NFL News and Notes - September 28th, 2007

Getting his first start at running back in the NFL is a dream come true for St. Louis Rams fullback Brian Leonard.

With Rams quarterback Marc Bulger playing with broken ribs and a bad knee, backup quarterback Gus Frerotte is getting extra snaps with the first team offense in practice this week.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer is learning as he goes.

Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman is expected to remain in the nickel cornerback role this week.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak says "It'll be a bonus" if running back Ahman Green is able to play this week.

The Atlanta Falcons aren't getting their moneys worth on the pair of free agents they signed in the off-season.

The Cleveland Browns rank near the bottom in most team defense categories.

The Ray Lewis-Jamal Lewis battle this Sunday will be one to watch.

The Miami Dolphins players don't have a high opinion of Daunte Culpepper, who'll be starting against them for the Oakland Raiders this Sunday.

Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas wants to play this week, but he isn't yet cleared for contact.

The 1-2 week estimate for how long Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will be out appears to be an optimistic one.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams responds to what Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said on Wednesday.

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli expects rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson to play this Sunday.

The New York Jets defense and special teams averages one touchdown per year against the Buffalo Bills.

In this Bills' notebook by Allen Wilson of the Buffalo News, QB Craig Nall is happy to have a job, the Bills are happy to have a veteran cornerback like Jemetrius Butler, and cornerback Terrence McGee's return is a welcome addition to the defense, and more importantly, the special teams.

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant, who the team acquired from the New York Giants at the end of training cap, could start this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Comments made by various Vikings haven't amused Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is playing a larger role than originally planned.

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore is frustrated by his slow start.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year right tackle Jeremy Trueblood is ready for Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers.

The backup for injured Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan is very inexperienced.

Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai is a good test for the Denver Broncos run defense.

The Colts successful two-minute offense is no accident.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed has been solid thus far. (Which is surprising seeing how this is how Reed spent part of his summer vacation.)

The Arizona Cardinals offensive line has allowed the fewest number of sacks (2) in the NFL this season.

If Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard struggles on Sunday, head coach Herm Edwards won't hesitate to replace him with Brodie Croyle.

Both LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson understand what each other is going through right now.

Someone forgot to invite Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown to the offensive party the Eagles had last week against the Lions.

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress declared himself ready to play against the Eagles on Sunday.

New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $12,500 for his hit on Bills quarterback JP Losman, but insists he's not a dirty player.

There is no trash talk coming from Chad Johnson and the Cincinnati Bengals this week as they prepare for the 3-0 Patriots.

How does Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer describe what it's like to prepare for a Bill Belichick defense? "It's scary"