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Thanks to the blog editors for picking me up on the breakfast links Tuesday. There was just no way. But I'm back! For today, at least, and we resume our daily trip around the division through the eyes of others. Curious to get your thoughts: Do we keep doing the links in order of division standings right through the offseason, or is there some point at which it makes sense to go back to doing them alphabetically? These are the things that keep me up nights, you know.

New York Giants

It turns out that not one but two Giants tight ends tore ACLs in the Super Bowl. The Giants announced Travis Beckum's during the game and Jake Ballard's on Tuesday while they were parading up the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan. It's unlikely either will be ready for the start of the 2012 season, so expect this to be an area the Giants address in the draft or in free agency.

Osi Umenyiora says he plans to "party for a month" and not worry about his own Giants future. With a year left on a deal about which he was so publicly sour a year ago, you'd have to think he'd want out. But in the wake of his second Super Bowl title, Umenyiora's saying all the right things, including, "It is not going to be on me," which made me wonder if he means he's done complaining about his contract and asking for trades or if he's just speaking literally to the fact that he's under contract for another year and it's up to the team to decide what to do with him.

Philadelphia Eagles

Trent Cole says the Eagles were "inches away from being great, being a dominant team" in 2011, and that he thinks "some teams are going to be worried about" playing the Eagles in 2012. Any or all of those things could be true, but in this humble reporter's opinion, it might be a nice idea for the Eagles to have a quiet offseason from a talking standpoint.

If the Eagles part company with DeSean Jackson, I think it'd make some sense for them to take a wide receiver with the 15th pick in the draft. Sheil Kapadia examines the wisdom of such a move and takes a look at the recent success (or lack thereof) of first-round wide receivers.

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo will be playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend with Tiger Woods, who thinks highly of the Cowboys' quarterback as a golfer. I put this in here because I know how much you guys like to read about Tony Romo's golf game.

In case you missed it the other day, SportsCenter had a debate about which team that missed the 2011-12 playoffs has the best chance to win Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans next February. Tim Hasselbeck said the Cowboys, Herman Edwards said the Eagles. It begins!

Washington Redskins

Mike Jones believes the Redskins are interested in a pursuit of Peyton Manning, assuming he's healthy. But he ponders the question of whether Manning would want the Redskins back. Mike Shanahan has talked a lot about the importance of improving the group around the quarterback -- in particular wide receiver and the offensive line. If he's planning to try and woo Manning, he should be ready to show him how he plans to do that.

Brian Mitchell remembers the days when the Redskins didn't take pride in beating the eventual Super Bowl champion but rather in being the eventual Super Bowl champion.

In the little time I've spent with Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen, it's obvious that he has an affinity for the club's glorious past. But it doesn't seem like he's trying to rely solely on his famous father to give him credibility in Washington.

He simply appreciates the great Redskins of the past, in part, because he grew up next to a lot of them. And that gives him a unique perspective as he attempts to bridge the gap between former players and the current regime. Mike Wise of the Post talked to a couple of the more outspoken former Redskins about Allen's efforts in a column Tuesday. It appears that Allen's initial efforts are already paying dividends. Brian Mitchell, who has been highly critical of his former team over the years, said he received an invitation to an alumni gathering at Redskins Park recently.

"[Allen] made it clear he wanted to reunite the burgundy-and-gold family, which has been fragmented," Mitchell told Wise. "Hell, I've seen it fragment. They used to reach out to a certain group of guys that told them what they wanted to hear. I can't say that right now. This feels like a sincere attempt to reconnect with their past in a good way."

If you've ever listened to Mitchell on the radio, you know that he doesn't often take a conciliatory tone. I'm sure Allen's lineage gives him a home-field advantage in his efforts, but he still has work to do. Owner Dan Snyder has done some notable things from a charitable standpoint, but he's never endeared himself to fans. In fact, his aloof persona has always overshadowed the fact that he's a passionate fan of the organization. I didn't agree with Hall of Famer John Riggins when he said Snyder had a "dark heart" during a television interview, but it speaks to how disenfranchised some former Redskins feel. Allen aims to help repair some of those relationships.

"Our job, as current employees, is to respect the history," said Allen in Wise's column. "The reason we have fans is the great performances of the players and coaches and the fans before. We didn't create this magic last year or the year before, or this year. It's everyone who came before us.

"So I do believe we owe more than a debt of gratitude to the players that came before us."

