Minnesota Vikings Devoting 40 Percent of Playbook to Brett Favre

According to Charlie Walters - 40 percent of the Vikings' 2009 playbook is being customized for the pending signing of quarterback Brett Favre...

Detroit Lions: Will Stafford Start In 2009?

Reports indicated that a few months ago, the Lions were interested in acquiring a backup veteran quarterback.

Now that all the off-season workouts have been completed, it appears the Lions have put those plans on hold.

Some of that has to do with the progress of Drew Stanton, but most of it has to do with the development of rookie Matthew Stafford. The real issue here is what the Lions are looking for out of their No. 3 QB. Before and after the draft, the Lions talked about adding a veteran backup because they weren't sure how quickly Stafford would be ready. They didn't want to get into a situation where Daunte Culpepper would start the season and then get hurt and then be forced to go with a raw rookie.

That situation has changed. The Lions are now very confident that Stafford will be ready for the start of the regular season. That changes the role at No. 3 because the Lions don't need an experienced player there.

Former NFL QB Steve McNair Killed

AP reports that Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair has been shot and killed.

Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed that police were called to a residence and found McNair and a woman shot to death inside. Aaron said authorities don't yet know the circumstances of the shooting.

"I don't have any answers for you now as to what's happened, who's responsible," he said.

Aaron said police have tentatively identified the woman but did not release her name.

McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL and led the Titans within a yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl. The former third overall draft pick also played for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring after the 2007 season.

"He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans," Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. "He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl."

Northcutt to Roar with Lions?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander.

The deal was finalized Tuesday after both players passed physicals.

Northcutt gives the Lions a veteran receiver opposite rising star Calvin Johnson.

Alexander, a second-round pick in 2007, gives Jacksonville depth in the secondary. He started 16 games as a rookie, but missed most of last year following a neck injury.

Northcutt, who has 364 receptions for 4,584 yards and 17 touchdowns, has been projected to start this season. But Jacksonville’s three rookie receivers were impressive enough during offseason drills that Northcutt became expendable.

Winslow To Get Plenty of Play in Tampa

Reports indicate 'good things' relating to Tampa's new tight end Kellen Winslow. Winslow, 25, will be used extensively because offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski believes in widespread use of his tight ends, and, being a former tight ends coach with the Packers and Falcons, he is intimately familiar with the position.

"I've been very, very fortunate with the guys that I've had," Jagodzinski said. "I had Bubba Franks as a rookie (in Green Bay). I had Alge Crumpler (in Atlanta), who was as good a tight end as I've been around. Now Jerramy (Stevens) and Kellen.

"I use those guys a lot. Quite a bit."

For his part, Winslow isn't ready to make proclamations. Ask him about his potential to loom large in the offense and you'll likely get vanilla answers.

"We (tight ends) just have to make plays," he said. "We're just a piece to the puzzle."

Are The Dolphins merging with the Miami Sound Machine and Margaritaville?

Steven Wine of the AP reports that singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer Emilio Estefan, are buying a "very small" ownership stake in the NFL team, a person familiar with the deal said Monday. The person requested anonymity because the deal won’t be announced until Thursday by owner Stephen Ross.

Seven-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan has had hits with Miami Sound Machine and as a solo artist. Ross began a partnership in May with Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville enterprise, which includes Land Shark Lager.

Buffett has yet to accept Ross' invitation to become a minority owner, but the Dolphins' stadium has been renamed Land Shark Stadium for this season. Buffett wrote a song for the team and will be featured at tailgate parties, Ross has said.

It's unclear whether the Estefans will have a role in Dolphins entertainment. Miami Sound Machine brought a fusion of Latin and pop to the American masses with hits such as "Conga" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," and Emilio Estefan has also produced for such artists as Shakira and Ricky Martin.

The Estefans will be among the few Hispanics to hold an ownership stake in an NFL team. Gloria Estefan came to the United States at age 2 when her family fled Cuba shortly after Fidel Castro’s revolution, and she has sold more than 90 million records.

Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of the Dolphins in January from Wayne Huizenga.

The Dolphins confirmed only that the Estefans and Ross will make a "major announcement" Thursday on behalf of the Dolphins.

Jets Still Keeping An Eye On Paxico?

According to New York Newsday, the Jets' owner told Boomer Esiason on this week's Boomer Esiason show that the Jets have not made any decision on WR Plaxico Burress because of his uncertain legal situation and what might happen as far as discipline from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.


"We don't know what his current status, both legally and from a league standpoint, and until those are cleared up, we look at him like any other player-we look at the talent, if there is talent, which there is with Plaxico, but there is with other talent around as well," Johnson told Esiason on the show, which airs tonight on MSG. "When those two questions are answered, then we'll proceed to the next level. Otherwise, basically it's a holding pattern."

2009 Fantasy Football Draft: It's important to get rookie QB Mark Sanchez a consistent threat in the aerial game to give the kid a chance. I don't know if Princess Plax is the answer - but the Jet's receiving corps could sure use a face lift! Plaxico on the Jet's helps Sanchez's rating more than it would Burress'.

Think Donte' Got Off Easy?

The NFL has indefinitely suspended Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth, who killed a pedestrian while driving drunk.

In a letter to Stallworth, NFL commissioner Robert Goodell said Thursday the player's actions caused "irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL." He will not be paid while suspended.

Stallworth pleaded guilty this month to a DUI manslaughter charge for striking Mario Reyes on March 14 in Florida. He began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday and has reached a financial settlement with Reyes’ family.

After jail, he must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation. The house arrest provisions would allow him to resume playing.