NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

First to Five, Second to Six.

What am I talking about?….. Super Bowls

In 1994, your San Francisco 49ers were the first team to win five Super Bowls.

In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team to win six Super Bowls.

The Niners, in order to re-establish themselves as one of the model franchises of the NFL, need to get back to their winning ways. And, when I say winning ways, I don't just mean a winning record and competing for a playoff spot. I mean, being in the conversation as one of the few teams that has a chance to win the Super Bowl, year in, and year out.

San Fran has not made it to the big game since they won their fifth Super Bowl. And, with this new regime, they have a chance to turn it around and once again become a winner. Short of the Quarterback position, this team has just enough talent all over the board to start making some noise.

Will the Niners really be the second team to win six Super Bowls? It is certainly not out of the picture. The Cowboys have also won five Super Bowls and could maybe get to six before we do. But, if we take care of our business, we can get there before they do. Right now, the Niners are seen by many as a joke around the league and the only way for this to be cured is by winning. Here is hoping that they quickly become the second team to win six Super Bowls. I don't want to get ahead of myself but, the quicker they reach six, the greater their chances of being the first team to win seven.

In yesterday's Monday Morning Quarterback on SI.com, Peter King indicates that a source within the Bengals organization has confirmed that they will entertain trade offers once the CBA is resolved:

8. I think the Bengals are doing their due diligence on the quarterback position, which tells me they might grant Carson Palmer his wish to be traded when the NFL finally gets a labor deal done. Talking to one Bengals official over the weekend, I was surprised to hear that whenever trades are allowed after the signing of a new CBA, the team will listen to offers for Palmer.

Donovan McNabb has been my favorite athlete since he was taken by the Eagles in 1999. I had observed McNabb in college, and was very excited when the Eagles pulled the trigger on him, instead of Ricky Williams. Despite the droves of Eagles fans that booed McNabb excessively when he was taken, I was one of the few that actually supported hima nd was thought it was a great draft pick.

And really Philadelphia- What did McNabb do? He carried the Eagles to the playoffs almost every season, he even led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance (and would have won the game with a defensive hold). Donovan did everything that was expected of him, and he was still not respected. Then in a sudden trade that no one had anticipated, McNabb was gone.

Not only had he departed from Philadelphia, he was now a member of the Washington Redskins. This was like a stab in the heart from the Eagles organization, and I was shocked that Andy Reid would let something like his happen. But, none the less, McNabb was no longer an Eagle and we, as Eagles fans, had to look towards the Kolb-led future.

After this season, it is easy to say that trading McNabb was a great idea. It was a perfect plan, as the Eagles scored Nate Allen, and had one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, led by the surging Michael Vick. What everyone so easily forgets is that Kolb was the starter heading into this season, and without the resurgence of Vick, this season would have resulted in a rebuilding year and there would not have been any playoff appearance.

Within one season of working with Mike Shanahan in Washington, McNabb is still being disrespected. Not by the Washington fans, but by the Redskins organization. It looks like the Redskins will be either looking to trade McNabb, or release him so that they can avoid that hefty contract that they had signed early last season.

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The Jets made some wholesale moves to the roster, releasing a number of vets that will give them room in free agency to ink players they are looking to hang on long term.

Gone according to The Daily News are RT Damien Woody, NT Kris Jenkins, LB Vernon Gholston and OLB/DE Jason Taylor.

The report says that there is a shot that some of the players may come back at reduced salaries. The cutting of these players save the Jets more than $10 million in the salary cap.

Woody, who endured a knee and season-ending Achilles injury, confirmed the Daily News’ report: “I felt like my career was rejuvenated when I came to the Jets and I’m appreciative of that,” Woody told The News. “It was a great ride.”

Gholston, the sixth pick in the 2008 draft, didn’t record a sack in three seasons. He restructured his rookie contract, which had $21 million in guarantees, before the season. Gholston, who was inactive for the Jets’ three playoff games, was due a $2.6 million roster bonus this offseason.

Taylor was set to earn a $2.3 million base salary in the final year of his two-year deal. He had a $10 million roster bonus due in the first week of the new league year.

