June 2011 4for4 Player News Articles

Titans WR Kenny Britt surrendered himself to police 2day and is free on $2,000 bond on warrants from a false application on a license.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree was on hand for today's session but did not go through a full practice because of lingering concerns about his left foot. The receiver attended the 49ers' previous minicamp but only took part in the June 6 practice. According to teammate Josh Morgan, Crabtree suffered sore feet during that Monday session after practicing in new shoes. He attended the morning classroom sessions Tuesday-Thursday but left when they were over and did not go out to the practice field.

According to a teammate, the problem is Crabtree's left foot, which required surgery to correct a stress fracture prior to the 2009 draft. Crabtree is being cautious with the foot and doesn't want it to grow into a more serious problem. Crabtree did not speak with reporters today.

This will be a situation to monitor as camps open and the regular season draws closer. For what it's worth, Crabtree himself said today that there is nothing wrong with his feet.

While FA QB Tarvaris Jackson hopes for the best, he admits he has no idea where he might land and knows it won't be easy to find a situation in which he can compete for a starting job. But he is looking forward to the challenge.

Bucs 2nd year WR Arrelious Benn on his ACL injury:

“I’m past where I should be. I’m where I want to be. I can’t be any better than where I am now. I definitely envision me being full strength and full tilt for training camp. I’m able to cut a little bit and get out there and run a little bit. I want to take it easy. It’s still early. I feel good, but things in my knee still need to heal. I don’t want to come out here and be stupid or do anything that will jeopardize my season.”

"The knee is doing wonderful," WR Mark Clayton reported last week. "I broke my training regimen to come here, because I've got my boy (he lifted his knee) back. I actually came here recently and ran some routes with Sam."

The idea being to build on the instant chemistry he enjoyed with Sam Bradford. Clayton relishes the partnership.

Colin Kaepermick participated fully in today's practice. He said some receivers are adjusting to the sizzle of his throws.

Terrell Owens is recovering from left knee surgery and plans to be ready to play when the NFL season starts, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday.

Rosenhaus confirmed in an interview with ESPN that the star wide receiver tore his anterior cruciate ligament and had surgery in early April. However, Rosenhaus said, his client "will be playing at the start of the NFL season."

Rosenhaus called speculation that Owens, 37, was considering retirement "nonsense" and said the 15-year veteran is doing "fantastic" and could be recovered as early as August. Sources familiar with the injury told ESPN on Sunday night that Owens wouldn't return until mid- to late November at the earliest.

"The old injury has been repaired," Rosenhaus said. "He is many months into recovery and doing fantastic. No predictions on training camp, but he comes back fast from injuries. I won't rule him out of anything. He will be a starting receiver for someone this year."

As for Owens mulling retirement, Rosenhaus said "all the retirement talk is nonsense. There's been no discussion about that, and this injury is not a big deal."

We're hesitant to put much stock in anything an agent has to say about their client. An agent's job, after all, is to get their client a lucrative contract, and Drew Rosenhaus appears to be in full damage control mode after recent reports indicated Owens was considering retirement.

If TO is fully healthy and in a good situation come September, we'd be inclined to take a late round flyer on him. That said, we'll really just have to wait and see what turns out to be the truth on the severity of TO's injury and where he ends up.

CBS columnist Mike Freemen on Terrell Owens:

I expect Owens to publicly state his career will go on and there will be no retirement but I can tell you Owens has told several people in the NFL that he has indeed considered retirement. Again, that doesn't mean he will, but he's told people in the sport he's considering it.

Owens, with little question, is done in the NFL as an elite receiver. Owens didn't have a bad last season but look closely at Owens and it's easy to see that burst he once had was gone. Now, at the age of 37, coming off a torn ACL, there's no way Owens can be great again. I doubt he can even be good again.

Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall has dedicated this summer to regaining his 4.4 speed, and to do so he’s returned to the training program he had coming into the 2006 draft. The work he’s been doing since February has been paying off because it appears Marshall has achieved his speed goals with a month to spare.

Marshall’s trainer, Matt Gates, who is with FitSpeed Inc., recently shared with me that his client is consistently running a sub-4.5 40-time.

Ryan Tollner, the agent for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said there is nothing new concerning the foot injury his client sustained last season. The Post-Gazette reported in February that the foot would not require surgery "as of now."

"There's nothing new there," Tollner said. "The doctors elected not to do surgery and to let it heal. If it ever got worse, they might have to do something. Ben is kind of surprised that it's getting the attention. He hopes and expects never to have surgery on it. The foot was feeling better after the season, with the extra time this offseason, it's feeling great."

The Ravens expect Le'Ron McClain, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, to test free agency.

McClain has lobbied unsuccessfully to become more involved on offense since rushing for a career-high 902 yards and 10 touchdowns two seasons ago with his role as a ball-carrier dwindling more each year.

McClain could have real fantasy value as a short-yardage, goal line option for the right team. McClain has indicated that he wants to go to a situation where he can get back to carrying the ball.

The Ravens might cut running back Willis McGahee, who's due a $6 million base salary and isn't inclined to accept a paycut.

Veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens' torn anterior cruciate ligament wasn't exactly a secret in NFL circles with players.

"It's crazy, I've known about that for months," wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "I didn't pry into his business. Hopefully, it's not too severe and he'll be back soon. He had a good year last year. I wouldn't ever count him out."

The league has said it plans to hold players accountable for violations of law that occurred during the lockout.

Texans Tight end James Casey has added 10 pounds of muscle to play fullback if the Texans lose Vonta Leach in free agency.

Bills receivers coach Stan Hixon believes an even bigger year could be in store for WR Steve Johnson come this fall. Hixon believes route running is among Johnson’s greater assets, which enables him to get separation from defenders quickly despite not being a speed receiver.

Bengals OC Jay Gruden plans to ease Andy Dalton’s transition into the NFL — as well as that of wide receiver A.J. Green, the club’s first-round pick — by paring the playbook once the lockout is lifted. “(My brother) would throw about 600 more plays than I am on Day 1,” Jay Gruden joked.

“I’m going to keep it kind of basic. The whole point of this offense is to look a lot more diversified but be simple and basic in what we do with the concepts and that stuff. Once they learn the core concepts, we’ll be able to dress up our intent... We’re going to have to take baby steps, but I don’t want to assume it’s hard for them. I want to challenge them also. I want them to really have to study, learn and push themselves mentally."

