[Editor’s note: This is my first post of the day from Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian, a 9.5-hour trek from Pittsburgh to New York City. Which is about as long as it takes to drive there and halfway back.]
If the fans have their way, Bills S Jairus Byrd will be a Pro Bowl starter.
The Patriots have plenty of connections to their upcoming opponent in Jacksonville.
With $45 million in cap space and nine draft picks, 2013 could be the year that Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland sinks or swims.
Like Tim Tebow, offensive coordinator Tony Sparano may be one and done with the Jets.
Browns LB D’Qwell Jackson accepts the fact that changes are coming -- again -- in Cleveland; “Been down here, this road, a little bit,” Jackson said. “That’s been the majority of my career, every couple of years there’s a new regime. It’s a bottom-line business. You’ve got to win in this business, and we all understand it.”
Ravens RB Ray Rice knows that his touches are tied to the team’s overall effectiveness on offense.
There’s still time for Steelers fans to submit their own videos explaining where they were for the Immaculate Reception. (Our guess is that Three Rivers Stadium, which held roughly 50,000, had a capacity of 500,000 that day. Or more.)
When it comes to the importance of Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is pragmatic; “It’s a really big game for us and for our young players it’s a chance for them to have an opportunity to keep playing; that’s what we’re here for,” Lewis said.
A limited number of $20 tickets will be available Saturday morning for the Jaguars’ home game against New England.
Titans RB Chris Johnson thinks Adrian Peterson should win the league MVP award.
The Texans will hold a silent auction to benefit the victims of the Newtown shooting.
Colts WR Reggie Wayne knows that the 2-12 Chiefs will be playing to win on Sunday, because Wayne recalls that’s what the Colts did down the stretch last year.
Original Broncos S Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin is recovering from heart surgery and cancer and enjoying the current edition of his former team; “I remember exactly what that feels like,” Gonsoulin said of the 98-yard interception return from CB Chris Harris.
As the Norv Turner tenure comes to a conclusion with the Chargers, Turner faces the team responsible for his most important defeat.
The bad news? The Raiders have 17 players who will become unrestricted free agents in March. The good news? The Raiders have 17 players who will become unrestricted free agents in March.
Welcome to PFT Planet, Giants WR Hakeem Nicks.
When the Eagles host Washington on Sunday, RB Brian Westbrook will serve as an honorary captain.
Cowboys TE Jason Witten still has a strong relationship with his former coach, Bill Parcells.
In many statistical categories, the Redskins are either really good or really bad.
A year after having the worst defense in the league, the Packers are now in the middle of the pack.
The Bears will use their fifth different combination of offensive linemen in five games against Arizona on Sunday.
Three years ago, it was “Pants on the Ground"; now, the Vikings are breakdancing.
For Lions LB Stephen Tulloch, the glass is still five-percent full; “This is a great opportunity to play on national television and show the fans and the people across the country that the Lions, we’ve been down but we’re coming back heading into next season,” Tulloch said.
LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith could be cap casualties for the Saints.
Falcons LT Sam Baker, who has rebounded after a difficult 2011, hopes to remain with the team beyond the expiration of his rookie contract in March.
For Buccaneers LT Donald Penn, the secret to his success is a different sport; “I don’t think I’d be as good of an athlete if it wasn’t for basketball,” Penn said. “I don’t think I’d be as good of a left tackle.”
The Panthers welcome former RB Mike Goodson to town on Sunday, fresh from an 89-yard rushing day, his best performance with Oakland.
Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton raved about CB Patrick Peterson; “He could really be the Bo Jackson, the two-way player. He is a phenomenal athlete that isn’t missing anything. He has the smarts, the will, the desire, the heart, the drive, any adjective you want to throw in there he has.”
Seahawks WR Sidney Rice is questionable for Sunday, but coach Pete Carroll thinks he’ll play; “We’re still going to make sure he can run on game day,” Carroll said. “He feels pretty good right now. But we’ve got to get to game day and run him and see how he can tolerate it. He thinks he’s playing. He feels like he’s going to.”
The Rams fired Mike Martz seven years ago, but this year they can’t get away from him.
As 49ers DL Ricky Jean Francois was grilled by the media about his preparedness to play in place of Justin Smith, WR Randy Moss and OL Mike Iupati joined in the questioning.