DeMaurice Smith and the NFLPA believe there was a secret salary cap in 2010. EZRA SHAW/GETTY IMAGES

The NFL Players Association filed a collusion complaint against the NFL in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota on Wednesday, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

The complaint alleges that the league imposed a secret $123 million salary cap during the uncapped season of 2010, pointing to the league’s recent punishment of the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders as proof of the salary restraints.

“When the rules are broken in a way that hurts the game, we have an obligation to act,” said NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in a statement.

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Jerry Jones’s (L) club and Daniel Snyder’s (R) team will be limited to a smaller salary cap the next two years. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The NFL’s motion to dismiss the grievances filed by the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys that penalized them for their use of the salary cap during the uncapped season of 2010 was granted by Special Master Stephen Burbank, league counsel Jeff Pash said Tuesday, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

The dismissal means the league’s decision to a $36 million cap reduction on Washington and a $10 million on Dallas, each over the next two years, is upheld.

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Brett Favre talks at a post game press conference at Ford Field on Jan. 2, 2011 in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

After being out of the game for nearly a year and a half, football superstar Brett Favre is bringing himself back on the field again—with school-age children—to raise money for a good cause.

Even though taking the field with Favre for an entire day with all the proceedings going to benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights might sound appealing, the enthusiasm over bringing the former NFL quarterback back seems to fall short, at least of the expected value of $10,000, with the winning bid valuing at $5,750.

After being on the market for a little short of a month on CharityBuzz.com, a catalog site for such online auction items, Favre did not receive his first bid of a minimum of $2,000 until three days before Thursday, the closing day. The 42-year-old athlete received 12 bids in total.

The auction item is one of the 146 items that comprise the Robert F. Kennedy Center’s 2012 Online Spring Auction. Other auction items include meeting the cast of “Mad Men” in Los Angeles, meeting Christine Baranski on the set of “The Good Wife” in New York City, attending a speech given by President Bill Clinton as his special guest, and having lunch with Jann Wenner, founder of Rolling Stone magazine.

Most of the other items also fell short of their estimated value.

Eli Manning on Saturday night live (Getty Images)

Eli Manning, the well known quarterback for the Giants, performed his role as the host of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the same way he plays: slick moves, coupled with solid highlights. Manning took shots at his older brother and all-time great Peyton Manning, who had also hosted the show in 2006. 

Any Giants fan who watched the show to the end would have been shocked to see Eli in drag, wearing big wig, mascara and red lipstick.

Dubbing himself a real New Yorker, Manning fielded questions from the audience to test his Big Apple knowledge. He cheekily suggested that an audience member go to Olive Garden in New Jersey for good New York Italian food. 

The best part of the whole evening came during a skit about bullying big brothers. In the segment, Manning played a spokesman for a program called “Little Brothers,” in which he helps younger siblings overcome abuse from their older family members. He then proceeded to dunk various older brothers in a toilet. At one point, Manning stands over an open trunk, with Andy Samberg lying inside. 

“Maybe now you’ll learn to treat your younger brother with some respect, Peyton!” Manning says. “My name’s not Peyton!” Samberg replies. “Whatever,” Eli says as he slams the trunk lid shut.

The Giants have had some recent success in getting good players in the draft, even in later rounds. Unlike the Jets, who are normally aggressive in trading up for who they want, the Giants have been surprisingly successful in sitting back and taking whoever is available at their pick. Though the passive philosophy seems to go against the grain of successful drafting, it has worked out well, as evidenced by their two recent Super Bowl triumphs.

Over the last ten drafts, New York has found late-round value in taking key players such as G David Diehl (fifth-round 2003), RB Derrick Ward (seventh-round 2004), RB Brandon Jacobs (fourth-round 2005), DT Barry Cofield (fourth-round 2006), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (seventh-round 2007), and TE Kevin Boss (fifth-round 2007).

How they find these contributors, isn’t quite known, as successful-drafting seems to be a craft few can define. In any case, onto this year’s haul:

Also an adept kick returner, Wilson (L) led the ACC in rushing last year with 1,709 yards. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

David Wilson, running back from Virginia Tech taken with the first-round, 32nd overall pick—Although this writer thought Boise State running back Doug Martin would be an ideal selection here, Martin was taken just one selection earlier by Tampa Bay. But after watching Wilson’s highlight reel, this looks to be a good pick. Wilson, who led the ACC with 1,709 rushing yards in 2011, doesn’t flash a ton of speed but he’s tough to tackle, always falls forward, and is all out on every play. The 5’10, 206-pound back also returned kicks all three years as a Hokie and has two return touchdowns to his credit.

Prediction: The Giants have a much better running back tandem next year, despite the loss of Jacobs, with Wilson and Bradshaw being more of a thunder and lightning combination.

The 6'4" Randle led the Tigers in catches (53) and receiving yards (917) in 2011. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Rueben Randle, wide receiver from LSU taken with the second-round, 63rd overall pick—After a quick glance of what receivers were left after round one, Randle’s name actually popped up first on this writer’s list. The Giants, who had apparently pondered taking him with their first-round pick, must have been thrilled he was available in the second. Randle is 6’4”, 210 pounds and caught 53 passes for 917 yards last season. Judging ability in college players isn’t easy, but Randle just looked like a sure-handed receiver at LSU last year. The Giants will look for him to develop behind Cruz and Nicks after the departure of Mario Manningham.

Prediction: Randle, along with the drafting of Wilson, and following the exits of Jacobs and Manningham, de-bunk the theory that need-based drafting doesn’t work.

Hosley (R), who also returns punts, led the NCAA in interceptions with nine in 2010 and was third in pass deflections with 17. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Jayron Hosley, cornerback from Virginia Tech taken with the third-round, 94th overall pick—Hosley, 5’10”, 178 pounds, put up some good numbers at corner as a Hokie, leading the NCAA in interceptions in 2010 with nine and ranking in the top five in passes defended each of the past two seasons. He’s also a proficient punt returner, ranking third in the NCAA in return average in 2011 at 16.9 per return. With the strong possibility that Osi Umenyiora might be done as a Giant after 2012 (or possibly before), it would have been nice to see the G-Men take his replacement here, but Hosley’s credentials are hard to argue.

Prediction: The Giants realize having three great defensive lineman is something they have to hold on to and not taking one with this pick signals their intentions to keep Umenyiora beyond 2012.

Adrien Robinson, tight end from Cincinnati taken with the fourth-round, 127th overall pick—Both head coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reece were very excited about this guy, though it’s hard to see why. Robinson is considered a late-blooming tight end and the new trend in the NFL is using multiple tight end sets and exploiting their matchup as eligible receivers against either a slower linebacker or an undersized safety. But the 6’4”, 264-pound Robinson caught just 12 passes (in 13 games) last season for 183 yards.

Prediction: Whether he ends up an under-appreciated blocking tight end or doesn’t make it in the NFL, we probably won’t hear much from Robinson again.

Brandon Mosley, tackle from Auburn taken with the fourth-round, 131st overall pick—Mosley is a 6’5”, 315-pound kid that the Giants seem to think can also be a guard for them. They also said they were impressed with his workout, though you’d rather have a team be impressed with in-game skills. Either way, if you’re going to take a player that’s a project, it’s better to do so in later rounds to reduce risk as later round picks have smaller rookie contracts.

Prediction: Mosley makes little to no on-the-field impact in 2012.

Note: The Giants traded their fifth-round pick to Cincinnati for linebacker Keith Rivers. Rivers is a good linebacker when healthy but missed all of last season with an injury. As a part-time player he could be a steal. His talent is such that he was the ninth overall pick in the 2008 draft. The Bengals selected safety George Iloka, out of Boise State, with the Giants pick.

