Back Page: Pre-camp fantasy notebook

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

Based on the major upturn in news, semi-news, non-news, releases, signings, public negotiations and other fun stuff, it's safe to assume the opening of NFL training camps is imminent. In fact, the festivities are drawing near, with a number of teams requiring their rookies to report as early as next Wednesday.

That being the case, let's run through some of this week's more interesting stories and examine the potential fantasy impact of each.

Eddie George leaves Tennessee, signs with Cowboys

It's full speed ahead for Eddie George now that he's in Dallas. Elsa/Getty Images

Two days after his cap-related release by the Titans, Eddie George signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys. Although Bill Parcells is still said to be high on second-round draft pick Julius Jones, the coach's long-standing preference for big, physical, dependable, veteran ball carriers who understand the importance of holding onto the football make this move very interesting.

Fantasy Impact: This move is good news for George fans and bad news for those keen on Jones. As the Associated Press suggested, George can still be valuable if used properly, especially as the lead back in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Remember, George scored 12 touchdowns two seasons ago.

Of course, with George no longer in Tennessee, Chris Brown comes out way ahead, too. Despite Wednesday's signing of former Patriot Antowain Smith, the Titans view Brown as their running back of the future and the second-year man will be given every opportunity to prove himself worthy of that distinction.

Oh yeah ... George's arrival in Dallas is also good news for me and my post-draft proclamation that Kevin Jones is the cream of this year's rookie running back crop.

Jamal Lewis' trial date uncertain

According to the Baltimore Sun, drug conspiracy charges against Lewis, which once appeared headed to trial in August, now seem likely to slip into the regular season or beyond. This according to the running back's attorney, Donald Samuel, who said he expects to make a request to the judge -- either in writing or informally during a pre-trial conference -- to delay the trial until after the season.

Samuels said, "We have no idea when the judge will tell us to show up. We'll be ready; but as of now, she may call us and tell us to be here in three weeks, or she may say that she thinks it is reasonable to wait until February."

Fantasy Impact: Ravens officials have said they would adapt to Lewis' schedule as necessary and have considered approaching the situation in a similar fashion to what the Los Angeles Lakers did with Kobe Bryant. Bryant stayed in the starting lineup during the NBA regular season and playoffs by flying back and forth to Colorado to attend court sessions in his sexual assault case.

In other words, it's looking less like this issue will actually be for fantasy owners to deal with this year.

Tim Rattay recovering quickly

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Rattay will not only be ready by the start of the regular season, he should return from his torn groin muscle a few weeks into training camp, which begins July 30.

At the time of the injury, in May, the 49ers said it was possible Rattay could miss as many as three regular season games.

"It feels good," Rattay, who began sprinting this week and is performing his quarterback drops at full speed, told the Chronicle. "I've been jogging the last two weeks."

Fantasy Impact: Still unclear. Rattay believes eventually he'll be even stronger than he was before the injury, but his return won't be rushed. Besides the team's tradition of taking a cautious approach to injuries, coaches want to get a good look at Ken Dorsey.

Head coach Dennis Erickson continues to maintain that Rattay will be his starter no matter when he returns, but the fifth-year signal caller will have to adjust to a new offense in fairly short order.

Bryant Johnson slowed by stress fracture

Johnson, one of the Cardinals' three starting receivers, is recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot and is questionable for the start of training camp.

According to the Arizona Republic, Bryant experienced pain shortly after the team's voluntary practices ended in June. Surgery wasn't required, but he's wearing a boot to immobilize the foot.

Bryant isn't sure if he will be ready to practice when training camp opens Aug. 1 in Flagstaff.

Fantasy Impact: New head coach Dennis Green has decided to use a three-receiver set -- with Johnson, Anquan Boldin and this year's first-round pick, Larry Fitzgerald -- as his base offensive package. But as the Republic pointed out, losing Johnson for a significant amount of time would be a blow to those plans, because he is expected to be the team's main deep threat.

Buccaneers sign rookie receiver Michael Clayton

So, the big story in Tampa suddenly centers on the notion that Keenan McCardell's expected contract holdout means Clayton's role in head coach Jon Gruden's offense will be greater than expected.

"Obviously, Keenan's situation disturbs me," Gruden said, adding that once camp opens next Friday that his main concern will be preparing the team to rebound from last year's 7-9 finish.

"I really like Keenan. ... But the message we're sending as a football team is we're going to work July 30. That's a mandatory reporting date. ... Whoever's there, we'll welcome with open arms. And if you're not there, then you're not there."

Fantasy Impact: Talk about public negotiations. While Clayton clearly impressed coaches by picking up on the scheme quickly in recent workouts, McCardell was a top-10 fantasy receiver last season. As long as he shows up sometime before kickoff on Sept. 12, I'll stick with McCardell.

Plaxico Burress back in Pittsburgh

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Burress, who has spent most of his absence from Pittsburgh training at the University of Miami, worked out at the Steelers' complex Monday morning. Those who have seen him recently said he is in outstanding shape.

Fantasy Impact: I'm not saying backup Lee Mays is going to leap ahead of Burress on the depth chart, but at least he was in on the initial installation of new coordinator Ken Whisenhunt's offense.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.