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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... Those looking for a brief respite from the all the off-field shenanigans (for those who haven't been following along, Marshawn Lynch's hit-and-run case is about wrap up; Javon Walker was beaten and robbed in Las Vegas; Ahmad Bradshaw is spending 30 days in jail; and Chad Johnson's sudden about face have been of primary interest this past week) have come to the right place.

I'm not saying all the craziness these kids get into isn't exciting; I'm just saying it's nice to dig into a little football-related news on occasion. So let's do that, eh?

In fact, let's get a little better informed about some quarterbacks.

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Philadelphia, where the Eagles and Donovan McNabb continue to brush off the veteran signal caller's sore shoulder.

An MRI on the shoulder was negative and the Eagles maintain the condition, which head coach Andy Reid characterized as tendinitis, will keep him from throwing for at least two weeks, is not serious.

McNabb has echoed that sentiment, saying, "It's not a big deal."

The Eagles won't restrict McNabb from throwing until training camp unless the injury gets worse. Indeed, McNabb thinks he can throw before the two weeks of prescribed rest are up.

"The shoulder is just tight," McNabb told Philadelphia Inquirer staffer Bob Brookover. "We did the right thing by making sure we were cautious with it and continuing to stretch and rehab. Everything is fine now."

One team source told Brookover last week that if McNabb were a baseball player, he'd have spent 15 days on the disabled list and returned.

"I don't know if it would have been 15 days," McNabb said. "I think it would have been two or three days. If I had to play today, I could. For all the fake doctors and analysts, my body is fine."

Still, Pro Football Weekly suggests there is legitimate reason for concern.

McNabb has had similar pain before, suffering tendinitis in his throwing shoulder in 2004. The team also made him rest then, but McNabb has a long recent injury history, which has caused him to miss 15 games with different ailments over the past three seasons.

The last time McNabb was healthy for an entire season, in 2004, the Eagles played in the Super Bowl. The coaching staff feels this team has a chance to make it again this season, but losing McNabb would obviously throw a wrench into those plans.

The good news? McNabb plans to return to his home in Chandler, Ariz., and continue his off-season usual workout plan.

He said the primary focus will be on throwing the football.

"I'm good now," he said. "Where I go from here is I continue to train and I continue to work out hard in the weight room and on the field. Right now, it's more field stuff for me. I can go out and throw patterns and get that timing and my arm where it needs to be so when I get to training camp, there's no looking back."

As usual, McNabb said he has invited his teammates, particularly his receiving corps, to join him for workouts in Arizona.

"That's in mid-July, right before camp," he said. "For me, it's important because we're going right into camp, and we've already been working on different things. The thing I like the most about it is the bonding. I've been out there eight years, and I've always felt we built chemistry out there."

Because the team's attempts to land the high-end playmaker (they were close to signing Randy Moss and reportedly tried to trade for Larry Fitzgerald and Roy Williams) fell short, McNabb will once again rely on Brian Westbrook and an otherwise limited supporting cast.

So, with all due respect to Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, working with a rather nondescript group at wideout makes that chemistry even more important.

Fortunately, McNabb has proven to be more than capable of posting solid Fantasy totals even with a less-than-impressive supporting cast. ...

In Washington. ... The Redskins still are in the early stages of learning head coach Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast offense and Jason Campbell has plenty of homework.

"I'm the leader of this team, the quarterback of the team, and I've got to set an example," Campbell said. "My first goal is always team success, and if I'm going to lead this team to the type of success we want, that I know we can have, then I'm going to have to put in all the time it takes."

As Washington Post staffer Jason Reid recently noted, after three seasons in the NFL, Campbell hopes to establish himself among the elite starting quarterbacks.

Reid went on to remind readers Campbell has shown flashes of the potential that prompted the Redskins to select him with the 25th overall pick in first round of the 2005 draft. But numerous factors out of his control -- having to learn three offensive systems, conservative game plans, losing key members of the offense because of injuries and a dislocated left kneecap that cut short his 2007 season -- have affected Campbell's career.

They have certainly had an impact on his contract situation.

NFL teams often move quickly to extend the contracts of young quarterbacks on the rise because of the importance of the position. And if teams wait to sign franchise quarterbacks, it could cost them more to retain them.

Although Redskins officials have privately expressed optimism that Campbell will have a breakthrough season under Zorn, they apparently need more time to evaluate before coming up with a big-money deal.

Campbell did not appear in a game in his rookie season. He made his first start in a regular season game during Week 10 in 2006, and he started the first 13 games last season before injuring his kneecap against Chicago.

