- Rookie Steve Slaton has looked “very fast” and “damn good” in training camp, according to Texans beat reporter John McClain.

- Rookie Joe Flacco has looked like “a work in progress” during early training camp practices.

- Rookie tight end John Carlson is working with the Seahawks’ third-team offense.

- Bucs rookie cornerback Aqib Talib will open the season as the Bucs’ third corner.

- Tony Taylor and Curtis Lofton are currently rotating days as the Falcons’ starting middle linebacker. L0fton was the team’s second-round pick this year.

- JaMarcus Russell returned to limited practice Wednesday after injuring his right elbow Tuesday.

- The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Jets rookie tight end Dustin Keller has been “quite active” in the team’s offense and is already starting to “get it.”

- Second-year defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis reportedly showed “significant improvement” this offseason and is expected to play a lot at the Lions’ left end spot in 2008.

- Redskins safety LaRon Landry will sit out Sunday’s preseason opener with a strained hamstring.

- Arizona Republic beat writer Kent Somers says rookie running back Tim Hightower “has looked very good” in camp and is getting more and more work with the second and third teams.

- Raiders coach Lane Kiffin says rookie running back Darren McFadden is making a “wow play” or two every day in practice.

- Dolphins coach Tony Sparano thinks the NFL game is slowing down for receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

- After “much deliberation and careful thought,” Colts defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock has decided to retire. There were rumors that he had lost his desire to play, however that’s not for sure at this point.

- Saints agreed to terms with first-round defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, the No. 7 pick, on a five-year contract. Ellis’ five-year deal with New Orleans can max out at $49 million. The base value is $32-33.5 million, including $19.5 million guaranteed.

- Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger expects to use rookie Chris Johnson as a tailback, meaning he will get work on first and second down.

- Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart is healthy and practicing fully in Panthers camp.

- Redskins wide receiver Malcolm Kelly (hamstring) returned to practice and participated in some individual drills.

- Dolphins rookie running back Jalen Parmele is separating himself from the pack of back-ups.

- According to the Bills’ official website, James Hardy’s reps with the first-team offense “have been few and far between thus far.”

- Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. He will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Sepulveda was the Steelers fourth-round pick in 2007.

- According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Donnie Avery could miss up to two weeks with a small crack in his pelvic bone.

- Packers 2007 first-round pick Justin Harrell had another setback last week in his recovery from back surgery and is out indefinitely.

- Undrafted rookie running back Anthony Alridge is “making his case for a roster spot” on the Broncos, according to the Denver Post.

- Falcons defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who is recovering from knee surgery, could reportedly miss all of 2008. Lewis emerged as a starter in 2007, his rookie year.

- Colts defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock did not report to training camp. There are rumors that Pitcock has “lost his desire to play.”

- Bengals running back Kenny Irons cleared waivers at 4PM EST Monday and reverted to the team’s injured reserve list.

- Saints first-round pick Sedrick Ellis remains unsigned and has missed ten training camp practices. Derrick Harvey (Jaguars) and Keith Rivers (Bengals) are the only other unsigned first-rounders left.

- With Ryan Grant holding out, Brandon Jackson is taking the “lion’s share” of the starting running back reps at Packers camp.

- The Packers have agreed to terms with second-round quarterback Brian Brohm on a multi-year contract.

- Saints rookie defensive tackle DeMario Pressley fractured his foot on the third day of training camp. He was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

- Rookie wide receiver Mario Manningham has reportedly struggled to separate consistently during early training camp practices.

- As the Chiefs opened training camp, rookie Will Franklin was first off the bench when the team practiced three-receiver sets. He could have a nice shot at starting this season.

- Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith says rookie Xavier Adibi “really came on during the OTAs” and has impressed this summer.

- Bears rookie offensive tackle Chris Williams is still out with soreness in his lower back.

- Rookie Malcolm Kelly, who began Redskins camp as a potential starter, is now battling a hamstring injury.

- Packers 2007 first-round pick Justin Harrell had another setback last week in his recovery from back surgery and is out indefinitely. The injury reportedly “doesn’t look good.”

Rookies that have signed with their respective teams: Chad Henne (Dolphins), Jermichael Finley (Packers), Jordy Nelson (Packers), Patrick Lee (Packers), Andre Caldwell (Bengals),

- Adam Schefter from the NFL Network reports the Bills have signed first-round pick cornerback Leodis McKelvin to a five-year, $19.4 million deal.

- Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is singing rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal’s praises again. “It doesn’t take you long to figure out he’s going to be a top-notch receiver as well as an excellent returner,” Shanahan said.

- Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he has not had a rookie quarterback pick up the mental part of the job as fast as Brian Brohm has. This is one thing that really bugs me about the whole Brett Favre situation. Several media reporters have said that if the Packers were to welcome Favre back and give him the starting job, that Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t re-sign with the team once his contract expires next year, and that they’d then lose their quarterback of the future. In reality, Green Bay just drafted another two quarterbacks this year in Brohm and Matt Flynn. They wouldn’t have used a second-round pick on Brohm if they didn’t think that he could eventually start in the league. Prior to going back to Louisville last year, there were scouts who had Brohm rated as high as, if not higher than Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell. There’s no doubt that this kid can play.

- Former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija recently made his pro baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs.

- Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry is one of the strongest players on the team, with a bench press that hovers around 450 pounds. Top offensive tackle prospect Michael Oher is reportedly “now up close to 400 pounds on the bench.”

The following rookies have signed with their respective teams: Mike Jenkins (Cowboys), Sam Baker (Falcons), Jordon Dizon (Lions), Limas Sweed (Steelers), Phillip Merling (Dolphins), Josh Johnson (Buccaneers), Tracy Porter (Saints), Curtis Lofton (Falcons), Jerome Simpson (Bengals), Dexter Jackson (Buccaneers), Anthony Collins (Bengals), John Carlson (Seahawks), Donnie Avery (Rams).

