Dan Pompei

Mike Tice probably is more popular than any offensive coordinator in Bears history. Of course that could change Sunday on the Bears' first possession against the Colts, which also will be Tice's first chance in the job. Though the Bears don't have a...

The temptation is to define the man, or at least his body of work, by 140 character messages. Yes, the Colts' owner is an active and wildly popular tweeter with more than 180,000 followers. But the owner of the Colts is Jim Irsay, not @JimIrsay. That...

Packers vs. Ravens Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune In the NFL, the team with the best quarterback usually has the best chance of going all the way. So that's why the Packers have to be the favorite in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers is on top of his game and...

Healthy Chiefs dangerous Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune The playoff field in the AFC is going to include a lot of familiar teams from last year — with one notable exception. The Chiefs could go from worst to first in the AFC West. They were a team...

1. Packers: The addition of Cedric Benson could give the Packers a dimension they lacked. 2. Giants: They are a little beat up at cornerback, but their pass rush should be able to compensate while they get healthy. 3. Patriots: Questions about the...

We should not get too excited or upset about anything we see on a football field before the start of the regular season, with the possible exception of the Democratic National Convention at the Panthers' stadium. But it is a tad concerning that the...

ALBANY, N.Y. — When the Giants look in the mirror, what do they see? Is it the team that was 7-7 late last season, fighting for postseason survival as its coach was in danger of being fired? Or is it the team that finished with a flourish,...

INDIANAPOLIS — Chuck Pagano coached Tom Zbikowski for four years in Baltimore, so when he had a chance to run his own team in Indianapolis, one of his first moves was to bring Zbikowski with him. "He is invaluable because he played in the scheme,"...

Rookies make mistakes Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune There is no question officiating has been a little off this preseason. How couldn't it be? The NFL has replaced the men who were the absolute best in the world at what they do with officials who have...

Divas still in demand Ron Fritz Baltimore Sun Will Chad Johnson get another shot in the NFL? I hope not. The tired acts of Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress and Johnson need to be shelved for good. After allegedly assaulting his wife, Johnson should worry...

After 4 games, look out Ron Fritz Baltimore Sun At first, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be tentative and not the superior back he once was. But after four games, look out. I would expect him to run wild in the last 12 games, especially when...

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Like another first-round pass rusher in the NFC North, Nick Perry has found his first training camp to be quite a transition. Perry, who is playing outside linebacker for the Packers after playing defensive end at Southern...