7. Freeney = Moss

When you breakdown the success of the 9-4 Colts this year, do not overlook the accomplishments of stud defensive tackle Dwight Freeney.

Tony Dungy compared him Monday to Randy Moss, from the perspective that you have to double-team him and account for his game-changing ability on every single play.

Freeney has had an excellent season with nine sacks. Dungy said it really clicked in for Freeney at the midway point of the season. No coincidence that ties in with Indy playing its best ball of the season. And every time Robert Mathis makes a play, just know it has a lot to do with the emphasis on Freeney.

8. Mar-ty, Mar-ty

'Tis the season for the Marty Schottenheimer rumors. And why not. He's an excellent coach, a future Hall of Famer and he never should've been fired in San Diego.

With rumors circulating that Marty could be the next coach in Cleveland or join the Browns in a Bill Parcells time of role, I figured I would ask my Monday co-host on the Sirius Blitz on Sirius NFL Radio and XM 124 if he could ever see a Schotty/Cowher reunion, this time in Cleveland.

Marty told me, "That would be very interesting for a couple of reasons. You know, Bill and I have remained very, very close friends throughout our NFL careers, and it goes back to when he was a player and I was an assistant. I would be less than candid if I didn't say that that is, at the very least, intriguing. But there are so many movable parts there, it would be like a Rubix cube."

On whether or not he'll be the next coach of the Cleveland Browns, Schottenheimer said: "I don't see that as being likely at all. I really don't. I've made a major change in my life and, again, the only thing I always say, Adam, as a caveat, I don't ever make a decision if I don't have to, and thus, I haven't made one. First of all, nobody has presented me with an overture and, secondly, I've kind of aligned myself and my life kind of where it is, and if they want to pay me $30 million a year, I'll have to talk about it (laughs). But actually, you couldn't even take the $30 million because we need it for the government so we can get out of this financial crisis we're in. I have not spoken to anybody from there and the likelihood is, if indeed I were to, I don't see it (as being) likely."

9. Executive director search

On Sirius NFL Radio last Thursday, John Riggins and I peppered lawyer David Cornwell, who represents Deuce McAlister, Charles Grant and Will Smith, with questions about the Starcaps case. After the 20-minute interview was over, we were convinced the suspensions would be overturned, and 24 hours later, they were. It's one example for me how intelligent Cornwell is.

The Associated Press recently mentioned Cornwell as a finalist to take over for the late Gene Upshaw as the executive director of the union. He'd be a great choice.

Cornwell told us, "I will tell you that yes, I am a candidate and I'm very interested and committed to the opportunity, but there is a selection process in place through Raleigh partners and the executive committee of the player reps. So I am just going to decline any further comment and just defer to the selection process, but I appreciate you mentioning it and I am honored to be considered."

There really hasn't been a lot of chatter about this position. That's going to change very soon as the clock is ticking towards an uncapped year.