I haven't heard a Captain Janks / Howard Stern prank call in a while so this one brought a smile to my face. A good raunchy insult or prank is a nice way to bring a smile to your face each morning. Hey listen, for a guy like me who has to spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair, these are the type of things that truly make life worthwhile..........

The humor was innocent as no one got hurt (besides the producer) and the look on Scott Van Pelt's face along with the awkward silence was precious.

I'm sure this one is making the rounds on the internet but if you are in the dark, ESPN's Scott Van Pelt was reporting on the Eagles releasing Brian Westbrook on SportsCenter and wouldn't you know it, the producer gets a call from Brian Westbrook himself (or so he thought.) The rest is history......

The funny thing is when the guy starts to talk it is blatantly obvious that it is not Westbrook (at least to me.) Anyway, if you haven't yet seen this elsewhere around the internet, the awkwardness is worth the watch.

David Ross - David, a paraplegic since a 1986 car accident, has been providing volunteer sports coverage for his local community paper in Mission, KS for over 20 years.

If you haven't voted in our polls on the site yet please do so. We are trying to get a feel for how our readers are looking at Football so we can write about things they want to hear. The poll questions are:

"Do you think the NCAA should have a Playoff to determine the National Champion rather than the BCS / Bowl System?"

and

"Should the NFL adopt the NCAA method of Overtime or continue to flip a coin for possession and have sudden death?"

Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

For those of you that haven't been following along, I've written two pieces over the past week with regard to the current NFL labor issues and what affects they may have going forward.

• NFL Labor Issues Made Simple
• NFL Trades expected to increase in frequency

Each article seems to produce new questions from you the reader, so I thought I'd try to answer some of them in this forum. If you are thinking that the situation is a mess and hard to grasp, I agree 100%.

Q. Why does the NFLPA say that the owners have never explained why this current CBA has been terminated?

A. The decision has been explained repeatedly at the bargaining table and publicly. The CBA, which does not adequately recognize the costs of generating revenue, does not afford the clubs sufficient incentives to invest in the future of the game. 

Q. Are owners asking veteran players to take an 18 percent pay cut?

A. Absolutely not. Between reductions in outrageous salaries for rookies and anticipated increases in revenue, current players should not see their compensation decline under the clubs' proposal. The goal is to create a system that will allow for growth in revenue and player compensation.

Q. When does the CBA expire if there is no extension of the agreement?

A. In March of 2011.

Q. Will there be a college draft in 2011?

A. Yes.

Q. Is the NFL a non-profit organization as NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has stated?

A. The NFL League Office is a not-for-profit organization.  The NFL League Office receives funding from the 32 member clubs to cover its non revenue overhead activities such as office rent, League Office salaries and game officiating.  In addition, the NFL League Office collects revenues on behalf of the 32 member clubs and distributes those revenues to the clubs.  All national revenues (e.g. broadcast TV payments) collected and paid to the member clubs, as well as local revenues earned individually by the clubs, are subject to tax at the club level. This structure is not unlike that of any partnership where the net earnings of the partnership are passed through to the partners where it is taxed.

The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.

The future of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb should not be a key storyline of the NFL offseason this year. If Andy Reid and GM Howie Roseman are smart, McNabb will be the Eagles starting quarterback in 2010. If McNabb is playing in Philadelphia and the front office fills some holes on defense in the offseason, the Eagles could easily challenge the Saints as the top team in the NFC.

McNabb has to be in the equation.

Philadelphia's offense showed flashes of exhilarating explosiveness and the ability to score very quickly. That offense will not make any progress with anyone but McNabb as the leader.

Out of the key offensive weapons the quarterback of Philadelphia has, the oldest one is Brent Celek and he is only 25 years old. Running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Jeremy Maclin are both 21. Desean Jackson, one of the best playmakers in the league in 2009, is only 23. Don't you think it McNabb, a veteran leader, would be perfect for this offense on the rise? The playmakers on this team are too young for Philadelphia to just do away with their fearless leader.

With McNabb, the Eagles could be a top contender in the NFC along with the Saints and Packers (assuming Brett Favre isn't playing in Minnesota). The front office just needs to protect the quarterback with a solid offensive line. And it's not like they have not been trying to do that.

