Offseason NFL Football News

The NFL has suspended Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie for the fist four games of the season. McKinnie violated the league's conduct policy for his involvement in a street fight outside of a Miami night-cub in February of this year. McKinnie has pleaded not-guilty to the charges and a pretrial hearing is set for next month in Miami-Dade County Court.

McKinnie was the Vikings 1st round pick in the 2002 draft and though his play has shown some inconsistency over the years...

The Quarterback controversy is as prevalent as ever in the desert. The Arizona Cardinals will be hosting the Denver Broncos with Kurt Warner as their starter. This otherwise meaningless game has become much more interesting as Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt will obviously be weighing this game heavily when he makes his decision on his regular season starter.

Arizona is a 3 point favorite at home against the Denver Broncos. Odds makers are putting the over at 37 points and the money line at; Broncos +130, Cardinals -150 for the preseason finale.

Even though Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been told by doctors he needs season-ending surgery to repair his injured knee, he has decided to wait until, at least after the season and play in 2008. Merriman has two torn ligaments in his knee and feels he can wear a brace, deal with the pain and still play at a high level.

"We'll see," Merriman said with a shrug. "To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football. That's what it comes down to."

Merriman told reporters that all four doctors said he needed surgery at some point. As for right now he was told his knee looked pretty good and the decision was left up to him.

As the NFL preseason schedule comes to a close, the Indianapolis Colt and the Cincinnati Bengals will face off on Thursday night in Indy. Odds makers are calling the Colts a 3 1/2 point favorite and putting the under/over at 35 total points.

The big story Tuesday in Indianapolis is the return of their two-time league MVP, Peyton Manning to the practice field. Manning underwent knee surgery more then a month ago and is right on schedule for his return. Peyton expects to be ready to go for the Colts season opener against the Bears.

New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini is leaning toward Brett Favre sitting out the teams final preseason game against the Eagles. In the wake of injuries to players like Osi Umenyiora of the Giants and the Redskins Jason Taylor, it's probably not a bad idea. Mangini is more concerned with his team being ready for Miami in week one.

Most coached rest their veterens in the final preseason game to evaluate others competing for the last few spots on the roster.

Super Bowl XLII was the most watched Super Bowl ever, and the second most watched television broadcast in history. Thursday night's rematch between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will not be either. However, it still is an intriguing match up.

Odds makers are calling the Patriots a slight under-dog, as the Giants are favored by 2 at most major sports books with the over at 36.

Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson says he will be ready to play in the 2008 season. Johnson suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on August 17th. The Pro Bowl receiver landed awkwardly after diving for a ball against the Lions.

Johnson said he initially considered having the surgery, but after speaking with other players like Brain Westbrook and Kellen Winslow he is now convinced that the shoulder will be strong enough to make it through the season. Johnson even lobbied coach Marvin Lewis to let him play in the Bengals final preseason game against the Colts.

NFL MVP Tom Brady said in an radio interview on Monday that he will be ready for the season opener against the Chiefs. Brady has missed all three preseason games so far with an injured right foot. True to form, New England and coach Bill Belichick has not disclosed any details about the injury, but he did participate in the 15 minutes of practice that was open to the media on Monday.

Brady sounded optimistic and confident in his regular weekly appearance on WEEI radio. 

"I'm feeling very good. I was wishing I could play last week and it didn't happen."

Former Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan could be considering a return to the New York Giants for the 2008 season. In the wake of Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury, the New York Daily News is reporting that Strahan, now a Fox Sports NFL Studio analyst could be returning to his former team.

According to a source close to Strahan, he would come back if the Giants offered him an 8 million dollar contract for the 2008 season. "If the Giants really want him they have a shot," the source said.

The 2008 Monday Night Football season premiers tonight at 8PM on ESPN with the defending AFC and NFC West champions facing off in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers and Seahawks both come in looking to gain momentum as the regular season rapidly approaches. Odds makers are calling San Diego a 5 1/2 point favorite as preseason week three comes to a close.

The Chargers stand at 1-1 with all the focus being placed on LB Shawne Merriman's injured knee.