NFL hot reads

Where does Newton go?

Now that Auburn's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton has declared himself eligible for the 2011 draft, the big issue is where he'll wind up. Although there's no consensus just yet for the 6-6, 248-pound passer, chances are he'll go somewhere in the lower portion of the first round.

And if there's some team desperate enough at the quarterback position, they may reach even higher, especially with Andrew Luck deciding to stay at Stanford for the 2011 season. The teams most likely in the market for Newton: the Vikings, who are ready to move on after the Brett Favre era; the Dolphins, who aren't sold on Chad Henne; the Titans, who are done with Vince Young; the Cardinals, who don't have a franchise quarterback in their midst; the Redskins, who have given up on Donovan McNabb; and the 49ers, who are ready to move on from Alex Smith.

What to do with Tebow?

New Broncos coach John Fox, hired by former Broncos quarterback John Elway, now the team's vice president of football operations, faces a major issue in the form of quarterback Tim Tebow.

The first-round pick of former coach Josh McDaniels is very much a work in progress, and Fox makes no guarantees about how far Tebow can develop. What makes it all the more intriguing is that Elway insists that Tebow must develop as a pocket passer if he is to lead the team to a championship.

"I think [Tebow's] intangibles make that progress accelerate, and that's the thing I was most impressed with about him," Fox said. "He's not afraid to be great."

Now the question is: Can he be great? No easy or quick answers for the Broncos on this one.

Shurmur a familiar face

Browns president Mike Holmgren, the former Packers and Seahawks coach, planned a sweeping coach search to replace Eric Mangini, who was fired after his second consecutive 5-11 season. But Holmgren wound up hiring a familiar face in Pat Shurmur.

Shurmur, 45, who had been the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, spent eight seasons working in Philadelphia with Tom Heckert, who is now the Browns' general manager. And his uncle, the late Fritz Shurmur, was Holmgren's defensive coordinator when the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI.

Shurmur did a tremendous job with Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, who is likely to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. And he hopes to do the same with Browns' second-year quarterback Colt McCoy.

"I got to know Colt very well [before the draft last year]," said Shurmur, who will call the plays next season. "I'm very impressed with him."

Haley might call plays himself

Chiefs coach Todd Haley needs to fill the vacant offensive coordinator job now that Charlie Weis has left for the University of Florida. Don't be surprised if Haley appoints himself as the play-caller.

Consider: Haley fired his first offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey, before the start of last season, and Haley wound up calling the plays. After Weis left amid whispers that he didn't get along with Haley, there's a good chance Haley will decide to call the plays in 2011.

He'll look around first, however. Among the potential candidates is Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels had been mentioned as a possibility, but it's not believed McDaniels is a serious candidate.

"I'm interested in getting it right," Haley said. "What I want to make sure is that I do what's best for our team and gives us the best chance to succeed."