05/03/2008

Patriots, Colts differ from rest at draft time

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UCLA's Matt Slater was taken in the fifth round by the Patriots, who were attracted by his special teams play.

Two teams befuddle me each year in the NFL draft – Indianapolis and New England, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. Most teams identify ability on the draft board and select it when they go on the clock. But not the Colts and Patriots. They don't covet the best available player with their picks. They covet the best available fit.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/28/2008

NFL teams will be held accountable for draft-day gambles

AP

Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham dropped to the third round of the NFL draft after he admitted failing drug tests in college.

In the past, there has been little risk for NFL teams drafting players with character concerns. That's about to change, writes Rick Gosselin. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that violations of the personal conduct policy would not only cost the player but the team as well.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/27/2008

Rick Gosselin's NFL draft analysis

Chiefs let talent fall to them in NFL draft

AP

New Kansas City defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the consensus All-American and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year for LSU.

With 12 picks, the Kansas City Chiefs saturated their roster with youth and talent, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin. In a draft where reaching for need prevailed, patience rewarded a team that allowed good players slide to them.
• Draft grades
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

NFL teams hold the line in draft

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Michigan's Jake Long became the first offensive tackle selected No. 1 overall in a draft since 1997.

Eight offensive tackles were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. There were five running backs, two quarterbacks, one tight end and no wide receivers in the round. So guess what the new money position is on offense?
• How Gosselin fared
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

How Rick Gosselin fared
In his mock draft, SportsDay's Rick Gosselin correctly predicted seven of 31 picks by team and nine by draft position.

04/25/2008

Off-season moves revealed weaknesses of draft
The off-season movements of teams reflected the weaknesses of this year's NFL draft.

04/24/2008

Rick Gosselin's NFL draft Top 100

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LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey won't be the first pick in the NFL draft, but he is No. 1 in Rick Gosselin's Top 100.

Who are the best players on the 2008 NFL draft board? Pro football columnist Rick Gosselin breaks it down in his annual Top 100.
• Mock draft: 4/11 | 4/18
• Rankings by position
• Position series
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More NFL draft

04/23/2008

Son of former major league star hopes to be hit in NFL draft
Dale Murphy made a baseball fan out of his son. Now Shawn Murphy is making a football fan out of his father.

04/22/2008

NFL draft preview: safeties

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Kenny Phillips started three seasons at Miami and earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference acclaim in 2007 as a junior.

In the final installment of his position-by-position NFL draft series, Rick Gosselin takes a look at the safeties. Three safeties project as first-round picks. The fourth probably won't go until the third round in 2008.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/21/2008

NFL draft preview: tight ends

ERICH SCHLEGEL / DMN

Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett is expected to go first among tight ends from the state.

There may not be a first-round tight end but there is solid depth at the position, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his position-by-position NFL draft series. Pass catchers abound, but there is only a small handful of blockers.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Purdue becoming 3-4 pipeline for NFL

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys' first-round pick in 2007, comes from Purdue's pass-rushing system.

The 3-4 defensive scheme is having a resurgence in the NFL. The scheme relies on the linebackers to provide pressure on passing downs, which is why all the 3-4 teams have made the trek to Purdue during the NFL draft process, writes Rick Gosselin.
• Mock draft: 4/11 | 4/18
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More NFL draft

NFL draft preview: cornerbacks

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Arizona's Antoine Cason started all 46 games of his career and intercepted 15 passes.

There could be 14 to 16 cornerbacks selected in the first three rounds, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his position-by-position NFL draft series. DeJuan Tribble of Boston College was a three-year starter who intercepted 15 career passes – and he projects as a late-round pick.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/19/2008

NFL draft preview: wide receivers

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Devin Thomas (5) set a Michigan State record for catches in a season with 79 in 2007.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the wide receivers. Wide receiver is the deepest, most-talented position on the draft board. How deep? Purdue's Dorian Bryant caught 292 passes, returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and has 4.49 speed. He'll be available in the second day.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/18/2008

NFL draft preview: special teams
Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the special teams. Kickers, punters and deep snappers are historically scarce on draft day. This year is no exception. But the return board is deep, and there are plenty of quality kick covermen.

