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When you have an abundance of draft picks, as the New England Patriots did last April, you can swing for the fences on a few. When they claimed North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate in the third round, they might have gotten a draft-day steal, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.

Schedule: Week 9

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The Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers had to choose between a young player on the rise and the face of the franchise at the same position in 2008. The Packers made the right decision, the Chargers did not, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

Schedule: Week 8

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The New Orleans Saints are adopting the blueprint of the 2007 New England Patriots. Bludgeon your foe early. Get on top, stay on top, stay unbeaten. The Saints are 5-0 and have not trailed, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

Schedule: Week 7

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Special teams have always held the Arizona Cardinals back. Now the kicking game may help propel the Cardinals ahead, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

Schedule: Week 5

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A lack of defense prevented the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints from post-season play in 2008, but these woes have been remedied with the Broncos hiring of Mike Nolan and the Saints Gregg Williams, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

Schedule: Week 4

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The Detroit Lions have been the worst team in the NFL this decade under coaches Bobby Ross, Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli before hiring Jim Schwartz. They finally found the right guy, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

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The Washington Redskins gave Chase Daniel (10) a look this summer, but he's the property of the New Orleans Saints now.

In his Inside the NFL newsletter this week, Rick Gosselin writes that that the spread offense is closer to becoming an NFL staple than he envisioned. That makes Southlake Carroll product Chase Daniel an attractive prospect.
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Schedule: Week 3
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Kyle Vanden Bosch's captain patch has four stars, representing his seasons as captain with the Titans dating back to 2006.

Roger Goodell instituted a captain’s “C” patch in 2007 with stars to denote the number of years selected, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter. “To me there’s no bigger honor,” Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch said.
Contest: NFL picks
Schedule: Week 2
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Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak (left) will put quarterback Matt Schaub and his offense in two-tight end sets often.

The Wildcat was the fashionable offensive formation in the NFL in 2008. As Rick Gosselin writes in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter, the two tight-end set is another trend seems to be emerging.
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Schedule: Week 1
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The Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, who won five titles in a seven-year span from 1961-67, are the NFL's top dynasty, writes Rick Gosselin.

What is a championship worth to a player's Hall of Fame candidacy? Is there a way to quantify it? Rick Gosselin examines the questions in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.
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Redskins coach Jim Zorn (right) said he's fine with quarterback Jason Campbell running his offense.

Washington's Jason Campbell has now experienced the hate portion of the love-hate relationship that exists between NFC East quarterbacks, their franchises and their fans, Rick Gosselin writes in his weekly Inside the NFL newsletter.
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The New York Giants have eight players on the defensive line with NFL starting experience, including Mathias Kiwanuka (97) and Justin Tuck.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys had in the '90s, the New York Giants have quality depth on the defensive line, stockpiling eight players with NFL starting experience, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.
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Bob Hayes joined the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2002 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Fellow Hall of Famer Lem Barney said Bob Hayes struck "midnight fear" in the hearts of NFL defensive backs because of his speed. That's the definition of a Hall of Famer - someone who instills fear in an opponent, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.
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When the New York Jets made Rex Ryan their head coach, they may have weakened the Baltimore Ravens' defense.

A Top 10 defense has won six of the last seven Super Bowls. But this may be the year for an offensive breakthrough because the NFL's defensive think tank took a huge hit this offseason, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.
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FILE

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of 21 returning starters for the Green Bay Packers.

Four NFL teams return 21 of their 22 starters, but the Green Packers may be on to something, writes Rick Gosselin in this month's Inside the NFL. The Packers now boast a season of experience and maturity for a roster that was the NFL's youngest with an average age of 25.5.
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The New York Jets could get a lift from new coach Rex Ryan (left) and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The Giants are the best football team in New York. But in 2009, the Jets could be the city's most intriguing team after an eventful and productive off-season, writes Rick Gosselin in this month's Inside the NFL.
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Former Cowboy Chris Canty (left) beefs up the Giants' front seven, and rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin gives the Eagles a downfield threat.

The Arizona Cardinals are the defending NFC champions. But don't be fooled. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2009 season as the teams to beat in the NFC, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL.
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