Jay Cutler Lifestyle

The NFL has announced its preseason schedule. The schedule includes 11 nationally televised games, beginning with the Cincinnati Bengals against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 8 on NBC in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio. The New York Jets face the New York Giants on Aug. 16 on ESPN in the first game at the teams' new stadium in the Meadowlands. All 12 playoff teams from last season are on the slate of nationally televised preseason games. The entire preseason schedule is here.

There is growing sentiment within the league that the St. Louis Rams will use the top overall selection in the NFL draft on Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. "If you don't have the quarterback, you have to take the quarterback," an executive with one NFL team said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he did not want to be seen as meddling in another team's business. "They don't have the quarterback. "The only thing that would have stopped them from taking him is if his arm wasn't sound. From everything we've seen, that's not the case. His arm is sound. He had a great pro day. I think the odds are very, very high that's the way they'll go." Other top candidates for the Rams' pick include defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma.

The rampant trade speculation surrounding Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has focused lately on the Oakland Raiders being the possible front-runner to obtain McNabb if he's dealt by the Eagles before or during the NFL draft. There has been speculation that McNabb would prefer to play for a team other than the Raiders. But that might not matter if the Raiders are willing to make a trade for McNabb without him agreeing to a contract extension as part of the deal. McNabb has one season remaining on his contract, and most of the teams interested in possibly trading for him apparently would want him to agree to an extension in conjunction with the trade. In that way, McNabb could have some control over the situation. He perhaps could unravel a proposed trade to a team he dislikes by refusing to negotiate a contract extension with that team. But if

Clemson running back C.J. Spiller has accepted an invitation by the league to attend to the NFL draft in New York, according to the league's Web site. Spiller is the ninth player to accept a draft invitation. The others are defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma, Jared Odrick of Penn State and Dan Williams of Tennessee; Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan; Tennessee safety Eric Berry; and offensive tackles Russell Okung of Oklahoma State and Trent Williams of Oklahoma. The draft is scheduled for April 22-24.

The Houston Texans signed Pro Bowl middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to a six-year contract extension, according to the Houston Chronicle. The deal is worth $48 million, including $21.75 million in guaranteed money, the Chronicle reported. Ryans had been a restricted free agent. "It's unbelievable," Ryans said, according to the Chronicle. "I'm so appreciative. I still can't believe it. It shows that hard work and patience can pay off."

Free agent cornerback Tye Hill agreed to a contract with the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Tuesday. Hill had been released by the Atlanta Falcons. He's a former first-round draft choice by the St. Louis Rams. Hill played in eight games for the Falcons last season. He made three starts and had one interception.

Free agent cornerback Nathan Vasher agreed to a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers, the team announced Monday. Vasher had been released by the Chicago Bears. "In Nathan Vasher, we're adding a proven NFL player with experience in the league," Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said in a written statement.

ESPN will televise "Monday Night Football" in the United Kingdom, the network announced. The game is to be televised live and then re-aired the following day each week, according to ESPN's announcement. Jeroen Oerlemans, ESPN's vice president for TV channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in a written statement released by the network: "Monday Night Football is an enormous global sports franchise with an incredibly strong heritage, and it regularly features the very best NFL matchup of the week. With the NFL's continued growth in the U.K., this is another example of how we are building quality global programming around our core U.K. sports schedule." ESPN has carried Monday night games in the U.S. since 2006. Hans Schroeder, the NFL's vice president of media strategy and development, said in a written statement: "We are pleased to expand our partnership with ESPN in serving our fans in the

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed linebacker Angelo Crowell, the team announced. Crowell signed with the Buccaneers before last season after six seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The Buccaneers also announced that wide receiver Mark Bradley signed his tender offer with the team. He had been a restricted free agent.

The Seattle Seahawks signed wide receiver and special teams standout Sean Morey, the club announced. Morey had spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He reached the Pro Bowl on special teams in the 2008 season and was a Pro Bowl alternate last season. Morey also is the co-chairman of the NFL Players Association's concussion committee.