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NFL.com reports Jacksonville will be strong players for Tim Tebow in the trade market. Jacksonville is his hometown and new Jacksonville owner Shahid Khan has said he would have drafted Tebow in the 2010 draft.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported Jacksonville, Green Bay, Miami and the Jets all have interest in Tebow. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said a deal could be done Wednesday or Thursday.

As expected, Colts’ tight end Jaocb Tamme and center Jeff Saturday are set to visit the Broncos. Both played with new Denver quarterback Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.

UT San Diego reports Kansas City running back Jackie Battle has left his visit with the Chargers without a contract. The Chargers are considering four players to replace Mike Tolbert as the backup running back. Meanwhile, the paper is reporting defensive lineman Luis Castillo has been offered a contract to return. He has also visited the Chiefs and New England.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos are working to get a deal done with defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. He is a priority in Denver and I think re-signing him is a must. New Orleans is in on Bunkley as well.

The market for Oakland running back Michael Bush -- the best available free agent in the AFC West in my mind -- continues to plod along.

There has been some talk that the New England Patriots could join the list of teams interested in Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.

Josh McDaniels, who drafted Tebow in 2010, is now New England’s offensive coordinator. If the Patriots do pursue Tebow, I think Denver should inquire about third-string quarterback Ryan Mallett. The Patriots picked Mallett in the third round last season after he tumbled in the draft.

I’ve been asked about a possible Mallett-Tebow trade often and I think it makes sense for the Broncos. The Broncos will likely look for a veteran to back up Peyton Manning (Billy Volek, anyone?) and for a young quarterback to groom. Like Manning, Mallett is a good, strong-armed quarterback. Like he did in New England last year under Tom Brady, Mallett could learn and grow under Manning.

Manning should be a solid starter for at least the next three years. Mallet would have plenty of time to study the game from perhaps the most detail-oriented and intelligent quarterback of all time.

Mallett is not going to be in the Patriots’ immediate plans, so if they wanted to get in on Tebowmania, he would be a worthwhile price. If the Patriots were to offer Mallett for Tebow, I’d think the Broncos would have to consider it. I don’t see them getting many better offers.

People close to the situation expect there could be some clarity in the Kamerion Wimbley situation in Oakland this week.

He could be cut if he doesn’t restructure his contract. From what I hear, Wimbley would be open to being creative with a new contract but he is not interested in a pay cut. If a new agreement can’t be reached, Wimbley would likely be cut; there would likely be a strong market for the pass-rusher. I could see both San Diego and Kansas City being interested in him.

Denver running back Willis McGahee recently asked for a pay raise, according to the Denver Post. The Broncos aren’t interested in giving him one and he apparently isn’t interested in holding out.

Add the Jets to the list of teams that may make a play for Raiders’ free-agent quarterback Jason Campbell in free agency. Kansas City could show interest as well. Campbell is not expected to remain in Oakland because his injury-replacement, Carson Palmer, is the team’s starter.

The Boston Globe thinks San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson may be a top target in New England. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.

NFL Free agency starts four weeks from today. We will be discussing possibilities often leading up to it.

Recently, I received a mailbag question from David G. of Topeka, who asked if I think New England free-agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis would be a good fit in Kansas City.

Yes, David, I do. I could easily see The Law Firm practicing in Kansas City in 2012. The Chiefs will likely be looking for a running back to pair with Jamaal Charles, who is coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 2. Veteran Thomas Jones likely won’t be brought back and while Jackie Battle likely could have a future in Kansas City, an upgrade may be needed.

A Charles-Green-Ellis pairing would work well in Kansas City. Green-Ellis, 5-11, 215 pounds, is a reliable, solid back. While Charles is a game breaker, Green-Ellis is the type who can wear down a defense and set up Charles. Green-Ellis, 26, had 667 yards on 181 carries and he scored 11 touchdowns. In 2010, Green-Ellis had 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns.

I asked Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. if he thought Green-Ellis would be a good fit in Kansas City, and he was a fan of the notion.

“Yeah, I like that,” Williamson said. “He is far from spectacular and he has very little big-play flair, but BJGE is very reliable and tough. He’s a big-bodied running back to complement what Jamaal Charles brings to the table.”

Also, don’t discount the New England connection here. Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli was in New England when it signed Green-Ellis as an undrafted free agent. He played with Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel in his rookie year in New England.

The Chiefs have $62 million in salary-cap room and will be able to do a lot of things. Giving Charles a solid backfield partner like Green-Ellis would be an affordable, smart move by Kansas City.

