• The Cowboys are waiting for more from OLB Anthony Spencer. The team praised his run defending in the offseason after it released Greg Ellis, saying Spencer merely needed to develop as a pass rusher. It hasn't happened yet, but with limited options behind him, Spencer will continue to get shots at improving on the job. In 2007 the Cowboys drafted Spencer in the first round to be a pass rusher, not just a solid run defender.

• Redskins rookie DE Jeremy Jarmon, not surprisingly, is coming along slowly. The Redskins expected the supplemental draft pick to take awhile to adjust to the pro game, and he's doing so by contributing on special teams mainly, while getting a few odd snaps on defense in spots, mostly in the nickel defense. By season's end, he could be in the regular DL rotation, but for now he's taking baby steps. The team remains high on him despite this.

• The Giants won't get away from running the football, which is their staple, but Eli Manning's early performance is giving the team thoughts about running more four-receiver sets. He works well when the field is spread and has shown the ability to get the ball to third and fourth options when the top receivers are well-covered. Manning could be in for one of his best statistical seasons if the Giants open up their offense a little more.

• One man who was not thrilled to hear that the Eagles had tried out Jeremiah Trotter (who hasn't played in the NFL since 2007) was Omar Gaither, who is manning the MLB spot with Stewart Bradley out for the season. Gaither repeatedly issued a "no comment" to the media when asked about his spot and the Trotter tryout.

• Don't forget about Tarvaris Jackson. The Vikings' backup quarterback has impressed the team with his work since Brett Favre arrived and could get a few looks in a Wildcat type of package. He certainly wouldn't get as much work per game as Michael Vick in Philadelphia, but Jackson could be used in certain situations to give defenses a different look.

• Although the Vikings are high on rookie MLB Jasper Brinkley, they are not ready for him to play a prominent role. That's why the team is keeping close watch on starter E.J. Henderson's shoulder. It knows how valuable he is and how the defense just wasn't the same after he went down last season.

• While Bears fifth-round rookie WR Johnny Knox has burst onto the scene in a big way, the same can't be said for third-round draftee Juaquin Iglesias. "He's this year's Earl Bennett," said one daily team observer of Iglesias, who figures to be a regular on the weekly inactive list. "There's no way he will catch up to Bennett and Knox on the depth chart, and Rashied Davis will always be active as at least the No. 4 receiver because of his contributions on special teams."

• Our sources in Packerland are scratching their heads even more over the decision to cut the cord with ex-Steelers S Anthony Smith in the final cutdown after the team decided to do the same thing with third-year pro Aaron Rouse three days after Rouse fizzled as a starter at strong safety in place of the injured Atari Bigby. There are many close to the team who believe Rouse should have been cut earlier instead of Smith, who was one of the stars of training camp.

• Sources say the Falcons are in no hurry to get RB Jerious Norwood back on the field after he suffered a head injury from a hard hit in Week Two. In addition to the obvious concern about bringing a player back too quickly after suffering an injury to such a sensitive area, the strong play of RB Jason Snelling has also factored in the team's stance on Norwood. Snelling can't match Norwood's elite speed and doesn't offer the same change of pace that Norwood does, but he's had success as a hard, tough runner.

• We hear Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant appears frustrated with a lingering knee injury that has cost him a lot of time in the early going this season, as he certainly wanted to play a full slate of games before he becomes a free agent this offseason. The Bucs, however, don't seem to be missing him much, as their offense has been the clear strength of the team thus far. As long as that continues, the pressure for Bryant to get back on the field will be low.

• While the Saints were happy with commissioner Roger Goodell's recent decision to postpone the four-game suspension of DE Charles Grant, we're told there is growing frustration in New Orleans with Grant's performance. He hasn't shown much explosiveness as a pass rusher so far this season and has just 5½ sacks in the 24 games he's played since signing a lucrative contract extension before the 2007 campaign.

• For reasons our Niners sources don't understand, third-year WR Jason Hill is currently buried on the team's depth chart. "I don't get that at all," said one team insider. "Here's a guy who has proven that he can get it done; he nearly won the game against Arizona last year (in Week 10). Hill should be rotating in with Arnaz Battle instead of Micheal Spurlock."

• Injuries to WLB Leroy Hill and MLB Lofa Tatupu are creating a domino effect among the unit. Hill is out until at least Nov. 1 with a partially torn groin muscle. Tatupu, who suffered a strained hamstring in Week One, may have tried to come back too soon in Week Two and re-aggravated the hamstring. Aaron Curry, who was very impressive in his rookie debut against the Rams, struggled without his counterparts in Week Two, overpursuing at times and perhaps trying to overcompensate for the loss of his teammates.

• We hear things could be looking up for Cardinals DL Alan Branch now that the third-year defensive lineman has branched out into valuable duty on the edge, as well as his normal NT role. Said one team insider: "There are some people who think he might be even better-suited as a 3-4 end who can two-gap, especially if he lost 5-10 more pounds."

• Our Rams sources were surprised by the release of WR-RS Derek Stanley, the team's punt returner in the first two games, who also had displayed flashes as a wideout. "Maybe they just think the new guy they signed (Danny Amedola, signed off the Eagles' practice squad) is better," said one team insider. "I don't know why they never tried (Stanley) on kickoff returns. He was coming off a torn ACL early on, but midway through camp it looked like he had his wiggle back."

• Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur on whether there were things he noticed about newly acquired WR-RS Danny Amendola last year during his time with the Eagles' practice squad (Shurmur was Eagles QB coach then): "Danny's got quickness, and usually that will give you the ability to separate. I wasn't with him all that long, but I do know him as a player to some degree, and we're going to try to use his ability that way."

• Niners defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on the possibility of 2008 first-round DT Kentwan Balmer's role in the defense increasing as the season wears on: "I think it should be the same across the board. We're trying to sub as many defensive linemen, as I told you during training camp. There are no backup players. ... All five or six of those guys that are up for game day will be playing, at least, a vital part in our defense."

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