Elsewhere around the NFL:

Seattle: Seattle Seahawks LT Walter Jones announced on Twitter Sunday that he is retiring from football. It’s worth noting that Jones is known as something of a jokester, so we’re not sure he’s being for real. Still, a slew of knee and back issues have caught up to Jones, who turned 36 last month and was unable to play last season. A nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro first-teamer, Jones started every single game he appeared in during his 13-year career. He was perhaps the best left tackle during the early- to mid-2000s, protecting Matt Hasselbeck’s blind side and blocking for Shaun Alexander. Jones will make the Hall of Fame.

Denver: Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said he would like Brandon Marshall to remain with the team. “And there’s still a good possibility that could happen,” Bowlen said. The owner said that he thinks Marshall matured this season, but added that he would not veto any trade that coach Josh McDaniels thinks benefits the team. The trading period opens on March 5 and we’ll see how much teams are willing to give for someone with questionable character.

New England: Tom Brady’s $3 million offseason roster bonus is due on March 5. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, the presence of the bonus in Brady’s deal at the start of the new league year could expedite talks on a long-term extension. The Pats would likely prefer to sign Brady to a new contract before paying the bonus rather than after it. Brady is expected to command at least $15M annually on his deal, which will probably span at least five years.

Philadelphia: Brian Westbrook confirmed that he was not completely healed from his October 25 concussion when he returned to game action three weeks later last season. Westbrook, though, didn’t deny or confirm reports that he’s considering retirement, which reportedly could be due to knee problems instead of his multiple head injuries. He did indicate that his concussions are a big concern going forward. Westbrook, going on 31, is due a whopping $7.25M in 2010.

Philadelphia: ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reports that the Denver Broncos, Bills, and Browns have shown interest in the availability of Donovan McNabb. While Cleveland and Buffalo has obvious holes at QB, this tells us a little about Denver’s faith, or lack of it, in Kyle Orton as a long-term solution. The Eagles have indicated that McNabb is unlikely to be traded. Should they be offered a first-round pick however, we strongly believe that would change.

Oakland Raiders

Raiders coach Tom Cable remains a candidate for discipline under the NFL personal conduct policy. The NFL’s statement reads: “We will review the decision announced earlier today by the Napa District Attorney and the facts developed in the underlying investigation. Following that review, we will take appropriate action, if any, under our policies.” For now, the Raiders organization can breath easily and prepare to play the New York Jets this Sunday.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

San Diego: Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson was one of four Chargers players to miss Thursday’s practice with illness.

New York: Jets coach Rex Ryan indicated on Thursday that WR Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) has a “real shot” to play this week. Cotchery is expected to be a game-time decision this Sunday at Oakland.

New York: Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Mark Sanchez Thursday, comparing his first six starts to those of Carson Palmer, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning. “It’s amazing, the numbers. They are not identical, but they are almost identical,” said Schottenheimer. “I don’t think that this is something unusual. I think this is what happens.” Sanchez should be able to get back on track this Sunday at Oakland if the Jets are able to establish an effective running attack.

New York: Braylon Edwards (quadriceps) was limited again in Thursday’s practice. Jets coach Rex Ryan has expressed no concern over Braylon Edwards missing this week’s game.

Eli Manning (foot) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday’s practice. Manning should make the start against the Cardinals No. 31 ranked pass defense.

Houston: Houston Texans DT Amobi Okoye is “steadily playing his best football as a pro,” according to coach Gary Kubiak. “I think there’s still another level for him to find, but he’s obviously playing with more confidence and playing better,” Kubiak added. Okoye has 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two pass deflections and over the past four games has been applying consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Green Bay: According to beat writer Pete Dougherty, Packers LB A.J. Hawk will have to take a “major” pay cut to return to Green Bay next season. Hawk, who is due $4.1 million next season and $10 million in 2011, is not an idea LB for the 3-4 defense.

Former Bears RB Cedric Benson believes the Bears tried to blackball him from the league after he was released in 2008. Benson alleges that the Bears would tell prospective teams that he “didn’t work hard” and was a “prima donna.” The Bears are denying that Benson was blackballed by anyone in the organization.

