Although the hailstorm of hard news we saw in the wake of last month's new collective bargaining agreement -- and the subsequent rash of free-agent signings -- is giving way to more speculative info surrounding the upcoming NFL Draft, there's still plenty of fuel to stoke the Fantasy Notebook's fire. ...

Starting in Detroit where Rod Marinelli opened a voluntary three-day mini-camp on Tuesday -- his first interaction with the full squad since being named Detroit's head coach -- stressing good fundamentals and habits. He also made it clear that nobody on the roster gets a free pass.

As receiver Mike Williams put it: "There's no government jobs here. I've got to do my part to get my position. ..."

He's not alone. It would appear that everybody is on the hot seat as the new staff started their tenure at the most basic levels.

According to Booth Newspapers staffer Tom Kowalski, the coaching staff considerable time -- 40 minutes during every practice -- working on the small details and fundamentals of each position.

It can become boring and mundane for the players, but the coaches had a different view.

"Yeah, I know (it's boring), but I really think it's awesome," Marinelli said. "If you talk to [offensive line coach Larry Beightol] or you talk to (new offensive coordinator) Mike Martz, they'll tell you it's the best part of the whole day. They'll ask if they can get 42 minutes and I say, `No, it's 40.'

"The biggest part of the fundamentals is understanding how it fits into the system. We'll be working faster and cleaner."

Team president Matt Millen shares that view. He hired Marinelli because of his leadership ability and also his unwavering belief that hard work and solid fundamentals are the key to winning football games.

"It's just details; it's the stuff we've talked about all offseason. It's all fundamental stuff, guys staying low, paying attention to their footwork, how they break, how they get in and out of their cut, it's all the little fundamentals that make football. You can see the difference in two days," Millen said. "You become what you repeatedly do. ..."

Williams said the coaches had made it clear it was their way or the highway. He said there was "no. B.S." with Marinelli.

"If he doesn't see what he likes, he's going to let me know, and that's how it should be," he said. "I think there was a lot of leeway last year, not only with me and the things I didn't do, but with a lot of guys. There's a different group here, and it's not going to be tolerated. ...

"It's a brotherhood, and we're going to go by the fastest and the strongest, and whoever is not up to that pace, they're going to get rid of in one way or another. I think everybody gets the message, and the ones that don't get the message will weed themselves out."

There's no doubt about that.

Asked late last month how he might handle a player complaint, Marinelli replied: "I would just say, 'Men, I appreciate your wisdom and everything you're trying to tell me. But you're like elevator music to me. You're singing it, and I ain't listening.' I go into an elevator, and there's music on sometimes. I could never tell you what the music is because I don't listen."

It's also safe to assume Marinelli won't be pulling any punches when addressing concerns.

After last week's initial sessions, the new coach told reporters he was pleased with the players' desire but still wanted a faster pace and more precision. "I want a glittering display of execution every day," he explained. "That's what I'm looking for.

"Every day. And if it's not, I'm not happy. ..."

Kowalski advised readers Marinelli and his coaching staff have no interest in making friends with his players or the media.

In fact, Kowalski went on to suggest that -- compared to recent Lions mini-camps -- there was a remarkable difference in tempo, intensity and volume during the first 45 minutes of Tuesday's first workout. The rest of that workout, when the Lions were in "team" drills, was off limits to the media.

"It was the first day and I wanted to give the coaches a chance to be themselves," Marinelli said.

Despite the somewhat limited access, Kowalski stressed the changes were evident from the very beginning -- starting with the stretching period at the start of practice. In previous years, the strength and conditioning coaches were largely ignored as they went through the progression of stretches. Some players followed along, but most had their own regimen while others didn't bother to stretch at all.

On Tuesday, every player was lined up and following all of the instructions.

During individual drills, the players were always on the move, with every detail being monitored. The coaching staff shouted encouragement to the players, but there were also some jabs.

"I want them to understand the tempo," Marinelli said. "The most important thing was to get things established.

Williams said the players are feeding off the intensity from the new coaches -- even when they're screaming, cursing and demanding.

"There's a brand new energy in the front office," he said. "I see guys go upstairs and hang out in the coaches offices and last year it wasn't like that.

"It's a different attitude now."

That certainly appeared to be the case this past week -- both on and off the field.

According to Detroit News reporter Mike O'Hara, it was more than a symbolic gesture that Dre' Bly walked the length of the locker room to kid Josh McCown about his leaping ability on the basketball court.

"He's 'White Chocolate,'" Bly said. "The guy can jump."

It was all in good fun, but it had meaning, too.

The quarterback position, which has divided the Lions for so many years, could be a position that brings it together.

McCown and Jon Kitna signed as free agents two days apart last month, are competing for the starting job held by Joey Harrington for most of the last four years.