Rick Gosselin's NFL mock draft (4/18)

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The Cowboys would benefit from the return skills of Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Who's No. 1 in the NFL draft? Who will the Dallas Cowboys take with their two first-round picks? Rick Gosselin attempts to answer those questions and more in his latest mock draft.
• Player rankings
• Position series
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More NFL draft

First round of NFL draft is Miami's turf

File photo

Miami safety Kenny Phillips (1) is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Miami safety Kenny Phillips is expected to be selected late in the first round of the NFL draft. And that would extend an amazing streak for the Hurricanes, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin in the latest installment of his 11-part draft series.
• Mock draft
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More NFL draft

04/17/2008

NFL draft preview: quarterbacks

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Boston College's Matt Ryan is the top-ranked quarterback. The knock on Ryan is ball security - he threw 19 interceptions last season.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the quarterbacks. There could be four quarterbacks taken in the first 40 picks. But the talent falls off dramatically from there.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/16/2008

NFL draft preview: linebackers

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USC's Keith Rivers (right) earned All-Pac-10 honors as a junior and senior and was named to All-America teams both seasons.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the linebackers. Though Southern California's Keith Rivers and three others project as possible first-round picks, there could be as few as eight LBs taken in the first three rounds of 2008.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

NFL draft can be big break for small-college stars

Mount Union College

Pierre Garcon is the all-time leading receiver at Division III powerhouse Mount Union.

The big stage of the NFL draft has made room for players from small schools. That's because there's a rule of thumb in the scouting community: If you can play, the NFL will find you, writes Rick Gosselin.
• Mock draft
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More draft coverage

04/15/2008

NFL draft preview: offensive linemen

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Rick Gosselin projects Michigan tackle Jake Long (right) to be the first - and the safest - pick overall.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the offensive linemen. There could be four blockers taken in the top 10, which hasn't happened since 2002. The board is deep at tackle but light at guard and center.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/14/2008

NFL draft preview: defensive linemen

AP

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey won the Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies in 2007.

There could be three defensive linemen taken in the top six picks – the first time that's happened since 2001. The end board is strong with pass rushers available into the second day. But the tackle board is paper thin, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his look at the position and its impact on the 2008 NFL draft.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Coaches can provide push for NFL draft prospects

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Butch Davis brought plenty of NFL coaching experience to the North Carolina program.

Some college football players need help getting on the NFL's radar. That's where coaching can make a difference, writes Rick Gosselin in the latest installment of his 11-part draft series.
• Mock draft
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More draft coverage

NFL draft preview: running backs

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Michael Hart (left) was the all-time leading rusher at Michigan.

There were only two running backs selected in the first round of the 2007 draft. There might have been even fewer in 2008 had the juniors not come out. Seven of the top eight runners on this draft board are juniors, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his look at the position and its impact on the 2008 NFL draft.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/12/2008

Great NFL draft debate: Go pro or stay?

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

Curtis Lofton's solid junior season made his decision to declare for the NFL draft easier.

Teams have drafted juniors with the first overall selection in the last three drafts and in 11 of the 18 drafts since the NFL opened the door to underclassmen in 1990, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. Juniors have gone 1-2 in the last two drafts. Juniors went 1-2-3 in 1994 and 1-2-3-4 in 1997. Fourteen juniors were selected in the first round in 2007 and a record 15 in 2004.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/11/2008

Rick Gosselin's NFL mock draft (4/11)

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Arkansas running back Felix Jones would add speed to the Dallas Cowboys' backfield.

Who's No. 1? Who's coming to the Dallas Cowboys? Rick Gosselin takes a shot at answering those questions and more in his first NFL mock draft.
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
More draft coverage

Team captains draw attention at NFL draft

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Quarterback Kevin O'Connell was a four-year captain for San Diego State.

