Be sure to listen to this morning's show, where the whole crew is in to dissect the draft needs from teams picking in spots 31-20. We'll continue that format for the next two weeks, leading up to our two-part mock draft.

Don't miss a minute!

THE PROS
NFL announces early-season prime-time schedule.

Pacman trade talks stall.

Is Oregon's Jonathan Stewart a hidden gem?

All-Sleeper defense and offense.

That playoff re-seeding proposal? It probably won't pass.

Monday Morning Quarterback: New Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff will be a popular man in a couple weeks.

Darren McFadden will visit with the Patriots. Yikes.

The joy of a Super Bowl: Everyone gets big-headed. Osi Umenyiora will likely hold out.

COLLEGES
There are signs of life at Notre Dame.

Those "family values eroding" comments from former Michigan OL Justin Boren? DickRod responds.

Top 10 offseason storylines, topped by Georgia's Matthew Stafford. Is he good enough?

JoePa: content with life.

Away from the Arkansas nuthouse, Houston Nutt is a relaxed man. 

A friendly reminder: We'll continue our draft preview shows this Monday morning, so be sure to tune in! Also: Over the weekend, we'll profile the newest member of the Pigskin Podcast staff, who many of our listeners know.

Be sure to look for a quick interview with the newest contributor!

THE PROS
Jets, wide receiver Coles ends contract dispute with New York guaranteeing the previous deal's final two years.

The NFL's hair interest is no surprise.

Cowboys inch closer to nabbing Pacman.

All-Iron Man team, led by a rookie from San Francisco.

Some under-the-radar guys shine at pro days.

Which Saints will show up in 2008?

On the Clock: Tampa Bay.

Jason Taylor's blogging while Dancing with the Stars. Bill Parcells has to love this.

COLLEGES
Remember that OL that left Michigan? He's come out swinging: "I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months."

Alabama's excited.

How'd the class of 2007 do?

A look at candidates to crash the BCS this fall.

Let's dive right in!

PROS

Sad news about the former Newbery lineman that was set to be drafted.

Who ya got: Vernon Gholston or Chris Long?

Not the right time for labor pains in the NFL. (Is there ever?)

For the Bengals, T.J. Houshmandzadeh's absence should be more concerning than that of Chad Johnson.

A lookahead to the upcoming owners' meetings, which will determine some the next steps on some pivotal issues: re-seeding the playoffs, increasing roster size, radios for defensive players and FG attempt replays, among other things.

Giants, Redskins meet in season opener.

The Dolphins stump Matt Ryan.

Glenn Dorsey impresses in his pro day workout.

Does hair really matter? Really?

COLLEGES
Will Louisville turn it around?

Can't-get-right LSU quarterback returns from suspension, but doesn't practice.

Welcome to another edition of the Daily Dropback, where we'd like to warn you to stay away from televisions if you're going to rasslin'.

THE PROS
Apparently, Brandon Marshall's mother never told him not to roughhouse in the living room.

Answered questions: Cowboys' two first-rounders, Falcons' draft plans and what the Chargers can do to get over the hump.

Yesterday we had a top receiver list; how do the Browns' guys stack up?

Speaking of the Browns: A Cleveland blogger points out that the Bengals and Steelers have replaced the Brownies as the "in the headlines for bad stuff" teams.

Did some folks get an early start on free agency?

Headline: Goodell comes down hard on tampering. Really? A  fifth-rounder and a third-round swap?

Do offensive linemen deserve all the money they're getting?

On the Clock: Dallas Cowboys.

COLLEGES
An early 2008 Heisman contender list.

Likely starting OL leaves Michigan. Couldn't have happened to a nicer coach.

We've got a power-packed Dropback today, so let's just go ahead and get right to it!!

THE PROS
Uh-oh: Brett Favre hasn't filed retirement papers yet, and a FoxSports writer is thinking second thoughts.

