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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... Given the intense focus being placed on Favre-Watch 2009 (and I'm as guilty of hyping it as everybody else -- and I mean EVERYbody), many of you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that all things football aren't necessarily Brett Favre-related.

Really.

In fact, look no further that this week's (from here on out) Favre-free Notebook. And enjoy. ...

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Philadelphia, where Donovan McNabb and the rest of the Eagles began the process of injecting new blood into an aging offense. It's a process that raises some interesting questions.

As SportingNews.com's Albert Breer wrote: "Kevin Kolb, 24, breaks the huddle. There's DeSean Jackson, 22, scurrying to the right boundary. And Jeremy Maclin, 20, splitting wide left. And LeSean McCoy, 20, settling in the backfield.

"This, presumably, is the Eagles' future. ..."

Breer has it right.

And you have to wonder how McNabb, who has made no secret of his desire for a new long-term contract, feel about team officials not granting that wish.

A quick review is in order. ... Last season, McNabb threw for a career-high 3,916 yards. Only twice before in his 10 NFL seasons did he have more touchdown passes or a better completion percentage. Yet, he struggled to achieve consistency and hit a major bump in the road in November leading to a brief benching.

The Eagles bounced back to win six of their next seven but fell just short in NFC title game.

Meanwhile, as Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio pointed out, we hadn't heard much from McNabb since reports emerged that he'd take a wait-and-see approach to the team's offseason -- and that he'd possibly ask to be traded if the franchise didn't do enough to improve the roster.

Without confirming those reports (initially made to ESPN insider Michael Smith), the Eagles responded by acquiring 27-year-old offensive tackles Jason Peters (trade) and Stacy Andrews (free agency) -- making 28-year-old center Jamaal Jackson the line's elder statesman -- and drafted Maclin and McCoy and tight end Cornelius Ingram.

They also signed Leonard Weaver as a free agent out of Seattle. Weaver, a versatile threat, is first and foremost the fullback Philadelphia's offense has lacked for years.

Peters and Andrews replace Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, and Maclin and McCoy appear to move into heir apparent roles at wide receiver and running back.

Count Philadelphia Inquirer Bob Ford staffer among those impressed.

With Maclin and Jackson together on the field, Ford suggests the Eagles will have "the youngest, most versatile pass-catching duo in the NFL."

Ford went on to explain both players can line up in the slot position, at wideout or in the backfield. Toss in the versatility of Westbrook, another multiple-position player, and Ford believes the Eagles' version of the West Coast offense could morph into a run-and-shoot attack that would give opposing defensive coordinators headaches.

Adding to the intrigue. ... McCoy often lined up as a "Wildcat" quarterback in college.

The best news? It appears management made exactly the kind of moves McNabb wanted. Indeed, he sounds as committed as ever to the cause.

"You'll notice that I am ready to move forward," McNabb wrote on his Yardbarker.com blog prior to last week's mini-camp.

The veteran signal caller also made it sound like he's moved past the benching -- something he clearly struggled with up to this point.

"I'm the first to admit that you must learn from your failures, I also believe that you cannot change the past," McNabb wrote. "It's time to focus on the future."

So McNabb heads into the 2009 season -- 11th in Philadelphia -- with just one item left on his wish list: A new contract.

I'll remind you that McNabb currently has two years left on the 12-year, $115 million deal he signed in 2002 (which has been voided down to nine years). When his current deal expires after the 2010 season, he will be 34.

So, as Breer suggested, his next big payday will be his last.

And as happy as he might be about the team's off-season moves, it remains to be seen if that alone will satisfy McNabb or if, as Florio framed it, "Whether he still wants the kind of insulation against being traded or cut after the 2009 season that only a big-money extension would provide. ..."

Meanwhile, Fantasy owners will be watching closely to see what kind of roles Maclin and McCoy might be ready to assume as rookies. As Philadelphia Daily News staffer Paul Domowitch suggested, Maclin was a draft-day luxury purchase.

