What Detroit coach Jim Schwartz‘s decision to start rookie Matthew Stafford tells me more than anything is not what Stafford showed on the field in preseason, but what he proved to coaches behind closed doors and to teammates both on and off the field.

Well fellow fantasy fanatics, it looks like we’re looking at another backfield committee, this time in Tampa Bay. Cadillac Williams, not Derrick Ward, will open 2009 as the starter.

Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in last April’s NFL draft, will start in Sunday’s season against the Saints, coach Jim Schwartz announced Monday after practice.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will use Willie Parker as his featured back this season, but his recent proneness to injuries still makes Fast Willie a risk-reward fantasy option.

Isiah Stanback drew a lot of interest around the league for a practice squad spot and chose to sign with the Patriots. He did so because he wants to return to his college position of quarterback, according to a league source.

Rookie QB Chase Daniel will not be signing with the Washington Redskins’ practice squad, according to a source. Daniel has decided to go to New Orleans instead.

The Eagles will release veteran QB AJ Feeley today, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but not because Michael Vick is being moved to the active roster, as some have speculated.

The New York Jets traded for QB Kevin O’Connell from Detroit on Sunday, according to a league source, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports.

The New England Patriots traded defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 first-round pick.

The Buccaneers traded backup QB Luke McCown to the Jaguars for a late-round conditional draft pick in 2010, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Raiders have released veteran QB Jeff Garcia, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.

The Patriots released TE Alex Smith, just months after trading a fifth-round draft pick to the Buccaneers for his services.

The Jaguars released OT Tony Pashos, a league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, because he wouldn’t agree to a pay cut. Pashos was scheduled to make $4.3 million this season

Zach Thomas was expected to add a veteran presence to a relatively young Chiefs defense, but the linebacker was released by the team today.

Matt Bryant, the Buccaneers’ kicker for the last four seasons, lost his job to former Jet Mike Nugent. Bryant was among 21 players released by the Bucs today.