According to St. Louis Post Dispatch staff writer Jim Thomas, things went smoothly enough on the practice field during the first day of Scott Linehan's first -- voluntary -- mini-camp as Rams head coach. The effort was sincere. The tempo was brisk, even with several walk-through periods.

It was a big day for the team, with president John Shaw watching from the sidelines, and sixty-four players on hand. Missing were tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, running back Marshall Faulk and three roster candidates currently in NFL Europe: wide receivers Jeremy Carter and Brandon Middleton and running back Fred Russell.

Manumaleuna was excused to attend his grandmother's funeral. The original plan was to have him practice Friday and then depart, but Linehan decided to send him home a day early. "It's family first," Linehan said.

Faulk had an unspecified conflict.

Thomas went on to remind readers that it's unusual for mini-camps to be held before the draft. And this is the extra mini-camp -- a three-day affair that wraps up with a final session this morning -- the Rams get because they have a new head coach.

Faulk isn't physically cleared to participate anyway because of offseason surgery on both knees. In fact, he probably won't be cleared to practice until the team's third and final mini-camp in June.

However, that didn't stop Linehan from telling reporters on Friday he expects Faulk to play this season.

According to the Associated Press, the new coach said Faulk, who considered retiring after rushing for a career-low 292 yards last year, told him he'd definitely return as the backup behind Steven Jackson. The team also acquired former Packer Tony Fisher this offseason in order to add more depth behind Jackson and Faulk.

"He said he was more hungry now than he has been in a couple of years," Linehan said. "He was adamant about his commitment to next year."

Faulk made his only start last year in the final game. He has 12,279 career yards rushing, 34 behind Jim Brown for eighth place in NFL history. ...

Jackson, meanwhile, claims he's no longer in the business of lobbying for more carries.

"I don't even want to beat that drum anymore," Jackson said after Friday's workout. "We all know how I feel about that. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff feels the same way. I feel like a diamond in the rough, and hopefully they'll polish me up this year."

As Post-Dispatch staffer Kathleen Nelson suggested, one day of practice isn't much to use to draw conclusions, but Jackson offered a few, perhaps in part because of the change in atmosphere under Linehan.

"It's more laid-back. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but it's more of a comfort zone," Jackson said. "Guys are smiling a lot more around here. I think everyone is starting over anew, a breath of fresh air."

Jackson's early assessment of Linehan's offensive philosophy: "It's more downhill, but as usual it's a relentless game, so we're going to play relentless. It's not dramatically different. The only thing that's pretty different is terminology. ..."

According to StLouisRams.com senior writer Nick Wagoner, Linehan has made it a point to try not to force too much on his team at once, but the fact is that the terminology is different and that has made it hard.

Making things worse, there are many words that have carry over from the previous staff to this staff, but those words have different meaning here than they did there. For instance, one word might mean a short slant to Kevin Curtis where before it meant a deep ball to Torry Holt.

"If I hear rip and I am thinking big four (route) to Torry, but now it's a three-step slant. ... It's a different language," Marc Bulger explained. "I took Latin and that's supposed to help when you take Spanish. But I never went into Latin class and heard me llamo."

As Wagoner suggested Saturday, it will take time to adjust. Because the words that once meant something now mean something entirely different, the process of learning the new terminology the second step. The first step is to unlearn what you thought you knew, adding another layer to the process. ...

There are other changes.

According to Thomas, Linehan has added a handful of personal touches to the practice routine. Injured players wore red jerseys. Linehan wants the players on the practice field taking mental reps and participating in the walk-through period, but the red jersey means "no contact."

In the past, Rams quarterbacks wore the red "no contact" jerseys. But under Linehan they will wear gold.

"I'm an old quarterback," Linehan said. "Red's like 'hands off.' Gold's just 'Hey, it's a quarterback, don't tackle him.' But I just like the color better than putting them in red jerseys."

Also, in his remarks to the team Friday, Linehan stressed the importance of doing the little things right. And doing them right all the time. He wants a quick tempo. He wants crisp execution. It began Friday with things as basic as getting in and out of the huddle properly and intense assimilation of the terminology.

In other words, the Rams are essentially starting from scratch.

