Every year many of us gather around the TV to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a lovely Christmas tale where George Bailey is given a second chance on life after a visit from a guardian angel. And many of you are likely a little morose after your team has failed to reach the playoffs in 2012. Well, consider me your Clarence as I show you why there is reason for hope with your favorite team. And without further ado …

As we do every week, let’s take a swing around the NFL, looking at a bunch of random things… So, what’s been up? 1. The Buccaneers have a serious challenge today in facing the Cowboys, but they will have some big-time weapons to use. One of them is blue-chip receiver Vincent Jackson, a monstrously tall former Chargers star who was the prize of this free agent class. He has nine catches for 175 yards in two games, and QB Josh Freeman seems to have already built a connection with him. As Cowboys CB Brandon Carr was telling me, Freeman is already following the lead of Chargers QB Philip Rivers. “They both have the same mentality,” Carr said. “They’re going to throw […]

Ian Rapoport‘s weekly report is back after a brief hiatus. This Sunday his nine notes begin with a conversation with Falcons coach Mike Smith, who is sticking to his fourth-down strategy.

Bills WR Stevie Johnson attended Saturday night’s “NFL Honors” award show, and he was happy to see fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Randall Cobb take home some hardware.

On Saturday, Bills WR Stevie Johnson hung out at the DirectTV Celebrity Beach Bowl.

Want to take your picture with Bills WR Stevie Johnson? Just come up and ask him.