In the sixth round, San Francisco selected WR Ronald Johnson. He has a definite chance to make an impact -- probably out of the slot -- considering the weak state of affairs at this p

For the folks who think that Browns RB Peyton Hillis wore down toward the end of last season, guess again. He was playing with cracked ribs for the final three games that made every breath, every move excruciating.

Family and friends have also been able to help with the fumbling issue that plagued RB Peyton Hillis last season. After leading all running backs with eight fumbles in 2010 and tying for third among all NFL players with five lost, Hillis knew he had to take some drastic measures in the off-season.

"I'll carry a ball around with me all day and ask people to try to knock it out of my hand when I least expect it," he said. "I'll give them some money and stuff so people get pretty geeked up about that. It just helps me to take care of the ball without even thinking about it."

The Panthers will try to get a proven player in return for WR Steve L Smith, who is due about $15million over the next two years. But a third-round pick might be enough to pull the trigger.

Jaguars general manager Gene Smith did not trade up to take Gabbert with the tenth pick in the draft in order to have Gabbert to save the franchise in 2011. He chose him to develop him and play him down the road. Gabbert’s role for the foreseeable future, barring anything unexpected, will be as the No. 2 quarterback to David Garrard.

“Fortunately for us, with David returning as a very capable starter, you don’t have to rush the development of Blaine,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio told me. “That’s a good situation. We’re operating from a position of strength as opposed to having to force a guy into duty before he’s ready.”

“In a perfect world, I’d like to see him not have to play this year in terms of having time to develop,” Del Rio said. “That doesn’t mean I would keep him on the bench if I thought he was the best option to win. Ideally he’s able to get that time to develop and really learn the game at this level. I’d love to see Garrard have a nice season, lead us into a playoff position, and then see if we can get hot. Things don’t always happen the way you have them planned though.”

Ronnie Brown volunteered that his goal is to find a team that puts him in position to win a championship. “I said I’d prefer to go somewhere warm, but coming out of the SEC I’m use to winning,” Brown said. “I want to go get a championship.”

49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick has begun dropping back from center, which was one of the final steps in his rehabilitation process.

Terrell Owens, who has placed himself among the NFL's all-time leading receivers with plans to play a 16th season, has undergone surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees following a previously undisclosed injury this offseason, according to sources familiar with the injury.

One source said Owens was hurt while on site taping a television show for VH1. Another source said Owens tore the ACL during a personal workout but other sources could not confirm the cause of injury. Owens, 37, was unavailable for comment but sources said the surgery by noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews occurred within the past month.

Sources said while Owens did tear an ACL with the new injury, he suffered no other damage to the knee in question and with intensive rehab he conceivably could return within six months, or around mid-to-late November, in a best-case scenario.

With this news you can forget about TO as a late round sleeper. A best case scenario would put him back around NFL week 11. While we don't doubt TO keeps himself in great shape at 37 years old and could hit the front end of that timetable, it's also entirely possible that he misses the entire 2011 season. Needless to say, drop TO from your draft board. He will likely be dropping from WR28 to out of our top 100 WRs when rankings are updated this afternoon.

The good news, Roethlisberger said, is his right foot — he broke a bone in it and later aggravated the injury — has almost fully healed and that the NFL lockout has allowed the eighth-year veteran to rest it more than usual.

The potentially unsettling news for Roethlisberger and the Steelers: There is a chance he may need surgery on his foot at some point, an option Roethlisberger considered after last season.

"I could have had surgery, but according to the doctors it would have been a really nasty process because of where the break was. It was better off trying not to do anything," Roethlisberger told the Tribune-Review on Friday. "It's going to be something where we're just going to have to, in essence, play it by ear. If it continues to be as painful as it was at the end of last year, then I'm going to probably have to have the surgery."

But, Roethlisberger added, "It's doing really good. It's healed up. Obviously, it helps when I'm not cutting and planting and doing all of these different activities. It's really come a long way. I haven't had too many problems with it recently."

Redskins QB Donovan McNabb, who was traded from the Eagles to the Redskins last year, is back to working out with his old Eagles teammates. And he told CSNPhilly’s Neil Hartman that he views working out with the Eagles as like working out with family.

Kenny Britt's court date is set for July 12th.

The NFL lockout hasn't affected an emerging friendship between Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and rookie wide receiver Julio Jones. Over the past two months, the new teammates have met at Ryan's suburban Atlanta home to study formations and discuss how Jones, the No. 6 overall draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, will fit into the offense.

Both Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard would like to re-sign and the chances of Benson remaining here are pretty good, considering the experience he has and he could be the most experienced skill position player on what could be a young offense. If Benson would depart, the odds of Bernard Scott taking over for an entire season as the lead back are unlikely because of durability concerns.

The New York Jets backup quarterback Erik Ainge told The Associated Press on Thursday night that his playing career is over because of injuries to his right foot and throwing shoulder.

With Adam Schefter reporting unrestricted free agency could be restored to four years, as it was before the 2010 season, that means Raiders TE Zach Miller and RB Michael Bush would be be on the open market and go to the highest bidder rather than be tied to the Raiders with the first- and third-round tenders which were given before the work stoppage.

Former Bears running back Garrett Wolfe no longer faces felony charges stemming from his May 22 arrest at a Miami Beach, Fla., nightclub.

Details of a proposed collective bargaining agreement being pitched to NFL owners Tuesday, according to sources:

• Players get 48 percent of "all revenue," without extra $1-billion-plus off top that previously had been requested by owners.

• Players' share will never dip below 46.5 percent, under new formula being negotiated.

• Teams required to spend minimum 90-93 percent of the salary cap.

• Rookie wage scale part of deal but still being "tweaked."

• Four years needed for unrestricted free-agent status. Certain tags will be retained, but still being discussed.

• 18-game regular season designated only as negotiable item and at no point is mandated in deal.

• New 16-game Thursday night TV package beginning in 2012.

• Owners still will get some expense credits that will allow funding for new stadiums.

• Retirees to benefit from improved health care, pension benefits as revenue projected to double to $18 million by 2016.

