Truth and Rumours

So does first-round pick Cedric Benson, who now is the only unsigned player of the Bears' six draft picks. With an extra week of training camp and an extra exhibition game, expect negotiations -- classified as amicable and professional -- to last as long as another week.--Chicago Tribune - NFL Football -

Thomas Jones didn't mind carrying the football in the 100-degree heat at Sunday's first Bears training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. He hopes he keeps getting the football, and it certainly won't hurt his cause if first-round draft pick Cedric Benson continues to hold out.--Daily Southtown - NFL Football -

The Lions have resumed their courtship of cornerback Ty Law. Law, a free agent released by New England in February after 10 seasons and three Super Bowl championships, will meet with the Lions' management and coaching staff today.--Detroit News - NFL Football -

Terrell Owens and Corey Simon may not be there, but the rest of their Philadelphia Eagles teammates definitely will be, along with many thousands of their fans and their expectations.--The Express-Times - NFL Football -

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, safety Brodney Pool and quarterback Charlie Frye were unsigned as of late Sunday night. Sixth-round pick Andrew Hoffman, a defensive tackle from Virginia, also was unsigned. --Akron Beacon Journal - NFL Football -

Ricky Williams did not speak with the media camped across the street from the Dolphins' facility when he arrived in his blue sport utility vehicle Sunday. He did indicate to staffers that he would talk today during a late-morning news conference. The certainty of that news conference is tenuous, however, because coach Nick Saban had not approved it as of Sunday afternoon. Williams will be eligible to participate in all of Miami's preseason practices and games but must sit out the first four games of the regular season while serving an NFL suspension for violating the league substance abuse policy. Under that policy, Williams must submit to random drug tests throughout training camp and the season. He is expected to undergo his first drug test by this afternoon. --Miami Herald - NFL Football -

Marquee free agent signing David Terrell has brought a good attitude, but he looked like a plodder next to the rest of the Pats receivers at minicamp. Tom Brady will probably do everything he can to build a rhythm with his former Michigan teammate at camp.--Boston Herald - NFL Football -

The top three wide receivers on the Cardinals' depth chart are the main and maybe only reason people are excited about the offense. Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson are young, have great size and have good to great hands. But are they essentially the same type of player? That's not a bad thing, but in a three-receiver offense, you need your go-to guy (Boldin), possession receiver (Fitzgerald) and a deep threat. Johnson, who reportedly ran 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash entering the 2003 draft, has yet to show that he can fill that spot in the offense. --Arizona Republic - NFL Football -

Individually, Chad Johnson has reached the NFL's summit with three straight 1,000-yard seasons and two straight Pro Bowl trips. Now his sights are set on the Mount Everest of daytime television -- "The Oprah Winfrey Show." "I've been watching her all my life. My mom watches her. My grandma watches her. What she's accomplished, there aren't even words for it. That's what I'm trying to do, but in my own way. She networks real well. I don't have that network ability, so I need that networking person who can help me out in whatever way possible because I don't get that here. All I get here is football. So Oprah, call me."--Dayton Daily News