Christian Ponder says he wasn’t surprised the Vikings made him the 12th overall pick in last month’s draft. That would put him in the clear minority, because it was a move the surprised nearly everyone else.

We know, you’re good and ready for the lockout to end and for free agency to begin. As the Commissioner said in Radio City Music Hall last month, we hear you. So if we can’t start free agency yet, let’s at least talk about it.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo could be one of the biggest steals in fantasy football drafts this season. Find out why.

After last week’s successful preseason edition podcast, Dave Dameshek kicks off “Episode 1″ with the debut of “The N. if L.” — the segment that answers how pigskin history could have changed if one play or event went the other way. Dave and his pals, Adam Rank and Dylan Milner, then critique the NFL Network’s “Top 100″ list of current players and offer some candidates for the league’s most overrated players. Handsome Hank stops by to read the “Tweet of the Week” (courtesy Reggie Bush), leading the fellas into a debate about whether fans care more than players. Lastly, Dave reads listener tweets. All in all, it was a peach of an hour. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Fantasy owners should hope that WRs Vincent Jackson and Santonio Holmes don’t switch teams once free agency begins.

I also don’t see Cam Newton as much of a fantasy option, at least not as a rookie. If Newton does beat out Jimmy Clausen for the top spot on Carolina’s depth chart, he’ll be worth a late-round flier in deeper, seasonal leagues. But that’s about the extend of his fantasy value.

Your favorite team stinks under center … and they didn’t get a quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft. So what is next?

Happy Friday, everyone. Before rushing out to get those last-minute Mother’s Day gifts (that’s right, we’re talking to you), here’s a look at what’s on tap for your NFL.com perusal today:

The 2011 NFL Draft is only five days away. So on this Saturday, when you’re sitting around watching “Saved by the Bell” reruns, general managers and scouting personnel around the league are doing everything they can to get ready for D-Day. With five days left, they don’t have much time …

Based on the current state of things around the NFL, it’s tough to find any news that has major fantasy significance (sigh). So when several coaches and other organizational leaders discussed the state of their teams during the annual Owners Meetings, you can only imagine how quickly I jumped on the information.

In the first week of the lockout, some of the NFL’s biggest names are finding a multitude of ways to keep the cash on coming during this age of uncertainty. Here’s a round-up of what they’re up to.

Steelers WR Hines Ward is in for “Dancing with the Stars,” joining the cast of has beens and who is thats which includes Ralph Macchio, Kendra Wilkinson and Chris Jericho (the favorite to take the thing). But who would you have rather seen?

And now for a few thoughts, observations and highlights as we wrap up Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine.

Who is the best basketball player in the NFL? Let’s put it to the test.

Did the Madden cover curse strike again? With word of Drew Brees’ knee injury, it would appear so.