NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

I guess the rule of thumb on this next tidbit on Chiefs WR Chris Chambers is pretty clear – if you can’t get em arrested, marry em. Yes, Chris Chambers has married a chick that at one point stalked him and got into trouble for it.

Ex-Dolphins receiver Chris Chambers, now with the Chiefs, married Stacey Bernice Saunders in Las Vegas recently. Notable? Only because in 2009 Chambers filed 11 separate stalking/harrassment complaints against the woman, who apparently hadn’t taken well to Chris breaking off their extramarital affair.

Follow SRC's Matt Loede on twitter.com @mattnflgg.

Running back Ryan Grant took a hit to the head and needed help from trainers after being tackled in the first quarter of Green Bay’s exhibition opener against the Browns and he did not return. Grant was having a bad night before the injury on his third carry Saturday. He fumbled on his first touch, leading to a Browns touchdown.

He had a gain of 6 yards up the middle when he was hit hard by linebacker Chris Gocong and defensive end Robaire Smith. Several trainers came to Grant’s aid after he stumbled badly getting up and helped him off the field. They didn’t appear to be testing him for anything on the side, but continued talking to him for several minutes.

Glen Coffee was having it all good for him. He had a successful career with the Alabama Crimson Tide back in college, serving as their primary running back. He would then get drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, where he could create a nice one-two punch with Frank Gore, if that is possible maybe in a few seasons. But Coffee had a bright future ahead of him. Coffee played decent in his rookie season, rushing for 226 yards and one touchdown. The 2.7 yards per carry shouldn't be such a big deal, but it would seem his sophomore season would have to be a lot more successful.

As training camp began, defensive end and first-round bust from the NFL Draft a few years ago, Kentwan Balmer, was dismissed from the team after not reporting to practice for five straight days. Balmer was released and may retire. That is when Coffee joined, who unexpectedly retired and left the 49ers.

"We just respond to this and move forward," coach Mike Singletary said. "We're dealing with this in stride and continuing to have our best practice. The thing that we're trying to do as the 49ers is that we're trying to find 53 men that love the game of football."

Coffee only played in the National Football League for one season and could have had a bright future there.

"I feel it is best for me that I move on from football," he said.

Coffee was battling for the back-up spot against sixth-round pick, Anthony Dixon. Coach Mike Singletary said that he was doing fine in camp and was working well and there was nothing wrong with him. He didn't report to practice on Thursday and informed Singletary of his decision on Friday.

"I appreciate his honesty and I appreciate him not coming out here and going through the motions," Singletary said. "He said his heart isn't in it. It's his decision. He is a man, and the last thing that I'm going to do is disrespect him and try to drag something out."

With Coffee's retirement, the Niners are left with Michael Robinson, Gore, and Dixon.

"We had no indication this was coming," Robinson said. "Glen's a good friend and it's like I'm losing a brother. With Glen not being here, there is a void. But I've been here five years and I've seen backs come in and I've seen backs leave. We all have to elevate our games now."

Dixon now doesn't have as much pressure put on him anymore to compete for the back-up spot.

"This puts no more pressure on me than there already was," Dixon said. "I knew they were going to call on me, and now it's time to step up. This is what I've been waiting for, and I'm definitely out to show some people what I'm capable of."

There is a lot for football fans to learn out of this situation. Many people think Coffee is stupid for making this decision since all things are going swell for him. But in today's society, people assume a lot of things. Coffee shows that you can be good at something, but you are not all interested in it. Coffee sets an example for a lot of athletes out there. For those who are not fully into the game, then don't try to make a career out of it.

Coffee is going to find a new job very soon and could maybe return to the game of football soon if he wanted to. This situation was similar to Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock back in the 2007 season. After that year, Pitcock decided to call it a career. Now he is back trying out for the Seattle Seahawks currently. If there's no success there, he could move on to play in a different league; most probably the United Football League.

Most of time, sports is not the path to success. And Glen knows that. He says he has higher opportunities ahead of him. Remember Heath Schuler? Everyone remembers him as a bust in the sports world when he was a quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Now he is successful out of the sports world and into politics, serving as a congressmen and working with the White House and the government.

When you really look at it, you shouldn't be really that crazed of Coffee retiring. I was surprised at first and was crazy about it, I must admit, but sometimes sports isn't always the answer for some. Coffee has other things to look at than football. Sure, he had success out of it, but if he is not fully into it and if he just doesn't want to play anymore, then you should respect that. It's his decision.

He has chances of being successful elsewhere, like everyone else out there in the world.

Because when it all goes down, sports fans, sports can't always be the answer. And sometimes, you can't make sports your life. Think about other things sometimes. It can also help you.

