• It’s appearing that Joey Galloway has created some separation from Greg Lewis in the derby to be the Patriots’ No. 3 wide receiver. Despite his advanced age (37), Galloway still brandished some nice wheels during OTAs and has the superior overall skill package.

• The Jets are very much taking a wait-and-see approach with Plaxico Burress. Word out of New York is that they won’t consider bringing him aboard until his legal situation is cleared up, and it’s also unlikely they would make a play for him if Roger Goodell hands down a lengthy suspension. However, should the courts and league decide in the receiver’s favor, expect the Jets to be near the top of the list of suitors.

• The competition for the Bengals’ SLB job promises to be one of the most intriguing of training camp, with veteran Rashad Jeanty and rookie Rey Maualuga vying for the position. In a recent interview with PFW, Jeanty, who started 15 games last season on the strong side, praised Maualuga, who starred in the middle for USC, noting the rookie’s progress throughout offseason workouts. “You can tell he’s a middle linebacker,” Jeanty said, “but he’s playing like a strong-side linebacker’s supposed to. He’s tough. He’s sticking his head in there. He’s a guy who reminds me a little of myself.” Jeanty acknowledged the competition will be tough, but he sees nothing wrong with that. “Whoever is not the starter, I’ll tell you, he’s going to be a hell of a backup,” Jeanty said.

• The way we hear it, undrafted free-agent RB Marlon Lucky flashed some playmaking ability in the Bengals’ offseason workouts after overcoming a hamstring injury. Lucky may still be in a fight to make the team, but the former Nebraska back has nonetheless fared well when he’s been on the field.

• Jack Del Rio has a lot of homework to do in the coming months as he seeks to determine his lineups on the defensive line and in the secondary. As far as the linebackers go, however, it can be taken to the bank that, barring injury, the starting trio will consist of Daryl Smith inside with Justin Durant and Clint Ingram manning the outside posts.

• A source close to the Texans says Chris Brown rates an edge over Ryan Moats in the battle to win the Texans’ No. 2 RB job behind Steve Slaton. Moats was the Texans’ top reserve last season after the now-departed Ahman Green suffered a season-ending injury.

• Titans MLB Stephen Tulloch would have to significantly regress for Ryan Fowler to take his starting job, the way we hear it. Tulloch overtook Fowler as the team’s top middle linebacker last season.

• We hear second-year man Tyvon Branch is a virtual lock to win the Raiders’ starting job at free safety. Branch missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury and underwent surgery to repair it, but he has the kind of speed that excites Al Davis, which is the reason Davis picked him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. Branch has relatively little competition for the top job, although Hiram Eugene , who started 10 games last season, is also in the mix.

• Although the Chiefs’ offensive line is far from their strong point — especially if Pro Bowl OG Brian Waters refuses to play for them — they seem to have found a solid veteran presence in Mike Goff. Head coach Todd Haley praised the former Charger for his work in the offseason program, crediting him for giving maximum effort on every drill. While the left side of the line could be in flux if Waters’ situation isn’t resolved, Goff looks to be entrenched as the starting right guard.