• Saints PK Garrett Hartley went a perfect 13-for-13 on field goals last season, but his time in New Orleans could be done, sources say. Hartley was suspended for the first four games of this season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy after he took Adderall to help him stay awake during a long road trip. The Saints signed John Carney to fill in for the first four games, but we hear the full-time kicking job is his to lose. If he performs well in the first four games, the Saints will likely cut Hartley.

• Cowboys ILB Jason Williams, the team's top pick in April, had a rough go of things the first few weeks of training camp but has started to come on. It's a good thing — the team's LB depth has thinned quite a bit with the loss of OLB Brandon Williams, a fellow rookie, and Jason Williams very well could switch from inside to outside to cover the spot if needed.

• The Redskins have grown increasingly intrigued by seventh-round WR Marko Mitchell, to the point where some think he might even start at some point this season if neither Devin Thomas nor Malcolm Kelly rises up and takes the spot from Antwaan Randle El.

• Could the Eagles start Victor "Macho" Harris at free safety over Quintin Demps? Maybe. The defensive coaches love the aggressive Harris and think safety might be a better fit, given his measurables and speed. He has been aggressive and made a ton of plays in practices and should be regarded as a player with a carved-out role as the season approaches quickly.

• The agent for Lions PK Jason Hanson told PFW that Hanson's recent knee surgery very likely could leave Hanson sidelined for the start of the season. In Hanson's 272-game career, he has missed only one game previously, and he reportedly was very upset about having to undergo the procedure now rather than earlier in the offseason. The team has signed Billy Cundiff as an insurance policy in case Hanson isn't ready to go for the opener at New Orleans.

• Keep a close eye on tiny (5-foot-8) Packers RB Tyrell Sutton. If he doesn't survive Green Bay's final roster cutdown, he has probably shown more than enough to be snatched up by another team. The undrafted rookie out of Northwestern has been impressive operating in the Packers' zone run scheme, seemingly popping up out of nowhere behind much bigger blocking fullbacks, particularly rookie Quinn Johnson. We're hearing the team could have a real tough time choosing between Sutton and DeShawn Wynn for the No. 3 RB job.

• Our Niners sources can't say enough about the strong relationship between QBs Shaun Hill and Alex Smith despite their prolonged battle for the starting job that Hill ultimately won. "They might have the strongest friendship on the team," said one daily team observer. "They're just really tight; Hill was in Alex's wedding. That their relationship has remained intact in spite of their intense competition is really amazing."

• Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has been very impressed with how quickly second-round RB Glen Coffee has grasped the team's revamped offense. "His word association was very good, so he could paint the picture a lot quicker than most rookies can," Raye said of Coffee. "The thing that was evident from him from the beginning that most college backs don't have was he had an innate knack and ability to pass-protect early on.  ... His adaptability, for a rookie, has been exceptional."

• Even though nobody has separated himself from the pack for the Rams' No. 2 RB job, we hear it's extremely unlikely the Rams would consider signing free-agent RB Ahman Green, even though Green did pay an August visit to Rams Park.

• Word is the Rams are having a hard time hiding their disappointment in former first-round DT Adam Carriker, who has been hindered by an ankle injury this season after struggling with injuries to both his shoulders and an ankle last season. "I don't know what to say," said one team insider. "He's missed valuable playing time." We hear Carriker could receive serious competition for the starting DLT job from Gary Gibson, who was looking better than any of the team's interior linemen halfway through the preseason.

• We hear there's no correlation between Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald's recently restructured deal and a possible contract extension this season for fellow WR Anquan Boldin, even though Fitzgerald alluded to that possibility. "If they were serious about re-signing Boldin, they wouldn't have committed $10 million in cap money to Adrian Wilson's new deal," said one team insider. "Plus, I think they want to set a precedent of waiting until a player reaches the final year of his contract before negotiating new deals."  

• Can undersized, undrafted rookie DE Nick Reed, who has made quite an impression with his playmaking ability, crack the Seahawks' 53-man roster? "It will be interesting," said one team source. "I mean, the guy looks like a safety out there! I think it will boil down to him and Baraka Atkins for the final spot on the defensive line."

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.