Drew Brees, who ranks in the top four in the NFL in passing yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage, recently visited the White House to shoot a Thanksgiving PSA with President Barack Obama.

The Dallas Cowboys called a special news conference Monday afternoon, announcing the long-awaited signing of LB DeMarcus Ware to a contract extension.

The Cowboys have called a news conference for 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday at which the team will announce a new contract for LB DeMarcus Ware, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reports.

Teams have released their first practice participation reports for Week 7. Here’s the status of some notable players.

The Cowboys received good news on the injury front today when RB Marion Barber (thigh), OT Flozell Adams (shoulder) and LB DeMarcus Ware (neck) all fully participated in practice, leading all three players to be listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos.

Steve Wyche gives his thoughts and predictions for Week 3.

Giants DE Justin Tuck wasn’t too pleased about injuring his left shoulder after being tripped by Cowboys OT Flozell Adams. “It was bush league,” Tuck told The Associated Press after the Giants’ 33-31 victory at Cowboys Stadium. “He did it a few times, and they (the officials) only called one.”

Every week we will highlight the great performances that didn’t make NFL Total Access. These are the guys who do the grunt work.

A quick spin around some match-ups as kickoff appraoches. The Browns held another negotiating session with WR Josh Cribbs, with a face-to-face session with his agent conducted Saturday in Cleveland. The sides continue to make “good progress” toward a deal.

Pick your top 20 current players, regardless of position, as I did. It’s more difficult than you think. There’s one caveat — these aren’t ranked in order — but here’s a look at my top 20 as they popped into my head.

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.

James Harrison and the Pittsburgh Steelers are closing in on a contract extension that could be finalized as early as Monday, according to Bill Parise, the agent for the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Parise says all parties involved agreed to get past the Easter holiday before consummating the deal.

When Ray Lewis‘ future in Baltimore was questioned, his former teammate Rod Woodson reached out to him and cleared up some misconceptions.

Ray Lewis as a Dallas Cowboy might not be as far fetched as some think, at least not according to linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Dallas has showered lucrative contract extensions on wide receivers Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, quarterback Tony Romo, and cornerback Terence Newman. Yet, its most expensive extension, if it can get done, is on deck.

Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware has one year remaining on a contract that expires after the 2009 season and right before what could be an uncapped year.