Matt McCants, tackle from UAB taken with the sixth-round, 201st overall pick—Coughlin seemed actually more excited about this pick than he did taking Mosley two rounds earlier. The 6’5”, 315-pound McCants was undoubtedly a lesser-known prospect, being that he came from a somewhat-small school. Naturally, it doesn’t matter what school you came from, once you’re drafted. Coughlin thinks he can put him on either the left or the right side.

Prediction: McCants sticks around the NFL longer than Mosley.

Markus Kuhn, defensive tackle from North Carolina State taken with the seventh-round, 239th overall pick—According to Reece, the 6’4”, 299-pound Kuhn, hasn’t been playing football for that long and looks to be a project. If you’re going to look for unknown-quality in the final round usually it can be found at a smaller school or from a player that’s still developing which is what Kuhn is.

Prediction: Kuhn makes an impact, but it’s several years down the line and for another team, as it’s hard to hold on to a “project” player for more than a year.

Picking at the ends of every round obviously diminishes your chances at having a great draft, but their first two picks look pretty solid. If Keith Rivers turns out to be a good defensive-rotation player and they get one of their two offensive linemen to be a solid starter the draft would have to be considered a success.

Seau, who last played in the NFL in 2009 with New England, was just 43 years old. ELSA/GETTY IMAGES

Former NFL star Junior Seau is reported to have died at his home in California today. He was 43 years old.

Seau played linebacker in the NFL for 20 seasons, 13 with the San Diego Chargers. The fifth overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft, Seau was a six-time First Team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times.

Seau last played in the NFL with New England in 2009.

Although Coples’ (R) motivation has been questioned his immense talent is undeniable. (Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

After taking a few days to let the Jets draft performance sink in while trying to get past the initial knee-jerk reaction of why the Jets didn’t take a tackle or tight end with any of their eight picks, it’s time to judge their draft.

And in all fairness to the Jets, the tackle position wasn’t considered the deepest position in the draft, but there were plenty taken. In all fairness to this writer no one knows how good these players will become in five years.

Quinton Coples, defensive end from North Carolina taken with its first-round, 16th overall pick—Physically speaking, Quinton Coples, at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 284 pounds, looks like quite a player to have on your defensive line. The problem though is hearing draft experts question his effort or “motor” and criticize him for disappearing at times during the season. That doesn’t seem like a great formula for someone you’re counting on to chase the quarterback each and every play. Any Jets fan who has a memory of four years or more knows that this was the same knock against Vernon Gholston. Gholston, who was drafted sixth overall in 2008, signed a five-year $50 million deal that hurt its salary cap for years. He was summarily released before last season and didn’’ play in the NFL last year.

Prediction: Coples end up a starter for a few years, but not a star.

Stephen Hill, wide receiver from Georgia Tech taken with their second-round, 43rd overall pick—Drafting wide receivers is probably the biggest crapshoot of any position in the draft so it’s probably best the Jets didn’t take one with their first pick. On paper Hill definitely fits what the Jets offense needs—a deep threat who’ll stretch the defense and a good run-blocker. Hill averaged an NCAA-high 29.3 yards per catch in Paul Johnson’s rushing offense. The Jets were obviously high on this guy, trading a fifth and a seventh round pick just to move up four spots from their second round slot at number 47. Considering how many holes they have to fill on both offense and defense, Hill will need to turn into an All-Pro to make the trade worthwhile.

Prediction: Everyone will be pleasantly surprised when Hill makes an impact in 2013 as a starter.

Demario Davis, outside linebacker from Arkansas State taken with their third-round, 77th overall pick—Davis is a 6-foot-2-inch, 235-pound linebacker who totaled 69 tackles last season, including 10 for a loss and 3 sacks last season. Presumably this is the heir apparent to Bart Scott at middle linebacker as Rex Ryan announced Saturday that the team feels good about where outside linebacker Bryan Thomas is in his recovery from a torn left Achilles tendon. Here’s the problem with this pick though: Scott as a linebacker is not quite the weakness that Hunter is at right tackle. If the Jets didn’t think there was a good enough one on the board, 11 tackles were chosen after this pick.

Prediction: Davis will have limited impact next season but will eventually be a starter for Rex Ryan.

Next: The Rest of the Draft

David Wilson led the ACC in rushing with 1,709 yards. MATTHEW STOCKMAN/GETTY IMAGES

The New York Giants selected Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the final pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL draft. Wilson, a junior, rushed for 1,709 yards on 290 carries and nine touchdowns last year for the Hokies after gaining 619 yards the year before. Wilson also caught 22 passes last season.

The 5’9” 206 pound Wilson started all 14 games last year at Virginia Tech.

With the pick of Quinton Coples, the Jets have taken a defensive end in the first round two straight years. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New York Jets selected defensive end Quinton Coples with the 16th overall pick in the first round Thursday night.

Coples, out of North Carolina, is listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 284 pounds. In his last two years as a Tar Heel, Coples had 16 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss.

The pick by the Jets followed an eventful first round. Although the first two picks (Andrew Luck to the Colts and Robert Griffin to the Redskins) had been a forgone conclusion for some time, after that was anyone’s guess who would be taken.

The Jets first round pick in 2011, Muhammad Wilkerson (R), had a lukewarm season in 2011 though it's too early to see how good he'll become. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The NFL draft starts Thursday night and both the Jets and Giants have a pick among the first 32 selections, with the Jets picking 16th and the Super Bowl champion Giants holding the final pick.

Jets Draft Info

Jets needs: After a disappointing 8–8 season the Jets showed a number of areas with weaknesses. Though Rex Ryan is a tremendous defensive coach the team lacks an elite pass-rushing defensive end or linebacker. In addition the offense line’s struggles after an early-season injury to center Nick Mangold showed how little depth or talent is on the line beyond him. And in playing against the Patriots and their pair of pass-catching tight ends twice last season (losing both times) it became clear the need for an upgrade at safety.

Who the Jets should pick: Whitney Mercilus, DE out of Illinois—assuming they don’t trade up for tackle Matt Kalil or running back Trent Richardson. Mercilus, known for having a great motor, led the NCAA with nine forced fumbles last year while racking up 16 sacks in 13 games.

What they’ll do of course is anybody’s guess. But the Jets have been known to be aggressive in trading up to get their guy like they did for Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene in separate trades in 2009. Looking back at their previous four first rounds we can review what they’ve done and grade them with the benefit of hindsight.

The 2011 draft, 30th overall selection: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT from Temple—Wilkerson totaled three sacks last year and recorded a safety but it’s too early to tell with him what kind of value the Jets have here. The coaching staff thought enough of him to play him every game, which is a good sign, but he didn’t jump off the charts either.

Grade: Incomplete

Who they could have taken: There was no one noticeably better than Wilkerson taken right behind him.

The 2010 draft, 29th overall selection: Kyle Wilson, CB from Boise State—Wilson played better in 2011, his second season in the league, as a nickel cornerback, but ultimately even the Jets had little faith in him after just 16 games in 2010, opting to re-sign corner Antonio Cromartie prior to the 2011 season. You’d certainly want to find more than a backup player in the first round.

Grade: D+

Who they could have taken: TE Rob Gronkowski (All-Pro in 2011).

The 2009 draft…

Andrew Luck threw for more than 9,000 yards at Stanford. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts have announced that they will indeed take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, according to an announcement on the team’s website.

Said Colts GM Ryan Grigson, “In fairness to Andrew Luck and in fairness to the whole process—the whole media gauntlet he’s going to be enduring—over the next couple of days I thought it was the right thing to do to announce that we were taking him. I didn’t see the point in prolonging what the whole world already knows.”

