Cam Newton is coming off the best rookie season ever for a quarterback. He finished with 4,051 passing yards, 706 rushing yards, 35 total touchdowns – 14 of which came on the ground – and an impressive 369.34 fantasy points. That was good for third most in the league.

Did I mention, he did this all as a rookie?

Yes, Newton broke the mold when it comes to immediate statistical success at his position. Based on his skill set and 2011 success, I think Newton deserves to be taken in the first round of most fantasy drafts next season. Let me say that again, one more time – I think Newton deserves to be taken in the first round of most fantasy drafts next season.

But I also like to play devil’s advocate when it comes to the value of some players. I want to make you, the fantasy enthusiast, think a little. I did it last season with Michael Vick, who some considered to be worth the first overall selection in 2011 based on his ridiculous numbers the previous season. I disagreed, much to the dismay of more than a few people. Well, Vick finished with far less success in the stat sheets – especially in the category of rushing touchdowns.

After hitting pay dirt nine times as a runner in 2010, Vick scored one rushing touchdown and finished a far less impressive 11th in fantasy points at quarterback last year.

So again, playing devil’s advocate, I went back and looked at some the quarterbacks who have rushed for the most touchdowns in a single season. How did those signal-callers fare the following year, I wondered? The results I found were, well, I’ll let you look for yourselves:

Steve Grogan, Patriots (1976): Before Newton, Grogan was the NFL leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 12. He found the end zone once the following year and never scored more than five rushing touchdowns in a season the rest of his career.

Kordell Stewart, Steelers (1997): Yes, Stewart was an actual fantasy stud for a few years in Pittsburgh. He rushed for a career-best 11 touchdowns in 1997, but scored just twice on the ground in 1998. Stewart never scored more than seven rushing touchdowns in a season again.

Tobin Rote, Packers (1956): There aren’t a lot of football fans who have heard of Rote, but he found the end zone 11 times as a runner in 1956. In the following season, he scored once on the ground. Rote never rushed for more than three touchdowns in a season afterward.

Johnny Lujack, Bears (1950): Like Rote, you might never have heard of Lujack. But I’m here to educate, and this Notre Dame product found the end zone 11 times as a runner in 1950. The next season, which would be the last of his career, Rote scored seven times on the ground.

Daunte Culpepper, Vikings (2002): I know you have heard of this guy. Culpepper rushed for a career-best 10 scores in 2002, only to see that total fall to four the following season. That would be the most rushing scores Culpepper would produce in a season the rest of his career.

Billy Kilmer, Redskins (1961): Kilmer, like Newton, was a rookie when he rushed for double-digit scores (10). He would go on to find the end zone just five times the following year, and that was the best he could do in that category during the remainder of his NFL tenure.

Aside from these quarterbacks, others like Randall Cunningham, Steve Young and Steve McNair never rushed for double-digit touchdowns in their careers. What’s more, those players all saw a decline in rushing scores the season after establishing a career high in that category.

Pretty interesting stuff.

These stats aren’t going to make me pass on Newton if he falls in my lap late in the first round, but I’m not expecting another 13 touchdowns on the ground based on what history shows. Instead, I’ll project around eight and consider anything more to be an added bonus.

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Jackson on the move?: According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, Chargers WR Vincent Jackson may have caught his last pass in a Bolts helmet. The team reportedly has no desire to use the franchise tag for him, but his price in free agency may be more than San Diego is willing to bear. Few wideouts have been as frustrating as Jackson. A player with the size and skills to be a game-changer, he’s never consistently lived up to that expectation. In seven years, the 6-foot-5 pass-catcher has never made more than 68 receptions in a season and has yet to crack double-digits in TDs. In a league that favors the passing game, Jackson will be a hot free-agent commodity and should command a sizable contract. But after spending his entire career catching passes from one of the league’s best in Philip Rivers (a shaky 2011 excluded), it’s unlikely that Jackson could land in a better QB situation — unless a team like Green Bay, New England or New Orleans comes calling. He still appears to be a low-end No. 1 WR for 2012.