So should we expect to see LaVar Arrington and Snyder to share a hug in the coming months? Well, I wouldn't hold my breath for that reunion. But I do think Allen's gone a long way in repairing some of the damage. And you'd be amazed what 10 wins could do for the relationship with fans.

I'm wondering if it's important for you guys to see Allen reaching out to some of the former greats? Would that give you more pride as a Redskins fan? Please show your work in the comments section.

For some reason, Redskins coach Jim Zorn has been stuck on Antwaan Randle El as a punt returner. The Washington Post's Dan Steinberg has compelling evidence that Randle El might be the least effective punt return man in the league. Steinberg listened to both Brian Mitchell and Joe Theismann go off on Randle El on Monday:

Brian Mitchell: "See, I have to go to Jim Zorn," Mitchell said on Comcast SportsNet's Postgame Live. "Because Jim Zorn has stated many times, Randle El is back there because of his sure hands. We've watched him drop one off the face mask, one off the chest, and he let numerous balls hit the ground. The first sin as a punt returner is to let the ball hit the ground. Pete Rodriguez -- one of the greatest [coaches] I've ever had, Wayne Sevier, all those guys would lose their minds."

Joe Theismann: "In every sunny day there's usually one little cloud that sits out there, and for us, it's Antwaan Randle El returning punts," Theismann said on ESPN 980 show. "He averages 3.9 yards a punt return. I will say this in all humility: I could do that. OK? As a matter of fact, I have done it. And I've done it better. I catch the football. This isn't an "I" thing, this is an I don't know what's going on in management, when it comes to putting Antwaan Randle El back returning punts. He dropped a second-down pass, hit him right in the hands. Muffed a punt again. You know, in a game that was close, we would all be clamoring about what Antwaan did. Now it just sort of gets overlooked....It's amazing to me, you cut Shaun Suisham because he misses two field goals, and yet you insist on allowing someone that has no production whatsoever to do a job returning punts."

Here's more from Theismann: "My God, how bad is Antwaan Randle El returning punts," he said. "Just FYI, in 1974 I returned punts and averaged 10.4 yards. Here's Antwaan Randle El the last two years: 6.5 in '08, 3.9 in 09. He's at 10.4 [combined]. I would never say that I could do something better than someone, but I can. Or I could, let's put it that way. And again, that to me is the biggest mystery that the Redskins have, that they're faced with. Why do you continue to make this decision? As a coaching staff, when you make this decision, what you're doing is you are sending a message to the other players that you are not putting the best people out there to do their job. And that is not the job of a coaching staff. And again, this is not personal. This has nothing to do with him. Terrific player, hard-working guy, great team guy. It's just that as a punt returner, Antwaan Randle El is not getting the job done. My golly, you cut Shaun Suisham for not getting the job done, the least you can do is find somebody back there who can make an impact on special teams."

By the way, Zorn indicated on his radio show today that Devin Thomas will be in the mix on punt returns the rest of the season. And if anyone can scrounge up some footage of Theismann, returning punts, I'd love to see it.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Cowboys

• Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway thinks Jerry Jones already has "seller's remorse" in regards to Terrell Owens.
• You had to know Herschel Walker would make it big in the meat processing industry.
• Jeff Kaplan of the Star-Telegram says fans love the new Cowboys Stadium. 

Eagles

• Jason La Canfora, now with NFL Network, reports that big spending doesn't necessarily lead to playoff wins. No surprise at all that Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder rank Nos. 1 and 3 in terms of most actual dollars committed to player salaries from 2004-08. (Hat tip to the Eagletarian). 
• The Moving the Chains blog is surprised that only one Eagles player made Pete Prisco's coveted top 50 list at CBSSports.com. McNabb checked in at No. 49. Only seven players from the Beast made the list -- and the great Justin Tuck barely made it in at No. 50.
• Donovan McNabb paid tribute to the late Michael Jackson on his blog. 

Giants

• Giants linebacker Danny Clark enrolled in broadcasting school this offseason. 
• As first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Roger Goodell is reviewing the Plaxico Burress situation. 

Redskins

• Bob Cohn has an interesting story on Mike Williams' weight loss. At one point, he was well on his way to being a half-ton.
• Former Redskins return specialist Brian Mitchell lost his gig with Dan Snyder's radio station. 
• Paul Tenorio talks about the situation at linebacker heading into training camp. And, yes, the Redskins Insider lives on without La Canfora.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Earlier today, I asked you guys to come up with an all-decade defensive team for the NFC East (2000-present). And as always, the response was overwhelming. Here's the all-decade story, which was written by NFC West stalwart Mike Sando. Three members of the team -- CB Troy Vincent, DE Michael Strahan, CB Champ Bailey -- spent their best years in the NFC East.