Smelling Next Jared Allen Comparison

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn – Best player in Draft.  Next superstar QB.  Carolina cannot wait for Jimmy Clausen’s development.  Face of the franchise – how can you pass Cam?  Go for the home run.  No regrets.  #1 pick should be #1 position of priority in league. NFL Now & Then Comparison: Ben Roethlisberger/Steve McNair

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU – Passes the eye test.  All the confidence in the world – posed the “Heisman” against West Virginia.  Super skilled physical specimen who can return punts with ease.  If Denver opts to upgrade pass rush; how about trading down and selecting Von Miller to pair with Elvis Dumervill?  At #2, the LSU standout is more worthy of such a high pick.  NFL Now & Then Comparison: Charles Woodson/Deion Sanders

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M – Buffalo is in search of some firepower, just something.  I believe Miller gives you more of an instant impact over any of the defensive linemen available on the board.  Playing the 3-4 defense, you have to draft a guy who can get to the QB in a hurry.  More of an emphasis is placed on the rushing ‘backer over the front line guy.  When was the last time this club had a player of high-caliber at OLB?  Cornelius Bennett?  NFL Now & Then Comparison: James Harrison/Derrick Thomas

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama – Cincy’s DL is more of a strength than their present group of receivers.  With WR being more of a pressing concern, I like Jones at this spot.  He has all the attributes of a premiere wide out.  QB is certainly an issue with Carson Palmer likely on his way out, but I’m not sold on Blaine Gabbert as a top-ten pick; let alone a top-five selection.  Unfortunately, why do I have a funny feeling Jones will be the “Dez Bryant” of this Draft because of his foot.  Don’t overlook Julio.  NFL Now & Then Comparison: Sidney Rice/Carl Pickens

5. Arizona Cardinals: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama – Chris Wells project is finished.  Time for a new experiment.  Ingram is going to be an All-Pro.  His vision is remarkable and has a championship pedigree.  I love how he came back from injury last season.  Great feel for the game and can gain the extra yardage when needed.  NFL Now & Then Comparison: Frank Gore/Curtis Martin

6. Cleveland Browns: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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About a year ago, Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson turned down his restricted free-agent tender of $3.28 million.

This year Jackson was tendered as the team’s franchise player at more than $10 million per year. According to Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union Tribune, Jackson is fine with the franchise tag.

"I knew it was an option," said Jackson. "There were two different options — the franchise (tag) or free agency — and it was one or the other. The word, not directly from them, was that I'd probably be franchised. So I wasn't surprised at all.

"Another year in San Diego would be awesome. I'm happy to be in San Diego. I'd be happy to spend my whole career here. I'm just gonna make the best of the situation."

While the clock keeps ticking towards a March 4^th lockout, some teams might feel compelled to make some moves while they still can.

The Bears recently released three former starters (Adrian Peterson will be pleased to learn one of them was linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer who caused three of his seven fumbles in 2009) and a number of other teams have released players.

According to Adam Schefter, Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian could be cut in the next two days.

On one hand, the notion is not at all surprising, as Berrian's production has fallen way off the map in the last two seasons.  That lack of production no longer matches his paycheck.

Berrian will receive a small raise in 2011 bringing his base salary up to $3.9 million with a potential to earn $6.2 million if certain incentives are reached.  In 2012, Berrian's base salary takes a big jump up to $6.9 million.

On the other hand, I would be a tad surprised to see Berrian cut this week.

Berrian made comments after the season that he and Leslie Frazier had a good conversation before departing for the offseason, and expressed excitement about his future role on the team.  Also, the Vikings brass essentially said that no major moves should be expected prior to March 4^th.

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Josina Anderson of FOX31 in Denver and Inside the NFL reports agent Alvin Keels says he has a deal in principle on a 4-year contract for running back Leon Washington with the Seahawks.

The four-year contract is worth about $12.5 million, according to ESPN. The deal could max out at $16 million. The guaranteed portion of the agreement is $3.5 million.

Washington was part of a draft-day trade last season from the Jets to Seattle, and finished second to Joshua Cribbs of the Browns in Pro Bowl voting among AFC return specialists.

