Schefter also “promises” that Bradford is a top-5 player in this draft. The Rams are also reluctant to pay the going rate at No. 1 for a defensive player. If Schefter is correct, the Lions are sitting pretty at No. 2 with their choice of Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Arizona: The Cardinals have signed head coach Ken Whisenhunt and GM Rod Graves to contract extensions through 2013. Per FoxSports’ Jay Glazer, Whiz will receive close to $30M for four years plus a 2014 team option, thus making him one of the five highest paid coaches in the league.

The extensions were well earned, as the duo has experienced unprecedented success in Arizona Cardinals. The Cards have won back-to-back NFC West titles while directing the franchise to its first Super Bowl in 2008-09. Graves will be in the spotlight this offseason, with many key players in flux.

Miami: Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland confirmed Thursday that Chad Henne is the team’s starting QB “now and for the future.” Coach Tony Sparano oddly didn’t commit to Henne at his season-ending presser, so Ireland did it for him. Henne will benefit from a full offseason of practice reps. Miami Dolphins seems to be leaning toward using its high picks and big free agent money on defense at the moment.

Tampa Bay: Bucs coach Raheem Morris indicated Thursday that the team is “moving on” from free agent Antonio Bryant. This is no shocker. “Antonio missed a significant amount of time last year,” Morris said. “Right now we’re going in a young direction. We’re going to choose to move on.” The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are concerned about the long-term health of Bryant’s knee, and they grew tired of his constant complaining last season. Character issues aside, Bryant is the best talent available at his position in free agency.

New Orleans: NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi reports that the Saints are “not even contemplating” releasing Reggie Bush, despite an impending $8M salary. Lombardi indicated that asking Bush to take a pay cut isn’t even in New Orleans’ immediate plans. Bush, still just 25, saw career lows in carries and catches last season, but somehow found a way to score eight all-purpose touchdowns. He’ll return as a change-of-pace back/punt returner in 2010.

Tennessee: According to the Nashville City Paper, the Titans are expected to place a restricted tender on free agent Bo Scaife, even at the cost of $4.9 million. Since Scaife was given the franchise tender last season at $4.46M, the Titans have to pay at least 110 percent of that salary this season. A pedestrian pass-catcher with little in the way of playmaking ability, Scaife isn’t worth the price tag. If the Titans do keep him, it’s an admission that Jared Cook isn’t ready for a major role.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: The Giants and Bears are reportedly competing for the services of recently fired Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell as defensive coordinator. NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora reported that Fewell was “very likely” to lead the Bears defense, but the former Bills coordinator is reportedly scheduled to interview with the New York Giants Thursday. The Giants have been tight-lipped about their search for a new coordinator and have already been rumored to be looking for an external candidate for the position.

Pittsburg: According to Ken Laird of ESPN 1250 in Pittsburgh, Pittsburg Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is expected to be fired “in the near future.” NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora calls the report “premature.” Arians came under heavy criticism in Pittsburgh for bucking the traditional ground game to go with a pass-heavy offense, often with questionable playcalling. If fired, Arians would be scapegoated for the defense’s season-long troubles after he led the offense to one of the most productive seasons in franchise history.

Cincinnati: Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reiterated that Chad Ochocinco’s knee is fine and that he’s only suffering from a bruised ego. “He’s healthy as I think he’s Twittered all over America,” said Lewis. Ochocinco is practicing with the knee bruise Tuesday, so he should be fine for his rematch with Revis Island on Saturday.

New Orleans: Saints placed LE Charles Grant on injured reserve with a torn triceps muscle, ending his season. Sean Payton said nothing of the injury in his Monday news conference, but it’s believed to have occurred in the second quarter of Week 17. The loss of Gant on defense is a big blow to the New Orleans Saints postseason march.

Houston: The Associated Press has voted Texans SLB Brian Cushing the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He won in a landslide, getting 39 votes to Jairus Byrd’s six, Clay Matthews’ three, and Brian Orakpo’s two. Cushing recorded 134 tackles this season, which ranked fifth in the NFL.

Miami: Coach Tony Sparano wouldn’t fully commit Monday to Chad Henne as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback for 2010. “I haven’t really discussed it yet,” Sparano said. “I haven’t really looked at the whole body of work.” Sparano did admit he was “really pleased with what Chad did” in his 13 starts.