• The Colts' left tackle conundrum is only getting uglier. In his first preseason start, heavy-footed Charlie Johnson proved ill-equipped to handle the Eagles' speed off the edge. Although there are no imminent plans to demote Johnson just a couple of weeks after he supplanted Tony Ugoh on the depth chart, Johnson's lack of agility is clearly a liability in pass protection.

• It's going to take a lot more than an injury to Tom Brady for Patriots backup QB Kevin O'Connell to have any chance of becoming the next Matt Cassel. Specifically, he'll need to step his game up. After earning strong reviews as a rookie in 2008, O'Connell stumbled through a sloppy training camp and has looked equally uninspiring in his preseason reps. Don't be surprised if Raiders castoff Andrew Walter gets the nod over O'Connell should Brady again fall victim to injury.

• "Not enough separation between veteran player and young players." That's the explanation Dolphins coach Tony Sparano gave when asked why veteran newcomer Eric Green was released after being penciled in as a potential CB starter when he signed on in free agency. Sparano's comment makes sense when considering how well rookie Sean Smith has been playing, but we hear that Green's release also helps advance Sparano's message that every player must fight for his job.

• Undrafted rookie OL Ramon Foster has a strong shot at making the Steelers' roster, the way we hear it. Foster's ability to play guard and tackle, not to mention his surprising play in training camp, has really bolstered his chances.

• We're told the Steelers like the way first-round pick Ziggy Hood is coming along. Hood, who primarily will be an interior pass rusher this season, had a sack in his preseason debut vs. Arizona.

• An under-the-radar-player having a good summer is Bengals WR Andre Caldwell. He's the fourth option at his position behind veterans Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry, but the second-year pro from Florida has had a solid camp and will definitely get some snaps on offense.

• Bengals rookie SLB Rey Maualuga's best chance to earn playing time initially could be on third downs. Maualuga missed some practice time early in camp as well as the club's first preseason game with a hamstring injury, hurting his chances to win a starting spot from Rashad Jeanty, who's one of the steadiest members of the defense and who has done nothing in camp to give up the job.

• Although the Chiefs injected their LB corps with a heavy dose of veteran leadership this offseason, it was a relatively unknown youngster who stood out at training camp. With one of the aforementioned veterans, Zach Thomas, missing multiple weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury, 25-year-old Corey Mays stepped in and performed well, impressing head coach Todd Haley with the way he seized the opportunity. Thomas likely will regain his starting role once he's healthy, but Mays has done enough to at least enter the discussion of possible first-teamers.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.