Here are a few notes from around the AFC West:

• The Boston Globe reports former Kansas City guard Brian Waters will take a few weeks to decide whether he will retire. Waters was an anchor on New England’s offensive line this season after being cut by the Chiefs during the summer.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Washington will consider signing Kansas City quarterback Kyle Orton in free agency. The Chiefs have expressed interest in re-signing Orton and allowing him to compete with Matt Cassel for the starting job.
• A Kansas City columnist is not sold on the Chiefs’ decision to hire Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator.

UPDATE: The Chiefs have formally announced the hiring of Daboll. Here are my thoughts on the hire when it was first reported.

• A Denver columnist likes the idea of Peyton Manning playing in Denver.

Denver quarterback Tim Tebow visited the Super Bowl media center on Thursday and was a major attraction. He made all of the rounds.

One of his stops was a visit on "The Scott Van Pelt Show." He discussed Tebow-mania, his whirlwind season and his relationship with Denver leader John Elway among other things.

Tebow talked to Skip Bayless to discuss the impact of his religious beliefs and his status with the Broncos moving forward.

Tebow told the Denver Post he is healing from injuries he suffered in a playoff loss at New England on Jan. 14. Tebow reportedly suffered rib, chest and shoulder injuries but managed to finish the game. He is not expected to miss any the team’s offseason program because of the injuries.

Prior to hitting the media center, Tebow appeared on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Meanwhile, the Florida product believes the NFL is a lot like the SEC.

In other AFC West news Thursday afternoon:

Former Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez said he plans to play one more year. Again.

There is a solid AFC West presence on Mel Kiper Jr.’s top 20 rookie list, which is an Insider piece.

Former Oakland practice squader Sterling Moore apparently wasn’t impressed with his time with the Raiders. The rookie cornerback is preparing to play in the Super Bowl with New England.

Brian Waters couldn’t be happier with his decision to join the New England Patriots.

But as the 12-year NFL veteran prepares for his first Super Bowl, he will allow himself to reflect about his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the early part of the last decade, the Chiefs were considered to have the best offensive line in the NFL. Along with Waters, the unit was anchored by fellow guard Will Shields and left tackle Willie Roaf.

While Waters will be in Indianapolis this week to prepare to face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, Shields and Roaf will be awaiting to see if they will be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Shields and Roaf are among the 17 finalists for election into the Canton, Ohio museum. The vote will be held Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl.

Waters didn’t need to be reminded of the connection.

“I’ve already thought about it,” Waters said in a phone interview. “It’s going to be a special time for all of us. We all have an opportunity to accomplish something we’ve all worked so hard to get. I’m really glad I’m able to share this week with those guys. We were a special group.”

It has to please Chiefs fans to see that Waters is carrying a piece of his Kansas City past with him as he readies for the biggest game of his life. Waters will go down as an all-time great Chief. After as signing as free agent in 2000 (the undrafted Waters was on Dallas’ practice squad in 1999), Waters became a stalwart in Kansas City. He made six Pro Bowls as a member of the Chiefs, including last season. Extremely charitable off the field, Waters won the prestigious NFL Man of the Year award in 2009.

However, Waters was cut by the Chiefs during the summer. Waters said it was a mutual decision that worked out well for both sides. There were rumblings that the Chiefs no longer thought Waters was a starting-quality player and that’s why he was cut. Waters said he never got that feel. If there were any questions about Waters’ abilities, he answered them in New England. He made the Pro Bowl again and he was widely considered one of the best guards in the NFL at the age of 34. He was dominant in the win over Baltimore in the AFC championship game.

Five weeks lapsed between Waters being cut in Kansas City and him signing with the Patriots. Waters said there were times when he wondered if he wanted to continue his career, but a lack of offers wasn’t a problem. “The phone rang every day,” he said. Once the he got the right call, Waters grabbed his shoulder pads.

“This was the right play place for me,” Waters said. “I’ve enjoyed this year so much it’s been a very smooth transition for me and now we get the chance to play the game that I’ve always wanted to play in.”

Could Waters imagine hoisting the Lombardi Trophy a day after his close friends punch a ticket to Canton?

“That would be unbelievable.”

New gig: Allen was hired as the Raiders’ head coach Tuesday night.

Previous job: He was the defensive coordinator in Denver for the past season.

Age: 39. Allen will be the NFL's youngest active head coach — six months younger than Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin.

Coaching history: From 2002-10, he was an assistant in Atlanta and New Orleans.

Playing history: He was a standout safety at Texas A&M and earned an invitation to Buffalo’s training camp in 1996.

Known for: He is an aggressive, smart coach who has seen several players develop under his guidance.

Did you know? New England coach Bill Belichick is the only other active NFL coach who was hired directly from a division rival. He was with the Jets prior to joining the Patriots in 2000.

There was an AFC West connection to one of the biggest plays of championship Sunday.

Sterling Moore’s short NFL career started in Oakland.

