21.   Patten finally stopped practicing, but because the game was the last one before final roster cuts, he was determined to play.

22.   Smith, a three-year veteran who was once considered a strong candidate to make the final roster, has struggled in the past week.

23.   Sources back home reveal that the usual callers who besiege The Star sports department to learn the final roster were not heard from.

24.   The Chiefs will keep six, possibly seven, running backs on their final roster.

25.   The Cowboys have three more weeks of training camp and four more preseason games before making final roster decisions.

26.   The Falcons are going to keep three quarterbacks on the final roster, and Tony Graziani is one of three on the current roster.

27.   The final roster spot among position players comes down to either Chris Pritchett or Tim Unroe.

28.   The final roster makeup greatly depends on left-handed reliever Mike Venafro, who has been bothered most of the spring by a finger injury.

29.   The final rosters do not have to be named until December.

30.   The rehabilitation program this winter went well, and Newson will compete with third baseman Scott Cooper and outfielder Mike Simms for the final roster berth among position players.