The Facts:
The Colts will convene this morning for the start of a mandatory three-day mini-camp, and as far as HC Tony Dungy knows, that will include Harrison. Asked if the team's eight-time Pro Bowl receiver would be at the team's complex, Dungy said, "I'm assuming he will." 

Diehards Line:
Harrison, 35, has been questioned by Philadelphia police about an April 29 shooting in his old North Philadelphia neighborhood. A 32-year-old man was shot in the hand, and a 2-year-old boy sustained a cut below his eye when a stray bullet shattered a car windshield. An investigation is ongoing, and police have said that Harrison has been cooperative and is not considered a suspect at this time.

The Facts:
Saints GM Mickey Loomis admitted Thursday he's no longer in pursuit of a deal for Shockey, citing the Giants' trade demands. Prior to the draft, the Giants reportedly had asked for a second-round pick and safety Roman Harper. 

Diehards Line:
"It's no secret we had some discussions with them and we just couldn't come to a conclusion on the right compensation," Loomis told Sirius NFL Radio. "I understand that. He's a very good player and the Giants don't want to just give him away -- unless they feel like they're getting really good value. But for the most part that's dead ... I don't anticipate that being rekindled. ..." Interesting in that HC Sean Payton still seems very interested in landing another TE.

The Facts:
Anxious to bury last year while positioning themselves for this and future years, the Falcons have kicked off contract negotiations for their first-round pick, Ryan. The talks have only been preliminary, but they are ongoing, and most important, there is a common purpose. 

Diehards Line:
According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, both sides are open to the idea of having an early timetable for the deal to avoid the holdouts that afflicted JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, the two QBs drafted in the first round last year. Getting into camp on time would obviously increase Ryan's chances of taking over as Atlanta's starter before the regular season.

The Facts:
Culpepper -- convinced he will be better this season now that he is two seasons removed from his knee surgery -- has been in contact with a handful of teams. But NFL Network insider Adam Schefter reports that Culpepper is being selective, waiting for the right opportunity with the right team. 

Diehards Line:
There has been some speculation that Culpepper could return to Oakland and serve as JaMarcus Russell's backup. The Packers expressed brief interest but obviously went another direction by drafting two TDs. At this point, the waiting game -- in hopes that an incumbent is eventually hurt -- seems like his best course of action.

The Facts:
Jurevicius is believed to have had another cleanup on the knee that was scoped in January.  

Diehards Line:
Jurevicius suffered a staph infection about two weeks after the January procedure and had the infection surgically removed at that time. He was expected to be ready for OTAs, but Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot suggests the the additional cleanup might explain why he's not practicing with the team yet.

The Facts:
Cribbs has established himself as one of the NFL's best return men. Now, he's eagerly awaiting an increased role in the Browns' offense in 2008. "We're putting in a nice package just to utilize more of my skills as well as everyone else's," said Cribbs, who made the Pro Bowl last season as a kick returner.  

Diehards Line:
Cribbs caught only three passes for 37 yards last season and ran the ball nine times for 61 yards, but led the NFL with a 30.7-yard kick return average and finished second in NFL history with 1,809 kickoff return yards. Cribbs, who Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot reports was used creatively in OTAs on Wednesday, said defenses better beware. "We have a lot of weapons and new additions that coach wants to use, including Donte' Stallworth. ... I can't wait."

The Facts:
The Raiders hit the field for their first OTAs today and Russell made his first public appearance as the Raiders quarterback since last Dec. 30, the day he completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 30-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers. His weight? "Right now I'm 269," Russell said. "I was never close to 300 pounds." 

Diehards Line:
Russell was addressing a story of his supposed out-of-control weight problem, with SI.com reporting he was north of 300 pounds. Although it was tough to tell body definition in loose fitting red jersey, Tribune staffer Jerry McDonald notes that Russell's face looked thinner than it did last year and he looked nimble and quick, covering a lot of ground on his rollouts with a giant stride. Judging from a single OTA practice, always a risky proposition, McDonald advised readers the Raiders are working getting Russell to make quick, safe decisions, get the ball out of his hands, and sacrifice risk-taking in the name of efficiency. "It's going to get better," Russell said. "Everything doesn't get better in a day."

The Facts:
Curry was among the players who were injured or rehabbing and did not participate in Thursday's practice. Curry had surgery on his foot two weeks to go and could be ready in another two weeks, HC Lane Kiffin said.  

Diehards Line:
Javon Walker and Drew Carter got most of the work with JaMarcus Russell and the first team at wide receiver with Curry away. ... For what it's worth, Walker said his injury problems last season occurred because he came back too soon from arthroscopic knee surgery and that he is healthy now. As for playing with Russell, Walker compared it to his early years in Green Bay when the quarterback was Brett Favre. "He has a good arm," Walker understated.

The Facts:
The Jets conducted their third OTA practice today, the first session that was open to the media. Pennington worked exclusively with the first-team offense. What can we read into that? Not much. Pennington and Kellen Clemens are alternating days, and today was Pennington's turn. We talked to Pennington after practice and he seemed -- how shall I put this? -- not thrilled with his situation, but willing to be the good soldier for another year. 

Diehards Line:
While Daily News staffer Rich Cimini thought Pennington looked better than Clemens today, he chalked it up to working with the first team. ... It's not real surprise that Pennington isn't happy with the situation. His agent asked the Jets to trade the former Marshall star in February but GM Mike Tannenbaum wasn't interested. It will make for an interesting competition, but as noted in a previous item, team officials seem to want Clemens to prevail.

The Facts:
Stewart could be the Panthers' primary kickoff returner next season as well as their featured running back. HC John Fox noted that Stewart was one of the nation's top kick returners during his college career at Oregon. "He's the guy who'll start off with those duties when we get to (training) camp," Fox said. 

Diehards Line:
It's an area of serious concern for Panthers fans because the team ranked last and next-to-last in the NFL over the past two seasons, respectively, with the two worst yards-per-return averages in team history (19.4 in 2006 and 19.1 in '07). The Panthers haven't had a kickoff return for a touchdown since 2003. Stewart returned 58 kickoffs at Oregon for a 28.7-yard average, with two touchdowns. He ranked third in the Pac-10 as a junior. Stewart also rushed for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. "Based on past history, he can do it," Fox said. ... The Panthers expect him to compete with DeAngelo Williams for the starting running back position.