profootball.yourdailyslice.com

Shanahan, Allen bring quick changes to 'Skins without big spending

New DE Tapp signs three-year deal with Eagles; Howard, Curtis cut

Niners GM McCloughan likely losing duties in front-office reshaping

Roethlisberger's Nevada accuser could talk to Georgia investigators

Eagles cut WR Curtis

The Eagles announced that they have released veteran WR Kevin Curtis. Curtis played in just three games last season and nine the season prior and has a history of lower-body injuries. He's been a huge disappointment since his 1,110-yard, six-touchdown season in 2007.

Teams To Check Out Top Punter

Hot News for P Zoltan Mesko

Giants sign former Aussie player to punt (AP)

Seeking a possible replacement if they can't re-sign punter Jeff Feagles, the New York Giants have signed former Australian rules football player Jy Bond. The deal was announced Thursday afternoon, though contract details were not disclosed. The 30-year-old Bond signed with the Miami Dolphins last season but was released in June.

PHI: Two Veterans Let Go

Hot News for DE Darren Howard

Report: Niners oust general manager McCloughan

The San Francisco 49ers are cutting ties with general manager Scot McCloughan over a personal matter not related to team issues, AOL Fanhouse reported Thursday.

Shanahan, Allen quickly remake Redskins (AP)

It sure didn't take long for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to begin remaking the Washington Redskins. The changes have been swift and widespread in the 2 1/2 months since Shanahan was hired as the team's coach and executive vice president. He's been working alongside Allen, the new general manager, in the aftermath of a 4-12 season under the now-departed Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato.

Report: 49ers, GM McCloughan part ways (AP)

The San Francisco 49ers are cutting ties with general manager Scot McCloughan over a personal matter not related to team issues, AOL Fanhouse reported Thursday. McCloughan told FanHouse via text message, "I'm fine and moving forward." The report said he would not elaborate. If McCloughan departs, the timing is highly unusual for the 49ers' top personnel executive since 2005.

On The Clock: Jets

The Jets added L.T. on offense so will they look to draft a defensive player in June? Adam Schein dishes on the New York's draft needs.

Browns re-sign OL Yates (AP)

The Cleveland Browns have re-signed offensive lineman Billy Yates. Yates, who was an unrestricted free agent, was signed by the Browns last September. He spent five seasons with the New England Patriots before coming to Cleveland. Yates played in seven games for the Browns last season. He has made 11 starts and appeared in 32 career games.

SEA: RB Signs

Hot News for RB Quinton Ganther

Omon lands with Seahawks

Xavier Omon has landed with the Seahawks. He's expected to battle for a roster spot this season.

Chargers send little-used Whitehurst to Seattle

The San Diego Chargers have traded third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to the Seattle Seahawks.

Around the NFC East: 'Boys in the middle

Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys-related issues will be a big part of the owners' meetings, including a possible "Flozell Adams rule" and a vote on the height of the scoreboard, reports The Dallas Morning News.

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick is very happy with the Cowboys' performance-based pay system that has earned him almost half a million dollars in the past two years, Todd Archer of the DMN writes.

New York Giants

Quarterback Eli Manning traded in his helmet for a hard hat and took a tour of the new Meadowlands.

Punter Jeff Feagles and the Giants are locked in a contract standoff, according to the Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo.

In the wake of critical comments made by Jets owner Woody Johnson of commissioner Roger Goodell, both New York teams are in damage control to avoid losing their bid to host the Super Bowl in 2014.

Philadelphia Eagles

Newly-acquired defensive end Daryll Tapp has signed a three-year contract with the Eagles.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Ashley Fox says the Eagles held onto Shawn Andrews "longer than they should have."

Washington Redskins

The Redskins have thrown their hat in the Tim Tebow private workout sweepstakes. The Sporting News reports Tebow will visit Washington and four other teams in the coming weeks.

The Washington Post's Jason Reid reports coach Mike Shanahan is very pleased he had 100 percent attendance for the start of the offseason conditioning program.

Bo Scaife: TEN: RFA TE Re-Signs

Charlie Whitehurst: SDG-SEA: QB Officially Traded

SN's mock NFL draft: Oklahoma's Trent Williams moves up the board

This week's updated version of Sporting News' mock draft shows one change from last week: the Detroit Lions could go with Trent Williams, whom Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts believe is a more athletic player than Russell Okung.

Offensive tackle Trent Williams impressed SN's scouts on film.

Here's the projected the first round:

1. Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. While Ndamukong Suh is the player many have been pencilling in for the Rams since Bradford's injury, it looks like Bradford's shoulder is going to check out fine and if it does you can be sure the Rams are going to get their young QB to re-build around.

2. Lions: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. While many believe the Lions will pick Russell Okung, we believe that based on film, Williams is the better player. If the concerns about his weight are not a deal breaker, then the Lions may surprise some by picking Williams ahead of Okung.

3. Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. The Bucs have been trying to upgrade their defensive line in order to get their defense back to playing at a very high level. The last time the Bucs defense was elite they had a top-notch DT named Warren Sapp.

4. Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. While many expect the Redskins to draft a QB here, I do not believe Jimmy Clausen is Mike Shanahan's type of QB, so they will grab Okung to take over at left tackle after Chris Samuels' retirement.

5. Chiefs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. The Chiefs defense needs a lot of help and Berry is an elite athlete who brings the versatility that Scott Pioli learned is so valuable while working under Bill Belichick.

The rest of the top half:

6. Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
7. Browns: Gerald McCoy, DE, Oklahoma
8. Raiders: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
9. Bills: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
10. Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
11. Broncos: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
12. Dolphins: DeMaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
13. 49ers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
14. Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
15. Giants: Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama
16. Titans: Sergio Kindle, DE, Texas

For more than 640 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts -- plus an updated mock draft (now three rounds long), Super 99 rankings and more -- go to warroom.sportingnews.com.

Eagles sign new DE Tapp to three-year contract

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed newly acquired defensive end Darryl Tapp to a three-year contract.

Chargers send backup QB Whitehurst to Seahawks for draft picks

Pro day toe injury won't hurt Tennessee safety Berry's draft stock

Roethsliberger's decision not to talk places liberty over image

As authorities in Milledgeville, Ga., continue to investigate a claim that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a 20-year-old college student at a local night club, Roethlisberger's lawyer has yet to agree to submit Roethlisberger to a comprehensive interview.

Roethlisberger not talking to authorities on advice of attorney Ed Garland.

The U.S. Constitution provides all of us the right to remain silent. Under the Fifth Amendment, we cannot be compelled to testify against ourselves in criminal proceedings. In this case, but for a brief interview at the scene of the alleged crime, Roethlisberger has been taking full advantage of his right to say nothing.

And if freedom remains Roethlisberger's goal, his lawyer, Ed Garland, apparently believes that silence represents the best way to preserve it.

The decision not to fully cooperate with the investigation could be driven by different factors. First, it's possible that Roethlisberger is guilty as charged, and that he prefers neither to admit to a crime nor to compound the problem by lying to police. If that's the case, Garland will force the prosecution to prove its case with no specific cooperation from Roethlisberger. (Of course, if Roethlisberger is guilty, then he deserves to be convicted, and to have a large cellmate who is a Ravens fan. Our system of justice, however, seeks to prevent unjust imprisonments, even if it means periodically -- or more often -- allowing the guilty to go free.)

It's also possible that Roethlisberger is innocent, but that Garland believes that his client, well, isn't very bright. (Garland would have a lot of company.) In that case, talking to the cops could give them ammunition for prosecution and a conviction that they don't already have, even if it's merely a case of Roethlisberger getting tied up in knots while he tries to explain himself.

There's also a chance that, guilty or innocent, Garland wants to defer producing Roethlisberger until Garland has concluded his own investigation. This will allow Garland to funnel to his client the information that has been gathered, so that Roethlisberger will be aware of the potential traps, pitfalls and conflicts in the various accounts that have been given by other witnesses.

Regardless of the reason, Garland's approach exposes Roethlisberger to extra scrutiny, criticism and doubt. The jurors on the Court of Public Opinion will wonder whether Roethlisberger has something to hide, and thus whether he might be guilty. Put simply, the average person thinks that the wrongfully accused don't retreat to a shell. They shout their innocence from the rooftops and everywhere else.

Thus, with each passing day during which Roethlisberger hides behind lawyers and agents and Constitutional rights, he risks that more and more members of the general public will conclude that perhaps he did it, and that he's simply gaming the system in order to become one of the many guilty men who go free. But if the overriding goal is the preservation of liberty, the approach makes sense. Not talking makes it harder for the authorities to persuade a prosecutor to pursue formal charges or a grand jury to indict.

Really, the best outcome for Roethlisberger will be no charges at all. That's precisely what Garland is attempting to achieve.

Will the approach jeopardize Roethsliberger's public image? Surely. Steps can be taken later to win the hearts and minds of football fans. The process becomes slightly more challenging if he's trying to do it after being released from prison.

Five NFL playoff teams face a hard road back

Vinnie Iyer

This should give you a better appreciation of the Colts' current league-best run of eight consecutive playoff appearances: Since 2001, in the topsy-turvy, parity-centered world known as the NFL, it has been the norm for fewer than half the teams in a given season's playoff field to duplicate the feat the following season.

While powers such as Indianapolis and San Diego have consistently kept themselves in the picture, the AFC has seen plenty of back-and-forth leapfrogging in its two toughest divisions -- the East and North. In the NFC, consider this: Nine different teams have represented the conference in the past nine Super Bowls.

Here's a look at five 2009 playoff teams that will have trouble making the Super Bowl tournament in '10.

Neither Matt Leinart nor Derek Anderson can fill Kurt Warner's shoes.

Arizona Cardinals. No 2009 playoff qualifier has been hurt more by personnel changes this offseason. Four top performers -- Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle -- won't be back.

Warner retired despite playing some of the sharpest football in his career the past two years, a standard that will be difficult for any quarterback -- let alone Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson -- to match.

