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Hot topics from around the league mini-camps.
RYAN LISTED THIRD ON DEPTH CHART
Matt Ryan opened Falcons minicamp behind Chris Redman and Joey Harrington. He split snaps with D.J. Shockley.
FLACCO IMPRESSES ‘MATES
Ravens WR Derrick Mason came away impressed with rookie QB Joe Flacco after this week's practice. "The one pass he threw to Mark [Clayton], I think it was 50 yards down the field in the air, and he put it on target. The way he commanded the huddle, I think that speaks volumes about him. He's a big guy, he can throw the ball and he can put it on target."
BUSH PARTICIPATES
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush ran with smooth athleticism and showed some ability as a receiver during the first day of the team's rookie minicamp.
MANNINGHAM LEAVES PRACTICE WITH INJURY
Mario Manningham suffered a hip flexor while running a pattern at practice Saturday. He says it's not serious and was walking after the injury. Rookie quarterback Andre Woodson, who threw an interception on his first pass of the camp, also left with a sore quad.
MIKE WILLIAMS REPORTS TO CAMP IN SHAPE
Titans WR Mike Williams has lost 30 pounds and has struck up a good relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. At season’s end, Williams, who weighed more than 270 pounds when signed in November, was told matter-of-factly by Coach Jeff Fisher to get in shape or get released again
SALAAM LOSES STARTER STATUS
Texans LT Ephraim Salaam isn't happy that he's lining up behind rookie Duane Brown in minicamp.
CHRIS LONG SHINES
St. Louis Rams DL Chris Long played mostly with the first-team defense during the first day of the team's minicamp and impressed head coach Scott Linehan during pass-rushing drills. Linehan was particularly impressed with Long's intensity. "You don't hear him talk a lot," Linehan said. "He just goes 100 miles per hour, which is fine."
PHILLIPS PAYS TRIBUTE TO SEAN TAYLOR
New York Giants rookie S Kenny Phillips is wearing No. 21 with the team. Phillips wanted the number as a tribute to former University of Miami and Washington Redskins S Sean Taylor, who was shot and killed Nov. 27.
BRANCH SWITCHED TO SAFETY
Jason Jones, of the Sacramento Bee, reports Oakland Raiders CB Tyvon Branch will play strong safety for the team.
SPYGATE
Matt Walsh will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday morning in what could be the final piece of the league’s investigation into the Patriots’ videotaping practices. Walsh, a former Patriots video assistant who this week turned over eight tapes to the league, will meet with Goodell at 7:30 a.m. in the latter’s New York offices. Goodell will then hold a press conference no sooner than 10 a.m. at the InterContinental Hotel in Manhattan.
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