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.

The final game of the preseason, between the Raiders and Seahawks, offers one big question: Will Terrelle Pryor make his NFL debut?

QB drama in Indianapolis and Denver have been running subplots of the preseason, and the stories will continue to unfold tonight on NFL Network. Kerry Collins gets his first preseason start in a possible dress rehearsal for Week 1 when the Colts take on the Bengals at 8 p.m. Later, we have live coverage of the Broncos’ preseason finale against the Cardinals, where Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn will get a final audition for the No. 2 spot behind Kyle Orton. Here’s what else is on tap for Thursday: In agreeing Wednesday to reschedule his planned address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama might have placated House Speaker John Boehner at the expense of the nation’s football fans. [...]

Did you have any issues with Michael Lombardi‘s blue-chip and red-chip rankings of the best players at each position? If you did, you weren’t alone. Watch this clip of Heath Evans and Antwaan Randle El attacking Lombardi for his take on Philip Rivers.

The New York Giants should have been all smiles after throttling the Chicago Bears, 41-13, on Monday night, but the mood around Big Blue was glum after the team lost cornerback Terrell Thomas for the season with a torn ACL.

Monday’s NFL supplemental draft is one of the most interesting “mini” drafts of recent memory, and NFL.com will have full coverage, including NFL Network reporter Albert Breer live from Terrelle Pryor‘s draft party.

Panthers first-overall pick Cam Newton made his first start of the preseason Friday and even though he didn’t exactly light it up against the Dolphins, it’s his job to lose. At least according to Bucky Brooks and me on our latest Cover Two Podcast.

Several high-profile NFL players can expect to get some uncomfortable questions Wednesday. A former Miami Hurricanes booster serving a 20-year prison sentence for masterminding a Ponzi scheme told Yahoo! Sports he gave money, cars, yacht trips, jewelry, televisions and other gifts to several current NFL stars. Find out all the details.

The Houston Texans gave new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips reason to smile — and Jets coach Rex Ryan reason to scream — in Monday night’s 20-16 Houston victory, capping the NFL’s opening week of preseason action. Relive that game and more from preseason’s first week of games.

So we’ve been hanging out all week in Lake Tahoe at the celebrity golf tournament that’s chock full of NFL players. And we’ve spoken to guys like Tim Tebow and Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo. But it can’t be a legitimate celebrity golf tournament without the inimitable Charles Barkley.

Is it time to start rooting for a new team? The fellas get to the bottom of this James Harrison business by getting the story straight from Men’s Journal writer Paul Solotaroff who opens up about his recent story about the Steelers’ enigmatic linebacker.

When it comes to the greatest players in St. Louis Cardinals history, the list isn’t terribly long. So it came as somewhat of a surprise to us that two of the best players ever to don a St. Louis Cardinals uniform celebrate birthdays one day apart.

Thursday is podcast day at the Culver City, Calif., offices of NFL.com and NFL Network. Both Rich Eisen and Dave Dameshek will tape their latest podcasts today –- but there is even more significance this week.

Is he or isn’t he? At some point Monday night, there was a tweet from Chad Ochocinco saying he was “looking forward to tomorrow’s route running at 11 am Throwing with Terrell Pryor.” Could it be? Two of the most controversial figures in Ohio sports working out together Tuesday?