Elsewhere around the NFL:

Philadelphia: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Bryan Burwell has clarified his earlier report, now stressing that the St. Louis Rams have not discussed Donovan McNabb with the Eagles. The curious phrasing of “intense internal conversations with the Philadelphia Eagles” was apparently the result of an error by Burwell’s copy desk. He stands by his story that the Rams have had talked internally about pursuing McNabb, but the two teams have yet to engage in trade scenarios. St. Louis remains an unlikely landing spot for McNabb.

Minnesota: Adrian Peterson is pushing for Brett Favre to come back for two more years, rather than just one. “I think we could win back-to-back Super Bowls,” said Peterson. “I’d take one. But the talent we have on both sides of the football with Favre … I feel like we can go as high as we want.” Peterson has a point. The Minnesota Vikings’ Super Bowl-caliber talent is the best thing they have going for them in the attempt to keep Favre from retirement.

Dallas: Beat writer Todd Archer doesn’t believe there’s a legit concern that another team will sign restricted free agent Miles Austin to a “poison pill” offer sheet. Archer points out that the league has discouraged poison pill offers since the Seahawks pulled the trick on Nate Burleson to repay the Vikings for Steve Hutchinson. Without a cap, the Dallas Cowboys can pretty match any deal unless a team inserts language that guarantees the contract with “X amount of games in the state of Texas.” We doubt another team will go that route.

2010 NFL Draft: According to FoxSports.com’s John Czarnecki, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo would select Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy if the draft was today. Spags apparently feels strongly enough about McCoy that the rest of the front office would go along the pick. Fans of Sam Bradford in the organization will have to wait for his pro day in late March to build momentum. If Bradford is able to allay doubts about his shoulder, we still believe the Rams will end up going quarterback at No. 1

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Dallas: Cowboys coach Wade Phillips confirmed Friday that Roy Williams will have to compete to keep his starting job in 2010. “We are going to play the best player, no matter what,” Phillips said. The Dallas Cowboys’ alternatives are Kevin Ogletree and Patrick Crayton, though Crayton is much better suited for the slot. Ogletree has legitimate talent and is a player to monitor closely in dynasty leagues. Williams, due nearly $13 million in 2010, could enter the season as a backup/fourth receiver.

New York: The NY Daily News reports that the Jets are exploring extension talks with All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis. Revis is the focal point of New York’s No. 1 pass defense, blanketing No. 1 receivers to force opponents to beat the New York Jets with inferior weapons. Beat writer Rich Cimini reports that “there’s definitely something cooking there.” Revis’ rookie contract is currently set to void after the 2010 season.

Chicago: Free agent Brian Westbrook said Friday that he would “love” to play for the Chicago Bears. Chicago could use an explosive change of pace for Matt Forte, especially in new coordinator Mike Martz’s up-tempo scheme. When healthy, Westbrook’s skill set is similar to former Martz back Marshall Faulk. “They have a pretty good quarterback there (Jay Cutler); great defense,” Westbrook noted. “There’s no question that I would love to definitely play in Chicago.”

Washington: Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan strongly indicated Friday that Clinton Portis will return as the team’s starting tailback in 2010. “He’s our running back,” Shanahan said. “I expect him to be in great shape and do everything he can to be the best player,” the new coach added. “If he does that, I know what type of ability he has. Hopefully, he can help us win.” The Skins are apparently convinced that, despite a ton of wear and tear, the 28-year-old Portis can regain form in their zone-blocking scheme.

2010 NFL Draft: NFL Network’s Charley Casserly reports that Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen (toe surgery) is unlikely to get in a full workout before April’s draft. The full workout would consist of “running, cutting and dropping.” It sounds like Clausen should be ready for his NFL team’s summer camps, but he apparently won’t be able to throw for evaluators at the Irish Pro Day. We’d say this was a slight concern if Clausen was a serious candidate to be drafted No. 1 overall, but Sam Bradford has clearly emerged as the favorite.

Choice is seemingly “stuck” as a third-stringer, but the Cowboys need him with Marion Barber apparently breaking down. They are also not in immediate need of a defensive back that can’t tackle. The rumors may persist because of Wade Phillips’ San Diego ties to Cromartie, but look for the Dallas Cowboys to shop Barber first, if any of their backs truly go on the trade block.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

San Diego: Chargers beat reporter Kevin Acee predicts that the Chargers will wait until March 4 to release LaDainian Tomlinson. Acee admits the transaction may happen sooner, but GM A.J. Smith has been known to wait as long as possible in this type of situation. The NFL will also be buzzing with transactions and restricted free agent tendering at the time, decreasing the bad publicity San Diego gets for cutting its longtime MVP.