He finished the season with 2,700 yards passing while completing 60 percent of his passes. Campbell had 12 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 77.6 passer rating.

Campbell made strides from his first shortened season as a starter, but with only 20 starts in his career, the Redskins are taking a wait-and-see approach.

"I figure that's what they probably want to do," Campbell said. "They probably want to take a look at how this year goes with a new offense and a new system. At the same time, every time you have a new system, you really can't judge a person in the first year of it."

The pass-oriented offense of former play-caller Al Saunders, now with St. Louis, was predicated on timing and rhythm and numbers were used in play calling. Timing is a component of Zorn's offense as well, but the pace is much quicker than that of Saunders's and words are used instead of numbers.

"Now I'm in Coach Zorn's offense. It's a different offense and you have to do different things, and this is another change for me after only 20 games. Now I have to change my whole mind-set again and go back and learn something new.

"That's fine.

"That's what I'm doing because that's what I have to do for my team and my career, but that doesn't mean it's easy. And for a guy who has to make that change so many times, I feel good about what I've done. I think I've shown what type of quarterback I can be."

Well. ... Actually he hasn't. And that's a problem for Fantasy owners who must go with consistent producers at the position -- even if they don't draft their QBs early.

But, if you're an owner who likes to take a chance on developing players with upside to serve as backups at key spot, Campbell just might be your guy.

Remember: Zorn developed a reputation as an outstanding teacher while working with Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace in Seattle, as well as with rookie Charlie Batch when Zorn was with Detroit.

And the development of Campbell is clearly still a priority for the Redskins.

While another change of schemes will slow that development a bit, the addition of three new receiving weapons (all in the second round) in April's draft might offer a clue as to management's long-term expectations for Campbell. ...

In Minnesota. ... According to Minneapolis Star-Tribune staffer Judd Zulgad, Tarvaris Jackson was running an 11-on-11 drill during a recent mini-camp workout when the defense sent a blitz.

Last season in this same set of drills, Jackson looked lost. This time, Zulgad notes that the young quarterback calmly surveyed the field and completed a short pass to Chester Taylor.

Yes, it's far too early to get overly excited about Jackson's development as he enters his second season as a starter.

Still, the Vikings had to consider this a step in the right direction.

"It's like night and day," said Jackson. "Compared to this time last year, I feel like a whole different quarterback, really. Running plays, poised, knowing the system, and just being more confident. ... Things are much slower. I'm seeing things a lot better."

Coaches agree.

"I think he's better in every area from this time last year to where he is now," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "He's made great improvements, and that's a credit to him and how hard he's wanted to work to get better."

Even with an 8-4 record as the starter last year, Jackson knows the doubters are out there.

"People are going to say what they want to say. It's their job to analyze things and to give their opinion of our team," Jackson said. "My job is to go out there and prove them wrong. That's how I look at it. It's just extra motivation. That's all it is. Things like that kind of help me out, get me over the top."

While it's difficult to gauge Jackson's progress in the offense during unpadded mini-camp workouts, teammates say they see a more confident, comfortable quarterback.

Receiver Bobby Wade watched Jackson struggle with the job early, miss some time to injury and show improvement as last season drew to a close.

"He kind of had a taste of what it's going to be like in a career for a quarterback to get knocked down and have to get back up, have to still find a way to win games, find a way to manage games and lead a team," Wade said. "It's the hardest position on the field, but you can definitely see his confidence in his ability and also the confidence that the team shows him."

Jackson threw for 1,911 yards, nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions and completed 58.2 percent of his passes last year. Those numbers are expected to be much better in his second full season as a starter and with the addition of Bernard Berrian and the continued presence of Adrian Peterson.

But more than numbers, the Vikings need Jackson to assume the leadership role that comes with playing the marquee position in sports.

Bevell said he had to prod Jackson about that at times last season, but can see a difference this time around.

"I don't even have to talk to him about that. I can see he's more confident," Bevell said. "He has a little bit of a swagger to him. He has a good command of stepping into the huddle, and those are the things we like."

Another thing to like?

Speaking on ESPN recently, former Vikings receiver Cris Carter called Minnesota's receivers in 2007 "the worst in 20 years."

As the Star-Tribune suggests, that won't be the case this year with the additions that have been made, including Berrian, and the added experience of last year's rookies, Sidney Rice and Aundrae Allison.

A high-end offensive line and arguably the best young running back in the league, Peterson, offer further reason for optimism. ...

