from the Orlando Sentinel...

The circumstances surrounding his tragic death have overshadowed anything he did on the football field. Maybe in time I will feel differently. But right now, all I can think about is how he died, at the side of a 20-year-old woman who was not his wife.

Steve McNair was not the first athlete to cheat. Perfect human beings are not enshrined in the Hall of Fame, we all know that.

But the way in which McNair died will be the first thing I remember when his name comes up. Teammates and coaches have talked about what a great competitor he was, what a great person he was, what a great player he was.

Unfortunately, his exploits on the field are not what anyone wants to discuss.

We are wondering how he died. All of these questions have been bandied about on the Internet: Was it a murder-suicide? A double-homicide? Did his wife hire someone to do it? Did an angry ex-boyfriend of the woman do it? Why was McNair in a condo with her at 2 a.m.? Why was she driving a car registered to him when she was pulled over for DUI earlier in the week?

Steve McNair was the top trending topic on Twitter on Saturday afternoon. "McNair death" and "Steve McNair wife" were among the top 10 Google searches on Sunday. I don’t think people were searching for his stats on NFL.com.

We are searching for answers right now, so we know how to feel about McNair, so we know what legacy to assign him.

COMPLETE ARTILCE

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Let's check out some of the latest headlines from around pro football...

BENGALS PICKED BY HBO
HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Bengals announced the Bengals will be the subject of HBO's Hard Knocks reality series featuring the Bengals at training camp this season. “This is a fascinating team,” NFL Films president Steve Sabol said during his press conference on Thursday at Paul Brown Stadium. “They’ve got a lot to prove to themselves and to the fans. As Coach Lewis has said, ‘This is a team with a chip on their shoulder.’ Training camp is a laboratory of human emotions and the Bengals have a compelling mix of personalities that should make for dramatic television.”

WILLIE CALLS IT QUITS
The Ravens placed OT Willie Anderson on the reserve/retired list. The former Bengals' right tackle is now 34 and reportedly couldn't shake his injury troubles. Baltimore drafted Michael Oher to take his place and that led to the decision. A four-time Pro Bowler for the Bengals, Anderson retires after 14 seasons. He did not miss a start between 2000 and 2006. Anderson lost his pass-protection skills late in his career, but helped Baltimore rank fourth in the NFL in rushing as an 11-game starter last year. His veteran presence was big boost for the team in their run to the AFC Championship game last year.

LYNCH TO APPEAL SUSPENSION
NFL Network reports that Marshawn Lynch formally appealed the NFL's three-game suspension Thursday for violating the personal conduct policy. As a repeat offender it remains to be seen if the suspension will be reduced or not. Clearly Lynch thought there is a chance or he wouldn't have wasted his time or money. However, it will be some time before an official decision is made.

BOLDIN WILLING TO TAKE LESS
Receiver Anquan Boldin's agent has made a contract proposal to the Cardinals, but it's questionable how interested the team is in entering negotiations at this time. Agent Drew Rosenhaus. said contrary to speculation, Boldin is not seeking a deal worth $10 million a year, which is what teammate Larry Fitzgerald is receiving. The recent offer is for less, Rosenhaus said. It is believed to be in the ballpark of $10 million per season, according to the Arizona Republic.

FAVRE CONSULTS DR. ANDREWS
Quarterback Brett Favre consulted renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews regarding options for healing the partially torn biceps tendon in his throwing shoulder this week, according to ESPN.com. We're headed toward a long spring and summer of following Brett Favre's ultimate decision and whether his shoulder injury allows him get back on the field. The development further indicates Favre's willingness to consider coming out of retirement to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, particularly if there is a non-surgical solution to his damaged shoulder.

THOMAS WANTS TO BE THE GUY
Despite much talk to the contrary, the Saints did not add a running back in the draft or free agency. There was speculation that the franchise was not sold on Pierre Thomas shouldering a bulk of the workload with Reggie Bush. Thomas addressed the issues on Sirrius radio earlier this week. "I really want to show them I can be that big back they want," Thomas said. "I'm not preparing myself enough until [critics] say the Saints have their running back. I have to keep trying. ... I have to make [coach Sean Payton] say 'Pierre's the guy.'"

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The NFL released it's full schedule on Tuesday night. To nobody's surprise the Bengals were left out of prime time.

Bengals Schedule - Regular Season
Sun., Sept. 13, DENVER, 1 p.m
Sun., Sept. 20, at Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 27, PITTSBURGH, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 4, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 11, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 18, HOUSTON, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 25, CHICAGO, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 1, -- BYE---
Sun., Nov. 8, BALTIMORE, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 15, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 22, at Oakland*, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 29, CLEVELAND*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 6, DETROIT*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 13, at Minnesota*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 20, at San Diego*, 4:05 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 27, KANSAS CITY*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 3, at N.Y. Jets*, 1 p.m

An asterisk (*) denotes a game subject to flexible scheduling.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The Dallas Cowboys will open their new $1.1 billion stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game against the New York Giants on Sept. 20.

