Here are some details on some recent contracts, according to sources with knowledge of the situations.

Peyton Manning is officially out of the season opener, which means fantasy owners may have to scramble to find a replacement.

Punter Mike Scifres‘ five-year extension with the Chargers includes $9 million in guaranteed money, according to a league source.

Pat Kirwan says that for the Colts to keep their nine-year playoff streak alive in 2011, they must manage the same trick pulled off by the Steelers last season, when Mike Tomlin‘s club started the year 3-1 without Ben Roethlisberger. That’s just part of NFL Media’s press coverage of the Manning story, as NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers will be reporting from Indianapolis throughout the day Wednesday.

Our panel of nine experts agrees with what was proven at Cowboys Stadium in February: The Packers are the best team in the NFL.

We’re just two days away from the start of the 2011 season. With that, the Thursday opener between the Saints and Packers will offer the first chance for all of us to see the impact of the new kickoff rules in the regular season.

The Buffalo Bills have claimed offensive lineman Sam Young on waivers, according to a league source.

The Giants have suffered yet another setback on defense. Starting LB Jonathan Goff sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament during Monday’s practice and is out for the season, according to a league source.

The countdownm is finally down to one — one day until the 2011 NFL season begins. For the San Diego Chargers, who open their season Sunday at home against the Vikings, one represents where they finished last season in both total offense and total defense.

Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams isn’t so sure about anything being easier, even with the Colts having to play on without Peyton Manning

A split in the Packers’ backfield will be a pain for fantasy players — at least for now.

The New Orleans Saints locked up coach Sean Payton to a multiyear contract extension Monday in a move that will keep the Super Bowl winner in the Big Easy through the 2015 season. Now Payton can focus on the business of having his team ready for Thursday night’s NFL kickoff game in Green Bay… but first he will make an appearance Tuesday night on “NFL Total Access.”

Arian Foster’s hamstring injury doesn’t appear to be as serious as originally feared, which should allow fantasy owners to breathe easier.

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora is expected to miss at least the first two games of the season while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Rex Grossman will be the Redskins’ starting quarterback in Week 1, according to team sources.