Luck has been considered a once-in-a-generation quarterback—so much so that the Colts were willing to let four-time MVP Peyton Manning go and build the team around Luck.

Brian Dawkins was named First Team All-Pro four different times in his career. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Former Philadelphia and Denver safety Brian Dawkins will retire from the NFL, according to a tweet from the eight-time Pro Bowler.

In a note Dawkins said, “The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing in me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL.”

Giants receiver Mario Manningham was one of the better finds in the third round in 2008. (Elsa/Getty Images)

With the 2012 NFL draft on tap next week the Super Bowl Champion Giants have a few gaps to fill with their eight picks.

Gone is running back Brandon Jacobs and wide receiver Mario Manningham. Both signed with San Francisco. Who the Giants will draft remains to be seen, but how good the Giants have been at drafting can be evaluated a few years down the road.

With the benefit of hindsight we’ll look back and grade their 2008 draft:

First round, 31st overall selection: Kenny Phillips, DB from Miami (Florida)—Phillips has started 35 games over the last four years, including 30 the last two years at safety. Not a star player, though he missed most of 2009 after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee, Phillips ranked 10th in the NFL in fumble recoveries with three in 2010. Grade: C-

Who else was available: RB Matt Forte (Pro Bowl appearance in 2011), WR Jordy Nelson (1,263 yards receiving last year, 15 TDs)

Second round, 63rd overall selection: Terrell Thomas, DB from USC—Thomas was another up and coming player for the Giants who lost a season (2011) to injury. Expected to start at corner he spent the Super Bowl-winning season rehabbing his knee after tearing his ACL in August. Grade: B-

Who else was available: TE Jermichael Finley (767 receiving yards last year), RB Jamaal Charles (All-Pro in 2010)

Third round, 95th overall selection: Mario Manningham, WR from Michigan—Manningham has averaged roughly 50 catches and 750 receiving yards the past three seasons for the Giants and was huge in the Super Bowl. He is one of the better finds in that round. Grade: A-

Who else was available: No one of note.

Fourth round, 123rd overall selection: Bryan Kehl, LB from BYU—This pick didn’t work to well for New York. Kehl has played sparingly in four total seasons with the Giants and then Rams starting 5 of the 59 games he’s played in. Grade: D-

Who else was available: CB Brandon Carr (four-year starter for the Chiefs)

Fifth round, 165th overall selection: Jonathan Goff, LB from Vanderbilt—Goff became the starting middle linebacker in 2010 and would have continued in that position in 2011 had it not been for a torn ACL suffered before the season. As it stands, finding a starting linebacker in the fifth round takes a keen eye. Grade: B+

Who else was available: C John Sullivan (three-year starter for the Vikings)

Sixth round, 198th overall selection: Andre Woodson, QB from Kentucky—Woodson didn’t make the team and has never played a game in the NFL, though a number of players in the last two rounds never made the pros either. Grade: D-

Who else was available: WR Steve Johnson (back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Buffalo)

Note: The Giants traded never-used RB Ryan Grant to Green Bay for a sixth round pick, prior to the season. Grant went on to have back-to-back 1,200-yard rushing seasons with the Packers. It is fair to say that this trade didn’t work for New York at all.

Who else was available: QB Matt Flynn (Aaron Rodgers understudy who just signed a $19 million contract with Seattle)

Synopsis: Had it not been for injuries this would have been a good draft haul by the Giants. Considering the champs had picks at the end of every round it’s still a solid class though.

Dustin Keller, drafted in 2008 at the end of the first round, was ninth among tight ends with 65 catches in 2011. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

To say that next week’s NFL draft is big for the Jets would be an understatement. The team showed some glaring weaknesses in finishing a disappointing 2012 season at 8–8.

The Jets have a whopping 10 picks this year with which to restock the team with talent. How they will do is anybody’s guess, but looking back at recent drafts may show us how capable they have been in the past.

So with the benefit of hindsight, we’ll start by looking at the 2008 draft.

First round, sixth overall selection: Vernon Gholston, DE from Ohio State—One of the Jets biggest draft blunders ever, Gholston was an NFL combine-tease who was big, strong, and fast. Had the Jets been fielding a track and field team he would have been a great pick—but they weren’t. Gholston was put in the starting lineup just five times in three years before being released prior to the 2011 season. He didn’t play for anyone last year. Grade: F

Who else was available: RB Chris Johnson, OT Ryan Clady

First round, 30th overall selection: Dustin Keller, TE from Purdue—Keller’s receptions and yards have gone up each of the past three years, culminating in last year’s team-leading 65 catches and 815 yards. His blocking is the only thing keeping him from Pro Bowl/All-Pro status. Grade: B+

Who else was available: RB Ray Rice, WR DeSean Jackson

Note: The Jets traded their second- and fourth-round selections to Green Bay for the first-round pick they used on Keller. New York traded its third- and fifth-round picks to Carolina for DT Kris Jenkins and received a fourth-round pick (and a conditional one in 2009) from New Orleans for LB Jonathan Vilma. The Jets traded their fourth-round pick to Green Bay for a fourth-round pick and a fifth-rounder.

Fourth round, 113th overall selection: Dwight Lowery, CB from San Jose State—Lowery started 18 games over three seasons for the Jets before going to Jacksonville last year and starting 11 games for the Jaguars. For a fourth-round pick a borderline starter is decent value. Grade: B

Who else was available: RB Tim Hightower

Fifth round, 162nd overall selection: Erik Ainge, QB from Tennessee—After a stellar college career as a Volunteer Ainge never made the team and has never taken an NFL snap. Grade: F

Who else was available: T Carl Nicks

Sixth round, 171st overall selection: Marcus Henry, WR from Kansas—Henry, like Ainge, never made the team and hasn’t yet played in the NFL, one of 10 picks in that round that never saw the field. Grade: D-

Who else was available: WR Pierre Garcon

Who else was available: RB Peyton Hillis

Synopsis: Getting little production out of Gholston killed this draft for the Jets.

Saints linebackers coach Joe Vitt, who will serve a six-game suspension himself, will replace the suspended Sean Payton next season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt will assume head coach Sean Payton’s responsibilities starting Monday, the team announced Thursday according to a report on the NFL’s website.

Payton has been suspended for the duration of the season for violating the league’s bounty rule.

“Sean has been the driving force behind the tremendous success our team has enjoyed during the past six years, [and] his leadership will be missed. But we need to set a course of action that gives us the best chance to win this season without our head coach, and that is why I am announcing today that Joe Vitt will assume Sean’s duties,” said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis in a statement.

Linebacker Keith Rivers (R) racked up 246 total tackles in his time as a Bengal. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The New York Giants announced the acquisition of weak-side linebacker Keith Rivers from Cincinnati for an undisclosed choice in the 2012 NFL draft, according to a report on the team’s website.

“We’re excited to have another talented player in the mix for our defensive staff to work with,” said general manager Jerry Reese.

Rivers, a first round pick for the Bengals four years ago out of USC, was a starter his first three seasons before spending last season on the reserve/non-football injury list. He had wrist surgery in July and spent the season in rehabilitation.

“I’m excited to get a fresh start and brand new beginning,” Rivers said.

In 35 career games Rivers has been credited with 246 tackles.

Saints head coach Sean Payton will have no communication with the team throughout the 2012 season. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday notified New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton (full-season suspension), GM Mickey Loomis (eight-game suspension), and assistant coach Joe Vitt (six-game suspension) that their punishments for violating the league’s bounty rule would be upheld, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

In a separate report on the same site, it was reported that one of Payton’s requirements for reinstatement is that he must avoid all football and operational communication with the team until after next year’s Super Bowl.

The bounty program, mainly run by then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, offered cash rewards for hits on opposing players during games that resulted in injuries.

How quarterbacks Tim Tebow (L) and Mark Sanchez (R) can coexist on the Jets remains a mystery. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

Recently traded Tim Tebow is the talk of the sports world once again.

The fact that he is now in one the most popular cities in the nation, be prepared to hear and see even more about the new Jets backup quarterback, Tim Tebow. To recap the big news, Tim was traded from Denver for two draft picks, a fourth-round and a sixth-round pick in 2012. The Jets then also agreed to pay the Broncos the remaining $2.53 million left in Tebow’s contract, $1.5 million in 2012 and $1.03 million in 2013.

Several magazines and news outlets have already dubbed the “Timsanity” era beginning now. There doesn’t appear to be rhyme or reason to the trade as current Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, was just given a new contract extension just one week before the trade occurred. The Jets ended last season at a disappointing record of eight wins and eight losses; which had them miss the playoffs. It’s not a secret that some changes needed to be made, but no one predicted this change.

How will the Jets deal with this trade? Do they flourish with the added weapon to the roster? Do they fold under pressure with the undeniable additional media attention and scrutiny taking place this upcoming season? Does current QB Mark Sanchez feel that he maybe on his way out?

These are just several of the questions that will linger for the 2012 season.

At times it was evident that Sanchez folded or couldn’t lead the team to victory. Is bringing in a Cinderella (backup) quarterback with a heavily criticized throwing ability the solution?

Tebow did lead the Broncos to a playoff victory last season despite being an underdog. In addition, Tebow will definitely sell extra tickets and bring more fans to the Jets.

Many question whether or not the two quarterbacks will be able to play together. When Tebow was asked if the two will coincide, his response was, “My goal is to push him to get better and to push myself to get better every day.”

One way or another the Jets and their fans need to prepare for what should be an interesting season.

David Mitch is a freelance sports journalist who focuses on football and basketball. You can follow him on twitter @dee_mitch.

The NFL will be wearing uniforms made by Nike in 2012. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Nike rolled out its new uniforms for all 32 teams Tuesday at a gala in Brooklyn, NY, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

As far as colors and logos go the changes were mostly minimal, although Nike displayed a a noticeable change to the uniform and helmet of the Seattle Seahawks.

The changes resulted in a tighter fit with visible sew lines and an updated V-shaped neckline. The new fabric technology allows jerseys to stretch and then regain form without easily slipping over a player’s shoulder pads on contact.

Tim Tebow brings his fourth-quarter heroics to the Jets this season.( Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The New York Jets finally announced their newest acquisition Monday, former Denver quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow was acquired from the Broncos last Wednesday, along with a seventh-round pick for cash and draft picks in the fourth and sixth-rounds this year.

At Monday’s press conference Tebow was asked questions on a number of topics including his relationship with incumbent starter Mark Sanchez. “From my conversations with him, he was excited and he was excited about working with me and I’m excited about working with him. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Both the Jets and Giants have plenty of picks in this year's draft. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The NFL announced Monday they had awarded 32 compensatory picks in the 2012 draft to 15 different teams, according to a release on the NFL’s website.

According to NFL rules, a team that loses more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team then receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents, up to a maximum of four picks. The 32 compensatory picks will supplement the 221 choices in the 2012 draft.

Michael Bush gained 1,395 yards from scrimmage last season and scored eight touchdowns. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears announced the signing of running back Michael Bush on their website Thursday.

Terms weren’t disclosed on the site, but a report on the NFL’s website cites a league source who indicates the contract is for four years and worth $14 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Bush, 27, was previously with Oakland where his rushing yards have gradually increased from 421 as a rookie in 2008 to 977 last year.

A fourth round pick out of Louisville in 2007, Bush missed his whole first season recovering from a leg injury he suffered in college.

After a back-and-forth day, Tim Tebow is coming to the Jets. (Elsa/Getty Images)

NEW YORK–The Jets announced on their website Wednesday evening they have agreed in principle to a trade for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, ending hours of speculation on where or if Tebow would be traded.

Ultimately, the Broncos offered Tebow a choice between going to the New York Jets or the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were also in the bidding. Tebow chose to go to New York.

The Jets will trade a fourth- and a sixth-round pick in exchange for Tebow and a seventh-round pick from the Broncos.

Earlier Wednesday, the NFL’s website reported the deal had hit a snag due to an issue in Tebow’s contract. At issue was the $6.277 million advance Denver paid Tebow in August 2011, as part of the five-year $11.25 million contract he signed as a rookie in 2010. The Jets reportedly balked at repaying the Broncos the $5 million of that advance, pro-rated for the 2012–2014 seasons.

Finally, Wednesday evening an updated report on the NFL’s website said the trade was back on, sending the former Heisman Trophy winner to New York.

“Our goal was to do the best thing for Tim and the Broncos, and I believe the opportunity that presented itself with the New York Jets accomplishes that objective,” Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said in a statement, on the Broncos website.

Last season Tebow took over as starting quarterback of a 1-4 Broncos team and led them to the playoffs where they upset the Steelers. Tebow was credited with five fourth-quarter comebacks during the run, making him arguably the league’s most popular player.

Sean Payton’s one-year suspension is just one of the penalties handed down to the Saints for the bounty program they ran. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The NFL announced on Wednesday they had notified the New Orleans Saints of penalties that will be handed down for violating the NFL’s Bounty rule over the last three seasons, according to a release on the NFL’s website.

According to the NFL, the Saints ran a secret bounty program that gave out bounty payments for injuring opposing players from 2009-2011.

Among the penalties, head coach Sean Payton will be suspended without pay for the 2012 season, effective April 1 while general manager Mickey Loomis will be suspended for the first eight games.

In addition, the Saints will be fined $500,000 and must forfeit its second-round draft picks in each of the next two drafts.

Ward retires as the Steelers leader in all major receiving categories. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward announced his retirement from the NFL Tuesday, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

The announcement came at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex in Pittsburgh.

“The city and this organization mean the world to me. So today, as sadly as it feels to me right now, I hope today will be a good day for everybody here,” Ward said. “I don’t want to play in any other uniform. The black and gold runs deep in me and I will remain a Steeler for life.”

Ward is the Steelers all-time leader in catches (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), and touchdown receptions (85). Ward was part of two Super Bowl-winning squads in Pittsburgh and was MVP of Super Bowl XL when he caught five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Peyton Manning hasn’t played since January 2011. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning will sign with the Denver Broncos, according to a report on the NFL’s website that cites a league source.

The four-time MVP Manning had been released earlier this month by Indianapolis after 14 years with the Colts. The free agent Manning was reportedly down to choosing between three teams, San Francisco, Tennessee, and Denver before he informed Denver Monday morning of his choice to play there, according to the report.

The signing likely puts an end to Tim Tebow’s run with the Broncos that may trade the popular former Heisman winner.

Flynn's 480-yard, 6-TD performance against Detroit on New Year's Day enhanced his stock greatly. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks have signed ex-Green Bay Packer backup quarterback Matt Flynn to a three-year $26 million contract with $10 million guaranteed, according to a report on the NFL’s website which cites a league source. The team later confirmed to the source that the agreement was reached with Flynn, but didn’t announce financial terms.

Flynn was a seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2008 out of LSU. The 6’2” signal-caller has two career starts in four seasons in place of incumbent quarterback Matt Rodgers. Flynn’s last start made quite an impression on the rest of the league though.

