News & Info/Headlines

Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... And no shortage of interesting news, notes and tidbits for the discriminating Fantasy owner. So let's get right to it, eh?

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Minnesota, where Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy is looking for Adrian Peterson to have a better season this year than he had last, when he led the NFL in rushing.

"I thought he made a tremendous jump from [his rookie season], but also I think he will improve again this year," Bieniemy said. "My main concern with him is just basically getting back to understanding run-game reads. Because, obviously, he had a great year last year, but it could have been so much better. I know for a second-year player to go out and rush for 1,760 yards is a tremendous, tremendous success.

"The sky can be the limit."

As Minneapolis Star-Tribune staffer Sid Hartman suggested, the biggest concern from last year regarding Peterson was that he had some issues with fumbles. He fumbled the ball nine times, losing four. That was up from five fumbles in his outstanding 2007 rookie season.

"Well, you know what, that is an issue," Bieniemy conceded. "But the way you address that, I think, in the offseason is you just work on different techniques and different drills on ball security and making sure the little things become a habit. Most of his issues have been [fumbling] in fighting for extra yardage, and at times you've just got to learn that, 'Hey, it's OK to go down.' I know that's not his nature, but it's OK."

Bieniemy told Hartman that Peterson has learned from last year's offseason, focusing more on preparation and less on outside projects.

"Last year, I think he did the commercial tour circuit," Bieniemy said. "I think this year, he's limited his priorities more so of not doing that as much and basically more concentrating on himself and getting himself prepared mentally and physically for the season."

Bieniemy added: "The bottom line. ... Is taking time this offseason and just learning from his mistakes."

Meanwhile, Peterson talked about adding 7 to 12 pounds this offseason -- as long as it didn't cut into his speed.

"I don't think too many guys would be excited to see me at 230 [pounds] two times a year," he said earlier this year while explaining the additional weight would help him endure the long season and make him "more explosive."

Peterson's desire seemed to be driven by the fact he played in all 16 regular-season games (17 if you count playoffs). He touched the ball 385 times along the way (363 rushes, 21 catches, 1 kick return) after having 273 touches (238 rushes, 19 catches, 16 kick returns) as a rookie.

He put up solid totals, but also took a physical pounding and some contend the fumbles were a result of that pounding.

But there's another side to this story.

What Peterson never mentioned -- but his father, Nelson Peterson, brought up in a USA Today article -- was how he came to the conclusion that he should put on the weight in the first place. According to the elder Peterson, the topic came up when Peterson went looking for advice from some veterans at the Pro Bowl and ended up getting "set up."

"Adrian was at the Pro Bowl, sitting around talking to [Ravens linebacker] Ray Lewis and some other fellows, and one defensive fellow -- I don't want to give away his name -- said, 'If you can go at 230, no defender wants to see you coming downhill at 230,'" Nelson Peterson told USA Today. "That's where having an old-school dad comes in handy. I told Adrian, 'Those veterans are trying to set you up. …

"There's a lot of guys getting up there in age on defense, and they want you to add weight so you can slow down a bit and they can have an easier time catching you.' I said, 'Adrian, what's wrong with 220?'"

In the end head coach Brad Childress, who repeatedly questioned the wisdom of carrying the additional weight, will apparently get his way.

After the team's most recent round of OTA workouts, Star-Tribune beat writer Chip Scoggins advised readers it's safe to say Peterson is not going to show up at training camp weighing 230 pounds. Peterson told Scoggins he instead lowered his body fat, added six pounds of muscle and now weighs 216. ...

Also in Minnesota. ... When the Vikings made Percy Harvin their first-round draft pick last month, Childress immediately asked his offensive coordinator about his plans. According to the Associated Press, Childress wanted to know how Darrell Bevell would use Harvin, the versatile wide receiver from Florida who will be counted on this season for his ability to catch, run and return kicks.

"As soon as we called his name out, he turned to me and said, 'Where's the list?' Bevell recalled. "So he wanted it immediately."

Bevell told reporters last Saturday there are 20 or 30 plays in the scheme designed specifically for the fleet-footed Harvin, who was selected 22nd overall. Between 10 and 15 of those, Bevell said, were added to the playbook in the past month.

That includes the single-wing formation, which Miami successfully used on the league last year. It starts with a direct snap to a running back and can feature motion in the backfield, fakes and other types of tricks. The Dolphins call theirs the "Wildcat," but whatever the name the concept has caught on.

Harvin, who scored in every game for the Gators last year and averaged 9.55 yards per rush in his three years in college, took some of those direct snaps during a series of plays the Vikings tested last Saturday without a defense on the other side.

