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Terrell Davis is dedicated to actually staying healthy this season. AP

BackPage: More Minicamp Rumblings...

By Bob Harris, Special to CNNSI.com

NFL minicamps continued to play out last weekend and I continue to bring you the latest news and notes surrounding the festivities:

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals president Mike Brown and head coach Dick LeBeau were among those impressed by the show.

“I thought our offense looked miles ahead of where they looked a year ago,” LeBeau told Curnutte after an opening workout that ran almost three hours. “They both looked very good.”

“We have a couple of guys who have real experience, and it shows,” Brown added. “We're going to be deeper there. Because Jon's been here a year, and what goes with that, we're going to be better, too.”

Kitna reportedly looked confident and sharp, and his work on pass routes showed the benefits of having played a season with his receivers. Frerotte, signed as a free agent less than 72 hours before taking the field, showed the arm strength and savvy of a quarterback who has played eight NFL seasons.

“Everybody's moving quick. It's good to be back out there,” said Frerotte, who played in a similar offensive system under Norv Turner with the Redskins. “I just got to switch in my mind -- same routes, different numbers. It will take a while, but there are a lot of similarities.”

One of Frerotte's prettiest passes of the day was a 40-yard fly pattern down the right side to rookie free agent Kwazeon Leverette. Frerotte also threaded a fastball through traffic to rookie tight end Matt Schobel in another pass drill.

Curnutte noted that Kitna threw strong out patterns to wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson and showed touch on short passes to Peter Warrick and the running backs.

“I didn't know what to expect out of myself today,” Kitna said. “I haven't thrown a lot, but it felt good. It's somewhat like when you play golf for the first time after a long winter.”

Despite the addition of Frerotte, Kitna sounded remarkably upbeat upon arrival at team headquarters last Friday. And make no mistake about it: The former Seahawk is convinced he'll ultimately win the starting job.

“I tried to go back and be exactly how I was in the season last year, not how I was in minicamp, not how I was in training camp,” Kitna said. “My attitude -- and I don't think I can be the best I can be any other way -- is, "I'm the guy.' If somebody plays better than me, so be it.”

It's worth noting that Frerotte, who had surgery on his throwing shoulder in December, didn't throw during Sunday's second practice although he participate fully in the morning session.

“He's not that far removed from the surgery,” LeBeau said. “He's doing great. There's no sense in not being prudent about it.”

LeBeau said Akili Smith would join the quarterback race once his surgically repaired hamstring is completely healed. Smith watched last weekend's proceedings from the sidelines in street clothes.

Asked who would win the starting job, LeBeau replied with hesitation: “I'm looking for the quarterback that moves our football team and puts points on the board. We don't care who that is. The final line at the quarterback position is productivity.”

Other notes of interest in Cincy. ... When the Cincinnati Bengals released nine-year veteran tight end Tony McGee a week and a half ago, the franchise essentially turned over the starting job to Sean Brewer, a second-year veteran and former third-round draft choice.

Unfortunately, Brewer arrived for the weekend with a badly strained hamstring and was unable to participate in any on-field sessions.

The former San Jose State standout likely won't be able to practice for a month.

In addition to Brewer's injury, Schobel is still nursing a hamstring strain, but did manage to get onto the field Saturday and worked some with the first unit. Former fullback Nick Williams, who is being converted to tight end, suffered a hip flexor injury while running the 40-yard dash.

Which means the team closed out the weekend with only one tight end, Kirk McMullen, who has never lined up in an NFL regular-season game.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2001, McMullen is noted more as a deep-snapper, but was forced to start two games last season. He had two catches for 15 yards.

Brewer is confident he can solidify the position. Assuming, that is, he can stay healthy long enough.

"I know they're counting on me and I'm counting on myself," Brewer said. "The last thing I want is for things to be like last season."

The second-year man-to-be could go a long way towards proving that notion if he'd give up his pack-a-day cigarette habit.

Even though Brewer and Schobel should both be back at full speed within a month or so, the Bengals still might add a veteran tight end to the roster before training camp opens.

''I think you'll see us move yet again,'' LeBeau said. ''A good solid veteran tight end could be of benefit and. ... Will certainly be talked about.''