While it's great news that positive progress is being made in labor negotiations, the biggest note of interest to fantasy owners is that only 4 years of service will be needed for unrestricted free-agent status. This would increase the crop of free agents once free agency begins to include not only the players with 6 years service, but also the players with 5 & 4 years vested.

Some notable players likely effected: Ahmad Bradshaw, James Jones, Steve Breaston, Lance Moore, DeAngelo Williams, Santonio Holmes, Joseph Addai, Malcom Floyd, Sidney Rice, Michael Bush, Tarvaris Jackson, Le'Ron McClain, Zach Miller

Browns HC Pat Shurmer on running back Montario Hardesty's availability for training camp: "To the best of my knowledge, he's progressing well and will be ready to participate (fully) once training camp starts. That's my understanding. We'll see when we finally get to training camp.''

Packers WR James Jones: Probably will leave for a team that pays him starter’s money. If the Packers were inclined to pay him at that level, they probably would have done so last season. They drafted Randall Cobb in the second round this year in part to protect against Jones’ possible departure. Jones should attract significant interest, though if the market is unexpectedly depressed, he could return.

Two New Orleans coaches this week insisted, despite the selection of Mark Ingram in the first round two months ago, the team is not shopping tailback Pierre Thomas.

"He's here," said one coach when asked about some reports that Thomas. "We've seen firsthand that you can't have enough (backs)."

That said, the Saints have a real logjam at tailback with Thomas, Ingram, Chris Ivory, Julius Jones and Lynell Hamilton, also returning from injury. That doesn't even account for Reggie Bush, who sources from both sides still insist has a chance of returning to the club, despite a scheduled $11.8 million payout due in '11.

Eagles linebacker Akeem Jordan was arrested in connection with an incident in Harrisonburg, Va., early Sunday and charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, according to the Harrisonburg Police Department. Jordan was released on his own recognizance yesterday.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Firetap Bar and Grill on Evelyn Byrd Avenue at 2 a.m.

"They got into a verbal altercation, which led to a physical disorderly incident," said police spokeswomen Mary-Hope Vass. "The incident was reported to us on Sunday afternoon. The victim went to the magistrate and obtained the warrant. Jordan turned himself in Sunday without any issues."

Broncos HC John Fox reiterated that Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn will be in wide-open competition when training camp starts.

"I've said it before and I mean it. It'll be a competition," Fox said of the quarterbacks. "Competition is what this game's about, whether if it's an opponent or a depth chart. It's been this way as long as I can remember."

Emmanuel Sanders had screws inserted into the fifth metatarsal bone in each foot this spring. He fractured the bone in his right foot in the first half of Super Bowl XLV against the Packers and did not return. It was revealed after the Super Bowl that there was a slight fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his left foot, too. Team doctors encouraged him to have a screw inserted in his left foot to prevent another injury.

Sanders is working out with a local trainer in Wexford and was to run for the first time Monday. He expected to be running full speed in two weeks and to be ready for the scheduled start of training camp in late July.

"It ended up working out perfect," Sanders said. "We gave it a little bit more time because there were no OTAs this year. Honestly, I think I can run full speed right now. They just want to make sure it's 100 percent."

Sanders finished his rookie season with 28 grabs for 376 yards and 2 TDs. Sanders looks likely to take the next step in his sophomore season and has some sleeper potential if he can push Hines Ward to a 3rd option.

Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis are the best cover corners in football, and Asomugha is the rarest of the rare -- a truly top cornerback, available for no compensation except money. It's going to be a big paycheck, but it doesn't cost a draft choice or a player.

Chad Pennington will "skip" the 2011 season. During his time off, Pennington will work with Sam Rosen as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.

We don't expect Pennington to return to the NFL as a player.

Percy Harvin is headache-free. The Minnesota Vikings receiver hasn't had one of his debilitating migraines in five or six months, he said Friday.

"This is the best I've felt, probably, since I've been in kindergarten," he said.

Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall has resumed training after his stab wound.

Kerry Collins reiterates he'd like to return to the Titans next year but made it clear he'd like to be starter, not a backup.

Owners Robert Kraft (Patriots) and John Mara (Giants) are proving to be the cool heads in a chemically imbalanced owner mix of testosterone, absurdly large egos and billable hours.

Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton had an interesting message for Steve Smith while visiting the wide receiver’s football camp Friday.

When asked why he wanted to play for the Panthers, Newton replied, “I wanted to have someone great to throw to." That obviously was directed straight for Smith because the Panthers have some promising young receivers, but Smith is the only guy they have who approaches the “great’’ category right now.

There have been all sorts of mixed messages about Smith’s future this offseason. There were reports he cleaned out his locker and had asked to be traded. Smith has denied that he’s asked to be traded.

He smiled when Newton made his comment, but wouldn’t discuss his future. Read into this what you want. But my take is it still remains a possibility that Smith will be traded. However, I’d say some recent events have me thinking the odds are leaning toward him staying. And Newton’s remark certainly doesn’t hurt those chances.

The most logical outcome this offseason is that Steve Smith stays with the Panthers. We don't see the Panthers moving Smith just to move him, and doubt the return in a trade would be enough to force the Panthers hand. Cam Newton could certainly use a #1 option ahead of Brandon LaFell and David Gettis on the depth chart.

It sounds like Martz is prepared to extend an opportunity for WR Earl Bennett to earn a starting job, likely across from Johnny Knox.

K Ryan Longwell made clear he intends to play in 2011 and said he "wouldn't mind going back" to the Vikings. Asked if he would consider returning to Green Bay if Packers place-kicker Mason Crosby moves on in free agency, Longwell laughed and said: "You never say never. You just don't know."

He’s carried the ball 674 times over the past two seasons, more than any other back in the NFL during that time. So it’s natural to wonder whether running back Chris Johnson may have become worn out at times last season, especially with the increased attention defenses were placing on him following the 2,000-yard season of 2009.

New Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer acknowledges he’ll keep an eye on the situation. But he also noted that Johnson kept his weight steady last season and that he was second in the league with 41 broken tackles – which could be interepreted as two signs that overuse was not a big problem.