Moore put himself in the NFL spotlight Sunday when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Baltimore’s Lee Evans in the end zone in the final moments of a New England win. Had Moore, who was beaten on the play, not made the second effort, the Ravens very likely would be playing in the Super Bowl.

Yet, it will be Moore and the Patriots who will face the New York Giants on Sunday.

It will be a wild end to a strange six months for Moore. The SMU product signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent. Moore was a training camp star for the Raiders, who were and who still are in need of cornerback help. Yet, Moore ended up on Oakland’s practice squad only to be released from the eight-man squad in September.

New England signed Moore to the practice squad in October and he made his NFL debut in November and has seen a lot of action at both safety and cornerback.

It would be easy to say the Raiders made a mistake with Moore, but he won’t be the last NFL player to find success after being cut. Still, if Oakland had a chance to revisit the Moore decision perhaps it would have kept him.

Philip Rivers will have two more familiar weapons at his disposal in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson and running back Ryan Mathews have been named to the AFC Pro Bowl team. Jackson replaces New England’s Wes Welker and Mathews is subbing for Baltimore’s Ray Rice.

Jackson had 60 catches for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns. Mathews had 1,091 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

San Diego safety Eric Weddle and tight end Antonio Gates are also on the team. It will be interesting to see how many times Rivers, Mathews, Jackson and Gates will be on the field at the same.

NFL.com is reporting that the Indianapolis Colts want to interview former Minnesota coach Brad Childress for their head-coaching opening. Here’s another name the Colts should consider: Hue Jackson.

If Childress is on the Colts’ list, Jackson – who was fired last week after one year at the helm in Oakland – should be, too.

Jackson wasn’t fired in Oakland because he can’t coach. I think Jackson, 46, is one of the bright, young offensive coaching minds in the league. His work with Oakland’s offense the past two years shows how capable a coach he is.

His problem in Oakland was that he took on too much power after the death of owner Al Davis — and that he talked too much. But those are issues he can quickly resolve. The Colts have a strong power structure in which Jackson would simply be asked to coach. And whether the Colts’ quarterback in 2012 is Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning, Jackson would be a good leader for either.

Jackson is a candidate to be the offensive coordinator in St. Louis. If he gets that job and the Rams offense rebounds in 2012, Jackson will likely be a hot head-coaching candidate next year. Still, if the Colts are looking at a retread like Childress, they might as well take a gander at Jackson, who’d still be the head coach in Oakland under the right circumstances.

In other AFC West news:

The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that former Carolina secondary coach Ron Meeks has been offered the Chargers’ secondary coaching job and he is expected to decide by the end of the weekend. Meeks would replace Steve Wilks — who went to Carolina to work for former Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who is now Carolina’s head coach.

The Raiders denied a report that new Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie has hired former Raider Sean Jones as assistant general manager. The team's search for a new head coach continues, meanwhile; Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was reportedly set to interview Friday.

The new coach in Miami could further increase the chances of Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll ending up in that role with Kansas City. Daboll worked in New England with new Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel.

Von Miller is going to have to pay for losing his temper in a losing effort.

The NFL fined Miller, according to a league spokesman, $7,500 for unnecessary roughness in Denver’s 45-10 loss at New England in an AFC divisional playoff game Saturday night.

Miller -- the No. 2 overall draft pick and a leading candidate for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award -- lost his cool after New England quarterback Tom Brady punted on third down late in the game. Miller shoved New England’s Dan Connolly seemingly without being provoked. That started a melee that spilled over to the New England sideline.

Miller was fined at least $47,500 in his rookie season. He was fined $25,000 for a November hit on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez just weeks after being fined $15,000 for a hit on Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Denver quarterback Tim Tebow suffered his first significant injuries of his NFL career at the start of the third quarter of a 45-10 loss at New England in the AFC divisional playoffs.

Schefter reports Tebow tore cartilage on his first rib where it attaches to his sternum, bruised his lung and had fluid buildup in his pleural cavity. Tebow finished the game and he is expected to be able to begin the offseason training program on time.

Here are some thoughts on the situation:

He proved his toughness: This, no doubt, reaffirms his teammate’s faith in Tebow. For him not to leave a lopsided game (Denver was trailing 35-7 at the time of Tebow’s injury), likely bought him a lot of respect in the locker room. Tebow has always had the respect of his teammates for his work ethic, his passion and his reckless style of play.

But staying in a game after suffering a significant injury takes it to a different level. Tebow could have easily packed in it, but he refused to leave the game with the injury and in wicked, cold conditions. It’s another sign to Denver’s players that Tebow is totally sold out for the team.

