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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... And another busy week, chock full of interesting tidbits emanating from practice fields throughout the NFL.

What do you say we jump right in?

Let's get the ball rolling this week in New England, where Providence Journal sports writer Shalise Manza Young reminded readers on Tuesday that as a rookie, one of Laurence Maroney's goals was to get better as a pass-catcher.

Last year, it was to improve his blocking.

This year, fully healthy, the third-year tailback didn't narrow his focus on one area of his game; according to Young, Maroney broadened it, to try and make himself an all-around better player.

"It wasn't one thing that I focused on, I focused on everything," the former first-round pick said Monday. "This is the first time I had a chance to focus on everything and try to make me better as a whole instead of the pass (catching), the blocking.

"It let me focus on me as a whole. How can I get better as a whole? Can my speed get faster, can I get bigger, stronger, can I catch better, can I know the offense better?"

As Young went on to suggest, time will tell how much Maroney was able to improve. It was impossible to gauge during New England's recently completed mini-camp, as the players didn't have pads on.

But as he enters his third season, Young reports that Maroney seems ready to go.

Unlike last year, when shoulder surgery limited his participation in the off-season workout program and training camp he's been able to build on the foundation he feels he began laying last season, once he was healed from the groin injury that had him on the shelf for weeks four through six.

He finished the season on a high note, totaling 586 yards over New England's last six games (including playoffs), and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He clearly ran more decisively between the tackles during that span, something coaches asked him to do.

And Maroney intends to use that strong finish to his advantage.

"The good games I had toward the end of the season, (I'm going to) just try to build off them and try to have them all year this year," he said. "As long as I'm improving from year to year, that's all I want to do. I don't ever want to take a step back and I don't want to do the same.

"I think I did a little bit better last year than I did the year before and I want to get better this year than I was last year, just keep going up."

That would be great. My concern as a Fantasy owner lies in the fact that (his solid late-season run notwithstanding) Maroney remains a bit of a mystery.

As the Boston Herald recently suggested, he appears to be a prototypical NFL feature back. But there are issues.

Maroney has battled injuries in each of his first two seasons and the presence of a healthy Sammy Morris worries me. According to Pro Football Weekly, New England's recent interest in former Lion Kevin Jones is also worrisome.

Per PFW, that interest could be a sign that Bill Belichick, who questioned Maroney's toughness at times last year, still doesn't trust his star tailback all that much more than Fantasy owners who didn't get the value expected last fall. ...

Meanwhile, Morris appears to be fully recovered from the sternoclavicular joint separation (a tear of the ligament that connects the sternum [chest bone] to the clavicle [collarbone]) he suffered in Week 6.

For those who weren't paying attention, Morris appeared to be emerging as a legitimate offensive weapon when he was hurt. In fact, he registered back-to-back 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his career.

In five-plus games, he totaled 384 yards and averaged a career-best 4.5 yards per carry. Morris added three touchdowns and six receptions.

A healthy Morris and productive third-down specialist Kevin Faulk should definitely factor into the equation when forecasting Maroney's Fantasy value. ...

Also in New England. ... Tom Brady cleared up some confusion regarding comments he made about his ankle Saturday following mini-camp. The quarterback joked about still not being able to run fast or jump high when asked about his ankle.

Some took those remarks literally, believing he remained limited by the high right ankle sprain he sustained before the Super Bowl.

"I was joking. I guess I can't be as humorous," Brady said. "I've done everything. I feel great."

Asked again if he was limited by the ankle, Brady was clear.

"Not at all," he said, adding he will be ready for training camp in six weeks. "My body feels great. My leg feels great. My mind feels great. Yeah, I'm ready."

One last note here. ... According to PFW, those who follow the team closely believe that injury-plagued wideout Chad Jackson appears poised to finally make good on the promise he held as one of the top receiving prospects in the 2006 draft class.

If he can maintain his health, there's talk that he'll supplant Jabar Gaffney as the No. 3 receiving option -- although I recommend taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Jackson's health. ...