Chester Taylor and receiver Darius Reynaud are also being evaluated in that role.

"They just want me to learn multiple positions," Harvin said. "We don't know quite where I'm going to play right now. I'm just learning kind of a little bit of everything. I'm just working hard and whatever they need me to play, that's what I'll do."

As Star-Tribune staffer Judd Zulgad framed it, "the threat of the "Wildcat" with a player like Harvin is that defenses already must account for Peterson. So if Harvin is a threat to take off with the ball, what do you do about Peterson because teams also must account for him?

"This one has the possibility to create nightmares for defensive coordinators -- even if they know it's coming. ..."

It also has to be at least a little bit exciting for Peterson owners. ...

In a few related notes. ... If Brett Favre doesn't jump into the mix, Scout.com and FOXSports.com insider Ed Thompson suggests putting your money on Sage Rosenfels to be the starter in Minnesota.

While some observers may be assuming that Tarvaris Jackson will continue on in that role, Thompson advised readers this week that it's more likely Rosenfels is the front-runner if you look at the numbers.

And by numbers, Thompson means those preceded by a dollar sign.

Thompson went on to note that when he agreed to a two-year contract extension to complete the trade between the Texans and Vikings in February, Rosenfels received a $1.4 million signing bonus. He's also being paid a base salary of $2 million this year, bringing his total compensation for season to $3.4 million.

Now consider that Jackson is in the final year of his deal which pays him a base salary of $535,000 and that Rosenfels is scheduled to earn salaries of $2.6 million in 2010 and $3 million in 2011.

According to Thompson, the reason that Minnesota was willing to make that kind of investment in Rosenfels is a simple one when you do the math. He has a career 62.5 percent completion rate versus Jackson's 58.4 percent mark.

And over the past two seasons, while Rosenfels made 10 out of his 12 career starts, he completed 65.2 percent of his throws. The former Texan also has a 7.4-yards per attempt average versus just 6.6 for Jackson.

Not sure I agree with Thompson on this one. If he's correct, however, it would mean Childress is likely betting his job on guy with what I'll kindly characterize as questionable decision-making skills, an opinion I believe is backed by the fact Rosenfels has thrown nearly as many interceptions (29) as touchdown passes (30) in eight NFL seasons. ...

One last note here. ... While he suggested early last month that the knee he injured last September still wasn't feeling 100 percent, Sidney Rice looked good during mini-camp workouts and reported no signs of trouble with the troublesome joint.

"It's not really an issue," he said.

Rice took part in every drill and did not seem restricted in any way. He made a handful of plays and said afterward that his knee felt good.

"It really didn't bother me none this weekend," he said. "No pulls, nothing like that."

Rice has mostly been a red-zone specialist in his first two seasons, and entering training camp and he'll need to demonstrate more well-rounded abilities to escape that stigma. He should have an opportunity to win a starting job opposite Bernard Berrian -- if he's healthy. ...

In Denver. ... Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall will not face any disciplinary action from the NFL stemming from a March 1 arrest, the league confirmed on Tuesday.

This after league officials investigated a domestic dispute in downtown Atlanta that resulted in both Marshall and his fiancee being arrested. Charges were dropped for both parties the next day.

Marshall's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said Marshall received a letter from commissioner Roger Goodell clearing him but also cautioning him to steer clear of trouble.

Marshall was suspended for three games at the start of the 2008 season after several incidents involving former girlfriend Rasheedah Watley. However, the suspension was knocked down to one game after a Marshall appeal. He has been arrested three times in the span of 12 months, twice for domestic disputes.

"I'm thankful to the league and their findings today, but this is also a continuance of me looking into the mirror and growing into the man I know I should be," Marshall told KDVR's Josina Anderson.

"Getting straight to the point, I understand that there can't be any more hiccups from me. With that said, I guarantee, repeat, I guarantee there won't be any more from this day forward."

While that guarantee is nice, Marshall is not out of the woods yet.

He is scheduled to stand trial in Atlanta this week for two counts of misdemeanor battery, charges that stem from a March 2008 domestic incident involving Watley.

"The pending case will be subject to review when appropriate," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello advised media outlets on Tuesday. "The notification [Marshall] received from our office applied only to the March 1st incident."

Marshall was arrested for disorderly conduct in that incident and booked into the Atlanta City jail. Charges against him were dismissed the same day.

According to Denver Post staffer Lindsay H. Jones, the issue with his latest incident is whether Goodell felt it showed that Marshall was going back on the promises made last summer when he vowed to stay out of trouble. The league apparently has decided that Marshall is making strides to straighten out his personal life.