"We're at a point now where it's like being in preschool again," Holt said. "Where if you get up to go to the bathroom, you raise your hand: 'Can I go to the bathroom?'

"'Yes.'

"And then you come right back. I have to really get used to that again. I think for the most part we, as a football team, we're (buying) into that. We are accepting that."

In the long run, Holt figures the change from Mike Martz to Linehan will be best for everyone involved.

"The thing that I like the most is that we as an organization, we got what we wanted, which was a new coach, a new staff, a new direction, a new movement," Holt said.

"And on the other hand, coach Martz got his health back. He got an opportunity to go to Detroit and coach again, to rebuild his resume to try to become a head coach again in the National Football League.

"So I think we won, and he also won. So that part of this deal is over with. That's behind us. It's 2006. It's a new era for the Rams. And we're going to try to get this thing moved in the right direction and try to give this city a lot to cheer about like we've done in the past."

Of course, they'll have to get past "preschool" first. ...

A few other notes of interest in St. Louis. ... While almost all involved seemed to share in the belief that terminology is the biggest change, others said that getting to know their new coach is a priority.

According to AP sports writer R.B. Fallstrom, both Isaac Bruce and Holt said Linehan, a former offensive coordinator with no head coaching experience, does not yet fully look the part.

Bruce said Linehan's post-practice talk emphasized offense. "That's cool, I'm on the offensive side," he said.

Holt said "you can tell" Linehan is new to being in charge.

"He's still finding his way and he's still cautious at times," Holt said. "He's still trying to learn guys' personalities, so you can see his newness a little bit. ..."

Those wondering why the Rams brought Bruce back after releasing him briefly this offseason apparently got their answer Friday. According to Wagoner, the veteran wideout "looks as good as ever running routes and catching passes."

Wagoner added that Bruce even went deep and made a few plays over the top. He is in great shape and doesn't seem bothered by the toe injury that slowed him last year any more. ...

And finally. ... Also according to Wagoner, the quarterbacks all looked to be a little bit rusty on Friday, but for the most part threw the ball well.

Bulger was in fine form and Wagoner felt Jeff Smoker threw the ball the best after Bulger; Gus Frerotte and Ryan Fitzpatrick were a little inconsistent. ...

Other Fantasy-specific news and notes of interest from around the league. ...

Starting in Kansas City. ... According to AP sports writer Dave Skretta, he's facing a draft full of tantalizing young players, but Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson turned his attention Thursday to a veteran.

Peterson said he is counting Priest Holmes "in" for next season, as the three-time Pro Bowl running back continues to recover from midseason surgery for head and neck trauma.

"If we had to start today, right now, the doctor would not clear him for contact," Peterson said. "But we don't have to start today."

As Kansas City Star beat writer Elizabeth Merrill reminded readers, Holmes' future has been iffy since he suffered a neck injury at midseason. His replacement -- Larry Johnson - ran for nine straight 100-yard games and made the Pro Bowl. Peterson said doctors will evaluate Holmes again soon, and new head coach Herman Edwards said he hopes the veteran back will be able to return.

Edwards has given Johnson the starting job, but both the new coach and Peterson said Holmes would still play a significant role on an offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2005.

"Priest knows that," Edwards said of his plans -- specifically his decision to identify Johnson as the clear-cut starter. "Everybody knows that."

But Edwards also noted that many of Johnson's yards last season came as he simply ran over defenders, a tactic that might wear him down over a full season.

That's why Edwards is eagerly awaiting Holmes' decision. The Chiefs have signed former Bronco Quentin Griffin, but have very little depth beyond that. They also lost Tony Richardson, one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league, to free agency.

"I don't care what back it is, he's not going to carry the ball 500 times. You can figure out the rest mathematically," Edwards said. "You're going to have at least two backs."

Edwards also said he has talked to Holmes recently and he wouldn't be surprised to see his veteran running back "darting in here shortly."

"We had a good conversation," Edwards said. "I would say probably after the draft or so I wouldn't be surprised to see him in here."

Peterson added that fans shouldn't read anything into the fact that Holmes hasn't been in Kansas City for offseason workouts. Other starters, including Tony Gonzalez, opt to train at home.

"He's not required to be here," Peterson said. "He hasn't been here (the last three years) as well as some of our other starting players. I'd love to see our tall Spanish tight end, but he'd rather be in California, and I understand and respect that. ..."

In Chicago. ... Although it seemed to come out of nowhere, there might be more to ESPN.com insider John Clayton's suggestion that the Colts weren't interested in trading for Thomas Jones.

Say what?

That's right, in a blurb posted on his blog last Tuesday, Clayton wrote: "Don't look for the Colts to make any moves on Jones. Though the Colts are in the market for a running back, there would be two things that would sour the Colts on the idea.

"First, Jones just went through an agent change and the Colts don't want to get involved in a messy contract renegotiation. Second, Jones and Cedric Benson are a great one-two punch in their backfield and the Bears would want maybe two first-day draft choices to part with Jones. ..."

While I initially dismissed this as something being floated by an agent eager to better his client's position, the possibility of such a deal getting done might not be totally outside the realm of possibility.

In an article published Saturday, Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Brad Biggs advised readers that a "possible schism" in the Bears organization about the future of the running-back position was discovered Friday at the team's annual pre-draft press conference.

According to Biggs, head coach Lovie Smith reacted adamantly against the idea Jones could be traded, but general manager Jerry Angelo did not deny Clayton's report linking the veteran running back to the Colts, who are still working to replace Edgerrin James in their high-powered offense.

That Jones fired agent Tom Condon and signed on with Drew Rosenhaus in the last week -- and has stopped reporting for the voluntary offseason program -- adds to the intrigue.

Citing a source in Indianapolis, Biggs advised readers the best package the Bears could get would start with a third-round pick in the draft, the 94th overall selection at the end of the day next Saturday, which would seem to be a small payment for the franchise's first 1,300-yard rusher since Walter Payton.

"We have not initiated any contact," Angelo said. "If you hear someone say they have talked to me, it's because they have my number."

If the Bears were to deal Jones, who gained 1,335 yards and scored nine touchdowns as the team's only consistent offensive performer last season, it would clear the way for Benson, the No. 4 pick in the draft a year ago.

But that's clearly not how Smith wants it to go.

"When I first got out of school, I used to teach history," he said. "History teaches you an awful lot. The history is with Kansas City. I got a chance to see exactly what Kansas City did having a Pro Bowl running back (Holmes) and a first-round draft choice (Johnson). They both played, they both were on the team and it worked itself out.

"Thomas Jones, 1,300 yards, team leader, he's our starting tailback. We have a good, young player with a lot of potential. Cedric Benson is with the football team for the first time from the start. We're going to let guys play. We needed all three running backs this past year.

"Thomas had a great year, he was injured, Cedric got a chance to play and Adrian [Peterson] played. We needed all of them. We're saying we're going to need three running backs to have a successful season."

Smith insists the Bears are a running team that needs at least two backs to make that commitment. The steadfast belief is Benson is ready for bigger things after gaining 272 yards in a rookie season shortened by a contract holdout and bad knee sprain.

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner would not talk about recent developments, but called Jones "a hell of a player." He also acknowledged Peterson is not viewed as a potential workhorse.

Meanwhile, Jones' new agent is definitely open to the idea of a trade.

"If there is a trade that will improve Thomas' situation, that would certainly be appealing," Rosenhaus said. "Thomas hasn't missed any time with the Bears that is mandatory. There are a lot of players around the league that choose to work out on their own or spend time with their family or do other things. It doesn't necessarily mean you should read into it anymore than that.

"The bottom line here is obviously there are discussions about a potential trade. We are receptive to it."

Of course, Rosenhaus' comment lends further credence to my initial hunch about Clayton's piece, but based on Smith's stance, it's clear not everybody at Bears' headquarters will be as receptive. ...

In New York. ... According to New York Daily News staffer Rich Cimini, Jets rookie general manager Mike Tannenbaum looked and sounded like a man with a plan, appearing confident and relaxed Friday as he discussed the upcoming draft and the direction of the team.

The one thing he didn't seem too sure about was the status of Chad Pennington, he of the twice-surgically repaired throwing shoulder.

Tannenbaum, commenting on the quarterback's condition for the first time in a month, provided only a vague update, hinting that Pennington won't be at full throwing strength for the first veterans' mini-camp. That's not until mid-June. By then, he will be eight months removed from surgery. A year ago, Pennington was throwing on a full-time basis six months after his first operation.

