NFL veterans Champ Bailey and Derrick Mason wouldn’t have a problem with the NFL lightening the pocketbooks of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz following their instantly infamous post-handshake fight … hmmm … scuffle.

Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin told “NFL Total Access” Saturday that he believes Wes Welker of the Patriots is “bar none” the best receiver in the NFL.

Michael Lombardi told “NFL Total Access” that Carson Palmer has been in direct contact with Bengals owner Mike Brown, but those phone calls “have proven to be fruitless.”

The NFL trade deadline doesn’t typically bring about any blockbuster, last-minute deals. But that doesn’t stop us from speculating and keeping an eye out at the latest reports being floated about.

Cowboys LB Bradie James let everyone in on a secret Thursday. It might not be the biggest secret for some.

We’d never go so far as to expect Jets WR Derrick Mason to be soft-spoken. But it took us by surprise to hear Mason — an offensive player, mind you — tell NFL Network that the league has a double standard when it comes to protecting quarterbacks.

Whether it’s a popular sentiment in Dallas or not, DeAngelo Hall’s shot-calling on Cowboys QB Tony Romo is a truth of what happens between the lines in the NFL.

Ryan Fitzpatrick can sense the newfound optimism in Buffalo, and says the Bills have bonded over their status as underdogs.

NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says Ryan Fitzpatrick’s gritty-gutty style not only epitomizes Bills, but that tough, nothing-to-lose approach is part of what has led to their recent success.

It took only two weeks of the season — and one of the worst starts in NFL history — for Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be placed on the hot seat.

NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi believes there’s legitimacy to the concern over the offense in Minnesota.

Now that we’re all up to speed, two current veteran players — Justin Tuck of the Giants and Jeff Saturday of the Colts — joined the Chad Ochocinco discussion Thursday on “NFL Total Access.”

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora checked in Thursday on “NFL Total Access” to discuss one of the secrets behind Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton’s record-breaking debut, which running back will have the most carries for the Texans in Week 2 and the latest in Terrelle Pryor’s appeal process.

One of the major storylines of the locked-out offseason has been where Kevin Kolb will land when the lockout finally ends, and in the four months of non-activity the Eagles’ backup quarterback has ascended to the status of an elixir for the handful of teams still needing a starter.

In the aftermath of James Harrison’s verbal tsunami in a magazine article, which included criticism of teammates Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Roethlisberger, both players have given Harrison a pass. Warren Sapp hasn’t, and said he’s bothered by Harrison calling out his own quarterback.