Titans OC Chris Palmer on TE Jared Cook:

I was very, very impressed with him. I went back and looked at some preseason film, and he is very, very athletic. He hurdled a guy in a preseason game. He's a guy that I'm counting on to be a player for us. I've been fortunate in my coaching career to have Ben Coates up in New England, Pete Mitchell in Jacksonville. We've had some good tight ends. Kevin Boss came in and played very, very well for the Giants and had a key play for us there in the Super Bowl. … I think Cook is very, very explosive and he knows we're counting on him. I think you'll see us with one back, two tight ends and two receivers a little bit more this year.

The New Orleans Saints gave running back Reggie Bush(notes) permission in February to talk to other teams and gauge his value as the franchise and Bush tried to work out a restructured contract, according to three NFL sources.

Bush and agent Joel Segal were told that a number of teams would be interested in paying him handsomely, or at least more than the Saints have apparently been willing to offer at this point. That is one of the reasons that Bush has made contradictory statements about his future in New Orleans and didn’t participate in offseason workouts with Saints players.

We don't see Bush returning to New Orleans as a likely scenario with the drafting of Mark Ingram and the signing of Pierre Thomas.

Colin Kaepernick hasn't been given the medical green light to "cut loose" yet, but he's getting close. The 49ers quarterback revealed today that he ran two miles at Stanford Hospital as part of his rehabilitation from a surgical procedure on his left leg. He's also been throwing regularly at the recent workout sessions at San Jose State. Kaepernick had the operation in early May and has been mum on the details.

Titans OC Chris Palmer continues to say that rookie Jake Locker potentially could be the Tennessee Titans starting quarterback this season, possibly as soon as the first game.

That is not to say that Palmer is prepared to give the job right now to the eighth overall pick in April’s draft, particularly since the lockout imposed by the owners in March has prohibited Locker from taking part in a formal professional workout.

Plus, the Titans still plan to have some veteran competition for Locker.

“I think our pro personnel people and [General Manager] Mike Reinfeldt are working on bringing in a veteran quarterback,” Palmer said. “Who that guy’s going to be, it is to early to say.

If it is Locker, Palmer said he and the rest of the staff would try to make things as simple as possible for the rookie by simplifying the scheme, if necessary.

Tennessee Titans WR Kenny Britt of Bayonne sidestepped more felony charges today. The charges of resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and obstruction against the 22-year-old former Bayonne High and Rutgers star were downgraded to disorderly persons offenses today at Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City.

Davone Bess provided us with a quick Brandon Marshall update while making an appearance Thursday morning with Joe Rose on WQAM-560. Bess said that Marshall, whose wife has been arrested twice in connection with a late-April incident in which the receiver was stabbed in the abdomen, hasn’t attended any of the Dolphins’ player-organized workouts during the lockout. But Bess said Marshall is still preparing for the 2011 season.

Steelers WR Hines Ward: “My health is good. Feel good and I'm ready to start the season. I feel like a doctor on call, and I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go out there and compete and hopefully make another run at the Super Bowl.”

Running back Beanie Wells was on “The Chuck and Vince Live” show this morning on The Fan AM 1060, and while he’s obviously going to portray confidence, he also made it clear he understands his opportunities to show something — at least in Arizona — are probably dwindling.

“This is definitely going to be my year without a doubt,” Wells said. “This is my third year and three strikes and you’re out, and I’m definitely not striking out. I am ready to tear it up. It’s my time and I am ready to go out and prove that.”

Wells will have plenty of competition, with newly drafted Ryan Williams and teammates Tim Hightower & Larod Stephens-Howling. We'd stay away from the Cardinals running backs on draft day.

There isn’t an overwhelming amount of desire from what I am hearing to run out and bring in Plaxico Burress once the lockout is lifted. If anything, more questions than answers on what Plax can provide to your roster in 2011.

Kurt Warner pointed out that Marc Bulger “got beat up pretty good” as the starter in St. Louis, and that it wouldn’t surprise Warner to learn that Bulger is “happy” as a backup, and that “he can just enjoy life and not have to worry about the pressure of being an NFL starter and everything that goes with it.” Again, Warner was careful not to phrase his assessment as criticism, and Warner said he thinks that Bulger would want to start again if he finds the right situation.

Broncos QB Kyle Orton worked out Thursday with Cardinals star receiver Larry Fitzgerald in Minnesota. Broncos’ receiver Eric Decker, who starred at the University of Minnesota, also joined Fitzgerald’s famous workouts Thursday.

The 49ers' new wide receivers coach expects big things from his pupils this season, starting with Michael Crabtree. John Morton, who steps in for long-time receivers coach Jerry Sullivan this season, said that Crabtree is "going to be a phenomenal football player in this offense. And so is Josh Morgan. I think the sky's the limit for those guys."

Morton suggested that Jim Harbaugh's West Coast offense is a better fit for Crabtree's skill set than the power-based vertical passing attack that the 49ers have used in recent seasons. Crabtree does not have blazing speed and he is not particularly big. But he is sudden in and out of breaks and has quick hands.

Morton said one of the tenets of the West Coast offense was getting the ball in the receiver's hands as quickly as possible. "And there are certain routes that do that," he said. "It's quick routes or it's slants or shallow crosses and things where you get the ball in their hand real fast and let them use their God-given ability. I don't think they've had a chance to really do that yet from what I've seen on tape. I don't think I've seen a slant here run ever since ... since TO left."

According to the media reports from Wednesday's practice, Benson is in vintage form. At 28, healthy, comfortable in his surroundings, and embracing the new offense, Benson sounded ready to lug it 25 times tomorrow.

"I'm beyond football shape," Benson told the media. "I'm in 16 regular-game, four postseason-game kind of shape. I'm ready to roll…with this extended lockout, you've had all this extra time to work out. I haven't trained like this since I don't know when. It should be a lot of guys coming back in their best athletic (shape)."

"If our strength is running the football," said Jay Gruden Wednesday, "then we have to find a way to get the best possible scenarios to get Cedric as many touches as possible without killing him."

Benson has just 65 catches in his three seasons as a Bengal and Jay Gruden also know he's got a secret weapon out of the backfield in Bernard Scott. Secret because in his two seasons the Bengals have thrown just 16 balls to him.

"The back is definitely a very important part of this offense both running and catching the ball," Gruden said. "Hopefully between Cedric and Bernard and (Brian) Leonard somebody will jump up and take over in the backfield as far as catching the ball. We know that Cedric and Bernard can run it. We've just got to see who can catch the ball more effectively."