You can expect coach Ken Whisenhunt to get some of his younger talent to respond, but he may not have enough to overcome the 49ers in the NFC West. San Francisco (8-8) finished only two games behind Arizona last season and should enter coach Mike Singletary's second full season with great confidence, having swept the Cardinals in '09.

The Niners are young with potential to rise. "They're our biggest rival now. They don't like us, and we don't like them," Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell said. "We want some revenge, but they definitely will be better."

Cincinnati Bengals. This team took on the role of Cardiac Cats last season, surviving many close games en route to dethroning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh in the tough AFC North. The Bengals were much-improved—especially on defense—but they struggled down the stretch.

Trading places
Over the past nine seasons, here's how many of the previous year's 12 playoff teams returned to the postseason:
2001 -- 6
2002 -- 7
2003 -- 4
2004 -- 7
2005 -- 5
2006 -- 5
2007 -- 6
2008 -- 5
2009 -- 6

There was a lack of big-play pop on offense, and the defensive front wore down as injuries took their toll. Those problems caught up with them in the wild-card playoff loss to the Jets.

The Bengals should be boosted by the free-agent pickup of wide receiver Antonio Bryant and a return to health. The biggest concern lies in the stout division competition.

The Ravens, armed with Joe Flacco and now Boldin, are built to contend again. The Steelers should come back stronger, assuming that whatever happens with Ben Roethlisberger off the field won't take him away from what he can do on the field.

To avoid falling out of the playoffs, it will take an MVP-caliber season from quarterback Carson Palmer.

Minnesota Vikings. This team will have a tough time making the playoffs with or without Brett Favre. In the unlikely scenario that he doesn't return, it will put a lot of pressure on Tarvaris Jackson to deliver -- especially in the division series with Green Bay, where the quarterback edge would tilt to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

If Favre returns, you can't expect a carbon copy of '09. With every passing year, there are questions about when he might run out of fuel as a passer. He also took a lot of hits in the NFC championship loss to New Orleans, and his play declined. Will other teams try to follow the Saints' wear-him-down strategy?

It's not just Favre; age is slowly creeping up on both sides of the line, and top cornerback Antoine Winfield will turn 33 in June. With all of that comes some key durability concerns. When you consider how young the Packers are at most positions, they are a better bet to stay healthy down the stretch. That makes them a more promising pick in the division race.

The window is by no means closing for the Vikings. But if they expect to reach the playoffs and make another deep run, they need some good fortune with the health of their older players.

New England Patriots. Their division opponents have been active in the offseason so far. The Dolphins made the big defensive upgrade by signing Dansby. The Jets have been busy adding a pair of former Chargers, Antonio Cromartie and LaDainian Tomlinson.

After some early noise that the Patriots were going to pursue Julius Peppers, the biggest news out of their camp has been Randy Moss' statement that he expects 2010 to be his last season with the team.

Miami should be improved, with Chad Henne starting from the beginning of the season and an upgraded defense that should make more big plays. The Jets, of course, return with Rex Ryan's dominant defense—and Mark Sanchez has the talent and drive to skip the sophomore slump.

It'll be hard to deny the Brady/Belichick Patriots the playoffs. But the Dolphins and Jets both have recent experience playing spoiler.

Philadelphia Eagles. Most of the NFC's playoff turnover results from the ultracompetitive play in the East. If the Giants rebound in 2010, they're more likely to bounce Philly than Dallas from the playoff mix.

The Cowboys have fewer holes to worry about. The Eagles' defense gave up too many big plays down the stretch, and the team has a recent history ('05, '07) of missing the playoffs when it looked like a sure thing.

In addition to Dallas, Green Bay and New Orleans look like the soundest 2009 NFC playoff teams going into '10. Philadelphia falls a little short of that group.

Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.

profootball.yourdailyslice.com

Shanahan, Allen bring quick changes to 'Skins without big spending

New DE Tapp signs three-year deal with Eagles; Howard, Curtis cut

Niners GM McCloughan likely losing duties in front-office reshaping

Roethlisberger's Nevada accuser could talk to Georgia investigators

Eagles cut WR Curtis

Teams To Check Out Top Punter

Giants sign former Aussie player to punt (AP)

PHI: Two Veterans Let Go

Report: Niners oust general manager McCloughan

Shanahan, Allen quickly remake Redskins (AP)

Report: 49ers, GM McCloughan part ways (AP)

On The Clock: Jets

Browns re-sign OL Yates (AP)

SEA: RB Signs

Omon lands with Seahawks

Chargers send little-used Whitehurst to Seattle

Around the NFC East: 'Boys in the middle

Bo Scaife: TEN: RFA TE Re-Signs

Charlie Whitehurst: SDG-SEA: QB Officially Traded

SN's mock NFL draft: Oklahoma's Trent Williams moves up the board

Related Links

Eagles sign new DE Tapp to three-year contract

Chargers send backup QB Whitehurst to Seahawks for draft picks

Pro day toe injury won't hurt Tennessee safety Berry's draft stock

Roethsliberger's decision not to talk places liberty over image

Related Links

Five NFL playoff teams face a hard road back

Related Links