The NFL released its complete 2009 regular-season schedule Tuesday. The always-popular Cowboys lead all teams with six scheduled nationally televised games, even without Terrell Owens.

Reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh meets division rival Baltimore twice in five weeks late in the season after they faced off in the AFC title game. They play Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

On Oct. 11, the Patriots take on Denver and former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, now the Broncos' coach. New England renews its rivalry with the Colts on Nov. 15.


LINKS
--Strength Of Schedule
--10 Must See Games
--Complete Schedule

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Let's check out some of the latest news from around the league:

CUTLER ASKS FOR TRADE (Denver Post)
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has formally asked to be traded, a request he made Sunday through his agent, Bus Cook. For now, the Broncos are hoping to appease Cutler's concerns and reach an understanding so they do not have to trade him. Cutler and Cook issued the trade request a day after a meeting with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders did not go the way quarterback had hoped...MORE

PATS, PANTHERS TALKING PEPPERS (NFL.com)
The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason. The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs on Feb. 28...MORE

JAGS CUT TIES WITH JONES (Florida Times Union)
Wide receiver Matt Jones, a first round draft pick in 2005, was waived by the Jaguars on Monday after he served several days in jail last week for violating the terms of his probation on a drug charge. Jones led the team with 65 catches for 761 yards last year in the first 13 games

STALLWORTH INVOLVED IN FATAL ACCIDENT (Yahoo.com)
Browns' wideout Donte' Stallworth is expected to be charged for his involvement in an automobile crash that killed a pedestrian Saturday. The investigation is ongoing but DUI, vehicular manslaugher, and reckless driving are among the possible charges...MORE

LEVI ON THE BLOCK? (Chicago Sun-Times)
Despite already losing starting right tackle Stacey Andrews to Philadelphia in free agency and having limited depth at the position, the Bengals are actively working to trade starting left tackle Levi Jones. If they can't deal him, they'll probably cut him...MORE

RAVENS RELEASE ROLLE (Baltimore Sun)
The Ravens released Samari Rolle on Monday. The veteran cornerback asked to be cut so he could catch on with another team. The Ravens, who will have $6 million in cap space once Rolle's release becomes official, could look to sign wide receiver Torry Holt, who was recently released by the St. Louis Rams...MORE

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The Cowboys cut Terrell Owens on Thursday. Here are a few teams for whom sigining the troubled wideout may actually make sense...

BALTIMORE RAVENS - The team desperately needs a playmaker on offense. Derrick Mason has been adequate and Mark Clayton has shown flashes, but Owens would give them a weapon that would change opponents game plans and may prevent teams from stacking the box. Joe Flacco is young, but has a strong arm and can get the ball to him often. The added plus is with Ray Lewis in the fold to keep him in check, Owens may actually shut up and play football.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - The Jaguars haven't had a Pro Bowl caliber wideout since Jimmy Smith was in his prime and the team has tried too many times going the cheap route with washed up veterans. Owens could help Jacksonville get over the hump or he could finally lead to the end of Jack Del Rio's era as the team's head coach.

MIAMI DOLPHINS - Bill Parcells didn't stick around long enough in Dallas to have to deal with the T.O. mess too much, but he knows first hand what it is all about. If he can overlook the baggage, the team's president could opt to add Owens to a group of talented young wideouts and give Miami a pretty formidable passing attack. Still, if T.O. didn't like Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, or Tony Romo, he may go crazy with Chad Pennington throwing him the ball.

OAKLAND RAIDERS - The Javon Walker experiment blew up (as expected) in Al Davis' face. Now, the mentally insane Davis could covet Owens. It would be the ulimate payback to Owens for being such a punk to have to finish his career in the Black Hole.

TENNESSEE TITANS - Don't kid ourself, I do like Justin Gage...if he was my No. 3 wideout maybe. No team has a greater need for an elite receiver than Owens. However, Jeff Fisher will likely take a note from the Eagles and Cowboys and avoid selling his soul to the devil in attempt to get that elusive Super Bowl ring.

