The NFL Insider duo of Ross Mandel & Ralph Mancini go ao around the league.

MARVIN HARRISON INJURY UPDATE
Mike Chappell, of The Indianapolis Star, reports Indianapolis Colts WR Marvin Harrison (knee) has been cleared to practice, according to head coach Tony Dungy. Harrison has been running and feels good. Dungy stated that the Colts will take a conservative approach with how much work Harrison gets.

Mandel's Take: This is great news for the Colts. Harrison should be ready to go in week one barring any setbacks--the Colts will be wise taking that "conservative approach". There's no need whatsoever for Harrison to exert himself at this point. Let the man coast through pre-season.

Mancini's Take: I can't say that I'm actually as excited as my counterpart is. This man is coming back from not one, but two injured knees. Harrison is one of the players I'll be focusing on closely in the preseason--provided that he gets a decent amount of reps.

MATT JONES SAFE FOR NOW
In the season debut of his radio show on WOKV in Jacksonville, Jags head coach Jack Del Rio said that WR Matt Jones will be with the team when training camp opens later this month.

Mandel's Take: This shocked me. The guy was caught in his car literally chopping up cocaine with a credit card. His claim is that the coke wasn't his. OK, so you were snorting someone else's drugs--so what? Was the nose it was going up yours, Matt? I mean, I'm all for giving someone the benefit of the doubt, but when you're caught chopping lines in a car...it doesn't look good. Is it possible the Jags have that great a need for an average (at best) receiver? Rev--testify!

Mancini's Take: There are a lot of transgressions that I'll give people the benefit of the doubt for, but snorting cocaine in your car isn't one of them. Not only was this an illegal act, but it's also embarrassing for all parties involved. It doesn't get any lower than getting caught shoving white powder up your snout like a common junkie. Del Rio and company are being too understanding by letting the player return to the team. Jones' actions on and off the field tell the world that being a great football player and teammate aren't among his top priorities in life.

MARCUS MONK UPDATE
Chicago Bears WR Marcus Monk, a rookie, is battling for a roster spot during training camp. He is hoping to stand out on special teams to better his chances of sticking.

Mandel's Take: He's big (6' 4" 220) and he's fast (4.4-ish). Only an injury kept him from being a higher draft pick and let's face it--the Bears need help at the position so Monk could stick and even have an impact on this team. I liked the pick and I believe he'll not only make the team, but be productive.

Mancini's Take: Ok, let the Marques Colston comparisons begin. I mean, why not? He's very tall, has long arms, big hands, excellent body control and has some bounce to him when it comes to his leaping ability. Plus, if Rosstradamus is picking him to go to the Pro Bowl, then who am I to say he won't be any good? While all these things I mentioned are accurate--except for the Pro Bowl part--Monk is devoid of quickness and burst, which can make it difficult for him to get open on a consistent basis. The kid has some promise, but let's temper our expectations.

SHOCKEY SNAFU
There seems to be a little twist in the Jeremy Shockey deal. As compensation, the Saints will reportedly send the Giants second and fifth round picks at the 2009 draft. However, New Orleans could have to send their 2009 second rounder to the Jets as part of a conditional deal in which the Saints acquired LB Jonathan Vilma from the other New York team for a 4th round pick this year. That pick could escalate to a second rounder though if Vilma were to play 85% of the Saints’ defensive snaps this fall and the Saints sign him to a new deal by the end of the season. If the conditions are met then the Giants would then receive a first-round pick in 2010 instead of the 2nd and 5th round picks in 2009. It is likely though that the Saints probably will find a way to prevent Vilma from reaching those criteria so they don't have to give up a first-rounder.

Mandel's Take: Scenarios like this one make me scratch my head. Any time there's an incentive for a team to keep a player off the field the potential exists for shadiness. Leave it to the Jets to indirectly help their landlords. With their luck, Vilma will play every snap and the Giants will get a #1. I know, I know--the Saints probably won't let it happen, but still--the thought of Vilma's playing time and the Jets' deal helping the Giants is sort of amusing, isn't it Rev?

Mancini's Take: Yeah man, it's hilarious. Funnier than Will Ferrell doing his George W. Bush routine. I never liked these deals with percentage clauses. So, how does this work? When someone tells Sean Payton that Vilma just went past his 85% threshhold, does he then take him out of a close game? This is insane.

TOM SANTI UPDATE
Colt's TE Tom Santi will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list after having minor knee surgery this offseason, the team's official web site reports.

Mandel's Take: He wasn't going to perform much anyway, not with Dallas Clark and Bryan Fletcher ahead of him. However, an injury to one of the other TEs makes Santi a backup with the Colts--and there's always offense to go around. He will have to squeeze his way onto the field once he returns from injury.

Mancini's Take: Well, I'm glad Mandel is just poo-pooing this injury as if Tom Santi was just some walk-on off the street. I'm not making him out to be a star by any means, but the Colts were hoping to use Santi as a blocker in their two tight end sets. None of the other tight ends on Indy's roster provide the type of blocking that the sixth round pick offers. He's not on the team for his catching ability.

RAIDERS INK WESLEY
The Raiders signed safety Greg Wesley to a one-year contract.

Mandel's Take: I know we sound like a broken record here, but the standard response when it comes to Raiders' signings holds true here: WHY? Wesley isn't good enough to cover anyone--what's the point? It's like Brewster's Millions in Oaktown--they have to spend a ton of money in order to keep the team, so they blow it on anything and everything. Rev--explain this one to me.

Mancini's Take: Explain it, Ross? You want me to enter the warped mind of a delusional madman devoid of any trace of common sense? My theory on this deal is that Davis was having flashbacks of Jack Tatum in a Raiders uniform, and decided to sign the former Chief who was once known to be a ferocious hitter, but has since faded due to injuries. The whole league knows the book on Wesley except for Darth Vader who's still living in the 70's in his leisure suit and wide-collared polyester shirt.

AHMAD CARROLL SIGHTING
The Jets have announced the acquisition of defensive back Ahmad Carroll, a one-time first-round pick of the Packers. Out of football in 2007, Carroll played for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League in 2008, starting in 15 of 16 games. To make room on the roster, the Jets dumped rookie free agent Nate Lyles.

Mandel's Take: The Jets can't stay away from those underachieving, ecstasy popping, gun-toting DBs, can they Rev? Perhaps Gang Green are confusing this "Batman" with the movie's title character.

Mancini's Take: The Jets signing Ahmad Carroll? Is the Joker behind this? Was he holding a razor blade to Mike Tannenbaum's neck while Mr. T was making the deal? I don't know Ross. Carroll's been burned so bad, I think we should start calling him Two Face.

EAGLES TRIO TO START ON PUP
Eagles rookies Trevor Laws, Bryan Smith, and Jack Ikegwuono are beginning their NFL careers on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Mandel's Take: Laws would have helped on defense and still might if he's able to return from this foot injury. He and Smith are expected to see the field at some point, but DB Ikegwuono is gone for the season with a knee injury so he won't be a part of the crowded secondary in Philly.

Mancini's Take: Yes, I agree with you on Laws. He can be a very useful run stuffer with his quickness and leverage, while Smith can add a little tenacity to the Eagle pass rush. Philly, however, is deep enough to do without these players for a limited period of time. Ike, of course, will probably be redshirted this year.