Tennessee: Beat reporter Gary Eastwick doesn’t see Chris Johnson getting as many snaps in 2010 as he did in 2009. Johnson was on the field for virtually every offensive snap in 2009 as LenDale White and Javon Ringer became innocent bystanders. The Tennessee Titans have already hinted that they want to preserve Johnson even though he’s missed just one game in two seasons.

Arizona: Two people in contact with the Dolphins could “envision” the team offering a draft pick for Anquan Boldin, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The pick would be a third-rounder or later. Jackson is a columnist — not a reporter — but this is the second time in a week we’ve heard substantial rumors about Boldin and the Dolphins. Boldin is big and as tough as they come, fitting VP of football operations Bill Parcells’ profile, and would fill a glaring need as a play-making No. 1 receiver for Chad Henne. Jackson adds that the Dolphins aren’t interested in Brandon Marshall.

Carolina: During a radio interview, Julius Peppers said he doesn’t want a long-term extension from the Carolina Panthers. Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt says “it’s becoming more and more clear that Peppers isn’t going to be here next year.” Peppers is upset that the Panthers are giving him and his agent the “silent treatment.” Gantt suggests that the Panthers should put the franchise tag on Peppers with designs on trading him. The Eagles, Patriots and Falcons are rumored as possible landing spots.

Ed Reed

According to the National Football Post, Ravens S Ed Reed is “definitely expected to play” to return in 2010. Aaron Wilson, who doubles as a Ravens beat writer, says it will take a “major setback” with Reed’s nerve impingement or ligament tears in his hip and groin to force him into retirement. Reed recently indicated that he’s “feeling good” but isn’t yet ready to announce a decision.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Dallas: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated that money won’t be a factor in Marion Barber returning for the 2010 season, but injury concerns could cause a change in his usage pattern. MBIII’s injuries have been of the nagging variety, but the Dallas Cowboys still haven’t been able to rely on him down the stretch for two straight years. Felix Jones has earned a greater share of the early-down carries, and Tashard Choice is expected to see more time on passing downs. ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins shot down a “hot rumor” that the Cowboys are shopping Barber, who is due $4M bonus on top of his $3.8M salary in 2010.

Oakland: Oakland Raiders hired former Ravens QBs coach Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator and signed him to a three-year contract. The Raiders didn’t have anyone in the offensive coordinator role last year, so the move may be a sign of progress for pro football’s most dysfunctional franchise. Tom Cable was clearly stretched last year as Oakland’s playcaller, offensive line overseer, and head coach while dealing with off-field problems.

Tampa Bay: Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson has set a goal for Josh Freeman to complete 60% of his passes in 2010. Freeman completed just 54.6% as a rookie. “He can work on making a lot of the throws,” Olson said. “Deep balls throws and accuracy. Fundamentals. If you look at all the studies of playoff quarterbacks and winning quarterbacks, that’s where it’s at…60 percent.” Freeman would also benefit from Tampa upgrading his receiver corps. No. 1 wideout Antonio Bryant is a free agent.

Chicago: The Chicago Bears have reportedly received permission to interview Bears QBs coach Kevin Rogers for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Rogers, known as a players coach with good communication skills, is credited with developing Donovan McNabb at Syracuse in addition to his work with a raw Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota. His interview is expected to take place later this week.

2010 NFL Draft: According to an ESPN report earlier this month, Alabama NT Terrence Cody weighed “right around” 355 pounds on January 5. In other words, Cody appears to have gained 15 pounds (he measured 6’4/370 at the Senior Bowl) in the last 20 days. Cody’s body appeared sloppy, to put it mildly, when he removed his shirt for Monday’s weigh-in. While weight fluctuation is a routine concern for clogging, nose-tackle types, Cody is already resembling a late-career Ted Washington at age 21.

Chan Gailey

The Chan Gailey era in Buffalo officially begun on Tuesday as the team introduced the career play-caller as their next head coach. Gailey, who was fired from his only other head coaching position by Jerry Jones, will get his second, and most likely last chance to prove himself as a successful head coach in the NFL.

Gailey will have his work cut out for him in Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills team he’s taking over hasn’t made the playoffs in a decade and its fans have been clamoring for a big name coach, such as Bill Cowher, during what most fans are interpreting a unsuccessful search. “I can’t say anything to change anybody’s mind. All I can do is go try to help us win football games,” Gailey said. “We win football games, everybody’s minds will be changed, right?”

Gailey was hired by first-time general manager Buddy Nix, ending a two-month search to replace Dick Jauron, who was fired in November. He takes over a Bills team coming off its fifth straight losing season following a 6-10 finish and in the midst of a 10-year playoff drought that is tied with Detroit as the longest active streak in the NFL. “I’ve been around enough winning programs … that when I walk on the field I expect to win.

