There was a mild hubbub in January when the 11-win Jaguars had to travel to the 10-win Steelers -- a team the Jags had beaten just before that in Pittsburgh -- for the wildcard playoff game because the Steelers had won their division. The Jaguars, despite their 11 wins, finished second in the AFC South to the Colts.

So yes, tradition aside, why do division winners gain the higher seed in the playoffs than teams who win more games? Because Robert Kraft said so?

Well, no, but it is done mostly out of tradition. I understand the idea of divisions fostering rivalries and creating direct competition with a small group of teams within a larger one. All that makes sense to me. And I suppose there should be some sort of reward for winning a division. But make it a tiebreaker; don't make it the end-all-be-all edge for a home playoff game.

Everyone knew the Jags were better based on the previous matchup and deserved a home game. Sure, it was a close contest that the Steelers could have won, but I think it was that close because the game was in Pittsburgh.

The owners didn't show enough support on this item, so they tabled it at the league meetings down in Palm Beach. They probably won't change it until something drastic happens -- it's the reactionary nature of the NFL, and it's the way it has been done for years. Things aren't changed until after injustices have happened. But oh well ...

In case anyone is interested in what Roger Goodell said, here was his take on the matter, discussing whether the issue might be revived (he would have preferred the word "revisited" is my guess) at some point:

"Well, I don’t know if it’s reviving it. The focus that I said to the Competition Committee is: what are the alternatives that we have to make sure that every game we play is as competitive as possible? And that we give our teams incentive to win. That’s what we’ve been focused on.

"The reseeding is something that we’ve talked about for several years, as you know. I think the debate was good. The debate was really with a focus towards — whatever perspective you came from — it was about the fans. It was about what’s in the best interest of the fans. I think the playoff side of it was really focused on postseason, and I’m really focused to a large extent on how we make the regular season the most competitive we can."

Read that headline with your best Hawk Harrelson voice. Chicago people know what I am talking about.

Chris Henry is no longer a Bengal. The team cut him today. Here's the team's announcement ...

The Bengals today waived WR Chris Henry. Bengals president Mike Brown issued the following statement:

“Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated.

“The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career.  We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL. We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time we tried to help a young man.

“But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team.”

My last take: Love the choice of words ... "forfeit." 

Let the rumors and speculation begin ...

Is Brett Favre thinking about playing next season? For another team? Say it ain't so.

The Los Angeles Times' Sam Farmer, a heavy hitter in our business, is reporting that league sources have said that Favre quietly is angling to return to the league and would consider playing for another team. 

Among my readers, Kazman is the one I expect to be most excited about the news.

Forget whether you think it's a good idea. I assume most of you don't think it is. Let's play armchair GM for a minute ... who would be interested? There's a one-year gig open in Miami, which would be fairly close to home and plenty warm for his old bones. Atlanta offers the same kind of amenities. Both are bad teams with jobs open. Who do you think would he fit best with? 

That is, assuming there is truth to this rumor. Let the fun begin. 

So last night I got word through Bengals PR man Jack Brennan to Carson Palmer that George Clooney is a Bengals fan. I was as stunned as you are. Anyway, I got about 25 minutes to chat with the actor and director of "Leatherheads" about the project -- and much more.

You can read the Q&A with Clooney here. And later I will post my Q&A with Rick Reilly, now of ESPN, who wrote the script with another Sports Illustrated scribe years and year ago. It has finally been made into a movie, and Rick had some funny and interesting things to say about it.

Never was able to hook up with John Krasinski, and it's probably a good thing for his sake after what Clooney told me about his hoops game. 

So Michael Vick is a quarterback again -- we think. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Vick is playing QB in the prison lot, though corrections authorities would neither confirm nor deny the report.

A real-life Paul Crewe, eh? When I chatted with George Clooney the other day about Leatherheads, both Vick and the original "The Longest Yard" came up separately ... and before this report came out.

Clooney insisted that "Longest Yard" was more of a prison movie, and who am I to doubt Clooney on motion picture history? And when I asked him what current NFL player -- we stretched the definition of "current" a touch -- might make for an interesting biopic subject, he offered up the talented but troubled Vick, which surprised and impressed me.

And it seems our movie project (look for it to hit theatres in the fall of 2014, written by me, directed by George) now has a third act with Vick's second career. Terrific! I wonder what Burt Reynolds thinks of all this ... maybe he could play the role of Dan Reeves in our movie.

So it's of no surprise to me that Brett Favre is hinting at his availability, but I am starting to think this is bordering on selfish behavior here.

