NFL News, Notes, and Rumors: Raiders Expected to Pursue Plaxico Burress,

According to Pro Football Weekly, the Raiders could make Plaxico Burress a priority free agent.

Expect the Raiders to be one of the teams in the Plaxico Burress derby. The team needs a veteran wide receiver, especially one with size. There are questions about how much the club can offer the former Giants star who was in jail the past two years, but if they can fit him under the cap, Oakland could make Burress one of their top free-agent targets.

Also it seems the Redskins will shoot for the number one overall pick next year.

From what we hear, nothing has changed in Mike Shanahan‘s mind about his QB situation: He still plans to go with John Beck as his starter. That could change whenever free agency starts, but it appears to be the direction the Redskins firmly are headed.

Detroit news.com Chris McCosky thinks LeShoure could be the Lions primary running backt hsi year.

. Integration of rookie RB Mikel Leshoure and power run game

Coach Jim Schwartz made it clear that Jahvid Best still was the primary weapon in the Lions’ run game. He’s still the game-breaker, presuming the turf toe issues are behind him and he stays healthy.

But the Lions have a new and exciting toy in Leshoure. Where Best darts and dances, Leshoure plows. He’s thick-bodied and hits the hole hard without any hesitation or fear of fumbling. He’s what the Lions have lacked, a pile-moving, short-yardage runner, who can also do some damage in the open field and can catch the football.

How offensive coordinator Scott Linehan uses his tailback tandem will be interesting. Imagine the red zone options he has now with Calvin Johnson on the outside, Nate Burleson crossing with tight end Brandon Pettigrew and either speedy Best or powerful Leshoure, or both, in the backfield.

The guess here is once Leshoure gets comfortable, he might get 40 to 45 percent of the reps
Two notes from NFP Sunday Blitz

The Patriots believe their locker room will help Ryan Mallett be all he can be. Patriots coach Bill Belichick knows Tom Brady will show Mallett the right way to do things. Leadership from Brady and other veterans such as Jerod Mayo, Kevin Faulk, Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty will provide Mallett with a blueprint of how to be a pro. Of course, that doesn’t mean Mallett will pay attention and follow the leader. If he doesn’t, however, it’s likely Mallett won’t be in New England long. Kevin O’Connell, the Patriots’ last third round quarterback, is one player who didn’t take much from Brady. It showed when he was cut after one season with the team. Undrafted free agent Brian Hoyer, on the other hand, has followed Brady around like a duckling follows a mother duck. He subsequently has lasted two seasons as a backup.

Jonathan Baldwin probably isn’t the anti-Christ he has been made out to be. There is no question the Chiefs’ first round pick may be a little difficult to handle at times, but that makes him similar to about 90 percent of the wide receivers in the league he is joining. The people at Pitt will tell you they never had any major problems with Baldwin. And most of them agree with his complaints that he didn’t get the ball enough and he was misused. They say he’s a tremendously hard worker and has exceptional talent. In fact, Baldwin usually was the first one in the weight room and the last to leave.

Broncos GM Brian Xanders says Moreno must prove worthy of his first round selection.

Lastly, Mike Vrabel has announced his retirement and his plans to coach the Ohio State linebackers.

I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University,” Vrabel said in a statement. “I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs.”

“I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach.”

Of course the “big news” (nothing’s really happened) is the talk that the new C.B.A could be done within 10 days.