I don’t just hope to win,” Gailey said. “But the bottom line is we’ve got to do it on the field” For Nix, it was Gailey’s extensive experience that impressed him and met most of the criteria the General Manager set out when he took over the search two weeks ago. Nix was eager to find someone with previous head-coaching experience and who had an offensive background, especially considering the Bills quarterback situation.

“Without any doubt in my mind, we got the best qualified guy, a guy that was on the list early,” Nix said.”We got the right guy for us. I’ve got full confidence in him to answer your question.”

Gailey has spent 15 of his 35 years of coaching in the NFL. In his two years coaching the Dallas Cowboys, he went 18-14 and led the team to consecutive playoff appearances – both losses. He was dismissed after the 1999 season, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged his mistake in firing Gailey.

Gailey has been out of football since he was removed as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in August, two weeks before the season opener. He was entering his second season with Kansas City Chiefs after a six-year stretch as Georgia Tech’s coach, during which he went 44-33 before being fired in 2007.

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was considered the top candidate after interviewing two weeks ago. Frazier’s stock appeared to climb even further after his defense shut down the Cowboys in Minnesota’s 34-3 win in the playoffs Sunday.

Miles Austin

Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones indicated Thursday that he’s eager to sign restricted free agent Miles Austin to a long-term deal. Jerry’s son, executive VP Stephen Jones, wasn’t ready to talk about a long-term extension for Austin after his NFL record 421 yards in his first two starts.

Austin’s dominant performance in the second half of the season erased all doubts. His agent can start with Roy Williams’ ludicrous five-year, $45 million deal and go from there. Austin is clearly the best receiver on the Dallas Cowboys and an emerging superstar in the NFL.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Minnesota: Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress confirmed that Percy Harvin missed Thursday’s practice with a migraine headache. There’s no telling how long he’ll be sidelined, though Childress believes he’ll be “OK.”

While Harvin was able to play through the migraines early in the season, he missed one game and parts of another down the stretch due to a migraine. The Vikes passing attack suffered its biggest slump during those two weeks. Harvin could be a game time decision this weekend.

Dallas: Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips’ extension runs through 2011, not 2012 as previously reported. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Phillips was to receive a 2012 option year as well, but it was scratched at the last minute. Essentially, owner Jerry Jones picked up the 2010 option and added one more year.

“I’m encouraged by the progress that we made this year, but in no way are we satisfied,” Jones explained. “This contract represents that. Two years in the NFL is an eternity, but it has to be urgent.” If the Cowboys don’t make it to the NFC title game next season, Philips is likely to be fired.

San Diego: According to beat writer Kevin Acee, it’s a “foregone conclusion” that LaDainian Tomlinson won’t be back with the San Diego Chargers in 2010. Acee points out that there won’t be a renegotiation on the $5 million LT is due because “they did that last year to avoid one this year.”

Tomlinson’s standoff with GM A.J. Smith was ugly at times last year, so we’re hoping the final parting goes more smoothly. Don’t expect teams around the league to fight over Tomlinson, as he might not even find a starting job next season. Expect the Chargers to draft a RB in the first or second round of this Aprils draft.

Arizona: Matt Leinart’s inaccuracy has “eroded confidence among the receiving corps,” according to Arizona Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers. Not only does Leinart diminish their playmaking ability, his high throws make them targets for big hits. Per Somers, the offense “will no doubt change” if Leinart takes over, with the running game taking center stage.

Chicago: Bears RB Matt Forte reportedly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during the past two weeks. A post-season MRI revealed the need for the procedure. Forte showed toughness in playing through a partially torn hamstring and an early-season MCL sprain, though it’s not known if the scope is related to the latter.

Visanthe Shiancoe

After their shocking blowout loss to the Vikings on Saturday, Cowboys ILB Keith Brooking called the Vikings’ late fourth-quarter touchdown throw to Visanthe Shiancoe “classless” following Sunday’s playoff game. “I thought it was B.S.,” Brooking added. “Granted, we get paid to stop them, but we had zero timeouts left.

I didn’t think there was any call for that.” Minnesota Vikings DT Kevin Williams responded: “We don’t care what Keith Brooking says. He was about to get his &%# whupped on our sideline over there.” Jerry Jones, who is the Cowboys owner, is perhaps the only person in the world that has more passion for the franchise than Brooking.

After the loss sent shock waves through the sports world, it was expected that the Cowboys would be rebuild, with a new head coach and a number of high priced free agents.

Just one day after their playoff loss, Jones announced that Wade Philips would return as the teams head coach for the 2010 season. Jones realized that under Phillips, the Cowboys won the NFC East and secured their first playoff game in 13 seasons. In addition, Jones also strongly hinted that Phillips’ 2010 option would be picked up and there are reports that an additional year could be tacked onto the deal.