Houston: Texans coach Gary Kubiak praised TE Owen Daniels Thursday, saying he’s become “big-time player in this league…He’s more consistent in the run game for us than he’s ever been. Obviously, y’all know the plays he can make in the pass game … He’s going to do it for a long, long time.” Daniels is the highest rated fantasy TE this season thus far.

The Good :

Jay Cutler – Cutler has been a great surprise in the first four weeks of this season throwing for more then 1200 yards and completing 65 percent of his passes. He has a Quarter Back rating of 98 and has thrown 9 touchdowns. Cutler looks like he might be one of the best steals from this years fantasy drafts. Whether he keeps up this pace is undetermined, but there is no doubt he is off to a great start.

Reggie Bush - Questionable at the beginning of the year, no one new where Reggie fit in New Orleans. Well it looks like he is going to do a little bit of everything, with 180 rushing yards and 250 receiving yards with three touchdowns. Bush even has a kick return touchdown this season, that is four touchdowns in four games. If New Orleans keeps giving him the touches, he will keep producing all year long.

Anquan Boldin - He suffered a concussion in week 4 after a brutal hit at the end of the game, but he still has had a great year so far. In 4 games he has 366 yards and has caught 5 touchdowns, to be the most productive wide out in the NFL. The injury last week will slow his season greatly, but if you drafted him you are probably off to a good start in your pool. Keep your eye on the injury report and see when he is coming back.

Michael Turner - The trade to Atlanta has looked good for Turner. The back up to L.T. has broken out for 420 yards and 5 touchdowns with Atlanta. Week 1 was his best week, but he should continue to put up good numbers for the rest of the year.

Brett Favre - Well he didn’t retire, and why should he. Brett has shown so far that he is still a great fantasy player, leading the league with 12 touchdown passes and he looks to be getting comfortable in New York.. The Jets have a rather soft schedule and Brett’s numbers will continue to be good all year.

The Bad :

Peyton Manning – If you used an early pick to get Manning you probably aren’t very happy about his early season production. The bye week should get him more healthy and he should improve his production. He has only thrown 3 touchdowns this years, against 4 picks not exactly Peyton like numbers. Relax he will get better as he gets more healthy, by the end of the year his numbers should be fine.

Brian Westbrook – Westbrook has been hurt and missed last weeks game, but he wasn’t that good in the 3 games he played. He has only rushed for 160 yards so far, but if he gets healthy, he will be back to his old self. Look for him to get more catches and more touchdowns when he is healthy.

Derek Anderson - Fantasy surprise last year, fantasy dud so far this season. A 49 percent completion rate and 540 yards is horrible for a guy who is supposed to be leading one of the best offensive groups in the NFL. Get rid of Anderson if you can, if he keeps struggling Brady Quinn will be the Quarter Back soon.

Chad Johnson - Name change hasn’t helped much, he is averaging 29 receiving yards a game with only 1 touchdown in the first four weeks. The Cincinnati team looks bad and may not get better. Johnson is a great wide receiver, but I think it is time for the Bengals to start over and find away to get better.

The Ugly :

Tom Brady – The injury to Brady in week 1 had a huge impact on all fantasy football leagues. The Patriots are no where near what they were last years and everyone on there offense will have worse fantasy years then they did last year. I feel bad for you if you drafted Brady in the first round, I hope you got a good back up.

Randy Moss – Directly tied to Brady’s injury, Moss will have a year that is very underwhelming. Last year he was a record breaker and this year he is averaging 65 yards a game with 1 touchdown in 3 games. I don’t know what to tell you, maybe the Patriots will figure out a way to get him the ball, they will if they want to win.

Braylon Edwards – WOW, what a start !! All pro last year, and this year he has 11 receptions and 95 yards in 4 games. This makes no sense to me, he was one of the best fantasy receivers last season and it looks as if he may be the worst this year. Edwards is a great player with all the talent in the world, and his numbers cannot be explained.

Fantasy sports can be highly frustrating, if you were one of the people to pick a ton of Patriots thinking they will repeat success, I feel for you. Hopefully you have found some good sleeper players this year and remember that you can turn a fantasy season around in just one week,