Several running backs will be fighting for roster spots Thursday and Friday as the preseason ends in the NFL. Ron Dayne is fighting an uphill battle to make the Denver Broncos roster. Mike Shanahan has Mike Bell and Tatum Bell ahead of him. It's not out of the question for the Broncos to trade Dayne for a conditional draft choice. Recently, Dayne was working with a scout team, so he needs a good showing to make the Broncos roster. The same might be said for Eric Shelton of the Panthers. Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning was quoted as saying he hasn't seen much out of Shelton, a second-round choice of the Panthers in 2005. Shelton was injured during his rookie year. The player who probably won't be cut is Duce Staley of the Steelers. Even though Staley hasn't shown much in the past two games, coach Bill Cowher believes in him and will keep him unless they find someone better, which probably won't happen.
McCareins trade winds: Trade talks for Jets wide receiver Justin McCareins have slowed down for a couple of days. The Bears were interested but they thought his $2.2 million salary was a little steep. McCareins made an impressive 40-yard catch in the Jets third preseason game that got some momentum going for him with first-year coach Eric Mangini. McCareins is running behind Jerricho Cotchery as the Jets No. 2 wide receiver. It's not out of the question for trade talks to heat up over the weekend.
No shock in Tampa: Jay Fiedler's release wasn't a surprise. If the Bucs were going to keep him around he was going to start the season on the physically unable to perform list and not be available until six weeks into the season at the earliest. Jon Gruden likes what he sees from rookie Bruce Gradkowski, the team's sixth-round pick, and might make him the backup. But Gruden still has Tim Rattay as an experienced backup.
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John Clayton
