Dawgs By Nature

With the offseason here, I'd like to begin a daily feature that many of you have been clamoring for, and that is a "general news and nuggets" type of post. I am looking for suggestions on what to call this piece, whether it be something clever and original or something that is plain but acceptable for its purpose. An example would be the title "Fear the Links" for our Cavaliers site "Fear the Sword." Please list your suggestion(s) in this thread!

All-Pro Respect for Cribbs, Thomas

Two Cleveland Browns players made the All-Pro team, according to the Associated Press. Those players are kick returner Joshua Cribbs and left tackle Joe Thomas. Of the teams who didn't have any players who were All-Pro?

The New York Giants, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, St. Louis, Miami, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Pittsburgh had no All-Pros this season.

We can't let either of these players get away from our team. The link from SBNation.com above outlines the entire first-team All-Pro list.

Pluto: "It's Early, but a Calm, Savvy Atmosphere is Here..."

In the article, Pluto outlines some of his early thoughts on the revised regime:

Mangini said he was impressed how Holmgren called the entire coaching staff into a meeting room to inform them that Mangini would remain. He also talked to them about his basic approach to running the team, and explained some general expectations that he has for the staff.

"It put everyone at ease," said Mangini. "I'm not sure I would have thought to do that if I were in Mike's position. I'm glad he did it."

Mangini is losing some power, as the draft will be guided by Heckert. But Mangini said Heckert's Eagles often picked players that he liked.

Building the Hype for Braylon Edwards

It's gotten so bad with Braylon Edwards' big drops in New York that his coach and his teammates are basically saying, "ok, we know he's had some huge drops, but we GUARANTEE he will have a HUGE game soon!" It will just make it all-the-more-special if he drops another critical pass this weekend against the San Diego Chargers.

"Absolutely," Sanchez said. "Just seeing the kind of catches he makes in practice, and even the catches he’s made in the games — I guess the drops would stand out, just like interceptions stand out for me — he’s in a tough position. Does he think he should catch those balls? Absolutely. Do we talk about it? All the time. And do we get in the extra work? Yes. So we’re doing the right things to make that happen, and it’s only a matter of time. He’s a playmaker, he’s a stud, and you feed the studs, you just keep throwing him the ball, and he’s bound to catch it."

Off-Beat Notes

• This Sunday, FOX's long-running action drama "24" returns with an all-new season. If you haven't seen Jack Bauer kick ass before, then tune in from 9 PM to 11 PM EST for the premiere. I'll also check out the premiere of FOX's "Human Target" at 8 PM EST, although I might have to tape it if CBS' playoff game runs past 8 PM.
• LOST returns February 2nd for its sixth and final season. As that date approaches, the lost creators continue to do press conferences with some of the cast. While there aren't any huge spoilers at the link, it does mention the possible return of two more cast members.
• Spider-Man 4 has been canceled, and instead the series will reboot again. That doesn't make much sense to me, but Tobey Maguire and company pulled out after a script couldn't get finalized I guess.
• At least there will be Ghostbusters 3 to look forward to, with productions set to begin Summer 2010.