• Chargers DE Luis Castillo might not be having a standout year statistically, posting just two sacks and 17 tackles, but daily team observers tell us that he is putting together a fantastic campaign. We hear that Castillo is more of a leader up front than he's been in years past and is doing a solid job containing runs to the outside. Without injured NT Jamal Williams, Castillo has emerged as the defensive line's most effective player.

• Still not content with their receiving corps despite numerous free-agent signings lately, the Chiefs brought in yet another veteran this week in Chris Chambers. Having just been released by the Chargers after struggling in the first half, the 31-year-old Chambers is someone head coach Todd Haley believes can add speed to a group currently lacking it. Haley felt Chambers was good enough to deserve another chance and thinks the wideout can step in and stretch the field for K.C.

• The Broncos are going to miss ORT Ryan Harris, who is expected to miss a few weeks with a foot injury, but sources say the team feels comfortable with backup Tyler Polumbus moving into the starting lineup. Harris is regarded as one of the better young right tackles in the game, but the drop-off with Polumbus, a natural left tackle, in the game isn't tremendous.

• The Raiders are expected to continue starting Samson Satele at center for the rest of the year, but that's an indication of how well Satele has played, not a knock against Chris Morris, who will move to the bench after beginning the season starting at center before injuries to his O-line mates led to a move to left guard. OLG Robert Gallery is expected to return to the lineup in Week 10 after sitting out with a broken fibula.

• The Bills are expected to activate WR James Hardy from the physically-unable-to-perform list this week after he sat out the first half of the season while recovering from surgery to repair his ACL. However, many close to the team don't see Hardy making much of an impact in 2009. A second-round pick in '08, he did little to distinguish himself last season, catching nine passes for 87 yards and two TDs. It'll likely take him some time to get into game shape after missing the last 10 months.

• Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has been pleased with the responses of Ted Ginn Jr. and Gibril Wilson to being demoted from starting spots, and sources in Miami say Sparano is becoming much more comfortable with using that tactic with underperforming veteran players.

• We hear the Jets are far from sold on Justin Miller as their kick returner. Miller was brought in to replace Leon Washington after the latter was lost for the season with an injury, but he apparently did not impress special-teams coordinator Mike Westhoff by returning five kickoffs for 115 yards in Week Eight.

• Two underrated Patriots defenders, S Brandon McGowan and LB Tully Banta-Cain, both of whom are having strong seasons as sub-package players, might see their roles expand a bit. Both can be used at different positions and in different schemes, so that flexibility will help as the Patriots face some of their most daunting offensive opponents coming up.

• TE J.P. Foschi, whom the Bengals signed during training camp, has worked his way to the top of the depth chart, a clear sign of how much Daniel Coats has struggled this season. Coats is now No. 2 on the depth chart. Chase Coffman, the rookie from Missouri, remains stuck in the third spot and apparently not going anywhere fast. His blocking needs work, and he doesn't bring much value on special teams.

• As Ravens RB Ray Rice's role in the offense continues to get bigger and bigger, Willis McGahee's touches continue to dwindle. The way we hear it, McGahee is likely to play if Rice needs a breather in the first half, but little else is guaranteed after that. In addition, FB Le'Ron McClain might be getting back into the mix for more work as a bruising complement to the speedy Rice after a spirited, productive performance vs. Denver in Week Eight.

• The Browns' problems at quarterback could very well force them to look for other options in 2010, but their list of offseason shopping needs doesn't figure to stop there. One veteran evaluator familiar with the Browns' personnel, and speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed to Cleveland's LB corps and offensive line as other areas of weakness.

• The Browns tried out ex-Broncos CB Josh Bell last week, but they did not sign him. Bell played in nine games, starting five, for Denver in 2008. The Browns had just five cornerbacks on the roster during the bye week after releasing Anthony Madison.

• Texans RB Ryan Moats proved he could carry a starter's workload, at least for one game, in the Week Eight win at Buffalo. The way we hear it, he's expected to have a bigger role in the offense until Steve Slaton overcomes his fumbling problems.

• Looking ahead, don't be surprised if Texans DE Antonio Smith eventually ends up inside at tackle full time, with Connor Barwin replacing him in the lineup, a source close to the team tells PFW. The move isn't imminent, but Smith, while undersized for a tackle, would fit the active, disruptive mold of interior lineman that defensive coordinator Frank Bush likes.

• Veteran CB Rod Hood has given the Titans' secondary a boost with Nick Harper (forearm) out of the lineup. Tennessee was desperate for steadier play at the position after teams picked on their younger corners before the bye, and Hood, who has bounced from Cleveland to Chicago to Tennessee this season after starting 30 games for Arizona in 2007-08, has provided just that.

• We hear the Colts are having a hard time containing themselves over the stellar special-teams play this season of second-year S Jamie Silva, described by one team source as "a poor man's Bob Sanders." Added the source: "He has been a beast on (special-teams) coverage who has really come into his own. He is very quick and very hard to block."

• Mel Tucker's first seven games as Jaguars defensive coordinator can't be what he had in mind when he decided to take the job. With a defense that is ranked 24th in yardage allowed and dead-last in sacks with only five in the first seven games, a daily team observer tells PFW that one of the lone bright spots of the unit has been the steady play of veteran OLB Daryl Smith. Trailing only fellow 'backer Justin Durant for the team lead in tackles with 47, Smith has also gotten credit for three of the unit's seven forced fumbles.

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