According to the latest list of NFL team values compiled by Forbes.com, the New England Patriots are the third-most valuable franchise in the league, and the 3-percent increase in team value over the last year is among the strongest in the league as well. The Forbes list puts the value of the Patriots at $1.361 billion, behind just the Dallas Cowboys ($1.65 billion) and the Washington Redskins ($1.55 billion). Unlike those teams, of course, the Patriots have actually had some postseason success recently. Just behind New England in total value are the two New York teams: the Giants ($1.183 billion) and the Jets ($1.17 billion).

For last season, according to Forbes, the Patriots were second in the league with $302 million in revenues (behind the Redskins' $345 million) and in operating income with $70.9 million (again behind the Redskins, who had $90.3 million). The team had the 10th highest debt as a percentage of overall value, at 21 percent.

Eight NFL teams actually lost value from last year: Oakland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, Atlanta, St. Louis, Seattle and Jacksonville.

-Jeff Jagodzinski, the former Boston College coach who was fired in January when he interviewed for the New York Jets' coaching job despite instructions not to, has been dismissed as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, less than two weeks before the start of the regular season, the team has announced. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson now has the job.

ESPN's Adam Schefter believes that the firing has something to do with what he says is Jagodzinski's disagreement over the choice of Byron Leftwich as starting quarterback.

-Most Patriots fans will be looking for positive signs tonight from backkup quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Andrew Walter. Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe believes that running backs Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis should also receive attention, because Green-Ellis might be about to pass Morris on the depth chart. Also, Benjamin Watson and Alex Smith could be having final auditions for the third tight end spot.

-Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree, who has indicated that he does not expect to make the Giants' final roster, will not be traveling with the team to Foxboro for tonight's preseason game because of a hamstring injury.

-Despite Josh McDaniels' statement that the Broncos are not looking to trade disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, ESPN is reporting that Denver would move Marshall to New York, but that the Jets would have to include linebacker David Harris in the deal.

-Michael Vick figures to get ample playing time for the Eagles in their preseason game tonight against the Jets, which makes that game one of the few that figures to be watchable for the average fan in this final weekend of preseason. Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to rule on full reinstatement of Vick by this weekend, and that Goodell is likely to allow Vick to play in regular-season action beginning by Week 3. If Goodell's ruling does come that soon, it could clear the way for the Eagles to make a deal involving A.J. Feeley.

-The Seattle Post-Intellegencer's Greg Johns believes that wide receiver Deion Branch's job is safe.

-The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have decided to end their pursuit of former NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.

-Chargers running back La Dainian Tomlinson has taken issue with a comment by former NFL great Jim Brown that the Vikings' Adrian Peterson is the best back that Brown has seen in years. Tomlinson thinks that he is a more complete player. But Vikings head coach Brad Childress has rushed to weigh in on behalf of his man Peterson. Vic Carucci of NFL.com says it's not even a debate: Peterson is number one.

-In other Vikings news, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the team is now entertaining offers for former starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

-And in still more Vikings news, Brett Favre won't be playing tonight against the Cowboys.

-And in even more Vikings news, ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio is expecting a federal court decision soon -- perhaps today or tomorrow -- on Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who may or may not have to serve a disputed four-game suspension for their use of an over-the-counter weight-loss supplement.

-The Carolina Panthers have tapped Texas Christian University athletic director Danny Morrison as team president. He will take over for Mark Richardson -- the son of owner Jerry Richardson -- who along with his brother resigned their team positions because of a family feud.

-Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe is a rookie quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, San Diego State.

-Saints safety Usama Young was arrested this week after a routine traffic stop because he had failed to appear for a court hearing involving a parking violation.