton: Possible cut list Check out the players that your favorite team is likely to cut. February 25, 2002 Steelers to make Gildon highest-paid outside LB The Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't afford to lose outside linebacker Jason Gildon in free agency to the Houston Texans or any other team, so they named him a franchise player last week. February 18, 2002 Clayton: So far, so good The Texans took advantage of the talent that was available in Monday's expansion draft. February 14, 2002 Clayton: Drafting a plan With a weak free-agent crop, the Texans will draft more high-priced players in Monday's expansion draft. February 13, 2002 Clayton: Talent available for Capers' 3-4 Luckily for Dom Capers, talented linebackers are available in the expansion draft for his 3-4 scheme. February 12, 2002 Clayton: Salary cap status of all 32 teams Find out how much each NFL team is over or under the $71.101 million salary cap. February 4, 2002 Clayton: Rams solid at least one more season Those free agency and salary cap demons shouldn't hurt the Rams next season, but look out after that. February 4, 2002 Believe it: Brady, Patriots did the whole time The Patriots scored one of the great upsets in Super Bowl history because they believed they would. February 3, 2002 Clayton: Crennel's defense Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel deserves lots of credit for their amazing play. February 3, 2002 Clayton: Bum thumb limits Warner's effectiveness Kurt Warner threw for 365 yards, but a recurring thumb injury limited the regular-season MVP's effectiveness in Super Bowl XXXVI. February 1, 2002 Clayton: Something missing The most noticeable aspect of Paul Tagliabue's annual NFL press conference was a question that he wasn't asked. January 31, 2002 Clayton: Pats have grown since Rams loss Losing can be better than winning. That was the case for the Patriots in their Week 10 loss to the Rams. January 31, 2002 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Rams will roll to the title, but there are ways the Patriots can prevent a super blowout. January 30, 2002 Clayton: The other sides of Belichick, Martz Contrary to popular belief, Bill Belichick and Mike Martz do have a human side to them. January 29, 2002 Clayton: Pats destined to lose to Rams The Patriots hate it when they're called a team of destiny. They'll hate Super Bowl XXXVI even more. January 29, 2002 Brady spends Media Day acting like starting QB Tom Brady walked like the Patriots starting quarterback Tuesday at Super Bowl media day. He talked like the Patriots starting quarterback. And he answered questions like the Patriots starting quarterback. January 27, 2002 Clayton: How Pats match up with Rams The Patriots are a better matchup with the Rams than most teams, but their task is still tall. January 27, 2002 Clayton: Drew comes to the rescue Drew Bledsoe got his old job back and showed Bill Belichick that he can still play quarterback. January 25, 2002 Clayton: Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into the divisional playoffs. January 24, 2002 Clayton: First ... and 10 Keep an eye on these 10 things while watching Sunday's conference championship games. January 24, 2002 Clayton: Among the elite Through hard work, Donovan McNabb has joined the NFL's elite quarterbacks. January 23, 2002 Clayton: How Rams rebuilt their defense With a little Lovie (Smith), the Rams' defense blossomed into one of the NFL's best. January 20, 2002 Clayton: Favre's game to forget After throwing six interceptions, Brett Favre felt like throwing his performance in the garbage. January 20, 2002 Clayton: Defense backs up Warner Kurt Warner, hampered by injury and sickness, got to sit back and watch the defense carry the load. January 19, 2002 Clayton: Douglas target of Bears' criticism Hugh Douglas was still playing defense after the Eagles' win, defending his hit on Jim Miller. January 19, 2002 Clayton: Philly's Air McNabb With a Jordanesque effort, Chicago native Donovan McNabb was hardly the city's favorite son. January 17, 2002 Clayton: Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into the divisional playoffs. January 17, 2002 Clayton: MVP matchup in Missouri Brett Favre meets up with an ex-teammate who went on to win a couple of MVPs. January 16, 2002 Clayton: West Coast style Half of the eight remaining playoff teams run variations of the West Coast offense that Bill Walsh created. January 16, 2002 Clayton: Meeting of the masterminds The offensive intellect of Jon Gruden