The following quotes are from NFL scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on the condition of anonymity:

• “I don’t know how badly (49ers LB Patrick) Willis is injured, but he’s not playing with the same passion and fire that he did earlier in his career. When he knows he is blocked, which is happening a lot more often than it did in the past, he is not getting to the ball. Teams are doing a better job scheming, too, and making sure they are getting a body on him. (Fellow Niners ILB) NaVorro Bowman has been much more impactful this year.”

• “The Bears went from 7-1 to out of the playoffs and there is plenty of blame for everybody. They need a total housecleaning, including (team president) Ted Phillips. It’s two years in a row it fell apart like this. It runs a lot deeper than just the head coach.”

• “The NFL is tightening its belt. A lot of owners do not believe in paying coaches $7 million a year. They’ve looked at every area of the organization trying to find spots they could cut back. I think it’s going to open the door for more young assistants to take over (head-coaching) jobs and you’ll see more retreads coordinating. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ken Whisenhunt and Lovie Smith had to fall back into the food chain and work their way (back) up.”  

• “(Patriots DT) Vince Wilfork is fun to watch. He walks over anything in his way. He’s as dominant as any defensive tackle I have seen this year.”