The NFL loves players who exude leadership qualities, so team captains are attractive commodities on draft day. The ultimate captain is San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who has plenty of experience in that department, writes Rick Gosselin.
• Player rankings
• NFL draft: April 26-27
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/10/2008

Injuries can put hurt on NFL draft plans

AP

Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon's draft status might have taken a hit when he injured his knee last November.

Injuries are part of football. They're also part of the NFL draft – and sometimes the outcome can be painful, writes pro football columnist Rick Gosselin.
• NFL draft: April 26-27
• Player rankings
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Hargrave Military Academy has prepped plenty for NFL

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff (90) is a Hargrave Military Academy alum.

Hargrave Military Academy, a prep school in Virginia, won't ever be mistaken for USC, Texas or Michigan. But Hargrave does have something in common with those big-name colleges: It has become connected to the NFL draft, writes Rick Gosselin.
• NFL draft: April 26-27
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/06/2008

Teams taking shots on Longs can't miss

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Tackle Jake Long (77) was a four-year starter at Michigan, where he allowed just two sacks in his career.

Whiffing at the top of the NFL draft can be an expensive proposition, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. Two of the safest prospects to come along in a long time arrive in 2008 – and they share the same surname. Defensive end Chris Long of Virginia and offensive tackle Jake Long of Michigan carry can't-miss labels in the NFL because of their ability on the field and their character off it.

04/10/2008

NFL draft spotlight to finally shine on USC defense

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USC tackle Sedrick Ellis was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

Since 2005, USC has had nine offensive players selected in the first two rounds of NFL drafts. But the 2008 draft will produce an about-face for the Trojans – their best prospects are on the defensive side of the ball, writes Rick Gosselin.
• Player rankings
• NFL draft: April 26-27
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Walk-on path can lead to NFL

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Jordy Nelson scored two touchdowns in Kansas State's upset victory over Texas last September.

Not all of the players whose names will be called in the 2008 NFL draft were ticketed for stardom. Take Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who began his collegiate career as walk-on before becoming an All-American.
• NFL draft: April 26-27
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/03/2008

Dallas Cowboys' Phillips still learning after 32 seasons

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Head coach Wade Phillips took the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs in his first season in charge.

Like each of Wade Phillips' first 31 NFL seasons, the 32nd year – his first with the Dallas Cowboys – was a learning experience. Also an eye-opening experience. Phillips learned first-hand the aura of the Cowboys, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/01/2008

Dallas Cowboys, Titans view Pacman differently

COURTNEY PERRY / DMN

Cornerback Adam Jones led the NFL in punt returns in 2006.

In their trade talks involving Adam "Pacman" Jones, the Dallas Cowboys see a troubled player down to his last strike – but Tennessee sees a shutdown cornerback and elite return specialist. The result is a stalemate, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

03/31/2008

Forget McFadden: Dallas Cowboys' plan is about Romo

TOM FOX / DMN

Since the beginning of last season, the Dallas Cowboys secured deals with quarterback Tony Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett (left).

Rather than dreaming about drafting Arkansas running star Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is focused on helping Tony Romo become a better quarterback, says NFL columnist Rick Gosselin.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

04/10/2008

Michigan State is Wide Receiver U

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Devin Thomas set a Michigan State record in 2007 with seven 100-yard receiving games.

Penn State is known as Linebacker U. USC used to be Tailback U. So, who's Wide Receiver U? That title goes to Michigan State, writes Rick Gosselin in the first installment of his 11-part NFL draft series.
• NFL draft, April 26-27
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

03/17/2008

Smart NFL teams spend little in free agency

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

The Green Bay Packers haven't panicked in free agency at the thought of Aaron Rodgers or another quarterback in charge.

There's a frenzy in the fan bases of 32 NFL teams each off-season. Spend. Buy free agents. The bigger the contract, the better the signing. If you're not spending, you're not trying to get better as a football team. That's exacly the wrong approach, writes columnist Rick Gosselin.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

03/06/2008

Ex-TCU DE Blake trying to bounce back

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TCU DE Tommy Blake led the Mountain West in sacks and tackles for loss in 2006.

