QUICK SNAPS

Rebuilding a bridge

There are a lot of Super Bowl themes coursing through this week’s NFL schedule. Among them, Arizona’s Kurt Warner will play at St. Louis, where he won a championship ring; New England’s Bill Belichick will face his old defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel, a key member of the Patriots coaching staff on the three championship teams and now Cleveland Browns head coach; and, in a rematch of Super Bowl XL, Seattle will play Pittsburgh.

But perhaps the most compelling Super Bowl story line will take place in San Francisco, where the 49ers play host to Baltimore. Because of a shoulder injury to Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer will play quarterback for San Francisco. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens seven years ago, then -- in a move that startled the veteran passer -- was released after that 2000 season.

After holding a grudge, Dilfer extended an olive branch to Ravens Coach Brian Billick during a conference call with Baltimore reporters last week.

“I want to use this opportunity to publicly apologize to Brian for that bitterness,” Dilfer said. “I’m going to make a point to see him on Sunday. He’s been the man in this deal and I haven’t. He’s been the adult.

“I’ve been the childish one, and I want to end that right now. I still strongly disagree with it, but there’s a difference in disagreeing with a decision and letting that decision bring bitterness in somebody.”

Clearly, Billick is willing to end the impasse. Shortly before Dilfer made his apology, Billick told reporters: “We’ve been down this road several times. I would love to talk to Trent. I’d love to say hello to Trent and wish him well and see how he’s doing.”

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Promises, promises

Remember when Miami linebacker Joey Porter guaranteed a victory over Oakland? Well, not only did the Raiders win last Sunday, but they ran for 299 yards, the second-most rushing yards the Dolphins have ever given up in a regular-season game.

Porter had three tackles.

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Fits the Bills

Running back Marshawn Lynch, the former University of California standout chosen in the first round by Buffalo, leads AFC rookies with 307 yards rushing. He’s on pace to be the first Bills rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since Greg Bell in 1984.

Establishing a running game Monday night against the Cowboys will be key. Over the last three weeks, Dallas has eight sacks and eight interceptions.

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Staying put?

Rumors swirled last week that Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid is on the verge of retiring, mostly because of the legal entanglements of his sons. On and off the record, Eagles executives have denied those reports.

Reid’s two oldest sons are awaiting sentencing on drug and gun charges. Team President Joe Banner said the coach’s job performance has not been affected by his family issues.

“It would be foolish to say it . . . doesn’t weigh on his mind,” Banner told the Philadelphia Daily News. “But there are really strong people out there, of which he is definitely one, who are able to both deal with the challenges they face in their life and continue to be excellent at what they do.”

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Not in a rush

Last season, the Panthers and Saints really knew how to put pressure on quarterbacks. But through the first four games this season, four of the elite pass rushers in football -- Carolina’s Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker, and New Orleans’ Will Smith and Charles Grant -- have no sacks. Carolina has two sacks; the Saints have none.

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Randy reborn

Patriots receiver Randy Moss leads all NFL players with seven touchdowns and 505 yards receiving. If he catches 49 yards of passes against Cleveland today, he will surpass his entire output from last season.

-- Sam Farmer