Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

KANSAS CITY -- A pregame trip around the AFC West:

Denver

• Michael Pittman is not used to playing in the preseason finale.

Kansas City

• Larry Johnson is getting extra work, too.
• A peek into the Chiefs' possible final 53-man roster.

Oakland

• Don't get on James Lofton's bad side.

San Diego

• Chargers get a special visitor.
  

Draft Round Pick Team Rookie WR Starts Rec. Yds. TD 2003 2 54 ARI Anquan Boldin 16 101 1,377 8 2004 1 3 ARI Larry Fitzgerald 16 58 780 8 2003 1 17 ARI Bryant Johnson 8 35 438 1 2002 5 149 ARI Jason McAddley 8 25 362 1 2005 7 226 ARI LeRon McCoy 4 18 191 1 2003 4 124 SF Brandon Lloyd 1 14 212 2 2003 4 106 STL Shaun McDonald 1 10 62 0 2007 5 142 ARI Steve Breaston 0 8 92 0 2004 1 31 SF Rashaun Woods 0 7 160 1 2007 6 197 SEA Courtney Taylor 0 5 38 0 2003 3 74 STL Kevin Curtis 1 4 13 0 2007 3 76 SF Jason Hill 0 1 6 0 2005 5 174 SF Rasheed Marshall 0 1 -1 0 2007 6 210 SEA Jordan Kent 0 0 0 0 2007 7 249 STL Derek Stanley 0 0 0 0 2006 3 84 SF Brandon Williams 0 0 0 0 2006 5 144 STL Marques Hagans 0 0 0 0 2006 7 218 ARI Todd Watkins 0 0 0 0 2006 7 249 SEA Ben Obomanu 0 0 0 0 2005 6 192 STL Dante Ridgeway 0 0 0 0 2005 7 223 SF Marcus Maxwell 0 0 0 0 2004 3 77 SF Derrick Hamilton 0 0 0 0 2004 5 157 SEA D.J. Hackett 0 0 0 0 2003 6 197 SF Arnaz Battle 0 0 0 0 2003 7 224 SEA Taco Wallace 0 0 0 0 2002 3 95 STL Eric Crouch 0 0 0 0

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

I put together this chart as a companion to the earlier entry on rookie receivers. This shows rookie stats for every receiver NFC West teams have drafted since 2002. Eighteen of the 26 started zero games as rookies. Only four reached 20 receptions as rookies. Arizona has been the only team to draft productive rookie receivers with any consistency.

A quick look at the NFC West's rookie receivers and their likely prospects for 2008:

• Arizona: Injury problems prevented third-round choice Early Doucet from seriously challenging for the No. 3 job vacated by Bryant Johnson. Doucet should play in a reserve role. Undrafted free agent Lance Long appears headed for the practice squad if he doesn't earn one of the final roster spots. Long has impressed in camp.
• San Francisco: Sixth-round choice Josh Morgan has been the surprise of camp. He could figure into the rotation if the 49ers continue to suffer from injuries. Undrafted free agent Cam Colvin appears headed for the practice squad.
• St. Louis: Second-round choice Donnie Avery and fourth-rounder Keenan Burton should play more than most rookies at the position. Avery adds value as a return specialist. Undrafted free agent Matt Caddell has one catch for 5 yards during preseason.
  
• Seattle: Undrafted free agent Michael Bumpus has played well enough to land on the practice squad if, as expected, he misses the cut.
  

The receiver position in general has confounded NFL teams. John Clayton explored some of the reasons in a previous column. As Clayton discovered, NFL teams have developed only six Pro Bowl receivers since 2001.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Who's No. 1?

In Indianapolis, it's Marvin Harrison, with Reggie Wayne ready, willing and able to handle the designation.

In Houston, it's unquestionably Andre Johnson.

In Jacksonville, the hope is it will be Jerry Porter.

In Tennessee, there isn't one and the team is hardly hell-bent on finding one.

Is a No. 1 receiver necessary for a team to win big?

All sorts of statistical markers can be used to assign the title, but more important is the ability of a top receiver to dictate coverage and the potential for him to turn a game around with one catch.