Considered by most teams as the second-rated wide receiver on the board behind Michael Crabtree, he unexpectedly slid to the Eagles and they wisely selected him. Despite Maclin's first-round price tag, Domowitch still contends it's more important for McCoy to contribute this fall.

Domowitch's contention is based on the fact Westbrook will turn 30 in September. He is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season in which he had career-lows in rushing (4.0) and receiving (7.4) average.

Westbrook had cleanout surgery on his troublesome knee in January and thinks it will be fine. But after seven seasons and nearly 2,000 career touches, his knees aren't fine.

The bottom line is those knees only have so many quality carries left in them. And Domowitch further notes the more Westbrook is overused, the faster that number will shrink.

Head coach Andy Reid knows that if he wants Westbrook to be productive in the all-important months of December and January, he has to lighten the guy's workload this season.

That's where McCoy comes in.

With Correll Buckhalter gone, the Eagles don't have an experienced running back behind Westbrook who they know can give them 100 to 150 touches this season. They can use Weaver in some one-back and short-yardage sets.

But he has never had more than 33 carries in a season.

So the Eagles need McCoy to be a fast learner. But as Westbrook pointed out during a recent radio interview, that's easier said than done.

"The adjustment from college to the NFL is tough, no matter what the position is," Westbrook said. "But it's especially tough at running back. You have so many more responsibilities than a wide receiver. You have to worry about the blitz. You have to know the blocking protection of the offensive line. You have to be able to run [pass] routes. You have to be on the same page with the quarterback as well as be able to run the ball.

"You have to know so many different things that it's hard for a younger guy to come in that doesn't have experience in this offense or an NFL-style offense, to contribute right away. You could be a great [college] runner, but a lot of times you're not a great pass-catcher. And in this offense, we're still going to throw the ball 70 percent of the time. So you have to be able to block and catch the ball out of the backfield as well as run."

The 5-11, 200-pound McCoy is a similar type running back to Westbrook. He rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He can catch the ball out of the backfield (32 receptions, 9.5 yards per catch last season).

But you don't get on the field in Reid's offense unless you can block and are proficient in blitz 20 pickup. If he can't count on you to protect McNabb when a linebacker is coming up the "A" gap or a safety is blitzing off the edge, you won't play.

Westbrook emphasized that the rookie will need to concentrate on that aspect if he wants to get on the field.

"The truth is, especially when I came into the league, and still true now, if you continue to get No. 5 hit, you ain't gonna play too much at all anyway. That's just the bottom line," he said.

That might be where Weaver comes in.

"Leonard is a true fullback who has other skills," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He has good running skills as well as pass receiving skills. So, we'll try to put him in positions where he can get some success in those areas."

By bringing in a top-notch fullback, the Eagles address their need for a lead blocker for Westbrook and have someone who can carry some of Westbrook's load if McCoy struggles to learn the scheme.

One last note here. ... While Brent Celek is expected to be the primary option at tight end, Ingram's potential is undeniable.

According to SportingNews.com's Dennis Dillon, we might not have heard much about this fifth-round pick because tore an ACL and missed Florida's '08 season. But Dillon adds: "[Ingram] has the body of an NBA power forward and is a smooth route runner."

If healthy, Dillon believes Ingram will be a nice, new target for McNabb. ...

In Buffalo. ... According to ESPN.com's Tim Graham, after several years of offensive tedium, the Bills might actually be changing the way they operate.

A team source tells Graham the Bills are gearing up to run a no-huddle offense in 2009. It would maximize their skill players and perhaps neutralize any offensive-line deficiencies by wearing out defenders.

Sam Wyche, the coach who pioneered the up-tempo, three-receiver offense, thinks the Bills have assembled the components to support such a transformation.

"Buffalo's sitting pretty with all those guys," Wyche told Graham. "Believe me."

Graham reminded readers that Wyche installed the entertaining no-huddle offense as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1980s. Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert learned the no-huddle as quarterback Boomer Esiason's backup.

