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Alex Smith takes a shot at Cam Newton, Vince Vaughn gives his take on the NFC North, and the 32 crew debates what the Chargers' record will be this season.

The Patriots show they are dedicated to defense in 2012, Herm reminds us who the Jets' "backup" quarterback is, and it looks like the Vikings will get their new stadium.

Mort sees big things for the Chiefs this year, Cris Carter elaborates on his bounty comments, and the 32 Crew has some advice for Adrian Peterson when he returns from knee surgery.

Mort and Suzy discuss the possibility of the Vikings moving to Los Angeles, Pete Carroll describes what kind of players he wants on the Seahawks, and Cris Carter has a different perspective on concussions in the NFL.

The 32 crew debates which team is most likely to trade up to the No. 3 pick in the draft, Wes Welker on the best wide receiver in the NFL, and where Luke Kuechly is most likely to land in the first round.

Bengals free-agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson received a three-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Relatively speaking, Simpson couldn't have asked for a better resolution to his legal situation or his discipline from the NFL.

Simpson fared better than most expected after having about two pounds of marijuana shipped to his northern Kentucky home in September. Many presumed the NFL would suspend Simpson at least four games.

This comes in the same month he was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years' probation for a felony charge. Simpson had struck a plea agreement for 60 days before a judge reduced the jail time.

While the Bengals should part ways with Simpson because of this baggage, his future with the team likely will be determined by the draft. The Bengals have three of the first 53 picks in this week's draft and could use one on a wide receiver to take Simpson's role as the No. 2 wide receiver. If the Bengals don't draft a wide receiver early in the draft, it should increase his chances of coming back to them.

Simpson, 26, recently visited the Minnesota Vikings, but this doesn't rule out his return to Cincinnati. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis sent a letter in support of Simpson to the judge before he was sentenced to 15 days in jail. The Bengals said in a statement after the hearing that they believe Simpson "has, and will continue to, deal accountably with the consequences of his actions."

He has been a disappointment as the Bengals' second-round pick in 2008, but he is coming off his most productive NFL season. After 21 catches in his first three seasons, Simpson set career highs in catches (50), yards (725) and touchdowns (four), which included a sensational somersault flip into the end zone.

There is increasing buzz that the Kansas City Chiefs might try to find a way to draft Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill is considered a draft riser. The Chiefs have closely investigated him in recent weeks, and because the team doesn’t think it has many pressing holes, the time might be right to grab a quarterback. I think the Chiefs will draft a quarterback early in the draft, but Tannehill is the only attainable quarterback available who could challenge to take Matt Cassel’s job away. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Tannehill could eventually make the Chiefs a special team .

Getting Tannehill might not be easy. The Chiefs would be extremely lucky if he fell to them at No. 11. The more likely scenario would require the Chiefs moving up to get him.

There has been a lot of speculation that the quarterback-needy Dolphins will take Tannehill at No. 8. New Miami offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was Tannehill’s college coach.

So, if the Chiefs really want to get Tannehill, they might have to jump up to No. 7. However, Cleveland could also take Tannehill at No. 4. Last week, Colts’ owner Jim Irsay tweeted that Tannehill is a draft gem, and teams might have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Eagles and Seahawks might be among the teams interested in trading up to take Tannehill.

I’m not sure the Minnesota scenario will be necessary to get Tannehill, but quarterbacks create unique scenarios.

Moving from eight spots from No. 11 to No. 3 would cost multiple first-round picks, and that might be too pricey. However, if Tannehill is on the board at No. 7, Kansas City could try to move ahead of the Dolphins and take him for a much more reasonable price. The Jaguars have the No. 7 pick.

Will another salary-cap casualty in Oakland end up in Kansas City?

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora is reporting that tight end Kevin Boss will visit the Kansas City Chiefs. He was cut by the Oakland Raiders this week as the team purged big salaries given by the late Al Davis last year.

The first big Oakland cap casualty this year, Stanford Routt, signed with the Chiefs last month.

News of Boss; visit in Kansas City shows how important finding another tight end is for the Chiefs. They want to add another weapon to Tony Moeaki, who is expected to be back at full strength after missing all of last season with a torn ACL in his knee.

