Bills coach Dick Jauron says LB Angelo Crowell’s decision to have surgery came “out of the blue.”

Says Jets S Kerry Rhodes of meeting Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, “I consider myself the quarterback of the defense and he’s the quarterback of the offense, so we’ll be going back and forth. It’s going to be cat and mouse, kind of a chess thing.”

Dolphins WR Ted Ginn expects to be busy on offense and special teams.

Says Patriots coach Bill Belichick of playing the Chiefs, “They have great backs. The depth in their backfield is as good as anybody we will play.”

Can Cowboys RB Marion Barber hold up as a starter?

The Eagles’ older players say coach Andy Reid took the right approach in getting them ready for the season.

Says Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan of DT Kelly Gregg, “Honestly, I have no idea of when he’ll be ready. But if he can’t play, it will be a big loss. A big, big loss.”

Bengals WR Jerome Simpson wants to prove he was worth a second-round pick.

Browns FS Brodney Pool, who suffered a concussion last month, is unlikely to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Cowboys.

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he expects rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall to get 10 to 15 plays Sunday.

Bears QB Kyle Orton says he’s taking his job seriously.

The league told Lions RB Kevin Smith that he can’t switch jersey numbers.

Packers LB A.J. Hawk was back at practice Thursday after missing three weeks with a chest injury.

Vikings OT Artis Hicks is making the adjustment to the starting left tackle spot in place of the injured Bryant McKinnie.

Texans DE Mario Williams is still getting better.

Says Colts QB Peyton Manning, “I’ve really prepared every single season, every single week as if I was vying for a job. As if I was competing, as if I had to be sure I was doing my part to go out there and win the job or keep the job.”

Despite missing the entire preseason with a groin injury, Titans K Rob Bironas says he’s ready to go for Sunday.

Says Jaguars RB Fred Taylor of Titans DT Albert Haynesworth, “Big Al is a beast, period. He’s definitely the best defensive tackle in the game.”

The Falcons still aren’t sure who their starting right tackle will be Sunday.

The Panthers say they’re prepared for two weeks without WR Steve Smith.

Running the ball more effectively may be the key to the season for the Saints.

Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber is taking on a leadership role.

Says Broncos LB Boss Bailey of his high ankle sprain, “The last few days, it felt good. And I feel like there’s no going backward now.”

Raiders S Rashad Baker (ankle) and DE Kalimba Edwards (groin) missed all or most of practice yesterday.

Chiefs DE Tamba Hali says his job is simple: Sack the quarterback.

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson says there’s a strategy to the new coin flip rule. [Editor’s note: And L.T.’s strategy is: (1) celebrate when you win the toss; (2) whine like a little girl when you lose the toss.]

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner wants to cut down on fumbles.

It took more than a month, but Rams TE Anthony Becht feels 100 percent healed from a hamstring injury.

The 49ers are counting on WR Bryant Johnson.

Says Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren of K Olindo Mare’s ability to get touchbacks, “My gosh, that is such a big deal. I can’t tell you how excited I get about that, when the ball goes into the end zone. It’s just unbelievable.” [Editor’s note: Does this mean he can throw out the Cialis?]