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All right boys and girls, there's never a dull moment when it comes to NFL news. This week is no exception. So let's jump in with both feet, eh?

Starting in Atlanta. ... In a meeting at team headquarters Thursday, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, new head coach Bobby Petrino and president and general manager Rich McKay let star quarterback Michael Vick know of their displeasure with him being involved in an incident Wednesday at Miami International Airport.

In case you missed it, Vick surrendered a water bottle which was found to have a hidden compartment that contained a "residue closely associated with marijuana," according to the police report.

The bottle was sent to the Miami-Dade County crime lab for analysis. In the meantime, no charges have been filed.

"The way it works here in Dade-County is that he has not been arrested," Miami-Dade detective Robert Williams explained. "The State's Attorney's office would have to file charges. It was an incident that happened out there at the airport and the bottle has been impounded.

"This is Miami and like any other major metropolitan city we have homicides and other major crimes that will take priority over this."

Under Florida law, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. First offenders rarely do any jail time.

Once the bottle was confiscated, Vick boarded his flight to Atlanta and on Wednesday morning and met with some members of the coaching staff at team headquarters. He was scheduled to meet with Petrino but the new coach had to attend another appointment.

The Falcons did not learn of the incident until late Wednesday night.

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer Steve Wyche, McKay did not divulge the nature of the meeting but he did say the tone was "stressful" and that there wasn't much back-and-forth dialogue.

In other words, somebody was taken to the wood shed.

"I met with Michael this morning, the coach did, we clearly expressed our displeasure, had a pretty frank discussion about it," McKay said. "Internally, we will deal with the issue. It's something we should deal with and we will deal with."

Blank, Petrino and Vick weren't made available for comment. It was Vick's first encounter with Petrino, who was hired to replace Jim Mora Jan. 8.

Though he might not face charges, the fact that Vick was involved in an incident that generated the suspicion of drugs could land him in the NFL's substance-abuse program. If Vick is forced to enter the program, he could be subject to random drug tests by a league doctor.

Should Vick be charged with a crime, not only could he face legal action but the NFL could discipline the three-time Pro Bowler through a fine or a suspension.

Vick, whose $130 million contract makes him far and away the Falcons' highest paid player, is coming off a season in which he threw a career-high 20 touchdowns and become the first quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards.

However, over the past two years, he has found himself embroiled in controversy, although this incident could be the most damaging.

Vick was fined $10,000 and ordered to donate $10,000 to charity late last season after making an obscene gesture toward fans at the Georgia Dome following a 31-13 loss to the Saints. Before the season, he settled a lawsuit in which a local woman claimed he gave her herpes.

McKay said he did not think there was a pattern of problematic behavior with Vick.

Still, this incident has further fueled already considerable speculation about Vick's future in Atlanta. A move, however, seems highly unlikely. Any decision to cut or trade Vick would result in prohibitive hits on the salary cap through 2013.

According to Journal-Constitution staffer D. Orlando Ledbetter, Vick, who signed his 10-year contract on Dec. 23, 2004, is due $78 million in base salaries with the rest being paid out in a signing bonus and various roster and guarantee bonuses.

That said there's no doubt that Blank is deeply embarrassed by this development.

As McKay put it: "We are an organization that prides itself on not having off-the-field issues. I think we have done a pretty good job of bringing the right people in here so we don't have to face these types of issues.

"We don't like it. We don't accept it. It is not what we want."

While they can't easily turn Vick loose, the Falcons can certainly make him nervous. As an ESPN.com report suggested, Petrino could open training camp by giving Matt Schaub a chance to win the starting quarterback job.

While the chances of Schaub beating Vick outright for the job might be remote, the notion of a competition has been hinted at since the team's search for Mora's replacement began.

Indeed, ESPN insider Chris Mortensen first reported on Jan 6 that team officials were telling coaching candidates that they were "not necessarily married" to Vick.

Given that stance, the Falcons left the door open to some degree of competition this summer -- if not sooner.

In fact, Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio advised readers on Thursday: "As a practical matter, the process of Vick and Schaub competing will start much earlier. For all practical purposes, it's already begun; and Vick has lost the first round. ..."

The arrival of a new coach adds to the intrigue -- if for no other reason than Vick, entering his seventh season, will be learning his third offense as a pro.

It brings up an interesting issue.

As Ledbetter framed it: "Do you fit an offense to Vick? Or fit Vick to an offense?"

Petrino, after Dan Reeves and Mora before him, is now faced with that question as he implements the complex power/spread offense. Some prominent former NFL quarterbacks, however, contend Vick can succeed with Petrino's scheme.

