Best moves
Ricky Williams to Dolphins: Now all the pieces are in place.
Terry Glenn to Packers: Rejuvenation or relapse, worth the risk.
Joe Johnson to Packers: No risk here; defense instantly better.
Steve Spurrier to Redskins: Fun ‘N Gun finds spot in No Fun League.
Jon Gruden to Buccaneers: All they needed was Chuckie scowl.
Chris Chandler to BEARS: This guy can get hot and win.
Drew Bledsoe to Bills: He’s wanted again, so he wants to win.
Worst moves
Az-Zahir Hakim to Lions: Unreliable with ball in St. Louis.
Warrick Dunn to Falcons: Big contract for little man.
Cade McNown to 49ers: Time to quit picking on this guy.
Derrick Alexander to Vikings: D’Wayne Bates is beating him out.
Too old
Doug Flutie: Still nice to have around behind Drew Brees.
Vinny Testaverde: He’ll turn 39 in November and fade.
Bruce Smith: Hanging around just for sacks.
Darrell Green: Still fastest 42-year-old cornerback ever.
Morten Andersen: Somebody said he’s still alive and kicking.
Missed
Bruce Matthews: From NFL straight to AARP
Dennis Green: Pretty soon he’ll be fishing for a job, not a living.
LeRoy Butler: Who is left to tell it like it is?
Jim Mora: Playoffs? Postgame interviews won’t be the same.
Terrell Davis: Gone for three years but not forgotten.
Rookies to watch
Joey Harrington, Lions: They’ve got to give him the ball.
Antwaan Randle El, Steelers: He’ll get the ball and do wonders.
DeShaun Foster, Panthers: They need a star and may have one.
Jeremy Shockey, Giants: Already on way to Gotham legend.
Mike Williams, Bills: Arms take up most of TV screen.
William Green, Browns: If healthy he should make the difference.
Dwight Freeney, Colts: Bears may wish he would have lasted.
David Carr, Texans: Looks like a star if he stays upright.
Rookie poll on Rookie of Year
PLAYER VOTES
1. Joey Harrington, Lions 14 votes
2. Julius Peppers, Panthers 11 votes
3. DavidCarr, Texans 10 votes
4. William Green, Browns 8 votes
5. Roy Williams, Cowboys 8 votes
Welcome back
Trace Armstrong, Raiders: A Super Bowl season would be nice.
Edgerrin James, Colts: Too young, too good, too soon to get hurt.
Marcus Robinson, BEARS: Just give him a healthy chance.
On the spot
Jevon Kearse, Titans: Talent must translate into production.
Michael Vick, Falcons: His ball now, maybe too soon.
Courtney Brown, Browns: Must rebound and stay healthy.
Fred Taylor, Jaguars: Never has survived a full season.
Best feuds
Michael Strahan and Tiki Barber: Giants’ locker room too small for both.
Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson: Room for only one Bucs bigmouth.
Michael Strahan and Warren Sapp: Sacks liven up discussion.
Steve Spurrier and all other coaches: Keep an eye on postgame handshakes.
Ominous injuries
Trent Dilfer: Seahawks’ hopes already on hold.
Jamir Miller: Browns will miss big playmaker.
Takeo Spikes: Bengals’ breakthrough depends on defense.
Tony Boselli: Top Texan pick looks like damaged goods.
Raghib Ismail: Cowboys were counting on deep threat.
Rookie poll on greatest ever
PLAYER VOTES
1. Walter Payton 94 votes
2. Jerry Rice 28 votes
3. Joe Montana 23 votes
4. Lawrence Taylor 17 votes
5. Jim Brown 14 votes
Rating the schedules
Toughest schedule
Buffalo (opponents’ winning percentage .546; 9 games vs. playoff teams)
Easiest schedule
Houston (opponents’ winning percentage .441; 3 games vs. playoff teams)
Bears schedule
25th (opponents’ winning percentage .477; 8 games vs. playoff teams)
Top-selling jerseys
# PLAYER
1. Brian Urlacher
2. Eddie George
3. Jerry Rice
4. Charles Woodson
5. Marshall Faulk
6. Michael Vick
7. Kurt Warner
8. Warren Sapp
9. Donovan McNabb
10. Ray Lewis
11. Emmitt Smith
12. Tim Brown
13. Zach Thomas
14. Brett Favre
15. Edgerrin James
Top 10 games
Dallas at Houston, Sept. 8: Debut for Texans, new rivalry
Pittsburgh at New England, Sept. 9: AFC title rematch; preview too?
Philadelphia at Washington, Sept. 16: Spurrier’s first national Monday night stage
St. Louis at San Francisco, Oct. 6: Niners try to break losing streak
Green Bay at BEARS, Oct. 7: Big Monday night challenge
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, Oct. 20: Will Gruden make a difference?
Oakland at Denver, Nov. 11: Chicago coaches Callahan vs. Shanahan
Buffalo at New England, Dec. 8: Bledsoe returns
BEARS at Miami, Dec. 9: Wannstedt’s first game against old team
Tennessee at Houston, Dec. 29: Owner Bud Adams goes back to Houston
