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While Ryan McBean's fight with the NFL is over, D.J. Williams is continuing his battle.

The Denver Post reported that McBean has agreed to drop his lawsuit against the league and his NFL suspension has been dropped from six games to three. Denver released McBean last month. He signed with the Ravens on Monday.

Both McBean and Williams were suspended for six games for using a banned substance earlier this offseason. Both players immediately decided to sue the league to get their suspensions overruled. The paper reports Williams is continuing on with his lawsuit.

It is not clear if Williams was offered to have his suspension reduced in exchange for dropping the lawsuit as McBean did.

Williams is one of Denver’s better defensive players.

In other AFC West news:

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Tennessee is visiting with cornerback Drayton Florence on Wednesday. The Chargers are highly interested in Florence. He spent his first five NFL seasons in San Diego. The Chargers want him to be their nickel cornerback. He was cut by Buffalo last week.
• Atlanta cut fullback Ovie Mughelli. Denver may be among the teams interested in adding a fullback.
• The Raiders signed center Colin Miller. He was in Pittsburgh’s camp last season. He faces an uphill battle to make the Raiders’ roster.

Oakland strong safety Tyvon Branch reportedly will sign his franchise tender Monday and he is expected join the team in its offseason workouts.

NFL Network reported that Branch will sign the tender guaranteeing him a salary of $6.2 million in 2012. The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Branch in March.

Branch and the team are trying to come to terms with a long-term deal. They have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal. If the deadline passes without Branch signing an extension, he will play for the franchise tender amount. He is due to be a free agent in 2013.

UPDATE: The Raiders announced Monday afternoon that Branch has signed his tender.

In other AFC West news:

Former Denver defensive tackle Ryan McBean has signed with Baltimore. He is facing a six-game NFL suspension for using a banned substance.

A long-expected pairing is likely to occur.

Oakland will visit with and is expected to sign Matt Leinart to be Carson Palmer’s backup quarterback, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This is no surprise. Leinart played for Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and as soon as Leinart was cut this offseason, we’ve been expecting a reunion. Plus, Leinart was Palmer’s backup at USC and they remain close. Both share a bond as Heisman Trophy winners.

I am not surprised at all that Leinart and not Terrelle Pryor will be the backup. Pryor is still very much a developmental quarterback. Plus, he wasn’t taken by this regime. They must watch and work with Pryor before putting him one play from becoming a starter.

In Leinart, Oakland has an experienced player who you can count on in a pinch. Most importantly, he is a player who is comfortable in Oakland’s system.

In other AFC West notes:

• Oakland third-round pick Tony Bergstrom is married to the sister of Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger.
• Ronnie Hillman played for Snoop Dogg’s traveling youth team in Southern California as a youngster.
• San Diego second-round pick, defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, was a receiver in high school. He is now 295 pounds.
• Kansas City third round pick, tackle Donald Stephenson, is from Kansas City. His reaction to getting chosen by the Chiefs? “I’m speechless,” the Oklahoma product said. “I love the Chiefs. I’ve always loved them. To have a chance to play in my hometown is huge.”

Peyton Manning recently signed a five-year deal with the Denver Broncos. Yet, at 36, Manning probably has three good years left before Denver must re-assess their future.

In an Insider piece ,Todd McShay writes there is a perfect developmental prospect available in this draft for the Broncos -- Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler.

The 6-foot-7 Osweiler has a big arm, but he is raw and he needs time to learn the game. He’d have time and top-notch mentoring from Manning. The Broncos are clearly in accordance with McShay on Osweiler. The team’s brass has studied him and I think he could be a target of the team in the third round if he is available.

Meanwhile, here are several of the Jon Gruden quarterback camp videos. Check out the videos of Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Osweiler and Kirk Cousins. The Chiefs and Broncos have been linked to these players.

