A.J. Hawk was frequently replaced at inside linebacker on passing downs by Brandon Chillar last season. Chillar signed a four-year, $21 million extension in December.

If the Packers approach Hawk about a pay cut, he almost certainly would refuse and take his chances on the open market. Hawk’s agent, Mike McCartney, on Monday said he’s spoken with Packers officials this offseason and the team has decided it’s better off paying the premium for quality depth.

“They’re not going to ask (for a pay cut),” McCartney said. “They think A.J. is a very important part of their football team. I have full confidence that A.J. is going to have a big year next year, and I think they have the same kind of confidence.”

Hawk’s 2010 salary is $4.1 million after he reached playing-time escalators earlier in his career, and he’s also due a $500,000 workout bonus. [READ]

The Colts are favored to win next year's Super Bowl, according to odds released Monday by BetUS.com.

Indianapolis is a 7-1 favorite to take home the NFL championship, followed by the San Diego Chargers (8-1), New Orleans Saints (9-1) and the New England Patriots (10-1). [READ]

There were just 11 people who showed up at Indianapolis International Airport on a cold, snowbound Monday afternoon, when the Colts returned following their 31-17 defeat Sunday by the New Orleans Saints at Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

"Win or lose, they're still our team," said Brownsburg resident Karen Calhoun, who carried a "Where's the parade" sign. [READ]

Scott Fujita was dropped by Nike due to how he covers his cleats with tape, concealing their Swoosh logo. He shared the experience in his Super Bowl diary.

'Not getting a Nike schwag bag in my hotel room. All the guys who are endorsed by Nike got sweet Super Bowl schwag, with about $5000 worth of merch, including some products from their ACG line, which I love for hiking and for outdoor use. I was endorsed by Nike for seven years, but they voided my contract (after several warnings) for "spatting" my cleats on game-days. Some of us spat, or put tape around our cleats, to keep them tight. Nike, apparently, doesn't like that their precious Swoosh gets covered up. Oh well. Wouldn't be that big of a deal if it weren't for every teammate rubbing it in my face, parading around in all their cool new gear.' [READ]

Super Bowl XLIV set a ratings record in Canada, with an audience of 6.7 million viewers Canada on CTV (6.025 million) and RDS (650,000) Sunday night.

The national audience for Super Bowl XLIV is more than 52% higher than last year's NFL championship game that had an average audience of 4.3 million viewers. [READ]

Saints rookie Thomas Morstead was "terrified" when coach Sean Payton called for an onside kick to start the second half of Sunday's Super Bowl.

"I wasn't worried," Morstead said Sunday night. "I was just terrified."

The punter perfectly executed the onside kick, giving New Orleans possession to start the third quarter and enough momentum to win the Super Bowl.

"Absolutely not," Morstead said when asked if his kick won the Super Bowl. "It was one small win, and a whole bunch of those added up to a big win." [READ]

Former Colts coach Tony Dungy was surprised that the team managed to score just 17 points against the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.

"I expected the Colts to score touchdowns and put 30 points on the board," Dungy told Dan Patrick. "They only put up 17. I was pretty shocked."

Dungy said last week that he would be shocked if Indianapolis lost to New Orleans.

"I just thought it would probably be New Orleans that made the big mistake," Dungy said. "It ended up being the Colts that made the big mistake." [READ]

The Chiefs released a pair of linebackers on Monday, the first day of the year that teams are allowed to do so.

Kansas City trimmed linebackers Justin Rogers and Weston Dacus from the roster. [READ]

Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz says that he feels a "strong connection" with quarterback Jay Cutler.

Martz was given the job just two days after meeting with Cutler last week.

"It's such a big thing to have a coordinator and a quarterback on the same page, obviously," Martz said Monday on "Carmen, Jurko & Harry" on ESPN 1000. "If there is any kind of ill will or ill feeling or just philosophically not on the same page, I don't care who it is, it's not going to work.

