Things are certainly looking up for veteran Shawntae Spencer, who went from being a long shot to make the final roster at the start of training camp to surprisingly earning the starting job at right cornerback. It was widely assumed that both newly acquired veteran Dré Bly and third-year pro Tarell Brown had more legitimate shots at replacing the injured Walt Harris on the right corner. But Spencer — a primary starter his first three seasons who was demoted after Harris was signed — blasted that assumption to bits in training camp and the preseason. “Coming off surgery (he suffered a season-ending torn ACL last September), his future did not look bright, but he just shut down everybody he went up against,” one daily team observer said. “A new attitude appears to have really made a difference with him. He used to be superintense, but during his rehab, he focused on being with his family, which he says has given him a fresh perspective.”

PFW's annual Kickoff Issue is on sale at PFWstore.com and at newsstands and bookstores across the country. Also, 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.