But Jones went on to suggest the short leash Goodell placed on Marshall last year is now even shorter and that the league will not be so forgiving if there are any other police-related incidents, no matter how minor. ...

Also in Denver. ... The Broncos continue to work their way through an 11-day passing camp, and for all the talk of progress, Jones reported on Wednesday that things haven't always been running so smoothly for Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.

The quarterbacks, in the early stages of a duel to see who starts, often have found themselves on the receiving end of some profanity-laced tirades from head coach Josh McDaniels.

"I hope nobody heard me swearing too much today. But that's just part of this time of the year," McDaniels said Wednesday.

According to Jones, how Orton and Simms deal with the criticism, and how quickly they correct their mistakes, will factor into McDaniels' ultimate decision when he names a starter.

The two continue to be in a close battle with both getting their fair share of time in with the starting unit. Meanwhile, McDaniels said he's waiting to see one of his quarterbacks completely "get it."

Clearly, neither is there yet, but McDaniels isn't discouraged.

The coach said the quarterbacks are making similar errors and that the miscues tend to be mental.

"Those are the kind of things that right now they've got to get over the hill," McDaniels said of the mental miscues. "And the good thing about it is, once they go over the hill, usually you don't have to go over it again.

"If we can push them hard in the spring right here and actually clear that hurdle, then in training camp we should be moving forward and not having to go backward."

And as we all know, McDaniels' role in Jay Cutler's dramatic departure from Denver puts him on the hot seat from the get go. Somebody -- whether it's Orton or Simms -- better darned well be ready to run his offense come September or things will get ugly in rather short order. ...

In Cincinnati. ... Looking for a sure sign that a Bengals mini-camp is drawing near? As Cincinnati Enquirer staffer Joe Reedy suggested, "Talk about a wide receiver not at the team's OTAs starts to dominate the conversation. ..."

With an NFL Network crew in attendance at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, the main topic wasn't about Carson Palmer's elbow or the switch from T.J. Houshmandzadeh to Laveranues Coles.

Instead, it was on Chad Ochocinco and why he isn't in Cincinnati.

We began hearing about (but not from) "The Ocho" last month. The conversation began ramping up last month when Palmer, when asked about his expectations for the high-profile wideout, replied: "Well, I really don't know. I haven't talked to him. I haven't talked to anybody that has talked to him. ..."

We continued to hear about (but not from) Ochocinco last week when agent Drew Rosenhaus claimed his client is "really on a mission" and has "truly dedicated himself" this offseason.

"He will be tougher than ever to cover this year," Rosenhaus wrote on Twitter.

This week we got a dose directly from the horse's mouth.

In his first interview since Super Bowl week, Ochocinco, who called last season humbling, an embarrassment and a disappointment, told NFLN he will be at the team's mandatory mini-camp when it begins on June 18.

"Of course, why not go and show off the product?" said Ochocinco of the upcoming mini-camp. "Why not leave my coaches mouths wide open?"

"I'm sure all the people in Cincinnati think I'm really not doing that much but you'll see the results with the work I'm putting in right now."

While Palmer hasn't been in contact with Ochocinco, head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that he spoke to the ninth-year wide receiver the past couple days.

"I think the biggest thing, I told Chad this the other day is that a lot of the new things that we're doing he's going to have to play catch up on," Lewis said. "When he gets here Chad learns football very quickly and he'll get out here and get his feet on the ground."

And even though Ochocinco appears to be in great shape, Lewis will be the ultimate judge on how much he does at the mini-camp.

"When he gets here I will judge how much football I even allow him to do until he proves that he's in the shape the rest of our players are in," Lewis said.

On the relationship between Palmer and Ochocinco, Lewis said "I think their relationship has been a good, strong relationship. Right now Chad doesn't have a relationship with Carson. He's not here right now. Their relationship on the field is the most important thing."

And Palmer stressed that his comments about not being in contact with Ochocinco shouldn't be taken as an indication he isn't eager to get him on the field.

"He's a damn good receiver -- that's obvious, everybody knows that -- but the guys that are working here and busting their butt here deserve a shot," Palmer subsequently explained. "When he shows up he'll show up and hopefully he's in great shape and he's ready to play.

"But I never once said anything about not wanting him here and not needing him. He's a Pro Bowl receiver. He's put up a ton of yards. He's extremely dangerous to cover. We would love him when he comes here, but he's not here right now."

For what it's worth, when asked during his NFL Network spot why he isn't at OTAs right now, Ochocinco replied: "I'm already there. I'm there in spirit."

One thing everybody seems to agree on is the fact Ochocinco is working hard.

