Irvin leads class of six into the Hall of Fame

After passing him over in his first year of eligibility, the Hall of Fame committee has decided to induct former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin. The boisterous wideout had some rather dubious off-field incidents, and his career numbers were somewhat pedestrian. However, most NFL insiders agreed that Irvin's playoff exploits and a knack for making big plays made him worthy of induction.

• Irvin leads class of six into the Hall of Fame

Bills' Thomas earns well-deserved place in Canton

The National Football League announced its newest inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Among them was former Buffalo Bills great Thurman Thomas, who was voted into Canton in just his second year of Hall eligibility.

• Bills' Thomas earns well-deserved place in Canton

Random Raiders rant: Dissecting the pass catchers

With free agency right around the corner and the NFL draft just over two months away, let's take a quick, unprompted look at the Raiders' troubled area.

• Random Raiders rant: Dissecting the pass catchers

Shock: Ral not called up for Spain

Spanish team coach Luis Aragons has decided to leave Real Madrid star Ral Gonzlez out of the squad for the upcoming match against Sweden for the Euro Cup 2008 Qualifiers. But he did call two surprise players: Valencias winger Miguel ngel Angulo and Depor full back Joan Capdevila.

• Shock: Ral not called up for Spain

Jones' the unsung hero of Bears' 'Super' run

For a guy who once broke his hand in a telephone mishap, Thomas Jones has had no trouble "answering the call" for the Bears these days. Randy Hill says the persistent back is a big key to Chicago's Super Bowl victory formula.

• Jones' the unsung hero of Bears' 'Super' run

Petrino: Vick will be allowed to call plays

Taking a different tact than his predecessor, Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino will let Michael Vick take a more active role in running the offense.
That includes allowing Vick to call audibles.

• Petrino: Vick will be allowed to call plays

Kavanaugh spent nearly 50 years with Giants

Ken Kavanaugh, a star receiver for the Chicago Bears in the 1940s who spent nearly a half century with New York Giants as a coach and scout, has died. He was 90.
He died of complications from pneumonia Thursday in Sarasota, Fla., where he had lived since retiring from football in 1999, the Giants said.
Kavanaugh starred at LSU and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

• Kavanaugh spent nearly 50 years with Giants

Scout disses QB Smith

One scout, the Bengals' Greg Seamon, was quoted on a Web site ridiculing Troy Smith as an overhyped Heisman-winning quarterback who would flop in the NFL or not make it at all. -- Philadelphia Daily News

• Scout disses QB Smith

Davis should avoid Woodson episode, lock up Asomugha

If Al Davis doesn't move quickly, Nnamdi Asomugha may find himself in another jersey for the 2008 season.

• Davis should avoid Woodson episode, lock up Asomugha

Best of the 1983 and 2006 draft classes: Part I

Because we appear to have plenty of time before Draft Day, a bit of nostalgia if you will. Take a look at the first-rounders taken in the 2006 draft: An impressive list loaded with names to tell the grandchildren about. In fact, the longer this child of the '80s looks at the 32, the fewer impressive Round One draft classes can I conjure up.

• Best of the 1983 and 2006 draft classes: Part I

Thoughts on Losman, free agency and the draft

Soon, the NFL will begin its offseason in earnest for all 32 teams. Among them is the Buffalo Bills, who are set to be one of the league's most intriguing franchises during March's free agency period and April's draft. With that said, here are some random thoughts on the Bills' upcoming offseason, plus some other things thrown in for good measure.

• Thoughts on Losman, free agency and the draft

Judge: Tiki's torch to the Hall likely to burn out

With Tiki Barber likely hanging up the spikes come year's end, the question becomes, does he make the Hall? In a query of voters, Clark Judge finds Barber to be more like Ricky Watters than Gale Sayers.

• Judge: Tiki's torch to the Hall likely to burn out

Winslow Jr. attends brother's funeral (AP)

Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. attended a funeral on Tuesday for his younger brother, Justin K.B. Winslow, who died suddenly last week in Kansas City, Mo. He was 23. The son of Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow Sr. was found unconscious on Oct. 12 by his mother, Dawnn Wimes O'Bannon. According to a statement released by the family, he was unresponsive with a weak pulse.

• Winslow Jr. attends brother's funeral (AP)