The Bengals are talking as if Cedric Benson is a lock in their plans heading into 2011. That's not necessarily the case as Benson has stated he will test free agency to get himself a big payday.

According to Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, when free agency opens, the Dolphins will be aggressive in their efforts to pursue two positions. First, they’ll add a veteran quarterback to complete with Chad Henne for the starting spot. Second on the team’s wish list is finding a tailback who has the potential to start.

Texans QB Matt Schaub has led the Texans through workouts, 14 OTAs and the minicamp. Forty players participated in the minicamp.

“We had a good turnout,” Schaub said. “We were able to run a lot of drills and get everybody into the swing of football.

The Vikings do not appear to have any interest in adding free-agent Plaxico Burress when the lockout is over, but running back Adrian Peterson would welcome the opportunity to play with the wide receiver.

NFL “secret” labor negotiations this week are expected to continue to make such progress that at least one source familiar with the situation says the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement could be in place by the weekend.

“A June 30 or July 4 announcement is a reasonable expectation,” the source said. “My sense is that by week’s end they are likely to have some substantial framework if not a complete plan to go back and present to the owners and the players.”

WR Nick Miller was telling me about the Raiders workouts in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago, and said he noticed a big change in quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell and defensive tackle Richard Seymour organized the sessions, and there were team dinners, poker night and other activities.

"Last year was Jason's first year, and he came in and wasn't sure about a lot of things, and then he got benched," Miller said. "But he finished up strong and this year, he is the guy.

"He is reaching out to people, taking charge of situations and people are looking to him. You can feel it. The whole vibe has changed ... the quarterback is the leader of the team and he's definitely the guy now."

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll again singled out second-year receiver Golden Tate as a player he’s expecting to have a breakout year in 2011.

Tate finished with only 21 catches in his rookie season. Tate made some jaw-dropping plays at practice during training camp and the early part of the regular season, but he struggled with running precise routes and making the proper reads in order to get regular playing time.

But Carroll believes Tate should see the field more in 2011, particularly in third-down situations as the slot receiver, similar to how Brandon Stokley was used last season.

“There’s nothing that we would like to see more than to elevate Golden’s effectiveness,” Carroll said. “We just didn’t get him over the hump last year, and we need to do that. He’ll be in position to take over a huge role for us.”

"Right now I'm around 250," 49ers RB Anthony Dixon told the paper. "Me and coach talked about it. I'm gonna do some fullback stuff this year, too. I'm trying to bulk up a little more so I can handle both. I really want to be versatile, you know. That's what I'm definitely trying to do."

It's not difficult to envision a scenario in which the 49ers try to get Frank Gore and Dixon on the field at the same time in a split-back formation. But a full-time switch to fullback for Dixon is not a good fit.

Kenny Britt’s legal troubles keep piling up. Metro police want the Titans receiver in connection with two outstanding warrants sworn out by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Britt allegedly made inaccurate statements on his driver’s license applications on at least one occasion, according to Metro police spokesman Don Aaron.

When Britt returns to Nashville he’ll be expected to turn himself in. Britt’s attorney said his client plans to do so.

While none of the Britt incidents in an of themselves seem like a huge deal, the pattern is disconcerting. The Titans are expected to hand down some form of discipline once the lockout ends.

Re-signing Matt Moore is a possibility, but we hear the Panthers would rather bring in a more experienced quarterback to help ease Newton into the pro ranks.

A Jake Delhomme reunion is being rumored.

49ers WR Josh Morgan is the strongest and perhaps the most athletic of the group. He's heading into his contract season and, as always, is in excellent shape. Morgan may not have a monster year compared to other NFL wideouts, but he's one of the players who promises to benefit the most from a more effective offensive system under Harbaugh.

Vernon Davis called Harbaugh's offense "tight end friendly" and was active in the passing game, including the down-the-seam pattern that has been Davis' bread and butter the last two seasons. The "11-85" connection, as Davis once put it, seemed to be in good shape on Thursday.

Due to an undisclosed injury, 49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick hasn't yet been cleared for full practices. He's been throwing some warm-up passes for the last couple of weeks but has not been stepping into throws or showing off his big right arm. The elongated throwing motion that is apparent in a lot of his college game film was shortened when he was at the Senior Bowl. And it appeared shortened during warmups this week. Meanwhile, Kaepernick has been soaking up as much information as he can from Smith, who is happy to oblige. The pairing promises to be a good one.

Jets RB Shonn Greene said he’s not worrying about the lockout affecting his preparation for the season or his projected transition into a larger role. Eleven-year veteran LaDainian Tomlinson is expecting to be used as more of a third-down back, with Joe McKnight and fourth-round draft pick Bilal Powell in complementary roles.

Greene carried the ball 185 times for 766 yards during the 2010 regular season, sharing the load with Tomlinson, who had 219 carries for 914 yards. Tomlinson got off to a hot start last fall and started 13 games, while Greene again came on late in the season and the playoffs.

“No matter what my situation is going to be with the team, I try to go in as if I’m the No. 1 guy, so I can be prepared for everything,” Greene said. “Each year I’ve been with the Jets, I’ve gone into it knowing all the roles that can happen. I just try to do as much as I can to make sure I'm ready for any situation."

49ers TE Delanie Walker said he would be working out in the slot more. Walker said he will remain as a tight end but will probably motion to the slot often, which is something he did quite a bit on Thursday.

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland reiterated on Thursday his desire to add a quarterback who could push Chad Henne for the starting job. Ireland said he's open to acquiring one through either free agency or a trade, and he indicated he'd prefer a quarterback with some years behind him.

"You need someone savvy and experienced, for sure," he said.

Kenny Britt's bound to be called a lot of things in Tennessee in the wake of his second arrest in two months. An ex-Titan won't be one of them.

Barring further problems, Tennessee plans to hold on to its troubled and talented third-year receiver, according to a team source.

Kerry Collins said he definitely wants to come back to the Titans for 2011.

Free Agent QB Smith dismissed the notion that there was bad blood between him and his top wide receiver, Michael Crabtree.

"I think that's something that has been totally off-base in what people are reading," he said. "That's not how it is. He and I have always gotten along from Day One"

Bengals HC Marvin Lewis on how likely is it that Andy Dalton could be a starter week one:

“Well that’s something we are going to have to see what happens and how it plays out, but there’s no question when we selected Andy Dalton we selected him with that in mind that he’d possibly be our opening day starting quarterback.”