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Let's check out some of the latest headlines from Around The NFL:

COWBOYS CUT OWENS (Dallas Morning News)
Wide receiver Terrell Owens, whose future with the Dallas Cowboys has been in question since the off-season began, was cut late Wednesday night, according to a source. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hinted at Owens' return at a news conference two weeks ago but never definitively said Owens would be back for the 2009 season. Last week at the NFL scouting combine, Jones said the media caught his "drift" about Owens' return but did not elaborate...MORE

LEWIS RE-SIGNS WITH RAVENS (Baltimore Sun)
Ray Lewis, 33, is expected to sign a three-year, $22 million deal with the Ravens, according to multiple sources. The second player ever drafted by the Ravens, Lewis instantly became the centerpiece of the fledgling franchise and developed into one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. His fiery leadership proved pivotal in building the Ravens from a relocated team in 1996 to Super Bowl champions in 2000...MORE

CARDS, WARNER FINALLY AGREE ON DEAL (Arizona Republic)
After a month of speculation between quarterback Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals, the two parties finally agreed Wednesday morning on a two-year, $23 million contract, including a $15 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million each year. Including the first year's salary, $19 million of the deal is guaranteed...MORE

HOLT ASK FOR TRADE FROM RAMS (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Realizing he no longer fits in the team’s plans, seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Torry Holt has asked for his release from the Rams, league sources told the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. The Rams have been shopping Holt, 32, on the trade market, but so far there have been no takers. Holt is due a $1.25 million roster bonus on March 17, so it’s unlikely he will be a Ram beyond then...MORE

L.T. NOT WILLING TO TAKE PAY CUT (ProFootballTalk.com)
LaDainian Tomlinson doesn’t want to reduce his $6.725 million base salary for 2009, and the team doesn’t want to pay him that amount. So even if it means that L.T. will take even less from someone else than San Diego’s best offer on a reduced contract, the mere fact that he’d be taking less — and making less than Darren Sproles, who’s getting $6.621 million — might be enough to get him to force the team to trade or cut Tomlinson...MORE

BENGALS TO SIGN O'SULLIVAN (NFL.com)
Quarterback signings heated up Wednesday and it is likely to continue Thursday. The Bengals are expected to reach agreement with former 49ers starting quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who would take the place of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed with Buffalo...MORE

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Super Bowl XLIII is set and the Steelers and Cardinals are headed for Tampa. Before we get to breaking down the big game let's look back to some final takes from Championship Weekend...

*Kurt Warner probably was already headed to Canton, but the two-time NFL MVP locked it up his four-touchdown effort against the Eagles to send the Cards to their first Super Bowl appearence.

*The Eagles live by the blitz, and they die by the blitz. The Cards set the tone for the game on their first drive and rolled on to one of the more impressive halfs of the season.

*When you start breaking Jerry Rice's records you know that you are having a good day. Larry Fitzgerald broked the Hall of Famer's mark for single-game receiving yards as he caught 9 balls for 152 yards and 3 TD's. I said it two weeks ago and will say it again...Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the NFL.

*Where did Brian Westbrook go? Once again he was not a factor in the game as he managed just 45 yards on 12 carries. He only caught two balls for 26 yards and was once again held out of the end zone. You have to find a way to get that guy invovled.

*The Cardinals' defense continues to go overllooked, but it is there play that has been the difference for the Cards in this improbable run. Arizona has a +9 turnover ratio in this post-season and that is the reason they are headed to Tampa.

*How about former LaSalle Lancer and Cincinnati Bearcat Brent Celek. The Eagles' tight end emerged in the playoffs as a key part of the Eagles' offense and topped off a great post-season by catching 10 balls for 83 yards and 2 TD's.

*Will Andy Reid ever win the big game?

*Who said you can't beat a team three times in one year? Kudos to the Ravens for a great year, but the Steelers are just a better and more polished team.

*Man I was stuck taking Joe Flacco in my fantasy game this week (had to save Big Ben for Super Bowl and already used NFC QB's). I would have better off putting my self in the line-up. Three picks nearly put him with negative points.

*The play made on the Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes scoring strike was unbelievable. Roethlisberer somehow avoided the sack and then Holmes became the human juke-box, making defenders miss. For his size it's hard to find a more agile QB than Big Ben.

*Willis McGahee got JACKED UP!  That hit he took was tenacious, but clean. Not a bad game for McGahee though. He did score both of the Ravens' touchdowns.

*Pittsburgh has the best homefield advantage in football.

*Props out the AFC North, they represented the division well.

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Three more freakin' games, that's all we have left of the NFL in 2008. This weekend's slate looks nothing like I predicted in the NFC, but I pretty much nailed it in the AFC. Either way it makes for an interesting  Sunday of football. Here's how I see the games unfolding this weekend:

PHILADELPHIA (9-7) at ARIZONA (9-6-1) - Eagles favored by 4
Outlook: For the thrird straight week it's hard to find anybody that wants to pick the Cardinals, but they just keep finding ways to win. In my mind they've already beaten two teams that are just as good as Philly.

The Eagles are riding high, but outside of drilliing an overrated and unfocused Cowboys' team to get into the playoffs, outlasting a Tavaris Jackson-led Vikings' squad, and a Giants' offense that failed to find an idenity what have the Eagles done? All that's right, they tied the freakin' Bengals, got drilled by the Ravens, and blew a must-win game late in the year to a weak Redskins' team.

