Page 4 - Don Wright Associated News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

0 of 8 Kevin Sabitus/Associated Press Contract-year outbursts in the NFL get plenty of shine. When a player set to hit free agency has a successful season and helps himself on the open market, it's a headline item. Contract-year downswings don't get the same attention. Yet every season, players who bet on themselves with short contracts, tagged players and pending free agents struggle to match the expectations and put up the production necessary to secure a big deal. The setbacks could mean a player settles for less money or signs another prove-it deal. Here are the biggest names whose open-m...

0 of 6 Keith Srakocic/Associated Press With the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs completed, it's only natural for fans and pundits to focus on the teams who moved on, whether it was one we expected like the New Orleans Saints or one we certainly didn't such as the Cleveland Browns. However, there's a flip side to the teams who are celebrating and preparing for the next round of the playoffs. While six teams advanced, six others had their season come to an end. For some, like a 7-9 Washington Football Team starting a backup quarterback, defeat wasn't exactly a surprise. For others, like the...