Schonert also was Wyche's quarterbacks coach when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran the no-huddle in the 1990s.

Is Buffalo equipped for the scheme?

Well. ... The Bills have dangerous receivers Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed, versatile running backs Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes and quarterback Trent Edwards, who they believe can make quick decisions at the line of scrimmage.

"The no-huddle lends itself to guys that are big-play guys," Wyche said, "because if you get a defense that's just a little fatigued, just a little off their first-step quickness, and you get the explosive guys, they can hit the home run.

"They have those quick-strike guys."

Wyche is familiar with much of the Bills' personnel. He was their quarterbacks coach under Mike Mularkey in 2004 and 2005. Wyche did not work with Edwards, who was drafted in 2006, but thinks highly of him.

"You always look for two things in quarterbacks: They've got to be smart, and they've got to be accurate," Wyche said. "If they're tall, that's a plus. If they can run, that's a plus. If they got a rifle arm, that's a plus. But if they're smart and accurate you can figure out a way to win."

Edwards, a Stanford graduate, completed 65.5 percent of his passes last year. That was the NFL's seventh-best efficiency rate.

One of the overlooked elements of a no-huddle offense is a sure-handed tight end.

The Bills released Robert Royal and drafted Shawn Nelson out of Southern Miss in the fourth round. Nelson is balanced, but known more for his catching ability than his blocking.

All three Buffalo backs can catch. Lynch had 47 receptions for 300 yards and a touchdown last year. Jackson had 37 catches for 317 yards. Rhodes caught 45 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns as a part-time starter for the Indianapolis Colts, the preeminent no-huddle team.

"It's not that hard, and the players get to really like it because they get more involved in the offense," Wyche said. "They get to feel like they're more in charge.

"In the no-huddle everything is lining up at a much faster tempo. You're not in a two-minute mode, but you're not in slow-mo either. The Bills' opponents can't practice that tempo."

Sounds good.

Of course, with Lynch set to miss the first three games of the season; with Jackson and Rhodes battling to be the starter in Lynch's absence; with Owens absolutely wanting the lions' share of passes (even though Lee Evans might be the more dangerous threat); with a rookie tight end being asked to it immediately jump into a complex scheme, it remains to be seen if the Bills' offense will be able to take the no-huddle theory from the blackboard to the gridiron as effectively as Wyche believes.

And while I would agree that Edwards is a sharp enough cookie to pull this off, I'm still not sure any quarterback alive is capable of keeping Owens focused and pointed in the right direction for the full 16-game slate. ...

In Indianapolis. ... In adding former University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown to an offensive backfield rotation that also includes starter Joseph Addai along with backups Mike Hart, Chad Simpson and Lance Ball, Indianapolis opted to bolster an area that had a vacancy due to the recent loss of Rhodes to Buffalo.

"A 2,000-yard rusher [2,083 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2008], a scintillating player. Catches the ball. Blocks. We lost Dominic Rhodes. We've replaced him with Donald Brown. So it's a good day anytime you get a guy that's a game breaker. You feel good about it. He was, in our opinion, the best player left [in the first round]," team president Bill Polian said after drafting Brown with the 27th pick overall in last month's draft.

The 5-10, 210-pounder led all Bowl Championship Series schools in rushing last fall, averaging 160.23 yards per game. He set school and Big East Conference season records.

"This guy is a game-breaker. He has the ability to take the ball all the way. A great kid. And we're thrilled to have him," Polian said. First-year head coach Jim Caldwell concurred.

"We're really excited about [adding Brown]. He's an outstanding talent, as Bill had mentioned, and a guy that's certainly going to come in and do some fine things for us," Caldwell said. "He certainly has the speed and the ability to run the ball. And not only that, he'll learn the [pass blocking] protections within our offensive scheme in a short period of time."

Meanwhile, as Colts.com staffer John Oehser pointed out last week, Brown's arrival raises even more questions about the team's most-discussed figure: Addai.