"I'm not sure how much he'll do right now," Tannenbaum said. "Ultimately, that will be something that will have to be worked out between the training staff and Eric [Mangini], with reps and things like that."

Asked if the best-case scenario for Pennington is limited participation in mini-camp, Tannenbaum said, "I wouldn't feel comfortable characterizing exactly what he'll be doing."

Cimini suggests there are two ways to read this: Pennington, who began light throwing March 1, is proceeding with extreme caution or he's finding the rehab harder the second time around. Tannenbaum did say that Pennington is making "good progress," but he added, "Whether or not he plays is ultimately going to be a coaching decision."

Pennington will battle recently acquired Patrick Ramsey in training camp -- unless the Jets add another competitor to the mix with their first pick this Saturday's. ... While they could go with Matt Leinart, Vince Young or Jay Cutler, those who follow the team closely say the Jets aren't likely to pick one at No. 4 in next weekend's draft.

According to Cimini, they're believed to be targeting tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive end Mario Williams, with linebacker A.J. Hawk and tight end Vernon Davis as fallbacks. They may address the quarterback issue in the later rounds. ...

In Atlanta. ... After watching the Falcons go through their paces during a Thursday off-season workout session, AP sports writer Paul Newberry reported that Michael Vick looked sharp, "flicking passes to his young receivers and moving around effortlessly on the right knee that gave him so much trouble last season."

And when he was done, Vick delivered a message to the rest of the NFL: Get ready to face the real No. 7 this year.

"I want to be mobile," he told said. "I want to be Michael Vick. I want to play my game."

Eager to atone for the disappointing season, Vick has been an avid participant in the Falcons' off-season program for the past month. According to Newberry, it's been time well spent, giving him a chance to work with new quarterback coach Bill Musgrave and develop a rapport with receivers Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, who've been in the league a total of three seasons.

"We're all trying to get on the same page," Vick said. "I want to throw the ball right at them so they can catch it. I didn't do that all the time last year."

Indeed. Vick ranked 25th in the league in passing efficiency, completing just over 55 percent of his throws for 2,412 yards, with barely more touchdowns (15) than interceptions (13).

Newberry reminded readers that fleet-footed signal caller put up similar numbers the previous season, but they weren't so harshly judged because he also carried the ball 120 times for 902 yards while leading the Falcons to the NFC championship game.

In 2005, Vick fell off to 597 yards on the ground, which put more of a spotlight on Atlanta's mediocre passing game.

"My knee was bothering me all year," he said. "I never cried about it. I never complained about it. I just tried to do the best I can for the team. Now, I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm where I used to be."

According to recent reports out of Atlanta, the Falcons may take some snaps out of the shotgun this season in an attempt to maximize Vick's speed and create more running room for the halfbacks.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm under center or in the shotgun, as long as I can be on the move," Vick said. "I want to get on the edge so I can show my elusiveness."

Vick's legs draw most of the attention, but he also has one of the strongest arms in the league. Sadly, he has yet to take full advantage of it, struggling to adapt to the West Coast offense and lacking confidence in his wide receivers.

Tight end Alge Crumpler led the team with 65 receptions, while Brian Finneran was the only receiver to reach 50 catches. Jenkins -- a late first-round pick in 2004 -- managed 36 catches in his second season. White, a first-rounder last year, hurt his ankle in training camp and finished his rookie campaign with only 29 receptions.

Jenkins and White should both come on a bit stronger this fall.

Musgrave has been focusing on Vick's footwork and trying to get him to put more touch on his throws. Already, White is feeling more comfortable on the other end of Vick's passes.

"There's been a lot of progress between me and Mike," White said. "When I came in last year, he didn't know how fast I was and I didn't know how far he could throw it."

Also, Newberry reports that White has bulked up noticeably during the offseason, putting on weight and adding muscle that he hopes will help him get away from cornerbacks who try to crowd him at the line of scrimmage.

Head coach Jim Mora said everyone has been participating in the offseason workouts. He's especially pleased to see Vick getting in some quality time with White and Jenkins.

