Team Notes: NFC East, North

NFC East

Cowboys: Tony Romo is fully recovered from last year's broken left collarbone, and his throwing motion is back to normal. Boasting one of the most dangerous offensive arsenals in the league, he's a fantasy QB to target after Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers are off the board. … While coach Jason Garrett expressed confidence in Felix Jones' ability to shoulder a heavier workload, he also made it clear that he will continue a multi-back approach in 2011. … Marion Barber has a $500k roster bonus due in June (in addition to a $4.25 million base salary). The Cowboys have been tight-lipped about MBIII's future. It's worth noting that he has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract.

The team's brass remains committed to Dez Bryant despite a recent string of lawsuits and flashing neon signs of reckless immaturity. We're advising Dynasty and Keeper leaguers to buy or hold right now as opposed to selling. Bryant has the difference-making talent to haunt ship-jumpers, and he's just received a much-needed wake-up call. … Roy Williams is due $9.25 million in 2011. Even with Bryant's issues, there's no chance Roy Boy sees that money. He'll have to take a major paycut to stay in Dallas as the No. 3 receiver. … Add CB Terrence Newman ($8 million non-guaranteed salary) and RT Marc Colombo to the list of candidates for release, especially if those positions are addressed early in the draft.

Eagles: Comeback Player of the Year Michael Vick signed his $15.975 million franchise tender, and the Eagles will likely begin long-term talks after the CBA is finalized. … All signs point to Kevin Kolb being dealt to the highest bidder as soon as the trading season kicks off. Kolb is entering a contract year, so the Eagles will extract as much value as possible before losing his rights. The Seahawks and Cardinals are expected to be his most ardent suitors. … Jerome Harrison has now accrued five NFL seasons, so his restricted free agent tender may not hold up. If he's set free, it will be interesting to see if Brian Westbrook returns to Philly as LeSean McCoy's backup.

DeSean Jackson is now healthy after sustaining a Grade 2 MCL sprain in the playoff loss to the Packers. Getting the homerun hitter locked up under a long-term deal is believed to be the franchise's second offseason priority behind the potential Kolb trade. … K David Akers is seeking a long-term deal. The Eagles slapped him with the transition tag in the mean time.

Giants: Eli Manning caught flack from the coaching staff after leading the NFL with 25 interceptions last season. The pendulum could swing back to a more conservative offensive approach in 2011. … The Giants extended a second-round tender to four-year veteran Ahmad Bradshaw. Pending the outcome of the labor scene, he could end up on the open market with GM Jerry Reese potentially entering a bidding war. Bradshaw underwent an ankle scope after the season, the fourth procedure on his feet in the last two years. … Brandon Jacobs conceded that he may need to restructure his contract, though coach Tom Coughlin has suggested that the big back's workload will increase this season. We're tentatively expecting to see Jacobs and Bradshaw both back in the Big Apple.

Steve Smith is in the same boat as Bradshaw, a fourth-year vet with a second-round tender. Even though he's coming off serious microfracture knee surgery that could jeopardize his Week 1 status, Smith believes the Giants will end up re-signing him even if he hits the open market. Mario Manningham is the better fantasy target of the two regardless. … Kevin Boss, coming off minor hip surgery, was also extended a second-round tender as a four-year veteran. Reminder: Reese had an exceptional draft in 2007.

Redskins: Donovan McNabb isn't expected to draw much interest beyond a stopgap solution, which leaves him devoid of trade value. He'll sign with a team such as the Vikings, Titans, or Bengals as the bridge to a developmental QB. … Free agent Rex Grossman is the current favorite to open the season as the Redskins' starter. … Clinton Portis was released, leaving Ryan Torain alone atop the depth chart. Torain is fully expected to share the backfield with a draft pick or free-agent pickup by the end of summer. Sell now in Dynasty leagues.

Free agent Santana Moss' preference is to re-sign with the Redskins once the CBA is finalized. The 'Skins have been connected to Alabama's Julio Jones, though receiver could be seen as a luxury at No. 10 overall. … Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson noted that Chris Cooley looked "noticeably slower" in 2010. With the QB position in flux, he's a player to avoid in fantasy drafts. … FS O.J. Atogwe signed a five-year, $26 million deal, allowing "box" SS LaRon Landry to continue to play close to the line of scrimmage.

