“As a football coach it is never easy to cut any player, especially veteran players who have been valuable members of the organization”

The Atlanta Falcons released four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler and six other players Friday in the first step of a major rebuilding job in the post-Michael Vick era.

The Falcons also cut quarterback Byron Leftwich, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins.

“This is a difficult day for the entire organization,” said Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons‘ new general manager. “A number of these players have contributed to this organization on and off the field at a high level, and we greatly appreciate their efforts.” Read more

To join camp, Favre must file letter (AP)

If Brett Favre plans to show for the Green Bay Packers‘ training camp, he’ll need permission from the NFL. And as of Friday evening, he had not petitioned the league for reinstatement. NFL spokesman Randall Liu said the league did not receive a letter from Favre on Friday. The step is considered a formality, but an important one: Favre can’t return until commissioner Roger Goodell receives and…

Fullback Greg Jones re-signs with Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars retained one of their top free agents Wednesday when fullback Greg Jones re-signed with the team. via The Florida Times-Union

Dolphins To Cut LB Zach Thomas

The Miami Dolphins will release seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, who plans to continue his career with another team.

Thomas was told of the team’s decision Thursday, a person close to the player said on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not announced anything.

The decision was first reported on local newspaper Web sites. The Dolphins declined comment.

The 34-year-old Thomas missed most of last season because of concussions and migraines and was placed on injured reserve against his wishes in December because of nagging migraines, an aftereffect of an Oct. 21 car crash. Read more

Seahawks add LG Wahle, QB coach Lazor

“The Seahawks definitely had a home-field advantage with Mike”

The Seattle Seahawks signed former Pro Bowl guard Mike Wahle to a five-year contract Thursday. via San Jose Mercury News

Fast recovery has Harrison back on field (AP)
Marvin Harrison’s knees are healthy enough to play football again. Getting back in sync with the Indianapolis Colts‘ high-scoring offense may take a little more patience. The eight-time Pro Bowler seemed to enjoy himself Friday, defying the doctors’ early prognosis by returning from offseason knee surgery for Indy’s first training camp practice.

NFL Challenges Vick Bonus Ruling

“Michael Vick breached his contract and cannot play because he was convicted of a felony and is sitting in jail”

The NFL is asking federal court to vacate a judge’s ruling allowing suspended quarterback Michael Vick to keep $16.5 million in bonuses. via Herald & Review

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — The Chicago Bears and first-round pick Chris Williams agreed to a five-year contract Wednesday on the first day of training camp.

Patriots sign second-rounder, cornerback Wheatley

The New England Patriots signed second-round pick Terrence Wheatley on Tuesday, leaving only top pick Jerod Mayo unsigned among their draftees two days before the start of training camp.

What About Aaron Rodgers?
While Brett Favre has received a lot of criticism for his decision to unretire, I am surprised at how little flak, at least nationally, the Packers have been receiving. How can you not welcome back a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback who took you to within one play of the Super Bowl last year? Do you really […]

Shock in the Big Easy; Two Years for Taylor?
After saying he would only play one more season, Jason Taylor now claims he will honor the two remaining years on his contract. So much for being a loyal Dolphin. Wouldn’t it be great if his old club ends up winning more games than the Redskins this season? And Jeremy Shockey going to New Orleans is […]

NFL Beer Commercial Training Camp
Not much happening in the NFL aside from the Brett Favre story. And I know I’m getting burned out on that one. Since training camps are on the horizon for the players, perhaps we as fans need a little training camp for our beer commercials. Let’s dip into NFL Football past and Lite Beer from Miller […]

Pelini staging Husker revival with running and defense
Forget the future. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is going old school and focusing on running and defense to revive the program.

The Saga of Brett Favre: Marathon or Sprint?
The hourly analysis of the Brett Favre situation loses sight of the fact that this story is a marathon, not a sprint. Sure the Packers have scored a few points (or by some measures, many points) in the near term, but this saga will be decided in the long term. Remember when Joe Montana was traded […]

Florida State’s Bowden not ready to step aside
Bobby Bowden, whose 373 victories are the most in Division I college football history, says he’s not done coaching yet.

Regents re-examining Iowa’s handling of assault
Iowa’s Board of Regents will meet Tuesday to discuss letters sent by a mother who accused the University of Iowa of mishandling its response to her daughter’s allegations of being sexually assaulted by two football players. In two letters sent to school president Sally Mason, the mother accused officials of encouraging her daughter, an Iowa athlete herself, to pursue resolution “informally” and within the athletic department.

Flutie, Paterno head ‘08 enshrinement class
Penn State coach Joe Paterno helped a lot of players make it into the College Football Hall of Fame. He counts former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie among them. “We made Flutie. I told him that 10 times,” Paterno said Saturday evening at a news conference before the pair and 18 others were enshrined. “He came to our place and nobody knew who he was and he ended up throwing for 400 yards. “But we beat’em,” Paterno added with a smile. Flutie got a chuckle out of it, as well.

Redskins introduce new DE Jason Taylor (AP)

Jason Taylor has put his Hollywood offseason behind him now that he’s a member of the Washington Redskins. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end clashed with the Miami Dolphins, the team he’d been with for all of his 11 NFL seasons, as he participated in the television show “Dancing With the Stars” rather than working out with the team this offseason.

Regents re-examining Iowa’s handling of assault
Iowa’s Board of Regents will meet Tuesday to discuss letters sent by a mother who accused the University of Iowa of mishandling its response to her daughter’s allegations of being sexually assaulted by two football players. In two letters sent to school president Sally Mason, the mother accused officials of encouraging her daughter, an Iowa athlete herself, to pursue resolution “informally” and within the athletic department.

Miami’s Marve, Harris, Smith battle for QB job
When choosing between quarterbacks Robert Marve and Jacory Harris, Miami coach Randy Shannon found there was only one solution that made sense. He’ll play both. Shannon still hasn’t selected a starter, but announced Thursday that both highly touted freshmen will see playing time this season for the Hurricanes, who don’t have a single quarterback on the roster with any collegiate snaps on their resume.

Trio of Ravens QBs begin competition (AP)

All three Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks seem to genuinely like each other, which makes for a rather friendly competition in their bid to claim the starting job. On the first day of training camp Tuesday, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco spoke about working together to make Baltimore a better team.

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When the Minnesota Vikings put receiver Troy Williamson on the market earlier this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars were the team that showed the greatest interest. Reports are now indicating that a trade between the Vikings and Jaguars is all but complete for the former first-round pick. The only thing holding the trade back is the fact that teams must wait until Friday at midnight EST to finalize it.

Williamson caught 18 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown last season. Considering the numbers that receiver Braylon Edwards put up this season in Cleveland, since he was taken a few picks ahead of Williamson, the Vikings feel that it’s time to give up on him. However, Williamson’s potential technically may have been limited in Minnesota due to group of ineffective quarterbacks. After all — since Randy Moss left the team, who has been effective?

Jacksonville will get: Troy Williamson
Minnesota will get: 6th-Round Draft Pick

The trade would also re-unite Williamson with former Vikings head coach Mike Tice, who is now an assistant coach for the Jaguars.

Pundits are skeptical that Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning can lead the Giants back to the championship game.

Jets sign TE Keller to multiyear deal

The New York Jets signed tight end Dustin Keller, the 30th overall pick in the draft, to a multiyear contract Friday.

Favre thinking of showing up to training camp

Brett Favre says he’s tempted to show up at the Green Bay Packers‘ training camp just to call the team’s “bluff.” In the second part of an interview with Fox News, the 38-year-old quarterback said he knows his …

Falcons set to show off makeover

Michael Vick was busted. Bobby Petrino was a bust. The Atlanta Falcons needed a new start, and so they’ve cleaned house.

A lot to look for McNabb’s shoulder, Sheppard’s presence are chief…

After the rookies and selected veterans report on Monday, Brian Westbrook is scheduled to arrive at the Philadelphia Eagles ‘ training camp at Lehigh University with the rest of the veterans on Thursday.

Texans begin camp hoping for first playoff trip

Mario Williams showed he’s far from a bust and the offense was much more potent, but the Houston Texans still finished last in their division and failed to get that elusive first playoff berth last season.

Ravens sign WR Smith to three-year deal

The Ravens signed 2008 fourth-round draft choice Marcus Smith, a wide receiver, to a three-year contract this afternoon, general manager Ozzie Newsome announced.

