ATLANTA: The NFL’s "Mr. Excitement" meets the Far East. Falcons quarterback MICHAEL VICK will help the NFL kick off its 2005 preseason in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday, August 6 when Atlanta faces the Indianapolis Colts in an American Bowl matchup. "Promoting NFL football internationally is an important objective of our league, and we are proud to have been selected to represent the NFC in Tokyo," said Falcons owner and CEO ARTHUR BLANK. Adds Vick, "We look forward to putting on a great show for the Japanese fans and hopefully setting the tone for the season with a victory."

CAROLINA: "Pilates" and professional football go hand-in-hand in Carolina this spring. Panthers strength and conditioning coach JERRY SIMMONS has incorporated a weekly voluntary pilates class into the team’s offseason program. Pilates is an exercise regimen that does not use weights. For one hour, players stretch and work their core muscles such as the stomach and back. "This is the first year I’ve tried it," says defensive end AL WALLACE. "After three or four weeks, I’ve noticed a difference in my flexibility and the way my body feels. It’s definitely a plus for me."

CHICAGO: The Bears celebrated a very happy anniversary at their annual fan convention this past weekend (March 18-20), as the 1985 team, winners of Super Bowl XX, received special recognition at Friday night’s opening ceremony. Nearly 30 members of that championship team were on hand, as well as 40 current Bears players and coaches, including newly-acquired wide receiver MUHSIN MUHAMMAD. "It’s great to be in Chicago," Muhammad said. "I think we’re all anxious for the season to begin."

DALLAS: Head coach BILL PARCELLS has been reunited with quarterback DREW BLEDSOE in Dallas. Bledsoe, who led Parcells’ 1996 Patriots to a berth in Super Bowl XXXI, is hoping to rekindle that type of magic with the Cowboys. "I anticipate helping this team win a lot of games," says Bledsoe. Other key additions include three-time All-Star guard MARCO RIVERA, defensive tackle JASON FERGUSON and cornerback ANTHONY HENRY.

DETROIT: A pair of young playmakers are expected back on the field for the Lions in 2005, and that has fans in the Motor City excited. Wide receiver CHARLES ROGERS and linebacker BOSS BAILEY, first and second-round draft picks in 2003, respectively, are eagerly anticipating a return. Bailey started every game his rookie season before missing 2004 with a knee injury. Rogers also made an immediate impact in his rookie year before missing last season with a broken collarbone. He is eager to join the Lions’ talented corps of receivers. "He’s so anxious to get on the field," says head coach STEVE MARIUCCI of his potential big-play wideout. "He’s bound and determined to prove his worth."

GREEN BAY: The Packers’ inaugural Fan Fest took place on March 11-13, as more than 3,000 fans filled the Lambeau Field Atrium to meet their favorite players, gain insight from the coaching staff and tour the Packers’ locker room. "I thought it was a huge success," said Packers president and CEO BOB HARLAN. The fans reserved perhaps their largest ovation for quarterback BRETT FAVRE, who confirmed his return to the field in 2005. "I love to play the game and I still feel like I can play at a high level," said Favre. "The sky’s the limit."

MINNESOTA: The Vikings have added some new faces on defense as Minnesota aims to advance beyond last season’s appearance in the Divisional Playoffs. Cornerback FRED SMOOT, a free agent signee from Washington, will join second-year Viking ANTOINE WINFIELD to form one of the NFL’s most dominant cornerback tandems. Other key acquisitions include linebacker NAPOLEON HARRIS (trade, Oakland) and safety DARREN SHARPER, who moves to Minnesota from rival Green Bay. "We’ve done a great job of adding playmakers to our defense," says head coach MIKE TICE.

NEW ORLEANS: Having eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in three consecutive seasons, DEUCE MC ALLISTER has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the NFL. Just as quickly, he has made his mark off the field through his "Catch 22" Foundation. The organization aims to improve the quality of life for underprivileged youth in Louisiana and Mississippi. As a result, McAllister is among the finalists for the prestigious Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award which will be announced on Thursday, April 7 in Washington, DC.

NEW YORK: Running back TIKI BARBER capped perhaps his finest NFL season with his first trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, in which he rushed for a game-high 70 yards. Now Barber has achieved another significant milestone…on stage. He made his off-Broadway debut on March 17 in "Women in Manhattan," a comedy by JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY that focuses on the lives of three New Yorkers. The show runs through March 26 at New York’s Greenwich Street Theater.

PHILADELPHIA: Fan favorite JEREMIAH TROTTER capped his return to the Eagles in 2004 with a trip to the Pro Bowl. The linebacker spent the first four years of his career in Philadelphia before joining Washington for 2002-03. Trotter, a three-time All-Star who helped the Eagles advance to Super Bowl XXXIX, will aim to return to the Super Bowl as an Eagle next season, rejecting more lucrative offers to sign a five-year contract with the team. "Philadelphia is my home and the Eagles are the team I want to be with," says Trotter. "This is where I want to retire."

ST. LOUIS: Safety RICH COADY recently hosted pediatric cancer patients from St. Louis’ SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for a week of winter fun in Wausau, Wisconsin. Coady sponsored six children from St. Louis, part of a group of 40 children on hand from around the country for a "Circle of Friends" trip. The kids took part in a variety of winter events, such as skiing, sleigh-riding, tubing and various arts and crafts projects. Other NFL sponsors included Seattle’s GRANT WISTROM and New Orleans’ BRIAN YOUNG.

SAN FRANCISCO: The spirit of the Olympics is alive in Squaw Valley, as 49ers players, coaches and management – including new head coach MIKE NOLAN and new vice president of player personnel SCOT MC CLOUGHAN – took part in the San Francisco 49ers Foundation’s fifth annual Celebrity Ski Classic last weekend (March 17-20) at the Resort at Squaw Creek. 49ers’ alumni and Olympic legends PHIL and STEVE MAHRE participated in the event, which has raised more than $1 million to benefit non-profit organizations serving youth in the Bay area while focusing on education, health care and development.

SEATTLE: The Seahawks have secured the man under center. Quarterback MATT HASSELBECK recently signed a multi-year contract to remain in Seattle. Hasselbeck has led the team to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in nearly two decades, establishing himself as a proven player since joining the club from Green Bay in a 2001 trade. "This really is a dream come true," says Hasselbeck.

TAMPA BAY: Buccaneers linebacker SHELTON QUARLES spent part of his offseason on the football field -- as an official. Quarles was one of 28 current and former players taking part in the NFL Europe League Internship Program, designed to give players first-hand experience in coaching, officiating and game operations. Quarles was one of five players participating in the officiating program, which included on-field work as well as film review. "It was a great learning experience," said Quarles. "It was very valuable for me to see the game from a different perspective."

WASHINGTON: The Redskins receiving corps will have a new look next season with the additions of DAVID PATTEN and SANTANA MOSS. Patten brings three Super Bowl rings with him to the nation’s capital -- all earned in his four seasons with the New England Patriots -- along with his coveted big-play ability. Moss, acquired in a trade with the Jets, has impressed head coach JOE GIBBS. "Here’s what jumps out at you on film," explains Gibbs. "When Santana hits the ground with the ball, he’s extremely quick and elusive."