San Francisco tampers, and it's docked a fifth-rounder. New England cheats, and it's a first-rounder. I'd love to hear from readers and listeners if there's THAT big of a distinction between the two offenses.

Good column: Picking in the top 10 is hazardous to your health.

Wide receivers, from 1-64. (A hint: Favre's favorite player is No. 1.)

School-skippers: Ocho Cinco and Albert Haynesworth.

Small-school players will have a big impact on the draft.

Pacman, Playmaker hook up. Hilarity ensues.

Our new buddy, Scott Wright from NFLDraftCountdown.com, breaks down the most intriguing player in the draft (I scoff at Matt Ryan), Glenn Dorsey.

The Bears may replace underachieving Cedric Benson, who has been the bane to my fantasy existence these long months.

Would you pay big for Jeremy Shockey?

Offseason power rankings: Indianapolis No. 1, New England No. 2, Green Bay No. 10 and Cincinnati No. 25. Cleveland, No. 7.

On the Clock: Washington and Pittsburgh.

(Self-promotion: The Browns are master cap manipulators.)

COLLEGES
Two fantastic athletes, Clemson's James Davis and Florida's Percy Harvin, may miss the rest of spring ball.

Jimmy Clausen and other big names are in line for big seasons in 2008.

Whoa: choosing Minnesota over Southern Cal?

We've kicked off our soon-to-be extensive draft coverage with an interview with NFLDraftCountdown.com's Scott Wright, and we'll continue to do our best to get you all the pertinent info leading up to the April 26-27 draft.

Additionally, we'll continue our draft preview in the coming weeks, so if you've got questions, be sure to submit them by clicking here.

On to the links:

THE PROS
They made Randy Moss work, but I can't picture Pacman Jones as a Patriot.

What does Carson Palmer think about this Chad Johnson saga? Uh, you'll have to ask him.

Ocho Cinco, Raiders lead top controversies.

Interesting: a double standard for Steelers players?

Speaking of: The woman involved in the Cedrick Wilson incident refutes the police report.

Scout.com's latest mock: Matt Ryan No. 5 to the Chiefs.

Speaking of quarterbacks, a Q&A with Brian Brohm.

MMQB: Will there be more movement in the draft this year?

Which side of the DeAngelo Hall debate are you on?

Weekend on-the-clocks: Jacksonville and Tennessee.

COLLEGES
Should Pryor sit or play? (Funny story: While driving through West Central Ohio over the weekend, between Kenton and Upper Sandusky, I saw a marquee that said "God Bless Terrelle Pryor." I have to get out of this state.)

What happens to the Pryor runners-up?

A quick dose of pigskin links before a holiday weekend; as you'll notice, it seems either me or national writers have already taken off for the weekend.

Until Monday, enjoy!

THE PROS
Six coaches who will make a big impact on their teams in '08.

On the Clock: San Diego.

Former BC signal-caller Matt Ryan was poised under pressure at the school's Pro Day.

It's official: DeAngelo Hall is now the most overpaid athlete EVER.

Here's good news for Pack fans: Ryan Grant wants a new contract. I guess it was only a matter of time.

A T.O. and Pacman Jones partnership sounds like good times all around.

Jon Kitna's still thinking big.

Funny headline: "Garrard wants more money than Romo." NFL teams are going to be cursing Tony Romo for a loooong time, I think.
  
  
COLLEGES
How'd that recruiting class of 2005 turn out? (Pretty well, right?)

Profile on perhaps the nation's best tackler, Pitt's Scott McKillop.
  
 

We're gearing up for our first draft show, and I'm hoping Georgia can rally late against Xavier. (And get lucky again!)

In the meantime, more links!

THE PROS
On the Clock: Dallas.

Packers get a nice addition, St. Louis linebacker Brandon Chillar.

Here's a shocker: Get in trouble, get cut.

Toronto continues push for the Bills, will host preseason game.

Fox series examines spring football:
The USFL and the All American Football League, which axed 2008 plans recently thanks to lack of funding.