"As talented as he is, it's important that he understands what whoever is going to run the offense is about, and of course I have got to have a good feeling about him. We had a good get-acquainted meeting. We hit it off immediately. I think there's a real strong connection, at least I felt that way.

"Intellectually, he is just off the charts. His talent can never be overstated. He is really anxious. He's all about winning and doing things the right way." [READ]

Tom Brady is entering the final year of his contract and the Patriots are expected to discuss a lucrative deal with their franchise quarterback.

The presence of a $3 million roster bonus on March 5 could take negotiations to a higher level.

Instead of paying the roster bonus and then later handing out a lucrative extension, there is a benefit to getting it all done at once from an overall cash standpoint.

Brady's new deal could be anywhere from $15-18 million per season, and possibly higher. [READ]

Donte’ Stallworth was released by the Browns after his reinstatement to the NFL following a season-long suspension.

The Browns announced in a one-sentence statement that they were voiding Stallworth’s contract. The 29-year-old was suspended for the 2009 season without pay after killing a pedestrian while driving drunk.

Cleveland would have owed Stallworth a $1 million bonus had he remained on the roster as of March 20, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. [READ]

Super Bowl XLIV was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in television history.

The Nielsen Co. estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the "M-A-S-H" finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets. [READ]

Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney said that Sunday's long halftime show allowed his sprained ankle to stiffen.

"I don't know if you saw me on the sidelines," Freeney said of warm-up attempts early in the second half.

"I kept on running back and forth to get it going again. I re-taped, and tried to figure out ways to keep it warm. The problem is, once it gets stiff, it's tough to bring it back."

The Who performed during halftime, which lasted 30 minutes. [READ]

Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne doesn't think his team is all that far from playing in a Super Bowl.

Miami was 7-9 this past season.

"We're young," said Henne. "If we get a chance to stay together, I think we can do good things."

If asked by the front office, the quarterback would suggest that the team draft a big receiver.

"A big receiver," Henne said. "Somebody who's 6-3 and can run. I like our receivers, but we don't have a power guy, We do a lot of finesse stuff."

When asked if he was referring to a player like former Michigan teammate Braylon Edwards, Henne replied:

"I didn't say Braylon," Henne said, "but somebody like him would be good." [READ]

Saints safety Darren Sharper sounded like a man that wanted to remain with the team following their Super Bowl victory over the Colts on Sunday night.

"I asked Darren Sharper what he's going to do since he's a free agent. "Repeat. Repeat!" Guess that means he wants to come back," Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote on his Twitter page. [READ]

NFL teams can begin releasing players on Monday.

Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher could be in danger of being released. He is set to make $2.95 million this coming season and also has a $500,000 workout bonus.

He has made just 11 starts since signing a $28 million, five-year extension before the 2007 season. [READ]

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson could be released by the team before March 19.

Adam Caplan wrote on his Twitter page Monday that Anderson's $2 million roster bonus is due on March 19.

"The clock starts ticking for players who have roster or option bonuses coming up. Derek Anderson's $2 M RB is due on 3/19, source said," he wrote. [READ]

The Colts don't have a history of throwing a lot of money at linebackers and Gary Brackett could be a hot option on the free agent market this offseason.

Brackett, 29, was the team's defensive captain this past season.

Brackett sounds like he's seeking big bucks. He accepted a fairly modest contract from Indianapolis a few years ago.

With no cap issues to worry about the Colts could move quickly to re-sign him, but Don Banks of Sports Illustrated writes that it's more likely that they'll allow him to find out what he's worth on the open market. [READ]

There has been some speculation about Reggie Bush's future, but Don Banks of Sports Illustrated expects him to remain with the Saints.

Bush will earn $8 million in 2010 and Banks writes that either a release or trade appear unlikely.

He has two years left on his rookie contract and the team's Super Bowl win could mean their relationship will extend. [READ]

Super Bowl XLIV had the highest overnight rating since the 1987 Super Bowl between the Giants and Broncos.