"I've listened to everybody on TV and it kind of drives me crazy," CBS analyst and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms told Ledbetter. "When is somebody going to design the offense for Michael Vick? Well, my God, are you watching? They've tried everything. They've run 40 different offenses. Settle into an offense and make it work.

"He can run. He can throw. He can do it all. Make him settle into one style and he'll make it work."

Vick said as much after the season. Sensing a change was imminent after the final loss to Philadelphia, Vick said he was open to learning a new offense.

"Just give me the right plays and I'll make it happen," Vick said.

At his introductory press conference, Petrino said that after installing his offense in three stages, he will fit it for Vick. "I would like to experience and see everything that Michael can do and what fits best for him," Petrino said.

According to Ledbetter, Petrino's passing attack is more in line with the downfield attack that Reeves implemented, when Vick passed for 2,936 yards and completed 54.6 percent of his passes in 2002, his best season as a passer.

Petrino has worked with mobile quarterbacks before in Mark Brunell at Jacksonville, Stefan LeFors at Louisville and Jake Plummer at Arizona State.

"He's coached many different quarterbacks, many different styles and he's made it all work," Simms said. "The one ingredient that's made it all work is that he's an excellent, excellent teacher of the run game. So, it's going to start from there."

Joe Theismann, the former Redskins quarterback and ESPN analyst, believes Vick needs more help from the rest of the offense.

"What people really have to understand is that the success of the Falcons is more about completeness of the offense verses just Michael," Theismann told Ledbetter. "Michael tried to take the responsibility of that offense on his shoulders last year, and you just can't do it."

However, Ledbetter stressed that Vick's accuracy will have to improve. While plagued by dropped passes this season, he completed only 53 percent of his passes (204 of 388). Vick's best completion percent was 56.4 in 2004.

In Petrino's final three seasons at Louisville, his quarterbacks completed at least 61 percent of their passes. Last season Brian Brohm completed 64.6 of his passes. LeFors completed 74 percent and 61 percent in his two seasons as the starter.

Last year, despite the above-mentioned 20 scoring strikes, the passing attack was inconsistent and Vick would turn to the run. That was not always a good thing. While Vick rushed for an NFL-record 1,039 yards for a quarterback, he led the Falcons in rushing six times.

All were losses.

"If Michael rushed for between 500 and 600 yards and his pass completion percentage was in the high 50s, around 60, the Atlanta Falcons would win a lot of football games," Theismann said. "The Atlanta Falcons can not win a lot of football games with Michael Vick being their leading rusher for two reasons. No. 1, if something happens to Michael, you have no offense.

"Secondly, it's too much pressure for him to try and have to do it every down."

More effective play on the outside would help. While Petrino ran a lot of four- and five-receivers sets at Louisville, wideout isn't a position of strength in Atlanta. It's a shortcoming that will have to be addressed this offseason.

Fortunately, Hue Jackson, the team's new offensive coordinator, had a talented wide receiver trio in Cincinnati with Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry. He does know how to get the most out of the position. ...

As for individual responsibilities when it comes to running Atlanta's offense, Pro Football Weekly reports that Petrino will call the plays, but Jackson will likely have a role as the passing-game coordinator.

Petrino retained running backs coach Ollie Wilson and QB coach Bill Musgrave, much to the delight of Vick.

While Ledbetter suggests the perceived kid gloves that Vick has been treated with will come off with the no-nonsense Petrino in charge, Musgrave, who also worked with the left-handed Brunell, could ease Vick's transition.

Petrino's first NFL staff also includes his brother Paul Petrino, who was the Cardinals' offensive coordinator and will serve as the Falcons' receivers coach. Former Cardinals coordinator Keith Rowen will serve as tight ends coach.

In terms of scheme, PFW expects expect deeper drops from Vick and more vertical passes.

It's also believed the Falcons will start transitioning out of their zone-blocking scheme, which has helped produce the top rushing unit in the NFL the past three seasons, because the offensive coaches who taught that technique, including consultant Alex Gibbs, were not retained.

Should that prove to be correct, the Falcons will have to begin bringing in bigger offensive linemen to develop a more traditional blocking scheme.

Which brings us to back to personnel and the team's current batch of skill players.

According to Wyche, Warrick Dunn will be back, as will speedster Jerious Norwood; but the Falcons are likely to either draft or sign a veteran with some brawn to fit Petrino's power run game. Wyche went on to suggest that with the No. 10 pick, a banger like Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson could elicit consideration.