Former Patriot Jermaine Wiggins, recently waived by New England, has been mentioned as a possible addition.

And finally. ... Veteran wide receiver Darnay Scott visited a specialist Monday in an effort to locate the source of pain in his left leg. The team's best deep threat, Scott fractured the leg in 2000 and missed the entire season, then returned in 2001 and posted 57 receptions for 819 yards and two touchdowns.

He sat out last weekend's workouts because of the pain.

According to reports published Tuesday, the cause of the pain is not the 14-inch rod he had inserted into it in 2000.

Dr. Kevin Reilly, who performed the surgery to repair Scott's broken leg, determined on Monday that inflammation near the bone was the problem. Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said that Reilly recommended Scott give the leg two weeks of rest from running before beginning to build back up his speed gradually.

During those two weeks, Sparling added, Scott will be able to lift, ride a stationary bike and do underwater running exercises. He could also be fit with some orthotics to help alleviate some of the pounding on the leg once he does begin to run.

Denver Broncos

"I feel different," Davis said after joining teammates on the practice field for last weekend's minicamp. "I feel normal again. I'm not thinking about the pain or the pinching or anything like that. I'm able to go out there and just focus on football."

Davis, who rushed for 2,008 yards in his MVP season of 1998, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the fourth game of the 1999 season.

Early in the 2000 season, he sustained a foot and ankle injury in his left leg that eventually was diagnosed as a stress reaction. He was sidelined for all but four games. In 2001, he had arthroscopic surgery on both knees, costing him eight more games. Over three seasons, Davis played in just 17 of 49 games.

Davis rehabbed his knee after the 1999 season and spent the next offseason rehabbing the lower leg injury. Each year, Davis said, the time spent rehabbing kept him from building strength and conditioning for the next season.

This year has been different, however.

"I'm excited to be back on this field and have an opportunity to play this year," Davis said. "I can only prepare myself and work as hard as I can and try to get my mind ready to go through a long season. Injuries are really out of my control.

"In the back of my mind, I think about `what if.' What if I didn't have an injury. But I'm happy where I am right now. I've accomplished a lot in my career, and hopefully I can continue."

Davis has rushed for a total of 846 yards in the last three seasons, including 701 in 2001. That production has prompted questions about his future.

"I'm 29 years old," Davis said. "I'm young. I'm a young running back, so I've still got a few more years."

In case you missed it, with Davis and Olandis Gary both healthy -- not to mention the arrival of rookie Clinton Portis -- the Broncos have moved Mike Anderson to fullback. Anderson, the NFL's offensive rookie of the year in 2000 when he rushed for 1,487 yards, will compete with Tony Carter for the starting job.

Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, who is coming back from a broken leg, returned to the practice field for last Friday's initial workout. McCaffrey ran routes and even caught passes from Brian Griese. Head coach Mike Shanahan said McCaffrey is approximately a month-and-a-half ahead of schedule and was not limited in any of the team's drills. Fellow starter Rod Smith, on the other hand, skipped last weekend's sessions because of a stress fracture in his left leg. However, he is hopeful of participating in next month's workout and expects to be at full speed when training camp opens in July.

Finally, in an article published Tuesday, Denver Post staffer Adam Schefter reported that Griese -- apparently while running down the driveway Sunday night at a party hosted by Davis -- stumbled, tumbled and knocked himself unconscious.

Paramedics were called to Davis' home, and according to Arapahoe County Undersheriff Grayson Robinson, they rushed Griese to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, where the quarterback received seven stitches above his blackened right eye. He also required attention for a chipped tooth, which was treated Monday by a dentist.

"He was unconscious as a result of a fall on the driveway," Robinson said, reading from the information report that was filed with his office. "Paramedics will transport anyone who is unconscious, to be on the safe side."

Griese was unavailable for comment. After last weekend's three-day minicamp, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan gave the players time off Monday and today. Their celebration commenced at Davis' house Sunday night, as it usually does the night after the end of the first minicamp.

Those attending the party said Griese, who was busted for driving under the influence last year, arrived in a chauffeured car. At 9:40 p.m., according to the information report, Griese took his first big fall of the season.

"There was no indication of a disturbance or of an issue other than running down the driveway, tripping and falling," Robinson said. "No law enforcement action was required."

