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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... Well, you obviously survived the first two rounds of the 2008 NFL Draft. Which means you also somehow made it through two networks' worth of wall-to-wall live coverage. Of course, you'll face more of the same today -- as well as reporting in your Sunday sports page, on your local television stations and on talk radio shows from across the land.

Heck, we'll also be cranking up our regular coverage in the News & Views section of the site later this morning.

(Which reminds me; my annual position-by-position rookie review will be posted in Headline News section of the site this week. I'll be posting positions daily starting with the quarterbacks on Tuesday.)

All that being the case, I thought it would be nice to keep today's Notebook will be as non-draft related as possible.

A brief respite if you will. A calm between selection-process storms.

We're talking standard Notebook fare: Schemes, situations and other tidbits of interest (including a rookie note or two) to Fantasy owners. ...

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Atlanta, where full a change in coaching staff -- and the arrival of Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan -- will bring with a major shift in offensive philosophy.

This time last year, there was no shortage of experts willing to suggest the offensive system then-head coach Bobby Petrino planned to install in Atlanta would be nigh on unstoppable due to its multiple options per play. Having the uber-athletic Michael Vick under center would add to the difficulties.

As it turned out, Vick never took a snap under Petrino. Not that it would have mattered. It also turns out Petrino was better at fooling himself than opposing defenses.

It's safe to Falcons owner Arthur Blank, eager to leave the Vick era behind, was pleased when new general manager Thomas Dimitroff selected the lone consensus franchise QB in this year's draft with the third pick overall on Saturday.

Known primarily for his character, leadership and intelligence, Ryan will compete for the starting job this year and -- if he performs as expected -- could lead the offense for years to come.

I would suggest that possibility is made more realistic by the fact that incoming head coach Mike Smith ensured the offense will take a new direction by hiring former Buffalo head coach and former Pittsburgh and Miami offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to run the show.

As Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat man Steve Wyche recently explained: "The Falcons will return to the grass roots of elementary football: Line up, block the man in front of you and create room for the high-priced running back (Michael Turner).

"Then do it again. And again. And again.

"Throwing the ball will be referred to as The Option. ..."

That will be a departure from last season.

For example, Ovie Mughelli was signed to the biggest free-agent contract ever awarded to a fullback (six years, $18 million) last offseason. When the Falcons took the field, however, Mughelli typically found himself on the sideline.

Look for Mughelli to be busier this year. Much busier.

"This offense is not going to be about a coach making up all these great schemes," Mughelli on the final day of Atlanta's first mini-camp under the new regime. "It's going to be about the players going out to play."

Others agreed.

"We're going to really play smash-mouth football, and when the opportunity to pass presents itself, we're going to take advantage of it," veteran QB Chris Redman said.

According to Wyche, the basics of Mularkey's offense will look like this most of the time: Dual tight ends or an H-back, a fullback, two wide receivers and 10 players who spend nights dreaming of ram-rodding opposing players. The quarterback is excused.

Wyche added: "This is not a scheme for those weak in the knees, heart or pectorals."

"It's gotten physical already -- we got the defense [ticked] off," Mughelli said after those initial sessions. "I've been on offenses, even in college, where the offense isn't as physical as the defense. We'd be working on getting the X's and O's right while the defense was flying around and having fun, being physical.

"I think the offense will match the defense, physically."

The two-tight-end sets with a fullback might not be ideal formations, but with concerns along the offensive front, extra blockers are necessary. There will be spread sets and tricks and gimmicks. Still, the premise will be simple.

"It's going to be like playing backyard football," said second-year tight end Martrez Milner, who also will be used as an H-back.

Turner, while serving as a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, showed his ability to run hard between the tackles and also flashed breakaway speed. The way Turner attacks the hole and explodes toward the linebackers is a much-needed skill set for the Falcons.

With Turner, Mughelli and backup Jerious Norwood, the Falcons have a potentially punishing ground game.

Mughelli is an above-average lead blocker out of the I-formation and split I. Norwood should flourish as the third-down back, who will be a perimeter threat.

As Journal-Constitution staffer D. Orlando Ledbetter put it: "It's not hard to figure out the Falcons have a potentially dangerous 'inside-outside' combination with Turner and Norwood."

But make no mistake about it; an emphasis will be placed on the inside portion of that combo.

Mularkey's system, when he developed it in Pittsburgh (2001-02), was termed "Exotic Smashmouth," as he leavened the halfback options passes and tight end reverses with Jerome Bettis' domination between the tackles.