Tommy Blake took his first step toward rebuilding his draft stock at TCU's pro day Thursday when he showed up weighing 272 pounds and ran his 40-yard dashes in the upper 4.7s, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin.
Blog: Colleges

03/04/2008

Packers' Favre leaves on his own terms

AP

Brett Favre won more games (160) in his career than any other quarterback.

Green Bay's Brett Favre decided he's had enough. The most durable and prolific quarterback in NFL history is retiring, having left his mark on football. And football has left its mark on him, Rick Gosselin writes. The game matured him beyond the field.
 Tell Us: NFL's best all-time QB?
• Archer: Green Bay's hopes ride on Rodgers' arm
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

03/01/2008

Expect NFL teams to look for multiple big pass rushers

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Justin Tuck (left), Osi Umenyiora (center) and Michael Strahan combined for 32 sacks in 2007.

The New York Giants' front seven dominated the offensive lines of Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay in the NFC playoffs before sacking New England's Tom Brady a season-high five times in their Super Bowl XLII win. Big people win in the NFL. The more the better. Expect that philosophy to surface in the 2008 NFL draft, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Poked, prodded, timed, measured and grilled
Some 330 NFL draft prospects felt that need for speed at the league's annual scouting combine last month in Indianapolis. The faster you run, the more money you can earn for yourself on draft day.

Five going up, five going down
Five players on the rise and five in decline coming out of the combine.

NFL draft board top 10
Rick Gosselin ranks the top 10 players on the draft board coming out of the scouting combine.

02/24/2008

NFL combine snubs some strong players

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West Virginia defensive end Keilen Dykes seems to have all the tools the NFL wants but wasn't invited to the league's scouting combine.

Just because a player isn't one of the 333 players invited to Indianapolis in February doesn't mean he can't be one of the 255 players drafted in April, NFL columnist Rick Gosselin writes.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

02/04/2008

Giants provide blueprint for NFL success

AP

Michael Strahan is New York's best defensive player and a seven-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.

The New York Giants have provided the NFL a refresher course in Football 101 – you win championships by building teams, not by collecting stars, writes columnist Rick Gosselin. The Cowboys have an NFL-record 13 Pro Bowlers. The New York Giants, with their one Pro Bowler, spent last weekend winning a Super Bowl.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

02/03/2008

Rookies deliver crown for Giants

AP

New York Giants receiver Steve Smith had five catches for 50 yards in Super Bowl XLII.

In his first year on the job, Jerry Reese built an unlikely Super Bowl champion, writes Rick Gosselin. Riding a class of unheralded rookies, the New York Giants shocked the New England Patriots in the final game of the NFL season Sunday, 17-14.
• Taylor | Cowlishaw
Photos: Super Bowl

02/02/2008

Patriots could be the perfect model

AP

Bill Belichick (left), Tom Brady (center) and Laurence Maroney celebrate the Patriots' win in the AFC Championship Game.

Don Shula has maintained that his 1972 Miami Dolphins are the greatest team in NFL history because they are the only unbeaten team. A win over the New York Giants in today's Super Bowl would give New England a perfect season, and even Shula would have to concede these Patriots are better, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Thomas' coaching skills make him a Hall of Famer, too
Emmitt Thomas will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his skills as an NFL cornerback. Apparently, he could have been enshrined for his skills as a coach as well.

02/01/2008

Emmitt Thomas, a Hall of Fame finalist, could play CB with best
Derek Thomas must coach a college basketball game today. His Western Illinois Leathernecks take on Southern Utah in a Summit League game.

01/31/2008

Out of the cold, heat's on Giants' secondary

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Randy Moss (left) had 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 38-35 win over the Giants in cold weather on Dec. 29, 2007.

Cornerback Kevin Dockery will return for the Super Bowl. Advantage, New York Giants. But the bad weather will not return. Bigger advantage, New England Patriots, Rick Gosselin writes.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

01/29/2008

Castoffs form core of Giants' running attack
The New York Giants' bid for a Super Bowl upset is in the hands of players unwanted by the rest of the NFL.