In Chicago. ... With the sudden exit of Cedric Benson, rookie Matt Forte will go to training camp as the team's de facto featured running back.

And as Arlington Heights Daily Herald beat man Bob LeGere reported this past week, that's just fine with the second-round pick from Tulane who believes he can handle the responsibility of resurrecting a rushing offense that was the worst in the NFL last season in average gain per attempt.

"I'm not going to sit here and doubt myself or my talent or anything," said the 6-2, 216-pound Forte. "I believe I can come in and play. I have the ability, (but) it's going to take a lot of work."

LeGere went on to remind readers that Forte worked overtime for the Green Wave last season, carrying 361 times for 2,127 yards (second in the nation), 23 touchdowns and a 5.9-yard per carry average.

He put up those numbers even as the focal point of the opposing defense every week.

Benson, meanwhile, averaged a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry last season for the Bears.

As a team, the Bears averaged a league-worst 3.1 yards per try, so the bar isn't set high for Forte.

Although the Bears have yet to run a single full-speed play in pads and won't until training-camp practices start July 23, offensive coordinator Ron Turner has been impressed with Forte.

"He's been tremendous," Turner told LeGere. "He's been here 10 practices or whatever counting OTAs and mini-camp, and right now we're not afraid to call anything in our offense with him: first down, second down, third down.

"Sure, he's made some mistakes, and he's got some things to clean up technique-wise and assignment-wise and all that, but we'll continue to work on that. But he's a very bright young man who can do a lot of things."

Part of Forte's allure on draft day was his versatility.

He caught 103 passes for 985 yards at Tulane and showed a willingness to stick his nose in as a blocker, making him a reliable third-down option, a designation Benson never achieved.

And while some have suggested the Bears will add a veteran free agent to the mix, team officials don't seem to be as interested in some of the prospects as the players mentioned are.

Jones, released by Detroit in March, is among those expressing interest in Chicago.

He will hold a personal workout for scouts June 28 to prove he is fully recovered from a torn ACL in his right knee, suffered in last season's home finale against the Chiefs. Like Forte, Jones is considered a high-character guy and would undoubtedly have plenty of motivation to get back at Detroit, a divisional rival of the Bears.

Others being mentioned in Chicago are Shaun Alexander, Ron Dayne, LaMont Jordan and Travis Henry.

Still, it seems like the Bears are keen on giving Forte first shot at the featured role.

As Chicago Sun-Times reporter Brad Biggs reminded readers, general manager Jerry Angelo explained in the past that he didn't want to bring in veteran receivers because he wanted to give Bernard Berrian and Mark Bradley a chance to flourish. One of them did.

Whatever the case, Forte is clearly interested in becoming the go-to guy sooner rather than later.

"I didn't want to sit on the bench and sit back and relax," he said. "Everybody wants to play, so everybody comes in with the mind-set to learn the whole playbook and act you're like a starter and learn behind these veterans and be like them."

Assuming the Bears don't sign a free agent, the team would be left with only seventh-year veteran backup Adrian Peterson and second-year situational runner Garrett Wolfe behind Forte.

At just 5-7 and 186 pounds, Wolfe's role figures to be primarily as a receiver in passing situations or as a change-of-pace back.

Peterson is one of the Bears' best special teams players and has performed well as a receiver out of the backfield in passing situations. He had a career-best 51 catches last season, second best on the team, and his 420 receiving yards were fourth best.

Peterson's 151 carries last season exceeded his total from his first five NFL seasons, but he averaged only 3.4 yards per carry, and his longest run was for 21 yards.

It's worth noting Peterson underwent an emergency appendectomy Monday night. He likely will be ready to work out again in two weeks. ...

In a related note. ... Benson is officially an unrestricted free agent after the league's 31 other teams opted not to claim him off waivers.

The team that landed Benson would have picked up the last two years of Benson's contract, at $820,000 for 2008. It's safe to assume interest will be limited at least until his legal issues are resolved. ...

