NFL Training Camp Opens: Early Stories to Ignore

Training camps are opening around the NFL and you won't find anyone happier about that. The dry season that begins after the NBA draft is in full effect, leaving me to watch the National Geographic Channel during prime weekend lounge time. Here's some of the interesting news floating around today as players report to camp to battle for positions.

Brett Favre Hates Training Camp

That's the only logical explanation behind the offseason charades we've had to endure for the past 4-5 years. Favre contemplates retirement up until the last couple of days of traning camp, then he comes back. He missing out on all the steamy hot and taxing two-a-days all his teammates suffer through with what he thinks is a valid excuse; "I'm old as the cosmos and don't know if I can play another year."

I don't think anyone's buying it. Are we supposed to believe some minor injury is preventing Favre from coming back? The toughest man ever to play the game? I'd respect him more if he just came out and said, "I ain't going to training camp." Yeah he'd get dumped on, but he's getting dumped on anyway for being shady, so what's the difference?

TO still unemployed

It looks like TO's early opportunities are few and far between. Recent news indicates the Rams and Bengals are possible suitors, but as it stands now, the prima-donna receiver is still looking. Do I have to ask why teams are shying away from the future hall of famer?

He's in the same boat with Shaq and Iverson at this point. Three guys who were all elite players at their position for a long time who have problems accepting their role in a team environment after their skills decline. Who would have thought that out of the three Owens would ever be the most reasonable at this point. Where Iverson has indicated he doesn't want to be a role player and Shaq thinks he's still worth more than the mid-level exception, Owens has been quiet for now.

Quarterbacks Still Cashing In

Tom Brady and Sam Bradford are the two quarterbacks who's contract situations will get the most attention this summer. Brady because of all that he's accomplished and sacrificed pay wise is over the years is expected to shoot for the moon; likely one of if not the biggest contracts the league has seen as far as guaranteed money is concerned. He's deserving of every penny, despite how much I hate the Patriots.

Sam Bradford on the other hand will also join the list of highest paid players in the coming weeks without stepping on the field. His contract will be a slap in the face to veterans like Desean Jackson and Chris Johnson who have proven to be elite players, yet their teams are taking a wait and see approach as far as restructuring deals. If anyone thinks we don't come out of this new CBA without a rookie pay scale, you're kidding yourself. When you pay someone nearly $40 million guaranteed, and they are arguably the worst QB in the league for 2-3 years and then get caught sipping on sizzurp, something needs to be fixed.

The NBA got a rookie pay scale after Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson demanded $100 million guaranteed and Jamarcus Russell's contract will be the deal that does it for the NFL. Assuming Bradford works out.

Dez Bryant: "I wasn't drafted to carry other players pads"

Apparently, Roy Williams' attempt to haze Dez Bryant failed miserably. Bryant refused to carry Williams' pads to the locker room after practice, stating he was drafted to "play football not carry other players pads."

Normally, I would be all over Bryant, however, this whole situation is a little flaky. Roy Williams just so happens to be the player on the Cowboys most likely to lose his job as a result of Bryant's arrival. But on top of that, how did this story get to the media anyway? It smells like someone is trying to damage the reputation of the dude trying to steal his job.

Until I hear of Dez refusing to carry anyone else's pads besides Roy, I'm on Bryant's side. Roy you need to be carrying your own pads, along with a bottle of stick em', and footballs with you 24/7 based on your play buddy.

If Bryant refused to carry Miles Austin's or even Patrick Crayton's pads I'd be dogging him out. These are two guys that know their place. But Roy Williams, the master of underachievement and the grossly overpaid soon to be slot receiver? Can't take up for you bud...sorry.

The Reggie Bush Heisman Trophy

Bush's trophy was returned, but Colin Cowherd on ESPN pointed out that OJ Simpson's still remains? Right.

Wes Welker ready for Training Camp?

Depends on your definition of ready. His knee fell completely off in the last game of the season in which he and his knee were carted off with the infamous "my season and likely career is over" ceremonial towel on his head. As many times as we've heard how much medicine has advanced, we still haven't seen someone come back that quickly from an ACL tear at 100% after a full year, much less, half a year.

He'll show up and run straight line fine. But Wes Welker is all about quickness and change of direction and if he can't do that, he's not Wes Welker.

What's an NFL blog without some Eagles talk?

Our secondary is in shambles. On one hand I think Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs may be the worst tackling secondary in the league. But then I remember, the Partiots won with these guys so shouldn't we be able to?

All I can envision is Asante and Ellis Hobbs trying to tackle Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Don't know if you've seen either of those dudes but it's not happening.

Come on Andy, bring a corner in. Please.

What's your team up to in training camp?