[Editor’s note: Josh Alper, who ordinarily compiles the links to news and notes regarding each team, is off this week. So we’re splitting up the duties. I pulled the short straw for Monday.]
The Bills have cut six players, including receiver Paul Hubbard, who was arrested last Monday for DUI.
The Dolphins apparently have signed S Gerald Alexander, which could be bad news for S Tyrone Culver.
The Boston Herald takes a crack at predicting the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
The Jets are trying to improve the performance of QB Mark Sanchez in the red zone.
The broken arm suffered by Steelers QB Byron Leftwich reportedly isn’t season ending, unless the Steelers end his season by putting him on injured reserve.
Bengals DT Pat Sims exited the PUP list and practiced for the first time this year on Sunday.
With LG Eric Steinbach injured, rookie Jason Pinkston could be in the Week One starting lineup for the Browns. [Editor’s note: If he struggles, please don’t call him Stinkston.]
Coach John Harbaugh thinks that rookie QB Tyrod Taylor can serve as the primary backup to Joe Flacco.
The Texans continue to squeeze the square peg that is 4-3 DE Mario Williams into the round hole that is OLB in the 3-4 defense.
Colts LB Ernie Sims says he feels like a starter, even though he’s not yet in the starting lineup.
So much for QB Blaine Gabbert bogarting the starting job in Jacksonville; coach Jack Del Rio called Gabbert’s performance against the Bills “[s]o-so”.
Newly-signed WR Kevin Curtis knows that he has a limited opportunity to win a roster spot in Tennessee.
With the Chiefs’ starting offense sputtering, coach Todd Haley isn’t commenting on whether and to what extent they’ll play in the preseason finale.
Rookie tight end Julius Thomas is turning heads in Denver; he had four catches for 70 yards against the Seahawks.
Raiders WR Derek Hagan’s commit to excellence includes an avoidance of distractions: “We’re in training camp, and you shouldn’t even be playing video games. You’ve got to get your study time in. This is my job, this is my profession, and it’s something I love to do.” [Editor’s note: Hagan probably would pass on attending a Lil Wayne concert, too.]
Chargers TE Antonio Gates scored a touchdown in his first game since December 5; “It was good, man,” Gates said. “It was like riding a bike again.”
Cowboys WR Teddy Williams is expected to return to practice for the first time since running into receivers coach Jimmy Robinson during a punt drill.
Giants LB Jonathan Goff is stepping up his game in a contract year.
Though CB Joselio Hanson would like to stay in Philly, he understands the realities of the situation; “I’m just takin’ it in stride,” Hanson says. “It’s part of the business. I’m aware of everything that’s going on. I love it here, but sometimes, certain things don’t work out.”
The reason for S LaRon Landry’s status on the Redskins’ PUP list has shifted from Achilles’ tendon to hamstring.
Bears coach Lovie Smith described the interception from QB Caleb Hanie that was returned 90 yards for a touchdown by the Titans as “kind of a bad throw.”
Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com has decided that Lions DT Ndamukong Suh is dirty.
On Friday night, Packers K Mason Crosby nailed a 50-yard game-winner; on Sunday, he converted all six tries at practice, from 41, 43, 46, 50, 53, and 56 yards.
Purple Pride was hard to find at the Minnesota State Fair.
Falcons RB Michael Turner continues to live in the moment: “I’m not going to try to save myself, just to try to squeeze extra years out of this league.”
Though relegated to nickel corner against the Raiders -- and burned by Derek Hagan after skidding on the Oakland infield -- CB Tracy Porter remains on track to start Week One.
The Bucs are celebrating the non-suspension of CB Aqib Talib (hopefully not by firing off any guns).
Panthers LB Jon Beason plans to play Week One after recent heel surgery.
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald celebrated his new contract with an 80-yard touchdown reception, the longest of his career.
Rams DE Robert Quinn is starting to make real progress, after not playing at all in 2010.
Thanks to a porous offensive line, Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson is now being “jerked around” by opposing defenders.
With Shawntae Spencer still fighting a hamstring injury, Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown started at cornerback for the 49ers against the Texans.