There is a slight edge to Kitna, mostly because of experience and the basic fact that somebody has to work with the first unit. Marinelli, however, stressed the comments he made two weeks ago indicating Kitna had the lead on the starting job were misinterpreted.

"The way it was asked is not the way I wanted to answer it," Marinelli said. "I'm going to answer it again. We don't have a starter right now. Somebody's got to take the first rep is what I said. So I'm going to let them take their reps. Let it work it out."

What will decide who starts, and who has the inside track?

"Accuracy, command, leadership, command of the offense, moving the football team," Marinelli said. "Inside track, I don't know. We're just getting them all out there and working them."

Meanwhile, based on this week's sessions the Lions are already showing signs of a much-needed attitude adjustment. That was apparent in Bly's relationship with McCown.

As O'Hara reminded readers, Bly never warmed to Harrington and blamed him publicly last year for the firing of former coach Steve Mariucci.

In the one month that Kitna and McCown have been in town, O'Hara reports relationships have developed with the quarterbacks that were missing in other years.

Williams told reporters on Tuesday he's already spending time with Kitna and McCown that he never did last year with Harrington and Jeff Garcia.

"Jeff was older, and Joey was Joey," Williams said. "You're around guys. You joke with them. It's different when you're around guys outside of work.

"You get to know what they're about. To my knowledge, it's never really been like that."

Meanwhile, there is a long process ahead before Marinelli selects a starter. The competition won't crank up in earnest until this summer, but McCown and Kitna still wanted to make a good early impression this past week.

And they both enjoy running Martz's system.

"I'm one who likes a challenge mentally as well as physically," Kitna said. "He challenges you with the system. I love every minute of it."

Kitna has been told he will working with the No. 1 group, but that doesn't guarantee anything.

"That's what they said, right now you're the guy in the huddle," Kitna said. "When we go to the number ones, you're in there. That's the way I approach it. There's not going to be any politics played here with the new staff.

"The best guy is going to play. I feel comfortable where I'm at. ..."

Kitna's confidence notwithstanding, in an article published the first week of April, Pro Football Weekly suggested that McCown is viewed by management as the long-term answer. PFW went on to advise readers that Kitna could start the season in the driver's seat, but argued that McCown's greater upside -- and the fact he was "coveted" by Millen as factors that could propel him into the starting assignment before long.

Several members of the coaching staff, including Martz, agreed with Millen and signed off on the two-year, $6 million deal for McCown.

Still, many observers wonder if McCown is really capable of leading an offense successfully at this level. After all, he was benched multiple times -- in favor of (current Lion and then Cardinal) Shaun King in 2004 and John Navarre last year. ...

For what it's worth. ...Detroit Free Press beat writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika stressed that Williams and Charles Rogers have a number of things in common. Both are recent top-10 picks (Rogers went second overall in 2003; Williams went 10th last year). Both are wide receivers. ... Both have lacked good fundamentals and habits. And this year, both men are under the microscope.

The good news? Both say they are getting the message and looking forward to the future.

Williams had problems with punctuality in training camp and conditioning during the season last year. He said he weighed as much as 239 pounds.

He knows Marinelli won't put up with tardiness, and he knows Martz's system is too demanding for him to be too heavy.

"Obviously, with the guys he's had in the past, 230 doesn't really fit the bill," Williams said. "I'm right around that now, but I'm still going to go down."

Williams said he wanted to be between 220 and 225.

"I've got some bets going on," he said. "Everyone thinks it'll be 225, but who knows? I just know that you've got to be in shape and you've got to be able to run just as fast on Play 1 as you can on Play 60. ...

"Anywhere in 220 to 225 is where I'm going to be and where I'm going to stay, because if I'm going to get to where I want to be, I've got to be in great shape."

Rogers, who missed almost all of his first two seasons because of broken collarbones, served a four-game suspension for substance abuse last season. He didn't dress for three games afterward because the coaches weren't happy with him.

Asked if a clean slate came with the new staff, he said: "It should be that way, but we'll just see what happens."

He said he hadn't heard anything negative about his work ethic from the coaches.

He said he had gone from 212 pounds to 204 himself.

"We've got a good staff on board," he said. "Everybody feels like they're buying into the system, buying into what they're trying to do. All we've got to do is get on the same page.

"It'll probably take a little time, but I think it'll come through. ..."

That would be nice, but it's by no means guaranteed. In fact, in an article published April 6, Kowalski wrote that coaches were underwhelmed by his attitude and focus during the first three weeks of the team's off-season program -- and the rumors of his hard-partying lifestyle won't go away.

Williams attended the first four workouts and then took 10 days off before returning on April 3.

As Kowalski summed up: "That's not exactly the level of commitment the coaching staff is looking for. If the receivers don't turn up the intensity and production through training camp, they can forget about winning starting positions -- they'll be fighting for roster spots. ..."