Arizona looked terrible down the stretch of the regular season, but post-season surge of the defense and the committment to get a running game going has breathed life into the Cardinals at the perfect time. They looked impressive against Atlanta and shut down Michael Turner. Then they went to Carolina and did something eight other teams couldn't do this year as they beat the Panthers. And not just beat them, but drill them.

The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead before rolling the Cards on Thanksgiving Night, but this time its in Arizona and believe it or not I am going to think that makes a difference.

My Pick: CARDS 24, EAGLES 20

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner, Brian Westbrook, Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, David Akers, Neil Rackers; DON'T PLAY - Correll Buckhalter, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, L.J. Smith, Eagles DEF, Cardinals DEF

BALTIMORE (11-5) at PITTSBURGH (12-4) - Steelers favored by 6
Outlook: The Steelers have already beaten the Ravens twice this season and beating a team three times in one season is a tough task, but it's not unheard off. Just ask the 1999 Jaguars, they went 14-2 before with both losses coming to the Titans, then they lost to Tennessee in the playoffs. It happens. Baltimore has had quite a run to get this point, but they look tired. They haven't had a bye since Week 2 and the veterans on the defense have played at such a high level I think that could hurt them.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is enjoying fresh life in the running game as Fast Willie Parker finally gets to 100%. His speed to the outside could present problems for the Ravens, who are likely to be without linebacker Terrell Suggs. Ben Roethlisberger is going to be playing looser than Joe Flacco, but that could lead into turnovers. To me that is the key to this game. If Baltimore is going to have a chance they will need to limit Big Ben and capitalize on mistakes. I don't see the Steelers, who have the best homefield advantage in the league, making too many mistakes though.

My Pick: STEELERS 20, RAVENS 13

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, LeRon McClain, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Derrick Mason, Heath Miller, Jeff Reed, Matt Stover, Steelers DEF, Ravens DEF; DON'T PLAY -Willis McGahee, Mewelde Moore, Mark Clayton, Nate Washington, Todd Heap

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The conference championship games are set, but before we turn the page to next week's big showdown, I had to sound off on some final takes from the divisional rounds...

*The Ravens continued to live up to the hype I've been giving them, but the Titans really shot themselves in the foot. They can blame the refs all they want about the blown call on a blatant delay of game, yet they still can not deny the fact that despite 391 total yards of offense costly turnovers and penalaties sealed their fate. It's amazing that the Titans kept it as close as they did even though they turned the ball over three times to the Ravens' zero.

*Joe Flacco once again did enough to help his team won the game. Another game without a pick or a sack. Consider that the Ravens managed just 50 yards rushing and the rookie's 161 passing yards seem pretty impressive.

*The game could have been a different story had Chris Johnson not suffered an ankle injury midway through the second quarter. He left the game with 72 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.  The Ravens were struggling to find an answer for the rookie.

*I still can't get over the thumping Arizona handed Carolina. The Panthers had two weeks to prepare, were 8-0 at home, and a double-digit favorite. Take nothing away from Arizona, but that is the biggest egg laid by a higher-seeded team in this round in recent memory. 

*Larry Fitzgerald continues to show me that he is the best receiver in football and right now the Cardinals look smart for giving him the money they deserved. He accounted for 75% of the team's 220 receiving yards, finishing with 8 receptions for 166 yards and a TD.

*The Eagles beat the Giants for the second time this season in their house. New York did not look like Super Bowl champs today and really have not looked as good since troubled wideout Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg and shot the Giants' chances for a repeat.

*Andy Reid outcoached Tom Coughlin on Sunday and it started with the coin flip. Coughlin opted not play the wind game and took the ball right off the bat. It didn't seem bad when Ahmad Bradshaw ran his longest return of the season back. However, Eli Manning couldn't get on track throwing into the fierce breezes early in the game and it was even worse in the fourth quarter when the team was forced to come from two scores down.

*Brian Westbrook was not a factor in this game. He had 20 touches, yet he only mustered 46 total yards and did not score. The Giants owned him, but they couldn't translate that into a victory.

*It figures Willie Parker finally gets healthy after my fantasy season is over. Two touchdowns and 146 yards on the ground shows that Fast Willie is finally nearing 100%.

*Pittsburgh officially has the best homefield advantage in football.

*Phillip Rivers' season may be over, but it wasn't because of his play. He finished with 308 yards and three scoring strikes against a very good secondary and while under intense pressure. Rivers has arrived as one of the league's elite passers.

*As a Bengals' fan I hate the Steelers and Ravens. Stil, I was rooting for both this weekend. Sure, money had something to do with (bet on both). I would rather have our division do good than have it look like chumps. Clearly, these our the two best defenses in the league and now they meet next Sunday for a third time this year.

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