Mario Williams had five sacks in five games last year for Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year $100 million deal, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

The deal includes $50 million in guaranteed money, according to the report, which cites a league insider.

“I want you to remember good things come to the people that wait, so you have been waiting and we have a good thing here,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix, according to a release on the team’s website. “I just want to tell you it is an exciting day for us and our football team. We got a lot better. For our organization, it has been a long day, or a long two days, but it’s worth the wait.”

Jackson’s 4,096 receiving yards are more than any Eagle has had through his first four seasons in Philadelphia. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles today announced on their website they have signed wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a five-year contract that runs through the 2016 season. Jackson had been designated the team’s franchise player earlier this month.

“We are thrilled to be able to keep one of the NFL’s top playmakers in Philadelphia,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. “DeSean is a game breaker, he has the speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field, and he has proven himself to be a big threat for our offense.”

The deal is worth a reported $48.5 million according to a report on the NFL’s website.

Brandon Marshall (with ball) holds the NFL record for most catches in a game with 21. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins have traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for a pair of third-round draft picks, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

Marshall is a three-time Pro Bowl selection at wide receiver and has accumulated more than 1,000 yards receiving each of the past five years—one of only three players to do so.

On Chicago’s end the trade reunites Marshall with former teammate/quarterback Jay Cutler as the duo previously starred in Denver.

Albert Haynesworth signed a $100 million contract with Washington prior to the 2009 season. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The NFL is taking away $36 million in cap space from the Redskins in 2012 and $10 million from the Cowboys for pushing spending into the uncapped season of 2010 to save money under the cap in 2011 and 2012, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

The combined $46 million will be put back into the total salary pool and spread among the other teams, except for Oakland and New Orleans that took advantage on a more marginal level.

The NFL’s competition committee had, prior to 2010, warned teams that punishment would be levied for taking advantage of the uncapped season.

Washington and Dallas dumped huge base salaries to players such as Albert Haynesworth, Miles Austin, and DeAngelo Hall in 2010 to get those large salary cap figures off the books by the following season, when there was a salary cap.

Sione Pouha has started 50 of the 54 games since Rex Ryan’s arrival. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The New York Jets announced on their website Monday the signing of defensive tackle Sione Pouha to a three-year extension.

Pouha’s current deal was set to expire Tuesday. The dollar amounts of his new deal weren’t released.

Pouha, who turned 33 last month, has been with the Jets his whole career since being drafted by the team in the third round in 2005. Not a starter initially, Pouha has started 50 of the 54 games in the Rex Ryan era.

Said Pouha during an interview last season, “My second year (2006) I got injured. Then my third year I started to really discover how to find a little niche, a little crack in the door. When the Jets said, ‘Hey, we want to extend your deal for another four years (his first contract extension),’ that was an indication that I was moving in the right direction.”

Peyton Manning (L) will most likely continue to elude the Jets. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With four-time MVP Peyton Manning suddenly available and the always-aggressive Jets needing better play at the quarterback position, the question becomes whether a Manning/Jets marriage will happen.

Though most Jets fans who endured last season’s frustrating roller-coaster ride would be thrilled to see Manning behind center, the Jets are actually not very well-positioned to acquire the 11-time Pro Bowler.

Why? Here are three sizable roadblocks.

1. The Jets don’t want to let go of Mark Sanchez.

Should Rex Ryan’s club acquire Manning, Sanchez would almost assuredly want to go, at least according to his former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson, who gave an interview on the NFL Network Wednesday about the possibility.

The revelation is no surprise, as former first-round pick Sanchez has been the starter the last three seasons and has led the team to the AFC title game twice.

However, the Jets also know that it takes time to develop quarterbacks, as evidenced recently by the path Manning’s own brother has taken. Eli Manning, once considered a near-bust, has blossomed into a franchise player in just a few short seasons and has two Super Bowl rings to show for it.

Should the Jets let go of the 25-year-old Sanchez in exchange for a few good years of Peyton Manning, they could soon find themselves starting over at the position while watching Sanchez come into his own elsewhere.

2. The Jets already have salary cap problems.

Just a couple weeks ago, left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson reportedly restructured his deal to free up $7.5 million in cap space for the 2012 season. The move is not an unusual one, though it’s a last-minute resort for desperate teams who are trading salary cap relief now for salary cap problems later.

The Jets would free up some space should they jettison Sanchez, who’s due an $8.5 million base salary this season, as well as a $2.75 million bonus later this month. However, that probably won’t be enough to replace the five-time All-Pro Manning, whose last contract averaged $18 million per season.

3. The Jets are focused on run-oriented personnel.

The ground game that the Jets hoped to have last season never consistently materialized, but the team’s personnel, both players and coaches, have been geared toward that style since Rex Ryan arrived three years ago. The team has selected running backs with mid-round picks in each of the past three drafts, is somewhat thin at wide receiver at the moment, and just hired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano in hopes of improving the ground-and-pound game.

Manning, who didn’t play at all in 2011, has won four league MVP awards. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts will release four-time MVP Peyton Manning, according to a report on the NFL’s website that cites league sources.

The move, as surprising as it is to release someone with Manning’s credentials, was widely expected as Manning, who missed the entire 2011 season following four procedures on his neck, was due a $28 million bonus had the Colts kept him.

In addition, Indianapolis, which has seen both their head coach and general manager replaced following a 2-14 season, owns the top pick in the draft. It’s been widely assumed they’ll select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with that pick.

Hines Ward’s nine starts and 381 receiving yards in 2011 were his lowest totals since his rookie year. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that they will release veteran wide receiver Hines Ward, according to a report on the Steelers’ website.

“We had a conversation today with Hines Ward and informed him that we plan to release him of his contract prior to the start of the 2012 NFL calendar year,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said, according to the site. “Hines’s accomplishments are numerous, and he will always be thought of as one of the all-time great Steelers.”

In addition, the four-time Pro-Bowler was MVP of Super Bowl XL, after he accumulated 123 receiving yards in the 21–10 win over Seattle.

Lawrence Taylor (56) was the second overall pick in the 1981 draft and retired as the NFL's all-time leader in sacks. (Eugene Garcia/AFP/Getty Images)

With news swirling around the NFL these days that the St. Louis Rams are prepared to trade their first-round second-overall draft pick to the highest bidder, the question becomes, what could the Rams possibly be missing out on?

St. Louis actually should know better than most what you can get with the second pick, having picked there in two of the last four drafts. Judging from the results you can see why they’d choose to trade down (they could only trade up if the Colts decided to move down and they’ve given no indication that they will).

In 2008 St. Louis selected Virginia defensive end Chris Long with the second pick. Long hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl yet or been awarded First-Team All-Pro status but has accumulated 30.5 sacks—including 13.5 last year—in four years. Not a bad pick, but with running back Chris Johnson, (three Pro Bowls, one All-Pro) quarterback Matt Ryan (one Pro Bowl), and offensive tackle Ryan Clady (two Pro Bowls, one All-Pro) still on the board, Long wasn’t the next best player in the draft.

The next year the Rams had the second-overall pick again and used it on Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith. Smith has started just 26 games (out of a possible 48 games) over the last three seasons. In addition, Smith has only been used at right tackle thus far, as St. Louis doesn’t trust him enough to start on the other side and protect quarterback Sam Bradford’s blind side.

In any case, there still have been a number of successful number-two picks in the NFL. Here are the best since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970:

10. Cornelius Bennett, Linebacker, 1987-2000, drafted by: Indianapolis Colts, 1987; Defensive statistics: 71.5 sacks, 31 forced fumbles, 27 fumble recoveries, 1,048 solo tackles, 142 assists. Awards/Honors: 5 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro—The Colts traded Bennett to Buffalo after taking him in the draft, and while with the Bills, Bennett accumulated all his above awards/honors in leading them to four AFC titles.