Jordy Nelson said he ruptured the bursa sac in his knee in the Super Bowl game but said that he gave the injury a full two months to heal and now it has.

“It’s been fine,” said Nelson. “It was just a matter of time for the body to absorb all the swelling. I ruptured my bursa sac, I pretty much just popped a bubble full of fluid and it swelled up really bad. It’s not preventing me from doing anything”

Taking off February and March, Nelson said he has been back to lifting weights, running and working out.

Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James was arrested last night by police in Fort Myers, Fl and charged with misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.

Broncos OC Mike McCoy on changes in the Broncos offensive philosophies: "We need to get back to the old Bronco way of running the football here," he said. "With our head coach, John Fox, he is determined to run the ball. When I was in Carolina with him, we had a two-headed monster every week. From our first transaction made in free agency with Stephen Davis back in 2003, he and DeShaun Foster led us to the Super Bowl running the football. Then we had DeShaun and DeAngelo (Williams), then we got Jonathan Stewart from Oregon once DeShaun left and went to San Francisco. So we will do a great job running the football and get back to the way Terrell (Davis) used to run the ball here."

Fox echoed that sentiment, reiterating that running back could be one of the position groups the team looks to bolster through free agency, adding to a talented offense.

"Offensively, there are actually two or three strengths," Fox said. "We were 13th in the league in total offense, I think we were seventh in passing and down a little lower in the run game. I think when we balance that a little bit more it will be more conducive to points because it makes you more effective in the red area. I think we've got a young offensive line that I think is talented. I think we've got a young receiver corps that is talented and I really believe quarterback is a strength. I don't know who's going to be that guy yet, but this is as strong one through three that I've been with in 23 years of coaching in the National Football League."

Expect the Broncos to add a running back in free agency. DeAngelo Williams is being linked as an obvious suitor.

Free agent RB Kevin Faulk on retirement: "That word is not in my vocabulary right now. If it’s possible, if (the Patriots) allow me to, I’d like to play another season. People are telling me they drafted two running backs, but hey, I’ve never questioned anything the Patriots have done. That’s why they’re who they are."

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski says his quad is fine and he's kicking normally at this stage.

49ers rookie qb Colin Kaepernick still not throwing after offseason procedure: 'Still not 100 percent. Doctors want me to take it slow.'

Titans WR Kenny Britt was arrested last night at Willow Avenue and 15th Street by Hoboken narcotics officers and charged with two counts of resisting arrest, official said today.

Britt was issued a summons and ordered to appear on the charges at 1 p.m. on June 16 in Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City, according to court papers.

The complaint says Britt "did purposely prevent or attempt to prevent a public servant from lawfully performing an official function by means of force or violence, specifically by refusing to open your hand when ordered to do so then pulling your hand away."

It goes on to say Britt is charged with using his body "to push away from the officers" and pulled away his arm "while not allowing the officers to handcuff" him.

Not good news for Britt, as he continues to be a knucklehead off the field. Britt will likely face a league suspension of at least 2-4 games as a repeat offender. Nate Washington & Damian Williams could see a bit of a bump in production, but overall this is terrible news for the Titans offense.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King & Jim Trotter do not anticipate Matt Hasselbeck returning to the Seahawks.

A reunion seems logical as the lockout drags on, but perhaps the Seahawks are willing to turn the page. We don't see Charlie Whitehurst as the answer.

Vikings OC Bill Musgrave: "I know that Christian Ponder has a broad-based background on offensive football from Florida State, and he'll be able to jump in there and keep his head above water. We'll hope to do a good job and enable him to maintain his confidence and develop and get comfortable at the same time."

"We'll major in giving the ball to Adrian Peterson, and we'll need a quarterback that can keep defenses honest and can have a little bit of movement to himself," said Musgrave, who was a backup quarterback with Dallas, San Francisco and Denver. "Not just be a statue back there because with the pieces that are in place we won't be just a drop-back, stay-in-the-pocket type team. We're going to really attack the defense on the edges both with Adrian and also our quarterback."

Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert could start Week 1, but it's not realistic considering he’s missed so much time learning their offense because of the lockout. While David Garrard is signed through 2014, the 33-year old signal caller is set to earn $8.475 million for 2012. This year could realistically be his last in Jacksonville.

First-round draft pick quarterback Blaine Gabbert was among 28 Jacksonville Jaguars players who practiced together at an area high school.

Gabbert, the 10th pick overall out of Missouri, spent much of the hour and a half practice taking instruction from starting quarterback David Garrard and throwing to a variety of receivers, including Cecil Shorts III, the Jags' fourth-round pick.

Lions receiver Nate Burleson said he’s returning to Seattle to have a minor surgery on his right elbow. Burleson hurt the elbow in November against the Dallas Cowboys. It swells up periodically -- today, it looked like a softball -- and he has to have the fluid drained and a bursa sac removed.

After playing last year between 265 and 270 pounds, Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew said he’s down to his college playing weight of 255, thanks to a new diet and different workout program. He cut back on heavy weightlifting, cut out fast food and stopped snacking late at night.

“I like the 255, being able to move,” Pettigrew said. “Strength thrills but speed kills, and I still think I can get it done in the blocking game as well.”

Bengals rookie QB Andy Dalton got to Cincinnati a few days early to start looking for a house. He practiced Monday with the offense while the defense worked out at a suburban soccer facility. They got together on Wednesday, giving Dalton a chance to meet most of the defensive players for the first time.

"He's got a good arm," receiver Jerome Simpson said. "He's very smart. I like him."

Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson said there is no doubt in his mind that rookie QB Jake Locker will be the starter from Day 1, citing his draft status as evidence. That wasn't the case with Young, who was taken third overall in 2006 and weaned into action as a rookie.

Of course, everything depends on how quickly Locker learns. When it came other successful rookie quarterbacks, we spent all offseason hearing that they wouldn't get a shot to start until they were ready. At the same time, everyone close to the action -- especially coaches and players -- knew the rookies were going to open the season under center.

Titans players said Locker has some command of the offense. He set players in the correct spots at the line of scrimmage and expressed a command of the huddle that caught players' attention. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan already coined him the "Face of The Franchise."

