Bill Parcells Retires

Bill Parcells retired from coaching Monday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys after four seasons and ending a career that featured three Super Bowl appearances and two championships.

The decision came 15 days after the Cowboys' season ended with a heartbreaking playoff loss in Seattle. He'd been at his office nearly every day since, and there were other indications that the 65-year-old coach was returning for a fifth year in Dallas and 20th as an NFL head coach.

The Growth of Alex Smith

When you think of Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers - remember that he is the youngest starting QB in the NFL.

Over the last season, Smith's quarterback rating increased by 50% - from a 49 during the 2005 season to a 75 this season. If an additional year of working with Norv Turner can duplicate that maturity next year, Alex Smith could be one of the highest rated passers in the league.

Fantasy Football Fact: Alex Smith's QB Rating was above Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Hasselbeck, Vince Young, Michael Vick, Matt Leinart, and Brett Favre.

Tomlinson Voted MVP by AP

Record-setting LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers ran away with The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award Thursday the way he eluded defenders in leading his team to the AFC's best record (14-2) and a favorite's role for the Super Bowl.

"When you're MVP of the league, it's a great accomplishment," Tomlinson said, adding the honor means "that I've had a great year, that's all, on a great team."

But with so much more on the horizon, he hopes.

"I would feel so much better about winning if we win the Super Bowl. It would feel like it would be everything," Tomlinson said.

Tomlinson, who broke Shaun Alexander's league record for touchdowns by scoring 31 (28 rushing) and also threw for two scores, had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history. He rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards on 348 carries, had 56 receptions for 508 yards and was 2-for-3 as a passer, both completions for scores, giving the Chargers running back six in his six-year career, tying him for second among non-quarterbacks.

Of all his records and accomplishments this year, L.T. said the highlights were breaking Paul Hornung's single-season scoring record.