Turner will play the Bettis role -- one that will be of obvious interest to Fantasy owners. ...

While those directly involved are all expressing the requisite optimism, Wyche reminded readers there's no getting past the reality that the Falcons are starting from scratch after parting with tailback Warrick Dunn, tight end Alge Crumpler and left tackle Wayne Gandy.

In all, up to six positions could have new starters -- including QB.

I'll also kindly remind you again, folks were pretty optimistic this time last year about Petrino and his scheme, too. We all know how that worked out. ...

In a related note. ... Turner did not practice at last week's mini-camp as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. Pro Football Weekly, however, reports that he was in good enough shape and likely would have participated had it been a meeting of greater significance, like training camp. ...

Also of interest. ... Veteran wideout Joe Horn said earlier this month he was told by offensive coaches that the starting job "is mine to lose." However, Horn told reporters after the team's first mini-camp that second-year player Laurent Robinson could emerge as the starter alongside Roddy White.

Indeed, White and Robinson ran with the first team during those initial sessions.

But according to the Sports Xchange, Horn does not sound like a man wanting to spend potentially his last season in the NFL as a backup on a losing team helping groom younger players to make plays he feels he can make.

Though Horn said he would behave professionally and accept such a role, he doesn't seem like he'd be happy doing so.

"I'm not a hater. If I can still run with the young guys and I can still play, play me," Horn said. "I don't want to be making the money I make ($2.5 million) sitting on the sideline or backing a guy up. At the same time, I'm 36 years old and I know how it is.

"After 10 years, 12 years in this league if you don't know your role will diminish to bring younger guys along you're fooling yourself. You play your role and you make the team a better team by setting the example. You show them with your actions. ..."

It's worth noting the team's receivers, once considered a sore spot, now look like a strength with the development of White and Robinson working ahead of Horn and Michael Jenkins.

The group could receive a boost from Brian Finneran's return from injury. ...

In Baltimore. ... That didn't take long. The Ravens wasted little time in changing their emphasis from the retirement of quarterback Steve McNair to the pace and installation of a new offense.

According to Carroll County Times beat writer Aaron Wilson, several players said new head coach Jim Harbaugh has already challenged their physical endurance as well as their mental acumen as they try to adjust to his intense approach.

"Tough, tough," quarterback Troy Smith said. "Mentally, it's going to definitely challenge you. Physically, it's a different kind of tempo. We are reiterating a new common thought."

That change is intended to trigger a turnaround following a 5-11 campaign that cost Brian Billick his job after nine seasons. For Harbaugh, it's a case of putting his imprint on an organization that has won just one playoff game since winning Super Bowl XXXV.

"It's football practice, I don't think there's any big philosophy to it," Harbaugh said. "I think we're trying to get on the same page offensively and establish a tempo on offense.

"We're going to establish the fact that we're going to run to the ball on defense. Get the guys working together a little bit, the coaches working with the players and vice-versa."

That up-tempo approach will become the norm.

"Cam Cameron half-jokingly implied that we should get to the ball faster than our own defense, or any defense we face," said Derrick Mason, referring to the team's new offensive coordinator. "We want to be different than what this offense has been stereotyped the past 10 years."

If Harbaugh's first mini-camp was any indication, a faster pace will indeed be the order of the day. The offense jumped from drill to drill. There wasn't much time for walking.

"When we get out here, we're going drill to drill to drill," said Kyle Boller, who will battle Smith and first-round draft pick Joe Flacco for the starting quarterback position. "There is not any wasted time."

That's good. The Ravens don't have time to waste.

Under Cameron, Baltimore will run the West Coast offense, and the basic philosophy will apply. It's an offense predicated on short passes, which can be just as good as running plays.

But the Ravens will attack, instead of being attacked.

"Cam challenged us today to make the defense be the second best at running to the ball," Smith said. "We're going to do that, and the offense is going to hustle and make plays."

In fact, Cameron will make the no-huddle offense part of their package -- and it won't be used just in the last two minutes of a game.

The Ravens will use it just like Indianapolis and New England. They want to attack and not allow opposing defenses to get their situational personnel on the field. Many teams have used this tactic against the Ravens.

This is where Baltimore Sun staffer Mike Preston believes the loss of McNair might hurt. As a 13-year veteran, he had seen just about every defensive coverage in the NFL. He was good at reading and finding the check-down receivers.

Still, Harbaugh said that McNair's retirement won't alter the offense no matter who winds up running it.