9. Neil Smith, Defensive End, 1988-2000; drafted by: Kansas City Chiefs, 1988; Defensive statistics: 104.5 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 582 solo tackles, 41 assists. Awards/Honors: 6 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro—Smith had 10-plus sacks four straight seasons (1992-95) and led the league with 15 in 1993 when he was named an All-Pro. Smith’s one more Pro Bowl nod in one less season gives him the slight nod over Bennett here.

8. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, 2010-Present, drafted by: Detroit Lions, 2010; Defensive statistics: 14 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 74 tackles, 30 assists. Awards/Honors: 1 Pro Bowl, 1 First-Team All-Pro—A bit of a surprise pick here as Suh is only two years into his career, but the Nebraska-alum has quickly made his mark in the league with an impressive rookie season. Though his numbers dropped a bit this past season after he was suspended two games for dirty play, Suh still gets the slight edge over Smith for ascending all the way to All-Pro status in his first season.

7. Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle, 1995-2001; drafted by: Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995; Offensive statistics: started 90 games at left tackle. Awards/Honors: 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros—Boselli’s star didn’t shine in the NFL for very long but it shone very brightly. The only years he wasn’t a Pro Bowler or All-Pro were his rookie year and his final season in 2001, where injuries limited him to just three games.

6. Tony Dorsett, Running Back, 1977-88; drafted by: Dallas Cowboys, 1977; Offensive statistics: 12,739 rushing yards, 3,554 receiving yards, 91 total touchdowns. Awards/Honors: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro, inducted into Hall of Fame in 1994 – Though Dorsett never led the league in rushing, he topped the 1,000-yard mark in eight of his first nine seasons and retired as second all-time in rushing yards behind Walter Payton. Though with fewer accolades than Boselli, his longevity and Hall of Fame induction gets him the nod over Jacksonville’s tackle.

5. Julius Peppers, Defensive End, 2002-Present; drafted by: Carolina Panthers, 2002; Defensive statistics: 100 sacks, 37 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries, 59 pass deflections, 391 solo tackles, 87 assists. Awards/Honors: 7 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros—Peppers isn’t in the Hall like Dorsett, but soon will be and his honors for being the best at his position three different times trumps Dorsett’s lone nod. Peppers shows no signs of slowing down, making the Pro Bowl this past season with Chicago just after his 32nd birthday.

4. Marshall Faulk…

Eli Manning and the Super Bowl winning Giants will kick off the 2012 season on a Wednesday. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

The NFL announced Tuesday that the 2012 season-opening game will be Wednesday September 5th instead of the usual Thursday lineup, to avoid a conflict with President Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, according to a release on their website.

The Super Bowl-winning New York Giants will be on tap in the opener Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium with an 8:30 p.m. EST starting time. The game will be aired on NBC with the NFL pregame starting at 7:30.

The Wednesday game will be the first since 1948 when the Rams beat the Lions 44–7.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson is a three-time Pro Bowler. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Jets have restructured offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s contract, according to a report on the NFL’s website Thursday, which cites The Daily News.

The newspaper cites a source saying the Jets would convert $9 million of his $9.985 million salary in 2012 to a signing bonus. The restructuring would create $7.5 million in cap relief this off-season for the Jets.

Ferguson, a three-time Pro Bowler, still has six years left on his deal, which was worth $73.6 million when he signed it prior to the 2010 season.

Stanford Routt had spent his entire seven-year career with Oakland. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed free agent cornerback Stanford Routt, according to a report on the NFL’s website.

“We are excited that we were able to come to terms with Stanford,” Kansas City General Manager Scott Pioli said on the team’s website. “He is a talented player, and as we have said in the past, we are always looking to add competition at every position year-round.”

Routt’s deal is reported to be for three years and is worth $19.6 million including a $4 million signing bonus.

After Jerry Rice (L) and Joe Montana (R) put on a show in Super Bowl XXIV, the only suspense in the second half was which of the two would win MVP honors. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Giants thrilling 21–17 Super Bowl win last Sunday was one of the most hotly-contested Super Bowls in history. The tight contest is just one of a number of close Super Bowls lately—a change from the ‘80s and ‘90s when the NFC routinely dominated the best of the AFC in what turned out to be anti-climactic affairs.

Here are the 10 most-lopsided Super Bowls in terms of how soon the game was over and how bad the overall discrepancy was:

10. Super Bowl XXXV; Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7, MVP: Ray Lewis (3 tackles, 2 assists and 4 passes defensed)—The Giants were a surprise just to make it this far, but still had to be disappointed in their showing. The Ravens’ defense, led by defensive player of the year Ray Lewis, allowed an average of just 10.3 points per game in the regular season (best in the NFL since ’77) and were even better in the Super Bowl. New York’s offense didn’t score a point (touchdown was from kickoff return) while quarterback Kerry Collins finished a dismal 15/39 passing, for 112 yards, and 4 interceptions.

9. Super Bowl XXXVII; Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21, MVP: Dexter Jackson (2 interceptions)—Dexter Jackson picked off two first-half passes from Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon as the Bucs built a 20–3 halftime lead. Tampa Bay then added four more touchdowns—including three by way of interception returns for scores—to put the game firmly out of reach. That’s five picks on the day for Gannon. Meanwhile, Bucs’ running back Michael Pittman ran for 124 yards on 29 carries against Oakland’s porous defense.

8. Super Bowl XI; Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14, MVP: Fred Biletnikoff (4 catches, 79 yards receiving)—Minnesota went to four Super Bowls in eight seasons and lost them all. Though the Bills of the 90′s would eventually surpass them in the heartbreak department, this would be the Vikings last and most disheartening defeat of them all. Minnesota didn’t score the entire first half and just before Vikings backup quarterback Bob Lee connected for a touchdown pass it was 32–7. Oakland running back Clarence Davis ran wild on Minnesota’s defense to the tune of 137 yards on just 16 carries.

7. Super Bowl XIX; San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16, MVP: Joe Montana (24/35 passing, 331 yards, 3 TDs, 59 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD)—Montana’s performance earned him the second of three Super Bowl MVP awards, but his team’s defense was nearly as good. The Niners held Miami’s Dan Marino, who threw for an NFL-record 5,084 yards that season, to a season-worst 66.9 quarterback rating as he completed a very average 58% of his passes and was picked off twice. Meanwhile, Montana and the offense put up 21 second-quarter points to take a 28–16 lead into halftime and scored 10 more in the third to put the game on ice.

6. Super Bowl XVIII; Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9, MVP: Marcus Allen (20 carries, 191 yards rushing, 2 TDs)—The only Super Bowl Washington coach Joe Gibbs ever lost was this one and his team was never really in it. The defending champion Redskins were already down 21–3 at the half, thanks to a pair of defensive scores, when Raiders running back Marcus Allen took over. The future Hall-of-Famer scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the third quarter—including a 74-yarder—to put the game well out of reach.

5. Super Bowl XXIX; …

Haynesworth hasn’t been the same two-time All-Pro since signing with Washington in 2009. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Tampa Buccaneers have released defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, according to a report on the team’s website.

“I appreciate Albert playing for us after some key injuries this past season,” said general manager Mark Dominik, according to the release. “He was very professional and we now wish him all the best as he moves forward.”

Haynesworth was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay in November 2011, after being released by New England. Haynesworth went on to start six games for the Bucs recording 25 tackles including two for losses.

Todd Haley joins Pittsburgh after three years in Kansas City. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have named former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley as their offensive coordinator, according to a report on the team’s website.