No. 1 receivers on Super Bowl winners Year Team Top receiver Catches TDs 2007 Giants Plaxico Burress 70 12 2006 Colts Marvin Harrison 95 12 2005 Steelers Hines Ward 69 11 2004 Patriots David Givens 56 3 2003 Patriots Deion Branch 57 3 2002 Buccaneers Keyshawn Johnson 76 5 2001 Patriots Troy Brown 101 5 2000 Ravens Qadry Ismail* 49 5 1999 Rams Isaac Bruce* 77 12 1998 Broncos Rod Smith 86 6 * Did not lead team in receptions

Think of all-time Super Bowl teams in the last 25 years and a receiver jumps out: San Francisco with Jerry Rice, Dallas with Michael Irvin, Denver with Rod Smith. Look at the last three Super Bowl winners and find Hines Ward -- certainly a No. 1 in the context of the 2005 Steelers -- Harrison and Plaxico Burress.

Indianapolis president Bill Polian is quick to say he's had a clear-cut top receiver at each of his stops -- Andre Reed in Buffalo, Muhsin Muhammad in Carolina and now Harrison and Wayne. While Polian drafted Muhammad in 1996, his prime seasons came in 1999, 2000 and 2004, when Polian was already with the Colts.

"It's an absolute must," he said of having a No. 1. "If you're going to throw the ball successfully, obviously, you're going to have to have a guy you can go to who's consistent and durable and out there every week. That's been the kind of offenses I've been used to being with now. There are other kinds of offenses where they can be interchangeable."

The Titans see themselves as that sort of offense. They've invested little in high draft picks and big-ticket free agents over the years, and had their share of injury bad luck at the position while focusing on defense and the running game. But through four coordinators, with Mike Heimerdinger now at the start of a second term, the team's philosophy has been that it can effectively spread the ball around rather than funneling passes to one wideout who's the best of their bunch.

"I think it depends on the scheme," said Heimerdinger, who worked with Brandon Marshall last year in Denver as he emerged as a No. 1. "A guy like Brandon Marshall, a guy like T.O., the two at Indy, those guys can all turn a game around. I've seen Brandon catch 6-yard passes and make 40-yard runs because guys couldn't tackle him. That makes you a real good coach. If you can get those guys or people develop into those guys, that's special for you."

In Derrick Mason's best year as a receiver in Tennessee -- he had 95 catches for 1,303 yards and eight touchdowns in 2003 -- the Titans went to the AFC Championship Game.

Teams can succeed on a top level without a No. 1, but it sure seems a difficult route. In 2000, Baltimore won the Super Bowl with the sort of defense and run-first formula that the Titans and Jaguars both lean toward now.

And at least two of New England's three Super Bowl wins came with teams that didn't have a receiver who qualified as a No. 1 in terms of passing distribution or dictating coverage. But with a top-flight quarterback like Tom Brady playing great, a group of receivers who would be designated as twos or threes by most can be plenty good enough.

The Titans could certainly work harder to find a No. 1. But they shouldn't be blamed for not getting him this offseason, as the top of the draft and the free-agent pool simply didn't include a can't-miss candidate. There is often a misperception that teams can or should just go get one. But by my count only 13 of 32 teams can say they have one for sure and the two top ones -- Terrell Owens and Randy Moss -- have proven to be combustible locker room forces when things haven't gone well.

"You don't have to have a one," Heimerdinger said. "I don't think there are a lot of those in this league. But then you need guys that fit in the scheme and can get open when they are one-on-one. They have to have the ability to separate when they get single coverage and make a play."

Polian disagrees.

"The teams that win, it seems to me, have one," he said. "There are teams that don't who come close, but I think it's hard to win it all without one."

As Houston looks for its first winning season, it's banking on Johnson, who eats up a cornerback's cushion with superb explosion when he's healthy. The Texans were 6-3 with him and 2-5 without him last season. If he's playing, others such as Kevin Walter, Andre Davis and tight end Owen Daniels benefit greatly.

More troubling than the lack of a No. 1 in Nashville is the personality of the group. While a receiving corps and an offense can be disrupted by a just-give-me-the-damn-ball type, I'd argue they need a guy or two with at least a bit of swagger in the meeting room and huddle. The Titans, instead, have a universally mild-mannered bunch that doesn't seem to aggressively go get the ball.

