Pro Bowl LB Patrick Willis told fans during a live chat on NFL.com that the 49ers have a “won’t-miss” shot at the playoffs next season.

Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh told fans during a live chat on NFL.com he was disappointed in himself after his first season in Seattle.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora went Around the League on Friday with NFL Total Access’ Fran Charles and touched on a few interesting notes.

The trend in recent years within NFL front offices towards younger (cheaper) general managers, executives and coaches is not surprising. The cost of doing business is going up, the economy is weak, and while gross revenues for the league are robust, like all businesses, teams have found ways to streamline their operations.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed receiver Troy Williamson to a one-year deal, according to a league source.

Our FPA ratings for next season can be a useful tool in your quest for winning a fantasy championship.

The Arizona Republic reported late Thursday, through a private team source, that the Cardinals are prepared to let Dansby test the open market and will not apply the franchise tag on the six-year veteran for the third consecutive year.

We are now less than a week from the deadline (Feb. 25) by which teams must apply the franchise tag to prevent potential unrestricted free agents from hitting the market. Who will get tagged?

Browns president Mike Holmgren said Thursday he’ll be heavily involved in the direction the franchise takes at the quarterback position.

Clancy Pendergast, who joined Oakland as a secondary coach recently after losing his coordinator position with Kansas City, informed the Raiders Friday that he is leaving to become the defensive coordinator at Cal.

Despite the obvious discord between Adalius Thomas and coach Bill Belichick, the LB is still a member of the Patriots, a situation the Boston Globe‘s Albert Breer attributes to a front-loaded contract that behooves the Patriots to keep Thomas on the roster at least until the new league year begins on March 5.

Dolphins LB Jason Taylor recently underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and is expected to be out three months before he can resume normal workouts, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

According to the Dayton Daily News, the Bengals will use newly-acquired Matt Jones as a tight end.

NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes believes Titans RB Chris Johnson will become the first back-to-back 2,000-yard rusher in NFL history.

Missouri WR Danario Alexander will not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine next week in Indianapolis after he had surgery on his injured left knee, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt confirmed Thursday.