Dolphins release Zach Thomas
LB Zach Thomas, the Dolphins‘ all-time leader in tackles, is moving on after 11 seasons in Miami. Thomas who is a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, who plans to continue his career with another team. “Zach Thomas has been a great player on this team for many years, and because of the type of player and […]

Texans sign linebacker Xavier Adibi

The Houston Texans announced today that they have signed fourth-round draft pick LB Xavier Adibi, the third Texans draft choice to sign.

Saints sign ex-Wolverine Adrian Arrington

METAIRIE, La - The New Orleans Saints agreed to contract terms on Friday with kicker Taylor Mehlhaff and wide receiver Adrian Arrington, leaving only three 2008 draft picks still unsigned as training camp …

I launched Football for Breakfast one year ago today.

At first it was a bad Drudge Report ripoff tailored to the world of professional football. Still, it was effective in serving up daily news for all 32 NFL teams focusing on local hometown newspapers and blogs instead of the ubiquitous national feeds.

I then added a weekly column, Fourth and Long, patterned after Peter King’s SI.com column. To my surprise, it was very well-received — by the two dozen or so people who read it every week.

In January, I shifted the website into its current blog format and found myself, unsuccessfully, trying to jam my weekly column into a series of daily blog posts.

When February rolled around, a little burned out from the grind, I cut back to daily NFL news posts, planning to resume my column when time and mood allowed.

Now five months later, I’ve come to the realization that a weekly column doesn’t really work in this world of daily, even hourly sports analysis. That said, I think there was some pretty good writing in those columns. You can see some of the better ones I wrote here: McNabb’s Failure to Communicate (9/26); Bad Karma in San Diego (10/3); Schadenfreude (10/10); Rivers of Courage (1/22); The Impossible Accomplished (2/4).

So in the past week, I started dabbling with something new — short daily commentary and abbreviated daily news. And to my surprise, traffic is up significantly.

So get ready for the new Football for Breakfast. More short daily commentary, abbreviated daily news from hometown newspapers and hopefully a little more fun.

And since I do have comments turned on, do me a favor and let me know how I’m doing.

DiG…

P.S. And let’s not forget about the news. Apparently Brett Favre is contemplating a comeback!

Brett Favre News
Packers: Favre Breaks His Silence (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Packers: Favre Suggests Packers Haven’t Been Telling the Truth (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
Packers: Bond Between Favre, Packers Seems Beyond Repair (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
Ravens: Source: Favre Doesn’t Fit into Ravens Plans (Baltimore Sun)
Redskins: A Vision of Favre in Burgundy (Washington Times)
Buccaneers: Should Bucs Go for Favre? (Tampa Tribune)
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay May Not Be High on Favre’s List (St. Petersburg Times)
Vikings: Tarvaris Jackson Not Bothered by Brett Favre Rumors (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

AFC News Sans Favre
Colts: Manning Has Knee Surgery, Questionable for Opener (Indianapolis Star)
Titans: Haynesworth Decision Due Today (Tennessean)
Steelers: Steelers Situation ‘Inevitable’ (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Chargers: Pass-Rush Specialist Fred Dean Named to Bolts’ Hall (San Diego Union-Tribune)

NFC News Sans Favre
Giants: Ahmad Bradshaw Completes 30-Day Prison Sentence, NFL Investigates (Daily News)
Redskins: Colt Brennan Agrees to Deal with Redskins (Washington Post)
Eagles: Retiring QB Sagas Aren’t Unique to Green Bay (Philadelphia Daily News)
Cardinals: Dansby Unlikely to Get Long-Term Deal from Cards (East Valley Tribune)
Rams: Rams Not for Sale (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Chargers Sign LB Derek Smith
After being released by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, Derek Smith has found a new home before the start of free agency. Smith, 33, agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers after spending the last seven seasons with the 49ers. Smith’s decision to come to San Diego may have been influenced by […]

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After being released by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, Derek Smith has found a new home before the start of free agency. Smith, 33, agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers after spending the last seven seasons with the 49ers.

Smith’s decision to come to San Diego may have been influenced by his prior relationship to Chargers head coach Norv Turner. Smith was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round back in 1997. At the time, Turner was in charge of the Redskins.

