A very ordinary starting debut for Brady Quinn in Saturday's 26-6 loss to the Lions, although those among the Brady Brigade will be quick to point out -- and correctly so -- that Jamal Lewis and Braylon Edwards didn't suit up.
More troubling was the performance of both the offensive and defensive lines, which got chewed up by the Lions. Detroit out-gained the Browns 354-167 through three quarters in what is generally considered to be the most telling week of the exhibition season.
-- Steelers kicker Jeff Reed said Saturday's 12-10 win over Minnesota it felt "like a big-time playoff football game," but the Steelers had better hope they get more than three points out of their starting offense, as they did against the Vikings, before they start thinking about the postseason.
One bright spot -- rookie Rashard Mendenhall's 79 rushing yards on 15 carries, although Mendenhall also fumbled.
-- A New York Times story focusing primarily on Osi Umenyiora's knee injury Saturday carries a late note about Giants fans protesting personal seat license fees of up to $20,000 at the team's new stadium, which will be built in the Meadowlands.
-- The NFL Players Association faces a critical choice in replacing Gene Upshaw, writes Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times. Near the top of the new union boss' to-do list -- taking better care of retired players.
-- New starting 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan is the latest potential late bloomer to be groomed under Mike Martz, who previously unearthed gems in Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger. This can't be music to Alex Smith's ears.
-- Hard to believe it's a tough decision, but ESPN reports that Shawne Merriman hasn't ruled out playing with two torn knee ligaments -- even though his doctors warn that he is risking a career-ending injury by delaying surgery.
-- John Dudley