No Pro Bowl: The injury very likely takes Tebow out of the mix for a Pro Bowl spot. He is the second alternate on the AFC team. Quarterbacks often drop out, so Tebow may have had an opportunity to go. But there is likely very little chance he’d be cleared to play in the game at this point.

ESPNChicago reports the Raiders won’t interview new Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice until Tuesday. That is an indication that the Raiders are not in a hurry to make a hire. There have been six reported conducted or planned interviews and more could be added to the search.

More than 34 million viewers watched the Patriots’ 45-10 win over Denver on Saturday night. It was the highest-rated late Saturday night divisional game of all time.

San Diego owner Dean Spanos had a chat with Chargers fans Tuesday. He expressed how important fans are to the team in the conference call.

The New York Daily News is reporting former Chiefs coach Todd Haley is not expected to join the Jets staff. He was talking to the Jets and also talked to the Cardinals.

The idea of getting a second chance has long driven Romeo Crennel.

Getting back in the head-coaching chair he fought so long and hard to get into in the first place, has fueled Crennel -- long respected as one of the NFL’s best defensive minds -- since he was fired as the head coach in Cleveland in 2008 after four seasons.

Now that he has secured that second chance, Crennel said he hasn’t had much time to reflect on the opportunity. He is too busy diving into his role as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Time spent congratulating himself on achieving his goal would be time wasted.

“I have 1,000 things to do to get this thing going,” Crennel said. “This is an opportunity that I want to take advantage of … I am happy to get that second chance and there were times I didn’t think it would happen.”

Thus, when the door opened for Crennel, his determination to earn a second chance was evident. Crennel, who took a season off after being fired in Cleveland, became the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator in 2010. When he was named the interim coach after the Chiefs fired Todd Haley with three games remaining this season, there was talk Crennel had a chance to become the permanent coach.

In Crennel’s first game as the head coach, the Chiefs knocked off the Packers. It was Green Bay’s only loss of the regular season. After losing in overtime at home to the Raiders in Week 16, the Chiefs won in Denver in a game the Broncos could have clinched the division title outright with a win. Talk about taking advantage of an opportunity.

Kansas City conducted some other interviews after the season, but the inevitable happened Jan. 9 when Crennel officially got his second chance. At the age of 64, Crennel wasn’t exactly counting on being a head coach again. He is now the second-oldest active head coach in the NFL behind the New York Giants’ Tom Coughlin, who is 65.

Now that he has received his second chance, Crennel is determined to prove he isn’t another name in the “good coordinator, bad head coach” bin.

Crennel, who was bypassed by six teams in 2003 after interviewing for head-coaching jobs when he was the Patriots' defensive coordinator, was 24-40 in Cleveland. The Browns did go 10-6 in 2007 under Crennel, but didn’t make the playoffs.

“We had a 10-win season there and I knew we did some good things there,” Crennel said. “I want to prove what we can do given this opportunity.”

Crennel said he has already applied lessons learned in Cleveland in his short time in Kansas City. Crennel’s first act as the interim coach was to replace quarterback Tyler Palko with Kyle Orton. Crennel struggled with a quarterback controversy in Cleveland between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. He was determined to avoid one this time.

Another reason Crennel is fueled for his second chance is he knows he is in a better situation. He acknowledged that the talented Chiefs’ roster is better than the roster he inherited in Cleveland.

“This is a passionate group of players,” Crennel said. ”We want to develop a good team chemistry and we think we have a good nucleus here.”

It starts with Crennel. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has said one of the reasons he hired Crennel is his competitive nature. Hunt was impressed when Crennel told him he wanted to be the Chiefs’ head coach because he wanted to win the Super Bowl.

If the performance of the Chiefs' players under Crennel in the final three games of the season is any indication, they are ready to make a Super Bowl run under Crennel’s guidance.

“I represent four players on the team,” said Joe Linta, Crennel’s agent. “All four of them are thrilled that Romeo got the job. His players love him.”

Crennel is known for his genial way and his patience. Crennel is a steady hand, who is always there for an encouraging word. His four Super Bowl rings (one with the Giants and three with the Patriots) earned as an assistant coach doesn’t hurt his credibility, either.

“I’ve been very fortune to be around some great players and great coaches like Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick,” Crennel said. “I have had a long history and I wouldn’t change anything as I prepare for this job.”

There is a strong chance this will be Crennel’s final job. It has been an incredible journey for the Lynchburg, Va., native who played offensive and defensive lineman at Western Kentucky. As he begins his second chance, Crennel reflected on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this week. Crennel was a 20-year-old college student when King was killed.

“It was an emotional time.” Crennel said. “As a minority, I was worried about the progress Dr. King made would be stopped because of his death, but the movement kept going and I’m sure he would be very proud of it. I’m pleased it kept going and I’m very appreciative of every chance I’ve gotten because of his hard work.”