Programming note: NFL free agency is underway! Check out Matt Maiocco's 49ers free agent tracker and watch SportsNet Central nightly at 6 and 10:30 p.m. for all the latest football news. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, a Bay Area native, is scheduled to visit the 49ers on Friday, a source confirmed. The 49ers will meet with Edelman at the team's Santa Clara facility, and the club also has interest in New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, ESPN reported. Edelman, a five-year veteran from Kent State, caught 105 passes for 1,056 yards and four touchdowns with the New England Patriots last season.

The Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots have the second and third most expensive tickets in the NFL. But who's No. 1?

There are plenty of familiar story lines heading into Week 4 of the NFL season. The Denver Broncos are looking like a championship team. New Orleans is back on top in the NFC South. Miami appears to be one of those “surprise” teams that could make the playoffs. Oakland is struggling once again. And New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat. [ Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football is open for business ] Coughlin’s teams seemingly start slow every year before sneaking into the playoffs, but that appears very unlikely right now. New York was embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers, 38-0, this past Sunday, and appear to be spiraling out of control. The Giants are averaging only 44.3 rushing yards per game (last in the NFL), their defense has produced three sacks (tied for worst in the NFL) and allowed 38.3 points per game (worst in the league). Meanwhile, Giants quarterback Eli Manning has thrown five touchdowns and eight interceptions and owns a 70.5 passer rating. While the first day of fall indicates September for most people, rumors about Coughlin’s job security is the needle for NFL fans. THIS WEEK'S THREE HOTTEST SEATS 1. Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay After two straight close losses, the Bucs decided to end all suspense and lose 23-3 against the New England Patriots. Former Bucs coach Raheem Morris probably believes he could do more this team than the lackluster squads he was given – and is probably correct. 2. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants New York’s next three opponents are Kansas City, Philadelphia and Chicago. Unless the Giants can pull off an upset, this could be a 0-6 team. 3. Ron Rivera, Carolina Carolina had a strong win heading into its bye week, but this team still has plenty of issues. The Charlotte Observer reported Rivera will not lose his job during the season. That does not mean it will not occur after this year. GETTING WARMER Mike Shanahan, Washington Fred Smoot recently ripped Shanahan , and it is hard to blame him after Washington’s 0-3 start. Shanahan has led Washington to only one winning season in the past four years. It is just a matter of time before Washington general manager Bruce Allen begs Jon Gruden to come out of retirement and coach his team (both men worked together in Tampa Bay). GETTING COLDER Rex Ryan, New York Jets The Jets are 2-1 and Coughlin’s team is 0-3? Now that is something most NFL observers did not foresee prior to this season. - - - Hit us up on Twitter @YShutdownCorner , email us at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com and "Like" Shutdown Corner on Facebook for NFL conversation 365 days a year, the way it should be.

(The Sports Xchange) - New England Patriots 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 Tom Brady and his young receivers made significant progress and the New England Patriots dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2007. Brady threw two touchdowns to Kenbrell Thompkins and hit Aaron Dobson seven times as the Patriots topped the Buccaneers. The rookie wide receivers and Brady weren't perfect. ...

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will attempt to practice this week but remains doubtful to play in his first game since he was injured in the regular-season finale in December 2012 against the Miami Dolphins.

COMMENTARY | Michael Buchanan was no lock to make the New England Patriots 53-man roster out of training camp. A seventh-round draft pick via the University of Illinois, Buchanan found himself battling the likes of Jermaine Cunningham, Marcus Benard and Justin Francis for a backup job off the edge.

(Reuters) - It may have only been the first week of the National Football League season but that is all that was needed for Super Bowl contenders to reveal themselves while other hopefuls got off to a rocky start. The Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints confirmed their championship ambitions with impressive wins while the New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens had worrying flaws exposed. ...

Sept 9 (Reuters) - It may have only been the first week of the National Football League season but that is all that was needed for Super Bowl contenders to reveal themselves while other hopefuls got off to a rocky start. The Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints confirmed their championship ambitions with impressive wins while the New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens had worrying flaws exposed. ...

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not make the trip to Buffalo for Sunday's season opener against the Bills, according to NFL.com.

The Buffalo Bills want to do everything they can to help their rookie quarterback, E.J. Manuel, in his first NFL start against the New England Patriots. But the bigger concern might be assisting a secondary that will be without perhaps its two best players. The Bills are reporting that safety Jairus Byrd is doubtful with a foot injury and corner Stephon Gilmore is doubtful with a wrist injury. Gilmore was expected to be out for the next several weeks, but there had been hope that Byrd could return for the opener, which now looks to be in serious doubt. Think Tom Brady is excited for this one? [Play Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football: The No. 1 free fantasy football game! ] On the other side of the coin, the Patriots only report reserve offensive lineman Will Svitek (knee) as out and tight end Rob Gronkowski (forearm/back) as doubtful among their key contributors who could miss. Wide receiver Danny Amendola is probable.