Back With a Bang

FINALLY. It's back. There was speculation that they would play, and speculation they would not. All of that is now in the past. What's in the present and future is the 2011 NFL season. Roger Goodell officially gave the OK, and just like that the NFL is back in business. This was obviously a big inconvenience for the fans, but the owners and players were finally able to work it out. Now that the league is no longer locked out, NFL members have been all but stagnant. Endless transactions have been made since the owners were given the green light, all because of the 136-day work stoppage, which was the longest in league history. Here are a couple of headlines that have interested me so far.

- The Carson Palmer saga has been one of the NFL's big stories this offseason. He claimed that he would retire if he wasn't traded, and it seems like that may be the path the former Heisman Trophy winner will take. Bengals president Mike Brown said they would not send him elsewhere, so both sides are looking at this as the end of Palmer's career. Is it already time for TCU draftee Andy Dalton? How will Palmer's expected retirement play a role in the development of the first-round pick A.J. Green? That is for Cincinnati and coach Marvin Lewis to decide as their Week 1 QB is currently unknown.

- The number of notable released players already let go by their former teams is off the charts. The Cowboys released former Pro Bowlers Marion Barber, Roy Williams and Leonard Davis, among others. The Ravens are expected to part ways with three key players: Derrick Mason, Willis McGahee and Todd Heap. As for the Super Bowl champions, Nick Barnett, one of the biggest pieces of the Packer's linebacking core, met with Packers GM Ted Thompson today. After the meeting, Barnett tweeted about how he was "blessed 2 be apart of such a great tradition and great fans," signaling that his time with Green Bay is over. I think that all of these guys can definitely make an impact on their new teams, but I see Barber as a an overlooked player who could be a very productive complement, especially on 3rd down.

- One week ago, 2011 NFL draftees and non-draftees were concerned that their rookie seasons would be put on hold. Now, undrafted rookies are being negotiated left and right. One of the potential gems is former cancer survivor and Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich. Herzlich decided to take the unfortunate route (from an Eagles fan's perspective) by signing with the Giants. Who knows how well he'll end up playing, but it'll definitely be an inspiration and motivation having a guy like him on the squad. Pat Devlin, the former Penn State quarterback who transferred to Delaware, was signed by the Miami Dolphins, a team that is still trying to decide who their quarterback will be. Also on the offensive side, the Eagles decided to sign West Virginia running back Noel Devine. They're probably hoping he ends up like the high school Noel Devine.

- The Vikings and Redskins are discussing a possible trade for Donovan McNabb. What's new? I feel like the Vikings have been in the hunt for McNabb since trade rumors started when he was in Philadelphia. As an avid McNabb fan, I'm curious to see where he ends up, and if Minnesota is the place, it won't hurt having an All-Pro running back behind him in Adrian Peterson. Maybe the Vikings are a good fit.

- Tarvaris Jackson and possibly Matt Leinart in, Matt Hasselbeck out. At least that's the news as of right now. Hasselbeck, the former Pro Bowler who led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL, is now not expected to return to Seattle. I think Hasselbeck still has a little bit left in the tank, but I guess the Seahawks think otherwise.

- Three years ago, Plaxico Burress caught the game winning touchdown pass that ended the New England Patriots' shot at a 19-0 season. Two months ago, he was released from prison. Now, he's trying to figure out his future. What seemed dubious a few weeks back is now a strong possibility: Plaxico could return to the Giants. I'm not ready to say he could be the difference maker, but whether he performs or not, his experience will definitely be beneficial for the Giants' young receiving core, especially for 23-year-old Hakeem Nicks.