There's a strong feeling that Giants TE Jeremy Shockey is due for a big training camp. He's reportedly in the best shape of his life, working out this offseason away from the team at Miami (Fla.), and is expected to show up in Albany, N.Y., with something to prove.

Word out of Falcons camp is that the recent comments by Eagles WR Terrell Owens that he wouldn't mind playing in Atlanta came as a complete shock to the team and head coach Jim Mora.

We hear the Buccaneers will give DT Chris Hovan a short leash in training camp and wouldn't be above cutting him should he prove to be below expectations in workouts, in order to free up more money under the salary cap.

We hear CB Willie Middlebrooks, a former first-round draft pick of the Broncos who was traded to the Niners in exchange for DE John Engelberger, will get every opportunity to challenge second-year pro Shawntae Spencer for the starting CB job opposite Ahmed Plummer.

A Vikings source scoffed at reports that the team had contacted free-agent RB Eddie George about joining the team. Even without Onterrio Smith, the Vikings aren't interested in bringing in a running back closer to the end of his career than his prime.

Heading into training camp, Danny Clark is believed to be the only guaranteed starter in an Oakland LB corps that is entirely wide open. Although defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will use a variety of looks that will alter responsibilities constantly, expect former Texan Jay Foreman and rookie Kirk Morrison to get plenty of opportunities to earn key roles.

Though there is plenty of work to be done to improve on last year's debacle, sources say the Raiders' defense is head and shoulders above where it was a year ago, and an emphasis on enthusiasm is a major reason why.

Nnamdi Asomugha is currently being penciled in as Oakland's starting corner opposite Charles Woodson, but skeptics abound as to whether he’s up to the task just yet. Sources say he has the physical tools, but it could be a bumpy ride in camp.

Expect to see several name veteran defensive linemen — among them Raylee Johnson, Luther Elliss, Marco Coleman, Anton Palepoi — really have to work to make a Broncos roster suddenly stacked with depth up front after an offseason overhaul.

Powerful new P Todd Sauerbrun, despite being a bit rusty, put on quite a show in a Broncos July minicamp. The three-time Pro Bowler, acquired in a trade with Carolina, did fall victim to trying to do too much in the high altitude, however, which caused him to lose his rhythm and mishit a few punts.

Sources close to the Chargers have reason to believe the leverage belongs to San Diego in regard to what appears to be an inevitable holdout for first-round pick Shawne Merriman, whose agent, Kevin Poston, has had virtually no contact with the club as of Jully 25. The dramatic defensive improvements the Chargers showed in churning out 12 wins last year and the way they stood strong during Philip Rivers' holdout last year and eventually saw it work against him would seem to bode well for the team during negotiations as training camp looms.

Our sources in Chicago report DT Tommie Harris had a very good offseason. Harris is an active and agile interior lineman who shined at times as a rookie. The Bears are optimistic second-year DT Tank Johnson can have a greater impact, as well. Johnson tired and may have been overwhelmed by the intensity and volume of work after the 2004 preseason, according to team insiders.

NFL sack leader Dwight Freeney continues to build strength in his right shoulder. Recovering from a surgical procedure to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Freeney has been cleared to practice. The Colts aren't concerned, and they know Freeney can play through pain as he did with nine sacks in four games in December, when he battled through pain in his shoulder. Still, don’t expect to see much of Freeney until September.

Kelly Butler received the bulk of the snaps at right offensive tackle during minicamp and appears to be the front-runner to replace Stockar McDougle as the starter. Butler did not play in a regular-season game as a rookie in 2004. The Lions signed restricted free agent Kyle Kosier to compete at right tackle, but OL coach Pat Morris likes what Kosier provides as a backup at all four "outside" positions.

Watch for Packers TE David Martin to see more action in the preseason as Green Bay aims to build depth at the position behind Bubba Franks. Martin, a college wide receiver, performed better as a blocker in limited action last season.

Releasing P Brooks Barnard was a nod to P B.J. Sander that the Packers' punting job belongs to him. Sander, a third-round pick who received a $583,000 signing bonus in 2004, was inactive for every game last season after struggling through the preseason. Team observers expect Sander to receive every chance to secure the job even if he's shaky entering the regular season.

Team observers are putting some stock in Brett Favre's commitment to fitness over the offseason. Favre worked out with a personal trainer for much of the offseason. In years past, Favre steered clear of grueling physical activity between January and July. Favre turns 36 in October and has lost some of his verve outside of the pocket in recent seasons.

We’re told the Panthers won't make an issue of reports that former OG Kevin Donnalley may have obtained steroids during the 2003 Super Bowl season, because the coaching staff doesn’t want to lose focus on the upcoming preseason.

The Panthers believe OT Bruce Nelson's career may be over due to chronic hip injuries.

We’re told the Saints will take their time in signing rookie WR Chase Lyman to a deal. Lyman suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during minicamps and still needs 3-4 months to heal. The team intends to wait until the end of training camp to sign the fourth-round pick.