NFC East

Cowboys: Tony Romo is fully recovered from last year's broken left collarbone, and his throwing motion is back to normal. Boasting one of the most dangerous offensive arsenals in the league, he's a fantasy QB to target after Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers are off the board. … While coach Jason Garrett expressed confidence in Felix Jones' ability to shoulder a heavier workload, he also made it clear that he will continue a multi-back approach in 2011. … Marion Barber has a $500k roster bonus due in June (in addition to a $4.25 million base salary). The Cowboys have been tight-lipped about MBIII's future. It's worth noting that he has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract.

The team's brass remains committed to Dez Bryant despite a recent string of lawsuits and flashing neon signs of reckless immaturity. We're advising Dynasty and Keeper leaguers to buy or hold right now as opposed to selling. Bryant has the difference-making talent to haunt ship-jumpers, and he's just received a much-needed wake-up call. … Roy Williams is due $9.25 million in 2011. Even with Bryant's issues, there's no chance Roy Boy sees that money. He'll have to take a major paycut to stay in Dallas as the No. 3 receiver. … Add CB Terrence Newman ($8 million non-guaranteed salary) and RT Marc Colombo to the list of candidates for release, especially if those positions are addressed early in the draft.

Eagles: Comeback Player of the Year Michael Vick signed his $15.975 million franchise tender, and the Eagles will likely begin long-term talks after the CBA is finalized. … All signs point to Kevin Kolb being dealt to the highest bidder as soon as the trading season kicks off. Kolb is entering a contract year, so the Eagles will extract as much value as possible before losing his rights. The Seahawks and Cardinals are expected to be his most ardent suitors. … Jerome Harrison has now accrued five NFL seasons, so his restricted free agent tender may not hold up. If he's set free, it will be interesting to see if Brian Westbrook returns to Philly as LeSean McCoy's backup.

DeSean Jackson is now healthy after sustaining a Grade 2 MCL sprain in the playoff loss to the Packers. Getting the homerun hitter locked up under a long-term deal is believed to be the franchise's second offseason priority behind the potential Kolb trade. … K David Akers is seeking a long-term deal. The Eagles slapped him with the transition tag in the mean time.

Giants: Eli Manning caught flack from the coaching staff after leading the NFL with 25 interceptions last season. The pendulum could swing back to a more conservative offensive approach in 2011. … The Giants extended a second-round tender to four-year veteran Ahmad Bradshaw. Pending the outcome of the labor scene, he could end up on the open market with GM Jerry Reese potentially entering a bidding war. Bradshaw underwent an ankle scope after the season, the fourth procedure on his feet in the last two years. … Brandon Jacobs conceded that he may need to restructure his contract, though coach Tom Coughlin has suggested that the big back's workload will increase this season. We're tentatively expecting to see Jacobs and Bradshaw both back in the Big Apple.

Steve Smith is in the same boat as Bradshaw, a fourth-year vet with a second-round tender. Even though he's coming off serious microfracture knee surgery that could jeopardize his Week 1 status, Smith believes the Giants will end up re-signing him even if he hits the open market. Mario Manningham is the better fantasy target of the two regardless. … Kevin Boss, coming off minor hip surgery, was also extended a second-round tender as a four-year veteran. Reminder: Reese had an exceptional draft in 2007.

Redskins: Donovan McNabb isn't expected to draw much interest beyond a stopgap solution, which leaves him devoid of trade value. He'll sign with a team such as the Vikings, Titans, or Bengals as the bridge to a developmental QB. … Free agent Rex Grossman is the current favorite to open the season as the Redskins' starter. … Clinton Portis was released, leaving Ryan Torain alone atop the depth chart. Torain is fully expected to share the backfield with a draft pick or free-agent pickup by the end of summer. Sell now in Dynasty leagues.

Free agent Santana Moss' preference is to re-sign with the Redskins once the CBA is finalized. The 'Skins have been connected to Alabama's Julio Jones, though receiver could be seen as a luxury at No. 10 overall. … Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson noted that Chris Cooley looked "noticeably slower" in 2010. With the QB position in flux, he's a player to avoid in fantasy drafts. … FS O.J. Atogwe signed a five-year, $26 million deal, allowing "box" SS LaRon Landry to continue to play close to the line of scrimmage.