Holmes likely back with Jets: Thanks to a trigger in his contract, Jets WR Santonio Holmes is owed $7.5 million. That means Gang Green is obligated to Holmes to the tune of more than $15 million in guaranteed money — and increases the likelihood that the former Buckeye is back in New York next season. Of course, he’ll probably need to patch things up with some of his teammates — including QB Mark Sanchez. When he’s happy and healthy, Holmes is one of the more clutch receivers in the NFL, even if his numbers aren’t eye-popping. The concern is that his reception and yardage totals have dropped significantly since he left Pittsburgh. Even if he becomes completely simpatico with Sanchez, he’s not much more than a flex receiver for next year unless things really change.

Ballard has torn ACL: An MRI confirmed that Giants TE Jake Ballard has a torn ACL in his left knee. With the normal recovery and rehab time for such injuries landing right around a year, you can take Ballard off your fantasy draft lists in 2012. It’s not an insignificant loss considering Ballard’s 2011 season found him as a quality safety outlet for Eli Manning and moved Ballard up the ranks as a solid No. 2 tight end option.

– Marcas Grant

Haley to become Steelers OC: The Steelers have offered their vacant offensive coordinator position to Todd Haley, which he is expected to take. During his two seasons running the Arizona Cardinals offense, Haley’s group was among the league’s most prolific through the air but weren’t quite so scary running the football. Now Haley inherits a playmaking quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), a pair of big play WRs (Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown) and a suspect running game (featuring Rashard Mendenhall). It’s certainly too early to know for certain what Pittsburgh’s offense will look like, but the immediate reaction favors the guys who pitch and catch.

Murray says he’s ahead of schedule: Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray says his rehab from a broken ankle is “ahead of schedule” and that he’s excited for next season. The rookie from Oklahoma took over the No. 1 RB spot before the injury and looks to be the early favorite for the spot in 2012. Murray’s dedication to improving as a pass-catcher and in blitz pickup is reason for fantasy owners to be excited about his prospects. The more Murray can stay on the field, the more valuable he becomes in an explosive offense.

Morgan to be ready for OTAs?: After missing all but five games with a broken leg, 49ers WR Josh Morgan is reportedly on track to be ready for OTAs this spring. Morgan will never be confused with a top-flight receiver, but he does have one season with 50-plus catches and another with nearly 700 receiving yards. He’s set to become a free agent in March and could be an asset to a team looking for a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver. That team could well be San Francisco, whose lack of receiving threats was a glaring weakness in their playoff loss to the Giants. Morgan will, at best, be a late-round pick in fantasy drafts, but where he suits up in 2012 could improve his value.

– Marcas Grant

Branch wants to remain a Patriot: After their Super Bowl defeat with the spotlight shining on key drops by receivers, the Patriots will have to think about the pass-catcher position in the offseason. Deion Branch, who will be a free agent in March, says he wants to play next season and finish his career in New England. Then there is the issue of what happens with the supremely disappointing Chad Ochocinco, although it seems likely that he’ll be peddling his wares away from Foxborough next season. The easiest piece of the puzzle will be keeping Wes Welker, whether it’s through a long-term deal or via the franchise tag. Welker will remain a No. 1 fantasy WR in 2012, while Branch could rank as a low-end No. 2 or more likely flex player. And Ochocinco? Until he once again becomes a viable weapon, you won’t have to worry about him.

Gronkowski not planning on surgery: The reason Branch won’t be rated much better than a low-end No. 2 WR is the expected recovery for TE Rob Gronkowski. The big tight end was a non-factor Sunday, in large part because of the high ankle sprain that was the talk of Indianapolis for much of the week. The good news is that Gronk says he has no plans for offseason surgery and will just opt for treatment. There’s no reason to think he won’t be 100 percent by the start of training camp. He should once again be a prime target for Tom Brady and should very likely be the first TE off the board in all drafts.

Ballard might need surgery: It was a rough day for tight ends with the Giants losing both Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard to knee injuries. Beckum tore his ACL and will need surgery while Ballard suffered a cartilage tear and might need to go under the knife. Because of the timing of the injury, it’s hard to imagine Beckum being ready for the start of next season, which will have little to no impact from a fantasy perspective. Ballard, however, came on later in the season as a consistent target for Eli Manning. Heading into his third season, the former Ohio State Buckeye projects as a solid No. 2 TE, but if he’s not ready for the start of the year, that ranking could take a hit.

