St. Louis Rams 05/12/2008 10:18 PMThe St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports he blew by Barron. Got barked at by Baker. And learned from Little. By all accounts, rookie DE Chris Long soaked it all in like a 279-pound sponge. "It's just all football," said Long, speaking of his first minicamp as a Ram. "It's a lot of fun because, really, you don't have to worry about anything else. Just eliminate everything else in your life and just focus on football." For a weekend, at least, it didn't even seem like work for Long, the defensive end from the University of Virginia chosen No. 2 overall in the draft by St. Louis. "That was my biggest anxiety," he said. "I was worried it was going to feel like a job and not a game. But these guys are out here having fun, working hard just like a college team would — it's just that guys are better."Read more
Chicago Bears 05/12/2008 10:15 PMThe Chicago Sun-Times reports GM Jerry Angelo said the Bears have no plans to release RB Cedric Benson in the wake of his arrest last weekend in Texas. But no matter how the case plays out, Angelo said Benson was guilty of poor judgment. ''The thing that I am most disappointed in is the fact that he put himself in a position to be the victim,'' Angelo said at the opening of the Bears' black-tie charity ball Saturday at Soldier Field. ''He's done a real fine job in the offseason. Obviously, this makes big story lines. That's not good for business.''Read more
Oakland Raiders 05/12/2008 10:12 PMThe San Francisco Chronicle reports RB Darren McFadden isn't a know-it-all rookie, but the Raiders are working on it. Two weeks after drafting him fourth overall, the Raiders handed their new star running back a playbook that's as thick as it is complex. After all, before McFadden can school the NFL with talent that can't be taught, the Raiders want to teach him exactly what he should be doing out there. "It's different," McFadden said at rookie minicamp Saturday in Alameda. "They hand you a playbook with pens and highlighters in there with a notebook to take notes. "That's something you don't get in college. If you want to take notes, you have to come with your own stuff. So, I knew it was serious once they handed a playbook out like that."Read more
Dallas Cowboys 05/12/2008 10:09 PMThe Dallas Morning News reports Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie summoned Pro Bowl SS Roy Williams to Valley Ranch for a meeting Friday to talk about his commitment to the Cowboys. Williams said he was happy with the 90-minute meeting and has confidence he will find a comfort zone in the Cowboys' defense. Two weeks ago, Williams said he has been trying to find a comfort level in the 3-4 defense. He repeated the stance Saturday, but said the meeting with the coaches told him his involvement in the defense will increase.Read more