“I am excited about the opportunity to come back home and work for a tremendous organization,” Haley said, according to the report. “It is an honor to work with the Rooney family and coach Tomlin and continue the success that has become synonymous with the Steelers.”

Haley, 44, has spent 15 years in the NFL as a coach; with the Chiefs being his first head-coaching opportunity. Under his watch Kansas City won the AFC West in 2010 with a 10-6 record. Overall, Haley was 19-26 with the Chiefs when he was fired after Week 13 in 2011.

Williams (center) ran for 444 yards in 2011. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Baltimore running back Ricky Williams has informed team officials he’s retiring, according to a report on the NFL’s website, citing a league source.

Williams, 34, has spent the better part of 11 seasons in the NFL after being drafted fifth overall in the 1999 draft out of Texas. While at Texas Williams became college football’s all-time leading rusher and won the Heisman Trophy.

Williams was also the center of one the NFL’s biggest draft-day trades when the New Orleans Saints sent all six of their picks in the ’99 draft as well as their first- and third-round picks in 2000 to Washington for Williams.

After three seasons in New Orleans Williams was traded to the Dolphins for first- and fourth-round picks as well another conditional pick that ended up being a first-rounder after Williams ran for a career-high 1,853 yards in 2002.

Eli Manning 10 of the New York Giants celebrates with Justin Tuck 91 after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Same script, new game. The New York Giants are Super Bowl champions for the second time in five seasons, and fourth time overall, as quarterback Eli Manning orchestrated yet another dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to topple the Patriots 21–17 Sunday night in Indianapolis.

For New England fans, this one was all too similar.

Four years ago in Super Bowl XLII Manning took some of these same Giants down the down the field, trailing 14–10, for the game-winning score against arguably the best regular season team in history, the 16-0 Patriots. The drive was of course highlighted by wide receiver David Tyree’s miraculous 32-yard one-handed reception.

This time the Giants found themselves starting their final drive at their own 12-yard with 3:46 remaining, while trailing 17–15—the perfect spot for Manning.

Manning, whose record-setting 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this season qualifies him as one of the best pressure-players in NFL history, found wide receiver Mario Manningham on the first play down the sidelines and just in between two defenders for a daring 38-yard gain.

Two plays later, Manning found Manningham again for a 16-yard completion to put them into field goal range at the 34.

Manningham finished with 73 yards on five catches.

Two plays later Eli hit Hakeem Nicks for a 14-yard pass over the middle to get the Giants inside the red zone (18-yard line) going into the two-minute warning.

Mario Manningham 82 of the New York Giants makes a catch on the sidelines against Sterling Moore 29 of the New England Patriots for a gain of 38 yards in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLVI. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

After a quick pass sandwiched around a pair of Ahmad Bradshaw runs put the ball at the 6-yard line, Patriots coach Bill Belichick made a bold move. With his team staring at the prospect of a very makeable Giants field goal that would leave New England precious little time on the clock to score, Belichick purposely had his team let Ahmad Bradshaw score—with 57 seconds remaining—to get the ball back.

Bradshaw tried to slow down when he saw what was happening, but fell backward into the end zone anyway to give the ball back to Tom Brady’s offense for one final shot.

Brady’s Patriots, though, dropped passes on their first two plays of the drive, and were sacked on their third, before finally getting the ball to midfield for one final Hail Mary on the last play. The final heave was batted down, giving the game to the elated Giants.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hosts the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He was voted the game’s MVP. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS—The New York Giants did it again.

The G-Men are Super Bowl champions for the fourth time after beating the New England Patriots 21–17 at Lucas Oil Stadium in another thriller reminiscent of their classic matchup from 2008.

“I don’t think I could have written a better script than this one,” said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, whose pressure on Brady forced a safety during the Patriots first possession.

“It’s just fitting that it came down to a final drive by Eli [Manning] and a closing out by our defense.”

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was chosen as the game’s MVP and once again, it was an incredible throw and catch that keyed New York’s winning score.

As in 2008 when Manning scrambled to find David Tyree, this time Manning found Mario Manningham for a 38-yard strike down the left sideline into double coverage.

The Giants, trailing 17–15 at the time, were backed up on their own 12-yard line with 3:46 left to play.

“That’s a huge play in the game right there; when you’re backed up, to get a 40-yard gain and get to the middle of the field,” said Manning. “It was a big, big, big-time play right there.”

“[Mario] Manningham made a huge play to get us down there,” said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.

“They certainly made plays when they needed to,” said Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

In taking the lead, the Giants actually had to be concerned about leaving too much time on the clock for Brady and the Patriots to come back with the winning score.

Ahmad Bradshaw, who scored the winning touchdown on a 6-yard run, tried to stop just short of the goal line but couldn’t prevent his momentum from carrying him in.

“We tried to take a little more time off the clock, but it didn’t work out that way,” said Coughlin.

But once again, a calm, cool, and collected Eli Manning led the Giants to another fourth-quarter comeback win with all the pressure of the world on his shoulders.

First Half

The Giants began the game strongly on both ends of the football, getting a safety for a 2–0 lead and then tacking on a touchdown when Manning found Victor Cruz for a 2-yard score. Manning started the game completing his first nine passes—a new Super Bowl record.

The Giants dominated the first quarter, owning the football for 11 minutes and 28 seconds of the 15 minutes.

But New England ended the first quarter with a drive of their own, culminating in a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

The big story of that quarter though was Brady driving the Patriots 96 yards in 14 plays, ending in a short 4-yard pass to Danny Woodhead for a touchdown. The score gave the Patriots a 10–9 lead.

Brady, in the process, tied his own record of 16 consecutive postseason completions set against Jacksonville in 2008.

Tuck said his team was “disappointed” at halftime as they felt they had played a pretty good half.

The Patriots offense seemed to benefit from the momentum of their lengthy drive to close out the first half and, in their first possession of the second half, drove 79 yards for another touchdown to take a 17–9 lead.

Big Plays

Asked on what play put the Giants over the top, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks said of Manningham’s catch: “It was clutch and we made it at the right time.”

Mario Manningham hauls in a crucial 38-yard pass from Eli Manning in the biggest play of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Sunday. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Manningham’s catch will go down as the key play of Super Bowl XLVI, although a number of Giants aside from him and Eli had great games. Punter Steve Weatherford deserves an honorable mention for pinning the Patriots inside their 10-yard line on three different occasions.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “We just couldn’t quite make enough plays. Giants made a few more than we did. Really isn’t too much to say about it.”

The game itself had very few errors. Brady threw one interception though the Giants were unable to get any points off it. In such a game, it comes down to who makes the big play.

Brady and Welker could have connected late in the game on a key play that would have been a dagger to New York’s hopes. With just over four minutes left and operating at the Giants 44-yard line, on 2nd-and-11, Brady fired a pass that Welker couldn’t hang on to.

“It’s one of those plays I’ve made a thousand times. Just didn’t make it,” said Welker who caught an NFL-high 122 passes during the regular season.

“[Welker] went up to try to make it, as he always does, and we just couldn’t connect,” said Brady.

The Patriots then couldn’t convert on 3rd-and-11 and the Giants got the ball back and scored the go-ahead touchdown.

The similarities between this Giants team and the one from four years ago are hard to ignore. But this Giants team can bask in its own glory, recording road victories over the top two teams in the NFC (Green Bay and San Francisco) and then knocking off the top team in the AFC in the Super Bowl.

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Aaron Hernandez (L) scored early in the third to give the Patriots a 17–9 lead. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS—Super Bowl XLVI’s second half kicked off with the New England Patriots getting the ball after having deferring at the start of the game.