Last season, Smith recorded 78 tackles and one interception in 15 games. He’ll join an already talented cast of linebackers. With Smith off the free agent board, only five middle linebackers remain in our awesome free agent tracker.

Ohio extends coach Solich’s contract (AP)
Ohio University extended football coach Frank Solich’s contract through the 2013 season. Athletic director Jim Schaus said Friday that Solich has done a good job turning around the program in three years. The Bobcats finished 6-6 last season. He guided the team to the GMAC Bowl the year before, marking Ohio’s first bowl game since the 1968 season.

Packers Need a Lift After Brett Favre?s Retirement
One thing is for sure after today: the Green Bay Packers are going to need a new identity. After being with the Packers for 16 years, future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre retired Monday. The move was confirmed by Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, Tuesday morning. Every year, Favre has been the highlight of many discussions in […]

One thing is for sure after today: the Green Bay Packers are going to need a new identity.

After being with the Packers for 16 years, future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre retired Monday. The move was confirmed by Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, Tuesday morning.

Every year, Favre has been the highlight of many discussions in the NFL — from his consecutive starts streak, his playoff-leading seasons, to his unrealistic performances under adversity. Favre’s four-touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders nearly right after his father passed away will go down as one of the greatest moments in league history.

Now, the Packers’ organization will be forced to move on with a new face: Aaron Rodgers. Although it’s a shame for many Packers fans to see Favre retire, if there were ever a time for him to do it, this was it. The Packers are coming off of a tremendous season in which their defense reached new heights. They also established Greg Jennings as a top-caliber receiver, and saw Ryan Grant emerge from the back of the line. Instead of leaving the Packers for dead when they were down and beat, he has left them when they still have an opportunity to succeed next season under Rodgers.

One note that will surely be asked of Favre is whether or not he would have indeed returned for another season or two if the Packers had signed wide receiver Randy Moss to a deal. ESPN.com reported last week that Favre and Moss had spoken, and that Favre told Moss that he’d return if Moss signed with the Packers. Reports indicate that Green Bay showed no interest in Moss, and Favre’s retirement came shortly after it was announced that Moss re-signed with the Patriots.

There will be a lot of different opinions about Favre. Packers fans will adore everything he has done (beyond Packer fans though, you have to wonder if John Madden feels the worst of all). Some fans around the league will feel the same. Other fans around the league will be thrilled that he retired — whether it be because they are rivals of the Packers, or that they were sick of Favre delaying his decisions (regarding retirement).

The National Favre League
I know I’m not a football insider. More of a football commentator. I don’t have access to Brett Favre’s family, friends and confidantes. So for me, it’s a little hard to get past Brett’s repeated denials that his pending un-retirement is nothing more than rumor. That said, I will admit that I’m probably not cynical […]

I know I’m not a football insider. More of a football commentator. I don’t have access to Brett Favre’s family, friends and confidantes. So for me, it’s a little hard to get past Brett’s repeated denials that his pending un-retirement is nothing more than rumor.

That said, I will admit that I’m probably not cynical enough when it comes to pro football. But I really am at a loss to explain the columns and blogs ripping Brett Favre for his return.

Uh, guys? Brett hasn’t returned yet. Call me crazy, but can’t you wait until the guy does come back to rip him? Because if history is any guide, it’s pretty clear no one is going to apologize if they’re wrong. Just ask Andy Reid.

AFC News
Jaguars: Matt Jones’ Felony Arrest Shocks Fans (Florida Times-Union)
Steelers: Estate Tax Threatens NFL’s Old Guard (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Ravens: Dilfer Exits Gracefully; Favre Should Take Notes (Baltimore Sun)
Broncos: Shanahan Keeps Faith Despite Marshall’s Troubles (Denver Post)

NFC News
Giants: Tuck Ready to Take Giant ‘Step’ (New York Post)
Buccaneers: Simms for Glenn? Favre to Bucs? (St. Petersburg Times)
49ers: Nolan’s QB Plan Will Fuel Exhibition Anticipation (San Francisco Chronicle)

Packers Up the Ante
The Packers have really upped the ante by accusing the Vikings of tampering with Brett Favre. Not only do they not want Brett to play for the Packers, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that they don’t want him to play for anybody else. And while the pundits may claim that the Packers are winning the […]

The Packers have really upped the ante by accusing the Vikings of tampering with Brett Favre. Not only do they not want Brett to play for the Packers, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that they don’t want him to play for anybody else.