It should be noted that Dunn, who started every game for the third year in a row, had arthroscopic surgery for a damaged shoulder that bothered him much of the season. The procedure was performed last week. He will need several months of rehabilitation before he's able to resume football workouts, the team said. But he should make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, Petrino and his staff are watching film without input from holdover staff members in order to make unprejudiced judgments of the current roster, McKay explained last week.

In a few weeks the coaching staff and personnel department will share opinions about players under contract to see how the Falcons will proceed in the draft and free agency.

According to Wyche, tight end Alge Crumpler could be even more of a force in Petrino's system. Fullback Justin Griffith is a free agent, and it is unknown if he fits the plans of Petrino's staff. Atlanta seemingly would want to re-sign Griffith but that's no slam-dunk. Griffith has drawn outside interest.

Ashley Lelie is being evaluated, but Wyche believes he has strong in-house support. The Falcons could push to re-sign the free agent but might not break the bank to keep him.

The team is still showing patience with 2005 first-rounder Roddy White and is unlikely to draft a wideout in the first round -- unless Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson is somehow still available when they pick.

Given the latest developments, changes and possible changes still to come in Atlanta, it's safe to assume I'll be keeping a close eye on the Falcons this offseason. ... Stay tuned.

Other Fantasy-specific news and notes of interest from around the NFL. ...

In New York. ... Following up on an item from last week's Notebook, Eli Manning's lack of progress this past season didn't keep the position coach in charge of his development the last three years from receiving a promotion.

No sir, Kevin Gilbride, who took over the play-calling from John Hufnagel for the Giants' final regular-season game and their playoff loss to the Eagles, was officially named offensive coordinator.

According to Gilbride, head coach Tom Coughlin never really pursued other candidates, having been swayed by the offense's improved enthusiasm and attitude when Gilbride took over Dec. 26.

Gilbride, 55, was the Chargers' head coach in 1997-98 and also served as offensive coordinator for the Oilers, Jaguars, Steelers and Bills.

"I think Tom pretty much had made up his mind based upon what he had known from that body of work and the response of the players over the last two games," Gilbride said on a conference call yesterday. "I didn't say or discuss anything with him. He came to me afterward and said if things work out, then you'll be the offensive coordinator here, and we'll move forward from this point on."

According to New York Newsday staffer Arthur Staple, Gilbride's close working relationship with Manning was seemingly a factor in his appointment. Gilbride was more an observer of the offense than a major contributor.

He knows his quarterback inside and out, so he should be able to draw up schemes that play to Manning's strengths.

Staple went on to remind readers how Gilbride was seen on the sideline in Philadelphia screaming at Manning after an interception, and his fiery temper is considered a plus by some of the offensive players polled after the season.

"Eli and the offensive team will welcome this announcement," Coughlin said. "[Gilbride is] articulate. He's blunt, but when he makes corrections it's encouraging rather than deflating. That's been a positive."

The Giants have not hired a quarterbacks coach to replace Gilbride. ...

In addition to making sure Manning is on track, Gilbride must fill the large hole created by the retirement of Tiki Barber. The coach told reporters the Giants will need a running back to complement Brandon Jacobs.

In an article published last Sunday, Denver Post beat writer Bill Williamson advised readers not to be surprised if the Giants trade up in the first round to try to snare Peterson.

Gilbride also must improve the big-play passing game by getting tight end Jeremy Shockey more involved and do better in the red zone. ...

In Cleveland. ... As initially reported by the Associated Press, Rob Chudzinski was hired Saturday as the Browns' offensive coordinator, returning to the team to take over a unit that ranked near the NFL's bottom in nearly every category the past two seasons.

Chudzinski was Cleveland's tight ends coach in 2004 under Butch Davis. He coached San Diego's tight ends the past two seasons.

Before coming to the pros, the 38-year-old Toledo native was the Miami Hurricanes' offensive coordinator for three seasons. The former tight end was credited with developing Green Bay's Bubba Franks, Shockey and current Browns tight end Kellen Winslow into All-Americans.

The Browns went through two offensive coordinators this season. With players and fans grumbling about his play calling, Maurice Carthon resigned after six games and was replaced by line/assistant head coach Jeff Davidson.

But the Browns didn't improve much and finished 30th in scoring and 31st in total yards and rushing. They lost six of their last seven games and finished 4-12, Cleveland's fourth straight season with at least 10 losses.

In 2005 under Carthon, the Browns were last among the league's 32 teams in scoring. ...

In Green Bay. ... According to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel staffer Tom Silverstein, head coach Mike McCarthy hates to rubber-stamp anything, particularly when it comes to choosing the right people, but in the case of his offensive staff he wasted little time in moving personnel up the coaching ladder.