Besides sparring at the boxing club with former featherweight champion Kevin Kelley, "The Ocho" has also been training with his former junior college coach, Charles Collins -- a regular off-season occurrence.

Ands far as his mentor can tell, Ochocinco is in his best shape since '05.

Exhibit A is his 195 pounds and not the 178 he brought into camp last year "because he didn't do a damn thing," Collins told Bengals.com staffer Geoff Hobson this week. Exhibit B is the series of four "paced" 40-yard dashes of under 4.5 seconds in two-minute intervals.

"From 1997-99, I was hungry. Since then it got a little too easy for me," Ochocinco said. "I wouldn't say I stopped working hard but that hunger wasn't like it used to be. Right now it's back. It's back 10 times worse than what it was before I got to the league."

Meanwhile, Reedy reports that Ochocinco's absence is not affecting the rest of the wide receivers, who continue to try and make strides and vie for playing time.

"I know when Chad gets here he's going to be fine. He's going to be in shape," Andre Caldwell said. "He had an off season last year so I know he's out there working hard trying to get better and try to prove the critics wrong. That chemistry is going to pick up and it's going to develop as time goes on and show up on game days."

Through three weeks of OTAs, Palmer has been happy with the progress of the receivers, but he also knows that there remains a lot of work to be done between now and the season opener on Sept. 13 against Denver.

"We weren't very successful last year on offense and we need a lot of work. That's why it's good we have everyone here and competing," Palmer said. "We've got a lot of improvement to do and we're nowhere where we need to be before we kick off against Denver. ..."

In San Francisco. ... In an item published the last week of March, Pro Football Weekly reported that sources present for the 49ers' first mini-camp were surprised by the lack of effort put forth by featured back Frank Gore.

"It was a little strange," one observer told PFW. "It didn't look like he was going all out at all. He is kind of moody at times, and sometimes he struggles with his weight, but I'll be shocked if he isn't fully motivated by the time training camp rolls around."

Sounds like he's reached that point even sooner. ...

According to SI.com's Jim Trotter, Gore is a man of his word. After showing up for the team's May 1 mini-camp overweight, the star halfback promised his coaches he would drop 10 pounds before the off-season coaching sessions kicked off two weeks later.

When he walked through the locker room doors May 18, there was no need to put him on the scale.

Gore was noticeably trimmer.

Trotter went on to suggest that Gore's willingness to do his part might be related to the arrival of new coordinator Jimmy Raye, whose system mirrors what San Francisco ran in 2006, when Gore had a breakout season in coordinator Norv Turner's one season with the 49ers.

"It's about the same, a lot of power counters, going at them, don't care what they have in front of us; they just have to stop us," Gore told Trotter after a recent OTA workout. "My type of running style is that I like to have my shoulders square.

"A lot of runs and a lot of the running plays are going straight downhill, just pick your hole and go."

Trotter went on to remind readers that Gore picked a lot of correct holes in 2006, when he set career rushing highs of 1,695 yards, eight touchdowns and 5.4 yards per carry. To put that into perspective, his second-best totals are 1,102 yards (in 2007), six scores (in 2008) and 4.8 yards a carry (in 2005).

Gore is clearly excited about what he has seen and heard from Raye, who worked for Turner for two years in Oakland. The coaches were raised in the same offensive system and speak the same terminology.

But will that result in the same type of big season for Gore?

According to Trotter, the answer is yes, barring injury.

In case you missed it last month, Gore has made it clear that any talk of a decreased workload this year is news to him.

Assuming both Gore and Trotter aren't completely off base (and I don't think they are), Fantasy owners might land a draft-day bargain in Gore.

In fact, here's what I wrote in my commentary for this year's Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazine after landing Gore with the 11th pick overall: "A motivated, injury-free Gore could easily finish as a top-5 back. Hoped I'd land him here. ..."

In Baltimore. ... After watching the Ravens' most recent workout sessions, long-time Baltimore Sun staffer Mike Preston advised readers the off-season bulk award goes to second-year running back Ray Rice.

According to Preston, the added bulk is definitely noticeable across his chest and lower body. Preston added: "Rice seems to be having a lot of fun at practice and looks more comfortable as a receiver out of the backfield."

On the other side is fullback-halfback LeRon McClain, who looks about 20 pounds over his playing weight. Preston suggests this might be a problem if he doesn't get in better condition when training camp starts.

Meanwhile, there's no shortage of questions when it comes to the value of Ravens running backs.

Will McClain's return to fullback stick? And if it does, do you really believe the big fellow won't get the ball in short-yardage and goal-line situations? Will Rice be limited to a third-down role or will he push to become a more significant contributor?

Head coach John Harbaugh believes Rice can fill the No. 1 role.