And while the pundits may claim that the Packers are winning the PR battle so far, just wait until the season starts.

The Packers are opening against the Minnesota Vikings. The recently upgraded Minnesota Vikings. The Super-Bowl-contender Minnesota VIkings. Oh and the same Minnesota Vikings the Packers just accused of tampering.

And the Packers? They will be giving Aaron Rodgers his very first start.

Wonder what the Lambeau crowd is going to be like if the Vikings blow out the Packers?

Brett Favre News
Packers: Favre Plot Grows: Vikings Accused of Tampering (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Packers: Favre Waiting on Packers (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
Vikings: Vikings Deny Tampering with Favre (Star Tribune)

AFC News
Dolphins: Ricky Could Be Best Player on Fins’ Roster (Miami Herald)
Dolphins: McCown Cuts Finger in Texas Chain-Saw Accident (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Ravens: Flacco, Ravens OK Deal (Baltimore Sun)

NFC News
Eagles: Sheppard Hires Rosenhaus, Will Report to Camp (Philadelphia Daily News)
Falcons: Never-Ending Season Began Above London (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Trade Bait: Other Side of the NFL Market
With so much talk about free agency, sometimes people forget about the players that teams are looking to trade. And, if the teams can’t trade that particular player, they will likely release them before they are due a signing bonus. So, either way, these players are worthy of paying attention to, especially in the next […]

With so much talk about free agency, sometimes people forget about the players that teams are looking to trade. And, if the teams can’t trade that particular player, they will likely release them before they are due a signing bonus. So, either way, these players are worthy of paying attention to, especially in the next couokd of days:

nfl/wp-content/uploads/image/jvilma.jpg” style=”padding: 4px; float: right;” alt=”" />1. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Atlanta Falcons: Hall has already proven during his stay with the Falcons that he has the potential to be a shutdown corner. The organization and Hall aren’t on good terms right now, and it seems as if it will take at least a first-round draft choice from a team to get Hall. The New York Giants reportedly have a strong interest in him, but other teams, including the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys are in the running as well.

2. Shaun Rogers, DT, Detroit Lions: The Lions know that Rogers is a very physical force if he plays with the highest enthusiasm, so they aren’t going to part with him just for the sake of parting with him. However, management are listening to calls and several teams have reportedly shown an interest already.

3. Jonathan Vilma, LB, New York Jets: While still talented, Vilma has not been the best fit in Eric Mangini’s 3-4 system. Knowing that they won’t receive any compensation next year for Vilma when he becomes a free agent, trading him now would benefit them, even if they give him up for a bargain.

nfl/wp-content/uploads/image/twilliamson.jpg” style=”padding: 4px; float: left;” alt=”" />4. Javon Walker, WR, Denver Broncos: Walker could be on the move again, but his injury concerns no doubt remain the biggest risk associated with him. Walker has clearly shown the potential to be a No. 1 receiver, but a team can’t afford to spend money on him if they aren’t already deep at the receiver position. Rumor has it that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in him, but they could always wait until around the beginning of March. If the Broncos haven’t traded him by then, they’ll cut him to prevent him from earning a $5 million roster bonus.

5. Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota Vikings: The former first-round selection hasn’t done anything worthy of production with the Vikings, and he has been given permission to seek a trade. Williamson would like to play for the Cleveland Browns due to his ties with receiver Braylon Edwards, but it’s hard to imagine Cleveland trading a draft pick for him. The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly interested in him, as they are still searching for answers at the receiver position.

6. Jevon Kearse, DE, Philadelphia Eagles: Although the Eagles would like to find someone to take him, he’s probably going to end up getting cut instead.

With some players, trades are not an option. The Bengals are refusing to trade Chad Johnson at this point, due to the impact they know he can still have. On the other side of the spectrum, it may not be worth it for a team to give up a draft pick if a team will give up and cut a player. Two weeks ago it seemed like the Panthers were interested in trading DeShaun Foster, but they cut him a few days later.