collides with the defensive genius of Bill Belichick. January 13, 2002 Clayton: Ageless Rice shows why he's the best Jerry Rice is 39, but the NFL's all-time leading receiver now leads the Raiders. January 12, 2002 Clayton: Taking Gruden's lead, Raiders play young While the Jets appeared tired, the 'old' Oakland Raiders were fresh and smart Saturday. January 11, 2002 Clayton: Schottenheimer likely will be fired Sunday appears to be decision day regarding the future of Washington Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton. January 11, 2002 Clayton: Mike Holmgren's fab five Five head coaches in the playoffs learned how to build a winner from Mike Holmgren. January 11, 2002 Clayton: Injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into wild-card weekend. January 10, 2002 Clayton: Curing playoff teams' ills The Rams are happy and healthy, but the other 11 playoff teams need something cured. January 10, 2002 Clayton: Time is now for Garcia, young Niners Jeff Garcia must make a Lambeau-sized leap to prove he's a big-game QB. January 9, 2002 Clayton: Bucs lurking in the dark Looking for a dark horse? The Buccaneers may be the one team that can knock off the Rams. January 8, 2002 Clayton: AFC final report card The Patriots check in with the only A-plus grade of the season in the final AFC report card. January 7, 2002 Clayton: 49ers' defensive concerns Injuries to John Engelberger and Chike Okeafor have left the 49ers hurting on defense. January 7, 2002 Clayton: Raiders fall flat The Raiders, losers of three straight, have fallen on hard times and they can't get up. January 6, 2002 Clayton: Raiders' unfinished business The Raiders are having a hard time starting what they finish, especially when it comes to drives. January 6, 2002 Clayton: Martin's sacrifice Curtis Martin would've done anything to make the playoffs, even if it meant sacrificing the NFL rushing title. January 5, 2002 Clayton: Why leave, Steve? Fickle owners? Salary caps? Steve Spurrier is crazy to leave Florida for the cutthroat world of the NFL. January 4, 2002 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17. January 3, 2002 Van Pelt agrees to five-year extension with Bills Buffalo Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt has reached an agreement in principle on a five-year contract extension that is worth between $5 million and $5.5 million, with the contract to be completed in the next couple weeks. January 3, 2002 Clayton: First ... and 10 The Jets can clinch a playoff spot by beating the Raiders, but they haven't had much success in Oakland. 2001 December 30, 2001 Clayton: Raiders' fine whine The Raiders weren't training in Napa, but the whine was flowing in their locker room in Denver. December 30, 2001 Clayton: Back in the running Terrell Davis has shown over the last four games that he still has something left in his tank. December 29, 2001 Clayton: The pitfalls of greatness Being a great NFL team has its drawbacks. John Clayton explains why it's so hard for teams to stay on top. December 28, 2001 Connell surrenders to face theft charges New Orleans Saints wide receiver Albert Connell surrendered Friday after authorities issued separate arrest warrants for two counts of alleged theft. December 28, 2001 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 16. December 27, 2001 Clayton: First ... and 10 A few weeks ago, the Eagles-Giants game looked meaningless. Now it could be for the NFC East title. December 24, 2001 Clayton: Warner's MVP numbers Count on Kurt Warner winning another MVP with statistics that stack up with some of the all-time best at QB. December 22, 2001 Clayton: This 'Stand' will go down in Niners' lore The San Francisco 49ers thrive on offense, but Saturday their defense made a stand. December 22, 2001 Clayton: Tough guy His numbers weren't great. However, Jeff Garcia showed plenty of heart playing with injured ribs. December 22, 2001 NFL No. 6 seeds not excited by history The No. 6 seeds won't be making any waves in the playoffs -- as usual -- writes ESPN.com's John Clayton. December 21, 2001 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 15. December 20, 2001 Clayton: First ... and 10 Bill Belichick said not winning Saturday's Dolphins-Patriots game is not an option. That's why it'll be a war. December 19, 2001 Clayton: Bargain hunting The Patriots' frugal offseason shopping has produced plenty of free-agent finds. December 18, 2001 Clayton: Air McNair Steve McNair is finally getting to throw the ball downfield