As Bo Scaife stands to improve because of the addition of Alge Crumpler and as LenDale White should be better because of Chris Johnson, players such as Justin Gage, Justin McCareins and Brandon Jones could all profit from having a standout at the head of the line.

Jacksonville grabbed Porter in free agency, though he missed all of camp and the preseason as he recovered from hamstring surgery. He is not expected to play Week 1 at Tennessee, and there is no guarantee a player who only posted two big seasons in Oakland will be able to transform a group. But at least Jacksonville took a swing.

"If you don't have that dominant presence that demands double coverage, you go through the progressions and deliver the ball on time," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "It takes maybe more of a team approach. I think that can be healthy. It's harder to zero in on where the ball is going defensively if everybody is an option. There can be some benefits to that.

"We all want dominant guys. It's about playmakers making plays. You're always looking for the dominant guy. [But] I don't think you need to manufacture it, I don't think you need to try and name a guy that particular guy. If you have one, it becomes apparent to everybody. Defenses will let you know because they'll start rolling coverages there consistently. That's what a dominant guy can do."

While the Jaguars' defense will key on Harrison and Wayne and Andre Johnson twice each year, Jacksonville knows it has players on offense that other teams will have to account for in a similar manner, even if they don't line up wide.

"Our dominant guys right now are in our backfield, they're the ones that are dictating how defenses play us," Del Rio said, pointing to Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. "Because if you don't get down there and load the box, you're going to have a hard time slowing our guys down. Our No. 1 happens to line up in the backfield."

Posted by Scouts Inc.'s Keith Kidd

After diving into preseason game film over the last few days, one of the most impressive players I've seen is Broncos QB Jay Cutler. You've heard it before: Don't get caught up in glorified exhibition performances, especially those at quarterback.

	Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
	Denver's Jay Cutler has looked impressive during preseason action.

But I believe Cutler is poised for a monster year, despite a questionable supporting cast and even without early contributions from go-to WR Brandon Marshall (three-game suspension).

One of the most difficult tasks in our business is evaluating and projecting the pro potential of college quarterbacks. The casual fan may see only subtle variations, but offensive systems in college are completely different from those in the NFL.

It's very difficult to implement a detailed system in college, where the amount of time a coach can spend with a player is restricted. In any given week, an NFL offensive game plan contains volumes of information and diagrams that can expand into subsets of more info.

On a single play, a quarterback is asked to process and repeat in the huddle 10-25 words of verbiage. Maybe more, depending on the play selection. And don't forget protection schemes, which a quarterback also must know and understand. There are reasons it takes so much time for quarterbacks to develop in the pros.

With a big-time arm and the ability to attack all levels of a defense, Cutler's physical tools are exactly what NFL coaches want in a quarterback. He processes quickly at the line of scrimmage, is natural in his drops and delivers with good rhythm and timing -- a critical element in coach Mike Shanahan's attack.

Cutler shows very good poise, with the instincts and ability to both move around in the pocket and attack the edges of a defense. He has a very live arm and creates excellent spin on the ball when throwing on the move. He can find receivers off their landmarks when protection breaks down. Bottom line: The combination of Cutler's mobility and arm puts tremendous pressure on the back end of a defense.

And now, headed into his third NFL season, Cutler seems to be getting a handle on the mental aspects of his position. He's ready to take the next step, from managing games to lifting the Broncos on his shoulders and winning games himself.

Again, it's the preseason, but what I've seen on tape suggests tremendous growth. Cutler is making better, quicker reads. He's looking off coverage, avoiding telegraphing throws, recognizing and attacking the blitz. Young quarterbacks typically make strides in these areas through film work: analyzing past performances, studying similar offenses and other greats at the position, and researching coverage concepts of upcoming opponents. Cutler's offseason work habits are paying dividends.

And I spotted something else: the return of Denver's drop-back passing attack. By drafting LT Ryan Clady in the first round, Shanahan seems to be reinventing the John Elway-Gary Zimmerman formula that worked so well for him in the past. Protection issues forced the Broncos to keep Cutler on the move a lot in his first two seasons, but Shanahan's offense typically is built on five- and seven-step passing drops, deep routes and play-action. In Cutler and Clady, the Broncos finally have the players to pull it off.