In other AFC West news:

NFL.com reports the Ravens will be working out quarterbacks Kyle Boller and Dennis Dixon. Boller was Oakland’s backup last season and he is not expected to be back with the Raiders in 2012. Dixon visited Denver a few weeks ago. The Broncos still have some interest in Dixon.

ESPN The Magazine offers a wonderful look at Manning’s process in free agency and the special mentorship he leaned on during the trying time. It’s a worth a check.

Oakland coach Dennis Allen talks about what he is looking for from young quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

As expected, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Chargers have not talked to the retired Ricky Williams. He told a radio station this week he’d consider coming out of retirement for the chance to play for his hometown Chargers. He recently retired from the Ravens. Even if the Chargers wanted Williams, it wouldn’t be that easy. The Ravens still own his rights.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay explains why he thinks the Chargers will look at an offensive lineman with the No. 18 pick.

The Chiefs are continuing to look at quarterbacks when they visit with Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler. They are looking at other top-rated quarterbacks as well.

Pittsburgh receiver Jerricho Cotchery will reportedly visit the Rams. He also has visited the Chiefs.

Here are some thoughts on the San Diego Chargers signing former Kansas City Chiefs' fullback Le'Ron McClain to three-year deal and on the team setting up a visit with Denver Broncos free agent receiver Eddie Royal:

• The McClain addition could be a sign that the Chargers are out of the Mike Tolbert talks. He is visiting in Kansas City. Tolbert wouldn’t necessarily be replacing McClain in Kansas City and the same could be true with McClain in San Diego. UT San Diego reported this week that practice squader Frank Summers would replace free agent fullback Jacob Hester. If Hester is brought back it would be as a backup and as a special teamer.
• McClain, who is a cousin of Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain, is a tough leader and a good blocker. He played in all 16 games last season as a Chief. He had 15 carries and 14 catches. The former Raven had 902 yards on 232 carries in Baltimore in 2008. But he has had a total of 89 carries in the past three seasons combined.
• Either way, McClain is a solid, tough addition to San Diego’s offense.
• As for Royal, I can see why San Diego is interested. It needs another receiver and the pickings are getting slim. Royal, who was reportedly close to signing with Washington to reunite with former Denver coach Mike Shanahan earlier in free agency, can help as a slot player and as a returner.
• Royal excelled under Shanahan as a rookie and I think Norv Turner would find a way to make him useful. A rotation of Malcom Floyd, Robert Meachem, Vincent Brown and Royal would be a pretty nice group for Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers to work with.

The San Diego Chargers entered the offseason with getting a top pass-rusher as one of their biggest needs.

Within the first 24 hours of free agency, San Diego secured an outside linebacker. However, in former Baltimore linebacker Jarret Johnson, San Diego didn’t get a dynamic pass-rusher, but it got one of the better run-stopping outside linebackers in the NFL. The team announced Johnson has agreed to a four-year deal.

Johnson, 31, was an underrated part of the Ravens’ defense for the past nine seasons. His last defensive coordinator in Baltimore was Chuck Pagano, who is the brother of new San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano.

Don’t expect Johnson to improve the Chargers’ pass rush. He has 20 career sacks, four in the past two seasons and his highest single-season sack total is six. But he should improve the defense as a whole.

The Chargers will likely try to draft a pass-rusher early in next month’s draft. One possibility could be Kamerion Wimbley if the Raiders cut him.

UPDATE: Here are the thoughts of Scouts Inc’s Matt Williamson on the Johnson addition:

“He’s tough guy from a great defense in Baltimore, but also was also did benefit from all the great players around him there. But no doubt. Johnson is a fantastic run stopper. He takes away the edge as well as any outside linebacker in the league. But he isn’t much of a pass rusher. I would imagine that he gives way to Antwan Barnes on throwing downs opposite Shaun Philips.”

We have a theme developing in San Diego.

Apparently, the Chargers believe the answers to their problems will be corrected in-house. In a lightning-fast process, the Chargers promoted within for the position what will be their biggest leadership change of the offseason.

