NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

First it was the Bengals and now the Rams. Terrell Owens may have an official offer on the table, and it may come from a team that isn’t likely to even be fighting for a playoff spot come November. That team is the Rams, as Chris Mortensen reports on ESPN that the Rams could make T.O. an offer Monday.

The St. Louis Rams have intensified discussions in hopes of signing free agent Terrell Owens, according to sources close to the player and team.

The Rams asked Owens through his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, if he would consider a serious contract proposal, even though they are not considered a playoff contender. Rosenhaus told the team Owens would definitely consider it, sources said.

A high-ranking Rams official said a formal offer for Owens could come on Monday.

The Rams believe Owens would take heat off their young wide receiver corps that includes Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson and rookie Mardy Gilyard, as well as loosen up opposing defenses from focusing on running back Steven Jackson.

The move simply means a contender doesn’t want the possibly problem child in Owens, and instead he is going to a team that needs wide out and talent help across the board, which is what the Rams need – badly. It will be interesting to see if Owens fits in with a team that could only win 3-5 games in 2010.

1. New Orleans Saints. Until you're beaten on the field, the Super Bowl Champs are entitled to lay claim to the top spot. The Saints have a lot of cracks to fill, but until September rolls around, they must be given the benefit of the doubt.

2. Indianapolis Colts.  Last year's Super Bowl runner-up is perennially dangerous, and there has been nothing to demonstrate that they will not be able to return to their winning ways. Peyton Manning is one of the greatest QB's to ever play the game, no matter what tools he has around him, he still makes any team he's on very dangerous.

3. Green Bay Packers.  This team has gotten consistently better every day of the off season. If the unit continues to mature, and Arron Rodgers continues to improve, they will be a force to reckon with.

4. Baltimore Ravens.  On paper this should be the most balanced and intimidating unit that Baltimore has ever been able to assemble. Two questions are all that stand between the Birds of Baltimore and a trip to Dallas. Can Flacco become the heir apparent to Johnny U?, and can Ray's Legendary Linebackers and the upgraded Defensive Line compensate for the injury plagued secondary.

5. Minnesota Vikings.  This is one of the more well constructed teams in the NFL. All it lacks is a motivated and determined Quarterback. Love him or hate him, Favre has proven he has what it takes to get this leviathan rolling. The question is whether he comes back, and whether he can stay healthy.

6. New York Jets.  Rex went on a shopping spree this summer and brought in every player he could get off his wish list. Only time will tell whether the hodge podge of talent will pay dividends or succumb to too much ego in too small a locker room.

7. Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are always good. Execution is their problem. no one doubts the amount of talent they have on both sides of the ball, but of late its been a real issue getting the team to click. Wade Phillips must win this year or start job hunting.

8. Cincinnati Bengals.  Could possibly be the most underrated, most dangerous team in the game. I have nothing but good things to say about them. That being said, all depends on Carson's ability to stay healthy and lead this team.

9. San Diego Chargers.  If they can get their players on board they'll be great. If not, they'll be middle of the road. Strife in the locker room is victory poison.

10. Miami Dolphins.  With the pieces they've added, no question they're in position to make some noise. Have to hope however that Henne continues to grow, and Brandon Marshall can continue his Denver productiveness.

11. Atlanta Falcons.  As goes Matt Ryan. So go the Atlanta Falcons.

12. New England Patriots.  Old, tired, beat up. These are the death tolls of the Patriot dynasty. Still a sharp and deadly team, but very much in a state of decline. Need to find a way to right the ship.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers. So many problems there's no real good place to start. That being said, ben or no Ben this is still a good team and will not go quietly into the night.

14. Houston Texans.  Fantasy Mega-Stars Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson lead this high powered attack. Inconsistency in other aspects of the game leave many questions to be answered.

15. San Francisco 49ers. The time is now for Alex Smith to earn his hype. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis should help out with that.

16. Philadelphia Eagles. The Kevin Kolb project is the only thing that has me intrigued enough to put the Eagles in the top half of the league.