Now, let's take a look at what you guys came up with for our NFC East all-decade team. Many of you included players on offense, which is fine. Here's a sampling of what you guys wrote:

PiccoloKu9: If we were talking about eight games, I'd definitely take Portis

Padr321:

QB: Donovan McNabb
RB: Tiki Barber
WR: T.O. Amani Toomer
TE: Jason Witten
OT: Runyan and Thomas
G: Larry Allen and Shawn Andrews
C: Shaun O'Hara
DE: Strahan and Ellis
DT: Glover and Simon
LB: Ware, Pierce and Trotter
CB: Vincent and Bobby Taylor
S: Dawkins and Sean Taylor (RIP)
K: Akers
P: Feagles

JMick1215: I think Donovan McNabb would have to be the QB on this team, as he has been the most dominant over the past decade. I understand some would like to argue that he is not the current best QB in the division, but over the last decade as a whole, I don't see how there is any argument!

Zrots21:

QB: Donovan McNabb
RB: Tiki Barber (he did it longer; more durrable than B. West)
FB: Madison Hedgecock
WR1: Terrell Owens (Sad but true)
WR2: Plaxico Burress
TE: Jason Witten
LT: Tra Thomas
LG: Larry Allen
C: Shaun O'Hara
RT: Jon Runyan
RG: Chris Snee (Andrews probably more talent/now playing RT)

DT: Corey Simon, Fred Robbins
DE: Greg Ellis, Michael Strahan
LB's: Demarcus Ware, Carlos Emmons, Antonio Pierce (Can't have two MLB)
CB's: Troy Vincent, Champ Bailey
S: Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor
PR: Brian Westbrook
KR: Brian Mitchell
P: Feagles
K: Akers

bigdjosh: Wow I wasn't going to post today, very slow and hung over from a weekend in the pool and drinking... but this is just nonsense!!

Ware is the MOST complete OLB (in the 3-4) and would be the the MOST complete DE (in the 4-3) hands down!!! He rushes the passer with the force of Reggie White, he has the speed and spin move of Charles Haley. If you watch Cowboys games he is regularly coming all the way across the field and running the running back down for a tackle. The weakest part of this game is his dropping into coverage. However, that improves year to year and he is MORE than decent at it now. He said after his rookie year that it was his major weakness and works to better it every offseason.

Anyone who thinks Ware is NOT a complete OLB simply doesn't watch him enough to know! every analist would tell you he is NO QUESTIONS!!!

mosley: I just read all 255 comments. That's 45 minutes I'll never get back. Let's do it again tomorrow -- when we announce the all-decade offense. All my best!

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Have any of you been monitoring this shouting match between former Redskins running back/returner Brian Mitchell and current running back Clinton Portis? D.C. Sports Bog (featuring Dan Steinberg) does a nice job of breaking down the bizarre exchange.

And here's the classic audio from Portis' appearance on Mitchell's radio show. Don't the Redskins have a game this weekend? With the distractions offered up by Chris Cooley's nudity and Portis' radio dispute, I've sort of lost sight of what's going on. Jimmy Z has his work cut out for him this weekend.

OK, in 45 minutes you'll be reading my debate with AFC North blogger James Walker over who's the better quarterback: Tony Romo vs. Ben Roethlisberger. I'll give you two guesses which side I'm taking.

Please remember to tip your blog editors.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

• Nick Fierro says the Eagles are attempting to put the "special" back in special teams. Quintin Demps and DeSean Jackson are bringing back memories of the Brian Mitchell era -- but it's still early. Personally, I enjoyed the vastly underrated Reno Mahe era.

• WR Kevin Curtis doesn't think his sports hernia was as severe as Donovan McNabb's and L.J. Smith's. But he's not going to rush it, according to the Reading Eagle.

• DT Dan "Glecko" looks like a lock to make the team. Pretty remarkable story when you consider that the Eagles were hoping to use Klecko as a fullback.

• Ashley Fox has a fun story about the one day of the week players have off.

• So what do Eagles coaches do on Tuesdays? And here's what defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is thinking on Mondays.

• Geez, could someone give Ashley a day off? She has another column on what it's like to sit through an Andy Reid news conference.