In a related note. ... According to PFW, the Vikings aren't ready to give up on tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, and he reportedly has slimmed down to 243 pounds after playing last season at or above 250.

Though run blocking is a key component of the position in this offense, Vikings tight ends will be expected to produce in the passing game, too. The team's tight ends -- if you include Jeff Dugan (who also can play fullback) -- caught only 40 passes combined last season (27 by Shiancoe), but the coaches would like that number to be at least 60 or higher this season.

PFW added that some observers believe former Patriot Garrett Mills, who caught two passes in the season finale, could be a surprise performer at the position. ...

In Arizona. ... Following up on an item in a previous Notebook, ESPN.com's Mike Sando -- after watching the Cardinals recently-concluded mini-camp -- advised readers this week that Kurt Warner isn't content settling for the backup job behind Matt Leinart, but the veteran probably doesn't have a choice in the matter.

That's because Sando believes head coach Ken Whisenhunt remains committed to Leinart.

The decision makes sense -- at least in some regards.

Young quarterbacks sometimes need three seasons to flourish in an NFL system. Leinart has started 16 games as a pro, and 11 of those came under previous coach Dennis Green. Leinart struggled out of the gate last season, posting a 61.9 QB rating through five games before missing the remainder of the season with a broken left collarbone.

As a 2006 first-round pick, Leinart needs more experience to grow into the role. Sando believes the former first-round pick played the part more convincingly at mini-camps.

But it's still hard to argue with Sando's previous contention that Warner might be the third-best quarterback in the NFC West.

All of which is simply further proof that opportunity, circumstances, youth and money are all major factors when it comes to gauging Fantasy value.

Whisenhunt has shown he's not afraid to change quarterbacks to help the team, but for now Leinart appears to have strengthened his hold on the position.

My suggestion?

I'm not a huge fan of handcuffing during Fantasy drafts. But I would argue that whoever is under center for the Cardinals is going to be reasonably productive. That being the case, those looking to take advantage of an aggressive passing attack featuring two of the league's best and most productive wideouts, might want to consider a three-QB approach.

In one recent draft, I selected what I consider to be a top-5 QB (Drew Brees) and followed up by adding Leinart and Warner both later on. I consider it a solid strategy assuming you have the roster flexibility to pull it off. ...

In a semi-related note. ... The Cardinals aren't sure which wideout will fill the void at No. 3 receiver left by Bryant Johnson, who bolted to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin remain the starters. But it's becoming increasingly apparent that Steve Breaston, a fifth-round choice in 2007, made a strong push in mini-camps for consideration as the new third receiver.

In addition to Sando's belief that Breaston is the early favorite to land the No. 3 spot, PFW recently advised readers that after adding five pounds to his slight frame and working hard with Cardinals strength and conditioning coach John Lott to build up his upper body and become more of a physical force, Breaston has probably been the team's offensive star so far this offseason.

Rookie Early Doucet, a third-round choice from LSU, is another candidate for the job. According to Sando Doucet looks a bit like Boldin in terms of body type and the way he moves. But rookie receivers tend to have a hard time producing right away.

Meanwhile, it's safe to say that more than any receiver, Breaston took advantage of the extra reps that came his way with Boldin skipping mini-camp and Jerheme Urban resting a foot injury. ...

In San Francisco. ... Head coach Mike Nolan, whose job might depend on whom he chooses as the 49ers' No. 1 quarterback, said he's seeing Alex Smith "do things that I haven't seen him do before, in practice or in games."

An example is that, during the team's voluntary workouts, he's getting the ball to receivers more quickly in blitz situations rather relying on his protection to save the play.

"Alex is very athletic," Nolan said. "He probably has the strongest arm of all the guys. He's really intelligent. Now he's got to go in there and put in four quarters and move the ball consistently and make plays he should make."

Given Smith's physical advantages, is it fair to say he has an edge at this point?

"I wouldn't go there right now," Nolan said. "For one, I don't have to go there."

As San Francisco Chronicle staffer Tom FitzGerald reminded readers this week, challenger Shaun Hill tends to play better in games than he shows in practice. It would appear that's still the case.

"Shaun's been OK in practice, but he's that type of player," Nolan said.

To which, Hill said, "I'm not sure that's a good thing when you're trying to win a job on the practice field."

The other challenger, newcomer J.T. O'Sullivan, hasn't been given many chances to run the team in the no-pads workouts, in which contact is limited and the offense has a decided advantage over the defense.