– Marcas Grant

Chiefs want competition for Cassel: Recently, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel helped save a woman from a fire. Now he may need to save his own job. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli says that the team plans to bring in another quarterback to push Cassel for the starting gig. Kansas City currently has two QBs under contract (Cassel and Ricky Stanzi) and who the third signal-caller would be is still up in the air. However, free agent Kyle Orton, who finished the season as the Chiefs quarterback could be a possibility. Combine this with the uncertainty surrounding Jamaal Charles‘ after major knee surgery and the entirety of Kansas City’s offense is a fantasy enigma. Stay tuned, it may be awhile before we completely clear this up.

Peyton says he’s cleared, Irsay says no: Another day, another twist in the Peyton Manning saga. While the QB’s surgeon says Manning is cleared to play, Colts owner Jim Irsay disagrees. Just the mention that Manning might be ready to go for next season starts the rumor mill churning with potential landing places for 2012. A healthy No. 18 could command a hefty price on the free-agent market, meaning there is ample reason for Manning to spread the word that he’s healthy. It also adds fuel to the fantasy fire. Wherever the QB lands, if he can come close to looking like his old self, he’s still a very valuable fantasy commodity and immediately boosts the value of everyone around him. Buckle up, this ride is going to last all summer.

Can Raiders’ McFadden exist in new blocking scheme?: Now that Greg Knapp has returned as Raiders offensive coordinator, the overarching belief is that the team will return to a zone-blocking scheme. That change has led to questions about whether RB Darren McFadden is the right fit for the offense. It would appear that people are worried about the wrong issue. McFadden’s rookie season was in 2008 — with Knapp as OC — and he rushed for 499 yards and four touchdowns (including a 164-yard game) as part of a three-back rotation. While it’s a small sample size, it seems like McFadden didn’t have too many issues with the blocking scheme and shouldn’t hurt his projected fantasy value for next year. If there’s anything that should concern people in Oakland (and fantasy owners), it’s McFadden’s continued inability to stay on the field. 45 games in four seasons could end his stay in the Bay Area faster than any troubles he might have getting used to a new scheme.

– Marcas Grant

Packers to let Grant test free agency: The NFL could have one less running back committee next season. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Packers GM Ted Thompson doesn’t plan to spend a lot to bring back RB Ryan Grant and will only pursue him if he doesn’t garner a lot of interest on the free-agent market. That could leave James Starks as the team’s featured back, which might be a more intriguing fantasy prospect than it would seem at first glance. Sure, Starks ran for just 578 yards, but he did it on only 133 carries (4.3 yards per carry). In comparison, Arian Foster averaged 4.4 yards per attempt this season. Even with 20 to 25 carries per game, Starks won’t be better than a No. 2 RB, but his success could have a positive ripple effect on the value of QB Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay passing game, if that’s even possible.

Colts hope to re-sign Garçon: Colts WR Reggie Wayne has stated his desire to stay with Indianapolis. However, it looks like it will be fellow receiver Pierre Garçon, not Wayne, who will have the horseshoe on his helmet next season, according to owner Jim Irsay. It was a maddening fantasy season for Garçon owners — 45 percent of his total receiving yards and all six of his touchdowns came in just three games. The rest of the season he struggled to break the 50-yard plateau. If Garçon indeed becomes Indy’s No. 1 WR, consider him a low-end No. 2 wideout.

Jacobs expects to return to Giants: NFL running backs seem to be running a lot of reverses lately. First it was Peyton Hillis possibly returning to the Browns, now it’s Giants RB Brandon Jacobs saying he expects to be back next season. Jacobs was effective at finding the end zone in 2011 — he had seven TDs — but would continue to play second fiddle in a platoon with the more dynamic Ahmad Bradshaw. Consider Jacobs as a flex player or a matchup-based option if he stays in New York next season..

– Marcas Grant

Hour 1 - 

Hour 2 –

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Michael Fabiano and special guest host Marcas Grant go over the top ten fantasy running backs for 2012 and debate whether Rob Gronkowski is worth a first round next season in your fantasy draft. In Hour 2, the guys are joined by Matt “Money” Smith and Elliot Harrison to talk fantasy running backs and the buzz in Indianapolis about Peyton Manning’s health.