01/24/2008

NFL Rookie Report: Packers mixed youth and wins

AP

Wide receiver James Jones (89) was one of six rookies to start games for the Packers this season.

Mike McCarthy made a commitment to youth when he became coach of the Green Bay Packers in 2006. McCarthy stuck to it through the bad times. Now he's sticking with that commitment through the good times. McCarthy kept nine of his 2007 draft picks and 10 rookies total, again entering the season with the youngest starting lineup in the NFL.
 Team-by-team review
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

NFL Rookie Report: Team-by-team review

01/20/2008

Brady shaky, but New England finds way to win

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New England's Wes Welker celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The New England Patriots are suddenly vulnerable but they remain unbeatable, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. The Patriots overcame the cold, wind and a rare off day by NFL MVP Tom Brady on Sunday to topple the San Diego Chargers, 21-12. They next face the Giants on Feb. 3 in Super Bowl XLII.
Giants upset Packers, win NFC title
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

01/19/2008

Chargers' corners must be perfect

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Shawne Merriman and the Chargers are one game away from the Super Bowl.

San Diego's offensive stars LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers may not be at full strength for the AFC Championship Game against New England. But the Chargers who need to be healthy will be linebacker Shawne Merriman and cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. If San Diego is to extend its season one more game, the upset must be manufactured on defense. And the Chargers have the elements in place to challenge the unbeaten Patriots.

01/17/2008

Grant revives Packers' running game

AP

Ryan Grant rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay's divisional-round playoff win.

Running back Ryan Grant didn't make much of an impression at Notre Dame, or with the New York Giants. The Green Bay Packers were similarly unimpressed at first, Rick Gosselin writes. But the Packers couldn't find anyone better, and Grant's legs have helped power Green Bay to its first NFC title game since the 1997 season.

01/14/2008

Backups lift Chargers to AFC title game

AP

Backups Billy Volek (7) and Michael Turner led San Diego on a game-winning drive.

No LaDainian Tomlinson. No Philip Rivers. No problem, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. The San Diego Chargers stunned the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts Sunday, 28-24, to earn a trip to New England to play the unbeaten Patriots for the AFC championship.

01/12/2008

Packers await Dallas Cowboys-Giants winner

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Green Bay's Ryan Grant (25) runs through the snow and Seattle's defense.

Talent wasn't a concern for the Green Bay Packers heading into the postseason. The lack of experience was, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. Twenty-six players on the playoff roster have spent two seasons in the NFL or less. They were making their postseason debuts. But a player steeped in playoff tradition – three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre – rallied Green Bay from an early two-touchdown deficit in a blizzard Saturday, and the Packers beat the Seahawks, 42-20, to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

01/10/2008

Playoffs hike Favre's stats
Brett Favre has thrown more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than any other quarterback in NFL history. But he has thrown even more than you think.

01/09/2008

Colts keep winning in a painful season

AP

Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison missed 11 games after injuring his knee in a victory over Denver.

The Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl last season despite ranking 32nd in the NFL in run defense and 23rd in scoring defense. This season, Indy lost a league-high 55 games by starters on defense yet ranked third and allowed a league-low 262 points. What an about face, Rick Gosselin writes.

01/08/2008

Giants' Manning has delivered against NFL's elite
Eli Manning still makes too many mistakes. His 20 interceptions tied for the NFL lead in 2007. So the assumption has always been that in a big game, Eli will fold. He'll make the mistake that beats his team. But that's been an incorrect assumption this season.

01/05/2008

Rick Gosselin's NFL Awards
Tom Brady was darn near perfect in 2007. So was Randy Moss. Their team, the New England Patriots, was perfect.

Rick Gosselin's All-NFL Team

Redskins can't overcome Seahawks

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Seattle's Marcus Trufant (23) intercepts a pass and returns it 78 yards for a touchdown.

The Washington Redskins were a victory away from a playoff date at Texas Stadium, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin. But the victory never materialized. The NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks rallied for three touchdowns in the final seven minutes to claim a 35-14 victory Saturday over Washington and end an emotional ride by the Redskins into the postseason.