NFC North:

Bears: The Bears' front office has stood steadfastly behind Jay Cutler as the franchise QB in the face of harsh criticism directed his way in the NFC Championship game. … Coordinator Mike Martz continues to waffle on Caleb Hanie as the No. 2 QB, though coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo are now believers. All involved refuse to acknowledge last year's costly mistake of pushing a washed-up Todd Collins back ahead of Hanie on the depth chart. … The team has begun "preliminary" extension talks with Matt Forte, who is fifth in the league in yards from scrimmage the past three years. Chester Taylor, on the other hand, may have to stave off competition to keep his backup job after running with a fork sticking out of his back throughout last season.

The Bears don't intend to increase Devin Hester's snap count on offense, and Martz has even suggested a bigger role for Earl Bennett in 2011. Johnny Knox remains the only Windy City receiver worth drafting in standard scoring leagues. … Devin Aromashodu will find a new home this year after the Bears failed to tender him a restricted free agent offer. … Angelo claims that Greg Olsen's role will grow in his second season under Martz. Heavy skepticism is advised.

Lions: Matthew Stafford (collarbone) has resumed throwing passes, reporting no discomfort after a heavy passing session. He'll be 100 percent by training camp as a high upside QB2. … The front office saw dramatic improvement in Drew Stanton last season, and they aim to keep him as a restricted free agent. … Jahvid Best is fully recovered from the twin turf toe injuries that ruined his rookie season. Coach Jim Schwartz made it clear that he has no concerns about his feature back entering year number two, though the Lions may add a big-back complement in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft after parting with Kevin Smith. There's no doubting Best's playmaking ability. We like the Brian Westbrook clone as a "buy" in keeper and Dynasty formats.

Calvin Johnson is now "grateful" to be playing for the Lions after closing out the season on a four-game winning streak. His rookie deal goes through 2012. … Drop-prone third receiver Bryant Johnson is unlikely to return at a $3.2 million base salary. … Long-time kicker Jason Hanson may have to beat out Dave Rayner to keep his job after leg injuries ruined his 2010 season.

Packers: Coach Mike McCarthy poured cold water on the notion that backup QB Matt Flynn could be had for a second-day draft pick. The Packers need a strong backup to Aaron Rodgers, victim of two 2010 concussions, more than they need another draft pick. … McCarthy also confirmed that he expects Ryan Grant and James Starks to compete for carries this season. Grant is due a $1 million bonus on the 15th day of the new league year, but he doesn't seem to be in any danger of getting the axe. We suspect Grant will enter training camp atop the depth chart, though fantasy production will be inconsistent with a potential "hot hand" situation brewing.

Super Bowl hero Jordy Nelson will not require surgery for the bursa sac injury that affected him on the final drive in Dallas. He's already leapfrogged James Jones in the team's plans, and there's a good chance he'll be targeted more than Donald Driver in 2011. We're high on Nelson as a Dynasty league "buy." … Jones was tendered as a restricted free agent, but the Packers are expected to let him walk if he ends up on the open market once the CBA is finalized. … Driver confirmed that he has no intention of retiring soon, and the Packers will apparently bring him back on his $5 million salary. He has a long offseason to get over his multiple leg injuries from 2010. … Stud TE Jermichael Finley (knee) is expected to be at full strength whenever offseason practices begin.

Vikings: Coach Leslie Frazier "ideally" would draft a quarterback in the first or second round to compete with project Joe Webb this summer. Don't rule out a veteran stopgap such as Donovan McNabb or Vince Young as well. V.Y.'s old QB's coach Craig Johnson is now on Frazier's staff. ... Brett Favre isn't coming back for a 21st NFL season. Seriously. He's done. … VP of player personnel Rick Spielman will work toward a contract extension for Adrian Peterson once there is a new CBA in place. Incentives and escalators have pushed ADP's 2011 salary to $10.2 million.

The Vikes will do "everything possible" to re-sign Sidney Rice, who was tendered at the first-round level. If Rice ends up making it to the open market, he will be the top receiver on the shopping list of more than a few teams. Rumors that Rice is still dealing with an arthritic condition in his hip have turned up empty thus far. … Frazier's coaching staff plans to feature Percy Harvin with a larger offensive role, which could lead to a reduction in return responsibilities. … There is no immediate plan to cut ties with Bernard Berrian, but we remain unconvinced that he'll return on a $3.9 base salary. … Even in Bill Musgraves' tight-end friendly offense, Visanthe Shiancoe's arrow is pointing down. His fantasy production will take a hit with Favre out of the picture.

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