McCarthy considered others from outside the organization, but in the end he picked offensive line coach Joe Philbin to replace Jeff Jagodzinski as offensive coordinator, promoting the 45-year-old offensive line coach to a position of considerable weight within the coaching staff.

"Consistency was something that, quite frankly, we did not have as a football team, particularly the first half of the season," McCarthy said Monday after announcing the coaching changes. "This enables us to continue to build. I feel very good about watching a guy like Joe Philbin graduate to the offensive coordinator position.

"It's comforting to know that you (can) promote from within, that you're hiring good people and they're climbing up the ladder."

McCarthy wouldn't say who else was a candidate, although quarterbacks coach Tom Clements was interviewed.

Philbin, however, had a clear advantage over the other people McCarthy considered; he has a long history coaching offensive lines and spent a year learning from Jagodzinski the particulars of the zone blocking system used by the Packers. As Silverstein explained, the way McCarthy has things structured, the offensive coordinator spends a lot of time with the running game and pass protection, allowing McCarthy to focus on the passing plays and his play-calling duties.

During a typical week, McCarthy and Jagodzinski met to discuss their plan of attack before bringing in the other assistants to hear their ideas. Philbin will replace Jagodzinski in that role and although he won't specifically coach the offensive line on the field, he'll spend a lot of time in its meeting room.

Before coming to Green Bay, Philbin taught the zone-blocking system at the University of Iowa. He spent the 2006 season trying to teach an entirely different system to the returning veterans while at the same time incorporating three rookies who accounted for 38 starts.

Philbin said his stamp on the offense would stem from his general philosophy on how to play the game, which he detailed for McCarthy during their four-hour interview Jan. 5.

"The three things I hope we accomplish as long as I'm coordinator," Philbin said, "are: No. 1, that we play fundamentally sound; No. 2, that we're tough; and No. 3, that we're smart."

Speaking for Fantasy Nation, I would suggest an addition to that list: Scoring more points. ....

Meanwhile, in a related note. ... While the NFL world awaits word on the future of Brett Favre, it's worth exploring just what the Packers' backup plan would be if No. 4 elects to retire.

According to PFW, 2005 first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers will be recovered from his season-ending foot injury by March and would be the undisputed starter in 2007 if Favre does not return.

PFW went on to suggest that a veteran would likely be brought in via free agency, but said veteran would not be a guy who would interfere with Rodgers' opportunity to prove himself a starting NFL quarterback.

Interestingly enough, this unchallenged opportunity would not be a reflection of the Packers' ultimate confidence in Rodgers, but a desire and necessity to find out if the third-year passer can handle the job. ...

In Carolina. ... Offensive coordinator Dan Henning took the fall for the Panthers' miserable season.

Now, as AP sports writer Mike Cranston reported, head coach John Fox will have to make perhaps the most difficult decisions of his five-year tenure. It's uncertain what direction Carolina is headed after the first major upheaval in Fox's staff since he took over in 2002.

Henning, fired Monday along with offensive line coach Mike Maser, was bashed by fans for his conservative offense and his penchant for calling draw plays on third-and-long.

But Henning also gave coach Fox what he wanted: A ball-control, no-frills offense that limited big mistakes.

Is Fox, famous for saying a punt isn't a bad play, willing to abandon that philosophy?

Probably not if the Panthers draw from their current staff to replace Henning. General manager Marty Hurney has said the team will probably interview some of its current coaches for vacancies, and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy is a likely candidate.

So is running backs coach Jim Skipper, who also has the title of assistant head coach and has run practices in Fox's absence in the past.

Cincinnati quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese is also on the list of candidates. Zampese reportedly interviewed in Charlotte with Fox this week, according to two sources.

Zampese is credited with helping current Bengals starter Carson Palmer improve. He's the son of veteran NFL offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese.

If the Panthers go outside the organization, Jim Fassel is another possibility. Fox worked as Fassel's defensive coordinator for the Giants and Fassel has been out of work since being fired as Baltimore's offensive coordinator in October. ...

In Buffalo. ... According to Buffalo News staff reporter Mark Gaughan, the Bills are not inclined to make Willis McGahee one of the top-paid backs in the NFL a year before his contract runs out -- something McGahee seems to intent on making happen.

As Gaughan suggested: "This has impasse written all over it."

After all, McGahee showed considerable heart in playing through injuries this season. On the other hand, he finished 23rd in the NFL in rushing. In 2005 he was 10th.

McGahee's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, could legitimately argue that McGahee's numbers could be much better if he were playing in a fully developed offense with a passing game that was feared by opponents.

