TheDailyBlitz.com

In response to fan-submitted questions in a Chargers.com interview, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates says the best basketball player (minus Gates) on the team is either WR Vincent Jackson or WR Chris Chambers.

The Patriots are facing the biggest change to their special teams in a decade with losing their coach (Brad Seely), long snapper (Lonie Paxton), special teams captain (Larry Izzo), kick returner (Ellis Hobbs) and special teams ace (Kelley Washington).

The structural reinforcements made last year by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice facility came from a man who falsified his engineering credentials and had served federal prison time for a drug trafficking ring, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie fullback Asaph Schwapp was released from jail after getting arrested for trying to board a plane with a throwing star and knife.

After being reunited with Cam Cameron, Ravens back-up QB John Beck is happy in a familiar offensive system but is also trying to kick old habits: "It was nice to step in and call plays with some comfort. I knew his system and it wasn't like I was a rookie coming in. I knew the route progressions. There were some differences, but some were the same."

Jets coach Rex Ryan called assistant Ben Kowitca, who flew AH-64 Apache Longbow attack helicopters for the Army in Iraq, someone who's "going to be a star in this league as a coach" and "a guy who's going to be rising through the ranks."

The NFL has opened an investigation into whether the Washington Redskins broke league tampering rules when they signed free-agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Unlike ex-Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who wanted smaller and faster players, new coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew "talked about wanting big here."

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney has spent the past two weeks learning how to be an ambassador. Senate approval is still necessary (and likely a formality) to confirm Rooney as ambassador to Ireland and he and his wife expect to move to Dublin in July.

Colts rookie running back Donald Brown celebrated being drafted by indulging in some junk food. "Their foot-long hot dogs and cheese fries are great," Brown said. "I treat myself occasionally, but I very rarely let myself veer off my diet." (Conversely, I rarely let myself stay on my diet.)

Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer believes that the Browns never had any serious intention on trading QB Brady Quinn and by announcing that Quinn has "the edge" over Derek Anderson, that coach Eric Mangini is trying to light a fire under D.A.

After separating business from football, Patriots RB Fred Taylor finds "it's easier to deal with" not retiring in Jacksonville. And he still hopes "to catch Jim Brown," who has 1041 more career yards than Taylor. Although he wants to win a championship, Taylor says that "first and foremost, I just want to learn the daggone plays."