In Carolina. ... Jake Delhomme was asked Thursday about the progress of the offense, and he rattled off basically every name on that side of the ball. "I like what I've seen. I like it a lot," he said, summing up the roll call.

According to Rock Hill Herald beat writer Darin Gantt, teammates are equally pleased with Delhomme.

Indeed, for all the Panthers did during their three-week summer school (which wrapped up Thursday), no sign was more encouraging than Delhomme's progress. He did most of the first-team work throughout the camp and seems on target in his comeback from last October's elbow reconstruction surgery.

In an offseason full of changes, that's the biggest one.

"I think what kind of team we've been is not the problem; we've lost some key people that hurt us a little bit as far as the win-loss record," head coach John Fox said. "Missing Jake last year, not just because he's the quarterback, but he's kind of our spark on that side of the ball, also.

"A lot of those things, that's what a team is and hopefully we're improved this year."

Delhomme said even though he was able to work the last three weeks, there will still be moments when he'll need to take a break. "I feel ready to go," he said. "Will I have a pitch count in camp? I'm sure I will because it will probably be the smart thing to do.

"In training camp there will be soreness. If there isn't soreness then I'm probably not putting in enough effort. If it's just normal soreness and not pain-wise, then everything is on track.

"But I feel like everything is on track."

In fact, Delhomme continues to draw rave reviews from observers and teammates alike.

Star wideout Steve Smith recently told reporters it seems like Delhomme has a stronger arm than before he the elbow sidelined him in Week Three last season.

Returning veteran Muhsin Muhammad was quick to join the chorus, saying the time away clearly has Delhomme -- who Gantt notes has always carried that undrafted and unwanted grudge -- more determined than ever to prove himself.

"They held the reins back on him," Muhammad said. "That built up a lot of hunger in him, and he's probably had one of the best camps I've ever seen him have. ..."

And it's no secret that the team's ability to bounce back from a disappointing 7-9 campaign rests primarily on Delhomme's repaired right elbow. And I highly recommend Fantasy owners keep a close eye on his progress this summer.

I'll remind you that while the sample is far from ideal, Delhomme was on pace to throw for 43 touchdown passes when he went down last year. ...

In a couple of related notes. ... After watching Muhammad go through the paces in recent workouts, Gaston Gazette reporter Steve Reed advised readers there's been no visible signs of any dropoff in his play since 2004 when he hauled in 93 passes for 1,405 yards and a franchise-record 16 touchdowns while Smith spent the season on injured reserve.

Although the players are still in shorts, Reed notes that Muhammad looks explosive, making several nice catches while running precision routes.

His impact is bound to become even more noticeable once late July arrives and the players put on pads and Muhammad starts to take on downfield blockers, something Reed believes he does better than any receiver who’s ever played for the Panthers. ...

Meanwhile, fellow free-agent addition D.J. Hackett was bothered by a sore knee during last week's mini-camp. Despite the fact it kept him from working fully, the former Seahawk downplayed the issue.

"It feels good," he said when asked about the knee Wednesday. "I just had some swelling in my knee, so I just took it easy. It swells up, but it's nothing that's hurt, nothing injured."

While Hackett insists the swelling is nothing to worry about, the fact he's missed 31 of a possible 64 NFL games with an array of injuries -- major and minor -- means Fantasy owners need to keep a close eye on the talented-but-tender wideout before making a draft-day commitment. ...

One last item in Carolina. ... Fox is anxious to have rookie running back Jonathan Stewart back at practice. Stewart isn't allowed around the facility until the University of Oregon finishes its final exams. Oregon is one of the few schools around the country that works on the quarter grading system.

"He's a sharp guy and I like this demeanor and his football character," Fox said of the team's first-round draft pick. "I like what I saw from his college tape. He just has to get healthy."

Fox said he expects Stewart will be ready to go in training camp.

"He's out of his boot and he's one schedule. He will be coming here shortly and being doing rehab with our medical people and they are telling me he will be ready for July 25 (the start of training camp). ..."

