Browns' secondary thins out with Holly injury
Blogging on cleveland.com, the Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi warns that Daven Holly's season-ending injury leaves the Browns dangerously thin at cornerback. The team already dealt one of last year's starting corners, Leigh Bodden, who filled the important role of covering the opponents' slot receiver. Grossi speculates that acquiring a front-line corner to replace Holly might cost general manager Phil Savage a first- or second-round pick in 2009. Meanwhile, ESPN's Scouts Inc. list of available free agent corners shows just how thin the available pool of UFA's is this time of year. (One of the top names on the list, Hank Poteat, re-signed with the Jets a couple of weeks ago.)
See also: Browns add veteran CB Cousin (cleveland.com)

Next up at guard: Kemoeatu tries to fill Faneca's shoes
The Post-Gazzette's Ed Boucette writes that massive fourth-year veteran Chris Kemoeatu, at 344 pounds, will get the chance to show he can replace seven-time Pro Bowl selection Alan Faneca at left guard. Kemoeatu nearly beat out Kendall Simmons last year, and his history of unstable behavior as a college player in Utah suggests he could have the perfect temperament to start in the NFL. Or that he could be a 15-yard penalty machine. The Steelers open OTA workouts Tuesday.
See also: Big Ben catches Cup fever (post-gazette.com)

Owens nears payday, while Cowboys look for help
Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens wants to be paid, but the Dallas Morning News' Jean-Jacques Taylor writes that Owens isn't making it the issue he did in Philly, where his unhappiness with management and quarterback Donovan McNabb ruined at least one Eagles season. Meawhile, the Cowboys have struck out trying to acquire a veteran receiver and appear to be counting on Terry Glenn and perhaps even newly acquired cornerback/return specialist Pacman Jones to take the heat off of Owens. Rationalizes owner Jerry Jones: "In my mind, there isn't a player out there in a given game or looking at next year that could make a bigger impact to take some of the heat off of Terrell than Terry Glenn."

Futbol helping football? Pats' Welker says so
Perish the thought, diehard NFL fans. The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss explains how a soccer ball helps Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker -- and now teammate Randy Moss -- improve his route-running skills. Welker: "Your feet get put in some awkward positions in football, but I'm sort of used to that from playing soccer, from moving the ball around. I definitely think that's a big part of what has made me successful in the NFL."

-- John Dudley