The questionable decision left them with Rex Grossman, whose dismal play eventually led him to the bench, and John Beck, who didn’t exactly master coach Mike Shanahan’s complex offense.

This year, Washington isn’t likely to repeat their mistake, and may opt to corral arguably the highest profile free agent in NFL history.

“Everyone” CBSSports’ Mike Freeman spoke to in the NFL believes the Skins will sign Peyton Manning if/when the future Hall of Famer hits free agency.

“And I mean just about everyone,” Freeman affirmed.

Freeman also notes that Manning and owner Jim Irsay, both of whom aren’t on the best of terms lately, plan to meet “within the next 48 hours,” as Peyton first wants his brother, Eli, to hold the limelight for a bit after winning the Super Bowl.

This report just confirms speculation that the Redskins are among the front-runners for Manning’s services, along with the Dolphins and possibly the Cardinals.

Surprisingly enough, the ‘Skins have a ton of cap room to work with, and need a QB to compete in the NFC East; Shanahan’s job may depend on it.

However, is the interest from Peyton mutual, knowing he’d play outdoors, in a different conference, and against three defenses that specialize in rushing the passer?

That’ll be the $28 million question for Manning, which we should know the answer to in the coming weeks.

According to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora, there isn’t “any way” Jackson, an impending free agent, returns to the Chargers in 2012.

Echoing a similar report by the San Diego Union-Tribune, La Canfora states that the Bolts won’t slap him with the franchise tag — again — after “acrimony” has built up between the two sides.

Set to become a premier commodity on the open market, Jackson will get the “big bucks” by a team in need of a wideout.

The 49ers, Rams, and Bucs were named as three potential destinations for V-Jax.

If you’re a fan of both football and FOX’s “House,” then you might’ve been particularly pleased if you recently tuned into the hit show.

During an episode titled “Runaways,” which originally aired on January 30, one of the series’ co-stars, Chris Taub, referenced three notable NFL names: Aaron Rodgers, Terrell Owens, and Mark Sanchez.

Rodgers was essentially praised by Taub in the brief scene. Owens and Sanchez … well, not so much. Watch the clip above to see what I mean. (Be sure to turn your speakers up a bit as it’s not the greatest quality.)

Yes, I realize it would’ve been funnier with Hugh Laurie slinging the barbs, using his patented sarcastic wit to toast the two.

And, yes, I realize the episode is a few days old; I’m not exactly a “House” enthusiast so my late pass on this will have to suffice.

To this point, the Super Bowl XLVI tilt between the Giants and Patriots has already been dissected, broken down, and analyzed ad nauseum, with every analyst under the sun offering their take on the Big Game.

EA Sports decided to join the fray, using their popular Madden 2012 video game to generate one last prediction of how Sunday’s Super rematch may turn out.

Will Tom Brady take home his fourth championship, cementing his place as the greatest quarterback of all-time?

Or will the underdog Giants once again pull off the upset, earning a second ring for Eli Manning in the house his brother built?

If the suspense is too much to handle, watch the video to find your answer.

Unfortunately, the future doesn’t look too bright for the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback, who could have no choice but to call it quits.

Citing a “family friend,” Peter King of NBC Sports reported Sunday night that Manning is still having trouble regaining full-arm strength five months after undergoing neck surgery.

And it gets more ominous.

King, relaying a “gut feeling” from Gil Brandt, added that “we’ve probably seen the last of Peyton in a football uniform.”

Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy, speaking on NBC’s Pro Bowl pregame show, feels that Manning really only has two options at this point: Play for Indy if healthy, or retire if not.

The former is less likely to take place, considering the fallout that’s transpired between Manning and owner Jim Irsay, who recently labeled the signal-caller a “politician,” and the team’s expected selection of Andrew Luck in April’s draft.

With a staggering $28 million option bonus due in early March, we should have a better read on Peyton’s plight in the weeks ahead. However, all signs point to Irsay cutting ties with Manning, a decision that won’t sit too well with Indiana’s inhabitants.

As crazy as it sounds, Rob Lowe, the unlikeliest of sources, may have in fact scooped us all.

UPDATE: Perhaps saying he’s likely to retire really isn’t so farfetched. Sources tell Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports that Manning has “hit a plateau in his rehabilitation,” as his vertebrae “don’t appear to be progressing at enough of a rate to indicate that he will play again.”

“People close” to the quarterback — probably the same “family friend” in King’s report — believe his career is finished.

While design plans are being kept well under wraps, Nike is using tonight’s Pro Bowl game as the “testing ground” for their latest innovations.

