• Our Cardinals sources believe third-year pro Ben Patrick was shaping up as the leading contender for the team’s starting TE job before getting hit with a four-game suspension to start the 2009 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. “When you consider all the attributes, he looked like the top guy,” a daily team observer said of Patrick, who tested positive for the amphetamine Adderall after taking the drug last October. “He’s got good receiving skills — he made that great TD catch in the Super Bowl — his blocking has steadily improved and he’s smart. His only problem was his inability to stay healthy.” There’s reason to believe the recent signing of ex-Rams TE Dominique Byrd was in part due to Patrick’s suspension, which the team might have seen coming.

• Rams RB Steven Jackson on his physical conditioning heading into the summer: “I’m definitely stronger now, just hitting the weights a lot more. I hope my speed doesn’t leave. I hope I’m able to still use that. Really, to be honest with you, I’m really working on being a complete running back.”

• A Niners player who we hear is worth keeping an eye on is OLB Ahmad Brooks, the former top pick in the supplemental draft by the Bengals who we’re told has become sort of a pet project of head coach Mike Singletary. Brooks, by all accounts, has looked consistently good in offseason practices, but daily team observers are already anxious to see whether he can keep the arrow pointing up in training camp.

• We’re told Seahawks head coach Jim Mora’s decision to end his team’s recent three-day mandatory minicamp about a half hour early might have been triggered by the scare he received in the final Friday session when CB Josh Wilson limped off the field after getting tangled up defending a pass intended for WR Ben Obomanu. Wilson hyperextended his knee on the play but was not hurt seriously, which prompted a huge sigh of relief from Mora.

• Ex-Eagle Garry Cobb wrote on his blog that the Eagles worked out former Eagles DT Hollis Thomas last week and that he could return to the team. The Eagles are a bit thin at defensive tackle, but we hear no deal with Thomas appears imminent. Of course, that could change with an injury.

• Word is Bears second-year CB Zack Bowman could be an intriguing sleeper if his work in the team’s recently completed OTAs is any indication. Regular OTA observers tell us interceptions by Bowman were a regular occurrence.

• After recently cutting rookie P Adam Graessle, who had been battling for the Packers’ punting duties with incumbent Jeremy Kapinos and Durant Brooks, head coach Mike McCarthy admitted that Graessle “clearly had the strongest leg of the three.” In another position battle, it would appear Matt Flynn remains ahead of Brian Brohm for the backup QB job behind Aaron Rodgers.

• We hear the rumors that the Lions want to move their training camp next year to Grand Valley State are founded in truth, but there are some obstacles to overcome. What is clear, though, is that head coach Jim Schwartz favors getting out of town in July and August for camp.

• We hear second-year veteran Thomas DeCoud will have a leg up on rookie William Moore for the Falcons’ starting spot at strong safety heading into training camp. DeCoud’s lead is due in large part to his year of experience, but the battle is legitimate, and Moore could move ahead on the depth chart if he’s able to refine his footwork, which was a problem for him in OTAs and minicamps.