The Facts: Hilliard underwent a procedure on April 9 to remove bone spurs and repair a damaged bursa sack, and was told it would take some time before he got back on the field. Not for Hilliard. "My shoulder is doing a lot better now," he said. "I've been cleared (to practice) for about two weeks. It was supposed to be a six- to 10-week process, but I came back early."

Diehards Line:Shoulder pain limited Hilliard late last season, rendering him less than 100 percent for the last several games of the season. According to Times staffer Stephen Holder, it's too early to say where he'll factor in what should be a competitive battle among the team's receivers in training camp. But despite turning 32 in April, Hilliard looks and feels good. And there are plenty of questions about the men below Hilliard and Joey Galloway on the depth chart (Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Paris Warren and rookie Dexter Jackson).