The following quotes are from NFL scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

• "The Seahawks just signed Edgerrin James for $2 million when there was no market for him. I wish I could give away money and keep my job. The guy has not gone to any camps — why give him $2 million? Do they think they were in competition with someone for his services? ... Why pay Brett Favre $12 million, for that matter? Could someone tell me who was going to pay him $5 million? Three-quarters of the league would not want him at any price. Haven't they seen him play? It's over. It's been over. This guy is going to be their downfall."

• "The Giants just gave a quarterback who is average $100 million. If Eli did not have 'Manning' next to his name, would he have gotten all that money? Manning needs (good) receivers (to be effective). As soon as Plaxico (Burress) went down last year, Manning went down."

• "The guy (Todd Haley) hired to be a head coach in Kansas City is not a head coach in the NFL. That guy's ego is as big as Mount Rushmore. He thinks his face is going to be the fifth on the mountain."

• "Detroit has a rock in the middle of their line (C Dominic Raiola) and two first-rounders on the edges. The offensive line is not bad. I think they have to go with (Matthew) Stafford. They brought in (WR) Keary Colbert because they had so many guys inactive for their first (preseason) game, and three or four perfectly thrown balls bounced off his hands. Once the other receivers get in there, their offense could be challenging (for opponents). As a head coach, you can't buck the trend. (Ravens coach John) Harbaugh will be making $5 million a year soon after deciding to go with the rookie (QB Joe Flacco). It worked for Mike Smith in Atlanta (with Matt Ryan). Rex Ryan just announced he is going with (Mark) Sanchez. The defensive-minded rookie head coaches are having luck with rookie quarterbacks."

• "Green Bay went to the NFC championship game two years ago, and they have the same team. Mike Trgovac is coaching the (expletive) out of the defensive line, (Dom) Capers is calling the defense — the zone blitz is back. Aaron Rodgers looks legit. All of their receivers and runners are back — they have not lost anyone. They are healthy now and look good."

• "The Bears have no secondary, no pass rush and no receivers, but they finally have a quarterback. ... A good quarterback can create receivers, but if (Jay) Cutler thinks Earl Bennett is a go-to guy, it will be a quick way to slow down his career. Every team in the league has two corners that could shut (Bennett) down. We've got five receivers better than him on our roster."

• "For a guy that just failed where he came from, Eric Mangini got a lot more power than he should have. There is nothing positive coming out of Cleveland. They are in way over their heads."

• "The true test of an organization is not how it fares one year. It's building a competitive team year after year and competing for championships. It's what Indianapolis, New England and Pittsburgh have done. It's not one year of glory. We will see how Atlanta and Miami do this year. They started fast, but can they sustain success? That is the most difficult thing to do in this business."

• "I would hate to be the Cowboys' punter worrying about hitting Jerry Jones' TV board."

Kickoff is coming! PFW's annual Kickoff Issue goes on sale at PFWstore.com Monday evening and at newsstands and bookstores later this week. Also, be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com..