Hours after firing defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, the Chargers promoted linebacker coach John Pagano.

The Chargers clearly had their eye on Pagano. There was no rush in this hire. But I got the feeling coach Norv Turner wanted to make this move. Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were given a reprieve Tuesday. They hope this move helps San Diego get back to the playoffs after a two-year absence. Pagano is the fourth defensive coordinator in Turner’s six seasons in San Diego.

Pagano, the brother of Baltimore defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, has been on the Chargers’ staff since 2002. He was reportedly headed to UCLA to become the defensive coordinator there. However, he was a favorite of coach Turner and Pagano is well liked by San Diego’s players.

The last time the Chargers promoted a linebackers coach to defensive coordinator it was a brilliant stroke by Turner. Ron Rivera was promoted during the 2008 season. The Chargers were the No. 1 defense in the NFL under Rivera last year before he went to Carolina as head coach.

The Chargers slipped to No. 16 in the league this season.

Don’t expect the Chargers to change much under Pagano. They should continue to run a 3-4 defense. Pagano knows his personnel well. They key is to get more out of his players than Manusky did and to get better.

“We’re going to go out and play fundamentally sound defense,” Pagano said in a statement released by the team. “It’s still about tackling the guy with the football and getting after the quarterback and covering people downfield. We’re going to do what we need to do to help the Chargers win football games.”

The Chargers need to add at linebacker and at safety for starters as they try to improve the defense under yet another coordinator.

Here are some areas the San Diego Chargers need to focus on after a 34-14 win over visiting Baltimore on Sunday:

Recap: The Chargers have to be one of the most maddening teams in the NFL. As it stands now, no one would want to meet this club in the postseason. The Chargers are finally playing exactly how we thought they’d be playing. They destroyed a top AFC team on Sunday night. San Diego has beaten its past three opponents by a combined score of 109-38. The problem is that time is running out for the Chargers, who are 7-7. That’s what happens when teams go on six-game losing skids. Digging out of a hole is nearly impossible. Still, there is a chance. San Diego will win the AFC West if it wins its next two games and Denver loses its next two games. The Chargers also have an outside chance for the wild card.

Biggest area to fix: The only thing San Diego needs to fix right now is the past, and that’s impossible.

Biggest area to build on: The Chargers had seven sacks Sunday. Linebacker Antwan Barnes had four sacks himself. San Diego’s pass rush has been hit-and-miss this season, but it was dominant on Sunday and set the tone for the blowout.

What to watch for: Can the Chargers continue to dominate Saturday in Detroit? The Lions are also in playoff contention.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Chargers are protected contractually regarding injured left tackle Marcus McNeill. He hopes to recover from a season-ending neck injury by next year. However, if he doesn't, the Chargers will be able to move on.

There could be major flux on the line next year because of injuries and the pending free agency of star center Nick Hardwick.

In other AFC West nuggets:

There is huge media interest in Sunday’s Patriots-Broncos game. The Broncos said this game is the most credentialed regular-season game since the new stadium opened in 2001.

The Kansas City Star looks at whether former Denver coach Josh McDaniels could be a fit as the new coach in Kansas City.

Oakland fans, you need to check this one out. Look at how coach Hue Jackson gets ready for games. You nailed it, coach.

Yes, Tebowmania had made it to the presidential trail. Republican candidate Rick Perry cited Tebow as an inspiration during a debate. Meanwhile, Tebowing didn’t work out so well for some New York students. I know. You just can’t make this stuff up.

Meanwhile, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco appears a tad annoyed by the national attention Tebow is getting.

The Kansas City Chiefs took a flyer on potential dominant left tackle. In the end, Jared Gaither has been cut without starting a game for the Chiefs.

The team announced the release of the massive Gaither (Profootballtalk.com first reported it) Tuesday. He could now possibly catch the interest of two AFC West teams.

While Gaither is a big name, the move really doesn’t affect this team much. The Chiefs didn’t have much invested in him and he wasn’t playing many minutes, even though there were packages for him. He did play in 10 of the Chiefs’ 11 games.