Just ask Glen Coffee.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that Texasns backup safety Troy Nolan may be in for a key role this preseason.  Kubiak told McClain about the second year safety whose injuries have held him out of any regular season games with the Texans:

"I see a kid that thinks he belongs in one of the two (safety positions).  When you're a backup in this league and you watch guys practice, some act like 'that's what I am.' This kid acts like he wants to be a (starter) in this league, and if he keeps working, he'll get his chances."

Nolan was a seventh round pick by the Texans out of Arizona State in the 2009 NFL Draft.   He signed a four-year deal in June 2009 but was placed on the injured reserve with a wrist injury on August 18.

There's a number of vets around the league that will be looking for teams in a few weeks, it's just the way life goes in the NFL. Such is the case in Denver as well, as there's some rumblings about a popular vet that could be released soon, that being wide out Brandon Stokley.

There is an impression in camp that Broncos veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley is on the roster bubble. Once called the "best slot receiver in football" by former coach Mike Shanahan, he was basically used as the third or fourth option at that position by first year coach Josh McDaniels.

Stokley made the most of his opportunities with four touchdowns among his 19 catches in 2009, including the deflected ball in Cincinnati last September that launched the Broncos' 6-0 start. Those four touchdowns were second on the team, or more than Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal and Brandon Lloyd put together – a total of two, since Royal and Lloyd did not have a receiving touchdown last season Stokeley has picked up the pace in camp over the last week but simple math shows the Broncos have an abundance of receivers this year, especially if they only keep six as they did last year.

Follow Matt Loede on twitter.com @mattnflgg.

The men in stripes will play their second game of the 2010 preseason Sunday at 7:00 PM at Paul Brown Stadium in a tilt with the Denver Broncos.  The game will be blacked out in the greater Cincinnati – Dayton areas, but will be televised live nationally on the NFL network. A tape-delayed broadcast will be available to Cincinnati and Dayton area residents at 11:30 PM.

The Bengals were generally unimpressive in a 16-7 loss to the Cowboys last Sunday in the Hall of Fame Game.  Sunday's contest will be Denver's preseason opener.

Here are some things to look for from the Bengals in the game:

• Look for the starters to play the entire first quarter:  The dreadful passing attack from 2009 didn't look any better last week versus Dallas.  I expect Coach Marvin Lewis to leave his starting offensive unit in the game for the entire first quarter, and perhaps into the second.  Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski will need more tape on the passing game, and its clear that Offensive Line Coach Paul Alexander needs more tape on his charges. Look for some more passes from Carson Palmer as he works to build a rhythm with Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Jordan Shipley, and Jermaine Gresham.

• Wide Receivers Scrum:  The team will need some more evaluation tape on the receivers, particularly the 5 fighting for what looks to be one, and at the very most two, roster spots.  Jordan Shipley and Andre Caldwell are deadlocked in a slugfest for the top slot receiver, and Jerome Simpson, Quan Cosby, Matt Jones, and Dez Briscoe are in a cage match for the last receiver position.

• Where's Jermaine Gresham?:  The team's prized first round pick barely got any real action last week, with just one overthrown pass sent his way. Look for at least one or two plays in the first quarter designed for Carson Palmer to get him the ball.

• Back-up QB Battle Royale:  I'm sorry folks, but judging by his few snaps as a Bengal, J.T. O'Sullivan is J(ust) T(erribly) O'-ful.  He looks timid—even terrified—in the pocket, and hasn't displayed any visual or audible leadership skills that I've seen.  Jordan Palmer threw 2 ugly picks last Sunday, but he kept his composure and seemed to maintain the look and presence of a QB.  He came back from the two dismal plays to rifle a daring touchdown pass in traffic to a 4^th string TE.  Bratkowski acknowledged this week that the younger Palmer was giving O'Sullivan a run for the top clipboard-holder's job, and unless things change, I see it becoming a reality.  Either way, this team needs better production from their back-ups, and an impenetrable force-field around Carson Palmer.

• Benson and Scott on 3^rd down:  With Leapin' Brian Leonard limpin', the team needs to see what starter Cedric Benson and top back-up Bernard Scott can do in their third-down packages.  As Flyin' Brian recovers, the team needs to see how Benson and Scott do catching dump-offs, picking up blitzers, and generally serving as Carson Palmer's personal bodyguard. Oh yeah, and they may need to run the ball a few times too.

• The Atkins Diet:  fourth-round pick Geno Atkins was the rookie that showed the most from last week's game by recording 5 tackles and a sack from his defensive tackle position. Atkins showed quickness and agility, and garnered rave reviews from coaches and talking heads alike.  It will be interesting to see what the former Georgia Bulldog has for an encore.

