Elsewhere around the NFL:

Cleveland: The Browns are reportedly involved in trade talks for quarterbacks with “more than one team.” “It appears the Browns have concluded they are more apt to upgrade the quarterback position through trade rather than free agency,” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper doesn’t have details, but hints that Brady Quinn could be part of an outgoing deal. The Cleveland Browns have been linked to Kevin Kolb, Matt Hasselbeck, and Donovan McNabb since season’s end.

Carolina: The Panthers have assigned a first- and third-round tender to restricted free agent Matt Moore. He’ll make over $3 million in 2010. While the move seems obvious from the Panthers’ standpoint, it’s also an acknowledgement from Carolina Panthers that Moore at least might be the team’s quarterback of the future. Moore has certainly shown enough promise to be a league average starter someday, particularly when play-caller Jeff Davidson has let him get aggressive. Moore has very sound pocket presence, an adequate arm, and underrated athleticism. He’s sure to beat out Jake Delhomme in any training camp competition.

Chicago: The Chicago Sun Times disputes multiple reports that Greg Olsen is on the trading block. Initial reports, via NBC Chicago and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, linked Olsen to the Patriots and Cardinals. The fits are odd on paper, though, because neither of those teams uses tight ends often in the passing game, and Olsen isn’t a blocker.

Indianapolis: Peyton Manning underwent surgery to relieve pain from a pinched nerve in his neck Tuesday in Chicago. The Indianapolis Colts call the surgery minor, but anything neck-, much less Manning-related is a big story. The team issued a statement saying he’ll be ready for offseason workouts, though it’s still a situation to monitor.

Denver: The Broncos have assigned first-round restricted free agent tenders to Brandon Marshall and Kyle Orton. Orton won’t get much interest, but as ESPN’s Adam Schefter points out, Denver has essentially extended an “invitation” for teams (mostly at the back end of the draft) to sign Marshall to an offer sheet. Should the Broncos not match, they’d receive that team’s first-round pick as compensation. The club is clearly willing to move on without Marshall by opting against giving him the first- and third-round tender. The Ravens should have immediate interest, and we wouldn’t rule out the Cowboys, Patriots, or Bengals making a move.

Philadelphia: According to Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post, the Philadelphia Eagles will not trade Michael Vick unless they get a second-round pick in return. Lombardi’s stance has softened since predicting early last month that the Eagles no longer planned to trade Vick. Now, he says Philly knows it could get a third-round compensatory pick in 2011 should Vick stay on the roster this year, and sign elsewhere next offseason. We still have a hard time believing any third-string QB is worth Vick’s $5.25 million scheduled pay.

With the Seattle Seahawks expected to target quarterback and left tackle with their two first-round picks, it makes sense to have Hasselbeck around for one more season to groom his successor. Expect the Seahawks to be very active on draft day as Carroll will attempt to draft college players that he covets.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Houston: Former Broncos OL coach Rick Dennison has accepted the Texans’ offensive coordinator position. Gary Kubiak’s best friend has big shoes to fill after Kyle Shanahan’s offense set team records in points and total yards. An assistant with the Broncos for 15 years, Dennison was a constant in Denver’s strong running game. He’s expected to improve the Houston Texans’ struggling ground attack while having some influence on play-calling. Since Dennison has little experience with the passing game, Kubiak could resume a hands-on role in that capacity.

Arizona: Though he was held out of Cardinals practice Tuesday, Anquan Boldin (knee, ankle) is “definitely” optimistic that he will play at New Orleans Saturday. Even though backup Steve Breston played well, having Boldin for the remainder of the playoffs is key as the Arizona Cardinals could face several high-powered offenses.

Cleveland: Browns president Mike Holmgren indicated that Brady Quinn’s foot specialist has recommended against surgery to repair the Lisfranc injury on his left foot. Quinn will be re-examined by the Cleveland Browns’ medical staff again next week, but Holmgren is confident that surgery will not be required. Quinn would have missed “a number of months” if surgery was advised, but he’s now expected to resume football activity within 6-12 weeks. Quinn should be ready for OTA’s and is inline to win the starting QB spot on Cleveland.