Brett Favre retired from football. I realize he is the master of his domain, but last time I checked this is a team sport. And if Brett's as loyal to the Packers as he said he is, I would think he would have considered the team -- the only one he's known since 1992 -- as well as himself when he made this decision.

And now, he should consider his former teammate, Aaron Rodgers. It would be different if Rodgers was a fourth-round pick and just happened to be the lucky guy who is listed second on the depth chart. No, he was a first-round pick. The Packers paid him good money to be their quarterback. He basically has this season to prove himself and earn a second contract from the Packers. This is a crucial time for him.

Brett says he recognizes Rodgers' opportunity and that he would only be tempted in coming back if Rodgers got hurt. Well unfortunately, the spectre of Brett hasn't been dispelled, not even close, with that pronouncement. Now, we'll hear about how Favre is one phone call away every time Rodgers throws a bad pick or loses a game with a so-so fourth quarter.

To me, that's selfish. If you think there's a chance you are going to leave the game, tell the team you are thinking about retiring and let them know they might have to make contingency plans. Michael Strahan was considering retirement up until August last year. And yet, I feel what he did was far less unfair than for Favre to tease his old team and the fans with the notion that he (easily) could be talked into returning.

Am I wrong here? I love Brett, but this bothered me. 

That's a pretty obvious statement, considering the reports that have come out about the Dolphins negotiating with Jake Long and, to a lesser extent, Vernon Gholston.

Spoke with someone close to the situation right after I left the office today, and they told me Bill Parcells decided on his two guys, ruled everyone else out and -- this part is my speculation -- got an early jump on negotiations and allowed the story to get out.

Why? Again, just my guess here, but I think Parcells, Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland, in their diligent homework on Matt Ryan came to like the kid very much. They just didn't love him enough to use the top pick. And when it was clear there was no trade market, they moved forward on Jake Long and Gholston. This give Ryan's camp the heads-up that he will not be headed to Miami. Did they owe that to him? Not really. But I think it was one sliver of the reason why the word got out on the other guys being in play.

It's interesting, too, that these are the reported top favorites of the Rams, who pick second, but I highly doubt that's much more than coincidence. The Rams could take Gholston, but Glenn Dorsey, now that he's basically been cleared medically, would work too. The Rams' medical staff has a reputation of being very conservative over the years, and as a result the team has passed on some players they feared were not healthy. Those red flags were smart in some cases, but in others it prevented the team from drafting some good players.

Meanwhile, what happens now to Ryan?

You'd be right if you said the Falcons need a quarterback. And though I have no inside info on this, I am starting to wonder if they will take Ryan. My gut says no right now, though I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

What about the next five teams? The Raiders, no. The Chiefs? Hey, do not rule them out -- taking Ryan might buy Carl Peterson another year, and he might be at that point of desperation considering that roster. But it's far from a lock, either. The Jets? Interesting, but no.

Now, the Patriots hold a very interesting position. People I have talked to think they might not get the defensive player they want at seven -- either Gholston, Dorsey or Chris Long, and I wouldn't be shocked if they are not in love with the latter (more on this later). So what if Ryan falls? All of a sudden, the trade market opens wide up.

The difference in signing bonus between the first and seventh pick is about $15 million, so teams are far less concerned about moving up to that spot as opposed to No. 1. All of a sudden, you have to wonder if the Panthers or Bears would get involved at that point. Maybe the Pats can convince the Ravens, below them at eight, to give them their fourth-rounder (No. 106 overall) to swap places and get their franchise QB. After all, it was just five years ago that the Patriots and Ravens made a Draft Day deal that involved their last would-be QB, Kyle Boller. Of course, that one didn't work out so well for the Birds ...

But you get the idea. Ryan's "slide" will be a very interesting story to track over the next couple of weeks. I don't think he'll get past eight, and if he did you'd think one of those teams in the mid-teens. But boy, if somehow they passed, could we see another Aaron Rodgers situation?

That opens a whole other discussion -- which team that doesn't need a QB right now might draft a sliding Ryan? We'll cross that bridge if/when it comes. 

So I can't tell you everything we talked about, but Donovan McNabb called in yesterday to catch up on a lot of things -- what he thought about the Eagles pursuing Randy Moss, the whole Kevin Kolb saga last season, the Eagles' Super Bowl chances this year, his new workout regimen and some other stuff.

He's a funny, engaging guy -- always has been. But I can tell you this: Donovan seems very focused. I think the Eagles will surprise some people this season, although why anyone would be surprised that the Eagles are not competitive two seasons in a row is beyond me. Andy Reid is a good coach, theres some talent on their roster and I think they'll be very active on Draft Day.