and he's piling up impressive numbers. December 18, 2001 Rams defensive end Wistrom doing the job The Rams use defensive end Grant Wistrom wisely, and it paid off big in Monday's win over the Saints. December 18, 2001 Clayton: Not a normal weekend in New Orleans It wasn't a normal weekend in New Orleans, so nobody should be too surprised things were wild in the Rams' MNF victory. December 17, 2001 Clayton: Big Easy battle The Saints seem to have the Rams' number and will give St. Louis all it can handle on Monday night. December 16, 2001 Clayton: Blame these Bucs Clyde Christensen's schemes and the poor blocking on Chris Foerster's O-line are troubling the Bucs. December 16, 2001 Clayton: Bears kiss and tell Quarterback Jim Miller says critics of Chicago's offense can kiss its you know what after shredding the Bucs. December 14, 2001 Clayton: Kick the tricks It's the NFL's job to eliminate unfair plays, which means we won't be seeing anymore faked timeouts. December 14, 2001 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 14. December 13, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Saints seem to have the Rams' number and will give St. Louis all it can handle on Monday night. December 12, 2001 Clayton: Holmgren starting Watters 'best for the team' Mike Holmgren admitted that it was Mike Holmgren the coach who had to convince Mike Holmgren the general manager that starting Ricky Watters over Shaun Alexander was a good idea. December 12, 2001 Clayton: AFC third-quarter report card The Patriots and Steelers are the only AFC teams doing "A" work with four weeks left in the season. December 11, 2001 Clayton: No more trick snaps? Enjoy those trick direct-snap plays the Rams and Steelers use because the NFL may ban them. December 9, 2001 Clayton: Rams' middle man Ricky Proehl showed the 49ers' Lance Schulters that he's one Rams wideout not afraid to go over the middle. December 9, 2001 Clayton: Warner teaches MVP 101 Kurt Warner showed Jeff Garcia how an MVP is supposed to play in the Rams' 27-14 win over the 49ers. December 8, 2001 Clayton: Deep thoughts Mike Holmgren, like most AFC coaches, are being short-sighted in not letting their QBs throw deep. December 7, 2001 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 13. December 6, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 If Kurt Warner has time to throw in Sunday's NFC West showdown, the 49ers will be in big trouble. December 4, 2001 Clayton: Boston comes up big David Boston has bulked up to an amazing 239 pounds, yet hasn't lost any speed or agility. December 2, 2001 Clayton: Brady ball It's not flashy, but the Patriots continue to win with Tom Brady's brand of conservative football. December 2, 2001 Clayton: Martin loses to former mates For Curtis Martin, losing to the New England Patriots is especially difficult to swallow. December 1, 2001 Clayton: Bledsoe must go If Drew Bledsoe leaves New England, Bill Belichick must get full value for the $103 million QB. November 30, 2001 NFL injury updates John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 12. November 28, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The AFC East's unexpected beasts, the Patriots and Jets, meet Sunday in a game with playoff implications. November 27, 2001 Clayton: Hearst's reward The amazing comeback story of Garrison Hearst could end up in a large financial gain. November 25, 2001 Clayton: Comeback story Garrison Hearst wrote another chapter in his amazing comeback story in the 49ers' victory over the Colts. November 25, 2001 Clayton: Father doesn't know best Jim Mora Jr.'s 49ers defense showed little respect for the offense of Jim Mora Sr.'s Colts. November 24, 2001 Clayton: Turnover story With inexperienced quarterbacks starting for many NFL teams, turnovers are occurring at an alarming rate. November 23, 2001 Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 11. November 21, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 High scoring or low scoring, a win on Monday night is a must for the Bucs against the Rams. November 20, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle The Saints are experimenting with an offense that features Deuce McAllister and Ricky Williams together. November 18, 2001 Clayton: Rams' D takes hit The Rams' win over the Patriots came with a price, and the defense had the most to pay in the way of injuries. November 18, 2001 Clayton: Thumb's up for Warner With his right thumb feeling fine, Kurt Warner drew rave reviews for his performance