Although the Buccaneers previously have asked OT Todd Steussie not to attend the final two weeks of the team’s voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp, word is the Bucs may not release Steussie if Kenyatta Walker does not come to camp at 100 percent.

We hear the Patriots' announcement of a contract extension for vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli surprised some around the league since the popular belief was that Pioli was lining himself up to succeed Ernie Accorsi as the Giants’ senior VP/general manager.

With TE Randy McMichael entering the final year of his rookie contract, we hear that the Dolphins will likely designate him with their franchise tag following the season. A big reason why is that the franchise number for tight ends ($2.687 million in 2005) is so low.

Don’t be surprised if DT Kenny King and LBs James Darling and Darryl Blackstock end up seeing as much action in the Cardinals' keep-'em-guessing defense as the unit's starters. We hear Blackstock, a third-round draft pick, could have a good shot at being the starting weak-side linebacker be­fore the 2005 season is completed.

Our regular observers at Rams Park tell us that the nonstop energy and gung-ho attitude of new special-teams coach Bob Ligashesky reminds them very much of Frank Gansz -- without all the props. It’s worth noting Gansz was the last Rams special-teams coach to enjoy any success in the role.

We hear the Seahawks continue to keep an eye from afar on Browns WR Andre Davis, who might be expendable in Cleveland, as well as ex-Raven pass-rush specialist Peter Boulware, who still must come down considerably in price for the Hawks to actually consider adding him to the roster.

Cowboys sources indicate that though the team did look into signing free-agent LB Peter Boulware, the team is not interested "at this time."

The Redskins are intrigued by Arena League MVP Damien Harrell, who put up ridiculous numbers last year, and could take a look at him in camp. At 6-foot-3, Harrell -- a former Florida State recruit -- offers something that most of the team’s receivers don’t have: great size.

Redskins WR David Patten, telling PFW the differences he has noticed so far between Tom Brady and Patrick Ramsey: "(Ramsey) has all the capabilities. It’s just a matter of him taking hold of them. I was telling Pat, when I see him, I see Tom Brady four or five years ago. Pat has that same command; he takes charge of the huddle. Tom just has that knack; he can make any throw. Patrick has such a strong arm. It’s just going to come down to him developing that touch."

The Giants want Visanthe Shiancoe to be the blocking tight end, but the third-year player has yet to show he can fill that role and could be seriously challenged by 267-pound Chris Luzar, who played for Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville.

Giants WLB Barrett Green could miss the start of camp despite the fact he has pledged to be ready to go right from the start. The Giants do have a decent contingency plan in Nick Greisen, who replaced Green last year.

Sources in Philadelphia indicate that neither the Eagles nor the Raiders had any interest in a rumored Terrell Owens-for-Jerry Porter swap. Chalk that up as an agent-or media-fueled rumor.

There has been surprisingly little talk on the Brian Westbrook front. Though the Eagles and agent Fletcher Smith, who has a good relationship with the team, have talked, no progress has been reported. Expect the sides to continue to discuss an extension through camp, but things could get tabled until after the season.

This is a big season for Titans LB Peter Sirmon. The club lacks leadership after the losses of Kevin Carter, Lance Schulters and Samari Rolle, among others, so Jeff Fisher and Jim Schwartz are counting on a big season out of Sirmon, one of the most respected guys on the team.

In a recent interview with PFW, Texans SS Glenn Earl spoke of how he hopes to get better at disguising his coverages, something he didn’t always do as a rookie. "It happened a few times vs. the Colts, not holding my disguise long enough and kind of allowing Peyton Manning to sit back and tee off. … You need to learn to be patient and learn to kind of do the little things that make a difference."

The way we hear it, while Steelers CB Willie Williams may begin the season as a starter, Ricardo Colclough, Bryant McFadden and Ike Taylor all have a shot at taking the job at some point. Young legs could be a factor: Williams will be 35 by season's end, while his three main competitors will range in age from 23 to 25.

A source close to the Steelers says rookie TE Heath Miller has a very good chance at starting. Miller’s blocking has been cited as an area that could hold him back, but the source feels he is good enough in this area to be a contributor.

The Bengals are unlikely to cut LB Nate Webster after reworking his contract in the offseason. But Webster, who is trying to come back from two knee surgeries, could struggle to get on the field even if he can get healthy, with the team being high on young LBs Landon Johnson and Odell Thurman.

The way we hear it, Ravens rookie WR Mark Clayton will have to earn a starting spot. The first-round pick had a nagging hamstring injury earlier in the offseason, and we’re told that held back his progress somewhat.

We’re hearing Braylon Edwards is a safe bet to be one of Cleveland’s starting wide receivers. The other starter could be Antonio Bryant or Dennis Northcutt. Andre Davis, who has had injury problems throughout his career, must prove to the new coaching staff that he can stay healthy, according to one source close to the club.