"No, I think it's the same offense we're installing," the coach explained. "McNair was going to run the plays, but there are no changes."

Per Preston, Boller has always been too robotic and struggled inside the opponents' 20-yard line, where he has to make quicker decisions. Smith enters his second season as a pro after failing to dazzle when given a chance last season. The 6-7, 236-pound Flacco is an excellent long-range passer with great confidence -- and zero experience.

All three quarterbacks face a rather daunting task: Absorbing the terminology in Cameron's playbook will be a major challenge. It certainly won't happen overnight. ...

In Pittsburgh. ... On the first offensive huddle of the first practice of the Steelers' new season, No. 39 lined up at tailback behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Ed Bouchette, Willie Parker didn't do anything spectacular during that Tuesday session. ...

Unless you count the fact he was back on the field, running and cutting with the rest of his teammates.

"Right now I'm a little shaky," Parker said, "but I'm at full speed, cutting and all that stuff. If not 100 percent, I'm real close to it."

Parker added that the only lingering effect from the broken right leg he sustained December is the discomfort he sometimes experiences after running and working out.

In case you missed it, Parker led the NFL in rushing last season when, in the second-to-last game in St. Louis, the fibula in his right leg broke.

As Bouchette put it: "Head coach Mike Tomlin said they would run him until the wheels fell off and one of them did. ..."

The good news? A little more than a month ago, Parker ran a 4.4 for his trainers indoors.

"I didn't have the (stop) watch on him," Roethlisberger said with a grin when asked about the 40-yard dash time Parker ran, "but he's looking good, so you've got to believe him."

His coach, while planning to take it easy on Parker this spring, is encouraged with his progress.

"Willie has one speed," Tomlin said after conducting his first official spring workout. "That's what you love about him from a mentality standpoint, but we're not going to win games here April 21, so we're going to do the best we can to take care of him."Tomlin added that, "I expect him to be 100 percent, no doubt."

On Tuesday, Tomlin said his comment about running Parker until the wheels came off was made tongue-in-cheek.

That may be, but Parker ran 320 times in 14 games plus one more carry in the 15th (for 1,316 yards) when his right foot stuck in the artificial surface in St. Louis ("That turf was not that great," Parker said.)

He carried 658 times the past two Pro Bowl seasons for 2,810 yards. He has topped 1,200 yards in each of his three seasons as a starter, but the Steelers have made it clear they would like to find a banger to ease some of his workload.

"Do we need a stable of backs? Absolutely," Tomlin said. "If you look around this game there are a bunch of those kinds of backfields. We desire to be one of those and we think that we have some guys here right now that are capable of helping him carry the load."

So it came as no surprise to see team officials addressed that very issue on Saturday, when they picked Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd pick overall.

The 5-11, 210-pound Mendenhall boasts a low center of gravity and thick legs making him a punishing force running between the tackles. He should be a fine compliment to Parker, who has made it clear that he's on board with anything that might extend his career.

"That's a great thing," Parker said earlier in the week when asked about a possible backfield addition. "Last year I touched the ball a lot, a lot. To get somebody to split some things up, I think that would be a great thing. That would be something good for my career."

Meanwhile, Tomlin said the team will keep a close watch on Parker during the organized team activity and mini-camp practices that will be spread over May and June.

The Steelers likely will limit what the speedy back does during those practices just to be cautious. It's safe to say, however, Parker will be pushing himself.

In fact, as Pittsburgh Tribune-Review beat man Scott Brown suggested, given how accomplished he is -- Parker has rushed for more than 1,300 yards in back-to-back seasons -- and the severity of the injury he suffered, it seemed logical to ask the fifth-year professional why he even bothered to suit up for a practice in April.

"I want to be the best," said Parker. "And this is what it takes. ..."

In Buffalo. ... Last season, then-rookie Trent Edwards got his share of locker-room ribbing from veteran teammates. According to BuffaloBills.com staffer Chris Brown, a good portion of the needling was directed at Edwards' arms, which Brown suggests, "were not exactly Gatling guns."

But now after an offseason of NFL training those jokes are likely to stop.

Buffalo's starting quarterback has added 10 pounds of lean muscle to his frame since the end of last season and came into the team's offseason conditioning program noticeably bigger and stronger through his upper body.

Edwards had trouble keeping weight on his rookie season, and it showed by the end of the year.

"I lost a lot of weight during the season," he said. "I was down around 210 pounds going into the Philly game."

But now Edwards is a solid looking 226 pounds, though he claims some of it is "offseason weight."

