Says Patriots RB Laurence Maroney of what’s been troubling him this year, “I have my issues. There are reasons. I’d rather not speak about them. But there are reasons.”

Former Bills DB Butch Byrd is getting some overdue recognition.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says he’s talked to his players about not doing any touchdown celebrations that could cost the team 15 yards.

The Jets are focusing on improvement on the ground.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo thinks G Leonard Davis has changed the identity of the offensive line.

Giants LB Antonio Pierce says he’ll play on Monday night even though he has an injured quad.

Former Eagles S Michael Lewis understands that losing his job in Philadelphia was just part of the business.

Redskins wide receivers coach Stan Hixon says his players are “running more option routes than last year.”

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan says he could tell from watching film that Colts QB Peyton Manning’s knee wasn’t healthy early in the season.

The Bengals tried out kickers on Friday afternoon.

Browns S Mike Adams “had his foot stepped on” and was limited in Friday’s practice, head coach Romeo Crennel said.

Says Steelers NT Casey Hampton of Hurricane Ike hitting his home town, “A lot of my cousins lost pretty much everything. My stepdad lost everything. My mom had four feet of water in her house.”

Is Bears RB Matt Forte in danger of being overworked?

Here’s a look at what could happen next between the Lions and former WR Charles Rogers.

The Packers’ coaches aren’t happy with the defense, but they aren’t doing any yelling and screaming about it.

Vikings DE Jared Allen realizes that the NFC North is “not the most dominating division in football.”

ESPN analyst Tom Jackson says the Titans’ defensive line has “come together almost like a perfect storm.”

Jaguars WR Mike Walker talks every day to Broncos WR Brandon Marshall.

Colts coach Tony Dungy says what he likes about DE Robert Mathis is that he plays hard on every play.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak says he needs good blocking from his running backs.

Count former Falcons QB Steve Bartkowski among those who are impressed with current Falcons QB Matt Ryan.

The Panthers’ defensive line is turning heads.

The Saints know they need to cut down on penalties.

Buccaneers RT Jeremy Trueblood, who has been fined six times in his NFL career, says his attitude is, “You don’t want to walk away because you don’t want to lose that intimidation factor.”

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan says QB Jay Cutler has good speed.

It’s a long season for the Chiefs’ rookies.

Raiders DE Derrick Burgess visited another doctor about his triceps injury; he’s not sure whether he’s playing Sunday.

The Chargers’ window of opportunity may be closing.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says the upcoming bye week won’t affect whether he gives injured players extra rest on Sunday.

The 49ers’ defense is focusing on stopping Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter.

The Bodog over-under for the Rams’ wins this season under new head coach Jim Haslett is 2.5 wins.

Says Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu, “Crowd noise definitely helps the home team, wherever it might be. But ours is definitely the biggest edge anybody has. We have to have by far the loudest crowd out there.”