-- One of the most popular Rashard Mendenhall highlight compilations on YouTube shows the reigning Big Ten player of the year ripping through a collection of college defenses, including USC's. But one commentator argues that Mendenhall could do a better job of avoiding contact, and wonders why the video poster felt compelled to juice up the play speed. "This video would be a lot better if you didn't show him getting tackled so much," jkx22 says. "Also, is he so slow that you have to speed up the footage to make him look faster?"
Also: Mendenhall says he will be more wary on the street (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

-- The Spygate saga continues this week, with whistleblowing former Patriots employee Matt Walsh scheduled to go before Roger Goodell on Tuesday to tell the commissioner what he knows about New England's video taping practices. The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss suggests the scandal might not have had such a long shelf life had the league not committed some missteps early on. "While the league might have been thinking that a decisive, immediate ruling was the correct course of action, the timing seemed to lead to more questions," Reiss writes. "Was there a thorough enough investigation? Also, why were the tapes turned over by the Patriots destroyed? While the league insisted it was to ensure there were no tapes available to anyone, the destruction created the perception of a cover-up."
Also: To some, Walsh a vindictive videotaper (Boston Globe)

-- The Dallas Morning News' Todd Archer says the Cowboys would still like to acquire a veteran wide receiver, but that's a lot more complicated post-draft. Dallas' only option now might be a player-for-player swap to land an experienced starter who would become an insurance policy for the always volatile Terrell Owens and the chronically injured Terry Glenn. "The Cowboys are banking on improvement from within beyond Terrell Owens, Glenn and Patrick Crayton, whose popularity rating has dipped significantly since the playoff loss to the New York Giants judging by the tenor of e-mails," Archer writes. "Last season, the Cowboys kept six receivers on the roster as they waited for Glenn to come back. It was a risky move considering the value of roster spots, and it's probably not wise to do that again."
Also: Romo serenades crowd at Cubs game (Morning News Cowboys Blog)

-- Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution argues that rookie Matt Ryan already has shown he's the best quarterback in camp. "For the record, Ryan hasn’t done everything perfectly. No quarterback ever has. But he’s further along than any rookie has a right to be ... and he’s conspicuously the best at his position on this roster. The ball leaves his hand with more authority than when Chris Redman or Joey Harrington delivers a pass, and there seems a palpable sense of purpose when Ryan takes even the third string in and out of a huddle."

-- John Dudley