It also likely had the biggest viewing audience in Super Bowl history, beating last year's game which had 98.7 million viewers. [READ]

The season is now over, which means $.10 becomes half-priced. Because it’s the Super Bowl, you get a bonus penny this week!

$.01--Congrats to the Saints for pulling it off and winning the Super Bowl! Two plays stand out in my mind, aside from the Tracy Porter INT/TD: the onside kick to start the second half, and Jonathan Vilma stoning Joseph Addai deep in the backfield on a delayed handoff on the Colts’ subsequent drive. Great call by Sean Payton to take the risk and get the ball back with the onside kick, seizing momentum and showing his defense he believed they could hold up on a short field, if need be.

The Vilma play stands out because in my notes I had him essentially wearing goat ears for his awful first half. The middle linebacker was consistently late to the ball and couldn’t get away from blockers. He was a different player in the second half, and he set that tone early. The Colts never seriously tried to run the ball after that play, other than Addai’s tough-as-nails TD run. Some credit has to go to Gregg Williams for altering the scheme and seeing what worked and what didn’t work, but Vilma stepped up his play. I thought getting Malcolm Jenkins more playing time at corner made a positive difference too.

It took awhile, but the New Orleans season-long ability to force turnovers at just the right time kicked in once again. That’s a very delicate razor to walk upon, but they danced on the edge long enough to bring the city its first professional title. As a 30-something native of Cleveland (still waiting for our first title in any sport since Jim Brown retired!), I can only imagine the unadulterated joy the loyal fans of New Orleans are feeling after so many years of disappointment. Enjoy the revelry!

$.02--Every Super Bowl has a loser too, but this one has to hurt more for the Colts than the typical loss. They were rightly favored to win, and the methodical precision with which they dispatched opponents all season gave them the aura of invincibility. Judging from the Colts players’ interviews this week, they certainly carried themselves with the confidence and professionalism of expecting to win by doing their business.

Fret not Colts fans, because as long as #18 is still behind center, your team is a legit title contender. This year was perhaps the most improbable, with their 32nd ranked running game, decidedly below-average special teams, and youthful, small secondary--not to mention a rookie head coach and some cosmetic staff changes. Every starter that you want to return will be back, and that young secondary is only going to improve. With Bill Polian still calling the personnel shots and Jim Caldwell proving he’s a very good coach, there is no reason the Colts can’t make it back next year. Not many recent super Bowl losers could make that claim straight-faced.

$.03--For many people the Super Bowl is all about the ads. Honestly I didn’t see too many that really did more than waste my time, though I did like two in particular. The Coke ad featuring “The Simpsons” was quite well done, but my favorite was the ad for Career Builder with the play on “casual Friday”. It should be noted I’m typing this wearing an old pair of basketball shorts and a 6-year old, $3 black tank top, which is fairly typical “work” wear for me.

The Tim Tebow ad certainly wasn’t worth all the fuss. I thought the Doritos ads collectively tried too hard. I can’t stand to drink Bud Light so I have a somewhat negative predisposition against them and their ads, so I’ll leave them alone. I have never understood the whole Go Daddy hubbub, though I’m sure my friend Richard went straight to their website for more “unrated” content. All in all a pretty nondescript year for the commercials on my first impressions.

$.04--The 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame was announced on Saturday, and it’s one heck of a deserving class. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were gimmies, but I applaud the voting committee for once again rewarding consistent greatness over a long career over short-term flashes with their other picks. Rickey Jackson is what DeMarcus Ware aspires to be, a lightning-quick OLB sack artist that could wreak havoc on the run too. He was one of my favorite players from his era and I worried that because he spent the bulk of his career toiling for Saints teams that never won in the playoffs, he would have trouble getting in the Hall. Dick Lebeau and Floyd Little were both great nominations by the veteran’s committee, and you’ll have a hard time arguing with anyone that Jon Randle or Russ Grimm don’t belong despite being interior linemen. I still think those commercials with Randle chasing chickens are among the best NFL player ads ever, and it effectively drew attention to his freakish quickness and agility for such a large man. See you in August in Canton!