Bears could franchise Forte: Bears president Ted Phillips suggested the team would franchise RB Matt Forte if they can’t agree on a long-term deal. So it seems one way or another, Forte will be a Bear next season. But Forte has implied that he could hold out if hit with the franchise tag, adding an air of drama to what promises to be the Bears’ biggest storyline of the offseason. With new OC Mike Tice saying he’d like to better use his personnel this season, a healthy and motivated Forte could find himself as a second-round selection in a lot of fantasy drafts. If he instead opts to hold out, then all bets are off.

Reid non-committal on Jackson’s future: Speaking of guys looking to get paid, Eagles WR DeSean Jackson is scheduled to be a free agent. So far, the answer from coach Andy Reid as to whether or not Jackson will return is a resounding maybe. Expectations were high last season for Jackson, who disappeared for long stretches from the Eagles’ passing game. Jackson caught more than five passes in a game three times and eclipsed 100 receiving yards twice last season. Wherever he lands for 2012, Jackson has yet to prove he can be a No. 1 receiver, making it difficult to advocate him as a No. 1 fantasy receiver.

Henne back to Miami?: Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland went out of his way to praise QB Chad Henne, going so far as to say he could return to Miami next season. That would make for an interesting quarterback competition in the fall. Matt Moore still has one year left on his deal, while heavy speculation abounds that the ‘Fins and new head coach Joe Philbin will pursue free agent Matt Flynn. The good news is that regardless of who is slinging the ball for Miami next season, it shouldn’t affect the value of Brandon Marshall who solidified himself as a high-end No. 2 or low-end No. 1 WR.

– Marcas Grant

Palmer “absolutely” the Week 1 starter: The Raiders have a new general manager and a new head coach. But their starting QB next season will be an old one. Coach Dennis Allen told NBC Sportstalk that Carson Palmer will get the call as Oakland’s Week 1 starter in 2012. Last season was a mixed bag for Palmer; the veteran scored double-digit fantasy points in six of his final eight games. The former USC standout threw 16 picks in 10 games this season — including seven in his final four starts. He’ll be working with a new offensive coordinator this season, and all indications point toward Greg Knapp taking another spin around the Black Hole. What would help Palmer and the Raiders offense even more would be a healthy set of playmaking wide receivers. Even still, the Heisman Trophy-winning QB won’t be any better than a No. 2 option in most leagues.

Browns interested in re-signing Hillis: The Browns are considering bringing RB Peyton Hillis back, in a complete about-face from reports during the season that pointed to Hillis leaving Cleveland after the season was over. It was a rough year for the fourth-year back — he played just 10 games due to a combination of injuries and illness. The fact that Cleveland is thinking about bringing him back could mean the Madden curse isn’t as powerful as we all believed … or the Browns are about to learn a very expensive lesson in the fantasy football dark arts. As for you, dear reader, we need Hillis to earn our trust back before we can consider him anything more than a flex RB. Cleveland needs serious upgrades to one of the league’s worst offenses and after Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya were just as effective as Hillis, this could easily turn into another RB-by-committee situation.

Gronkowski out of walking boot: The scene may have shifted to Indianapolis, but all eyes continue to linger on the ankle of Rob Gronkowski. Reporters should be able to get a better view of that ankle since the dynamic tight end says he’s ditched the walking boot as he prepares for Sunday’s Super Bowl. How well his high ankle sprain has healed and how effective he can be against the Giants defense remains to be seen. But as the most popular TE choice in the NFL Playoff Challenge, this latest step in Gronk’s recovery should be a ray of hope for many players.

– Marcas Grant

Bradshaw won’t have offseason surgery: Now that the countdown to Super Bowl XLVI has officially begun, some of the attention is off Rob Gronkowski’s ankle and turning toward Ahmad Bradshaw’s foot. The Giants RB missed four games this season — including the first meeting with the Patriots — because of a foot injury, but has run well in shared playoff duties with Brandon Jacobs. In Big Blue’s three playoff games, Bradshaw has rushed for 200 yards on 46 carries and added another 95 receiving yards. As for this week, Bradshaw says he’s “ready to go” against New England, which is good news for the NFL Playoff Challenge since he is the most viable running back left on the board. Beyond this year, the veteran out of Marshall says he’ll avoid any offseason surgery, preferring just to get his foot some rest.

