Ryan Grant expects to be the Packers’ No. 1 running back this season, but the emergence of James Starks has damaged his fantasy appeal.

On Friday, the Player 2K series investigated the best defensive tackles of the 2000s. The problem with accurately trying to gage an interior lineman’s play is knowing what criteria to use. Defensive tackles — especially nose tackles — are not big sack guys, and generally don’t make a heckuva lot of tackles … much less interceptions, fumble returns for touchdowns, etc.

Should fantasy owners be worried about drafting Peyton Manning in their fantasy leagues this season? Not yet…

With the players and owners inching closer to a new deal, let’s keep our focus on football. As soon as the two sides shake hands, all 32 teams will be in serious acquisition mode, looking to fill in what they hope will be the final pieces of a championship puzzle.

Veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck terrorized quarterbacks for a decade with the Tennessee Titans before spending last season with the New York Giants. The free-agent took a break from his NFL Network visit Friday to discuss the retirement of Kerry Collins, Eli Manning‘s absence from the “Top 100,” and his take on Internet Gangsters.

Plaxico Burress will return to the NFL in 2011 after a two-year absence. But can he make an immediate impact for fantasy owners?

As we mourn the passing of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, it got NFL.com seniuor writer Steve Wyche to thinking about how Mackey revolutionized his position back in the ‘60s. Could there be such a revolutionary in today’s NFL?

Plaxico Burress poses for a portrait in the NFL Network Studio on Thursday.

Dave Dameshek and Adam Rank hit 88mph on the flux capacitor and travel into the future!

Does Plaxico Burress have anything left in the tank? The former Steelers and Giants wide receiver turns 34 in August, and many are wondering if he is too old to make a successful return after being out of the game since 2008.

Plaxico Burress is in our studios today, and I can tell you he immediately passed the eye test. Brian Baldinger and Solomon Wilcots immediately noted and commented on his physical appearance, and Burress told me he’s sticking to a strict regimen in South Florida, and his legs feel as strong and explosive as ever. “This is best I’ve felt in years,” he said. Burress is spending his days at Bommarito Performance Systems, an elite training facility, and has been joined there by other top receivers such as Chad Ochocinco and Sidney Rice. He said the ankle issues that bogged him down in the past are long gone, and he will be ready to go whenever the lockout ends. Baldinger asked [...]

Plaxico Burress sat down with Fran Charles on “NFL Total Access” Thursday to talk about his time in prison and the long road back to the NFL.

Who is the greatest defensive end since 2000? The two players primarily discussed are Julius Peppers and Michael Strahan.

The Jaguars are reportedly worried about Maurice Jones-Drew’s knee. But should fantasy owners have the same concerns?

When the NFL lockout ends, Super Bowl XLII hero Plaxico Burress can begin his search for a new team in earnest. In the meantime, he’ll make an appearance Thursday at the NFL Network and NFL.com offices to talk about his new ventures with the National Urban League and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.