With the momentum of a strong finish to the first half, the Patriots offensive surge continued. Brady capped the opening drive of the second half with a 12-yard TD pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez, giving New England a 17–9 lead. The eight-play drive included a 21-yard pass play to the enigmatic Chad Ochocinco and a 17-yard sprint down the right sideline by BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

The Giants responded with Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks for eight yards converting a 3rd-and-4. With the Giants in the hurry-up offense, they had some success moving the ball against the Patriots again.

The Patriots Patrick Chung broke up a sideline pass to Nicks with a huge hit that had the crowd oo-ing and aah-ing. That seemed to fire up the Pats defense which pressured Manning, setting up a long 3rd-and-10 from the Patriots 25-yard line.

The Giants then were unable to convert and Lawrence Tynes came on to kick a 38-yard kick field goal, making the score 17–12 with 6:43 to go in the third quarter.

The Patriots then went three-and-out, as Brady was sacked on third down. With 5:36 to go in the third, the Giants took over in great field position on the New England 48-yard line.

A very close battle was beginning to develop as the Giants defense managed to stop Brady, who had completed 16 straight passes with surgical precision. Brady appeared to injure his left shoulder on the sack but he didn’t wind up missing a play.

Manning then completed a rocket of a pass to Nicks who fumbled, but the Giants managed to recover, keeping their drive alive.

The third quarter ended with the Patriots having the ball on their own 38-yard line.

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Running back Danny Woodhead (39) catches the go-ahead score late in the second quarter against the Giants. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Tags No tags attached.

INDIANAPOLIS—Super Bowl XLVI’s second quarter saw New England cap off their first impressive drive by kicking a 29-yard field goal. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski then nailed the ensuing kickoff for the game’s first touchback.

The Giants faced a 3rd-and-6 on their first possession of the second quarter. Manning found Hakeem Nicks for a 17-yard gain down the middle.

A penalty for 12 men on the field then stalled the Giants momentum. Ahmad Bradshaw wasn’t able to find a whole in the Patriots defense on the ground and after a 3rd-and-15 play that the Giants were unable to convert, the Patriots got the ball back on their own 20-yard line after Steve Weatherford’s punt sailed into the end zone.

The Pats faced a 3rd-and-7 and Tom Brady found Wes Welker to set up a 4th-and-1. New England had to punt, given their field position.

The Giants got the ball on their own 23-yard line with 8:23 left to go in the second quarter. New York began making steady progress as their offensive line continued to get the better of the Patriots defensive line.

The Giants would have to go the rest of the Super Bowl without tight end Travis Beckum who injured his ACL ligament earlier in the second quarter.

Brandon Jacobs converted a 3rd-and-1 but due to a holding penalty, the Giants would have to try it again from 10 yards further back. Eli then went for Mario Manningham deep but the Patriots’ Sterling Ward broke up the play.

Weatherford’s directional kick, a 51-yarder pinned the Patriots to their 4-yard line.

Up to this point, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski hadn’t touched the ball. He hadn’t been moving as freely due to his high ankle injury.

Without the man who caught 17 TD passes, Brady looked uneasy. But finally, Gronkowski caught a 20-yard pass with 2:35 left to go in the first half.

Brady continued marching his team down the field after the two-minute warning but a holding penalty set the Patriots back with 1:12 to go. Yet, the Patriots still converted the first down.

With 18 seconds left to go, the Patriots had the ball on the 3-yard line of the Giants facing 2nd-and-2. After the Giants stopped them for a loss of one yard, the Patriots faced 3rd-and-3.

On the next play, Brady found Danny Woodhead for the go-ahead score, capping a 14-play drive. The Patriots took a 10–9 lead into halftime after the lengthy drive of 96 yards that began on their own 4-yard line, lasting 3:55.

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Quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants looks downfield for a target against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLVI. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tom Brady (12) was called for an intentional grounding in the end zone on the Patriots’ first play. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS—Super Bowl XLVI represented the chance for either the New York Giants or the New England Patriots to win their fourth Super Bowl.

New England won the coin toss and deferred. Eli Manning and the New York Giants would begin on offense.

The Giants got their first first down courtesy of Victor Cruz, their leading receiver showing good rhythm in the passing attack. Manning and company managed to move the ball through the air until they reached New England territory.

From there, the Giants tried to get their running game going, but the Patriots wouldn’t have any of it. New England’s defense stiffened and forced New York to punt the ball away, after sacking Manning twice.

Tom Brady and the Patriots began on their own 6-yard line. On their first play from scrimmage, the Giants pass rush got to Brady who was called for intentional grounding. The result of the play was a safety and New York took a quick 2–0 lead.

On the Giants next possession, Bradshaw broke a big 23-yard run off the left tackle on a 2nd-and-2 play.

On a 3rd-and-11, Manning completed a pass, which was fumbled away to the Patriots, but because New England was called for 12 men on the field, the Giants kept the ball. Two plays later, Victor Cruz caught a 2-yard TD pass from Manning.

With 3:18 left in the first quarter, the Patriots ran just their second play on offense, resulting in a loss of one yard. It had been all Giants to this point. But Brady tossed a 15-yard pass to Deion Branch on the next play for the Pats first first down of the game.

Brady followed that up with a 19-yard pass to Wes Welker and the Patriots were back in business.

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Eli Manning (R) and the Giants hope for a repeat of this season's 24-20 win against Tom Brady (L) and the Patriots. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The rematch of one the greatest Super Bowls in history is finally upon us.

Thanks to that upset four years ago the Giants, despite trailing the Patriots by four games in the standings this past season, haven’t been relegated as anywhere near the major underdog they were in 2008 when New England was a more than double-digit favorite to win.

The flip side to people’s confidence in Eli and company now is that the Patriots won’t take them lightly this time either.

In 2008, Eli Manning was 25th in the league with a lowly quarterback rating of 73.9 and his 20 interceptions were the most in the league. Though he had performed somewhat admirably in the three playoff games (62 percent completion rate, 4/0 TD/interception ratio) leading up to the Super Bowl, it was hardly enough to strike fear into a team that had outscored its opponents by an average of almost three touchdowns (19.7 points) per game in the regular season.

Four years later, the respect for Eli and the Giants seems to be there for the Patriots, though the dominant team is dominant no longer.

New England sported a 13-3 regular season record despite the 31st-ranked defense in the league—in terms of total yards. Yet, thanks to a sure-handed and very potent offense (second in total yards) and a very opportunistic defense, +17 in turnovers, ranked first in AFC they were able to mask their defensive shortcomings—barely.

Two weeks ago against the Ravens, New England escaped by way of a nervous place-kicker’s normally makeable 32-yard miss and a receiver who couldn’t hang on to the ball in the end zone for just another split-second.

These miscues allowed the Patriots to win the game, despite two more turnovers, 68 less total yards, and having their defense on the field for seven more minutes than Baltimore. The win gave New England a false sense of confidence.

Though the Giants, namely Osi Umenyiora, haven’t been as smart about giving the opposition any bulletin-board material as Bill Belichick’s normally tight-lipped Patriots, they are ready to win another one. Prediction: Giants 27, Patriots 21.

Osi Umenyiora was present at the Tuesday's media sessions but not Wednesday. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora was fined $20,000 by the NFL for not showing up for Wednesday morning’s mandatory media interview session at the team’s hotel, according to a report on NFL.com.

Umenyiora however offered an explanation in a release through the team. “I misunderstood the schedule. It won’t happen again, and I will be at tomorrow’s media session and available after the game. I apologize for any inconvenience my absence this morning may have caused.”

According to the report, Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon told The Associated Press that Umenyiora would practice and confirmed he was in meetings.