ESPN Columnists

Tip Sheet notes: Loomis builds a winner 3 days ago

Saints GM Mickey Loomis has done a masterful job of building a winner in New Orleans, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet: Historically bad -- and great 3 days ago

Jim Caldwell of the Colts and Josh McDaniels of the Broncos are soaring, but collectively, first-year head coaches are struggling, Len Pasquarelli writes in Tip Sheet.

Welcome to the golden age of punting November 03, 2009

Punters are better than ever, and they're gaining more respect and prominence as a result, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Element of surprise helps Colts November 01, 2009

Joseph Addai usually gets paid for running the ball. Against the 49ers on Sunday, Addai's arm paid the biggest dividends for the 7-0 Colts, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet notes: LJ wears out welcome October 30, 2009

Larry Johnson's latest tirade makes him even less valuable to the Kansas City Chiefs, who probably wish they had traded him years ago, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet: Miami in familiar predicament October 28, 2009

Should the 2-4 Dolphins be panicking? Not quite. Several teams, including the Dolphins themselves in 2008, have made the playoffs after mediocre starts, writes Len Pasquarelli.

When the wheels come off RBs October 27, 2009

Star RBs such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Clinton Portis ain't what they used to be. Is it time to buy into the notion that teams can overwork their star runners? Len Pasquarelli explores the idea.

Steelers' D takes offensive measures October 25, 2009

Criticized for its late-game woes, the Steelers' defense delivered with two spectacular fourth-quarter scores against the Vikings, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet notes: They've got a lot left October 23, 2009

Safeties Brian Dawkins, 36, and Darren Sharper, 33, have proven they still have a lot left in the tank, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet: QBs wingin' it at record rate October 23, 2009

It may not sit well with football purists, but wingin' it and winnin' appear to be intertwined this season, Len Pasquarelli writes.

Bears view Adams as necessary risk October 20, 2009

The Bears took a chance and traded for Gaines Adams, the poster boy of a 2007 draft class whose defensive linemen haven't lived up to billing, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Stepping into starring roles October 18, 2009

Atlanta Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud (2 INTs) and kick returner Eric Weems were two of the role players who made a difference in the victory over the Chicago Bears, Len Pasquarelli writes.

Tip Sheet: QB play explains 0-5 starts October 15, 2009

There are myriad reasons why there are four 0-5 teams this season, but it's never a bad idea to start at quarterback, Len Pasquarelli writes.

Tip Sheet notes: Quiet trading floor October 16, 2009

Steven Jackson, Terrell Owens, Larry Johnson -- there are stars aplenty on the trade rumor mill. Don't be shocked if they remain with their teams come deadline Tuesday, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Steady Giants keeping things simple October 13, 2009

Thanks to stable leadership and teamwide selflessness, the Giants are flourishing despite a number of key injuries, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Raiders spiraling through pitiful stretch October 11, 2009

Pride. Poise. Terms that used to describe the Raiders' proud franchise have been replaced with a different P-word, writes Len Pasquarelli: pitiful.

Tip Sheet notes: Shanahan a D.C. option October 09, 2009

Redskins coach Jim Zorn probably won't be fired during the season, but don't count out Mike Shanahan as a potential replacement in 2010, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Tip Sheet: Analyzing Saints' D revival October 09, 2009

New Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams puts an extra emphasis on creating turnovers. So far this season, New Orleans results in that department are impressive, Len Pasquarelli writes.

Defensive head coaches taking control October 06, 2009

The list of head coaches who prefer to call their own defensive sets is gradually expanding, writes Len Pasquarelli.

About time: Embattled Zorn adjusts October 04, 2009

By opting to be more aggressive in the second half, especially on first down, coach Jim Zorn helped the Redskins rally for a much-needed win over the Bucs, writes Len Pasquarelli.