That does not describe the Bills the past two years.

McGahee is under contract through 2007. Gaughan believes the risk is McGahee holds out all preseason and doesn't report until the week of the season opener. He went on to suggest the Bills could try to pursue a trade before the draft.

The complication with that option is a team that bids for McGahee would have to want him badly enough to sign him to a long-term deal as soon as the trade is made. If that team was just renting him for the last year of his contract, it would not make the Bills a very good trade offer.

Whatever happens, look for the Bills to try to bring back Anthony Thomas, who is a free agent, and to try to add a speed back as a change-of-pace runner to add another dimension to the running game. ...

In Baltimore. ... Jamal Lewis's future with the Ravens is in doubt. The seven-year veteran signed a three-year contract last offseason, but its salary structure will force general manager Ozzie Newsome to consider whether Lewis is worth the pay raise he is due.

According to Washington Post staffer Rich Campbell, Lewis earned $1 million in base salary in 2006 but is scheduled to make $5 million in 2007. He rushed for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries this season.

Lewis' 3.6 yards per carry average was higher than his average last season, but it was still the second-lowest of his career. His nine touchdowns were the second-most of his career.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens have a couple of options: Draft a running back or trade a first-round pick to the San Diego Chargers for restricted free agent Michael Turner (whose name has been and will continue to be associated with every running-back needy team in the league).

Two power backs in the draft who fit the Ravens' mold are Louisville's Michael Bush and Penn State's Tony Hunt. As Indianapolis and New England did this season, the Ravens could find a good running back at the end of the first round and rotate him with a veteran backup (Mike Anderson is still under contract).

And Lewis?

When he was a free agent last year, the Broncos were the only other team that showed interest in him. Now, after his third straight mediocre season, Lewis might have limited options. ...

In Seattle. ... Matt Hasselbeck had surgery Thursday to repair torn cartilage in his non-throwing shoulder, and the team expects him to be fully recovered by training camp.

The Seahawks said Thursday night that the surgery to repair a 3-year-old torn labrum in his left shoulder "went well" and that last season's Super Bowl and Pro Bowl passer "should be ready for training camp at worst, if not before" July.

Still, Hasselbeck will likely miss most of the team's mini-camps and will not be able to develop needed rapport with receiver Deion Branch.

As AP sports writer Gregg Bell noted, both the quarterback and the former Super Bowl MVP receiver, acquired in September from New England, talked earlier this week about how this offseason would be important to better learn what to expect from each other on pass routes. ...

In Jacksonville. ... Following up on another item from last Sunday, the Jaguars are now sending signals that they could bring Byron Leftwich back next season.

But PFW reports that Leftwich, who has one year left on his contract, doesn't want to come back after the way he was treated by head coach Jack Del Rio, who communicated poorly with Leftwich after stripping the quarterback of the starting job last season. ...

In Minnesota. ... Even though first-year coach Brad Childress was a former offensive coordinator, Houston Chronicle national beat writer John McClain reminded reader the Vikings set franchise lows for a 16-game season with 13 touchdown passes and 272 first downs.

Of those 13 scoring passes, two were thrown by kicker Ryan Longwell and running back Mewelde Moore.

It's no secret that the Vikings lack for playmakers on offense, and it should come as no surprise if they field a completely revamped receiving corps next season.

Minnesota began the season with Troy Williamson and Travis Taylor as their starters, with Marcus Robinson as their No. 3. As PFW noted on Monday, Robinson has already been released, Taylor is unlikely to return as an unrestricted free agent and Williamson's busted second season will leave him facing an uphill battle for playing time next season.

In addition, backup Bethel Johnson is not expected to return.

That may leave only Billy McMullen -- a Childress guy from their time together in Philadelphia -- and seldom-used rookies Jason Carter and Martin Nance as holdovers. PFW believes the Vikings are committed to reconstructing the WR depth chart and will likely spend two draft picks and significant free-agent dollars on it, including possibly the No. 7 overall pick.

Their seeming failure with Williamson, the No. 7 pick in 2005, will not influence their first-round decision.

And finally this week. ... As FOXSports insider Jay Glazer first reported last Sunday, Saints head coach Sean Payton pulled an interesting little motivational tool the night before last Saturday night's Divisional Playoff win.

As his players were leaving their meeting room the coach gave each guy an envelope but implored them not to open them until they each got to their respective rooms.

Once in seclusion the players opened the envelopes only to find their itinerary for next week's game in Chicago.

How's that for making a pair of predictions?

In the itinerary Payton included that Chicago would beat Seattle and what the team's exact schedule would be when it got past Philly. ...

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.