He has been the topic of countless message board conversations. He has been ripped in the blogosophere. And in a recent survey by ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky, Colts fans voted Addai the player they would most like to see replaced.

But Terre Haute Tribune-Star correspondent Tom James reports that both Polian and Caldwell contend that the drafting of Brown was not meant to put additional pressure on Addai to improve his overall performance. Rather, they envision continuing the one-two running back rotation that the Colts have employed for the past three seasons.

"It's important to have two good backs in your [offensive] system. There's no question about that because of the workload that's put on that position week in and week out. You need two guys that can carry the mail for you. At least two," Caldwell said.

"It's not any different than what we've been over the years. I think you look back ever since we've been here, basically there's always been two quality backs there. And then obviously some more besides those guys. So it shouldn't change anything in terms of [Addai's] mindset, but knowing that he does indeed have some help."

It's true. ... As Oehser pointed out, there was sentiment for giving Rhodes more carries towards the end of last season. But the statistics reveal why it didn't happen.

Addai rushed for 544 yards and five touchdowns on 155 carries; Rhodes rushed for 538 yards and six touchdowns on 152 carries. Addai averaged 3.5 yards a carry. So did Rhodes (who, as noted above, is now in Buffalo).

The Colts also believe that an unusual (injury-related) lack of continuity on the offensive line and a passing attack that started slowly put a great deal of pressure on Addai.

So, heading into the Colts' organized team activities and mini-camps this spring, Addai -- a first-round draft choice in 2006 who has two more years remaining on his original contract -- will continue as the franchise's No. 1 running back.

"We are looking at it much like we've looked over the years," Caldwell explained. "Joseph is our No. 1 back. When Donald comes in, he's going to play a role. We're going to give him an opportunity to fit in just like we have with other backs that have been here."

Bottom line? As Oehser framed it: "I just don't think backs lose it in one season. Addai was an above-average back in 2006 and 2007 and I'm just not ready to think he can't play after one season. ..."

Also in Indianapolis. ... Confusion and mistrust over changes in the league's pension program is wreaking havoc with some NFL teams' coaching staffs, including the pending retirement of Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd, according to Larry Kennan, executive director of the NFL Coaches Association.

Kennan confirmed that Mudd has "already filed his retirement papers" and added that he believes Moore is "just about there."

This after NFL owners passed a resolution at the league meetings that allowed the 32 teams to opt out of a uniformed pension plan, which has been a generous incentive for coaches to remain at the pro level.

Mudd has coached 35 consecutive seasons in the NFL and Moore has been an assistant for 32 years. Both are considered among the finest assistant coaches in league history and their 12-year Indianapolis union as offensive coordinator and line coach has been considered a major factor to the success of the Colts and Peyton Manning.

According to ESPN insider Chris Mortensen, if the Colts lost Moore and Mudd, it is believed current assistants Clyde Christensen (assistant head coach, receivers) and Pete Metzelaars (assistant offensive line coach), would become prime candidates to replace them.

But on a team already making the switch from Tony Dungy to Jim Caldwell, it would be nice to keep as much of the remaining staff intact as possible. Especially when it comes Moore, whose simpatico with Manning essentially puts the coordinator in the huddle. ...

One last note here. ... Marvin Harrison, now a free agent, said he has no plans to retire and that he wants to play in 2009, according to his agent, Tom Condon.

The problematic knee that has limited some of Harrison's speed and overall effectiveness the past two seasons hasn't been an issue either, Condon told NFL.com's Steve Wyche.

"I played in 15 games last year and a playoff game, and I intend to play again this season," Condon said Harrison told him in a conversation Thursday afternoon. ...

That's a pretty direct contradiction of a report by SI.com insider Peter King.

Via his Twitter feed, King wrote: "I've been told reliably that Harrison's not playing anymore. Knee hurts. Can't get healthy like the old Marvin."

