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Four months removed from rotator-cuff surgery on his throwing shoulder, quarterback Chad Pennington didn't participate in any of the Jets' just-completed organized team activities. But he did get in some soft-toss after practice with teammates, which the club hid from the media.

Actually. ... "Hid" might be too mild an assessment.

Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio might have been a bit more accurate Friday, when he wrote: "The Jets, who lied about the extent of Chad Pennington's shoulder injury last season and then admitted it, now admit that they lied last week regarding the extent to which Pennington was throwing again. ..."

As New York Daily News beat man Rich Cimini initially reported it, just a week after claiming that Pennington didn't do any throwing in the recently completed off-season program, the Jets issued a press release regarding the signal caller's recovery on Friday, admitting that he did, in fact, start a throwing regimen more than a week ago.

The Jets, who do not allow the media to view off-season practices, had declined to make Pennington available to discuss his rehab and -- until Friday -- offered no real updates on his progress.

In fact, prior to Friday, team spokesman Ron Colangelo would say only that Pennington did not participate in any OTA (organized team activity) practices.

The Jets' motivation for withholding the information wasn't immediately clear. Nonetheless, it wasn't until last week's proceedings came to an end that reports of Pennington's clandestine throwing sessions started to leak out.

It all started when head coach Herman Edwards and general manager Terry Bradway, in separate radio interviews on ESPN, acknowledged that Pennington threw on the side. Bradway, interviewed three days after the off-season workouts concluded, said Pennington was "a little bit ahead of schedule. ... He's throwing long balls now."

Edwards went so far as to provide a pitch count, revealing on the radio that Pennington is throwing about 80 passes every other day. But in Friday's release, the coach offered no specifics, which in the end, only seemed to further cloud the situation.

"Most recently during the latter portion of OTAs, he worked on handoffs with our running backs," Edwards said in the statement. "While he did not throw during on-field OTA practices, Chad was given clearance and a schedule to throw the football, and will continue to be evaluated as to the amount of throws he will make leading up to training camp.

"We fully expect Chad to be ready for the start of training camp."

Confused? According to New York Newsday staffer Ken Berger, "That's apparently what the Jets want."

The obvious question is why? Or more specifically, why now?

Prevarication during the season isn't appreciated, but the desire to maintain a competitive edge is at least understandable. It's much less so in June, when there are no games -- other than those the Jets are playing with the media and public -- in which such an edge would be useful.

On a more positive note. ... Pennington finally chimed in on his rehab progress on Saturday, saying his surgically repaired right shoulder feels better than at any point during the past three seasons and that he will be ready for the start of training camp.

"I think we're right on schedule," Pennington told Berger at an autograph signing in Huntington, ending weeks of silence. "I'm happy with how things have progressed. I don't think we've had any setbacks whatsoever. I just keep on moving forward. Every day and every week, I see improvement.

Right now, I feel normal, I really do. I don't consider myself injured anymore."

As Edwards stated, the company line is that Pennington, who Newark Star-Ledger staffer Dave Hutchinson suggests may be limited to one practice per day when training camp opens, is scheduled to begin "real" throwing by the end of the month.

But that leads to another question, as posed by FOXSports.com in a report published Monday: "Will Pennington, never known as a strong-armed quarterback, have enough arm strength to succeed in Mike Heimerdinger's down-the-field passing attack?"

The watch officially begins July 29, when camp opens. Stay tuned. ...

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

Following up on an item examined in a Fantasy Notebook published May 26. ... During a Wednesday appearance on the NFL Network's "Total Access" show, Fred Taylor told viewers he'll be ready to play come Week 1.

"I'm going to be fine," he said. "There's no need to worry about Fred."

However, the veteran halfback also seemed to suggest he may have had surgery on his ACL.

In fact, Taylor, who hadn't spoken to the media all offseason, offered the audience a handful of interesting tidbits. For starters, he's still running straight ahead at 50-75 percent speed, and not making cuts.

Asked about recent reports hinting that the Jaguars might be interested in trading for such high-end talent as Travis Henry and Shaun Alexander, Taylor made it clear that all comers were welcome -- as long as they realized they would be backups.

While he clearly plans on being ready for the regular-season opener, he was less optimistic about training camp and pre-season play.

"I don't need the preseason," he said. "I just want to be ready on Sept. 11."

But the most interesting point in the interview came when he compared his rehab to those undertaken by Edgerrin James and Willis McGahee. Taylor added he's working with the same trainer that oversaw their recoveries from ACL surgery. ...