The Chiefs’ ideal plan was to bookend him with Branden Albert, but it become clear that Gaither -- a star-in-the-making in Baltimore before a back injury kept him out all last season -- was not up to speed for the Chiefs to make him a full-time starter.

Gaither also committed a key penalty in the Chiefs' loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

It will be interesting if San Diego or Oakland considers claiming Gaither. San Diego is missing six injured offensive lineman including starting left tackle Marcus McNeill. There aren’t any better available options than Gaither.

I don’t think he’d be as big of a priority for the Raiders. The Raiders brought in Gaither this summer, but had concerns about his back. Gaither played for Oakland head coach Hue Jackson in Baltimore.

San Diego has claiming priority over the Raiders based on team record.

UPDATE: The Chiefs signed tackle David Mims to the active roster to take Gaither’s place. He was on the practice squad all season. He is an undrafted free agent from Virginia Union. Mims is 6-foot-8, 336 pounds.

A Kansas City radio station reported that Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli was prepared to fire coach Todd Haley had he not led his team back from a 17-0 deficit at Indianapolis last week. The team has denied the report. The Chiefs are 2-3 after starting 0-3. I think if Pioli really wanted to axe Haley he would have done it when his team was winless. Haley’s future could be re-assessed after the season or if they go on another long losing streak. But right now, Haley should be lauded for having his team play so hard in a difficult season.

NFL.com is reporting one of the people the Raiders are exploring for their potential general manager job is Baltimore executive Eric DeCosta. He is considered one of the brightest young executives in the game. Any wish list of general managers usually does – and should -- include his name. It is considered unlikely he’d leave the Ravens.

ESPN’s Rick Reilly offers a must-read on the late Al Davis.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers had a humorous response when asked about the Chargers’ less-than-impressive performances while compiling a 4-1 record.

San Diego general manager A.J. Smith talks about the importance of overcoming injuries.

Kansas City rookie pass-rusher Justin Houston is starting to turn it on. If Houston can produce a constant pass-rush, it will immensely help star pass-rusher Tamba Hali.

The Chiefs are denying a report that there is a naming-rights deal in place for Arrowhead Stadium. I know the current world makes name rights a necessary evil in the sports world. But Arrowhead Stadium is such a great, tradition-rich name. The only way I could accept a change is if Arrowhead Water bought the naming rights. Too perfect, right? Yeah, It’d probably never happen.

In a radio interview, Raider’s CEO Amy Trask talks about this emotional week.

Here is an Insider look at the top half of a shaky first round of the 2009 draft. There is a strong AFC West presence, although it is not pretty.

It is not a shock that the San Diego Chargers and receiver Vincent Jackson did not reach a new deal before Tuesday’s deadline to sign franchised players passed.

Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata signed a long-term extension Tuesday. He was the 10th of the 12 franchised players (including Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali and Oakland Raiders linebacker Kamerion Wimbley) to sign a long-term deal. Only Jackson and Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai did not agree to terms. They are set to be free agents in March.

San Diego can’t discuss a long-term deal with Jackson until after this season. This move was expected.

The Chargers have long planned to let Jackson play for the franchised deal. They want to see how he does this year and they want to see if he can stay out of trouble off the field before making a long-term commitment. Simply put, San Diego hasn’t decided what it will do about Jackson. It could always put the franchise tag on him again in February.

But if Jackson continues to play like he did Sunday at New England, it could sway the Chargers to lock him up for the long term. Jackson had 10 catches for 172 yards in San Diego’s 35-21 loss to the New England Patriots.

The health of new Kansas City tackle Jared Gaither has been in the spotlight lately.

The Chiefs’ website reported he practiced on a limited basis Tuesday. He missed the past week after practicing right after he signed with the Chiefs.