Denver still has, in my opinion, some concerns on defense and at certain offensive skill positions. But for the first time since Elway retired, the one thing Broncos fans can count on is a franchise quarterback to build around. And in the NFL, it doesn't get much better than that.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

SAINTS
With quarterback Drew Brees expected to sit, get ready for a healthy dose of Tyler Palko tonight. He may need a strong showing to convince the Saints to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

Larry Holder takes a look at some of the other roster choices the Saints have to make.

PANTHERS
Receiver Dwayne Jarrett said he has matured after a disappointing rookie season. With an assortment of injuries at receiver and Steve Smith suspended for the first two games, the Panthers could use some production from Jarrett.

David Scott has a rundown of the roster decisions facing the Panthers.

FALCONS
It's only the preseason, but Atlanta's defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters. That has come at the same time the Falcons have worked rookies Curtis Lofton and Chevis Jackson into key roles.

BUCCANEERS
Veteran linebacker Ryan Nece is on the bubble because of the emergence of Quincy Black, Matt McCoy and Adam Hayward.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch breaks down the Rams' depth at receiver, noting that Marques Hagans, Brandon Williams, Derek Stanley and Reche Caldwell might not earn spots on the 53-man roster. Thomas sees veteran Dane Looker as the likely sixth receiver.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch assesses Adam Goldberg's value to the Rams as an offensive lineman with experience at all five spots. Goldberg has started at left tackle recently, giving Orlando Pace a rest. The photo accompanying this story doesn't inspire confidence, but coach Scott Linehan says Goldberg has played well this summer.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat checks in with backup Rams quarterback Trent Green, who will start the final exhibition game -- against the Chiefs, one of his former teams. Green needs the work after attempting only eight passes during the first three exhibition games.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes Jerry Rice as "expecting [49ers rookie receiver Josh Morgan] to do some great things this year."

Also from Brown: Ashley Lelie's uncertain future heading toward the 53-man cutdown. Lelie has 21 career receptions of at least 40 yards. Can he be a deep threat in Mike Martz's offense?

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers haven't seen enough from their receivers to know how they'll react during the regular season. Injuries and even illness have kept players off the field. Morgan will miss the final exhibition game.

Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle describes 49ers guard Tony Wragge as an inspiration to players fighting for roster spots. The Cardinals cut him three times. Wragge played in the Arena League and even took a job at Home Depot before finally earning a spot with the 49ers.

Frank Hughes of Seahawks Insider expects Justin Forsett to get plenty of work in the final exhibition game. Forsett might need an impressive performance to earn a roster spot. The practice squad could be the most likely option.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune checks in with new Seahawks long snapper Jeff Robinson, who isn't very new at all. The way Boling breaks it down, Robinson could earn more than $5,000 per snap this season. Boling: "The fact that his wife is a physical therapist and dietician is a key to his readiness, he said. While she's busy running their business, a wellness center named '5focus' on South Lake Union, Robinson has been staying nimble by chasing down their 16-month-old daughter, Mae Louise. It should enhance his coverage skills."

Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune saw Seahawks center Chris Spencer fall down twice while making routine blocks in his first practice back from injury. Spencer expects to make his preseason debut Friday night against Oakland.

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says the Seahawks signed Robinson to snap after Tim Lindsey suffered a back injury against the Chargers on Monday night. Lindsey had replaced Tyler Schmitt, who also suffered a back injury.

Also from Farnsworth: highlights from practice, including two touchdown catches by John Carlson. The rookie tight end could have a big season.

Mike Tulumello of the East Valley Tribune breaks down the Cardinals' position battles at receiver and linebacker. Sean Morey, Jamaica Rector and Lance Long could be fighting for the sixth receiving spot. Ali Highsmith, Brandon Moore, Matt Stewart and Monty Beisel could be fighting for two spots at linebacker.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals feel good about third-string quarterback Brian St. Pierre, who learned the offense with Pittsburgh and has completed 76.7 percent of his passes during the exhibition season.

Also from Somers: Kurt Warner gets the start in the final exhibition game. Still no announcement on who starts the regular-season opener, but giving Warner time with the first-team offense puts him in a favorable position.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Here are the most interesting story lines in the AFC North:

• A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller has a partially-torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Boller will receive treatment for the next week or so before deciding whether to have season-ending surgery.