Meanwhile, James Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel, said Tuesday the Jaguars have had what he called "conversations" about Henry, but didn't make it sound as if they're close to making a serious run at the disgruntled Buffalo halfback.

"There haven't been any real negotiations," Harris told Florida Times-Union beat man Vito Stellino. "Agents call you all the time about players and you talk. We may call some of them. It happens every day.

"Sometimes what happens in these situations is that the agent reads an article and they'll call us and we'll talk and hear what's going on."

However, Harris once again denied any interest in Alexander and continued to insist there have been no conversations between the Jags and Seahawks, despite a report the contrary by NFL Network insider Adam Schefter.

Asked about Alexander last week, head coach Jack Del Rio said, "Unless the janitor called them up, [Harris], Paul Vance and myself have not had any of those types of discussions. Like I said, I think it's the time of year. It's early in June. It's getting into where basketball soon will be over. They call it the dog days of summer.

"We're getting into those times where it's lean out there. There is not much material out there, and I understand that, but I just don't care to get into continual discussions about people throwing rumors out there to see if it sticks.

"There is really nothing else to talk about as far as that goes. ..."

Del Rio has a point. We have what I call a "news vacuum" at this time of year. Meaning that whatever stories and related information surface, they tend to get sucked into the vacuum to the degree necessary to fill the void.

That being the case, I would suggest a more forthcoming approach by the teams involved would at least fill the void with news based on the truth rather than speculation.

This, of course, will never happen. ...

Getting back to Taylor, the Sports Xchange advised readers this week: "The Jaguars are gambling that their medical staff is right about Taylor." In other words, the team officials are committed to Taylor and the belief he'll be back at full speed this year.

If they're right, the Jaguars should have a strong running game. If not, the Jaguars could have problems running the ball this fall. ...

For what it's worth. ... New running backs coach Kennedy Pola claims to be impressed with Taylor even though he hasn't yet practiced yet.

"Fred has just been awesome," Pola said. "A true professional. He's on time, you give him a little test and he turns it in. He's taking notes and is asking questions. He knows how to get ready."

Let's hope so. ...

In a semi-related note. ... It's official: Second-year man Greg Jones is the team's starting fullback.

As Time-Union staffer Bart Hubbuch noted on Tuesday, Jones has the prototypical fullback's body, but he always envisioned himself running through holes instead of trying to create them.

The transition, says the sixth-highest rusher in FSU history, has been trying. "If you're a running back, you're going to be disappointed" about moving to fullback, said Jones.

While admittedly disappointed, Jones said he isn't upset about the switch because the Jaguars hinted that it wasn't out of question as soon as they drafted him last year. "They told me they wanted me to be the next Mike Alstott," Jones said.

While the Alstott reference might imply some kind of enhanced short-yardage and goal-line role, it's by no means etched in stone. In fact, Del Rio first played the "Alstott card" last May and we all saw how that worked out during Jones' rookie campaign.

I wouldn't be surprised by a similar outcome this fall. ...

In Baltimore. ... Lot's of buzz this past week about Kyle Boller and his ability to finally emerge as the player expected when the Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

In an article published Thursday, Associated Press sports writer David Ginsburg wrote: "As Boller prepares for his third NFL season, the Ravens are prepared to pattern their entire offense around his right arm. During the four-day mandatory mini-camp that [ended] Thursday, the focus centered on getting Boller comfortable with the concept of supplanting star running back Jamal Lewis as the main man in the Baltimore attack. ..."

"This is all orchestrated for Kyle: this playbook, this offense," head coach Brian Billick said. "He has to be successful, and we have every confidence he can be -- not only with the people we brought in, but the structure we've wrapped around him. I think he's very comfortable with what we're doing right now."

That may be; but in a Diehards Message Board thread started by our own Kirk "Dr.Football" Bouyelas, the general tone has been one of skepticism -- a tone set by the good doctor himself.

And not without reason.

Baltimore's passing offense ranked 31st in the NFL last season with an average of just 144.5 yards. The Ravens had built-in excuses: tight end Todd Heap, Boller's favorite target, was sidelined for 10 games with an ankle injury, and Lewis, the focal point of the offense, missed four games due to injury and suspension.

But the Ravens upgraded their offense in the offseason.

Baltimore signed free agent Derrick Mason, a two-time Pro Bowler, and drafted Mark Clayton, an all-American at Oklahoma, giving Boller two wide receivers who can create yards after the catch -- something that was sorely lacking last season.

