ESPN Columnists

Steelers' no-huddle looms large 3 days ago

Baltimore beat the Broncos by using a smart defensive strategy and a healthy dose of the no-huddle offense. Look for Pittsburgh to use a similar strategy in Denver on Monday night, writes John Clayton.

Division races lack usual sizzle 4 days ago

Looking forward to some heated division races? Well, you might have only a couple worth watching in the second half of the season, John Clayton writes in his latest mailbag.

The pressure is on the Packers October 29, 2009

A Vikings victory would mean the Favre decision cost the Packers a shot at the division title for a second consecutive year, John Clayton writes in his weekly First and 10 column.

Pine time or prime time for QBs October 28, 2009

Midseason dictates some of the worst offenses consider switching quarterbacks. Sometimes it's not the best idea to change signal-callers, John Clayton writes in his latest mailbag.

Source: Lions agree with Ciurciu October 22, 2009

The Lions agreed with linebacker Vinny Ciurciu on a one-year deal, a source tells ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Vikings-Steelers: Expect a thriller October 22, 2009

Expect a thrilling conclusion to the Vikings-Steelers game -- thanks in part to leaky fourth-quarter defensive play -- John Clayton writes in his weekly First and 10 column.

Dealing Jets deserve high marks October 21, 2009

The Jets were the big winners of the 2009 trade season, John Clayton writes in his latest mailbag.

Source: Cutler to make $30M in deal October 20, 2009

The Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler agreed to a two-year extension that will keep him with the team through 2013 and pay him $30 million in new money, a source confirmed Tuesday night.

Expect Quinn, T.O. to stay put October 19, 2009

Even though the fall trading season has been busier than normal, Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline should be quiet, writes John Clayton.

Chiefs get 5th-round pick October 19, 2009

The Panthers, still desperate for help at defensive tackle, acquired Chiefs defensive tackle Tank Tyler in exchange for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice, multiple sources said.

Banta-Cain released by Patriots October 19, 2009

On Monday, in a surprise move, the New England Patriots, according to a source, released veteran linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, a 2003 seventh-round pick whom the Patriots brought in during the off-season.

Another NY challenge for Saints October 15, 2009

The Saints will try to complete a sweep of the New York teams, but the stakes are higher and the task tougher against the 5-0 Giants, writes John Clayton in his weekly First and 10 column.

Trade deadline should pass quietly October 14, 2009

A lot of attention is being paid to Tuesday's trade deadline, but don't expect anything major to take place, writes John Clayton in his latest mailbag.

Frye goes on IR with neck stinger October 13, 2009

The Seattle Seahawks, already in trouble at left tackle with injuries to Walter Jones and Sean Locklear, developed more problems when they placed Brandon Frye on injured reserve Tuesday.

Polamalu working toward return October 08, 2009

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu praciced Thursday for the second consecutive day.

Broncos' D fuels remarkable turnaround October 08, 2009

Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton have exceeded expectations for Denver, which faces New England in the game of the week, writes John Clayton in his weekly First and 10 column.

Elite QB play is good business for NFL October 07, 2009

Tired of seemingly bogus roughing-the-passer calls? Well, don't expect them to go away, writes John Clayton in his latest mailbag.

Boley out for month with knee injury October 06, 2009

Giants weakside linebacker Michael Boley will be sidelined for a month with a knee injury.

Goodell offers swine flu exemptions October 02, 2009

To prepare a team in case their roster is hit by swine flu, commissioner Roger Goodell is going to offer emergency roster help.

Ravens, Patriots bracing for shootout? October 01, 2009

New England-Baltimore figures to be a low-scoring defensive struggle, right? Not exactly. Both teams have been emphasizing offense so far this season, writes John Clayton.