Green

With his willingness in the exhibition finale against the Cowboys to run downfield and help out as a blocker, Rams quarterback Trent Green erased any questions about his comeback from knee reconstruction. Having to wear a knee brace, Green struggled with flexibility for most of August. Green's final push gave his confidence that he's ready to step in if Kurt Warner goes down.

Jauron sends a message
Bears coach Dick Jauron is playing some wise head games with a defense that features seven starters who are 27 or younger. His one-game benching of Tony Parrish alerted the budding star strong safety that mental mistakes won't be tolerated. Jauron believed rookie linebacker Brian Urlacher was overwhelmed learning all the defensive formations, so Jauron limited him to passing downs. The biggest surprise was how quickly second-round choice Mike Brown won the starting free safety job, playing like a veteran.

Cutting payroll
Restricted free agents such as cornerback Terry Cousins of Chicago, wide receiver James Hundon of Cincinnati, tackle Juan Roque of Detroit, guard Tony Hutson of Dallas, safety Omar Stoutmire of the Jets and wide receivers Isaac Byrd and Joey Kent of the Titans signified the biggest trend from the league's final roster cutdowns. They were let go in part because general managers believed these fourth-year players were overpaid and/or would be difficult to re-sign.

No market for fresh snapper
Veterans Mike Morris (Minnesota last year), John Hudson (Jets last year) and others found teams aren't digging deep into their wallets to pay for deep snappers. There are only 13 snappers left with enough league service to make the veterans' minimum of $440,000. Seven teams are using rookie snappers, including the Seahawks who are using Canadian rookie Jean-Phillippe Darche (No. 49).

Subhead
Cornerback Cris Dishman feverously ran up and down the Montezuma hill near the San Diego State campus this offseason to make his 35-year-old body ready to hold up against the league's top young receivers. Even though Dishman was an early camp star for his fitness, he was released by the Chiefs. But to his delight, he should become the Vikings' starting left cornerback alongside the player who usually stayed a few yards ahead of him up that hill -- strong safety Robert Griffith.

John Clayton is the senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.