Huddle Up: BenJarvus Green-Ellis staying hungry

An abbreviated look at what’s going on around the NFL on Monday, Aug. 15:

• Despite rushing for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is once again fighting to prove himself during training camp.

• Denver feels like it might have found a true impact player in 2010 undrafted free agent safety Kyle McCarthy from Notre Dame. McCarthy worked his way into the lineup for seven games last season before getting hurt and may claim a starting spot this year.

• Their trade for Lee Evans means that the Ravens can take their time getting rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss into the receiver rotation. But which one will have a bigger impact in 2011?

• Jared Gaither, coming off a back injury that cost him all of 2010, will open his Chiefs career at left tackle. He's been working with Kansas City's second-string unit so far in practice.

• After two underwhelming seasons, defensive end Vaughn Martin is feeling the pressure to finally perform in San Diego.

• Neither Alex Smith nor Colin Kaepernick was overly impressive in San Francisco's preseason opener. So the 49ersmay bring in veteran QB Daunte Culpepper as insurance.

• New Titans coach Mike Munchak believes that holdout RB Chris Johnson is keeping in shape, but he's not so sure that Johnson has looked at the team's new playbook yet.

• Everyone in Miami can blame Chad Henne and the team's struggles, but the real issue may be on a still-subpar offensive line.