Whatever the case, Harrison hasn't officially filed his retirement papers since being cut by the Colts in a salary-cap related move but all indications continue to point toward Harrison calling it a career with lack of interest in his services a major factor. ...

In Baltimore. ... It's been speculated throughout the offseason that the Ravens were interested in acquiring another wide receiver, a deep-threat speedster for Joe Flacco to lean on and grow with.

But Flacco already has his go-to guy in Derrick Mason. And Mason isn't fazed by the idea of competition for that spot.

"I don't take it personal," Mason said in a radio interview last week. "Everywhere that I've been, they've always said, 'Well they need somebody else. Can they get a bigger receiver? Can they get a receiver to do this or do that? But I've always seemed to come out each and every season and prove everybody wrong.

"I'm a guy who's here to stay. I do what I need to do in the offseason to make sure I can make it through the full season. They say that, it fuels my drive to continue to go out there and play harder."

One of the most persistent rumors this offseason has been the Ravens' interest in trading for Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Mason wouldn't necessarily have a problem with that.

"I think he's one of the best receivers in the league. I think it would be nice if [the team] were to bring him here, I would have no gripes about it," Mason offered. "It would only make our football team better."

Mason did point out, however, that his numbers and Boldin's numbers were very comparable from last season, and that his yards per catch was even higher than Boldin's. Mason averaged 13 yards per catch in 2008; Boldin averaged 11.7.

As BaltimoreRavens.com staffer Geoff Peckham noted, Mason was the most productive wide receiver on the Ravens' roster last season, starting every game and catching 80 balls for 1,037 yards, including five touchdowns. It was Mason's seventh 1,000-yard season in his career, his third in Baltimore.

Mason also became the 31st player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiver yards, a mark he reached in front of a home crowd against Jacksonville on December 28. What made it even more impressive was he was playing with an injured left shoulder for nearly half the season.

Mason says his shoulder is close to 100 percent after 11 weeks of rehab. When asked about another off-season issue, his contract, Mason reaffirmed his commitment to the team.

Mason is entering the last year of the deal he signed with Baltimore as a free agent from Tennessee in 2005. He spoke publicly about wanting a new deal once the season ended.

"I think everybody understands my frame of thought, and I know the organization's frame of thought," Mason said. "I know this thing will work out, so I'm not going to pitch a fit.

"When I go out there and play football, I'm playing for the team. Regardless of what happens, I'm playing for the other 52 guys in that locker room."

Mason also talked about preparing for the 2009 season with quarterback Joe Flacco under center, and the confidence he inspires in his receivers.

"There's no doubt, there's no wavering, there's nobody outside [the Ravens] to say, 'Well the quarterback position is that position that we just don't know.'" Mason looks at Flacco and sees a player who can make plays when he needs to.

"(Having a quarterback in place) always gives a receiver that added step to come in prepared to play," Mason noted. With the confidence of his team and his general manager (as well as a healthy shoulder), Mason is likely to have a few extra steps leading into this season. ...

He might also have some help. ... According to the Baltimore Sun, four veteran wideouts -- Jerry Porter, Kelley Washington, D.J. Hackett and Tab Perry -- were slated to try out for the Ravens at this weekend's full-team mini-camp (Hackett subsequently decided to hang with the Texans instead).

Depending on the workouts, the Ravens could sign all or none of the receivers, a team official told the Sun.

The Ravens are looking for size, bringing in four receivers who are at least 6-2 and over 200 pounds. Washington reportedly has a tentative offers from the Redskins; he is waiting to see how things go in Baltimore this weekend before making any decisions.

Also. ... Mason isn't participating in the mini-camp as a precautionary measure. Others who could be limited are: Willis McGahee, who recently had a procedure to clean out his knee; Todd Heap (back) and Mark Clayton (unknown).

The cautious approach is understandable. ... For what it's worth, agent Drew Rosenhaus characterized McGahee's procedure as "very minor. ..."

A couple of follow ups to items in previous Notebooks. ...

