By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com, FootballDiehards

Bottom line? Whenever Perry gets the ball, he's a threat to make a big play.

The Bengals cleared a roster spot for Perry on Thursday when they released Quincy Wilson; the next step is putting Perry on the active roster.

The news can: Help you identify streaking prospects

According to local reports emanating from Buffalo, Houston and Jacksonville, respectively: Bills wideout Lee Evans' 8-catch, 82-yard effort last Sunday was the fourth consecutive game he's had at least seven receptions; Texans receiver Andre Johnson has at least nine catches in each of his last three games; Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams has pulled in 24 passes in five games. By contrast, he caught 27 and 35 his first two years.

The news can: Provide early indications a prediction is about to come true

The Texans totaled just 34 yards on the ground last Sunday, matching the second-worst performance in team history. The Texans had 28 rushing yards against Tennessee in their inaugural season and 34 against Buffalo in 2003.

Meaning, it's time for a change.

So it came as no surprise on Thursday when head coach Gary Kubiak advised reporters that Ron Dayne, the incumbent starter at tailback, won't be playing this week. "Our plan is, right now, to play Samkon [Gado] and Wali [Lundy]," Kubiak said.

I would suggest we've already seen what Lundy can do. Time for Gado to bust a move and make those sharp enough to single out the former Packer out as the likely starter -- by mid October no less -- look pretty darned smart.

The news can: Confirm your worst suspicions

Matt Leinart recently said the Cardinals needed to get the ball more to running back Edgerrin James. Offensive coordinator Keith Rowen did just that Monday night against Chicago. James gained 55 yards on 36 carries -- the most carries in NFL history by a back who averaged fewer than two yards per attempt -- as the Cardinals went conservative after taking a 20-point lead.

Then Rowen got fired. The very next day. Seriously.

He was replaced by quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek, who by all accounts is less conservative and more creative than his predecessor (which makes me wonder why he wasn't already calling the plays).

According to the Arizona Republic, Kruczek's top priority is fixing a running game that has produced an average of 69.7 yards a game. James, who signed a four-year deal worth $30 million in the off-season, has yet to gain 100 yards in a game and is averaging 2.7 yards a carry.

How bad is that? J.J. Arrington averaged 3.3 yards per rush last season -- when the Cardinals ranked last in the league in rushing.

So the question is whether Kruczek is creative enough to get James back on track? The short answer: Only if he's creative enough to conjure up an offensive line that actually blocks. Don't hold your breath.

The news can: Even make you smile on occasion

According to the Associated Press, now that Terrell Owens has loaded up on TDs, he has a new gripe: Not enough catches before halftime.

Imagine that.

Owens told reporters on Wednesday his three touchdown catches this past Sunday let him know he's an important part of the Cowboys' offense, but he also noted that all three came in the second half.

He had only one catch for 19 yards over the first two quarters against Houston. And he was shut out over the first two quarters of the previous game, against Philadelphia.

A trend is developing and Owens doesn't like it.

"In the first half of the last two ballgames, I'm not in the ballgame," he lamented. "That's not to say I'm not working hard. I'm not sure what the case may be."

One easy way to get him the ball would be quick slant passes, the kind that have been so successful most of his career. Drew Bledsoe said they could be coming.

"As he becomes more comfortable in this offense and has more practice time, you'll see some more of those type of quick throws, where we get the ball in his hands and just let him run," Bledsoe said. "He's got such explosive down-the-field speed that it's a different challenge.

"But at the same time, [Owens is] a guy that should and will be a huge weapon for us going forward."

True enough -- as long as his explosions are limited to the on-field variety.

There you have it boys and girls. Just a few examples of what the news can do for you. Keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground. Maybe you can pull a rabbit out of your hat, too.

Bob Harris is co-founder of the FootballDiehards Web site and senior editor at FSP Inc., publisher of Fantasy Football Pro Forecast, DraftBook, CheatSheets and Football Diehards magazines. He is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.