The Eagles traded a first round pick for offensive tackle Jason Peters in April of 2009. Reid proclaimed that Peters was the best left tackle in football, but that isn't how it turned out in the regular season. But the front office still knows and is attempting to fix the problems on the offensive line so the quarterback is protected.

It's the defense, after losing veteran safety Brian Dawkins and the late defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, which needs some more attention.

With that said, it makes more sense to trade backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. Yes, he did put up some very good numbers in the two games he started, passing for over 300 yards in each. But he's not the man for the job in Philadelphia. He just isn't. The Eagles could probably acquire a solid draft pick or an important building block from a team like Minnesota (if Favre retires) or San Francisco.

McNabb is the perfect fit for an efficient offense like this. He deserves to end his career in Philadelphia. He finally has the weapons around him that will make it easier for him to lead the team to the Super Bowl. This offense is that talented.

Should the NFL adopt the NCAA method of Overtime or continue to flip a coin for possession and have sudden death?

You may have noticed this new poll in our right side bar regarding NFL's overtime rules comparing the NFL's way of handling overtime with that of the NCAA.

Please take a moment to vote in the poll as we would like to know how you feel about the topic.

Times have changed but the NFL rule on this hasn't. Is the NFL's way the best way to decide the winner of a game or does the NCAA have this right? The NCAA's rules on a tie game are different. Instead of the preverbal coin toss to see how get's the ball first in a first score wins sudden death overtime, they give each team the ball on a shortened field, the opponent's 25 yard line, giving them an equal number of possessions. If team ‘A' scores a TD, field goal or does not score, team ‘B' gets a chance to better that or match it and start the process over again. This process often inflates statistics and game scores often leads to three, four or even five overtime periods.

Which one of these rules is better?

We addressed this topic on the site briefly before the Super Bowl but we've presented in a more comprehensive way here in an attempt to support our poll.

Before voting, I suggest that you read this entire article as you may find some history or interesting statistic that you were previously unaware of which may skew / change your opinion on the topic; I know I did.

NFL Overtime - "Sudden Victory"

On August 28, 1955 the first Sudden Death was played in the NFL and in 1974 the rule was adopted fully. Since then there have been 17 games end in a tie. In 1997 there were actually two games that ended in a tie as the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens played to a 10 - 10 tie and the New York Giants and Washington Redskins played to a 7 - 7 tie.

The term "Sudden Death" in sports means that the first person or team to score wins the match or game. In more violent sporting events it is referred to as "Sudden Victory".

This variant became one of announcers Curt Gowdy's idiosyncrasies in 1970 during the AFC divisional championship game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. (Yes, Kansas City was a great team at one time) In the NFL when a game results in a tie after 4 quarters of football are played the two teams play what is called Sudden Death Overtime. Here are the rules:

Possession is determined at the beginning of overtime by a coin flip, similar in fashion to the coin flip at the beginning of the game. The visiting team gets the chance to make the call. If a touchdown is scored in overtime, the extra point is not attempted.

In overtime, teams receive additional timeouts and cannot carry over any additional timeouts if they had remaining unused ones from regulation. Challenges are used in the same fashion as they are in normal game play.

Games in the preseason and the regular season operate under the same sudden-death system as postseason games. However, the overtime is limited to one extra quarter of play. If no team scores by the end of that quarter, the game ends as a tie.

Since there is a maximum of only one quarter of overtime, the overtime period operates under the timing rules of the fourth quarter. Each team receives two timeouts to use during the period.

Playoff games cannot end in ties, since teams need to advance and be eliminated. Therefore NFL postseason games that go into overtime last until a team scores, however long that may be. Since there is a possibility of extended play beyond one quarter, the overtime period(s) are operated under the normal timing rules of a game.

Each team receives three timeouts per half. Additionally, the teams change sides of the field after each quarter as they would during regulation. Although two overtime periods are known as a half, there is no "halftime" or extended break if the game should extend beyond two overtime periods. There is a two-minute break between all overtime periods, regardless of how many take place.

In some ways the current system is quite convoluted. Some of the players don't even understand the way it works. On Nov 16, 2008 Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati ended the overtime period in a 13-13 tie. This was the NFL's first game to end in a tie since 2002.

That night Donavan McNabb said in a post game interview "I've never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rule book." and then continued to say "I guess I am aware of it now." I guess he is... and so are the rest of the Eagles that didn't know the overtime rule. When asked if he would have played the 4th quarter any differently had he known the rule McNabb said, "Yes!"