One last note out of Detroit. ... The Bengals and Dolphins remain in the Harrington sweepstakes but both teams are balking at the Lions' price.

The Bengals have offered Harrington a one-year contract but are refusing to agree to the Lions' demand for a third- or fourth-round pick. The Dolphins have a two-year deal that is agreeable to Harrington but also are refusing to give Detroit what it's demanding. ...

Also on the mini-camp front. ... The Raiders held their first workouts under new head coach Art Shell this past week, but because they were considered voluntary, the mini-camp was not open to the media.

As Oakland Tribune NFL editor Jim McDonald put it: "Curious about what the Raiders are up to in the Shell era? Get lost."

Their next mini-camp -- which will be mandatory -- is scheduled for the first week of May. League policy calls for a more media-friendly approach to mandatory affairs. It'll be interesting to see how eager and willing the Raiders will be to comply. ...

A few other Fantasy-specific tidbits from around the NFL. ...

In New England. ... According to Boston Herald staffer John Tomase, Patriots fans generally have two questions regarding Deion Branch: Will he sign an extension, and who will catch passes opposite him?

Tomase added that Branch wishes he knew.

He wants and expects to remain in New England beyond this season, but he'll test the market if he must. As for a new receiving partner to replace David Givens, Branch just hopes it's someone who can limit the number of double and triple teams he's sure to see next season.

Branch touched on these and a number of other topics in a recent interview, starting with his contract. He wouldn't say what kind of discussions the sides have had, but a source said negotiations should pick up around the start of training camp.

"My job is to finish my contract regardless of whether I get an extension or not," Branch said. "[Bill] Belichick has given me every opportunity to excel here. This is where I want to be, and I'm pretty sure things will work out for me and for us as a unit.

"As far as getting it done now, that's the part I don't know. I've got a year to go yet. I'm going to enjoy my offseason work, and hopefully we can get something done that makes both parties happy."

Of more pressing concern to Branch is what kind of team the Patriots will field in September. He expects the club to weather the departures of Givens, Adam Vinatieri and Willie McGinest, but he'll miss them.

"I wouldn't be a real player if I said it's not hard," Branch said. "But the guys making the decisions are the right people. With coach Belichick and Scott Pioli at the helm, what's going on may look crazy now, but in the end, those guys know exactly what they're doing."

Minus Givens, Branch wonders what kind of attention he'll receive from opposing defenses.

"I saw a lot of double teams in college," Branch told Tomase. "But I never understood the meaning of the term until last year. Then I really understood the meaning of a defense taking someone completely out of a game."

Specifically, Branch points to a 41-17 loss to the Chargers on Oct. 2. Facing an assortment of double and triple coverage, he caught one pass.

"That game really opened my eyes," Branch said. "It wasn't even double coverage. It was more like a triangle they were running on me with the safety, corner and a linebacker. It was like a box, and I was in the middle. That was a real fun game, let me tell you."

For those panicking the Patriots will take a step back offensively, Branch noted they still possess one of the most balanced attacks in the game, led by Tom Brady and complemented by Corey Dillon, Branch, Troy Brown, Daniel Graham and Ben Watson.

"Our offense works so well, it's not just about who's on the other side of the field from me," Branch said. "It's not like we need a taller guy so we can throw more fades. We take what's given us. ..."

In Cincinnati. ... For the second consecutive year, the Bengals have 11 returning offensive starters under contract for the upcoming season.

The lone remaining returning starter, fullback Jeremi Johnson, signed a one-year contract Thursday. It's believed that Johnson, a three-year starter, signed the one-year tender for $712,000.

Of course, running back is a position of strength for the Bengals.

Rudi Johnson has rushed for more than 1,450 yards in each of the past two seasons. Backup Chris Perry accounted for more than 600 yards as a receiver and runner in 2005. And the team re-signed valuable veteran free agent Kenny Watson to a one-year contract earlier this week.

Still, running backs coach Jim Anderson said he would like to see Johnson's role expanded in the offense as a receiver and on short yardage.

Johnson has five career receiving touchdowns and one rushing in the NFL. He has started 30 games and played in all 48 possible games since joining the Bengals. ...

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Enquirer staffer Mark Curnutte reported on Friday that Carson Palmer has begun throwing. He continues to participate in workouts with teammates three months after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery to repair two damaged ligaments.

"Nothing has changed. His arm is still the same," said receiver Chris Henry, who has been catching passes from Palmer. "It's just like it was in January. ..."

Palmer is wearing a sturdy brace on the knee, and he jogged through the locker room Thursday morning on his way to the weight room for a workout.

Palmer said his rehabilitation is going well.

That said, Cincinnati Post beat writer Kevin Goheen reminded readers the prognosis for his surgically repaired left knee hasn't changed; he, head coach Marvin Lewis and the rest of the organization believe Palmer can be ready to play in the season opener at Kansas City on Sept. 10 but there is no guarantee of that happening.