The bulk of the interview I had with McNabb will run in this year's season preview magazine, which I believe has an on-sale date of June 3. And I touched on some of the workout stuff in this week's Eagles Way We Hear It item that was put up this morning.

But below, I will supply you with a few things that slipped between the cracks that show Donovan's candor and humor -- and shed some light on where he's at in his career. Enjoy ...

PFW: What were your thoughts when you saw the Giants win the Super Bowl?  As a fellow QB who has faced his share of doubters, were you a little happy for Eli Manning in a way?

DM: (long pause) No. (laughs) I’ll say this: I turned into a fan. Not only do I play football, but I enjoy watching it. I have always said I enjoy watching college football more than the NFL, but that’s the regular season. Playoff time, you’ve got to love it. And I love watching the Super Bowl. I remember talking to Michael Strahan all throughout the season pretty much and seeing those guys be able to move on and win the Super Bowl, it was good for them. David Tyree, one of my receivers [at Syracuse], I was happy for him. Pretty much, what he wanted to do was to be recognized as a receiver and not just as a special teamer, and he made the Pro Bowl as a special teamer. And then you look at guys like Eli, and he had been pretty much getting dogged all year, all throughout his career, with people saying what he wasn’t able to do. And then for him to lead them to a Super Bowl championship, now all of a sudden people love him. It’s like night and day. I am happy for him. I remember actually three days prior to the Super Bowl, I was going to dinner and saw Eli’s mom, dad and his fiancée and I talked to Archie, who said, ‘He’s cool. He’s nervous, but he’s cool.’ I know Archie because my rookie year, I went to a Colts-Titans game, the playoff game. Marvin (Harrison) was one of my receivers [in college], so I went to go support him. Archie was sitting there, biting every part of his fingernails off. He gets that tied into the game when his sons are playing. So I mean, I asked him, ‘Do you have any fingernails to bite?’ He said, ‘I just about bit them off in the NFC championship. When you play the game, and now you’re watching it, you get tied into it. And I was happy for him.

PFW: What was the Eagles’ offense missing last season?

DM: No question it was consistency. And that was the case not just for the offense but as a team. When you lack consistency, we felt like we could get the job done as a team. We prepared, but we just weren’t able to put it together. That right there puts you in a bad position from the start. I thought that if the offense was playing well, the defense couldn’t really get it done. When the defense was playing well, the offense really wasn’t clicking the way we needed. In all phases of the game, we need to be clicking, and it’s something we’re obviously looking forward to proving this year.

PFW: Who are you closest to on the Eagles?

DM: Yeah, I am real cool with the janitors, the cooks. (laughs) You know, Brian Dawkins is a guy that, I think he and I are the quarterbacks of the defense and offense, and we’re a part of the elder statesmen, trying to make sure the young guys are prepared. We both try to show by example. He’s more of a vocal leader than I am. Usually when Dawk speaks  — and he’s energetic — you let him go. If I begin to say something, people let me go. They are not used to me saying it the way I would say it when I raise my voice. You’ve got to change it up; a change of pace is good. But Dawk and I, we’re good friends.

I know many of you are crushed at today's announcement. Anyway, here is the story from the NFL:

Bryant Gumbel has decided to give up his duties as the play-by-play voice for the NFL Network’s eight-game package of NFL games, NFL Network announced today.  Gumbel served as the play-by-play announcer for NFL Network’s Thursday and Saturday Night Football games for the past two seasons.
 
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to call NFL Network games the past two years, which was a new experience for me,” said Gumbel.  “But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions. There are a lot of talented people at NFL Network. I thank them, I wish them well, and I have no doubt that they will be very successful going forward.”

Gumbel, who has won multiple Emmy awards throughout his distinguished career, teamed with Cris Collinsworth the past two seasons on the NFL Network games. NFL Network will begin a search for a new play-by-play announcer to work alongside Collinsworth immediately.
 
“We appreciate everything Bryant did in helping us launch our NFL Network game telecasts,” said NFL Network President and CEO Steve Bornstein. “Bryant helped create interest in our first foray into televising NFL regular-season games. He is one of the great broadcasters of our time and we are honored to have worked with him.”

Passing on this note from the NFL PR staff:

NFL Network’s NFL Total Access 2008 Schedule Release Show sponsored by GMC, has been extended to two hours for the announcement of the National Football League’s regular season playing schedule.
 
The show will air Tuesday, April 15 at 2:00 PM ET and will encore at 6:00 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET. NFL.com will make available the entire league and team-by-team schedules and feature show clips throughout the day.  

We'll be sure to get you some intriguing items from the 32 teams' schedules and exploit them right here when everything is announced.