O'Sullivan, however, is in the mix as well, Nolan said. "He's probably as competitive as anybody we've had around here. He knows the offense. He has an advantage from a knowledge standpoint because he's been in it a year already (in Detroit last season)."

According to FitzGerald, Nolan likes O'Sullivan's spirit, especially when he's getting on a teammate to perform a play correctly. "Every time he's in there, if the play is not exactly right, you can see he wants it exactly right." On the other hand, the coach said, "I know the least about him."

Before training camp opens July 24, Nolan, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner will have to decide how they want to apportion each quarterback's time with the first unit during the workouts.

Nolan said they'll need to do that to lend some "continuity and consistency, not just for the quarterbacks but the guys who are listening to the cadence. ... If they're getting a different quarterback all the time, it's hard for them as well."

He cautioned against reading too much into who takes the most snaps with the first unit, however. The job will go to the player who performs the best at practices and in the preseason games.

The coach insisted he's comfortable going into training camp for the first time with an unsettled quarterback situation.

He admitted he previously might have been living in "la-la-land" in believing that, in Smith, he had a settled situation. He thinks any of the three players could win a game. "I like our situation better now than any time I've been here," he said.

So while I'd go ahead and pencil Smith in as the early favorite, it will be a genuine competition. ...

In Chicago. ... Head coach Lovie Smith is prepared to let Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton compete for the team's starting spot until the fourth and last game of the preseason, though he's hoping it doesn't come to that.

"Ideally you would like to have someone in place going into that last week of the preseason," Smith said earlier this month. "But we'll just let it play out. If it's not clear by then, we'll let it go right up until [preseason's end]."

The Bears' last two preseason games are at home against San Francisco on Aug. 21 and at Cleveland on Aug. 28.

Asked about the situation again on Wednesday, Smith called the battle tied after mini-camp and organized team activities.

In other words, the competition for the No. 1 spot will resume in earnest when training camp opens on July 22.

"I think right now it is highly competitive," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "They both have done a great job doing what we ask them to do up to this point."

Orton anticipates the battle to last late into the preseason.

"The offseason makes everybody better, and I think we've both improved as players," Orton said.

The competition should be intense. At stake beyond starting quarterback is the future for both players, especially Grossman, who's signed only through 2008.

Grossman, who led the Bears to the Super Bowl, signed a one-year deal for $3 million with a possible $1.5 million more in incentives in February. The Bears extended Orton's contract one year through 2009 for a possible $5 million including incentives, and $1.6 million in bonus money.

"I think anybody going into their last year of their contract or signing a one-year deal, it's added pressure on them to have a good season," Grossman said in his first news conference since signing his one-year deal. "And I'm excited about the opportunities if that were the case.

"Who knows what's going to happen? I've got one thing in mind: that's having a good season this year."

In off-season practices and in training camp, the Bears will alternate first-team snaps between the two.

"I think it's the only fair way to evaluate them -- to let them both have an opportunity to play and work with the No. 1 offense," Smith said.

Of course, one of the big concerns heading into the season is how the receiving corps will cope with losing Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad.

But Chicago Tribune staffer Vaughn McClure reports that veteran tight end Desmond Clark thinks it will do just fine with the additions of Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker.

"Marty Booker, he still has it," Clark told McClure. "I guess they were saying that Brandon Lloyd was a disappointment in Washington, but he has been our best receiver during OTAs. I probably haven't seen a smoother receiver since I've been in the NFL -- with the way he runs his routes, gets out of his breaks and catches the ball.

"I'm looking for big things from him."

I'll go ahead and remind you the knock on Lloyd has always been his inability to transfer his impressive work on the practice field to Sundays, when the snaps actually mean something.

Meanwhile, Chicago Sun-Times staffer Brad Biggs advised readers this week that Devin Hester made as much progress as anyone in the 10-week off-season program, a good sign for an offense desperate for a gamebreaker.

Tribune staffer David Haugh agreed with all the above, suggesting that Lloyd and Hester have looked like "the most legitimate, dangerous NFL wide receivers the Bears have."

If that trend continues once the pads go on July 24, Mark Bradley may go from being the guy the team thought could be its No. 1 wideout to someone just hoping to make the roster. ...

One last item here. ... As I have previously noted, the Bears are prepared to roll with rookie Matt Forte and the running backs on their roster, despite the decision to cut starter Cedric Benson following two off-season alcohol-related arrests.

It's unlikely the Bears will be in the market for a free agent running back, even with veterans like Shaun Alexander and Ron Dayne seeking jobs.