Buffalo: The Bills have requested and received permission to interview Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for their head-coaching job. Schottenheimer’s father, Marty, has a close relationship with new Bills GM Buddy Nix from their time together in San Diego. Jets coach Rex Ryan is already talking as if Schottenheimer will be gone after the playoffs. It’s not clear when the interview will take place, as Schottenheimer is preparing for the Chargers this week.

Jacksonville: SI’s Peter King reports that Jack Del Rio is “officially” staying on as Jaguars head coach. The Jaguars have confirmed the report. While the sides appeared headed toward a divorce, the $15M guaranteed to Del Rio was enough to keep him on board for another year.

Raiders coach Tom Cable confirmed that Michael Bush will be the starting RB for week five. Bush and Justin Fargas will likely split carries until one of backs establishes himself as the clear interim starter. The Raiders entire offense will have a tough time moving the ball this Sunday against a stout Giants defense.

Matt Hasselbeck Likely to Start Sunday:

Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) returned to a full practice on Thursday. Hasselbeck will likely get the start this Sunday, however he is not 100% and the Seahawks offensive line has numerous injuries.

Michael Crabtree will play in Two Weeks:

San Francisco offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye indicated that Michael Crabtree will break into the offense as a slot receiver in the third-down package. “I think it will be easier if he had a concentrated package,” Raye said of getting Crabtree ready for action in two weeks time. “And right now, in my mind, that would be the third-down package.” At this point, Crabtree has low fantasy value but he could be inline for starts in deep leagues in the latter portion of this season.

Roy Williams Status for Week Five is Uncertain:

Dallas Cowboy’s coach Wade Phillips informed reporters that WR Miles Austin would start if Roy Williams (ribs) is held out this week at Kansas City. Williams is in the record as believing he would play, but it appears that Williams playing status could be a game-time decision.

Matthew Stafford Likely to Miss Week Five:

Detroit QB Matthew Stafford (knee) missed practice Thursday and is considered unlikely to play this week. Daunte Culpepper will get the start if Stafford cannot play.

Jerome Harrison to be the Featured RB in Cleveland:

Browns coach Eric Mangini gave RB Jerome Harrison a seal of approval on Thursday. “Now we have two guys that can go in and play first, second or third down, and do it well,” Mangini said. We expect Harrison to be the starting RB in Cleveland for the rest of the season.

Clinton Portis Injury Report:

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (calf, ankles) has not been listed on the Redskins injury report this week. Even though Portis didn’t practice last week, he still received 25 carries. Expect the off-injured RB to have a big day this weekend against the Panthers poor rush defense.

Wes Welker Injury Report:

New England WR Wes Welker (knee) was limited again on Thursday. Welker said Wednesday that his knee feels “as good as can be expected.” Expect Welker to play this Sunday and have a solid game.

Wide receiver Steve Largent was the most productive Seattle Seahawk of all-time being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995, the first Seahawk to do so. Largent was a seven time Pro Bowl selection, a member of the 1980′s All-Decade team and is the all-time leader in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards in Seahawks history. At the time of his retirement in 1989, Largent held NFL records in six different receiving categories.

In 2002, the NFL realigned the divisions and the Seattle Seahawks found themselves back in the NFC as they were in their first season. Mike Holmgren, who was the Green Bay Packers coach in the 1990′s and coached their last two Super Bowl appearances became the Seahawks coach in 1999 and changed the team for the better. Since Holmgren took over the head coaching job in 1999 the Seahawks only missed the playoffs three times and won the division five times. The Seahawks best finish came in 2005 with a 13-3 record with an appearance in Super Bowl XL which they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10. That season running back and Seahawks one Shaun Alexander was named the leagues Most Valuable Player with 1,880 rushing yards and twenty-eight touchdowns.

The Seahawk fans who attend the games have the reputation of being the “12^th Man” because of how loud Qwest Field can become and how much it disrupts opposing teams.

The Seattle Seahawks are perennial favorites in the NFC West nearly every year. With quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and a stellar defense, the Seattle Seahawks should be factors in the NFC for many years.