In San Diego. ... Some thought that LaDainian Tomlinson's days in Chargers blue were coming to an end when the parties haggled over a reconstructed contract this offseason. But Tomlinson and the Chargers found common ground, which left the incomparable Tomlinson on the Chargers' grounds last Sunday.

And according to North County Times staffer Jay Paris, Tomlinson looked like his old self. He was running, cutting, spinning and making defenders miss as the team completed its three-day mini-camp.

Tomlinson was unable to play in the Chargers' final playoff game last season with a groin injury. But he showed no signs of being anything but fit.

"No, I wasn't restricted and I did everything," said Tomlinson, who was also slowed by a toe injury in 2008. "Of course you are always concerned because it is the first time back on the field and especially after being injured. But I wasn't restricted at all; it was great."

Tomlinson's sprinting on the field was no surprise to head coach Norv Turner.

"L.T. looks great," Turner said. "He has been out here running for a month, so he didn't show me anything different."

It's always a show when Tomlinson is scampering about. He couldn't hide his glee that he was working pain-free.

"It's just good to get out and run around again," Tomlinson said. "And be healthy."

And about that pass? Tomlinson is due to get back to winging it after not having an attempt last season. Tomlinson, who is the 14th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, also has the second-most scoring passes by a non-quarterback in NFL history.

But he hasn't had one since the first week of the 2007 season. And Tomlinson longs for at least one more touchdown completion to give him eight, which would tie him with one of his idols, Chicago's Walter Payton.

"We're working on it," Tomlinson said of persuading Turner to call it.

In Oakland. ... As head coach Tom Cable continues his quest to get the Raiders back to respectability, one of his key tasks will be making a concerted effort to get the ball in Darren McFadden's hands more frequently than he did last season.

McFadden was slowed in his rookie year not only by turf toe on both feet but also by a shoulder injury, which required minor surgery this offseason, and was unable to make the significant contribution many expected from him.

Although injuries were partly to blame, sources tell Pro Football Weekly's Dan Parr that Cable didn't call enough plays for McFadden in 2008.

Indeed, in the nine games McFadden played under Cable, he averaged a little more than nine touches. But he averaged 14.5 touches through the first four games of the season, when Lane Kiffin was head coach.

Although he's unproven, I agree with Parr, who wrote: "McFadden is the most dangerous weapon the team has on offense and should be utilized to a much greater extent in '09. ..."

In Denver. ... Head coach Josh McDaniels has thoroughly revamped his team's backfield and commenced dumping some holdovers from the Mike Shanahan era, releasing Selvin Young on April 30.

According to PFW, the next to go is likely to be Ryan Torain, an oft-injured favorite of Shanahan's. Torain, a fifth-round pick last year, was able to play in just two games last season between an elbow injury and a torn ACL.

This week's addition of free-agent Darius Walker (a former Notre Dame standout) lends further credence to that notion. ...

And finally this week, from our "We Told You So" file. ... In the middle of one of the most trying offseasons of his entire tenure as an NFL owner, Pat Bowlen of the Broncos opened up for an interview with Woody Paige of the Denver Post.

And Bowlen confirmed something I suggested repeatedly in recent articles regarding the team's decision to move trade quarterback Jay Cutler (the latest being available here).

While he admitted that McDaniels made some "rookie mistakes" in handling the entire situation, the owner made it clear that Cutler should have should have given his boss the courtesy of returning the calls and talking about the situation.

"I don't want to throw him under the bus," Bowlen said, "But I made two phone calls (and there is proof, Broncos executives claim) and left voice mails with my cell number and asked him to call me, and he didn't. ... Pick up the phone!

"That's where we got off the rails. We had no other choice but to trade him. If (the trade talk) was the reason Jay left, he should have left."

As Florio suggested: "Answering the calls or returning them is the least thing Cutler could have done for a man who has already paid Cutler millions of dollars to play a game that thousands would and do play for free. ..."

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.