“Not that he wasn’t a tackle-breaker last year -- he was a tackle-to-tackle runner at Rutgers, that was what he did -- but he’s come a long way,” Harbaugh said. “Now, people see him as a third-down back because of the success he had last year, but I don’t think we have any question that he can be an every-down back.”

While Rice is clearly gaining momentum, I'll remind you it's June. Much will change. And I suspect the answer to many of the questions surrounding this situation will be answered by McGahee -- or more specifically by McGahee's health.

McGahee, the highest-paid running back on the team, is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery.

The former first-round pick returned to work this week (after missing the previous week's mini-camp), working primarily with the second team. Rice ran mostly with the starters.

Worth noting: Harbaugh didn't want to comment on McGahee's condition.

"I don't know," the coach said. "I have no idea where he's at. It's the first day he's been here in a week and a half. I can't gauge it."

As Sun staffer Jamison Hensley reminded readers, McGahee didn't endear himself to the new coaching staff last season when he missed most of the voluntary workouts. He'll need to show them something this summer to be more than a speed bump in Rice's path to the starting role. ...

In Buffalo. ... Don't look now, but Terrell Owens is making a habit out of turning in highlight-worthy catches during practice sessions. According to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News, Owens also displayed an extra gear as he accelerated on a fly pattern to haul in a Trent Edwards pass that appeared to be overthrown in a recent workout.

Owens, 35, burst past cornerback Reggie Corner, dashing up the sideline.

According to Gaughan, Owens made it look "effortless."

The long reception left a lasting impression on Corner, who told reporters: "Oh my God, I was definitely surprised. I actually geared down like it was an overthrow, but, as you could see, he put it in third gear. It was like, 'Wow, he caught me off guard a little bit.’ He can move."

But Owens isn't the only Buffalo wideout drawing rave reviews.

According to ESPN.com's Tim Graham, we ought to keep an eye on Steve Johnson.

On a team with Owens, Lee Evans, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish -- and with James Hardy, last year's second-round pick, coming off of knee surgery -- it's hard to imagine Johnson getting enough playing time to make much impact in 2009.

But Graham reports the 6-3, 198-pound Johnson, a seventh-round pick out of Kentucky last year, might just force his way into the mix.

In case you missed it, Johnson played in 11 games, started one and caught 10 passes for 102 yards last season. But two of his receptions were for touchdowns.

He's certainly caught the attention of teammates.

"I have very high expectations," Edwards said of Johnson. "If you asked Steve Johnson that question, he'd say the same exact thing.

"If you guys could watch some tape of the past couple practices of him getting off of the press, it's ridiculous. Some of the best corners on our team, [he's] getting right by them. He's shifty. He moves well. He comes out of his breaks well, and I'm happy he's one of our receivers."

Could he be an effective No. 3? It certainly sounds like it. ...

Also in Buffalo. ... Marshawn Lynch looks stronger than ever in spring practices and says he's carrying a bit more weight this season.

"I bulked up to about 230, so I put some mass on," Lynch told Gaughan. "I'll see how that's going to work."

Lynch is up a good 10 pounds from last season, when he was listed at 215. But he said he still feels good about his speed. "Oh yeah, most definitely," he said. "I haven't lost a step, so pretty good."

Lynch also thinks the extra weight in spring may simply help him to maintain his good playing weight during the season.

"I don't think you put on weight to add years to your career, but it was something different for me," he said. "During the season, during training camp, it will be pretty hot, so it probably won't stay on. ...

"I'm still a young man, so I still have some growing to do. ..."

And finally this week, from the "Welcome Mat Only Rolls Out So Far?" file. ... Two weeks ago, a crazed throng of proud citizens greeted Owens when he arrived at baggage claim, camera crews from his VH-1 reality television show in tow.

A man was dressed as a big popcorn box. There were cheerleaders.

Owens was subsequently handed a key to the city by the mayor of Buffalo and had a cameo appearance as a sports anchor on the local nightly news.

But it appears not everybody is on board the T.O. bandwagon. Owens, who still is searching for a place to live, posted a message on his Twitter page Tuesday night: "sittin here trippin about residents @ 1 DEER RUN wn't rent 2 me b/c they said they dn't want any drama n their neighborhood!! LOL!!! Wow!!"

Owens was referring to a 4,002-square-foot, six-bedroom home that is available for sale at $489,387 or for rent at $2,950 per month.

There are, of course, two sides to every story. We've heard Owens' side. Perhaps the good people of Deer Run Road haven't worked their abs to the degree T.O. has and they fear being shown up when the driveway situp sessions begin. ...

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.