A more definitive timetable will be known come August when training camp is in full swing.

For now, Palmer's progress is gauged in increments.

While throwing the ball, Goheen reports Palmer has been taking ever-so-slight steps to simulate a drop-back motion. There's nothing exaggerated about his motions, but if things keep going as they are, Palmer said, he thinks he will be able to move around more when the team holds a mandatory mini-camp in mid-June.

Not that he'll be participating in team drills, but he'd like to do his own simulations on the sideline. ...

In Green Bay. ... Donald Driver said the team should let fellow receiver Javon Walker go, given the bad feelings Walker has about the organization.

Walker, who is under contract with the Packers, has said he will not play again for Green Bay.

"Right now, Javon, what he's telling everyone is that he wants out," Driver told local radio station WAUK-AM on Thursday morning. "I would love to have him he knows I love him dearly. But if he wants out, the best thing to do is just let him go. Go where he's going to go -- somewhere else and be happy."

Driver said Walker is unhappy because he has been unable to get a new contract with the Packers.

"I think Javon feels he's made plays he felt he had the great year and felt he wanted to be a Green Bay Packer the rest of his career," Driver said. "I guess he wanted that new contract, but the Packers felt like they wanted to see a little bit more in him.

"And Javon, after that, felt like he wasn't going to go out and play for a team that didn't respect him, or didn't feel like they had to compensate him well."

For what it's worth, Denver Post staffer Bill Williamson suggested this morning that if a good enough offer comes along, it might be tempting for the Packers to rid themselves of the distraction Walker is sure to create.

Williamson added that Denver has talked to Green Bay about the disgruntled receiver.

The Broncos, along with the Eagles and the 49ers, are expected to make a strong push for Walker. Williamson believes if Denver is the trading partner, the deal likely would happen on draft day.

In a related note. ... Driver also said Brett Favre is not hurting the team by not having made up his mind to retire or play another season.

"I think when a guy has made a legacy in an organization, you give him the time to make that decision," Driver said.

Driver said he wants Favre to return to play.

"Right now, I am hoping Brett comes back," Driver said. "I am trying not to look at Aaron Rodgers being my quarterback right now. ..."

In case you missed it, the due date for Favre's $3 million roster bonus -- originally scheduled last month -- has been moved to July 27, giving the three-time MVP even more time to make a decision on retirement. ...

In Chicago. ... Bears head coach Lovie Smith reiterated that Thomas Jones is his No. 1 running back heading into the season, but it's starting to sound more and more like a tossup with Cedric Benson getting every opportunity to take the job in training camp.

"[Cedric] can't wait to get a chance to fully compete," Smith said during last month's NFL owners meetings. "Coming in late, a lot of pressure on you being a high draft pick, he didn't get a chance to really play (because he) had an injury that set him back. So Cedric can't wait to start it over again and go from there. He wants to come in when everyone else does and see what happens.

"Cedric Benson is a good football player and he'll show that in time. We wouldn't want him if he didn't want to be the guy."

One thing that's not going to happen – a split backfield.

Smith said he envisions the winner getting the bulk of the carries. Yahoo! Sports correspondent Charles Robinson advised readers to look for something along the lines of a 20-10 split with Adrian Peterson getting the scraps once again. ...

In San Diego. ... Team president Dean Spanos reiterated last week that he will be "very disappointed" if the Chargers do not make the playoffs and go deep therein. He was quick to point out that should not be construed as specifically meaning head coach Marty Schottenheimer is on the hot seat.

"There is equal pressure to win on everyone in this organization," Spanos told San Diego Union-Tribune beat man Kevin Acee. "That goes for the head coach and the general manager and for me, too."

Spanos recently called Schottenheimer and GM A.J. Smith into his office for a good old-fashioned chewing out after the two men went public with their inability to see eye-to-eye.

When Acee pointed out that it would seem only two of those people would be in real danger of losing their jobs, Spanos laughed and said, "Yeah. I'm not going to fire myself. ..."

And finally. ... In an article published April 2, New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers advised readers that regardless of Peyton Manning's bland comments about facing his little brother Eli Manning in the Sunday night season opener this fall, Colts head coach Tony Dungy offered his opinion on what was really going through his QB's mind:

"I'm not going to lose to my brother on national television. I'm not going to lose opening day and whatever my regimen is, it just cranked up five percent to make sure that I'm going to be ready opening day," Dungy said, adding, "He'll be excited and take it as a challenge. He will want his brother to play well.

"He will not want him to play poorly on opening night on that type of stage, but it is definitely one he will not want to lose. ..."

All right . ... That's all for now. I will remind those of you looking to talk a little football should hit the FootballDiehards Forums. That's especially true of those looking to discuss the Fantasy prospects of this year's incoming rookie class.

Otherwise, you'll want to keep an eye on 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.