Colts' Gonzalez is a super-sleeper; The Alex Smith soap opera continues; Caldwell lands in St. Louis; Urban sticks with 'Zona; Trufant and Tatupu sign a big extensions; Best QB backups; and more. Putting a spin on Football...

BACK-UP QBs  Smith Photos: Getty Images EVERY SEASON, ALL  32 teams usually have a clear-cut starting QB. But by the end of the season, many of those original starters are replaced because of injury or ineffectiveness. So who are league's best backups just waiting for a chance? David Carr, Giants  Forget about last year's lost season in Carolina. Carr still has starter talent and one of the fastest releases in the game. Trent Green, Rams As long as he stays concussion-free this season he should be a nice luxury for the Rams behind Marc Bulger. Kurt Warner, Cardinals Every year he looks like he might be finished early on, and every year he seems to then turn it around and have some big games. Troy Smith, Ravens  Now entering his second season, Smith was solid in a late audition for Baltimore in 2007. He could potentially end up winning the team's starting gig out of training camp if Kyle Boller and Steve McNair falter.

 STOCK Watch 

THE ONGOING SOAP opera of Alex Smith (pictured, top) and Mike Nolan continues. The oft-injured and inconsistent QB and the head coach had a fractious relationship during last year's offensive meltdown, but the San Jose Mercury News reports Smith told them he and Nolan "are both looking forward to putting last year behind us." That said, Nolan recently told the San Francisco Chronicle that the 49ers' starting QB job is an "open competition" between Smith and Shaun Hill.

THE RECENT ACQUISITION of Reche Caldwell by the Rams may result in Caldwell becoming a sleeper this season. With Isaac Bruce gone, Caldwell could conceivably become the No.2 target in the St. Loo passing game behind Torry Holt. At 28 Caldwell is by no means over the hill, and while he disappeared in Washington last year, so did Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd, and other talented receivers. Caldwell posted 760 receiving yards the year before with the Patriots.

WITH JERHEME URBAN re-upping with the Cards this week, what should we expect from him? Probably an improvement on last year's solid and underrated production. With Bryant Johnson gone now, Urban has a chance to become the third receiver in a Matt Leinart offense. Urban put up 123 yards and a touchdown on six catches in Week 14 against the Seahawks.

FOR THOSE IN leagues that include individual defensive players, Marcus Trufant might be someone to keep an eye on. He recently signed a six-year contract extension with the Seahawks worth a reported $50.2 Million. At 27 he's in his prime and coming off a stellar seven-interception, 85-tackle 2007. He should be seen as an elite cornerback, and hopefully his recent big payday doesn't de-motivate him. Fellow defensive cornerstone Lofa Tatupu also recently inked a six-year extension.

 SLEEPING Giant 

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts
By now it should be pretty clear that Indy wideout Marvin Harrison is no spring chicken (he'll be 36 during the 2008 season). With Harrison's return to stardom also clouded by ongoing knee issues, the Colts and QB Peyton Manning are looking increasingly to super-soph Gonzalez. The 23-year-old was excellent down the stretch for Indy in 2007 as a rookie, catching three touchdown passes over Weeks 14 and 15. If Harrison doesn't return quickly, Gonzalez may emerge quickly as a star.

 INJURY Update 

CARDINALS QUARTERBACK Matt Leinart recently told azcardinals.com that "I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent but I feel great," and that he's been "throwing 100 percent." Leinart claims he expects to be completely healthy by the time summer arrives, which means he should be all the way back from his broken collarbone by the time the regular season starts.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Denver wideout Brandon Marshall, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2007, recently put his right forearm through a home entertainment center after slipping on a fast food bag. Marshall reportedly severed tendons, muscles, a nerve, a vein, and an artery in his forearm. No word on how much it might affect his 2008 campaign. 
 

TOP 5  Rushing quarterbacks in 2007... 1. Vince Young, Titans (395 yards) 2. Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings (260) 3. Donovan McNabb, Eagles (236) 4. Jay Cutler, Broncos (205) -- left                                                      5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (204)