"They brought in some guys who are going to help me out," said Boller, who turned 24 on Friday. "It's going to be my job to get the ball in their hands and let them make plays. Let them be my playmakers."

Some believe Mason will be the key to Boller's success.

The Ravens had Terrell Owens on their roster for a few days last year until he fought the trade that sent him there and landed in Philadelphia. They were said to be working on a trade for Randy Moss, but Oakland beat them to the punch. The Ravens also coveted David Boston at one point.

And according to SI.com insider Jeffri Chadiha, Boller should be thankful that none of those moves worked out.

As Chadiha put it: "Owens would've intimidated him. Moss would've embarrassed him. With the production Boston has supplied since his Pro Bowl season in 2001, it's doubtful he would've been worth a damn."

While I would agree that Mason's presence will be helpful, his sole contribution will be catching the ball. Boller still has to get it to him.

Fortunately, off-field help is also available.

As Washington Post staff writer Camille Powell pointed out Thursday, the Ravens have surrounded Boller with a coaching staff he feels comfortable with.

They hired Jim Fassel as their offensive coordinator; the two established a relationship last year when Fassel served as a senior offensive consultant. Rick Neuheisel was brought in as quarterbacks coach; he recruited Boller while he was the head coach at the University of Washington and Boller was a standout high school quarterback in California.

Unlike last season, when Boller had the voices of four men -- Billick, offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, quarterbacks coach David Shaw and Fassel -- in his head, this year, it's just Fassel's.

"He's the guy," Boller told Powell. "There's going to be one voice. Everything that he says, it's going to be my job to relay it to the offense and to do."

Powell went on to note that Boller devoted much of the offseason to working out at team headquarters. He and several of the offensive skills players met on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to review the new offense.

"This is my offense," Boller said. "It's going to be my job this year to rally the guys. Our passing game has struggled in the past, but that's the past. We have the future to look forward to. If I'm not a leader, then we have a problem."

Again, Boller being a leader doesn't guarantee a problem-free season; he still has to throw the ball well.

As FOXSports.com put it on Monday: "Boller has made significant progress, but he still needs to throw a better ball. Most of his passes still wobble, and he only throws a tight spiral on about every one of six. He'll need more velocity during the regular season because the Ravens like to run a lot of slants and quick outs. ..."

Bottom line?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. ... Although he flirted with success as the 2004 season wore on (averaging 182.3 yards passing, throwing 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions over the last 10 games), one could easily argue Boller has been the single most limiting factor in a passing attack that ranked last and second-to-last in two seasons with the former Cal standout at the helm. ...

In a couple of related notes. ... FOXSports reports that Clayton has been impressive through passing camps, especially inside the red zone. He isn't that big, but Clayton runs precise routs and has great hands. ...

And finally in Baltimore. ... The Ravens signed Heap to a six-year contract extension Wednesday, locking up one of their offensive cornerstones through 2011.

Terms were not disclosed, but Billick said that Heap is now the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Last year, Cleveland's Kellen Winslow signed what was then considered to be the richest contract for a tight end, a six-year deal worth $29 million that could be pushed to $40 million with incentives.

Heap, 25, has been one of Baltimore's most popular and productive players. He led the Ravens in receptions in 2002 (68 for 836 yards) and 2003 (57 for 693 yards).

Last season, Heap finished fourth on the team with 27 catches for 303 yards, and he was second with three touchdown catches, despite being limited to just six games because of an ankle injury. He is currently at home in Arizona, rehabilitating from off-season ankle and shoulder surgery.

Heap has reportedly begun lifting weights and running. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end said he wants to be able to run routes by training camp but doesn't know how much he'll participate in the early practices. ...

In Cleveland. ... According to Canton Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk, the Browns' No. 1 running back job is Lee Suggs' to lose.

As part of the deal, head coach Romeo Crennel and offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon want Suggs to be a better receiving threat.

"I'm trying to get my route running better, one-on-one against linebackers," said Suggs, who had a five-catch, 100-yard receiving game against the Bengals in mid-October.

In nine other games, however, had forgettable totals of 15 catches for 78 yards.

Doerschuk also reminded readers that it remains to be seen how a quarterback change will affect Suggs, but the third-year pro likes Trent Dilfer.

"He's a true vet," Suggs said. "You can see his poise and confidence when he comes in the huddle."