Washington had 27 rushes for 100 yards. As a returner, he had 57 kickoff returns, a 25.6-yard average per return and scored three touchdowns. As a punt returner, he had 22 chances with an 11.3 average, a career high.

Stroud Will Provide Depth To New England’s Defensive Line

Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud came to terms on Tuesday, inking a two-year deal with the New England Patriots; a league source said according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The three-time Pro Bowl run stuffer was cut by the Buffalo Bills last week.  The man in the middle is 32 years old.

Stroud finished last season with 49 tackles and three sacks (highest total since ‘07) in 14 starts.   In three seasons with Buffalo, he had 7½ sacks in 46 games.

The former ‘01 first round pick is on the downside of his career, however, he will look to provide mammoth lineman Vince Wilfork with more time to rest this upcoming season.

I measured it by overall dominance, level of competition, and – to a lesser extent – importance of the game. Picks 20-11 are here.

10. RB Darren McFadden @ DEN: 16 carries, 165 yds, 3 TD; 2 catches, 31 yds, 1 TD. McFadden's 4 TD performance was awesome but Denver's defense was the worst in the NFL last year (and there were some really bad defenses – Arizona, Houston, Dallas, Seattle – last year).

9. SS Troy Polamalu @ TEN: 1 INT, 3 tackles. Polamalu had a huge highlight tackle, jumping over both lines and was a part of a defense that forced 7 turnovers, gave up just 11 points and held reigning 2000-yard runner Chris Johnson to just 34 yards on 16 carries. James Harrison had 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in this game, too.

8. QB Tom Brady @ PIT: 30/43, 350 yds, 3 TD/0 INT; 1 rush, 3 yds, TD. A big bounce-back game for Brady with little help from his defense, one week after losing to the Browns.

7. CB Deangelo Hall vs. CHI: 4 INT. Some of these were gimmes and if the Cutler touchdown run hadn't been ruled a fumble (or if Lovie had challenged said ruling), maybe Jay doesn't throw so many. That said, Hall owed Cutler a gift from Hawai'i because this masterpiece of Hall's is how he got to the Pro Bowl.

6. RB Arian Foster vs. IND: 33 carries, 231 yds, 3 TD; 1 catch, 7 yds; I don't like to read much into week 1. Teams are just getting used to hitting again. This was a watershed game by Foster that I couldn't push any further down the chart and that also catapulted him into stardom.

5. QB Michael Vick @ WAS: 20/28, 333 yds, 4 TD. 8 rushes, 80 yds, 2 TD; Vick came out guns blazing on Monday Night Football. This was a seismic beatdown of accuracy and athleticism.

4. Matt Hasselbeck vs. NO (Wild Card Round): 22/35, 272 yds, 4 TD/0 INT; 1 carry, -1yd; An absolutely sublime performance in a huge game for the upset of the year over the Super Bowl champs, yet Hasselbeck has had a lot of good games in his career and the Saints' defense wasn't nearly as good as last year, so this game wasn't that surprising. It's a solid, good game regardless of how bad Roman Harper played and his INT was tipped by his own receiver. What hurts it just a little bit was that the decisive play was a run by Marshawn Lynch.

3. RB Rashard Mendenhall vs. NYJ: 27 carries, 121 yds, 1 TD; 2 catches, 32 yds; Mendenhall's early running won this game for them with bringing Pittsburgh down the field, into the end zone, and tearing down a lot of time off the clock. A man among boys. Mike Tomlin benched him not long ago and he is now one of the top 5 running backs in the league.

2. QB Aaron Rodgers vs. PIT (Super Bowl): 24/39, 304 yds, 3 TD/0 INT; 2 carries, -2 yds; This statline would have been historic if not for six dropped passes. Polamalu clearly wasn't 100% but Rodgers looked stratospheric in the biggest game of his career.

1. QB Aaron Rodgers @ ATL (Div. Round): 31/36, 366 yds, 3 TD/0INT; 2 carries, 13 yds, 1 TD; It’s hard to do that against the Lions in a regular season game, let alone in the playoffs on the road. This is a no-brainer. Pin-point accuracy, instinctive escapability, great reads and no turnovers against a 13-3 team at their place after they came off of a bye.

What are your picks for the best performances of the 2010 football season?