- The Chiefs have agreed to terms with first-round defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey on a five-year contract. The contract will total $51 million with $23 million guaranteed.

- The Titans have agreed to terms with first-round running back Chris Johnson on a five-year contract. Johnson’s deal is for $12 million with $7 million guaranteed.

- The Panthers have agreed to terms with first-round running back Jonathan Stewart on a five-year contract. His deal has a base value of $14 million and a maximum value of $20 million. He will get $10.795 million in guarantees.

- The Panthers have also signed rookie offensive tackle Jeff Otah, the No. 19 overall pick, to a five-year contract.
The deal is for $14 million with $8.9 million guaranteed.

- NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports that the Bucs have signed rookie cornerback Aqib Talib, the No. 20 overall pick, to a five-year, $14 million contract.

- Steelers signed rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall, the No. 23 overall pick, to a five-year, $12.555 million contract. The deal includes $7.125 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.

- Rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell tore his Achilles’ in the Broncos’ offseason program. He will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

The following rookies have signed with their respective teams: Martellus Bennett (Cowboys), Xavier Omon (Bills), Chris Ellis (Bills), Kentwan Balmer (49ers), Pat Sims (Bengals), Corey Lynch (Bengals), Philip Wheeler (Colts), Jamey Richard (Colts), James Hardy (Bills), Jeremy Thompson (Packers), Duane Brown (Texans), Quentin Groves (Jaguars),

- Jets agreed to terms with rookie defensive end Vernon Gholston on a five-year, $40 million contract. $21 million is guaranteed. Adam Schefter reports the total value of the deal can reach $50 million.

- Broncos signed rookie offensive tackle Ryan Clady, the No. 12 overall pick, to a five-year, $17.5 million contract, according to Adam Schefter. The deal includes $11.5 million guaranteed.

- NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers have agreed to terms with rookie cornerback Antoine Cason, the No. 27 overall pick, on a five-year, $12.03 million contract.

- The Bengals have waived 2007 second-round running back Kenny Irons after he failed a team physical.

- The Chiefs have decided to suspend contract talks with the agent for No. 5 overall pick Glenn Dorsey. Just like last year (Dwayne Bowe), it appears likely that the Chiefs will have another first-round pick holdout from training camp.

- Rookie Malcolm Kelly was well ahead of fellow first-year wideout Devin Thomas before Thomas pulled his hamstring in Thursday’s practice.

- Devin Thomas will not be available for the Hall of Fame exhibition game against Indianapolis on August 3.

- Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard was reportedly running “stride-for-stride” with Darren McFadden during one minicamp practice.

Redskins rookie Devin Thomas was carted off the practice field Thursday morning after suffering a pulled hamstring. Thomas was going deep down the right sideline and fell to the ground as he extended to catch Jason Campbell’s pass. The Redskins say they expect Thomas back shortly.

- Redskins rookie Malcolm Kelly has been moved to the “X” receiver, or split end, in coach Jim Zorn’s new West Coast offense.

- The following rookies have signed with their respective teams: Jerod Mayo (Patriots), Branden Albert (Chiefs), Gosder Cherilus (Lions), Jason Jones (Titans), Breno Giacomini (Packers), Josh Sitton (Packers), Alvin Bowen (Bills), Mike Pollak (Colts), Jacob Tamme (Colts), Marcus Howard (Colts), Mike Hart (Colts), Steve Justice (Colts), Justin King (Rams), Tashard Choice (Cowboys), Trevor Scott (Raiders), Arman Shields (Raiders), Eddie Royal (Broncos).

- Rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie fully intended to report to Cardinals camp Wednesday before someone informed him he couldn’t because he isn’t signed.

The U.S. Army has ordered Lions seventh-round pick Caleb Campbell to serve out his military service time. He will not play football in 2008. The Army originally said Campbell could serve out his military obligations in Michigan if he made the team.

- The Bears agreed to terms with rookie left tackle Chris Williams, the No. 14 overall pick, on a five-year, $13 million contract. $9-10 million is guaranteed. He can get $3 million more in incentives.

- The following rookies have signed with their respective teams today: Brandon Flowers (Chiefs), John David Booty (Vikings), Jon Sullivan (Vikings), Cody Wallace (49ers).

Just a quick note: The 2008 pro and college season and 2009 draft information is going to be up starting August 1st. That will include my first official 2009 mock draft and my player rankings for this season. I’m also working on developing a newsletter, so for those of you that have signed up for the newsletter on the site, expect to see something soon.

- The following rookies have signed with their respective teams as we head to closer to the start of many training camps around the country: Kevin Smith (Lions), Letroy Guion (Vikings), Jaymar Johnson (Vikings), Beau Bell (Browns), Martin Rucker (Browns), Athyba Rubin (Browns), Paul Hubbard (Browns), Alex Hall (Browns), Andre Fluellen (Lions), Erik Walden (Cowboys), Craig Stevens (Titans), Matt Flynn (Packers), Brett Swain (Packers), Tyrell Johnson (Vikings), Kenneth Moore (Lions).

- The Giants would get the Saints’ 2009 first-round draft pick if linebacker Jonathan Vilma plays in 85 percent of snaps this season and then goes on to sign an extension with the Saints. Under that scenario, the Jets would upgrade to the Saints second-round pick which would in turn bump the Giants up to the first-rounder. The Saints fifth-rounder would fall out of the Giants deal if that happens.

- Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski expects rookie wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to be brought along slowly.

- Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache says LaRon Landry will stay at free safety “for the foreseeable future.”