Suggs missed the first three games of 2004 with a neck stinger and then sat out three late-autumn games with turf toe. "At the beginning of the year, I had a neck brace on," Suggs said. "That was pretty hard.

"At the end, I started feeling like myself again."

Suggs, who went on to close out the 2004 season with three-straight 100-yard rushing games, shrugs off that the Browns traded for Reuben Droughns, who rushed for 1,240 yards with the Broncos last season.

"I suspected they would bring in somebody," he said.

Droughns was running behind a line far more polished than the one at Suggs' disposal. According to Doerschuk: "It has become evident to most that, while Droughns is a rugged inside runner and William Green was a first-round draft pick, Suggs is the most versatile and talented back on the roster."

I tend to agree with that assessment, but Suggs has to stay healthy in order to keep the No. 1 spot -- something he clearly understands.

"I finally got healthy toward the end last year," Suggs said. "I'm trying to carry it over to this season. ..."

In a related note. ... ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli on Friday became the latest in a series of observers to report that Green, whose off-field problems are well-documented and who was granted permission to seek a trade earlier in the offseason, continues to impress the incoming staff.

The Browns' first-round selection in 2002, who Pasquarelli believes might be an even better inside runner than Droughns, Green has worked diligently in the formal off-season program.

For now, he has earned the right to go to camp and challenge for playing time.

As Pasquarelli summed up: "It's hard for a No. 3 tailback to get any kind of playing time in the NFL, and so Green might still be traded or released, but not until general manager Phil Savage and Crennel get an extended look at him during camp.

"Veteran players who have been around during Green's tenure with the Browns are adamant that he is a changed man. ..."

In Arizona. ... Veteran halfback Troy Hambrick has been a no-show at the team's voluntary practices -- something that isn't scoring him points with head coach Dennis Green. The good news? Rookie J.J. Arrington is reaping the benefits of Hambrick's absence.

According to Arizona Republic staffer Odeen Domingo, with fewer players to share repetitions, Arrington is getting more plays during practices and showing the coaches what he can do with the ball in his hands.

So far, Green likes what he sees from his second-round draft pick.

"J.J.'s very quick, explosive," Green said. "He has outstanding hands. I think he's everything we hoped he would be. I think it's going to work out real well. When you get on the field with him, he's just so quick and explosive. Very few guys coming out (of college) are like that.

"Then he's got balance. He's similar to the other running backs in the league who have good balance. It's very hard to knock them off their feet. I think he can get behind the big linemen pretty well, too."

That's high praise for a rookie, but Arrington has shown what he can do when he's prepared.

"I feel more comfortable each day," he said.

"As long as we go over it (practice objectives) in the meetings each day, I'll be feeling pretty good."

It's probably worth noting that Green didn't name his starting lineup Thursday, the last day of practices before training camp begins in August, as he did last year.

The coach said he feels comfortable with the players who have been practicing with the first-team offense and defense and felt no need to name a lineup.

According to Domingo, every position seems set but tight end and running back. Five tight ends on the roster are in the running while Arrington and veteran Marcel Shipp have split time with the first team. ...

Also in Arizona. ... The Sporting News reports that new coordinator Keith Rowen hasn't made drastic changes in his scheme, but there will be some notable differences this year.

Based on what it's shown at mini-camps, the offense will feature more motion this year and Rowen hasn't been afraid to line his receivers up in different positions.

That could place Anquan Boldin in the slot more than he was last season.

As the TSN report correctly noted, Boldin excelled in that spot as a rookie and set an NFL rookie record with 101 receptions and made the Pro Bowl.

The big question will be if the offensive line can give quarterback Kurt Warner enough time. Warner has looked good in off-season practices, but that proves nothing. The rap against him last year was that he held on to the ball too long and took too many sacks.

According to observers, it's impossible to tell from recent workouts if that remains a problem. ...

In Atlanta. ... Peerless Price will not be released or traded before Falcons training camp begins July 25, but the wide receiver will have to earn a starting job -- and even a roster spot -- head coach Jim Mora and president and general manager Rich McKay said Monday.

"I'm excited to give him a chance to compete to make the team and to improve along with the rest of the players," Mora said. "I know there's been speculation about Peerless and about his future here but, as an organization, we've decided that we want to see him compete and help this team be a better football team. That is the truth."

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution staffer Steve Wyche, there were internal discussions about releasing the six-year veteran after two seasons in which he failed to perform up to expectations and the seven year, $42 million contract he was awarded after being acquired for a first-round draft pick in a trade with Buffalo in 2003.