"This is a low-pressure environment where we can build some camaraderie," he said. "We have two young receivers who need to work with the quarterbacks so they can get a feel for each other. ..."

In Buffalo. ... As the Sports Xchange put it last week, "Some players need a change of scenery to revive their careers.

"Wide receiver Peerless Price hopes that familiar scenery helps him. ..."

Price, 29, has rejoined the Bills after finding out the grass wasn't greener in Atlanta and Dallas, at least not on the field.

"Life is funny. It all has come full circle," Price told the team's official web site after signing a four-year contract that will pay him an average of $2.57 million.

That's a far cry from the deal he got with Atlanta in 2003 that included a $10 million signing bonus alone.

Price, a second-round pick of the Bills in 1999, had a breakout season in 2002 with 94 catches for 1,251 yards and nine touchdowns as the deep threat in a wide-open attack featuring quarterback Drew Bledsoe and receiver Eric Moulds.

An unrestricted free agent, he was able to force a trade for a first-round pick to the Falcons after Buffalo slapped the franchise tag on him. The Bills used that pick to select running back Willis McGahee.

Unfortunately for Price and the Falcons, he was never able to live up to expectations playing in a run-oriented attack with a run-first quarterback in Vick.

In his two seasons in Atlanta, Price caught 109 passes for 1,413 yards and six touchdowns but eventually lost his starting job and was cut. He signed with Dallas last September but even a reunion with Bledsoe couldn't revive things. He appeared in just seven games, catching six balls.

When Moulds was traded to Houston, Price's agent, Tim McGee, arranged a visit with the Bills and a deal was quickly struck.

"Very seldom do you see all the things fall in place in this business, but I thought it was one of those situations where it was a no-brainer," McGee told the AP.

According to the Xchange, Price will push free agent Andre' Davis, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish for the No. 2 job alongside Lee Evans. With his experience, Price would seem to have a leg up on the competition for the job.

"Obviously, I saw an opportunity for a starting position, so that's why I signed," Price said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I don't want to be a starter. That's what I've wanted to be and that's what I'm going to fight to be."

For what it's worth. ... Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan, after reminding readers that humility was never one of the outspoken wideout's strengths, suggested on Friday that it was no surprise to hear Price begin his second tour as a Bill by insisting he has not been humbled by three successive seasons of struggle and decline.

"I wouldn't say humbling," Price said Thursday in his re-introduction to the local media. "But it has been a learning experience for me."

Let's hope he learned enough to prove his last stint as Buffalo's No. 2 wasn't a fluke. ...

In Cincinnati. ... The Bengals signing of Anthony Wright is worth noting here because there's still no guarantee that Carson Palmer and his surgically repaired left knee will be ready to start the regular season on Sept. 10 at Kansas City.

While his rehab is progressing on target, there will be no specific timetable for his return until he can get out onto the practice field and begin moving around. The typical recovery time for such injuries is eight to 12 months.

If Palmer isn't ready, Wright gets the nod.

The Bengals also have Craig Krenzel and Doug Johnson on the roster, both of whom have starting experience, but Wright should step immediately into the No. 2 role and of course, run the first-team offense until Palmer is ready. ...

In Cleveland. ... We got yet another update on Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, the high-priced pass catchers who are recovering from reconstructive knee surgeries, this past Monday, when head coach Romeo Crennel spoke at the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club in Canton.

"They're both working and rehabbing, making good progress," Crennel said. "We feel good about where they are."

He said Winslow should be able to participate in a June mini-camp, more than a year after he tore an ACL in a motorcycle crash. Edwards blew out an ACL on Dec. 4 during a game against the Jaguars.

"Edwards' injury was basically a nine-month injury," Crennel said. "We're saying and expecting that he will be back at the beginning of the year. If he makes better progress before that, good.

"We don't want to rush him and set him back. We want him to be there at the beginning of the year, so we're trying to get him to there. ..."

According to Canton Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk, someone from the audience asked Crennel if Tim Couch might be brought back to work off some of that money the Browns paid him.

After the laughter subsided, Crennel grinned and said, "Probably not. ..."

All right kids, that's it for today. ... Remember to check out the News & Views section of this site throughout the week for late-breaking news and other items of interest and watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook, posted here each Sunday.