against the Patriots. November 17, 2001 Clayton: Unkown backs step in With injuries to starting running backs seemingly a weekly occurrence, a number of unknown backs are stepping into the spotlight. November 16, 2001 Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 10. November 15, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 With the Colts fading, the Jets and Dolphins will basically be playing for the AFC East title in Miami. November 14, 2001 Clayton: AFC's midseason grades The Raiders, Patriots and Jets get an "A" for their efforts in the season's first half. November 11, 2001 Clayton: Still no D in Indy You still can't spell "Indy" with a "D." Not with the Colts' break-not-bend defense. November 11, 2001 Clayton: Young guns Four rookies played a big role in the Dolphins' victory over the Colts on Sunday. November 10, 2001 Clayton: Why Owens is wrong about Mariucci Terrell Owens' accusation that Steve Mariucci didn't go for the jugular against the Bears is off base. November 9, 2001 Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 9. November 7, 2001 Vikings close to deal with ex-Broncos CB Carter The Vikings are expected to finalize a deal Thursday that will unite wide receiver Jake Reed with his brother, Dale Carter. November 7, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Colts' run for the AFC East title must begin Sunday against first-place Miami. November 6, 2001 NFL reinstates substance abuse offender Carter After almost two seasons away from the NFL because of violations of the substance abuse policy, Dale Carter was reinstated Tuesday by commissioner Paul Tagliabue. November 6, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Kyle Turley's outburst Sunday could cost him a lot more money than just a fine. November 6, 2001 Clayton: Davis one of Broncos' few bright spots Terrell Davis looked like the Terrell Davis of old. The Broncos' running game, however, still doesn't look the same. November 6, 2001 Clayton: Commitment to Chipping Jon Gruden's Raiders are killing teams softly but consistently with a short-passing game. November 4, 2001 Clayton: Green light Brett Favre is still the man in Green Bay. But Ahman Green is carrying plenty of the load. November 4, 2001 Clayton: Wrong-way Bucs The Bucs are headed south, but it isn't because they're making a run for Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. November 3, 2001 Clayton: Dilfer's dilemma Like Cris Carter catches touchdowns, all Trent Dilfer does is win football games. So why does he still get disrespected? November 2, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton provides the latest news on key injuries going into Week 8. November 1, 2001 Clip on Cox costs Broncos' Neil $15,000 The NFL fined Dan Neil $15,000 for what it determined to be an illegal clip on Cox in the open field. October 31, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Raiders are on a roll. That's why if they can't beat the Broncos now, they may never beat Denver. October 28, 2001 Clayton: Turley's rebel yell Kyle Turley's halftime speech, a la John Belushi in "Animal House," inspired the Saints to a 34-31 comeback win over the Rams. October 28, 2001 Clayton: Trickery doesn't equal win For the second straight week the Rams ruffled some feathers. However, don't expect them to change their style. October 26, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL Don't expect Marshall Faulk to play for the Rams in Sunday's game against the Saints. October 27, 2001 Clayton: Spreading out Spread formations are making a comeback. But don't expect a return to the days of the run-and-shoot offense. October 24, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The Saints actually have a chance against the Rams thanks to their superior lines. October 23, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle First-quarter touchdowns are hard to come by, with only 51 in the first six weeks. October 21, 2001 Clayton: Favre's house of horrors Brett Favre's record at the Metrodome as a starting quarterback fell to 2-8 after Sunday's loss to the Vikings. October 21, 2001 Clayton: In the running The Vikings may have finally found a replacement for Robert Smith in backup running back Doug Chapman. October 20, 2001 Clayton: How to guarantee must-see TV A flexible schedule would eliminate future not-ready-for-prime-time games like the Redskins-Cowboys snoozer on Monday night. October 19, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL Don't expect Marshall Faulk to play for