While it's a good quote from Chris Johnson, the Titans have said they have every intention of bringing in a veteran QB to start in 2011.

Veteran Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve L Smith has attended some player-organized workouts, according to rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Newton did not say how many sessions Smith has attended, but did say he has thrown passes to him.

"Steve has been out here and we've had an opportunity to throw it around," Newton said. "You hear a lot of stories like 'He's going to do this, he don't miss any passes.' I learned that first hand."

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to an April 12 car chase and was fined $478 in Bayonne (N.J.) Municipal Court, The Tennessean reported via Twitter on Wednesday.

Britt seems to have avoided any serious legal penalty.

A day after practicing with 49ers teammates, receiver Michael Crabtree skipped Tuesday's workout to rest his ailing feet.

Teammate Josh Morgan said Crabtree broke in a new pair of cleats Monday and came away with ill-effects from San Jose State's field turf. Gesturing to female member of the press, Morgan explained the problem by saying "it was equal to her wearing a new pair of heels all day."

49ers WR Dominique Zeigler (ACL) says he has resumed running but won't be making and cuts until next month.

An NFL assistant who remembered when Redskins QB John Beck last played in a game that mattered — seriously, I had to ask — said handling the pass rush could be Beck's biggest obstacle.

"He would get flustered," he said. "You'd see him tighten up, doubt himself. We pressured him, and that's how we beat him."

Giants GM Jerry Reese started to laugh when asked about Brandon Jacobs’ comments about his status with the team, clearly amused since he says the big fella is expected to stay put.

A second-round pick out of Illinois, Mikel Leshoure joined teammates and free-agent cornerback Dre Bly for Day 1 of the second set of player-organized workouts Monday at Birmingham Detroit Country Day.

He sat out some of the practice with a cramp and kept his bruising running style under wraps in a no-contact workout, but he still caught the eye of cohorts.

"He's a big kid," quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "He's what I expected to see, which is good."

Said receiver Derrick Williams: "He looks like he's a beast. He has that look. And when he was in college he was definitely someone to be afraid of. I wasn't on defense, but some of my guys (at Penn State) were like it was hard to tackle that guy."

Matthew Stafford's Lions worked out at Detroit Country Day School on Monday, the same place they gathered a few times last month. About 25 Lions were on hand, including two second-round picks from the team's 2011 draft. Wide receiver Titus Young and running back Mikel Leshoure both were about as wide-eyed as expected.

"I don't think they overwhelmed us with too much," Leshoure said. "There's no playbooks for me to just go home and study. We're going to take it bit by bit." "To tell you the truth, it was a little bit more organized than I expected. I figured it would just be run by the players. For guys to be here to help us out, that's a blessing."

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said he had no lingering effects from the broken ankle he suffered against Indianapolis in early December.

Ravens WR Derrick Mason looked really good in a recent workout at Towson, snatching the ball on strong passes from Joe Flacco and running crisp routes. He doesn't appear to have lost any quickness.

"I was a 4.4 [40-yard dash] guy coming out, but I was quick," he said. "As my speed diminished over the years, I worked on my quickness more in the offseason."

Titans QB Jake Locker arrived in Nashville on Monday and began working out with his new teammates at Father Ryan High School. The players have scheduled an unofficial minicamp this week, when the eighth overall pick figures to get a lot more work.

One official who has spoken with the Dolphins said there’s concern about whether Vince Young would be happy as a backup if Chad Henne beat him out. Remember, Young wasn’t happy when he lost his job in Tennessee. Speaking about no one specifically, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said, “You can’t guess about” a quarterback’s “accountability and dependability.” Those have been issues with Young.

Packers WR Donald Driver said he has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the second half of Super Bowl XLV.

At first glance, Greg Little might seem like a similar player to the receivers the Browns already have. But the Browns don’t see the second round pick as more of the same. They see him as bigger, stronger and more capable of taking a hit and getting yards after the catch than any receiver on their roster. Little isn’t a blazer, but he does have an element of suddenness in his play that appeals to Browns coaches.

Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress was released from prison on Monday after spending nearly two years behind bars on a gun charge and headed to Florida to be with his family as he contemplates his chances of playing again in the NFL.

As he left Oneida Correctional Facility in central New York Monday morning, he hugged agent Drew Rosenhaus and shook hands. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, shorts, sneakers and a Philadelphia Phillies hat.

''I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life,'' he said to reporters outside the prison. ''It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them.''

''He's going to be a top free-agent,'' agent Drew Rosenhaus said. ''There are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him. I expect him to get a good contract. I expect him to absolutely be playing.''

The Eagles have been the most hotly speculated landing spot for Burress to date, but we'll have to wait for free agency to see where Plaxico catches on. At nearly 34 years old, we're not sure how much he has left in the tank and expect him to be used as a situational big target once he finds a home.

Seahawks WR Deon Butler, who broke his leg in December, needing surgery to repair his tibia and fibula, said he is progressing well and was able to job a bit, though he did not participate in any drills. Also watching and not participating was CB Roy Lewis, who had knee surgery at the end of last season.

It appears NFL owners and players have made significant headway in reaching a new labor agreement, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. One high-ranking member of the former union estimated to me a new deal could be reached within two to three weeks. "This is the most optimistic I've been in many months," he said.

But, like many sources, he urged extreme caution, saying talks could easily break down, and weeks from now we could be back at the beginning, with the name-calling and the ticking clock. "There's a great deal of animosity to work through," he said.

Nevertheless, progress was definitely made. The largest sign this negotiation was radically more successful than others was the announcement by Judge Arthur Boylan, who canceled mediation set for next week, saying the owners and players were in settlement discussions.

These recent talks have been more productive than all the other discussions and mediations combined, the official said. This has allowed the two sides to proceed at a more urgent pace than before.

While the negotiating and litigation is painful for us as fans of the game, know that we will have football eventually.

Chiefs HC Todd Haley said he didn’t want to reveal his plans for running back Thomas Jones. But he indicated Jones, who’ll be 33 during the season, may drop a few pounds from his 220-pound frame. Haley said Jones is in supreme shape, but his carries may go down some, so he might be better off being slightly smaller

Haley wouldn’t commit to how many carries star running back Jamaal Charles will get, but he said this is an important offseason for Charles. He said he wants Charles to take the next step and be ready for more carries if need be. Charles had 1,467 yards (the second most in the NFL) on 230 carries last season.