Wayne thinks he can still contribute in Indy: Change has been the buzzword around the Colts’ offices in recent weeks, but WR Reggie Wayne hopes that he can be one of the franchise’s mainstays as his career starts to wind down. Wayne told The Indianapolis Star that even as the franchise enters a rebuilding mode, he believes he can still play on the team. Without Peyton Manning in the lineup, fantasy owners watched Wayne’s value fall off a cliff in 2012. Chances are if the veteran receiver does stay in Indy next season, he’ll be catching passes from Andrew Luck. But with so much other uncertainty around the offense, you’ll probably have to look well down most draft lists before Reggie Wayne’s name appears. If he remains a Colt, we’ve likely seen the last of him as a No. 1 fantasy receiver.

Chargers, Jackson want to stay together: If Dan Pompei of the National Football Post isn’t being led astray, the Chargers and WR Vincent Jackson could be renewing their commitment to one another. The good news is that when it comes to a Jackson-Philip Rivers pairing, you know what you’re going to get. The bad news? You know what you’re going to get. This season, the big wideout caught 60 passes for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns. But a deeper look shows how deceptive those numbers were. Of the nine TD catches, five of them came in two games. Meanwhile, Jackson posted three or fewer catches in 10 games (including two weeks with just one catch apiece). That maddening inconsistency has been a hallmark of his career in San Diego. If he indeed does remain with the Bolts, he will just as likely remain as a low-level No. 1 WR or high-end No. 2.

– Marcas Grant

Jamaal Charles to see featured role?: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The running back position is a mess heading into the 2012 fantasy season. Age, injuries and committees have made that spot on the roster less reliable and, in turn, less valuable in a lot of cases. But one player who might end up helping is Jamaal Charles. The talented runner, who is coming back from reconstructive knee surgery after missing most of the season with an injury, told me on Twitter than he expects to be “stronger and faster” in 2012. That remains to be seen, but it sure looks like a featured role awaits for Charles. Thomas Jones and Jackie Battle are both slated to be free agents, and coach Romeo Crennel told the Kansas City Star that he’d like to “manage” Dexter McCluster’s playing time next season. Charles isn’t going to see 300 carries, but he could very well end up with almost that many total touches. Barring any setbacks, and considering all of the other question marks at the position, I can see Charles coming off the board late in the first round in some fantasy drafts next season.

Rob Gronkowski has a high ankle sprain: In an interview with WIVB-TV in Williamsville, N.Y., Gronkowski’s father, Gordy, revealed that his son is dealing with a high ankle sprain. Such ailments can take several weeks to heal, but all signs still point to fantasy’s top tight end being active and ready to roll against the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Clearly, he’s the best option for owners in the continuing NFL Playoff Challenge. Do be aware, though, that this ankle isn’t going to be 100 percent healed, which could mean more opportunities for Aaron Hernandez.

Dolphins hire new OC Mike Sherman: NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports that Miami has added Sherman to run the offense for new coach Joe Philbin. It’s a good fit, as Sherman has used the West Coast offense at all of his coaching stops, including a stint as head coach of the Packers. The ‘Fins just have to find a quarterback that fits the scheme — like, say, Matt Flynn. Slated to become a free agent, Flynn knows the offense well after spending time with Philbin in Green Bay. If he lands in Miami, Flynn could be a nice sleeper in fantasy-land. Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill, considered the third-best quarterback in the 2012 draft class, played under Sherman when he coached the Aggies and could also be an option for the Dolphins.

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Patriots being cautious with Gronkowski: If you’re looking for the first big storyline of Super Bowl XLVI, look no further than TE Rob Gronkowski‘s injured ankle. The Patriots said Gronkowski would miss Thursday’s practice – just the second practices he’s missed all season. But fear not, Playoff Challengers, coach Bill Belichick says Gronk is doing well and the team still expects him to be ready for the big game in Indianapolis in 10 days. You should expect to hear continuous reports on the status of that ankle all the way up until kickoff (we’ll do our best to spare you, dear reader).

Sherman to become Dolphins’ OC?:  The Miami Herald reported that former Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman is in talks to become the Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator. If he does take the job, it would be Sherman’s third NFL go-round as an OC after stints with the Seahawks (1999) and Texans (2007). In both instances, Sherman’s offenses were slightly better than average, ranking 12th in the league in points scored. Sherman’s offenses generally employ pass-catching running backs, which should have Reggie Bush feeling mighty excited.