The Chiefs brought John Carlson to town Tuesday night. But he departed first thing Wednesday morning for Minnesota because the Vikings were offering him a big deal. He later signed with the Vikings.

A Moeaki-Boss combination could be strong for the varied Kansas City offense if both players can stay healthy. Boss was often banged up last season and he only had 28 catches for the Raiders. Yet when healthy he has shown he can be a receiving weapon.

Seattle tight end John Carlson decided to cut his trip to Kansas City short and head to Minnesota. He will likely sign with the Vikings on the trip.

The Chiefs were hoping to pair Carlson, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, with Tony Moeaki, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. The Chiefs are expected to host right tackle Eric Winston and running backs Mike Tolbert and Peyton Hillis on Wednesday.

In other AFC West news:

Tennessee owner Bud Adams told a local television station that the team will meet with quarterback Peyton Manning and he expects Manning to make a quick decision. The Broncos are one of the teams interested in Manning. The Broncos have been very quiet in free agency despite having $38 million in salary-cap room. It is clear the Broncos are waiting to see what Manning will do.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Chicago safety Brandon Meriweather was planning to visit Denver, but will now first visit Washington. The Broncos want a veteran safety.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Matt Birk has been named a Pro Bowl center six times. He has been a part of eight playoff teams.

But the achievement that epitomizes Birk as a person was given to him tonight -- the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. It recognizes his work on and off the field.

Birk has represented reliability among NFL linemen, starting 96 consecutive games. That the NFL’s second-longest active streak among centers.

This doesn't come close to the impact that he's made in the community. Birk's "Ready, Set, Read!" program, an initiative of his H.I.K.E. Foundation (hope, inspiration, knowledge and education), reaches close to 100,000 children in the Baltimore area and motivates students to read at home through an incentive-based system.

He also continues to be an advocate for concussion awareness and prevention and has pledged to donate his brain and spinal cord tissues to a Boston University medical school program that studies sports brain injuries.

"I am honored and truly humbled to be named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year,” Birk said. “This award is not about the recipient, but rather a celebration of the decades-long tradition of NFL players using their unique platform to touch lives and make a positive and lasting impact in the communities in which they work and live."

Birk added, "Walter Payton left a legacy that went beyond the playing field. He continues to be an inspiration and example of what a complete NFL player should aspire to become. I am grateful to have played for two organizations, the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens, which encourage and support their players' community efforts. I have always considered it a privilege to play in the NFL and serve the communities that support our game."

Other finalists for the award were Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Bears cornerback Charles Tillman.

As the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, Birk will receive a $20,000 donation in his name to his favorite charity. He will be recognized on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow before the kickoff of the Super Bowl.

Birk said Friday that he will make a decision in a couple of weeks on whether to retire or return to the Ravens.

Reggie McKenzie is turning many stones.

It seems, at least once a day, a new name emerges in the new Raiders general manager's search to find a head coach in Oakland. Tuesday night, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Raiders have sought permission to interview Mike Tice — only recently promoted to the Bears' offensive coordinator position after a stint as the team’s offensive line coach.

Like Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg – whose name has surfaced as another candidate McKenzie will interview – Tice is a former NFL head coach. He led the Vikings from 2002-05.

Below is a list of the six candidates who have reportedly had or will have interviews. Keep in mind that several Green Bay assistants, including linebackers coach Winston Moss, may surface as well.

Coach	Position	Comment
Dennis Allen	Broncos defensive coordinator	Did a tremendous job with the Broncos defense in 2011.
Todd Bowles	Former Dolphins interim coach	Considered a young defensive coaching star.
Pete Carmichael	Saints offensive coordinator	He’s 40, but considered a future coaching star.
Mike McCoy	Broncos offensive coordinator	A prime candidate in Miami.
Marty Mornhinweg	Eagles offensive coordinator	He’s from the Mike Holmgren coaching tree.
Mike Tice	Bears offensive coordinator	Considered a premier offensive line coach

A look at the picking order for the 2012 NFL draft, which begins with the first round on Thursday, April 26, and continues through Saturday, April 28.

A few thoughts on the Washington Redskins' disappointing 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in their final home game of the season:

What it means: The Redskins have lost at least 10 games for the third season in a row, and much of the good feeling that accompanied last week's victory over the New York Giants has to have ebbed a bit. This was a Vikings team whose star running back and rookie quarterback left the game with injuries, and the Redskins' defense was nonetheless powerless to stop backups Toby Gerhart and Joe Webb.