Even though Edwards is still striving to make the majority of his 226 pounds muscle, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has to be happy with where Edwards is at this point in the offseason.

"Turk wants me at about 225 pounds so I'm better able to take hits," Edwards said.

With extra muscle on Edwards' frame, Brown believes the second-year man likely be able to withstand more punishment through the course of the season, and have the strength to escape from the clutches of NFL defensive ends at times as well.

The only thing Edwards is guarding against is sacrificing one asset to improve another.

"Now that I've added the muscle I have to work to maintain my flexibility, speed and quickness," he said. "I don't want to lose that."

And while that will be another challenge for Edwards to deal with through the remainder of the offseason, just having the opportunity to immerse himself in an NFL conditioning program for the first time has paid off in a big way.

It leaves Edwards feeling better equipped physically for Sundays.

"I'm physically more ready to take on this season as opposed to last season," he said. "I've made strides within this offensive system and have made strides in the weight room that will physically allow me to perform at a much higher level this year. ..."

Needless to say, that's not good news for J.P. Losman, who asked to be traded earlier this year. Team officials don't seem to be interested in such a move even though his contract expires after the 2008 season.

A five-year pro and former No. 1 pick who lost his starting job to Edwards last year, Losman still has value. He's young (27) and has experience (31 starts).

And, as the Xchange suggests, if given one more chance, perhaps Losman finally fulfills the potential Buffalo saw in him when they made him the 22nd overall pick in 2004. At the very least, his presence will push Edwards. ...

Also according to PFW, one of the more pressing issues confronting the Bills is making sure they re-sign receiver Lee Evans before he enters the free-agent fray next offseason.

From his on-field talent to his locker-room leadership to his role as the only dependable pass catcher on the roster, PFW contends Evans may very well be the single most indispensable Bill.

Despite putting up only decent production numbers, Evans is viewed as a premier receiver by those around the league and would command a deal commensurate with some of the game's elite wideouts on the open market.

Buffalo is judicious with high-end contracts, but a team insider told PFW there's no doubt they'll pony up the cash to keep Evans in Buffalo, even if it doesn't happen until deep into the '08 season. ...

In Green Bay. ... Talk about a dude who can't catch a break. Aaron Rodgers couldn't have been pleased when Packers officials selected Brian Brohm late in the second round Saturday.

According to NFL.com, the team was looking to add a little competition to this year's training camp in order to motivate Brett Favre's successor.

This, of course, assumes the monumental task of replacing the legendary Favre won't provide motivation enough.

Still, there's no real reason to believe that Brohm's arrival means the Packers aren't every bit as confident in Rodgers as they've claimed since Favre announced his retirement.

Indeed, Rodgers has managed to gain the respect of at least one knowledgeable observer who hasn't been on board since day one.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Bob Wolfley reminded readers this past week that Ron Jaworski of ESPN didn't think much of Rodgers' talent when the Packers picked him No. 24 overall in the 2005 draft.

But based on Rodgers' time as a reserve and what he observed of Rodgers in the 2007 exhibition season and against the Cowboys in the regular season, Jaworski has upgraded Rodgers.

"I think he has gotten better, and I give him a legitimate shot of doing a solid job of replacing Brett Favre," Jaworski said Tuesday afternoon.

But Jaworski added that Green Bay would be "wise" to find an experienced veteran quarterback to aid Rodgers in his development. The Packers had just such a veteran, Daunte Culpepper, in for a visit this week.

"I think there is a relationship a quarterback develops with a veteran-type quarterback," the former Eagles signal caller added.

Jaworski recalled that he was not overwhelmed by Rodgers in the 2005 draft.

"To be quite honest with you, if you think back to the draft, I was not a big Rodgers guy," Jaworski said. "I liked him. I didn't love him. I thought it was a little bit of a reach in the first round when the Packers went and got him. ... At that time, I did not see a lot of throws that projected to him having success in the National Football League.

"But I believe he has benefited tremendously from playing behind Brett Favre, learning this offensive system, getting the reps in practice, kind of the old school way quarterbacks used to be developed. There was a wily old veteran in front of you. You sat the bench for a couple of years. You learned your trade.

"So by the time you got on the field you really understood your offense.

"So my grading of him has gone up. ... Hard to say you are ever going to replace Brett Favre. But [Rodgers] is going into a situation where they have a solid offensive line, excellent wide receivers, a very good running game and now a defense he can lean on.

"He will not have to win the game by himself. ..."

