Tom Brady will be spending this Thanksgiving back in Michigan, but not just to eat turkey. His Patriots will take on the Lions at Ford Field, according to Pro Football Talk. Matthew Stafford is ready to become a leader under center for the Lions, writes Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press. NFL draft prospect and former Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung visited the Lions, according to the Detroit Free Press. ... Read More >>

After narrowly securing a wild card this past season, the Jets stormed past the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers before falling in the AFC championship game to Peyton Manning’s Colts. Expectations will be sky high as franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez looks to build on a successful rookie campaign. Though he only started 16 games at the collegiate level, Sanchez showed poise and leadership after being thrust into the starting role by first-year head coach Rex Ryan. The Jets catered to... Read More >>

Tuesday marked a busy day at One Bills Drive, providing some excitement to a free-agent period that's been rather dull thus far. BuffaloBills.com reported that free agent linebacker Andra Davis was on the second day of his visit, and Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Dwan Edwards was also in Orchard Park to meet with Bills management and coaches. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Edwards would instantly be plugged in at the 3-4 end position, but is very versatile and can play anywhere across the... Read More >>

Before the clock struck 12:01 on Thursday night (or Friday morning?) nearly two weeks ago, the Dolphins had a game plan. The team cut ties with linebackers Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele, and Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby was scheduled for a visit in a matter of hours. Just hours after free agency began, Dansby inked a five-year deal worth $43 million with $22 million guaranteed with the Dolphins. It’s a crazy amount of money, but with a weak free agency class and a linebacker corps... Read More >>

Tracking the Chiefs after one week of free agency: Players Re-signed: WR Chris Chambers, OLB Mike Vrabel, RB Jackie Battle, RB Kolby Smith, WR Terrance Copper, QB Matt Gutierrez. The biggest re-signing was undoubtedly Chambers, who signed for three years and $15 million with $5.9 million guaranteed. The Chiefs added Chambers in midseason after he was waived by the San Diego Chargers. In nine games for the Chiefs he caught 36 passes, four of them for touchdowns. He’ll be 32 in... Read More >>

If there were one team in the NFL you’d think would build through the draft, it would be the Browns. Last season they had holes nearly everywhere, with very few players actually showing potential for 2010. In fact, there’s a good case to be made that return man/wildcat specialist Josh Cribbs was Cleveland’s MVP. Call me rash, but the Browns aren’t making the playoffs next year. So why are they one of the busiest teams leading up to April’s draft? The one shrewd move new GM Mike... Read More >>

It's often extremely hard to get into the collective mind of the Philadelphia Eagles front office. They are very good at not tipping their hand, and usually any move they make catches everyone on the outside off-guard to the point it will hurt your neck on the double-take. But if we really look hard enough, it becomes clear what they're draft-day plan has become: take the best defensive end available and move forward from there. They will most likely address other needs, such as the... Read More >>

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the latest Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegation story is the reaction to the story in Pittsburgh. For the most part, fan reaction has not been favorable toward Roethlisberger. While I understand and even agree with the opinion that it was stupid of Ben to put himself in that situation, that does not excuse the seeming inability of some members of the Pittsburgh media and Steelers fans themselves to keep from crucifying Ben as if he's already been... Read More >>

Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams, working out the Sooners' pro day, could be available for the Niners at 13th overall. With another month left for pro scouts to further dissect prospects before the NFL draft in April, making an accurate mock draft now will work about as well as USC’s recruitment of Reggie Bush would have without the tricked-out Escalade. A lot will change over the next few weeks with injury updates and team pro days, and to be honest, any mock you read before the ides of... Read More >>

Breaking away from the high-octane offseasons of the past, the Washington Redskins have largely remained under the radar this year. After Mike Shanahan came to Washington in January, the team has given the impression that changes were being made in philosophy and personnel moves. Redskins Park had a reportedly different feel. However, all of that was talk. Positive vibes and big news come out of Redskins Park every offseason. It's a frenzy of rumors and excitement that usually lead to... Read More >>

The Falcons wasted no time dipping their toes into the free agent market, signing free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson to a six-year, $57 million contract on Saturday. Robinson, an Athens, Ga., native, made an immediate splash telling AJC beatwriter D. Orlando Ledbetter that he was “the best cornerback in the National Football League.” What a way to make a first impression, Mr. Robinson. The 28-year-old former South Carolina Gamecock had 13 interceptions, four sacks and... Read More >>

I have not been avoiding the topic of Terrell Owens possibly becoming a Cincinnati Bengal. I simply have not had time to offer my thoughts on whether or not he could be a productive addition to the offense. For or against the acquisition, media members and bloggers have formed very strong opinions on the subject. Owens' track record of being a horrible teammate is well documented. His stops in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas were all filled with drama. He has always come off as a... Read More >>

The Bears coaching staff and front office are desperate. The players know it, the fans know it and more importantly free agents and their agents know it. If the Bears don’t make the playoffs in 2010, ownership will likely clean house. Adding Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna on the first night of free agency may make a difference, but there is no guarantee. Either way, with no first- or second-round draft picks it was a necessary risk. Peppers was the big fish... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Tennessee Titans The Titans lost defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on the first night to the Lions. Since then, they’ve been quiet but don’t expect this to last. The Titans have holes throughout their roster and can’t count on the draft to fix these. I wouldn’t be surprised for Tennessee to be the dark horse in the race for Terrell Owens. The... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars have been one of the leagues more active teams early, with two solid free agent signing: Special-teams ace Kassim Osgood and defensive end Aaron Kampman. Osgood is a Pro Bowl player who should upgrade a weak Jacksonville unit immensely. Kampman is a bit of a risk because he’s coming off knee surgery, but before... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Houston Texans The Texans have done virtually nothing so far this offseason. Their one key move was to lock up free agent wide receiver Kevin Walter. Look for Houston to try to build on their young, talented nucleus through the draft. Indianapolis Colts Like the Texans, the Colts made one important re-signing. Unlike Houston, this... Read More >>