OAK - Raiders QB Russell Talks Still Stalled

Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle

Despite the Detroit Lions coming to terms with 2nd overall pick WR Calvin Johnson, the Oakland Raiders are no closer to a deal with their number 1 overall pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, then they were before camp started. If one side concedes significant ground this weekend, a deal could be done quickly enough to get Russell in practice as soon as Monday. Raiders HC Lane Kiffin, for one, isn't sure Johnson's deal will have an immediate impact on the Russell talks. "Sometimes it does," Kiffin said after a morning practice Friday. "If he signs for a lot, then it works for one side. If he doesn't, it works for the other side. That does somewhat have to do with it, but it's just another contract being posted."

SF - QB Smith Expects To Run More In 2007

Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee

San Francisco 49ers starting QB Alex Smith says he wants to be an even more dangerous rusher in 2007. He ran for only 147 yards last year but put up 631 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Utah. "You look at what Steve Young did when he was here," Smith said. "There were two or three times in a game when he was able to take off and run. Those were big plays."

And although Michael Vick-like numbers are unrealistic in the 49ers' offense, the idea is to keep defenses on their heels by breaking off a long run here and there. "That's what it's all about," new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler said. "Five or six times a game, he's going to have to come alive with his feet. He's going to have to come out of the pocket and make a play running or by finding a receiver downfield after a scramble. And that's five or six (times) guaranteed. "Last year, it was one or two here and there." The question then is: When the pocket is breaking down and Smith buys himself an extra second, does he look for an open receiver like he did against the Rams, or does he take off and run like Young did so well when he was the 49ers' quarterback? Said Hostler with a wide grin on his face: "I don't know. That's why we pay him all that money."

ARZ - Cardinals RB James Committed

Source: Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James is so enthused by the new coaching regime, he promised to carry the ball a little more during the preseason. New HC Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant HC Russ Grim have committed to running the football and have promised to get James 300 carries this season. James, who notoriously hates the preseason said, "If (Whisenhunt) wants me to go out there and get five, six carries, I'm not going to say no. If they want me to do it just to save face, so there's no complaining, I'll do it."

DEN - RB Travis Henry Wants The Ball Often

Source: Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Denver Broncos new RB Travis Henry doesn't want to just embrace the idea of being the guy. He wants to grab it and lug it as many times as Shanahan lets him. "Me, personally, I'm from the old school," Henry said. "From watching Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, all those guys, it was one back. That's it. One guy got the ball. It's good to have the backup in case something goes wrong, but as far as rotating during the game, that takes away from a premier back trying to get in a rhythm. So, a two-back rotation? I guess I don't see it."

DEN - QB Cutler Talks About Expectations For Team And Himself

Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post

The Denver Broncos have serious Super Bowl aspirations but can 2nd-year QB Jay Cutler overcome that pressure and perform well with his limited experience. Winning a Super Bowl with a second-year pro quarterback has happened twice in the past six years but having such lofty goals must get heavy at times for a youngster who has yet to hear his first boo. "Yeah, I've heard if I play well, the team's going to do well, and if I play badly, the team's going to do badly. How I go is how the team goes," Cutler said. "I think that's a little ridiculous. I mean, I don't think I have to throw for 300 yards every game for us to win football games. I need to manage the game and limit turnovers. I think our running game and our defense will be enough for us to put up enough points."

It's Cutler's calm and confident disposition - whether in moments of crisis between the lines or casual encounters along the sidewalk - that has the Broncos believing he can live through the mistakes, and perhaps the occasional boos, and bounce back to become the third second- year pro quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl. "This team definitely has Super Bowl talent," Cutler said. "I think we're in a good position to have a good record, get in the playoffs and then see what happens. As far as how I'm taking things, I'm taking it in stride. This team could have a great year, we could have a bad year. I can't tell the future. All I can do is prepare as hard as I can to have the best season possible. There's a lot of guys here who are going to help me." One area that's often overlooked is starting field position. After ranking last in the NFL in that category last season, the Broncos brought in a new coach (Scott O'Brien), a new punter (Todd Sauerbrun) and will break in a new returner (Domenik Hixon).

DEF - MIA - Dolphins Won't Punish LB Porter

Source: David J. Neal, Miami Herald

The Dolphins won't punish LB Joey Porter for his Las Vegas altercation after the NFL fined him $141,176. "I'm not condoning what happened. Joey Porter was issued a citation. He paid a fine," Cameron said. "He has followed through with everything he's supposed to do as relates to this matter as a professional. He's been fined and it's over. I think he's learned from it."

ARZ - Cardinals RB James Committed

Source: Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James is so enthused by the new coaching regime, he promised to carry the ball a little more during the preseason. New HC Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant HC Russ Grim have committed to running the football and have promised to get James 300 carries this season. James, who notoriously hates the preseason said, "If (Whisenhunt) wants me to go out there and get five, six carries, I'm not going to say no. If they want me to do it just to save face, so there's no complaining, I'll do it."