The good news is that Griese is expected to be ready for a throwing camp June 10-14.

Carolina Panthers

"Any time you put a player on the shelf, it's a medical issue [and] it's always a concern," Fox said. "From our doctor's standpoint, it's something they think they can get squared away. ..."

Fox said team doctors decided surgery was necessary after giving Jeffers a physical earlier this week.

"It's something we feel like we needed to do to get him ready for the fall," Fox said of the procedure.

Jeffers, who caught 63 passes and scored 12 touchdowns in 1999, has had recurring knee problems since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the 2000 preseason.

The Panthers planned on Jeffers returning to the starting lineup this season, following the departure of free agent Donald Hayes.

Fox said Isaac Byrd will join Muhsin Muhammad in the starting lineup until Jeffers can return. Fox said the team has no plans to sign a free agent wide receiver at this time, but wouldn't rule anything out at this point.

Other notes of interest in Carolina. ... According to Gaston Gazette reporter Steve Reed, rookie running back DeShaun Foster has set his sites on Lamar Smith.

The way Foster sees it, Smith has the two things he wants the most -- his jersey number and the starting running back job.

Foster, the team’s second-round draft pick, can’t do much about getting the No. 26 he wore in UCLA from Smith, who has eight years of NFL seniority on him and his choice of what number he wants to wear. But Foster hopes to do something about his other goal.

"When I get in there, I want to show them I can play," Foster said.

Foster arrived at minicamp this weekend second on the team’s depth chart at tailback behind the 31-year old Smith, but the Panthers made it clear that isn’t set in stone.

"We really don’t have an established, featured runner yet," Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper said. "So in essence, the job’s wide open. After you get through preseason and all that, then we’ll have an idea.

"It’s way too premature to talk about who’s starting and who’s where. We haven’t even put pads on."

The odds are the Panthers will begin the season with Smith as the starter and work Foster into the mix as the year progresses. But don't rule out the possibility of Foster earning the starting job at some point this season.

Either way, Foster just wants to fit in.

"I think I can contribute a little bit," Foster said. "Lamar’s a good back. I just want to be in the rotation and contribute to the offense."

Skipper said he’s been impressed with how quickly Foster has been picking up the offensive playbook.

"At this point he’s doing what we expect of him," Skipper said. "The guy’s got good athletic ability. The thing that’s real good, that I’m very impressed with, is he’s not struggling with the system.

"He’s catching on real good. He has no problems learning, and that’s the number one key. As soon as you can just react and be natural with things, then the better you’re going to excel. So mentally, he’s right on cue."

Foster said part of the reason he’s picking things up so quickly is Smith himself.

Smith, who joined the Panthers after rushing for more than 2,000 yards the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, has already taken Foster on as his personal understudy.

"I’m learning new things from him," Foster said. "He’s telling me stuff how he runs and hits holes and how he’s patient. I think it’s going to do me a lot of good."

The big knock on Foster in college was fumbling, something he did seven times last season at UCLA, including four in a game against Ohio State.

Skipper was at that game and talked to Foster afterward in the locker room, giving him some tips on how to carry the football before advising him to stay mentally focused.

Two weeks later, Foster shattered the school’s single-game rushing record by running for 301 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Pac-10 rival Washington.

"He didn’t go into the tank," Skipper said. "If he went in the tank, then you wouldn’t be able to correct the guy."

As for the fumbling problem, Foster said, "It’s behind me. I’m not worried about it."

Fox doesn’t seem worried either.

He thinks of the 6-foot, 222-pound Foster as a first-round draft pick and believes he has the talent to become the team’s running back of the future.

"Fumbling is something that’s correctable," Fox said. "Speed? Not very correctable. Size? Not very correctable. But in DeShaun’s case, we felt it was an issue that we could help as a coaching staff. We felt good about that. We feel very fortunate to have him here"

Foster is a solid prospect, but it would probably be a mistake to dismiss the chances of former Giant "Sideline" Joe Montgomery out of hand this summer.

There are those who believe Fox, who is familiar with Montgomery from the time they spent together in New York, will work to get his "guy" the ball. If he can stay healthy, Montgomery could be among the surprises of '02.