Gaither missed all of last season in Baltimore with a back injury and the Raiders declined to sign him last month after they gave him a physical. The Chiefs gave him a one-year deal. Gaither told me last week he was 100-percent healthy. Kansas City coach Todd Haley told the team’s website that the team is bringing Gaither along slowly and he is on schedule.

“I’ve been pretty clear that where he was coming from we knew that it was going to take a little time in a number of different areas, mentally and physically,” Haley said. “But, for right now, the work is being done, for the most part, on the physical side of just trying to get him physically ready to go where he can hold up to the rigors of a season.”

Haley has been taking a slow approach for the entire team because of the lost time due to the lockout. It’s not a shock that Gaither is being brought along slowly.

The Chiefs know what type of talent Gaither has and they will give him the time to get ready. I think the only way he doesn’t make the team is if the Chiefs are convinced he can’t help them at any point this season.

Random thoughts from the Chiefs’ 31-13 loss at Baltimore on Friday night:

Kansas City was more interested in playing football than it was in a 25-0 loss to Tampa Bay last week. The Chiefs have been taking it slow in training camp because of the lockout and Kansas City coach Todd Haley treated the first preseason game like a training-camp day. Friday night, the Chiefs’ competed like they were actually in a game.

The score didn’t get out of hand until late when the Ravens -- who knocked Kansas City out of the playoffs then saw coach Jim Zorn and players Kelly Gregg, Le'Ron McClain and Jared Gaither join Kansas City this offseason -- scored three touchdowns in the final 7 minutes, 15 seconds of the game.

After the game, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Haley was not pleased.

“I want to apologize to the Chiefs if they feel like we were not doing the right thing at the end of the game,” Harbaugh said. “That wasn’t the mindset, OK? The mindset was -- this is the preseason. If this had been the regular season, we would’ve been on a knee. The idea in that situation is to give those young guys who work hard and who are trying to make a football team -- this football team or another football team -- to play the whole 60 minutes and give them a chance to show what they can do. Offensive line, running backs, everybody.”

My thoughts? Do what you want, coach Harbaugh. Get your team ready the way you see fit. My solution for coaches who think the score is being run up on them has always been this: Stop the opponent from running up the score and the score won’t be run up on you.

Haley indicated he wasn’t bothered by the Ravens’ late scoring flurry.

“I just control what we do,” Haley said. “There are probably guys out on the field that may have had limited opportunity. Coaches get very limited opportunity to evaluate (players) so their coach has to do what he has to do to get his team ready just like I’m trying to do what we have to do to get ours ready.”

Anyway, Haley appeared pleased with his team’s overall effort.

“There were bright spots across the board with our team,” Haley said. “Defensively, it appeared we made progress in some areas. Offensively, I want to be fair to all the guys. We’re really working hard on the fundamentals of football. We’re not over-exotic right now. We’re not scheming to make plays. Sometimes that’s frustrating for all of us.”

Backup quarterback Tyler Palko played well. He executed a nice two-minute drill at the end of the first half, which resulted in a touchdown. If Palko keeps this up, the Chiefs might not look for a veteran to backup Matt Cassel.

For those expecting the Chiefs to bring clarity to the Jon Baldwin situation, think again. Haley only referred to it as “family business.” Baldwin reportedly got into a fight with veteran Thomas Jones and Baldwin hurt is wrist, putting him out for the preseason. There was a report that his thumb is a bigger issue than the wrist, but since the Chiefs aren’t talking, that can’t be confirmed at this point.

Cassel was 6-of-14 passing for 73 yards. Yet, he threw some nice passes and looked solid overall. He didn’t throw a pass in last week’s game.

Running back/receiver Dexter McCluster accounted for 71 yards of total offense on seven touches. He showed what a dynamic role player he can be.

Top receiver Dwayne Bowe had a nice game with three catches for 43 yards.

The Chiefs' offensive line needs to tighten up. Baltimore had five sacks.

Rookie pass-rusher Justin Houston had a nice game. He had two sacks and forced a fumble on special teams. This guy can play.