Morning take: First Chad Johnson, and now Boller. But this will be a much tougher injury to overcome for a quarterback, especially to the throwing shoulder. Our guess is Boller eventually decides to shut it down.

• Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is not happy with his defense and wants to see improvement tonight against the Indianapolis Colts.

Morning take: We are a little surprised, too, with how poorly this unit has played this summer. It's hard to see where this unit's strength is, especially if the secondary fails to cover anybody.

• Former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn tells ESPN.com he would love to be the No. 3 receiver for the Cleveland Browns this season.

Morning take: Horn would be a good fit, but the Browns don't seem interested in adding a third receiver. Cornerback is the team's most pressing need for now.

• According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers are thinking about keeping four quarterbacks on their active roster.

Morning take: The Steelers should play it safe with backup Charlie Batch, who should be ready to return from a broken collarbone around late September. Putting Batch on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) would save a roster spot for six games and buy Batch a few more weeks to make sure he's 100 percent.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

It's not too hard to cull the primary goal of all four NFC North teams in Thursday night's preseason finales: Stay healthy.

Take this history lesson from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press: The last two times the Detroit Lions visited Buffalo for their preseason finale, as they will tonight, a significant injury occurred.

In 2003, starting tailback James Stewart separated his right shoulder and never played for the Lions again. In 2005, meanwhile, quarterback Jeff Garcia fractured his left fibula and sprained his ankle. He missed the next five games and wasn't very effective upon his return.

Those kind of horror stories will compel all four division coaches to limit starters to a series or two, at best, Thursday night. Most teams have a pretty good idea about their rosters and have only a few, if any, decisions remaining.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Both Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times and David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune mentioned Chicago Bears receiver Mark Bradley as player who doesn't seem to have a lock on a roster spot yet.
• Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly had his court case moved to Sept. 16. He was arrested July 8 in Houston for felony drug possession. Jolly could eventually face discipline from the NFL.
• Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette takes a look at what it feels like to be cut. The Packers have to shed 22 players by 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper, describing himself: "I'm like a fine wine, a Cabernet-Merlot-Shiraz blend. It can do a lot of things. It gets better as you open it up and let it get out there and air out, filtrate, do all those things. I don't even need a decanter. Just let me go out there and run. Pour me in your mouth, suck it up and let it run."
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Buckle the seat belt, Here's the high-speed division tour this morning. Have I mentioned I like it when you load up the mailbag? 

Houston Texans

• Running back Ahman Green restructured his contract, the Houston Chronicle reports. The team has incentivized his health. Green agreed to give up $2 million in base salary and a $500,000 bonus for a chance to make $3 million in per-game bonuses. In addition to his $1.8 million base, beginning with the second game -- the home opener against Baltimore -- Green will get $200,000 for every game in which he's active. It's a great move for the team.
• John McClain checks out DeMeco Ryans.
• Megan Manfull looks at laundry.

Indianapolis Colts

• Jeff Saturday is going to miss at least six weeks, a terrible development for the Colts. Mike Chappell says Steve Justice is expected to fill in. No team relies on its center as much as the Colts count on Saturday, as he's an intricate piece of all those calls on the line.
• Peyton Manning felt good after his first practice.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Vito Stellino takes a close look at Derrick Harvey's contract.
• The Jags' priority tonight in Washington is not to win their preseason finale, but to stay healthy. In other words, same as virtually everyone else.

Tennessee Titans

• Mike Heimerdinger is turning up the heat on the receivers, writes Jim Wyatt.
• A preview of Titans at Packers
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

New York Jets

• New York Daily News writer Rich Cimini suggests pigeons might be landing on Brett Favre tonight.
• New York Post writer Mark Cannizzaro channels Edwin Starr in posing a lyrical question nobody needs an answer to.
• When it comes to not playing tonight, the regulars say "No sweat," writes Erik Boland of Newsday.
• Newark-Star Ledger reporter Dave Hutchinson takes a look at former QB Brad Smith's successful conversion to WR.
  

