• The Redskins think WR Antwaan Randle El is a perfect fit in the slot, which was a big reason why he had such a productive Week One game. Randle El is a mismatch for most nickel backs, and he works open spaces well. Outside, his biggest struggle was getting off the line, but in the slot, he's off the line most of the time and can use motion to get free from defenders more easily.

• The Giants are happy to have LB Michael Boley back after a one-game suspension, and he appears healthy but rusty following preseason hip surgery. Boley is a key to the Giants' coverage of backs and tight ends, and though he might not start right away, the team expects him to be a regular contributor to the defense as he works his way back into game shape.

• Eagles fans should not be too concerned about the team's decision to decline a $7 million option on RB Brian Westbrook's contract in 2010. Westbrook now is set to hit free agency after next season, but the bonus was put into his contract originally only for accounting purposes, to spread out his signing bonus over an extra year. By voiding the deal, Westbrook's salary actually increases over the next two seasons.

• The Cowboys are not getting a lot from their 12-man rookie draft class to date, mainly because of injuries. Their top pick, LB Jason Williams, is finally out of his walking boot but likely faces at least another two weeks of rehab on his sprained ankle. Fifth-round SS Mike Hamlin (wrist) is likely out another month, leaving the secondary very thin.

• Both Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham did their work on DE Turk McBride before the 2007 draft and thought he had some good tools. Schwartz was the Titans' defensive coordinator at the time, and Cunningham was with the Chiefs, who drafted McBride. Although he never fit in Kansas City, the Lions — who claimed McBride off waivers this week — feel he has a chance to compete as a base end in the Lions' defense better than in the systems they ran with the Chiefs.

• Vikings NT Fred Evans was a healthy scratch in Week One, which surprised some team observers. Evans gave way to Jimmy Kennedy, who had ample reps in the win over the Browns. It is not clear why Kennedy had passed Evans, who played in all 16 games last season (starting two), on the depth chart. Head coach Brad Childress only would say that Kennedy practiced a little better than Evans leading into the game.

• On the Bears' medical front, we hear MLB Brian Urlacher will wear a cast on his surgically repaired right wrist for 12 weeks before having to rehab for four additional weeks. As for backup TE Desmond Clark's broken rib suffered in Week One, the recovery time is said to be 3-6 weeks. Team insiders believe Clark will return sooner than later, if he remains true to his typically tough form.

• We hear that, while the Packers weren't too happy about second-year WR Jordy Nelson's two dropped passes in Week One, they were impressed enough with his work as a kickoff returner (31-yard average) in place of the injured Will Blackmon to consider giving him more opportunities in that role moving forward.

• Panthers head coach John Fox was hesitant to name newly signed QB A.J. Feeley the backup to Jake Delhomme prior to Week Two, which wasn't a great sign for those calling for Delhomme's head. While many fans in Charlotte are fed up with Delhomme's play, Feeley admitted he needs time to adjust in Carolina. It will be weeks before he has a strong enough grasp of the team's offense to take over in a game situation, and close observers are skeptical about his chances of getting to the top of the depth chart before season's end.

• Durability is a major concern with Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams as he's torn the patellar tendon in each knee during the past two seasons. Yet, sources say head coach Raheem Morris isn't hesitant about using him. We hear Morris is conscious of his stamina and doesn't want to wear Williams out, but Morris will go with him as long as he has the hot hand. He's taken the same approach with Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham. Whoever is having success will stay in the game, even if it means one back gets few chances.

• Falcons rookie fourth-round pick DE Lawrence Sidbury was expected to see a good chunk of playing time this season as a situational pass rusher, but the explosive, and unexpected, start by backup DE Kroy Biermann could cut into Sidbury's snap count, at least in the early going, the way we hear it.

• Are there any real signs on the horizon that there could actually be a meeting of the minds between the Niners and first-round holdout Michael Crabtree, as has been requested by team president Jed York? "I hear they're further apart than ever, with Crabtree and (his agent) Eugene Parker actually upping their demands," said one source close to the scene. "I really think Parker might be wanting to make the Crabtree ploy his lasting legacy."

• Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant told a local radio station that he believes he will be ready to go full tilt once his six-week stint on the physically-unable-to-perform list, due to a back injury, is over. But team sources aren't nearly as confident, citing head coach Jim Mora's increasingly vague comments on the subject and the fact Trufant had yet to even set foot on the practice field since the injury as of this writing.

• Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo apparently took an immediate liking to newly acquired ex-Packers WR Ruvell Martin, who we hear has a great shot at quickly becoming the team's No. 3 wideout over the struggling Keenan Burton.

• Apparently, the Rams think there's more to DE C.J. Ah You than just having a cool-sounding name. "He had a really good camp," said one daily team observer of a player who spent much of the two previous seasons on the team's practice squad. "I was very surprised he was activated ahead of Victor Adeyanju in Week One. And then I thought he could possibly get cut after being the 12th man on the field on that costly penalty in the season opener, but, no, he's still around."

• With Ben Patrick, the Cardinals' preferred starter at tight end, suspended for the first four games, we hear the team remains satisfied with Stephen Spach in the starting role, his costly false-start penalty in Arizona's season-opening loss notwithstanding. "They like him," said one team insider. "He's a solid blocker, and he's very tough. Coming back like he has from surgery for a torn ACL in less than six months is pretty remarkable."

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