Speaking of, this is interesting: Ford Field sues the AAFL.

Ocho Cinco thinks he'd be a great addition to the Cowboys. Just ask him.

Speaking of: Now T.J. Houshmandzadeh is unhappy. Uh oh.

Now THIS is hilarious: Al Sharpton will ask the NFL to cancel the Hall of Fame game because of Canton cops' treatment of citizens. Hey Al, did you hear about Bobby Cutts, a black Canton cop, that killed a white woman and his unborn child? Ouch.

COLLEGES
Brandon Ore won't return to Virginia Tech. Sounds like a nice kid.

Ohio State is giddy.

Teams that won't go quietly in 2008

Things are looking up at Minnesota, mostly because there was nowhere to go but up.

With the death of Central Florida's Ereck Plancher, will there be reforms?

Another day, another Dropback:

THE PROS
The Buccaneers' unique approach to the offseason.

And then there's the Raiders, who are taking the opposite tack.

Speaking of, are they eyeing Darren McFadden?

Today's "On the Clock": San Francisco.

DeAngelo Hall, a $70M man. Yikes.

Nick Seuberling's boy Chad Johnson is unsure of his future with the Bengals.

Marion Barber is now the man in Dallas.

Offseason? There ain't no such thing.

The Dolphins are confusing many people.

COLLEGES
Terrelle Pryor is a Buckeye. (Listen to Ohio State radio analyst Paul Keels' thoughts here.

Sad story about that Central Florida wide receiver.

Thinking about what two-sport stars would do to college sports' landscape.
 

It was a fun day off yesterday, honoring my (sort-of) lineage, but now it's back to work. Here's an XL, three-days-worth version of the Dropback.

Enjoy!

THE PROS
The Boston Globe's Bob Ryan pooh-poohs Brett Favre.

Five quality free agents without a home.

Latest teams featured on ESPN.com's "On the Clock": Packers and Giants.

I linked a week or so ago to ESPN.com's Sal Paolantonio's column on Brett Favre's decline, and he's been forced to defend them. Good for him; it was a good column, offering a different view on Favre's last years.

Monday Morning Quarterback breaks down the quarterbacks. (He also points out that some were unimpressed when Ryan passed on the Senior Bowl and the combine. Why wouldn't he? He was, as King says, the lead dog.)

Browns fans might scoff at this William-Green-turns-his-life-over-to-the-Lord story.

This year's wide receiver class is weak.

East Carolina's Chris Johnson's stock is rising.

COLLEGES
Non-BCS news, including items on Nevada, East Carolina and Middle Tennessee.

20 unknowns you'll know in 2008.

It's St. Patty's Day, so we here at the Pigskin Podcast are taking the day off from the Daily Dropback.  We promise we'll pull a Donovan McNabb and scramble around an extra large version of the Daily Dropback tomorrow.

That's if Joel survives today.

In the meantime....

HAPPY ST PATTY'S DAY FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE PIGSKIN PODCAST!!!!!

Another busy Friday at Dropback HQ, so take these and like them.

Have a great weekend!

PROS
I linked the first one yesterday: Today's On the Clock is the Indianapolis Colts.

Strange journey for David Carr.

What's the market for oft-injured and recently released Kevin Jones?

Who has improved most in the runup to the draft?

Running backs aren't exactly hauling in lucrative, long-term deals.

COLLEGES
Well, this Ray Ray McElrathbey story is certainly taking on a life of its own, huh? Maybe this deserves a longer blog, but does anyone else see his mother's comments about Clemson as extremely off-putting?

Trouble for the Mounties? Running back Noel Devine is in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Rich Rodriguez expects his new club to struggle with his schemes. What a shame that'll be.

Les Miles is cashing in on Ohio State's awfulness.

Speaking of DickRod, he'll be in court over that buyout issue.

We're switching up the timing of new Pigskin Podcasts, so stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, there will not be a new Dropback Friday morning, March 14.

Be sure to listen to our archives here, and send suggestions and tips by clicking here.
 

