The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan is the leading candidate to become the Packers' defensive coordinator.

Analysis:The two will switch roles, as McCarthy was Nolan's offensive coordinator in Green Bay three years ago.

The Minnesota Vikings signed five players to future contracts, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Analysis:Those signed were cornerback Marcus Walker, safety Roderick Rogers, running back Albert Young, receiver Jaymar Johnson and guard Brian Daniels.

Edgerrin James nearly quit the Cardinals because he was not getting carries, according to the Arizona Republic. "Throughout my career, everything's been easy and finally you get some adversity. Did I deserve that adversity? No, I'll never agree with that. But this is where I'm at and when you sign up to play in the NFL, you've got to take the good with the bad. If it got to the point where I couldn't play, I would have just went home, I would have said '(expletive) it, I ain't going to play then.' But, it never got to that point," James said.

Analysis:The Cardinals clearly need James now, because Tim Hightower has trouble attaining yards. James ran for 73 yards on 16 carries in the team's playoff win against the Falcons.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Cleveland Browns have requested permission from the Philadelphia Eagles to interview their general manager, Tom Heckert.

Analysis:Heckert does not have final say on personnel in Philly, so a move to Cleveland likely would not be a lateral one.