As I've suggested in past articles, if Stewart is fully recovered from the off-season toe surgery that's limited him to date, I expect him to be a Week 1 starter. ...

In Miami. ... Less than eight months after sustaining a season-ending knee injury, Ronnie Brown took part in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time this week, a sign that points to a full return by next month's training camp.

"It's a big step," said Brown after Thursday's practice, the final organized team activity session until the start of training camp in late July. "A step closer to getting ready for the season and getting ready for training camp.

"It felt pretty good. The previous week I felt pretty good but I've been limited a little bit, just doing some individual drills and some other things. For the last few days I've been able to participate and it feels pretty good to be back out on the field."

New head coach Tony Sparano told reporters he wanted to get Brown into team drills before the vacation break to give the tailback confidence for the months ahead.

"We had a plan here with Ronnie and one of the things we felt like if we could get him involved a little bit more as we got on in practice just so [Brown could feel like he] accomplished a full practice, it would be good for us and good for [him] as we got in training camp."

In case you missed it, Brown was leading the NFL with 991 all-purpose yards when he tore the ACL in his right knee while attempting a tackle in an Oct. 21 loss to the Patriots.

Even though most torn ACLs take 12 to 18 months to fully heal, Brown is thrilled about the progress he has made on his injured right knee and he suggests the mental aspects might be more challenging than the physical angle.

"The knee's doing real well and I look forward to going through training camp and being able to participate in that. By the time September rolls around I'll be 100 percent," he said.

Sounds like he might be right. ...

According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel staffer Harvey Fialkov, teammates whooped it up on the sidelines while watching Brown grab a pass from John Beck and streak past linebacker Joey Porter into the end zone early in Thursday's practice. ...

Still, as noted in last week's Notebook, Ricky Williams continues to impress the team officials and the veteran is expected to play a significant role in the rushing attack -- at least until Brown proves he's 100 percent when the snaps count. ...

In Denver. ... The Broncos wrapped up a quarterback camp with receiver Brandon Marshall making a bold prediction. "I'm hoping and I'm working to have another 100-ball season," Marshall said Thursday. "I'm there mentally and physically right now."

As the Associated Press suggested, Marshall's goal might have seemed optimistic in March, when he cut an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in his right arm in an accident.

There was concern he would miss the start of training camp on July 24, but Marshall said his right arm has gotten stronger.

"I feel pretty good," he said after the team's final workout of the three-week camp. "I still have nerve damage, but I'm still going to catch a hundred balls."

Marshall spent the camp working on his strength and running routes.

"My right hand is not as strong. That's the only thing," Marshall said. "The good thing about it is I have a lot of time left."

The next test is catching hard throws.

"He's full speed," head coach Mike Shanahan said. "He'll be ready to practice, catch the ball June 22. He's getting in much better shape."

"I can't wait until that day comes," Marshall said. "We don't want any setbacks."

Although the team is off from the time practice ended Thursday until June 23rd, Denver Post staffer Mike Klis reports that Marshall plans to stay around to further rehabilitate his injury and work in the community.

According to the AP, Marshall wants to build on his breakout season of 2007, his second, in which he caught 102 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns and emerged as the team's No. 1 receiver.

With the addition of veteran receivers Darrell Jackson, Samie Parker and Keary Colbert, Marshall thinks the Broncos' offense could chase what he called the Patriots' offensive chemistry last year.

"With our offense and our coaches, the sky's the limit for any of us receivers on this team," he said.

"Last year I thought we had a great group, but this year it seems so much stronger. We don't have any selfish guys on the team and everyone knows their role and what they need to do to get us to where we want to be."

Although there are more experienced players on the Broncos' roster, Marshall pointed out an alarming tidbit: He has the most team seniority among receivers, even though he is entering his third season. ...

Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain News staffer Jeff Legwold reports that Colbert believes he can jump-start his career in the Broncos' offense. The Broncos seem to believe he can turn things around.