In a semi-related note. ... Despite the fact that he jokingly (or not?) told David Letterman this week that "something's bound to happen" once training camp opens this summer, Favre's retirement is now as official as it will ever be.

In a move designed to clear more roster space before the draft, the Packers placed the former QB on the team's reserve/retired list Friday afternoon.

"Both Mike McCarthy and I have spoken to Brett over the past several days," GM Ted Thompson said in a statement. "Brett knew this change in his roster status was coming, and he fully understood our need to make the move in advance of the NFL Draft."

And what about the fact that Favre hasn't turned in his official retirement papers?

The NFL does not require a letter for a player to be placed in a reserve/retired status. So, if Favre wants to return to the Packers, he will have to petition commissioner Roger Goodell of his intentions. Goodell would have to approve the move.

Also, the Packers will continue to have the rights to Favre, so if he wanted to play for another team the Packers would have to trade him. ...

Also in Green Bay. ... Ryan Grant, who still hasn't signed his $370,000 exclusive rights free agent qualifying offer, told the Journal-Sentinel this week that he does not envision a scenario in which he would hold out of training camp.

"No, I don't see it at that point, but right now that has nothing to do with where we're at," Grant said.

Grant is looking for a longer, far more lucrative deal after he rushed for 956 yards and averaged 5.1 yards a carry despite being the team's primary halfback for only the final nine games of the season.

And as I've previously suggested, the Packers are obviously interested in maintaining as much offensive continuity as possible after Favre's retirement.

Look for team officials to do what they can -- within reason -- to keep Grant happy. His approach to the situation will certainly help his cause. ...

In a semi-related note. ... When asked recently by a team insider which player he thought would improve the most from last season to this season, McCarthy quickly mentioned Brandon Jackson.

McCarthy loved the way Jackson grew into the team's third-down role down the stretch in '07, and he also envisions Jackson as one of the key performers on special teams. ...

In Denver. ... The Broncos have loaded up on second-tier receivers in the hope that one of them will emerge as their No. 2 wideout, so they can keep Brandon Stokley in his natural position, which is the slot.

However, sources told PFW the recent run on pass catchers could also be a sign of the club's growing concern about Brandon Marshall as he recovers from the severe arm injury he suffered last month.

Denver signed veteran Darrell Jackson earlier this month, and he will compete with another offseason signee, Keary Colbert, to start opposite Marshall.

The Broncos also signed former Chief Samie Parker, but he's a long shot to get a starting nod. The same goes for incoming rookie Eddie Royal, picked in the second round Saturday.

Marshall, who suffered lacerations to an artery, vein, nerve and tendons when he put his arm through a television while wrestling with his brother, is expected to miss three or four months while he rehabs.

Marshall was adamant that he'd be ready for training camp, but PFW advises readers it could be a more difficult comeback than he once thought. Now Denver has some insurance at receiver, should Marshall be out longer than anticipated.

In Oakland. ... Head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters on Thursday that JaMarcus Russell has been hard at work this offseason.

"He's having a phenomenal offseason," Kiffin stated. "He came back 10, 11 days before we even started. So he was with our coaches and with our strength staff before everybody else got back here five weeks ago and he hasn't missed a thing since.

"Most the guys are really here three, four hours a day. He's here about five-and-a-half, six hours a day."

Interesting. ... That certainly runs contrary to the reports suggesting Russell's absence from team headquarters -- and that his weight had shot up above 300 pounds -- since the end of last season.

In fact, Kiffin claims that conditioning won't be an issue at all.

"By far he's in the best shape since I've seen him, even if you go back to his pro day at college," the coach said. ...

Of course, we'll all be able to see for ourselves when Oakland hits the field for their post-draft mini-camp. ...

And finally this week, in Ohio. ... The Browns last appeared on "Monday Night Football" in 2003. They will be on MNF three times this year -- at home against the Giants Oct. 13, in Buffalo Nov. 17 and in Philadelphia Dec. 15.

They also host the Steelers in a Sunday night game Sept. 14 and the Broncos in a Thursday night game Nov. 6.

And Dayton Daily News staffer Chick Ludwig reports that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer can't understand what the Browns did to deserve all the prime-time exposure.

"I was as shocked as anybody to see that because they're still a ways away from being a ..."

Palmer's voice tailed off.

"They weren't even in the playoffs," he said.

"I think it's a lot of hype early," Palmer said. "Just like every year, there's hype around one or two teams early. It'll fizzle out once they start playing games."

Does he mean like they did in Cincinnati last year?

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.