In trying to answer many of your questions I think I may have started a wild fire. Thursday's post NFL Labor Issues Made Simple has lead more questions about whether there will be football in 2011 and will this mean there will be more trades.

Given the rhetoric at the Super Bowl, the possibility of an NFL collective bargaining agreement extension before the new league year begins on March 5 is all but extinguished.

Thus, the salary cap that has governed the sport so well since 1993 will be abolished. New rules, pre-established in the CBA, will be triggered automatically.

Here's a refresher course on what will happen and how the NFL will change for the 2010 off-season.

Question: How did it come to this?

Answer: Last fall, the 32 team owners exercised their option to opt out of the current CBA, which has moved to the players' favor as a result of changes won by the players union in the last extension of the agreement in 2006. The CBA has built-in provisions to govern the league in the event of the salary cap being abolished. The last season of the CBA is 2010.

Question: What about the college draft?

Answer:The draft will remain in place for 2010 and 2011.

Question: Then what?

Answer: The players union believes the owners will lock out the players in 2011 and force them to agree to a new bargaining agreement more favorable to the owners. If the players don't fold, everyone expects the league to shut down until a new agreement is reached. There would be no "replacement games" as in 1987 because it would be unlawful for the owners to do so. In '87, the players went on strike.

Question: What happens in 2010?

Answer: There is no salary cap and no minimum, also. Teams can pay as much or as little as they want.

Question: How does this affect free agency?

Answer: The new rules seek to maintain competitive balance by making fewer players eligible for free agency and limiting the playoff teams' ability to sign free agents.

Players used to qualify for unrestricted free agency after four seasons. Now they must have six. So this change directly affects 212 players from the draft class of 2005 and 2006 who are coming off their fourth or fifth season and were expecting to be unrestricted free agents.

The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.

What a freakin' sweet name 'Golden Tate' is. I wonder if his given name had anything to do with his Irish commitment back in 2007.

Critics' biggest knock against Tate has been his ability, or lack thereof, to separate from defenders. Draft Overlord Mel Kiper concurs. According to the South Bend Tribune, Kiper notes, "He didn't separate from the [cornerbacks] on the initial routes. But he was great after the catch in the open field, running with the football."

Separation or not, he showed that he has a knack for adjusting to the ball and making the catch with defenders around. Tate was quarterback Jimmy Clausen's go to guy in 2009, even before and after fellow star wide receiver Michael Floyd was out with injury. He had at least 5 receptions in every game in 2009 except for two-blowouts against Nevada and Washington State. In an overtime win against Washington, Tate blew up, catching 9 passes for 244 yard including a 77 yard reception and a 67 yard touchdown reception.

Like Clausen, Tate played on NBC his entire career and was subjected to the scrutiny that comes from playing at one of the most storied programs ever. He's also familiar with the pro style offense used by Charlie Weis. These factors likely make Tate more NFL ready than his peers; consider it usually takes three seasons for wide receivers to mature to the NFL game and this will only improve his draft stock.

Tate's height is the bane of his draft stock according to some analysts. He's 5'11 and while he won't be the shortest receiver in the pros, he certainly won't be the tallest either. He'll have to use his quickness to get off the line against physical NFL corners.

Among his attributes heading into the draft, and mentioned by Kiper in the quote above, is his ability to run after the catch. Tate is a former running back, rushing for over 2,000 yards as a junior in high school, and is an experienced return man. His strong legs, quickness and ability to make cuts will make him a nightmare in the open field even against the faster, more disciplined NFL defenses.

Recently there have been many questions from our die hard Xtra Point Football NFL readers regarding player personnel rules in an uncapped NFL 2010 season. I am going to attempt to answer some of these questions here for you.

For example, the Jets announced on Feb. 15 that the team has offered contract tenders to wide receiver-special teamer Brad Smith and safety Eric Smith - both with four credited seasons but who will only be restricted free agents in an uncapped 2010.

The Jets have 11 restricted free agents this season. The tenders to Smith and Smith give the Jets the right to match any contract offers and, depending on the dollar value of the tender, allow the Jets to receive draft choice compensation if another club signs them.

