The San Francisco 49ers not looking to get into the Peyton Manning sweepstakes at this time and are instead focused on Alex Smith, according to a team source.

The pursuit of Peyton Manning is expected to begin as soon as possible, according to several executives who have interest in the free-agent to be.

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch avoided the franchise tag less than 24 hours before the deadline, signing a four-year, $31 million contract with $18 million guaranteed Sunday night, according to a league source.

In our first look in to the Seahawks’ offseason, we focused on a few teams needs, including running back, defensive end and linebacker. But for every team, the biggest questions always revolve around the quarterback.

The Seahawks are expected to be well over the salary cap, and a large chunk of that cash might be reinvested to patch up a dearth of contract players at running back, defensive end and linebacker.

Robert Griffin III‘s 4.41-second 40-yard dash dazzled onlookers, but it’s what the QB didn’t do Sunday that has NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock and personnel men throughout the league feverishly waiting for Baylor’s March 21 pro day.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll strolled up to the podium, eyed a bunch of empty seats and pointed to a lonely beat writer: “You’re going to need to carry this thing.” Quick laughs from those gathered Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine, but Carroll wasn’t finished.

Twenty-four coaches and general managers took the podiums at Thursday’s NFL Scouting Combine, and with free agency less than three weeks away, a few key players looking for lucrative contracts were on the minds of those on hand.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock was the man of the hour during a conference call with media from throughout the United States on Wednesday.

No special effects. No 3-D. No hyper-tedious pairing of Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The video above was done on the fly, with Seattle’s CenturyLink Field as its star.

Deion Branch returned to the Patriots last season after four-plus years in Seattle and learned one thing in a hurry: Whimsical chatter about Super Bowl XLII is a nonstarter in New England.

We hear a lot of banter from the public about the “Playbook” crew’s picks every week, especially when fans ardently disagree with a choice of a winner.

Tune into NFL Network at 12:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday to hear coverage of the NFL Fall Meeting in Houston, where the league will announce who will host Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015.

Sometimes it’s nice just to be wanted. Just ask Matt Hasselbeck.

There are numerous examples of teams being accused of faking injuries to slow down the no-huddle offense. Here’s just a few.