Phillips, who also serves as defensive coordinator, guided the Dallas Cowboys defense to a No. 2 overall ranking in 2009. However, it has yet to be seen if the Cowboys offensive coordinator and primary play caller, Jason Garrett, 43, will return. For a number of years, Garrett has been linked to a number of head coaching vacancies.

In addition to the giving Philips a vow of confidence, it is expected that the core of the Cowboys will be back in 2010, even the temperamental Roy Williams. Asked if he had any plays called for him, Williams replied “No. Hell no.” “I didn’t get a ball today,” he added.

“It pisses me off, especially when we lose and especially when…I got a 5-10 corner (covering me, Antonio Winfield). But hey, you know, I will continue to work hard in the offseason and it will come back around.” For 2010, Williams is guaranteed $9 million and the team also used multiple high round draft picks to quire the WR from Detroit.

For now, it appears that the core of the Cowboys is safe from Jones’ raft. Considering that the long-time owner just invested nearly $1.2 billion of his own money into a new stadium, everyone should only feel safe for one more year.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas (12-5) at Minnesota (12-4)

After off of two very impressive victories over the Philadelphia Eagles, the high-flying Cowboys will look to take one step closer to the Super Bowl as they invade Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.

The key to this colossal match up will be the Cowboys defense versus the big play Vikings offense. The Dallas Cowboys will attempt to utilize the leagues second best scoring defense to slow down Adrian Peterson and force a 40 year old quarterback to beat them.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, their passing defense has struggle at times this season and the Vikings 40 year old quarterback just happens to be one of the best of all time.

The Vikings, who has the leagues second ranking scoring offense this season, will attempt to ride the back of Adrian Peterson to set up effective, but dangerous play action passing attached that feature the leagues oldest quarterback.

Prediction: Dallas 24, Minnesota 21

New York Jets (10-7) at San Diego (13-3)

In perhaps the most interesting game of the weekend, the leagues No. one defense will look to slow down arguable the leagues No. one offense.

Assuming that the Jets defense is able to slow down one of the best offenses in the league, the key match up will be the Jets rookie quarterback against the San Diego Chargers defense.

Mark Sanchez, who has a quarterback rating of just 63 this season, will have to play a near perfect game in order for the Jets to have chance to win this game. Considering the fact that Sanchez is a rookie, a perfect game, and the difference between winning and losing, could mean ball control and limiting turnovers.

The Chargers will look to storm out of the gate, put points on the board and force Sanchez to win the game with his arm. The Chargers, who are last in the NFL in rushing offense, will need to have a somewhat balanced attack to keep the Jets defense guessing.

Prediction: Chargers 27, Jets 13

Before he lapsed into a coma, the victim told police on the scene that he believed the shooting was related to an April, 2008 assault by Harrison in the same neighborhood. Tests show that Harrison’s gun was used in the homicide, though Harrison denies pulling the trigger. Esquire.com released a lengthy, eye-opening article Thursday detailing Harrison’s role in the events.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: Updating a previous item, NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora seconds a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Perry Fewell will accept the New York Giants’ offer to be defensive coordinator. The Giants confirmed the reports Thursday evening.

Fewell was believed to be leaning toward joining close friend Lovie Smith in Chicago earlier in the week, but the staff’s uncertain future may have pushed him toward the Giants job.

Fewell will have much more talent to work with in New York, which makes the possibility of a quick turnaround appealing. Fewell will most likely have to modify his traditional Tampa-2 defense in order to be more contusive with the Giants personnel.

New York: Ex-Steelers RB Jerome Bettis said Thursday that Bill Cowher hasn’t accepted a head coaching job the past couple of seasons because he’s “holding out” for the Giants job. New York is “where he always wanted to be,” said Bettis.

“The Mara family, he’s been very close to them … and was on the inside track…before the Giants won the Super Bowl…for that job.” Bettis, who is tight with his former head coach, believes Cowher will end up coaching the Giants eventually. Tom Coughlin could be fired if he does not make the playoffs next season.

Dallas: Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was encouraged by Marion Barber’s (knee) progress in Thursday’s limited practice. “We’ll see what he does [Friday] but it’s looking better and better for him to be able to play,” said Phillips, who indicated that Barber would start if he’s active.

Baltimore: Despite speculation to the contrary, Derrick Mason said he has yet to decide whether this season will be his final one. “I’ll re-evaluate after the season and see where I am at physically and mentally and go from there,” Mason said. The 36-year-old temporarily retired last summer after struggling through a shoulder injury and the Ravens’ refusal to give him a pay raise

New England: The New England Patriots have parted ways with defensive coordinator Dean Pees. The 60-year-old was hospitalized during the Week 17 game at Houston after coming down with shortness of breath.