As soon as Jay Cutler’s fifth interception landed in Michael Lewis’ hands and the clock ran out, Mike Singletary embraced his assistants with a huge sense of a relief. It wasn’t about beating his old Chicago Bears team. Samurai Mike was just thankful to get a victory of any kind after four straight losses by his San Francisco 49ers.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Finally healthy after two years, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher launched his regular season by making a run at Aaron Rodgers, lowering his shoulder and plowing over the Packers quarterback in the first quarter. His 10th season was off to a good start. Then, it was over. Chicago’s six-time Pro Bowl linebacker underwent surgery yesterday to repair a dislocated right wrist and will not be back this season.

Buffalo is the smallest market to date for the T.O. Show; wide receiver Terrell Owens (top) signed with the Bills after being released by the Cowboys. A rift between Jay Cutler (left) and new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels became irreparable, and the QB was dealt to the Bears. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth cashed in immediately during free agency, leaving the Titans for the Redskins and a $100 million contract. Supposedly, pro football has reached its downtime. Considering how the NFL has ignored for nearly five months that this is the offseason, a break sure would be nice right about now.

WILLIAMSBURG Jay Cutler tossed soft passes to the young campers at the Colonial All Pro football camp at William and Mary yesterday. That was in sharp contrast to the hard words he threw at the Denver Broncos this spring. When the Broncos drafted Cutler out of Vanderbilt in 2006, he was their quarterback of the future. Last year, he gave the Broncos a glimpse of that future when he threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns.

The Washington Redskins’ problem is that no adults seem to be in charge. Joe Gibbs leaves and suddenly Jason Campbell is just a slug of a quarterback with a long windup and bad footwork. Jay Cutler becomes available in Denver, and he’s seen as the Redskins’ franchise quarterback. The Redskins’ pursuit—they say they “spoke” to the Broncos about Cutler, “like many other NFL teams”—was misguided.

The Redskins wooed and signed Albert Haynesworth in less than six hours. That’s quick. Too quick, according to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are accusing the Redskins of tampering in order to land the marquee free agent defensive tackle. Haynesworth was signed to a seven-year, $100 million deal, including a record $41 million in guaranteed money, at 5:30 a.m. on the first morning of free agency this February.

When big names hit the market, the Redskins always seem to find their way into the rumor mill. It’s no different with Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. Denver is accepting trade offers, citing Cutler’s inability to work with new coach Josh McDaniels. The Redskins already have a young quarterback in Jason Campbell, but his contract expires at the end of the season, and the sides have not been working on an extension. The Broncos would likely want a quarterback as part of any trade involving Cutler - their current backup is Chris Simms, who has thrown just two passes since 2006.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Josh McDaniels is making it clear he brought the New England Patriots’ management philosophy with him when he took over as coach of the Denver Broncos. Aside from the intricate Patriots-style offense he’s installing in place of the West Coast system that’s been here since the 1990s, the Broncos’ new coach is instilling a tenet prized by his mentor, Bill Belichick, who, for the sake of team unity, never panders to superstars.