Mark Brunell was the subject of an inquiry by the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, sources said, but no deal was completed after Washington's 31-14 loss to the Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The Redskins could still deal him with roster cuts looming Saturday -- Atlanta expressed some interest weeks ago -- although the market for the 36-year-old is not deep.

As the second player acquired upon Joe Gibbs' return to the Washington Redskins in 2004, Clinton Portis always has had a secure role: When healthy, he's the franchise running back. But after a 2006 season that ended early because of shoulder and hand injuries and included the emergence of Ladell Betts and a forgettable preseason in which knee tendinitis has kept him sidelined for four weeks, Portis admits this season may be his last with the Redskins. "The world forgot about me this year," he said. "I have to make it work this year or I'll be out of here and probably be doing these same interviews somewhere else."

The New York Jets ended months of acrimony and bickering with starting left guard Pete Kendall on Thursday, trading the disgruntled 11-year veteran to the Washington Redskins for an undisclosed middle-round draft choice. The deal came after an offseason in which Kendall, upset about his contract, did not take part in any of the Jets' voluntary activities, and in which he railed against management. One of the game's most candid players, and unafraid to speak his mind, Kendall went public with his grievances over the contractual dispute. After accepting a salary reduction last year, Kendall sought to have his compensation for this season, scheduled at a base salary of $1.68 million, increased by $1 million. Jets officials, though, steadfastly declined to renegotiate. Kendall claimed that the Jets had reneged on a promise to readjust his salary again if he performed well in 2006.

The Jets were on the verge last night of trading disgruntled left guard Pete Kendall to an undisclosed team, NFL sources told the Daily News. Multiple teams expressed an interest once the Jets made it clear they wanted to move Kendall, 34, a starter for the Jets since he arrived in 2004. Kendall is expected to receive a new contract, and it's believed he will earn at least $2.7 million for the coming season. He was due to make $1.7 million from the Jets and was seeking a $1million raise, but they refused to renegotiate his deal, which had three years and $6.1 million remaining. In return, the Jets will get an undisclosed draft choice. ProFootballTalk is reporting that Kendall will be dealt to the Redskins.

In the first surprise roster move of training camp, the Washington Redskins released linebacker Lemar Marshall yesterday and signed 34-year old veteran Randall Godfrey. Marshall had started all but three games the last three years but was deemed expendable with the arrival of London Fletcher and emergence of Rocky McIntosh. Still, it was assumed Marshall would make the team as a backup weak-side linebacker. Marshall said coach Joe Gibbs called him to Redskin Park on Monday night, when he met with Gibbs, assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams and linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti.

The Redskins added depth to their linebacking corps Tuesday, signing Randall Godfrey. Terms were not disclosed. An 11-year veteran, Godfrey spent the previous three seasons with San Diego. He recorded 58 tackles and four sacks in 13 games last season.

It might only be the preseason, but the Washington Redskins' defense is looking mighty tough after a game against the Steelers. This wasn't quite the real thing, but this was one of the more competitive NFL games in mid-August you'll ever see. It resulted in two riveting quarters that, health-wise, proved costly for the Redskins. It also proved, halfway through the preseason, that the real questions about this team's viability have less to do with a defense that ranked 31st in the league a year ago and much more to do with whether the offensive line can protect Campbell enough for him to put the ball in the end zone at least twice per game. Because, gauging from the past two weeks, this defense is simply not going to be as bad as it was last season. Barring injury and whether it can mount a decent pass rush, the talent and experience infusion is going to help considerably. It wouldn't be surprising if the defense began holding teams to two touchdowns or fewer and victory again depended on the offense holding up its end of the bargain, much like the 10-6 season in 2005. Beyond the defensive line's health issues from last year, there was a pride issue as well. When many of the same players who went to the second round of the NFC playoffs were embarrassed a year later, it caused some to take stock of their careers. Were they the stingy, cohesive group that pummeled teams in 2004 and 2005, or the soft-in-the-middle crew that wasted away 2006? Already they seem to be providing an answer.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell left the first quarter of Saturday night's game against the Steelers with a knee injury. Campbell was hit flush on the left knee by Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, who beat rookie free agent left tackle Stephon Heyer and stumbled as he kept up his pursuit. Keisel was assessed with a personal foul for a low hit on a quarterback in the pocket.

The left side of the Redskins' offensive line had a different look during the final few snaps of Monday's practice, a sign the Todd Wade experiment might be in danger. There was also a new receiver on the field, Todd Pinkston, an interesting addition given Brandon Lloyd's long layoff with shin splints.

Anyone curious to see how Vince Young has improved since he was last seen in the Pro Bowl must wait a week. While the Redskins sure didn't miss him, the Titans obviously did. Young sat on the sidelines, benched for violating a team rule. Without him, the Titans lost their preseason opener on Saturday night. Marcus Mason scored from a yard out and Byron Westbrook recovered a fumble in the end zone in the final 1:14, helping the Redskins pull out a 14-6 victory over the Titans in the exhibition opener for both teams.