NFL Preseason

NFL Training Camp Roundup

The NFL preseason is well underway, but the start of the new season hasn't been a breath of fresh air for some teams due to holdouts and injuries.

Overall this year's draft class has been pretty good at signing on the dotted line and getting into camp. Don't tell that to the Raiders, Lions, Browns and Chiefs though. Out of the Top 10 picks in the draft only three have yet to sign. But there are also two big holdouts outside the Top 10. The three players that were Top 10 draft picks that have not signed yet are Oakland's JaMarcus Russell, Detroit's Calvin Johnson and Arizona's Levi Brown.

According to reports the Raiders and Russell are still very far apart on their offers, which is a big reason why the Raiders picked up Daunte Culpepper earlier this week. The news on Johnson is much more optimistic. There were reports that a deal would be done and Johnson was going to be in camp by Thursday. Of course Thursday came and went without Johnson strapping on his pads, but it does look like a deal is imminent. Brown and the Cardinals are reportedly very close to getting a deal done, and he'll likely be the first of the final three to report to camp.

Outside of the Top 10, two unsigned picks drawing a ton of attention are Brady Quinn and Dwayne Bowe. It looks like Quinn's holdout could be a very long one if the reports and rumors are true. According to the reports, Quinn is expecting money more in line with his expected draft position (Top 5), instead of his actual draft position (No. 22). Unless the Browns suddenly decide to pay Quinn money he really doesn't deserve, he could be watching training camp from home for awhile yet. Bowe could end up sitting out as long as Quinn if the rumors of his contract status are reliable. Bowe went No. 23 in the draft, right after Quinn, and according to reports his camp is waiting for Quinn to set the bar that much higher before they take any offer.

While the unsigned sit comfortably at home, the players going through grueling training camps are starting to get banged up. The 49ers received a scare earlier this week after RB Frank Gore injured his hand. The injury turned out to be not as serious as first feared, but Gore will still miss at least three preseason games and could be a bit rusty when the regular season begins. Other running backs that have been hobbled in camp include Chester Taylor, Clinton Portis and Willie Parker. Taylor was carted off the field after suffering an arm injury that turned out to be minor, while both Portis and Parker are coping with sore knees that could hamper them during the season.

Receivers have also run into some injury problems. Cowboys' wideout Terry Glenn will be sidelined for at least two weeks after having his knee scoped, while Terrell Owens has missed numerous practices with what has been called "tired legs." Randy Moss, New England's big offseason addition, has also been experiencing leg pain that may turn into lingering hamstring problems.

The NFL preseason kicks off Sunday night with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the New Orleans Saints in the annual Hall of Fame game.