Buffalo Bills

• Seventh-round pick Demetrius Bell might be the Bills' lowest-rated player on Madden '09, but he could start at LT tonight, writes John Wawrow of the Associated Press.
• David Briggs of the Buffalo News reports newly signed OL Dustin Dickinson has been getting first-team reps.
  
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reporter Sal Maiorana writes QB Trent Edwards still isn't sure if he's going to play in tonight's final exhibition.
• The Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason gets the vibe Edwards won't play.
  
• Two Bills Drive columnist Lori Chase provides a comprehensive breakdown of the matchups and position battles.
  

Miami Dolphins

• The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly offers a compelling read on rookie head coach Tony Sparano.
• Andy Kent of MiamiDolphins.com previews tonight's preseason finale against the Saints.
• Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports Miami's starters will play tonight.
• Miami Herald reporter Jeff Darlington writes rookie QB Chad Henne is getting yelled at a lot.
  

New England Patriots

• Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News doesn't have the heart to pretend tonight's exhibition is a Super Bowl rematch.
  
• What should you be paying attention to tonight as the Patriots close out their preseason? Karen Guregian breaks it down in the Boston Herald.
• Guregian checks in with rookie CB Terrence Whatley's NFL progress.
• Boston Globe reporter Christopher L. Gasper writes how much better the 2008 draftees have been than their immediate predecessors, most of whom are already gone.
• Gasper also explains how important tonight's game is for a couple dozen guys.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Just got through a column in which Sports Illustrated's Don Banks ranks the league's 32 backup quarterbacks and it got me thinking about the No. 2 guys in the NFC South.

This position might be one of the division's strongest and Carolina Panthers coach John Fox will be the first to tell you the importance of having a solid backup quarterback. After starter Jake Delhomme went down early last year, the Panthers went through David Carr, Vinny Testaverde and undrafted rookie Matt Moore. The quarterback turmoil was the main reason the Panthers were a 7-9 team and not in the playoffs. This year, Carolina's in much better shape and that's because the Panthers found something in Moore late last season and that's why they didn't pursue a veteran backup.

	Getty Images
	Chris Redman gives the Falcons a sense of security at quarterback.

Banks has Moore ranked No. 15 and that's pretty fair. He's ranked slightly ahead of veterans like Gus Frerotte and Byron Leftwich. I might take one of those guys in a one-game situation. But if Delhomme goes down for an extended time, Moore can fill in for the long haul. Plus, he's got the upside to someday be a starter.

The lowest-rated backup in the NFC South is New Orleans' Mark Brunell at No. 18 and I won't argue with Banks on that one. Brunell is a smart veteran, and watching him in training camp I noticed he's got plenty of arm left. At Brunell's age, I wouldn't to see him have to play a full season because his body might not be able to take it. But, if anything happens to Drew Brees, Brunell could run this team smoothly for a few games.

Banks has Atlanta's Chris Redman at No. 13 and that's about right. Redman came out of premature retirement last year and ended up playing well. The team considered sticking with Redman until rookie Matt Ryan showed he was ready. But Redman showed, under some tough circumstances last year, that he's got some moxie. If Ryan stumbles, Redman's not a bad alternative.

Tampa Bay's Brian Griese is rated No. 2 by Banks and that's a solid choice, one spot behind Washington's Todd Collins. You could even make a strong statement for Griese as No. 1. He's never been a star, but he's been solid as a backup and a starter. He won't knock you over with his physical skills, but he's very efficient. Jeff Garcia clearly is Tampa Bay's starter, but I get the feeling the Bucs wouldn't miss a beat if they had to play Griese the majority of the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Sports Illustrated NFL writer Don Banks ranks all 32 backup QBs and makes some interesting choices not only in his slotting but also in who he chose to represent each team.

Here are the four No. 2s from the AFC East:

9. J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills

14. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins

22. Brett Ratliff, New York Jets

30. Matt Gutierrez, New England Patriots

That Banks would rank Henne so high is surprising. Henne has looked fabulous this summer, but he hasn't played an NFL down.

The second-round draft pick is listed ahead of veterans Gus Frerotte (16), Byron Leftwich (17), Mark Brunell (18), Cleo Lemon (21), David Carr (25) and Alex Smith (27) -- all former starters. The player drafted one spot ahead of Henne,