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Haynesworth, Nick Cole and Kolb

It seems likely that in a matter of hours, all NFL business will come to a halt.

No trades, no free agency, no new contracts, no roster moves, no nothing. Well, except for the draft in April.

Keeping that in mind and assuming that at some point, these things will once again resume, here are some links to pass along:

HAYNESWORTH'S FUTURE

The Redskins got rid of some veterans earlier this week, cutting ties with DE/LB Andre Carter, guard Derrick Dockery and running back Clinton Portis.

But two players who remain - for now - are Albert Haynesworth and Donovan McNabb.

When the Eagles added Jim Washburn as their defensive line coach earlier this offseason, some speculated that the Birds might be interested in adding Haynesworth and reuniting the pair from their days in Tennessee.

But the 'Skins' stance as of now is that they're willing to hold on to Haynesworth. Here's what ESPN's Adam Schefter said recently, per The Washington Post:

"The plan right now is to bring Albert Haynesworth back next season. Now a lot of people would say, whoa, how can that be? How could Albert Haynesworth possibly return to Washington again? But the Redskins view it in the sense that they paid him an awful lot of money and unless there's some team out that there that's willing to really blow them away with an offer, they're going to hold on to him and bring him back to camp and try to salvage Albert Haynesworth. Now again, some team could always step up and make them some kind of trade offer, but they're not going to release Albert Haynesworth right now. That's the one thing we do know."

I have a hard time believing that a team would blow the Redskins away with a trade offer. Why sould anyone take on that kind of risk, given the way the last couple of years have gone for Haynesworth? It's one thing to take a low-risk, high-reward chance on him if he gets released, but acquiring Haynesworth via a trade that calls for anything even remotely significant in return is a different story.

CHICAGO AN OPTION FOR NICK COLE?

One player the Eagles did not tender a contract to was offensive lineman Nick Cole. Cole started six games last season at right guard and also saw action at center after Jamaal Jackson went down in 2009.

According to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com, whenever Cole is able to test the free-agent waters, the Bears could be a team that targets him.

Given the uncertainty along the Bears offensive line -- veteran Olin Kreutz is an unrestricted free agent, and the team is still trying to determine whether Chris Williams is a better fit at tackle or guard -- headed into the 2011 season, the club might look to bring in a young, experienced player who won't break the bank such as Cole to compete with other players on the roster such as Edwin Williams and Lance Louis.

The Eagles signed Cole as an undrafted free agent in 2006, and he turns 27 in July. He lacked consistency, delivering a devastating run block on one play but getting beat in protection on the next. Overall, though, I think he's a guy who should be able to hang around the league for awhile.

KOLB'S FUTURE

One of the players (league-wide) that might be most affected by an extended lockout is Kevin Kolb. Kolb has not disguised the fact that he wants to start next season, and by all indications, there will be a market for him when the CBA is resolved. But the longer a potential lockout goes on, the less likely it becomes that Kolb gets dealt.

After talking to coaches and GMs, Clark Judge of CBSSports.com thinks Kolb will get traded:

After interviewing GMs and coaches at this week's NFL scouting combine, I'd be surprised if the Philadelphia Eagles don't wind up trading quarterback Kevin Kolb. There just seems to be too much interest in the guy -- and too many teams willing to bid on him -- for the Eagles not to consider a move.

...But league sources seem to believe Philadelphia can and will get what it demands for Kolb, partly because he is proven, partly because he has a future and mostly because he's better than what's available in the draft.

Joe Biddle of The Tennessean thinks Kolb could make sense for the Titans:

Kolb would fit more of what the Titans ran under Fisher, and Munchak and new offensive coordinator Chris Palmer say they will start with the same system Fisher ran. Running back Chris Johnson will carry the load.

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