However, it was decided that his performance in mini-camp and during organized team activities the past few weeks, along with a solid attitude, warranted his return.

"He's had a nice offseason in general, and we expect him to come in and compete in camp," McKay said. "We don't expect a change in plans between now and then. We hadn't from the beginning, but we do understand there's been a lot of chatter surrounding him because he was a high-priced free agent with some pretty high expectations."

Price had 45 catches for 575 yards with three touchdowns last season, considered pedestrian totals for a No. 1 receiver. In his first year with the Falcons, he caught 64 passes for 838 yards and three touchdowns.

Releasing Price would cost Atlanta $5.7 million against its salary cap next season because the remaining cap figure of his $10 million signing bonus would be accelerated.

However, that potential hit does not appear to be the sole reason for keeping Price, because he could still be cut during the preseason if he doesn't perform to standards.

Price's experience and the lack of experience among the wideouts -- Dez White and Brian Finneran are the only other wide receivers with more than two years in the NFL -- factored into the decision.

"If you take Peerless out, who are your receivers?" Mora asked. "If you leave him, we've got five guys who can go out and make plays."

Atlanta drafted wide receivers Michael Jenkins and Roddy White in the first round the past two seasons.

Jenkins earned his keep last year as a rookie on special teams but will now push Price for the starting flanker job, according to Mora.

White has reportedly been so impressive he could work his way into the three-receiver rotation if he continues to improve.

According to FOXSports, Mora wants his staff to temper their enthusiasm and wait to see what the rookie does in camp and the preseason, but White clearly has a willingness to attack the ball. On long routes, observers report that he goes up and makes catches rather than waiting for the ball to come to him.

The FOXSports report summed up by stating: "Exceptional timing and a high level of confidence will help White, but he needs to improve his technique on crossing routes, particularly in chipping outside linebackers before running across the middle to make the catch. ..."

In Miami. ... Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Thursday that neither newcomer Gus Frerotte nor incumbent starter A.J. Feeley has been chosen as the team's starter for this year's season-opener against Denver, and that the decision hinges on how they play in training camp.

"That's what the training camp going into the season is going to be for, establishing who that person's going to be," Linehan said. "That really wasn't the intent of our off-season program."

But according to Pasquarelli, if last weekend's mini-camp was any indication, Frerotte has a clear-cut advantage over Feeley.

Pasquarelli, who was on hand for the above-mentioned workouts, added: "While he wasn't particularly sharp in the mini-camp sessions we watched, Frerotte doesn't have to be, at least not to hold off Feeley. Fact is, No. 3 quarterback Sage Rosenfels looked better than Feeley, who really had some horrible stretches.

"You've got to hand it to the Philadelphia Eagles for being able to wrangle a second-round pick out of the Dolphins for Feeley in the spring of 2004. ..."

In St. Louis. ... According to Sporting News columnist Dan Pompei, not only has Marshall Faulk accepted his role as the backup to second-year man Steven Jackson, he also has taken on the role of Jackson's mentor.

Rams insiders tell Pompei that Faulk has been as instrumental in Jackson's development as anyone and that just because Jackson will be the lead dog doesn't mean Faulk's role will be minimal. The Rams plan to continue to try to take advantage of Faulk's hands and open-field running ability in certain situations. ...

In Buffalo. ... Also according to Pompei, one of the people most pleased about Drew Bledsoe being in Dallas might be Lee Evans.

It seemed Bledsoe didn't look Evans' way often last season and was locked into throwing to veteran Eric Moulds, especially early in the season.

The Bills expect Evans to be more productive this season with J.P. Losman unafraid to throw to the second-year player. As Pompei summed up: "It wouldn't be a surprise to see Evans overtake Moulds as the team's leading receiver. ..."

And finally, in Minnesota. ... Daunte Culpepper was asked Tuesday his reaction to ex-teammate Randy Moss' ESPN interview during which the eccentric wide receiver asserted that his new Oakland Raiders teammate Kerry Collins is a better overall quarterback than the Vikings' Pro Bowl quarterback.

According to St. Paul Pioneer Press staffer Charley Waters, Culpepper smiled quizzically and then shook his head.

"When I first heard that, I figured maybe Randy had fallen and bumped his head to say something that crazy," Culpepper said. "All they've got to do is look at the numbers.

"I mean no disrespect to Kerry Collins. I understand that [Moss] has to say something good about his quarterback. But he didn't have to say anything that crazy. ..."