Tom Condon, the agent for Cardinals first-round pick Matt Leinart, left Flagstaff Sunday with a major piece of business unfinished. Neither side is commenting about the specifics of negotiations, but it's clear things are not going well. Barring some last-hour developments, Leinart won't be signed when the Cardinals hold their first training camp practice this morning. -- Arizona Republic

Carolina coach John Fox said Steve Smith's status is day-to-day after he suffered a hamstring strain Saturday afternoon. It's more likely the injury will be treated as week-to-week. It's possible Smith could miss a preseason game or two because the team is likely to proceed cautiously with its best offensive player. -- Charlotte Observer

There is no guarantee that Daunte Culpepper -- who tore three ligaments in his knee last October -- will be ready for the season opener. Culpepper was cleared to participate in the Dolphins' first practice in training camp yesterday , but there is still uncertainty as to how heavy of a load he'll handle. -- Boston Globe

You could argue that Ronnie Brown, not Daunte Culpepper, is the key to a Dolphins offense that will re-emphasize the running game. Even with the cannon-armed Culpepper at the helm, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey wants a 50-50 split between ground and air. -- Miami Herald

Deion Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, said there is nothing new concerning the receiver's holdout because of a contract dispute. Branch's holdout will reach Day 4 if he is not at Gillette today. -- Boston Globe

The Texans were looking for a veteran cornerback before they signed Dexter McCleon to replace the injured Demarcus Faggins. Now they are looking for another one. -- Houston Chronicle

In delivering what he called his "state of the union" address to the Seahawks on the eve of training camp, coach Mike Holmgren pointed out the reigning NFL MVP, Shaun Alexander. Holmgren said he didn't care that Alexander won the award and set the league's season touchdown record. You can get better, he said. Alexander didn't take offense. He knows his coach and understands why he was singled out. And he knows what he expects of himself. -- Seattle Times

Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran could be lost for the season after suffering a "serious" knee injury during practice Sunday night. Finneran will undergo an MRI exam Monday morning, but the initial prognosis is not promising, according to coach Jim Mora, who did not reveal the exact nature of the injury. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It's time to start worrying about the Eagles' wide receivers again, a Philadelphia pastime about as common as landfill stench. The biggest concern right now for the Eagles has to be Todd Pinkston, who a year ago suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot. The Eagles had hoped he would be fully recovered by now, but it's obvious that there still is some kind of problem. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Look for Jerricho Cotchery to make a pretty spirited run at a Jets starting receiver job over Justin McCareins. McCareins is fresh out of the Eric Mangini doghouse. -- New York Post