the Rams in Sunday's game against the Jets. October 17, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 To win the NFC East, the Eagles will have to find a way to beat the Giants sometime. October 17, 2001 Clayton: AFC first-quarter report card Butch Davis' Browns and Jon Gruden's Raiders earned the only A's in the AFC after five weeks. October 16, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle The secret to Trent Dilfer's success is that he plays so well with a lead. October 14, 2001 Clayton: Rams nearly sacked Playing with an injured shoulder and hand, Rams tackle Michael Tucker was no match for Michael Strahan. October 14, 2001 Clayton: Surviving a scare In a game when Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk were both knocked around, the Rams were lucky to win. October 13, 2001 Clayton: Ravens' D as good as it gets The Ravens' defense is dominating even more than last year. That's why it's reached Steel Curtain status. October 12, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton's latest updates on the injuries heading into Week 5. October 12, 2001 Clayton: How to rebuild Cowboys, Redskins With five smart moves, the Cowboys and Redskins could be rebuilt into winning franchises. October 10, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 One way to control the Rams offense is to control the clock. Too bad the Giants' two best RBs are hurt. October 10, 2001 Musical QBs: Lions give ball back to Batch Charlie Batch will get the start for the Lions against the Vikings. October 9, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Ray Lewis uses his high school wrestling skills to pin down opponents like Eddie George. October 7, 2001 Clayton: Milestone day for Sharpe Shannon Sharpe passed Ozzie Newsome for the most yards receiving by a tight end in Sunday's victory over the Titans. October 7, 2001 Clayton: Game to forget Remember the Titans? Not these Titans, who were dominated by Baltimore on Sunday. October 6, 2001 Clayton: What happened to parity? The divide between the top and bottom teams in the NFL seems to have widened this season. October 5, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL John Clayton's latest updates on the injuries heading into Week 4. October 3, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 Steve McNair is back. But are the Titans? Jeff Fisher's 0-2 club will find out in a crucial showdown against the Ravens. October 2, 2001 Clayton: Inside the Huddle Tom Coughlin thinks Butch Davis brought too much of the Miami Hurricanes attitude to the NFL. September 30, 2001 Clayton: Ravens make statement at Mile High The Ravens reaffirmed that the road to Super Bowl XXXVI still goes through their intimidating defense. September 30, 2001 Clayton: Triumphant return for Sharpe Shannon Sharpe haunted his old team Sunday, catching five passes for 50 yards in Baltimore's win over Denver. September 29, 2001 Clayton: Players must fit the system The Lions and Redskins proved that offensive systems can't work if they don't have the right parts. September 28, 2001 Clayton: Injury updates around the NFL Expect Doug Johnson, not Michael Vick, to back up Chris Chandler in Week 3. September 27, 2001 Patriots' Bledsoe released after 'clean hit' New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe, released from Massachusetts General Hospital early Thursday morning, said he won't be allowed to do any physical activity for two weeks and doesn't know if he will return to the field in three weeks or longer. September 27, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The matchup of the Rams' offense against the Dolphins' defense will be fun to watch. September 26, 2001 Clayton: George still armed and dangerous Unless Jeff George changes his mental approach, he'll won't get another chance to fulfill his potential as a No. 1 pick. September 25, 2001 Clayton: Lightning strikes twice for Colts Peyton Manning loves the Colts' no-huddle offense, which has struck for 87 points in two games. September 23, 2001 Clayton: Big-play Rams do the little things Like they did during their Super Bowl title season, the Rams are paying attention to details like downfield blocks. September 23, 2001 Clayton: Blowing in the wind The swirling winds at 3ComPark were especially hard to handle for 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia. September 22, 2001 Clayton: NFL takes first steps forward It'll take a couple of weeks for the NFL to get back to normal, but the country will forever be changed. September 