Super Bowl week has pulled in characters from all corners.

Star receiver Calvin Johnson’s status is in doubt for the Lions’ home opener against the Chiefs.

If Logan Mankins has seen his last snaps as a Patriot, what’s the contingency plan?

It has become an annual first-round tradition. Commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium and announces: “The Patriots have traded their pick.”

The Patriots downgraded five players — CB Shawn Springs, RB Fred Taylor, WR Julian Edelman, OL Sebastian Vollmer and DB Bret Lockett — to out for Sunday’s game against the AFC East rival Dolphins.

Broncos S Brian Dawkins, Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, Jets CB Donald Strickland and Patriots LT Sebastian Vollmer have left with injuries during the late action in Week 11.

The Raiders are forced to deal with legal matters surrounding their head coach, Tom Cable, and whether or not criminal charges will be filed against him for allegedly punching assistant coach Randy Hanson on Aug. 5 at the team’s training facility in Napa, Calif.

We’ve seen the numbers grow in recent years, but since the merger in 1970, we’ve never seen as many rookie offensive linemen start in Week 1 like we did this past week.

The University of Houston held its pro day Friday indoors on AstroTurf in front of representatives from 17 NFL teams. Twelve players took part in the workout, which included a huge breakfast for scouts at 7:30 a.m. with burritos and fruit in what was an overall great day and a great workout. Gil Brandt also has a report on Nevada’s pro day.