$.05--5 quickies:

1. Dwight Freeney at about 75% is still better than most. That bull rush he threw at Jermon Bushrod was amazing considering his balky ankle. Still think he’s too small and not strong enough, Mr. Kiper?

2. I’ve never been a fan of The Who, so I won’t comment on the music itself. I loved the stage and the sound clarity was excellent, but how could a legendary anti-establishment figure like Pete Townshend so obviously fake playing his guitar? He wasn’t within 6 inches of his strings for at least half his “playing”. Boo!

3. I liked the call to go for it on 4th & goal by Sean Payton, but a slow-developing run was a bad choice. Get Reggie Bush isolated on a LB in space and sneak the tight end behind him, giving Drew Brees options.

4. It might very well just be me, but did anyone else think Jim Nantz and Phil Simms were a little off all night? I’m a fan of both but this was not their best effort.

5. Drew Brees handled himself with class in victory, but that was expected. Brees has been through a lot with this team, and the way he has held it together and represented the entire Gulf region deserves more respect and publicity.

$.06--First came the Shrine game, then the Senior Bowl, and the latest collegiate all-star game came this past week. The Texas vs. the Nation winners are listed below. I won’t list any losers because this game is comprised of players hoping to either get drafted at all or go from the late rounds to the middle rounds.

Jared Veldheer, T, Hillsdale--the D-II giant proved he’s technically sound and has the footwork to handle playing LT in the NFL. His lack of fire concerns some, and he needs to add base strength. I’ve seen him play in person 3 times over two seasons and he’s better than the similar Sebastian Vollmer was last year, and Vollmer went 2nd round to the Patriots.

Jonathan Crompton, QB, Tennessee--showing that his late-season surge for the Vols was no fluke, displayed great accuracy and mechanics all week long. Two separate personnel people told me Crompton was better than any of the QBs in Mobile for Senior Bowl week.

Ryan Perriloux, QB, Jacksonville State--nobody has ever doubted his physical skills, but he is proving he learned from his disgraceful exit from LSU and has matured. Accuracy remains an issue that will hold back his draft ceiling, but if you’re looking for a middle-round QB that could develop into a good starter, he’s your best bet.

Jeff Moturi, WR, UTEP--“ran picture-perfect routes all week” and “loved how he set up moves and created space for himself”--two quotes from a GM noted for finding later-round gems. I applaud him for going by Jeff when that’s not his real first name. Now catch the ball better and you’ll be a 4th/5th rounder.

Missouri State TE Clay Harbor--drew several comparisons to Chris Cooley for his hands, toughness, and versatility. If he times well in workouts--speed is not his calling card--he could go as high as the 4th round.

Memphis RB Curtis Steele--“makes hard cuts at full speed” and “he has some Ronnie Harmon to him”. For those who aren’t old enough, Harmon was a very good 3rd down back for a long time, noted for his receiving prowess and quickness.

[READ]

Saints cornerback Tracy Porter wasn't the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV, but he did make the biggest play of the game.

Porter jumped a route run by Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and intercepted Peyton Manning in the final minutes to cement New Orleans' 31-17 win.

He returned the ball 74 yards for a touchdown and the Saints kicked off a celebration with 3:12 left in regulation.

"It's kind of a play we've run a lot," Manning said. "Porter made a heck of play."

Said Porter: "It was great film study. The coaches did a great job of preparing us for that route." [READ]

Colts wide receiver Hank Baskett didn't speak with the media after Sunday's Super Bowl.

Baskett had an opportunity to make the Saints pay for a gamble at the start of the third quarter, but wasn't able to make a play.

New Orleans came out with a surprise onside kick as they trailed 10-6. Baskett got his hands on the ball, but let it bounce away as the Saints recovered.