21, 2001 Clayton: A look at injuries around the NFL The Cowboys had no choice but to go with Anthony Wright as their Week 2 starter against the Chargers. September 19, 2001 Real refs are back after accepting NFL's offer The NFL Referees Association voted Wednesday to accept a six-year contract offer that increases salaries 50 percent immediately and 100 percent in 2004. September 19, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 With the possibility of only one AFC wild card, the Raiders-Dolphins game figures to be a battle with playoff intensity. September 19, 2001 NFL referees hit snag with union bylaws The NFL Referees Association may not have enough time to ratify the league's latest offer, a six-year deal that increases their salaries 50 percent immediately. September 17, 2001 Clayton: Best solution is not the quickest Because of time constraints, the best scenario for salvaging the NFL season probably won't happen. September 12, 2001 Choosing to play would help the healing process If the NFL decides to play this week, it's only trying to help the nation in the healing process. September 12, 2001 Hennings sees much different mission for U.S. Ex-Cowboy Chad Hennings, a Gulf War pilot, says the U.S. faces an invisible enemy in seeking retribution for the terrorist attacks. September 12, 2001 Refs offer to work, donate pay to relief effort The NFL Referees Association wrote a letter to Paul Tagliabue offering to work Week 2 games, then donate their pay to relief efforts in New York and D.C. September 11, 2001 Griese carves up Giants' secondary Without Jason Sehorn, the Giants' cornerbacks were no match for Broncos quarterback Brian Griese. September 11, 2001 Broncos stay focused after McCaffrey injury Terrell Davis' long road back from two years of injuries ended just as Ed McCaffrey's began. September 10, 2001 Batch demoted, Detmer promoted in Detroit Ty Detmer has replaced Charlie Batch as the Lions' starting quarterback. September 9, 2001 Clayton: Here's to you, Mr. Robinson The Raiders finally found a way to beat the unorthodox defensive schemes of longtime nemesis Greg Robinson. September 9, 2001 Clayton: Raiders, Chiefs call for regular refs It took only one regular-season game for the Raiders and Chiefs to formulate an opinion on the replacement referees. September 9, 2001 Clayton: News from around the league John Clayton checks in with all the Sunday news from around the NFL. September 8, 2001 Clayton: Cutdown day turns into veterans day It's not unusual for teams to hold free agents for a couple of years and let them go. But after one season? September 7, 2001 Clayton: A look at injuries around the NFL John Clayton takes a look at injuries around the NFL heading into opening weekend. September 6, 2001 Clayton: First ... And 10 The turf at the Vet better be ready Sunday when the Eagles host the Rams in the best matchup of the weekend. September 5, 2001 Quite a Rolle: Titans CB gets $36M in 5 years Samari Rolle got his career rolling last year when he made his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Now, he?s rolling in dough. September 5, 2001 Clayton: Inside the life of an NFL referee NFL referees are classified as part-time employees, but their preparation is often a full-time job. September 5, 2001 Refs reject latest offer from NFL The NFL Referees Association unanimously rejected the NFL's latest proposal in a vote of the union executive council, according to union negotiator Tom Condon. September 4, 2001 Clayton: Denny Green's family ties A phone call between Dennis Green and his son helped the Vikings and Browns consummate a recent trade. September 3, 2001 Bucs release Leaf to make room for WR Wynn The Ryan Leaf experiment didn't work out. Bothered by a sore wrist and being demoted to the fourth quarterback spot, Leaf was released Monday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make room for wide receiver Milton Wynn, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Rams. September 3, 2001 Colts shore up secondary with Thomas Smith deal Thomas Smith's wait for a new team ended Monday when he agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Smith chose the Colts from a list of eight teams that were pursuing him. September 2, 2001 Former Seahawks DT Kennedy opts to retire Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy has opted to retire, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported Sunday. September 1, 2001 Nicked-up Seahawks lose another corner to injury The Seattle