PROS 
New daily feature at ESPN.com: "On the Clock," asking what teams have done, not done and still need to do. First up: the Browns.

A mock: Glenn Dorsey goes No. 9 to Nick Seuberling's Bengals.

Aaaaaand another mock: Dorsey No. 2, Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall No. 9. Nick was less than enthused.

The Bears might get worse? Color me shocked.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand another mock: SI.com has Dorsey at 5, Sedrick Ellis at 9. My head is spinning.

Thirty-two to watch in 2008.

COLLEGES
A familiar refrain: Clemson can't close.

What's not to love in 2008?

SI.com's Phil Taylor on Ray Ray McElrathbey and Tommy Bowden. (I linked to this story Monday, but forgot to follow up yesterday or Tuesday. Turns out McElrathbey, who is raising his little brother, won't have his scholarship renewed. Ouch.)

Addressing those rule changes.

We'll keep trying to bridge the gap in what seems to be football's only down time: from now until the draft.

Enjoy, and make sure you listen in this week, where we'll delve into initial draft thoughts, look back on Brett Favre's career and mix it up a little.

THE PROS

Free agency gambles.

Labor trouble for the NFL?

Will Brady Quinn benefit from sitting for 2+ years?

I've been trying to ignore it, but this Matt Walsh business ain't going away.

Yesterday I joked about John Facenda and the NFL Films layoffs. Listen in, here.

That Larry Fitzgerald deal? Not so good.

Peter King answers e-mails, asks Aaron Rodgers about Brett Favre.

COLLEGES 

Can the Big Ten recover from a poor year?

Slow news day here at Dropback headquarters, but I'll do my best.

THE PROS
Long profile on Spygate and the weird role played by Matt Walsh.

Did the Jets forget the most important part of their re-do?

Seattle signs Julius Jones, leaving Shaun Alexander confused. I'm not, though: Shaun, you're washed up.

For Andy Barch's sake, I hope John Facenda wasn't one of the folks laid off at NFL Films.

Are the Giants pursuing Carolina flameout David Carr?

Some teams are wayyyy under the cap, including the Pack.

COLLEGES
JoePa is the Brett Favre of college football.

College football's most pressing questions.

I'm dug out of the snow and ready for action.

It's a sunny Monday in Cleveland, and here's another batch of links.

THE PROS
Interesting look at how difficult the college scouting process is for NFL teams.

So much for all the Pro Bowl good will built up by Pittsburgh's James Harrison

So uh, who's going to go No. 1?

A break in the Sean Taylor case?

Monday Morning Quarterback: a trip to Afghanistan.

COLLEGES
Clemson newsmaker Ray Ray McElrathbey may not return.

What will college football fans complain about this year?

Andy Barch's boy Jeff Jadgoskzyzyzyzyzyzy is included: coaches on the cusp of big things.

I was on fire in the NFL Piggies, so be sure to listen in when you have a minute.

In other news (it's a slow day):
  
THE PROS

As I mentioned in the aforementioned NFL Piggies, the Browns are not waiting around. And why should they? Look at the Piggies' NFL disappointments: Baltimore, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Chicago. All playoff teams or close in 2006 year, all terrible in 2007. (I think it's funny that Nick Seuberling says his Bengals were expected to go 7-9. OK, big guy.)

Poor Warren Sapp, not getting enough attention.

Better rules for cheating? As Wayne Campbell might say, "Get right out of town!"

Twins in Green Bay named Brett, Favre. Reminds me of the "Seven" "Seinfeld."

Latest Fox mock: Vernon Gholston No. 2. Wow.

Interesting: Pack struggles in simulation of 2007 season with Rodgers, not Favre.

Free agency grades.

Weird, until you look at the cash money involved: Baltimore's Terrell Suggs files a grievance over what his position is.

COLLEGES

Four questions on so-called mid-majors.

Oh, goody: Terrelle Pryor will decide by April 1. I'll be glued to Rivals.com in the meantime!

Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis (who's actually well-regarded) is in a heap of trouble.

I'm slowly coming out of the "Brett Favre is retired and the Packers will become mediocre-to-bad again" corner. Excuse my absence.

Don't forget about the NFL edition of the Piggy Awards, to debut tomorrow morning.

And now to today's Dropback:

PROS

Aaron Rodgers, meet Barack Obama. YES I CAN!

There might be life after Favre for the Pack.

The Packers are now Mike McCarthy's team.

The Falcons can finally get over that Favre trade.

One man's all-time quarterback list.

It's been a long, strange trip for Joey Harrington.

NFL free agency's impact on the draft.

Stop me if you've heard this one before: A second pro football league is nearly dead before it starts? I'm shocked.

COLLEGES
FoxSports' question of the day: Who is this year's Kansas?

What is on USC coach Pete Carroll's Facebook page?

I saw Brett Favre play three times, if I remember correctly. The first was at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium in December, 1995. The Packers won.

The second was in Charlotte, N.C., in October 2005, when the Packers lost to the Panthers despite - you guessed it - a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback.

The third was Thanksgiving last year, when Green Bay blew out Detroit at Ford Field (despite the score, the Lions were gifted a touchdown on a phantom pass interference call in the end zone).

I've never been to Lambeau Field, but was planning a trip this fall because I never thought he'd retire after taking the Pack to the NFC title game.

So I'll regret that, but I won't regret being a big Favre fan.

I hope you understand, than, that we're going to go mostly Favre in today's Dropback.

(And ohbytheway: I'm still not convinced he's done.)

FAVRE ZONE

There was a predictable amount of fawning.

Including at Hammond Bacon.

(My top memory is No. 5 on this list.)

Don Majkowski was actually the reason I started to like the Packers.

No passion? No play.

Favre photos.

More Favre memories (this is a really good one).

"I'll miss the picks. I'll miss them even more than the touchdowns, though he holds the all-time records for both. For it was in failure that we saw how much Favre wanted to win. He wanted to win so badly he was willing to lose. Not just lose. He was willing to be the goat for a shot at being the hero. So many quarterbacks are poor timid souls who've known neither victory nor defeat. Game managers. Not our man. He knew defeat 288 times. There is something poetic about his last pass as a professional ending up in an interception."

NON-FAVRE
Shaun Rogers gets $42 million from the Browns. This is a mistake. Mark it down.

Trouble in East Rutherford. Not good.

Vince Young still doesn't have any receivers.

SCHOLASTIC DIVISION
Penn State, the Trail Blazers of Pennsylvania.

Who will stumble in 2008?

We begin this day with a moment of silence for the Packer fans amongst us.

Now that that's over, let's get to the links. I'm sad on a number of levels, so it'll be a short one this afternoon. If anything else breaks, I'll get to it; have no fear.

The pros

Favre retires. Let's hope, as he says, this wasn't about Randy Moss. The Packers' receivers weren't the reason the Packers didn't win Super Bowl XLII. Actually, Favre was. There will be plenty more on Favre on next week's Pigskin Podcast, to be sure. 

Peter King's favorite Favre memory.

The Packers will look funny without Favre.

Speaking of Moss, he returns to New England.

College ball

Spring football will never be the same.

2008's top conferences.

Busy weekend in football as we prepare for the NFL Piggy Awards. Don't forget to tune in on Friday morning!

The pros

One hundred and freaking two million for Roethlisberger. Ugh.

Peter King delves into the Browns' weekend.

Randy Moss, who is reportedly frustrated with the Patriots, has plenty of free-agent options.

Christian Okoye was a beast on Tecmo Super Bowl.

Warrick Dunn, one of the great guys in the NFL, is jobless.

Latest free agent news from Fox Sports.

Austintown Fitch grad Jeff Wilkins retires. Sad day.

College

Pat White is moving on after losing his coach, Dick Rodriguez, and running mate, Steve Slaton.