Chiefs HC Todd Haley said he’d like to see second-year player Dexter McCluster take on a role as more of a rusher in the running game. McCluster, a second-round pick, was injured often as a rookie. He had 21 catches for 209 yards and 18 rushes for 71 yards. McCluster also was a returner.

"I think he can help us in both areas,” Haley said. “I think the better he is as a runner, the better he’ll be as a receiver and the other way around. I’d like if he can really help us in those areas.”

Chiefs HC Todd Haley said he is excited about Jonathan Baldwin’s potential impact. The Chiefs were lacking at receiver behind No. 1 wideout Dwayne Bowe. Haley thinks Baldwin should give Bowe immediate help.

“As well as we ran the ball last year, we want to build our offense with more weapons on the outside,” Haley said. “It will make us harder to defend, hopefully. The name of the game is matchups and this hopefully will create some good matchups for us. It should make Dwayne Bowe better. It should make [quarterback] Matt Cassel better, it should make [tight end] Tony Moeaki better and it should make the running game better. That’s the plan. Let’s see if Jon can come in do what we think he can do.”

Texans WR Jacoby Jones, a free agent, has a lot at stake in the outcome of the NFL labor negotiations. I would love to go back to Houston," he said. "I really like the organization ... but I also definitely understand that this is a business, too."

People on the inside at Dove Valley were undecided on Knowshon Moreno as a No. 1 pick, but, since then, they have decided. He's not a big-time running back. He doesn't have the skill set or the mind-set. That's why I've been pumping Carolina's DeAngelo Williams long before the Broncos hired John Fox or admitted they needed another running back. Williams can be a first- and second-down back.

This is speculation on the part of Woody Paige, but we certainly expect the Broncos to add a runner before it's all said and done. Moreno has produced when healthy.

Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer on WR Scotty McKnight (seventh round): "You’re talking about a guy who’s going to make plays. A damn good slot receiver. Tough to handle in the slot and, obviously, he’s going to have a great rapport with Mark (Sanchez)."

Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer on QB Greg McElroy (seventh round): "What a great competitor. For him to do what he did (against SEC defenses), the guy is very bright. He’s a winner. Extremely accurate. He’s got the right mindset."

Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer on WR/PR Jeremy Kerley (fifth round), whom Schottenheimer worked out about two weeks before the draft: "I loved a lot of things about him. The guy’s a great competitior. He has terrific hands. He has great change of direction. I mean, he’s explosive coming in and out of cuts. Working him out and asking him to work a lot of the outside route tree, you saw his ability to drop his weight and change directions."

Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer on RB Bilal Powell (fourth round): "He had a terrific, breakout year. He jumped off the charts with his year under Charlie Strong and his staff. You’re talking about an explosive runner that has great vision, great balance, he’s a finisher. I think he had five or six runs over 50 yards. A dynamic young back. We’re a team that’s built with a full backfield. We’ve always been that way."

Plaxico Burress, according to friend and former teammate Brandon Jacobs, has his sights set on signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Burress is set to be released from prison Monday, but wont be able to sign with a team until a labor agreement is reached.

Saints Rookie RB Mark Ingram has taken part in seven-on-seven drills, catching short passes from Brees and darting around defenders downfield. Although coverage has been relatively soft and contact nonexistent as players seek to minimize the risk of injury, Brees has been impressed with Ingram's work.

"He looks great. There's no doubt he's been working and he's in shape," Brees said. "He can play a pretty significant role on our offense."

The Saints 1st round pick Mark Ingram figures to get plenty of touches this season, but just how many will depend on the health of Pierre Thomas & Chris Ivory, along with the status of Reggie Bush once the season arrives.

NFL rookies will gain an education on “The Business of Football: Rookie Edition” later this month at an event put on by the NFL Players Association.

The NFLPA is inviting all drafted rookies to Washington, D.C. June 28-29. The two-day event will focus on financial education and preparing players for their professional careers. The seminar will give players essential educational information on topics ranging from life skills and personal finance to security and post-football careers.

Last week the NFL announced that it was canceling its rookie symposium scheduled for June 26 in Canton, Ohio because of the uncertainty of the labor issues and related logistical challenges.

Chiefs rookie WR Jonathan Baldwin offers a legitimate red zone receiving threat opposite Dwayne Bowe. His size and leaping ability should allow the Chiefs to open the playbook when red zone opportunities knock. As a college player, Baldwin was fearless across the middle as well.

"He'll add a dynamic to our team in the red zone," GM Scott Pioli said about the Chiefs top pick.

As Martz plans for this season, he vows to give Earl Bennett even more opportunities than he received in 2010.

“We didn’t throw it to him enough,” Martz said. “That will be remedied. He will figure in a much larger role than he did last year. He came to us late. He was injured. I wasn’t really sure where he was with all the stuff. But he established himself as a guy who needs to get a lot more balls than he did.

“He’s extremely reliable. I know Jay feels comfortable with him in the slot doing some of those things,. But he should be able to play outside for us as well.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams does not know what his future holds, but hopes he can remain with his current team.

Williams, 29, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent once the NFL lockout ends and said he would like to continue playing in Tampa Bay.

"Tampa is a very special place for me," Williams said. "This is the team that drafted me. It's a team that has been through the good times and bad times with me. At the lowest point of my career, the organization was definitely behind me.

Bill Polian says Colts have "little to no worry" about Peyton Manning's neck. "This was just a minor procedure to relieve a little pressure on the nerve [in Manning's neck]. I told them [Colts officials] to call me if there were any further problems, and no one's called.''

WR Damian Williams is expected to have a bigger role for the Titans in 2011 under new offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. At the end of last season, not getting Williams more involved in the offense was one of the biggest regrets of the former coaching staff.

According to Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders, his right foot is healed, with his left foot on pace to be healed by late June. In the meantime, he is doing what he can to stay in shape. "I'm walking fine," he said.

When the Steelers recently held workouts, Sanders, foot still in a boot, caught passes from QB Ben Roethlisberger. "I just want to show Ben I'm dedicated no matter what," he said.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is back in town, and he'll be leading players-only workouts starting Wednesday, according to sources familiar with his plans.