Seahawks' secondary woes continued Saturday when Ike Charlton became the third cornerback in three weeks to suffer an injury that will keep him out of the next week's opener against the Browns. September 1, 2001 It's decision time for former Seahawks DT Kennedy Former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy continues to hear his phone ring, but now he has to make a decision. August 31, 2001 NFL referees chief fears replacements will work opener Ed Hochuli, head of the NFL Referees Association, said Friday that even though his union is willing to resume negotiations, the NFL likely will go into the regular season using replacement officials. August 28, 2001 Clayton: Refs' future lies with subs' competence From the looks of it, replacement officials might be on the field for more than just the final week of the NFL preseason. August 26, 2001 Titans Pro Bowl CB Rolle threatens to miss camp days Negotiations on a contract extension for Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle have reached a critical stage. August 25, 2001 Clayton: Right call is to give refs a raise Good officiating has to come with a price. That's why the NFL and its owners will realize it's worth their while to pay the referees. August 23, 2001 Jets acquire return specialist Morton from Saints The Saints traded Chad Morton on Thursday to the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth-round choice in 2002 and cornerback Earthwind Moreland. August 22, 2001 Clayton Q&A: The NFL vs. the refs The referees want more money. The NFL doesn't want to give them a raise. Find out why both sides aren't budging. August 22, 2001 With McNown gone, other Bears might be worried Now that Cade McNown has been traded, other Bears veterans have to wonder about their future. August 22, 2001 Seahawks sign Hasselbeck to five-year extension Mike Holmgren reaffirmed who his No. 1 quarterback is by signing Matt Hasselbeck to a five-year contract extension. August 21, 2001 Once a Saint, always a Saint: Roaf agrees to 3-year extension Willie Roaf has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Saints for the next six seasons. August 21, 2001 Clayton: Carter ready for prime time Niners rookie defensive end Andre Carter is ready to take the league by storm. August 20, 2001 Packers pick up Bishop, forget about McNown The Green Bay Packers, who were also exploring a trade for Bears quarterback Cade McNown, were awarded Patriots quarterback Michael Bishop in a waiver claim. August 18, 2001 Seahawks lose veteran CB Williams, face starting two youngsters The Seahawks will have to enter the regular season with one of the youngest cornerback corps in the NFL after losing Willie Williams to a broken arm. August 14, 2001 Clayton: Get Carter, then start Carter? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' decision to start rookie Quincy Carter at quarterback is another giant risk. August 14, 2001 Clayton: Measuring the interest in McNown The Dolphins, Packers, Redskins and Lions may be interested in trading for Cade McNown. August 12, 2001 Clayton: Hearst's comeback down to timing Garrison Hearst is back physically. Now, he's working on his timing. August 9, 2001 Clayton: Three backup plans for Ravens The Ravens would be wise to trade for Ricky Watters to replace the injured Jamal Lewis. July 25, 2001 Clayton: Moss joins high-rent district of QBs Randy Moss, the NFL's best receiver, is getting paid like one of the top quarterbacks. July 17, 2001 Clayton: Random thoughts Cade McNown is in a difficult situation in Chicago, while the Miami Dolphins are excited about their receivers. July 10, 2001 Clayton: Bayou blues? The future of the Saints in New Orleans depends a great deal on how well the economy does. July 3, 2001 Clayton: Seeing yellow The NFL wants to crack down on taunting. But they need to have the right officials on the field to do it. June 27, 2001 Clayton: Saints aren't marching anywhere yet Louisiana must make a deal with owner Tom Benson before he stops thinking in New Orleans' best interests. June 26, 2001 Clayton: Compelling comeback stories Some of the league's best offensive talent are on their way back from serious injuries. June 11, 2001 Clayton: New tiebreakers for 2002? Now that realignment is a reality, the NFL will look at a new system of playoff tiebreakers for the 2002 season. June 5, 2001 NFL's collective bargaining extension friendly to vets The NFL just got easier for teams who want to keep veterans around without paying the price. John Clayton