Growing up in Swampscott, Mass., Dick Jauron was a fan of the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. The team’s logo, with “Pat Patriot” snapping a football, was the symbol of an allegiance upon which Jauron reflects with great fondness to this day.

To no one’s surprise, the largest crowd of reporters at the AFC coaches-media breakfast at the league meetings this morning is gathered around the table of new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.

Make no mistake. The Bills are thrilled to appear on Monday Night Football for the third consecutive season and are especially happy to be part of the first act for the MNF season-opening doubleheader on Sept. 14.

Falcons coach Mike Smith has dropped some weight as he readies for the 2009 season.

It’s not just a bunch of talking suits at the NFL annual owners meeting. That was made very clear in the hotel fitness center at 6 a.m. this morning.

The NFL is still sorting through potential opponents to face the Buffalo Bills in Toronto this season. A source at the league meetings says the list includes at least one team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that isn’t nearly as sexy as the one I had reported last week was a leading candidate — the Indianapolis Colts.

NFL team owners and executive are beginning to gather for the league meetings in Dana Point, Calif. Vic Carucci sets the scene in SoCal.

Finally, there’s a little bit of sanity in this crazy postseason.

When Chad Pennington threw his third interception of the game at the start of the second half, everyone sitting around me in the press box had the same thought: This game is over.

I’ve been to Ralph Wilson Stadium many times, including during its earliest days as Rich Stadium. I can’t recall windier conditions than today.

The wheels came off the Jets’ season when they suffered back-to-back losses to the Broncos and the 49ers after a stunningly lopsided road victory over the Titans. They weren’t re-attached when the Jets beat the Bills in Week 15 because that was a game Buffalo lost rather than New York won. Thus, the Jets’ 13-3 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday shouldn’t come as a shock.

Despite his somewhat gangly physique and boyish looks, Falcons QB Matt Ryan has been fearless in the pocket all season, earning him respect from his teammates during Atlanta’s playoff push.

To gauge just how woeful the NFC and AFC West divisions are, one only needs to look as far as the Cardinals and Broncos.

What type of opposition will Saints QB Drew Brees face next week as he closes in on Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 passing yards? Especially if the Panthers clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Some quarterbacks impress you with their talent. Others do so with their grit. A couple of ultra-gritty quarterbacks are making their presence felt today.