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Here's what the folks at Pro Football Weekly have been hearing around the league:
|  | | Michael Husted is congratulated by Marco Coleman after his game-winning field goal in Week 6. |
Word has it that not everyone on the Redskins' coaching staff was thrilled with the way the team handled its kicking situation last week. After missing 4-of-8 of his field-goal opportunities, the team released kicker Michael Husted and signed rookie Kris Heppner, recently released by the Seahawks. But word has it, at least one member of the staff is grumbling because, if the Redskins would have acted sooner in dumping the inconsistent Husted, they could have signed a proven veteran like Todd Peterson or Joe Nedney. Peterson was snatched up by the Chiefs, and Nedney signed with the Panthers.
Even though the Seahawks nixed the Eagles' trade offer for running back Ricky Watters last week, the feeling in Seattle is that a similar offer from any team may be listened to more intently during the offseason. Watters has only one year left on his contract, and rookie Shaun Alexander is seemingly waiting in the wings for the starting job.
Offensive tackles Todd Steussie and Korey Stringer have greatly helped the Vikings' newcomers on the line by taking on defenders one-on-one -- and doing so at Pro Bowl levels. They have allowed the Vikings' three interior linemen to block the defense's two tackles.
Apparently, calls were made to the Steelers showing interest in running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, but the Steelers were not interested in thinning the depth they have at running back.
Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt told Pro Football Weekly his defense has been so successful because it was able to retain the nucleus of young players who have stepped up their play this season. Also, defensive coordinator Jim Bates did not change the defensive schemes, so players already knew what was expected.
Running back Thurman Thomas is more than just a third-down back for the Dolphins. Wannstedt says that Thomas has been a positive influence on the young running backs, through his work ethic and winning attitude.
Despite wide receiver Wayne Chrebet's typically low-profile attitude, sources say Chrebet was unusually absent from the locker room during the week. Chrebet may still have been frustrated after backup quarterback Ray Lucas missed him on several passes in Week 6.
Head coach Al Groh's recent secrecy about injuries is something he truly believes in and holds his players to. Groh believes listing minor injuries gives those players an excuse if they don't play well.
Head coach Wade Phillips and wide receiver Peerless Price both have said that Price is playing well as the Bills' No. 2 receiver behind Eric Moulds. But watch for current No. 3 wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel. Price has not made many mistakes but hasn't had any big, clutch catches, whereas McDaniel has stepped up and taken advantage of his opportunities. We hear McDaniel continues to impress coaches with his big-play ability and should see more and more playing time as his production increases.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid has challenged his offensive line to do a better job in the run-blocking department. Reid specifically wants to see better play from the interior of his line -- guards John Welbourn and Jermane Mayberry and center Bubba Miller.
The Cowboys had an offer to deal O.J. Santiago before last week's trade deadline but decided to keep him as their third tight end behind David LaFleur and Jackie Harris.
Rumors of Bengals middle linebacker Brian Simmons' early return from a knee injury are believed to be overly optimistic. Even if Simmons has recovered from his torn anterior cruciate ligament before the end of the season, it remains very doubtful the Bengals would put him at risk with nothing to gain from a team standpoint.
Despite a strong start, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has cause for concern with various breakdowns in pass coverage and an inability to stop teams on third down recently.
A reason why Buccaneers offensive coordinator Les Steckel hasn't been able to involve the tight ends in the passing game as much as he did in Tennessee is he's had to keep them in for maximum protection of the quarterback.
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin on head coach Tony Dungy: "Tony is probably the best when things aren't going real good. He's very level-headed. He's not peaks and valleys. Tony told the guys, 'I don't want to hear about our offense doesn't work, our defense doesn't work. All I want us to do is execute, execute what your coaches tell you to do. Everything else will take care of itself.' "
We hear the Rams' defense really misses the fire and brimstone provided by John Bunting, the team's former linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator last year, who now coaches in New Orleans. We also hear right defensive end Grant Wistrom is still occasionally bothered by his surgically repaired shoulder.
There's a popular school of thought that the Panthers are intentionally keeping running back Natrone Means under wraps because they feel they'll need him at full strength down the stretch -- a feeling intensified by the fear injury-prone Tshimanga Biakabutuka will inevitably get hurt.
Unlike the past few years, when he had a tendency to become quickly unglued when things went wrong, we hear Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler has remained surprisingly upbeat despite all of Atlanta's problems on offense so far this season.
Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard is quietly earning the support of his teammates and coaches. Despite scoring just three points in a Week 6 loss to the Panthers, the Seahawks and Huard were hampered by bad route-running and several drops by receivers. It's believed Huard brings more to the table for Seattle's offense than Jon Kitna.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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