breaks it down. May 30, 2001 Clayton: NFL owners should just relax, baby Instead of getting personal, the NFL should stick to business and not punish Al Davis for suing the league. May 22, 2001 Clayton: History and compromise paved the way When elder statesmen Wellington Mara and Dan Rooney spoke, the rest of the owners listened and quickly approved a plan for realignment. May 22, 2001 Clayton: Another memorable move by Modell Thirty years ago, Art Modell agreed to move his Browns to the AFC to push approval of NFL's last realignment. May 21, 2001 Clayton: A simple plan for NFL realignment With one favored plan, NFL realignment should be a breeze in the Windy City at the owners meetings. May 16, 2001 Clayton: If convicted, Glenn could lose millions A conviction from an assault charge could be a costly mistake for Patriots wide receiver Terry Glenn. May 16, 2001 Clayton: June cuts no longer boon Once again, teams won't get much help from June 1 salary cap cuts, which figure to total just 20 players. May 8, 2001 Clayton: Broncos go shopping for a ring The title-minded Broncos have put their money where their mouth is with a payroll that'll top $90 million. May 4, 2001 Clayton: Watters renewed at mini-camp The air is nothing but positive for Ricky Watters and the Seahawks, who opened minicamp with many options. May 1, 2001 Clayton: Bring on the youth The Eagles decided to release Charles Johnson and go with a young, talented receiving corps. April 25, 2001 Clayton: Changing strategies Free agency and cap considerations have made it difficult for teams to draft the best player available. April 17, 2001 Clayton: Why teams should trade down Top-five picks cost so much now that trading down, especially in the 2001 draft, may be worth it. April 12, 2001 Clayton: Best subplots of 2001 season The best storylines of the upcoming 2001 season can be found in the games' not-so-subtle subplots. April 10, 2001 Clayton: Browns' Plan B working so far After a rough first two seasons, the Browns are building a solid foundation under new coach Butch Davis. April 9, 2001 Clayton: Aikman wouldn't opt for backup plan Second-string status and a sub-$1 million salary isn't how Troy Aikman wanted to go out. April 3, 2001 Clayton: Bengals must buy new identity Once the Bengals start acting like winners in free agency, they'll stop playing like losers. March 28, 2001 Clayton: Ruling to protect and serve QBs The league is doing the right thing by further protecting quarterbacks from flagrant hits. March 27, 2001 Clayton: Vermeil still irked by Rams' attitude Dick Vermeil left the Rams in exhaustion – now he's worn out by their attitude since his return to the NFL. March 26, 2001 Clayton: No Fun League needs to lighten up Pro football is entertainment, so tasteful displays of emotion and individualism shouldn't be outlawed. March 20, 2001 Clayton: NFL needs exception to cap rule A salary cap break similar to the NBA's exception would help teams keep their star veterans. March 13, 2001 Clayton: Doing the quarterback shuffle Since the draft isn't deep at quarterback, teams have been scrambling to find one this offseason. March 7, 2001 Clayton: Time was now for a move by Aikman The Cowboys and Troy Aikman just ran out of time and money to keep him in Dallas. March 6, 2001 Clayton: Wild AFC West making moves No one is standing pat in the AFC West, not even the defending division champion Raiders. February 27, 2001 Clayton: Playing 'tag' doesn't make sense The franchise/transition tag system has become a problem, not the solution, with NFL free agency. February 25, 2001 Clayton: Another obstacle for Chad Johnson The rough ride of Oregon State's Chad Johnson, Keyshawn's cousin, got bumpier at the NFL combine. February 24, 2001 Clayton: Coaches clamor over Vick, Brees Teams that already have QBs have met with Michael Vick and Drew Brees at the NFL combine. February 24, 2001 Clayton: Wisconsin back smiles and bears it To Michael Bennett, image is everything. That's why Bennett has to stroll around being a salesman. He is trying to sell himself. February 23, 2001 Clayton: The toughest offseason jobs There won't be much R&R for Dick Vermeil, Tom Donahoe, the Jaguars and Jerry Jones this offseason. February 22, 2001 Clayton: Many factors in Bills' QB decision Signs in Buffalo indicate that quarterback Rob Johnson may not fit the Bills after all. February 20, 2001 Clayton: Beware of bad free agent deals Teams sometimes don't get what they paid for after signing big-name NFL free agents.