In a sneak peak of what’s to come, the Swoosh decided to reveal their first piece of renovated gear.

Introducing the new Vapor Jet gloves, coming to a sideline near you.

Just as they’ve got their prints all over the college football ranks, these gloves bear resemblance to those used by Oregon, among other NCAA powerhouses.

Pictured above is an example of what the Giants’ pros will be sporting next fall. Head on over to Nike Football’s Facebook page to view all 32-team designs.

In April, Nike will unveil the new, highly-anticipated NFL jerseys, likely using the Draft to showcase their new product. If it’s anything like these bad boys, then the league will be looking pretty spiffy on Sundays, if I do say so myself.

Moving swiftly to fill the void, one name being thrown around is the former longtime Jaguars head coach.

According to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora, Jack Del Rio has “emerged as a possible candidate” to become Denver’s defensive boss, replacing Allen, who bolted to the Raiders after one season on the job.

Del Rio, who spent the last nine years in Jacksonville, knows Broncos head coach John Fox well; he served as his defensive coordinator in 2002, when Fox was the head coach of the Panthers.

Reportedly, both Del Rio and Fox were seen talking at the Senior Bowl this week. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire — sources tell La Canfora that Del Rio will receive “serious consideration” in Denver.

However, if you think Stanford sensation Andrew Luck is a shoo-in for the honor, you may be mistaken.

In his weekly ’10 Spot’ column for ESPN.com, NFL insider Adam Schefter noted that “a handful of NFL scouts” prefer Baylor’s Robert Griffin III to Luck.

Luck, who’s being hailed by some as the best QB prospect since John Elway, has long been considered the odds-on favorite to succeed Peyton Manning in Indy.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm, team owner Jim Irsay all but confirmed that a quarterback will indeed be their pick, though choosing between the two won’t be an easy task.

“The way it’s shaping up — and you never know for sure — but with Griffin and with Luck, and the way it’s shaping up in the top part of that draft, which very likely could go one and two like it was with Peyton and Ryan Leaf, where we had to make a tough decision.

“It’s most likely one of those quarterbacks that you really feel (is) the best player in the draft, and where we’re at moving forward, you can’t pass that up.”

While Luck is an immensely talented player, Griffin, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, offers a Michael Vick-like skill set, capable of burning a defense both through the air and on the ground.

Even if the Colts don’t bite, it would be an absolute stunner if Griffin was still on the board after the first five picks. He probably won’t end up in St. Louis or Minnesota, who each have franchise-level signal-callers already on their respective rosters.

The Browns are the real team to watch, as they have a definite need at the position and the necessary ammo to move up from their No. 4 spot to acquire RGIII.

There’s more than a good chance that was the last we’ve seen of him in orange and black stripes.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Benson was “not pleased” with his role in the offense this past season, leading “many” to believe that he’s played his final snap in Cincy.

It seems Benson, an impending free agent, would agree with that sentiment.

“I don’t know what the future’s going to hold. You never know going into being a free agent, things like that,” said Benson, who signed a one-year deal during last training camp to remain with the team. “I don’t have any closed doors, so we’ll see what the future holds.”

Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden insisted on using Bernard Scott down the stretch, leading to Benson’s diminished production. Despite finishing with a 1,000+ yard campaign — his third in as many seasons — the seventh-year vet’s highest output of the year (125 yards) came all the way back in Week 1.

Reedy suggests that the Bengals could be in the market for his replacement this offseason, be it in free agency or via the draft. If they go the latter route with one of their two first-round selections, Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Miami’s Lamar Miller are two players that may be on their shortlist.

In either case, it’s likely time for Cincy to move on from Cedric.

According to NFL Network’s Albert Breer, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has moved “to the top” of the Dolphins’ head-coaching wishlist.

As was the case with Fisher, the ‘Fins have some competition for Zimmer, who’s also being considered by the Buccaneers for its current vacancy.

Zimmer has spent the last four seasons in Cincinnati, and has long been considered to be among the most promising — and deserving — assistants in the league.

He isn’t just a hard-nosed coach, he’s also a supremely talented one. Zimmer has fielded several top-notch units in his coaching tenure, including a Bengals squad that ranked seventh in total defense in 2011.

The move to Miami would be a logical one for Zimmer, who knows Ireland from their time in Dallas together. The Dolphins are no slouches themselves, finishing sixth in points allowed and third in rushing yards allowed this season. With a few tweaks here and there, Zimmer could take them to elite status in 2012 — assuming he gets the job, of course.