• More Michael Johnson: The other defensive player who really stood out last week was second-year man Michael Johnson.  Johnson, a converted DE, was impressive in his first game action as a pass rusher from an outside linebacker position.  Johnson had 2 sacks and nearly 3 more as he harassed Dallas quarterbacks early and often.  What appeared to be an interesting experiment is turning into potentially something special.  The defense's one weakness in 2009 was a lack of consistent pass rush.  Johnson could be a factor in erasing that weakness in 2010.

• Rey-Rey in the Middle?:  With Michael Johnson's improved play, there is a need to get him on the field. But his position, SAM backer, is currently held by second-year man Rey Maualuga.  Maualuga was drafted as the eventual heir to Dhani Jones' throne in the middle, though Jones appears to be the starter for 2010.  The team will give Maualuga some snaps in the middle, particularly in some 3-4 sets to tinker with the defense. It will be very interesting to see how Maualuga plays as a MIKE, his most natural position and the spot he played in college.

• Call me Adam: The team will continue to want to give Adam "Pacman" Jones as much work as possible.  The former 2005 first-round pick is still shaking off the rust from being out of football last year, but he looked very good last week against the much-taller Cowboy receivers.  He'll also likely field some punts and kick-offs, which leads me to…

• Kick Returners: Jordan Shipley opened the bidding for the top punt-returner job with a 63-yard bolt in the fourth quarter of the Hall of Fame Game.  Incumbent Quan Cosby will look to regain his foothold on the job, and there's the aforementioned former video game character that's also in the mix.  Bernard Scott, Andre Caldwell, and Jones are likewise battling for the primary kick-off returner job. Who wins these contests will have a big impact on the final roster, particularly at wide receiver.

• More Special Teams: Mike Windt and Clark Harris will continue their battle for the long-snapper job, and we may see Mike Nugent attempt a field goal for the first time as a Bengal.  Nugent has some ground to make up after suffering a hamstring injury. His competition, Dave Rayner, has been solid in his absence.

As with last week's game, the team has three primary objectives:

1. Don't lose anyone to injuries—particularly starters
2. Get some evaluation tape—particularly back-ups.
3. See Number 1.

Hopefully they will fair better on number 1 than last week.

Like many of you, I will be looking for the Bengals to win this game.  I'll be yelling at the refs, players, and coaches all night as if it were a "real" game.  If they lose, I'll certainly be disappointed.

That said, the score only matters inasmuch as it helps evaluate player performances.  As my father, a real Bill Parcellsian football philosopher is apt to say, "You should lose all your preseason games.  Winning only serves to breed overconfidence."

He's right.  Nonetheless, I unabashedly offer that familiar battle cry…

Who-Dey!

Tonight at Heinz Field the Steelers will have their first test of the preseason. They will do battle with the Detroit Lions, and the starters will play only about 8-12 plays. Below are a few things to look for tonight’s game between the Steelers and Lions.

1. How Does Tomlin Handle the QB Rotation?

This seems to be the biggest storyline entering Saturday’s contest. Does Tomlin allow Roethlisberger to take the field? Leftwich appears to still be well on his way to being the opening day starter, so it would make sense to have him go for the first in the preseason opener. Then again, letting Roethlisberger start would show the fans and club long term who will be the guy. Interesting decision.

2. The Rookies

First round pick Maurkice Pouncey has had a solid first camp, and it will be interesting to see him against another team at the right guard spot. Rookie linebacker Jason Worilds has been hurt a portion of camp with a hamstring, so I would think he is unlikely to do or play much. Another player people want to see is RB Jonathan Dwyer, who has also had a very up and down camp, at time slamming his helmet in disgust. Rookies are always the talk of camps, so watching the Steelers rookies go at it will be fun for the first time.

3. The Return Game

Tomlin said that Stefan Logan will start the game as the team’s return specialist, but he will also use rookies Antonio Brown on punt returns and Emmanuel Sanders on kick returns. There’s also a chance we could see the return of veteran Antwaan Randle El as a return specialist against the Lions. It’s a position to watch, as Logan had a record setting year, but his inability to break one has the spot up for grabs.

4. The Defensive Backfield

More so from the CB spot, as we know that Ike Taylor is going to be one corner, and right now Bryant McFadden, back from the Cards, is the other. After that there is an interesting battle going on, as the team has players like William Gay, Anthony Madison, Crezdon Butler, and a few others going at it for playing time. The secondary was one area of the defense that wore down late in games last season, so Saturday will be the first step towards changing that.

According to FOX Sports’ Adam Caplan, the Bills could once again look to trade running back Marshawn Lynch if rookie C.J. Spiller impresses in the preseason. The Seahawks, Redskins and Patriots would be the obvious destinations for Lynch if a deal does go down. Of course, that all depends on Spiller, who got his first NFL action Friday against the Redskins, carrying the ball for 14 yards on three carries in the first half.