A quick tease at some of the topics we’ll be touching on.

The bar has been set with the recent success of the Cowboys, Patriots, Ravens, Chargers and Steelers’ 3-4 defenses, and now it has become vogue to run the scheme. As many as 15 teams are either making the switch or infusing elements of the 3-4 defense, but can they be successful? Here are five key ingredients that will make or break the transition.

Fantasy owners let their voices be heard about LaDainian Tomlinson’s fantasy value for the 2009 season.

Every USO Tour — the participants, the location, the moment in time — feels different from every other that came before it or will come after it. This tour, our first in the 43-year history of NFL-USO tours to feature coaches, was perhaps more distinct than others.

When the planning for this trip was in its early stages, one thing that was most important to us was having the opportunity to spend the Fourth of July holiday with our troops who are serving overseas in harm’s way. I think all five coaches on the tour would agree that July 4, 2009 was a day they will long remember.

So, what are the accommodations like on USO tours? We always stay in “DV” quarters, which are on-base accommodations for “Distinguished Visitors.” These quarters can range from having an extra pillow on a standard-issue Army cot in a barrack-style room to comfortable single rooms for each member of the tour.

Millions around the world are mourning the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. And no matter what you think of Jackson in his later years, there can be no questioning the social impact Jackson had on America. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, America was at a pivotal crossroad as racial divisions were not only pervasive in the South, but across this great country.

The Washington Redskins are taking the unusual, though not unprecedented, measure of allowing all veterans with four or more years of NFL experience to forgo dorms or hotel rooms and spend all of training camp sleeping in their own beds. Opinions on the tactic vary, but do you guys think it matters one way or the other?

Derrick Mason and Frank Wycheck caught more passes from Steve McNair for more yards and more touchdowns than anyone else — by a huge margin.

A quick look at items I’m working on for tonight’s edition of NFL Total Access (as always, subject to change).

Steve McNair spent 13 years as a quarterback in the NFL, but according to The Seattle Times, he could have just as easily had a prolific baseball career after the Mariners selected him in the 35th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.

Looking for the most in-depth and up-to-date information for your fantasy football draft? NFL.com has everything you need to dominate your league, including Michael Fabiano’s updated running back rankings.

It’s always difficult to project in this topsy-turvy league, but I’m going to say the AFC East. Let me know what you guys think.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher welled up within seconds of discussing the life — and death — of slain former QB Steve McNair at a news conference Monday.

Veteran CB Dre Bly was picked up by the 49ers this offseason, but he spent the previous two years in the Broncos’ woeful secondary. And Bly believes he unfairly took much of the blame for Denver’s poor defensive ranking and its eventual collapse down the stretch last season, he told the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk.