Weekly NFL News and Notes Column

 Vernon Davis, the 49ers TE, had a rough start with Coach Mike Singletary. Singletary didn’t blink with his young star and risked losing him with

 

Vernon Davis, the 49ers TE, had a rough start with Coach Mike Singletary. Singletary didn’t blink with his young star and risked losing him with discipline. He is now poised for a new contract, and although he probably won’t give him a commission; all the credit goes to his coach. One NFL exec told me this weekend, “The Niners need to hold on to Mike (Singletary), he is the real deal.”

 

Ray Lewis slowing down? Word out of Baltimore is that Ray Lewis is still a star, but has lost a step. Can he stay such a vocal force while not being the best player? I like that Baltimore team, but watching how Lewis changes as his great skill diminishes is one of the non-football issues that can really make a team exceed expectations or greatly fail. It doesn’t mean that a less than 100% Lewis isn’t a great player, it means he isn’t what he used to be.

 

It is hard to see where a guy like T.O. lands. Like JaMarcus Russell in last week’s column you can’t see how he can land. Saying that, someone in the NFL always forgets character for talent. I have talked with several teams that have been rumored to be interested in T.O. and no one is interested. One friend from an AFC team said, “He is a cancer and doesn’t have the skills he used to. Someone can always get suckered thinking they can tame him when he shows off the skills he used to have. Now that he doesn’t, he don’t look that good. I expect someone to be desperate, but it won’t be us.”

 

Kevin Kolb has done so well in the Eagles off-season workouts that many are asking if the Eagles hurt themselves staying with McNabb longer than they should have? I think they need to wait before they say that, but the folks in Philly are fired up.

 

The mood around the league has a lot of people second-guessing the media based on Brian Cushing winning the ROTY award a second time. One NFL exec told me, “Isn’t it amazing that they will tear into the NFL for not doing enough or caring, but they don’t do anything to send a statement? Maybe they just like controversy more than taking the moral high ground on anything.”

 

Could New York host the first modern outdoor cold weather Super Bowl? There is a lot of talk, but it is conventional wisdom that says it is a matter of when and not if.

 

Can Thomas Jones be the number one free agent of 2010? The Chiefs are thrilled with how he looks this off-season and if they can get something going with him, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take the number one spot.

 

Speaking of happy teams, the Dolphins are thrilled with Brandon Marshall. He has kept his mouth shut and worked hard. He has also been a good guy in the community by being accessible. If he maintains this, he WILL BE the steal of the 2010 off-season.

 

Javon Ringer has had a great off-season in Nashville. He has continued to get stronger and with many expecting Chris Johnson to hold out and LenDale White traded he could be ready to shine. If Johnson holds out, Ringer could seize the moment and force Johnson back to camp.

 

 Lions TE Tony Scheffler has never been a physical player. In fact, his lack of toughness when it comes to blocking is why the Broncos were willing to get rid of him. Someone with the Broncos told me recently, “You know what you call a tight end who doesn’t like to block? A wide receiver.” Scheffler is one of the most amazing receivers at his spot, but he won’t make it in Detroit if he fails to get physical. Scheffler is a Lions’ fan and many expect him to do whatever it takes to make this work. He will be a critical player to watch as camp inches closer.

 

Nick Mangold is the best center in football. He will get a new deal soon and he has earned it. He is also a good example to all players. Mangold never complained in public, worked harder, and he will earn every penny of what he gets.

 

The Cowboys are excited about Sean Lee. The LB out of Penn State will get a lot of opportunity to play and they flat love the kid.

 

NFL assistant coaches are making it clear that they are thinking of unionizing. I spoke to a veteran NFL assistant recently who told me, “I am not a pro union guy, but sometimes they are necessary. We are the forgotten person in the NFL and someone has to step up. Alone we are ignored. It is more like the NFL is pushing us.” They are concerned of retaliation from the league. That is why they are really trying behind the scenes to make sure that everyone is on the same page so this goes off. Based on my conversations I see it as a matter of when and not if.

 

Mike Williams has been nothing short of a failure since the Lions picked him. As I reported a few weeks ago he was performing well with the Seahawks. He is signed to a contract now and will get the chance to make the team come camp.