17. New York Giants.  Will the real Eli Manning please stand up? This team has to get back on track quickly lest it be finding itself without a head coach.

18. Tennessee Titans.  Chris Johnson alone, does not a team make. Who knows which way this franchise is headed.

19. Washington Redskins. With aging tools to work with and some serious dead weight (Haynesworth). Can Shanahan the Magnificent work his patened magic to get the Skins back to respectability?

20. Chicago Bears. Jay Cutler has the eyes of the world upon his shoulders. He needs to prove that he's not just a petulant child and grow up into the leader everyone thought he would be.

21. Arizona Cardinals. The world stopped spinning when Kurt retired and left Arizona in the hands of Matt Leinhart.

22. Detroit Lions. I believe in Jim Schwartz' ability to turn things around in the Motor City. This could be the first big step for the Lions to earn some respect.

23. Seattle Seahawks.  Can Pete Carroll bring his winning touch to the NFL? Clearly he has a history of paying good players to come and produce for him, why shouldn't that work now that it's legal to do so?

24. Carolina Panthers. Does anyone have any clue what this team is about this year?

25. Denver Broncos. Josh McDaniels experiment take two. Let's see what the Man-Child comes up with this year.

26. Kansas City Chiefs. Still rebuilding. Not much else to say.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars. Without Maurice Jones-Drew, this franchise is a UFL team at best. The only good thing about their existence is that they prevented Baltimore from being called "The Bombers." Seriously! Who thought that name was a good idea?

28. Buffalo Bills. From bad to worse. Things aren't likely to chance soon in upstate New York.

29. Cleveland Browns. Have some potential to be the spoiler, but not likely. This is just phase one of the Holmgren rebuilding plan.

30. Oakland Raiders. They have talent, just lack the pieces needed to make the talent shine. Raiders could be most likely candidate for the "I told you we'd be good award" handed out to most obnoxious barfly at the local pub when the team finishes 8-8.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Re-tooling, re-building, re-launching, still losing.

32. St. Louis Rams. Coming Soon! The Los Angeles Rams!

Darren McFadden v Michael Bush

This is a very important battle for the offense. McFadden needs to become the stud that they drafted, he has the ability to be a Top 10 RB in the league. If Bush wins the starting job, I see McFadden becoming a weapon like Reggie Bush, used all over the field and a threat, but not the star.

Sleeper…Michael Bennett. Steady player, if Bush gets the start, do not be suprised Bennett shares the carries with him and even the goal line attempts.

Tyvon Branch v Mike Mitchell v Michael Huff v Hiram Eugene

Only 2 will start of these interchangeable safeties, but will any of them capitalize on a possible stronger rush by the D line and get turnovers?

Sleeper…loser of the Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt CB battle. Don't pass on the thought that whoever is the backup CB may still be better than the safeties.

Chaz Schilens v Louis Murphy v Darrius Heyward-Bey

All 3 have received offseason buzz and will receive plenty of opportunities in 3 WR sets. 2 of them need to become studs to complement Zach Miller and McFadden out of the backfield.

Sleeper…Jacoby Ford. He will be given shots in the return game, he could be the deep threat if Heyward-Bey has another bad year.

Mario Henderson v Jared Veldheer

If Veldheer has a great camp, expect him to win this job. After many tries to fill this position, Veldheer seems to be the long-term answer. If Henderson wins the job, it does not bode well for line protection.

Sleeper…None. That is why it would have made sense for the Raiders to go after Jared Gaither. He would have been a great pick up and allowed them to move Veldheer to RT.

Bruce Gradkowski v Jason Campbell

Campbell will win the job, he provides the accuracy and deep throws that are needed for this offense. Do not, though, sleep on Gradkowski. While he has had an unspectacular career, he did win over the locker room and they will fight for him. If Campbell struggles, Gradkowski will be given the shot.

Sleeper…Kyle Boller. Only because his gorgeous wife, Carrie Prejean, would then be more often at the game and TV!!!