Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
Redux PicturesQ: Why did the Bears wait all this time with Lance Briggs? Why wouldn't they have just re-signed him last year and avoid all the hard feelings from this season?
— Angie, Chicago
A: The Bears would have loved to have re-signed Briggs a year ago. But both sides needed for Briggs to be a free agent before they could be certain of what his true market value was. Once Briggs got on the open market and discovered he was not going to be paid as much as some of the other premier free agents, he decided to accept the Bears' offer.
Q: Are the Browns really settled on Derek Anderson as their quarterback of the future? What are they going to do with Brady Quinn?
— Drew, Akron, Ohio
A: The beauty of the Browns' situation is they don't have to declare their quarterback of the future. They can let things play out. If Anderson builds on his performance last year, improves his game and stays healthy, it will be difficult to unseat him. But if he falters or is unavailable because of injury, he will give Brady Quinn an opportunity to be the team's quarterback of the future. If Quinn gets that opportunity, he will have to take advantage of it in order to take over. Whoever the Browns ultimately decide on will have to have earned the position. Unless, of course, neither quarterback does.
Q: I read your column about free agency. Please tell me what distinguishes a left tackle from a right tackle and why are they "locking up" the left tackles?
— Terry Breckenridge, Centennial, Colo.
A: The left tackle typically goes against the best pass rusher the defense has to offer and has to protect the right-handed quarterback's blindside. So he has to be more athletic and more quick-footed than the right tackle. There are fewer really good left tackles than there are right tackles, so when a team has one, it usually makes sure that player is going to stick around awhile.
ALSO ON THIS STORY
Q: Who is currently the fastest man in the NFL?
— Hank, Alexandria, Va.
A: There is a difference between track speed and football speed. The players most likely to win a track meet would be Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt, Baltimore Ravens returner Yamon Figurs or Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall. But the fastest on the field would probably be New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss or Bears return man Devin Hester.
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
 | Special feature |
Who’s in demand NBCSports.com highlights NFL free agents who will be highly sought after starting Friday. NBCSports.com |
 | Slideshow |
 | Super Bowl XLVI shots See the best moments before, during and after the Giants' win over the Patriots more photos |
Latest from ProFootballTalk |
 | Video: Football from NBC Sports |
 Getty Images |
| Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
 | Slideshow |
 |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