As one of eight clubs that reached the 2009 Divisional Playoffs, the Jets also are limited in the unrestricted free agent market in the uncapped 2010 season.

Following are some frequently asked questions we have heard recently about the "Final Eight" rule:

Frequently Asked Questions - Tender and "Final Eight" Rules

Q. Are teams which reached the 2009 NFL Divisional Playoffs able to sign any unrestricted free agents in an uncapped 2010 season?

A. Yes. As per the "Final Eight" rules in an uncapped 2010 season, those eight clubs can sign unrestricted free agents as listed below.  (Note: For all "Final Eight" teams, the unrestricted free agents signed to replace their own lost unrestricted free agents cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases.)

FINAL FOUR CLUBS

Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints - can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Saints can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

AFC champion Indianapolis Colts - can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Colts can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

NFC runner-up Minnesota Vikings - can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Vikings can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

AFC runner-up New York Jets - can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Jets can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

This is a test, this is only a test. This is a test of the Brett Favre decision - Xtra Point Football / Bloguin Network Announcement System (BFd-XPF/BNAS).

Had this been an actual report of an announcement, I'm certain that Bret Favre's public proclamation about his decision to either play another year or retire would have been followed by hundreds of partisan comments below, both pro and con.

When Bret Favre's decision actually does come, you can rest assure that we will have it here for you as we have just tested the system and it is clearly functional. The fact that you are reading this test confirms that the BFd-XPF/BNAS is in working order.

In the event of a Brett Favre announcement inclusive of his intentions to play another year or not, we strongly recommend that you stop what you are doing and sit at your computer in an upright position. Use the QWERTY Keyboard finger typing method to either steadfastly support his decision or blast him with non-stop insults, clichés and miscellaneous sarcastic remarks.

Through diligent research, we at Xtra Point Football have determined that by typing the words "Brett Favre" in a blog post, thousands upon thousands of individuals interested in Bret Favre's intentions throughout the United States and abroad, simultaneously searching the internet to find out what Bret Favre will do will find us and read the news, introspective and insight that we have to shed on his announcement.

It's really an amazing thing when you think about it. Never before has the world been held captivated by the annual announcement of such an event. In terms of an annual proclamation, this event is rivaled by perhaps only that of Punxsutawney Phil. Actually, Philip the cold and tired Groundhog has nothing on Favre because Phil makes his announcement at the same date, time and place each year where as Favre might just pop up anywhere at any time to fill us all in on what happens next.

While we do have an opinion with supportive reasoning that Brett Favre will Return to Vikings for the 2010 Season, there has not yet been a formal announcement. You can be certain however that since we have tested the BFd-XPF/BNAS that we are ready and able to cover this event anywhere at any time.

The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.

It must have been really hard for Heisman voters not to put Toby Gerhart at the top of their ballot. That's not meant as a slight to Mark Ingram, but is more of a testament to the man who now holds the Stanford single season record for rushing yards and touchdowns, has scored more career touchdowns than anybody at the Cardinal and led his team to their first bowl bid since 2001.

Gerhart won't be the fastest guy at the NFL Scouting Combine and he doesn't fit the prototypical running back mold, but it's his other attributes, some of which cannot be accurately measured, that will have NFL scouts paying attention.

If you haven't seen Gerhart play I feel sorry for you. It's not like watching C.J. Spiller torch a defense or like watching Reggie Bush leap through the air-both awesome spectacles-but watching Gerhart you realize what tremendous heart he plays with.

He carries himself with a quiet confidence and does whatever his coaches ask of him. Carry the ball 20, 30, 38 times a game? No problem. Throw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to tie the game against the Irish? No problem. I still do not understand why he wasn't called upon trailing by a touchdown at the Cal 13 yard line with over a minute and a half to go after he caught a 29 yard pass from Andrew Luck to move Stanford into the red zone. But that's a topic for another day.

Heart and leadership are not the only things that have made Gerhart one of the top backs in this year's draft. He's also got a little thing called skill to go along with his impressive set of intangibles.

Gerhart runs with tremendous power and he's virtually impossible to take down on initial contact. His breakaway speed is a thing to behold for a back that runs with his power. While he'll probably run a 4.6ish later this month at the Scouting Combine, what Gerhart has is football speed. He's also a lot more elusive than most people think, even if he doesn't have Barry Sanders-like moves.