They went on to score a touchdown on the drive.

According to the Associated Press, model Kendra Wilkinson, Baskett's wife, was so upset that she retreated to the back of her suite. [READ]

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who tossed an interception that led to a touchdown in the final minutes, was a man of few words following Super Bowl XLIV.

"It's certainly disappointing. Very disappointed. Disappointed," Manning said.

Driving towards a game-tying touchdown, Manning was intercepted by Tracy Porter, who took the ball back 74 yards for what proved to be the clinching score in the Saints' 31-17 victory in Miami.

"I understand how excited the Saints are, their families and the city of New Orleans is going to be," Manning said. "I'm sorry to our fans that we weren't able to get it done." [READ]

Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones used his Twitter account to announce that he plans to retire.

Jones previously discussed retirement on his account, but later said he was joking.

He said that he had decided, "it is time for me to retire from football." [READ]

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 on Sunday night to win Super Bowl XLIV.

Drew Brees was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV.

Brees went 32-for-39, tying the record for most completions in Super Bowl history, throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a passer rating of 114.5.

Indianapolis had a 10-0 lead after the first quarter, but New Orleans stormed back.

The Saints outscored the Colts 15-0 in the fourth quarter, including a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown by Tracy Porter with 3:12 left in regulation.

Peyton Manning went 31-for-45 with 333 yards, one touchdown and the game-clinching interception. He also had a passer rating of 88.5.

The Colts marched down the field with a chance to make things interesting in the final seconds, but Manning couldn't complete a pass targeted for Reggie Wayne on fourth-and-goal.

The Colts had a +1.6 advantage in the Trench Counter, largely due to a big advantage they had in running the ball.

The victory is the first Super Bowl is in Saints history. [READ]

Colts kicker Matt Stover become the oldest player ever to appear in a Super Bowl on Sunday night.

Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter, giving Indianapolis a 3-0 lead to make Super Bowl history.

He turned 42 on Jan. 27. [READ]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league could consider banning the three-point stance.

Concerned about concussions, Goodell said the league will keep looking for ways to make the game safer.

"As you'll see tonight, you'll see a lot of players that never get down in a three-point stance," Goodell said Sunday. "So it's possible that would happen."

While science is still trying to determine the long-term effects of concussions, the league has made progress in increasing awareness about the severity of such injuries.

"For many years the culture had been quite different—that concussions weren't serious injuries," he said. "I think we have changed that culture and made sure that people understand they are serious, and they can have serious consequences if they're not treated properly." [READ]

The Lions are listening to some of quarterback Matthew Stafford's ideas as their reconstruct their team this offseason.

"It's nice that they respect me and trust my knowledge of the game enough to ask me as a rookie," Stafford said. "I know Peyton Manning, he probably runs the (Colts') war room. But to be a rookie and be asked, that was fun. We talked toward the end of the season. ... We're all pretty much in agreement in what we need."

When asked what he felt the Lions needed, Stafford said:

"Some pieces," he smiled. "And I'll be all right." [READ]

Warren Sapp was released from jail Sunday on $1,500 bond, a day after being arrested for allegedly choking a woman in his hotel room.

The NFL Network has pulled Sapp off the air until it investigates the matter.

"He sincerely apologizes to the NFL family and fans for taking away any distraction from today's big game," Sapp's attorney Christopher Lyons said. "We ask that everyone reserve judgment on the matter until all the facts come out in a court of law." [READ]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expects player salaries to still grow under a new labor agreement.

Goodell still expects a boost even though owners are proposing a drop in the player's share of revenue.

He said the owners need more money to cover rising costs for international ventures and infrastructure projects such as new stadiums.

"You have to invest in these stadiums that we're in today," Goodell said.

"You need to find new ways of creating revenue, whether it's international or otherwise. And that takes investment. And we need to make sure that the owners have the capital to be able to do that. And then the pie grows, and everyone benefits." [READ]