Credit where due: Jabar Gaffney had six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown to continue a very strong season that hasn't received much attention because of the circumstances in which he plays. If he's a Redskin next year, he'll be an asset to whoever they use at quarterback. He's up to 919 receiving yards for the season.

Another rookie runner: With Roy Helu hurting, Mike Shanahan gave the start at running back to Helu's fellow rookie, Evan Royster. And Royster did a lot to back up the notion that running backs are interchangeable in the Shanahan offense. He had 132 yards on 19 carries and gives the Redskins and their fans another thing to feel good about as they look ahead to what they might be able to piece together on offense next year if they can get a quarterback.

Something had to give: The battle of the interception streaks went to the Vikings, who picked off a Rex Grossman pass in the fourth quarter. That broke a streak of nine consecutive games in which the Vikings' defense had not intercepted a pass. And it extended Grossman's personal streak to 11 straight games with at least one interception. Grossman had a fine statistical game otherwise, completing 26-of-40 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

What's next: The Redskins will try to match last season's win total when they finish their season next Sunday afternoon against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

As you get ready for this afternoon's home game against the Minnesota Vikings, here's one reason for Washington Redskins fans to feel good and one reason for concern.

Feeling good: If there's one team in the league that seems uniquely unable to take advantage of Rex Grossman's biggest flaw, it is the Vikings, who have gone nine straight games without intercepting a pass. Grossman has a streak of 10 games in a row with at least one interception, so something's got to give there. Minnesota can rush the quarterback fine, but its weaknesses in the secondary are stunning. So if the Redskins' offensive line can keep Jared Allen and the Minnesota pass rush off of Grossman, he could have a big passing day.

Cause for concern: Adrian Peterson. The best thing the Vikings have going for them on either side of the ball is the best running back in the league. He's been limited by injuries in the second half of this season, and he looked rusty last week, but as long as he's healthy he's a problem for any team that struggles -- as the Redskins have for much of this season -- to stop the run. If Peterson allows the Vikings to control the game on offense, that could be the best way for the Vikings to keep the Redskins' offense off the field where they can't hurt them.

Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints' 42-20 victory against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Mall of America Field:

What it means: The Saints improved to 11-3, marking their third straight season with at least 11 wins, a franchise record. The Saints held onto their lead in the NFC South and can control their own destiny by winning their next game. More importantly, the Saints also kept pace in the race for the No. 2 seed (San Francisco is 10-3 going into Monday night’s game against Pittsburgh) in the NFC playoffs, and the more chances they have for home playoff games, the better their shot at the Super Bowl will be.

What I liked: A lot of people have said the Saints aren’t a good road team. But for the second week in a row, they’ve gone on the road and come away with a win after some early adversity. Granted, beating the Vikings might not be as impressive as defeating the Titans last week. But once the Saints got past a few early mistakes, they dominated the game.

What I didn’t like: Sean Payton’s decision to go for an onside kick when the Saints had a 14-6 lead in the second quarter. It didn’t work and the Vikings scored a touchdown to close the lead to 14-13. It never got closer than that again, so there’s no real need to dwell on the decision to go with the onside kick. Plus, Payton sometimes has a tendency to out-think himself or be a little too aggressive. Maybe it’s a good thing he got that out of his system now, rather than in a game in which a controversial call could end up haunting him.

Another milestone: Drew Brees threw five touchdown passes. That gives him 37 for the season. His previous career high was 34, which he reached in both 2008 and 2009.

What’s next: The Saints host the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 26 in a "Monday Night Football" game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Let’s go ahead and declare it the “Game of the Year’’ in the NFC South. If the Saints win, they will be the NFC South champion for the second time in three seasons. These teams have developed a great rivalry in recent years and the Saints won in overtime when the teams played in the Georgia Dome earlier in the season. That game involved a controversial decision by Atlanta coach Mike Smith to go for it on fourth-and-inches. The Falcons will be out for revenge, and they look like they’re a better team now than they were earlier in the season. Then again, I think the Saints also have gotten better as the season has gone on.