"We don't have any plans to do that," Smith confirmed on Wednesday. "From Matt to Adrian Peterson to Garrett Wolfe, to P.J. Pope, Matt Lawrence, we like all of our players and those are the ones that we're going with. ..."

In Oakland. ... According to Sacramento Bee staffer Jason Jones, JaMarcus Russell plans to rest a bit between the end of organized team activities (this past week) and the start of training camp July 25. But the Raiders' second-year quarterback says he knows some will monitor his waistline more than his on-field progress this offseason.

"You can only rest for so much," Russell said with a laugh. "Let people tell it, I might get back up to 300 pounds."

Though rumors about Russell's conditioning swirled (he's listed at 255 pounds), he grew as an offensive leader this offseason.

Head coach Lane Kiffin said his starter continues to improve in all areas of his game.

"Right now, he's just really working so hard off the field as well as on the field," Kiffin said. "The way that the team is responding to him as you talk to different players, their feelings about him, they're ready to get behind him and go."

Some of Russell's progress can be attributed to time he puts in away from team headquarters, even if it can be mentally draining.

"Week by week I get everything, away from the time that we're here, I have it on DVD and I watch it at home myself," Russell said. "Everything – run steps or pass settings, or anything that I can become good at, I just go home and look over myself."

Next month's training camp will be his first. Russell missed training camp as a rookie because of prolonged contract talks that stretched into Week 2 of the 2007 season.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff has high hopes.

After relying heavily on shorter-range passes last year, the Raiders are gearing up for the Russell era by installing a number of plays to take advantage of his strong arm (and the additional offensive weapons added in recent months). The goal is a more dynamic, less predictable offense.

But as Contra Costa Times staffer Steve Corkran recently suggested, it's going to take time for things to come together. ...

In Baltimore. ... With about a month left before training camp, much must be sorted out with the Ravens' passing game. Of primary interest: There is no clear-cut starting quarterback; rookie Joe Flacco, young Troy Smith and veteran Kyle Boller all have fighting shots at the job.

But according to SI.com's Don Banks, Smith has made huge strides this spring and has passed Boller as the odds-on favorite to be the Ravens opening-day starter.

Banks went on to advise readers that Smith can still struggle with his accuracy on some throws, but he has excited Ravens decision-makers with his rapid development after starting the final two games of 2007, and it's understood that there will be no real competition between him and Boller in camp.

New coordinator Cam Cameron has infused Smith's game with plenty of plays that get him moving around and throwing on the run, in part to better utilize his athleticism and minimize the problems the 6-foot Smith has in finding clear throwing lanes at the line of scrimmage.

"When Cam was head coach at Indiana, he coached Antwaan Randle-El (at quarterback) and made him maybe the most dangerous player in college football," a Ravens source told Banks. "We're doing some very exciting things with Troy Smith, and he's much better than people are expecting."

Which Banks notes, is the same optimistic sentiment that Ravens insiders are quietly expressing about Flacco, the team's first-round pick this year.

Ravens sources told Banks that Flacco never makes the same mistake twice, and at this early date has already exhibited a good command of Cameron's offense.

According to Carroll County Times staffer Patrick Stoetzer, Flacco looked sharp enough in a Wednesday workout -- especially in red-zone drills and while throwing crossing patterns and a few designed rollouts. The 6-6, 235-pounder seemed eager to get through his time off and get training camp started.

"I've just got to stay in shape, get stronger, get faster and learn the offense better," he said. "It's going to take a lot of hard work. It should be fun getting ready to go into the next month."

Banks added: "If he looks solid in camp and puts together a quality preseason, prepare for the Start Flacco Now campaign to be off and running.

"And the movement may have backers among the Ravens coaching staff and front office. ..."

And finally this week in Denver we have a follow-up on some non-QB related news. ... Being in the business of collecting and disseminating news and information of interest to a specific and well-defined audience, I've never complained about an overabundance of said intelligence.

Until now. ...

As reported in last week's Notebook, Brandon Marshall is set to return from a severe right arm injury in which he lacerated an artery, vein, nerve, two tendons and three muscles.

But in an unusual and colorful way Thursday, Marshall let it be known that his right hand isn't fully healthy.

"I can do everything with my right hand that I was doing before the accident but I'm still wiping my butt with my left hand," Marshall said. "It's not as strong. My right hand is not as strong."

Thanks for that Brandon.

If not for the update itself, at least for allowing me an opportunity -- for the first time ever -- to say: Dude, too much information. ...

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.