Tice to make changes to Bears offense: New Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice told The Chicago Tribune that while he will keep most of offensive terminology the same, he plans to better utilize his personnel. According to Tice, that means finding better ways to get the ball into the hands of his wide receivers. But it also means relying on the strengths of RB Matt Forte, whose contract status remains at a standstill. Either way, Tice’s plan would appear to be good news for the fantasy value of Forte and QB Jay Cutler. As for any of Chicago’s receivers … well, we reserve judgment for several months.

– Marcas Grant

Hour 1 - 

Hour 2 –

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Michael Fabiano and Elliot Harrison are joined by NFL Network’s Steve Wyche to talk all things Peyton Manning including what the superstar’s fantasy value will be in 2012 depending on what team he may be playing for. In the second hour, the guys play “Fantasy Jeopardy” and go back to the “Fantasy Cantina” to talk what players are in for a breakout season in 2012 and what players will leave much to be desired.

Vikings want to use Gerhart more: The ranks of true featured backs in the NFL could be shrinking. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier says the team wants to get running back Toby Gerhart, who ran well in place of an injured Adrian Peterson, more involved in the offense next season. Gerhart could start the year as the team’s No. 1 back if Peterson can’t recover from major knee surgery in time. Platoons, of course, generally devalue both backs involved. Peterson is already not likely to be a first-round pick in most drafts; a true time-share with Gerhart could bump him down to the mid- to late-second round.

Dolphins seeking more RB depth: Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland talked running backs with The Miami Herald, praising both Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. However, the team has interviewed Florida RB Chris Rainey, who filled a dual role as a rusher and receiver at Gainesville. If Rainey lands with the Dolphins and Thomas is able to get healthy after a spotty rookie season, Miami could go with a three-RB rotation, similar to the arrangement that worked so well for the New Orleans Saints this season. As is also true of the Saints, though, picking one of those backs will be quite a chore — especially since Bush and Rainey have similar skills. Keep an eye on this story as it develops.

Texans have tough choices to make: After making their first playoff appearance in franchise history, the Texans now have to decide whether they can afford to keep both running back Arian Foster and linebacker Mario Williams. Foster was the NFL’s sixth-best rusher despite missing two of Houston’s first four games. Meanwhile, the Texans were able to field the league’s second-best defensive unit despite losing Williams in Week 5. Both players reportedly want to stay in Houston, but the team is already over the salary cap and would like to re-sign a number of other free agents. Wherever they land, Foster will undoubtedly be a high first-round pick next season while Williams should be a popular IDP selection in most drafts.

– Marcas Grant

Manning, Irsay to discuss QB’s future: Don’t expect Rob Lowe to give up his day job anytime soon. Last week, the actor tweeted that Colts QB Peyton Manning was considering retirement, sending the Internet into a tizzy. But in an interview with The Indianapolis Star, Manning said he was caught “way off guard” by the report and denied that he had any plans to call it quits. As for his future in Indy, Manning says he’ll discuss it with team owner Jim Irsay, but suggested that conversation wasn’t imminent. The 2012 home of the future Hall of Famer will be one of the biggest stories of the offseason, with plenty of teams expected to show interest. Without being able to predict whether he’ll be the Peyton Manning we’ve all come to know, there’s no way to recommend him as a first-round pick, but depending on his landing spot, Manning still has top-tier value.

Gronkowksi expected to play in SB XLVI: Despite leaving Gillette Stadium in a walking boot Sunday, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will reportedly be able to play in the Super Bowl. That’s good news for Pats fans as well as anyone counting on the dynamic pass-catcher in the NFL Playoff Challenge. With a week off to rest before practices begin for the Super Bowl, it means Gronkowski has a little more time to get ready.

Wells to have surgery: Cardinals RB Beanie Wells tweeted Tuesday morning that he was undergoing surgery and while no one (not even the Cardinals’ website) was able to specify what exactly was being operated on, an educated guess would be his knee. Wells was hampered for the last half of the season after suffering an injury in Week 7 against the Steelers, although he played in eight of Arizona’s final nine games. Wells posted career highs in carries (245), yards (1,047) and touchdowns (10) this season and looks poised to be the Redbirds’ No. 1 RB for the foreseeable future. He turns just 24 in August and has yet to hit his prime. As long as this medical procedure isn’t major — and it doesn’t appear to have been — Wells will be a solid No. 2 RB fantasy back next season.

– Marcas Grant