In an article published last Friday, Charlotte Observer staffer Pat Yasinskas noted that even though he didn't participate in last week's minicamp while recovering from minor shoulder surgery, quarterback Chris Weinke has been busy.

Weinke has been a regular at the team's facility this offseason. He has spent extensive time watching film and working through the playbook with new offensive coordinator Dan Henning.

The coaching staff is very happy about Weinke's dedication, and the belief is that he should have a firm grasp of the offense when the team holds coaching sessions in June.

Backup Rodney Peete also has a strong knowledge of the offense because he played for Henning in Detroit. Rookie Randy Fasani still has plenty to learn, but the coaching staff likes his size and arm strength, and he's likely to beat out Matt Lytle for the No. 3 job.

Finally, for the second straight year, tight end Wesley Walls is spending the offseason recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. But Walls showed last year, he had the desire and work ethic to make a quick recovery. All indications are Walls is making another strong recovery.

Walls is not taking part in drills yet. But he has been looking sharp in running drills and could be at full strength by the start of training camp.

Kansas City Chiefs

"No way I won't be ready," said Minnis. "It's not that bad [an injury] and, even after the surgery, I should be able to do things to keep my upper body in shape. This is just a temporary setback, that's all. I'm not going to let it stop me."

A third-round choice in the 2001 draft, Minnis broke his foot while making a simple cut in a passing drill during an afternoon practice. Head coach Dick Vermeil, who characterized the incident as a "freak" injury, told reporters Minnis will have a screw implanted to promote the healing process, and is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks.

The former Florida State standout missed three games as a rookie, two with a sprained ankle and one because of a concussion, but still led all Chiefs wide receivers in catches, with 33 for 511 yards and one touchdown. While those numbers seem modest, only four rookie wide receivers had more catches than Minnis in 2001.

If the rehabilitation timetable holds, Minnis will have nearly a month to get ready for the start of training camp on July 26. He could begin light work on a treadmill before that.

But as ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli noted in an article published last Saturday, foot injuries can be dicey, particularly given the delicate natures of the bones usually involved, and so Minnis will diligently follow the recovery program prescribed for him. At the same time, he doesn't want to fall too far behind.

"There's a lot of talent here," Minnis said. "The competition will be tough."

Indeed, while veteran wideout Derrick Alexander, who will be released for salary cap reasons after June 1, is not attending the minicamp, free-agent acquisition Johnnie Morton made an impressive debut Friday.

According to those on hand for the session, Morton made three over-the-shoulder catches on fly patterns and consistently beat every cornerback the defense put on him. More than once after a play, Vermeil ran over to compliment Morton.

"It was fun getting acquainted with the guys, running the plays," Morton said.

Signed as a free agent out of Detroit, where he had 77 receptions for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns last year, Morton was made the Chiefs' No. 1 wideout the minute he set foot on the practice field.

And that's just fine with him.

"That's the way I've always approached it since my rookie year," he said. "I don't count myself as a number, like one, two or three. I always try to play as a No. 1 and have my group play as a No. 1."

It's also worth noting that Sylvester Morris, who missed the entire 2001 season after sustaining a knee injury last summer, is nearly recovered.

Morris, who had 48 receptions as a rookie in 2000, hit the field for the first time Friday. Wearing a light sleeve rather than a bulky brace over the knee, he ran patterns against on his own and took part in a few one-on-one drills.

He skipped 11-on-11 drills.

Morris said he plans to be ready to go full speed when training camp opens July 26.

"All I can say is: It feels good to be back on the field," Morris. "It's just nice to be out here with the boys and to really be a part of the team again. ... I'm pretty confident that I can do just about everything right now. That's what minicamp and these [offseason practices] are for, to get my confidence back. I'll be my old self when we get to training camp. ..."

Other notes of interest in Kansas City. ... Tony Gonzalez, embroiled in a contract dispute, didn't surprise anybody by choosing to stay home in California rather than showing up at team headquarters this weekend.

"I love Tony Gonzalez and I respect him," Vermeil said when asked about his star tight end. "But I did not even give it a thought. That's all part of the business and I respect his right to do what he's doing."

