Football notes: 9/16

[CRASHER]

Suggs cleared for workouts
The News
Running back Lee Suggs, who sat out the Browns' season opener with a stinger in his neck, has been cleared by doctors to return to practice. The plan will be for Suggs to work out on a limited basis at first, until his shoulder is strong enough to withstand contact. Browns coach Butch Davis also refuted earlier reports that Suggs has stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column.
Our View
It sounds as if the Browns will bring Suggs along slowly, which means you'll see more William Green and James Jackson this week against Dallas. Hey, if Suggs is going to miss time, it might as well be against the Ravens and Cowboys.

-- man I love a good Troy Hambrick bash

Hambrick not counting carbs
The News
When running back Troy Hambrick joined the Cardinals via trade last month, he weighed in at 260 pounds, roughly 30 pounds above his listed playing weight, according to the Arizona Republic. He also forced the Raiders to deal him by skipping a practice shortly before he was traded.
Our View
Someone should inspect Troy's Gatorade bottle, as we have a feeling he might have replaced the liquid thirst quencher with a gallon of gravy.

Broncos: Griffin's complete package praised
The News
Effusive praise for Broncos' running back Quentin Griffin continues to pour in after his franchise-record rushing performance in week one, and not only for his success in the ground game. "Quentin did a great job of pass protection," coach Mike Shanahan told the Denver Post. "You never know for sure how a running back is going to step up and block the linebackers and possibly the defensive tackles. He doesn't shy away from anything. He's a complete back, and we love what he's doing."
Our View
After the preseason, we knew Q could handle running the football between the 20s. We learned on Sunday that he can also break the big one, handle short-yardage situations, and pass protect. That certainly sounds like a feature back to us. Fantasy owners have to temper their expectations for week two, however, as the Jaguars were the NFL's second-best rush defense a year ago and allowed the Bills only 2.6 yards per carry last Sunday.

No timetable set for Smith
The News
Although Panthers' officials are still hopeful that wide receiver Steve Smith will be able to return in four weeks, no official timetable has been set. Smith had surgery on Tuesday after breaking his fibula the night before in a week one game against the Packers. "He's not out for the season," Panthers' head coach John Fox told the Charlotte Observer on Tuesday. "But anything after that or short of that, I don't know. But it's not season ending at this point." Meanwhile, Smith said he intends to "cry a little bit" and has "a lot of time for me to read my Bible."
Our View
As reported on Tuesday, rookie Keary Colbert will replace Smith as a starting wideout. Another rookie, Chris Gamble, will fill in for Smith as the punt returner.