It's the year of offensive stat-a-rama throughout the NFL. There have been five 5,000-yard passing seasons in NFL history; three of them were this year. Drew Brees and Tom Brady both eclipsed the previous passing yards record in the same season. Records were set for passer rating, completion percentage and team yards from scrimmage. In the regular season, NFL teams averaged 235 gross passing yards per game, surpassing the previous high of 221 in 1995 and way above the 1971 average of 156 yards. Three of the top five rushing teams missed the playoffs while all the top five passing teams made the postseason. Detroit just gained a spectacular 882 yards passing in two games over six days -- and lost both because opponents gained 928 yards passing. [Read the full article]

Reggie McKenzie made clear on his first day as Raiders general manager that there's a new regime in Oakland.Soon after officially signing his contract to be the first general manager since longtime owner Al Davis' death, McKenzie fired coach Hue Jackson in a bold first move as he looks to give the organization a fresh start.More from ESPN.comReggie McKenzie, in his first act as GM, took a page straight from the man he replaced as the lead decision-maker, the late Al Davis, by firing Hue Jackson, Bill Williamson writes. BlogMcKenzie, a former Green Bay executive, is likely to look to the Packers' coaching staff to find the Raiders' next head coach, John Clayton writes. Story"There comes a time when change is necessary," McKenzie said Tuesday. [Read the full article]

The Jacksonville Jaguars targeted Mike Mularkey early in their coaching search.The Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator has a relationship with general manager Gene Smith. He has a son working for the team as a scouting assistant. And maybe most important, he has had recent success mentoring a young quarterback.Kuharsky: Mularkey Hired to Mold QBThe main reason Mike Mularkey was hired as Jaguars coach was to mold Blaine Gabbert into a franchise quarterback, Paul Kuharsky writes. BlogThe Jaguars hired Mularkey on Tuesday night, making him the franchise's third head coach in 18 years and tasking him with turning around the league's worst offense."Everybody was ready for it to be done," tight end Marcedes Lewis said. [Read the full article]

The final tie between Penn State football and the Paterno family has been severed.Quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno announced he was leaving the program after spending 17 years as an assistant under his father, Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. His departure was expected after the school last week named New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien to succeed Joe Paterno as Nittany Lions coach. [Read the full article]