The versatile Gonzalez, who is sometimes split wide, believes he should be paid similar to a wide receiver. The Chiefs insist he is a tight end and will be paid as one. So he refused to sign last year, and the club gave him a franchise player tag, forcing him to play for the Chiefs or sit out the coming season.

Vermeil addressed Gonzalez's situation with the squad last Thursday night.

"I said this is not about Tony Gonzalez being absent. It's about the Kansas City Chiefs getting ready to play football," he said. "He'll be here in the fall. It'll get done."

Vermeil said Gonzalez's absence "hurts Tony more than it hurts us."

"We're going on," he said. "You treat it like he's got a pulled hamstring. In a way, it helps get the other kids further along. I said to the squad `I'm sorry he's not here so all you young kids can see a true superstar work like he works.' He's a great tempo-setter on the practice field. He is a high-energy, hardworking player. And he happens to be a great player."

Finally, unrestricted free-agent receiver Larry Parker, who ended the 2001 season on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury, was on hand for last weekend's workouts, but did not participate. Vermeil said the Chiefs will consider signing Parker once he passes a physical. ... Free-agent place-kicker Michael Husted worked out for the Chiefs during both of last Saturday's sessions. Husted last played with Washington in 2000 and was Oakland's kicker in 1999 when current Chiefs special-teams coach Frank Gansz Jr. was in the same role with the Raiders. ... Fullback Tony Richardson, who is still recovering from the shoulder injury that sidelined him early last season, was a spectator rather than a participant last weekend. However, team officials expect him to be at 100 percent in plenty of time for training camp. ...

Other odds and ends

Arizona: The Cardinals are reportedly looking for a veteran running back in case Thomas Jones fails for a third consecutive season. None of the other backs on the roster has an NFL carry. Fifth-round pick Josh Scobey and free agent Damien Anderson were productive college players, but they're still rookies. Coach Dave McGinnis might take a look at a veteran like Ricky Watters or Jamal Anderson if he's waived, as expected.

"We definitely have our periscope up for a guy or two, but it would have to be for the minimum [salary]," McGinnis says. "The guys who are still out there, or who will be out there, are there for a reason. But if one or two shake out that have some talent and are willing to work for the minimum, we'll be interested."

Tampa Bay: Head coach Jon Gruden has switched Keyshawn Johnson back to split end, the position he played with the New York Jets. Johnson reportedly lobbied for the move, believing it improves his ability to make big plays because the defense normally rotates away from the split end toward the strong side.

Any hope that Rob Johnson might finally get things turned around working under Gruden are quickly falling by the wayside. According to the coach, Johnson is still up to his old tricks -- primarily holding onto the ball too long.

"He has so much confidence in his ability to fit [the ball] in there, that he runs out of time," Gruden said of the former Bill. "Then something bad happens."

San Francisco: Sacramento Bee staffer Mike Triplett reports the Niners will give rookie place-kicker Jeff Chandler, whom they drafted out of Florida early in the fourth round, every opportunity to earn a spot on the roster this summer. Last year, first-year kicker Jose Cortez started great before hitting a mental block and missing a lot of kicks low. Cortez's kickoffs weren't much, either, but he is the incumbent fighting for his job.

The word out of Valley Ranch this week says Ryan Leaf is the most likely candidate to be released out of the five Cowboy quarterbacks entering camp. This after Leaf missed vital practice time last week with flu-like symptoms. The Cowboys are committed to Quincy Carter as their starter, with Chad Hutchinson and Anthony Wright rounding out the top three spots.

Houston: After being waived by the Vikings, running back Travis Prentice was claimed by the Texans. The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Prentice played in 14 games for the Vikings last season, gaining 14 yards on 13 carries. He caught one pass for 10 yards. Prentice was a third-round pick of the Browns in the 2000 draft and rushed for 512 yards and seven touchdowns on 173 carries as a rookie. He was traded last September to the Vikings. Prentice set an NCAA career record at Miami (Ohio) with 468 points, 73 rushing touchdowns and 78 total touchdowns.

None of which means Prentice should be considered a solid Fantasy prospect. But with former Bear James Allen sitting atop the depth chart in Houston, anything is possible.

That's it for now. ... Check back next week for more tidbits of interest.

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

 

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