Despite struggling to live up to what the Panthers had expected for much of his four seasons there, Colbert was the first player from elsewhere the Broncos signed on the dotted line.

And when it's pointed out the Broncos raised a few eyebrows around the league when they signed Colbert to a three-year, $7.2 million deal -- even though he did not make a touchdown catch the past two seasons, Legwold notes that Shanahan usually (and quickly) points out Ed McCaffrey had been released and Rod Smith was an undrafted player before they piled up 1,000-yard seasons in the Broncos offense.

"That's what you look at," Shanahan said. "What a guy can do in your offense, what kind of offense he was in. ... You look at the whole situation, then you make your decisions."

And somebody in Denver apparently has a very positive view of Colbert.

In fact, his signing bonus of $2.5 million is seven times more than the $340,000 of Jackson and Parker combined.

Of the three, Jackson, who averaged 63 catches for 921 yards and seven touchdowns in his first seven seasons with the Seahawks before his production fell with San Francisco last season, by far has the most experience.

That being the case, Colbert has a ways to go before impressing me the way he has the Broncos. ...

In Oakland. ... Javon Walker admits he has a strong distaste for the Broncos. He refers to them as "that team." And according to ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, Walker's disdain is he's looking forward to the 2008 season opener.

It's more than proving he can still be a dominant No. 1 receiver, and it's more than proving Oakland wasn't out of its financial mind by giving him a six-year, $55 million deal (with a staggering $16 million in guarantees) despite his history of knee trouble.

Walker is looking forward to the opener because he gets to face "that team."

On Sept. 8, on "Monday Night Football," Denver will visit Oakland in what is one of the game's most heated rivalries and Williamson advised readers this week that Walker is "all aboard the spite train."

The day after the game was announced at the NFL owners' meetings, head coach Lane Kiffin said he texted his new No. 1 receiver about the news. He said Walker sent back a spirited text that displayed just how ready he is for that game.

Two months later, the fire is still burning in Walker, who practiced just once a day during the team's just-completed mini-camp and is still shaking off the effects of his second knee surgery in two years. Kiffin has twice said this offseason that Walker needs to lose some weight.

Still, Walker said he'll be 100 percent ready to face Denver.

"That team is going to see me in the opener," Walker said. "They are going to see me, I'll tell you that. They'll see what they are missing."

As Williamson further noted, "It seems Al Davis has a new fellow Bronco hater in Oakland. That alone might be worth the $55 million Davis is paying Walker. ..."

Privately, the Broncos are happy Walker is gone, too. Team insiders told Williamson that Walker, who wore out his welcome in Green Bay as well as Denver, was selfish and was more interested in his personal numbers than the team's success.

Whatever the case, it now appears he's in a better place.

"'This team gets me," Walker said. "They know what I can do for them. The coaches want me to get the ball here. I just can't wait to show what I can do in the first game against that team. ..."

Also in Oakland. ... After undergoing surgery on his left foot that forced him to miss six weeks of off-season practices, Ronald Curry returned to his usual spot at receiver this past week.

Curry said he had trouble planting on the foot before the operation, but says he is now running pain free with six weeks before training camp starts. "It feels great, man," he told reporters. "Feels like a new foot, actually."

Curry had his seasons shortened by injuries to his Achilles' tendons in both 2005 and '06, hindering his development as an NFL receiver after playing quarterback in college.

But he led the team with 55 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns last season and is being counted on again heavily this season.

Curry has spent most of his career playing behind stars like Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Randy Moss. So Walker's presence -- and the addition of former Panther Drew Carter -- doesn't worry him.

"Regardless of who was here, I felt like I always been productive, whatever they ask me to do. And it's not going to change this year," Curry said.

I agree. ... In theory, having Walker and Carter will enable Curry to do what he does best on third down -- work the middle of the field. ...

In San Francisco. ... Marshall Faulk was at 49ers practice Tuesday in his new role with the NFL Network. But Sacramento Bee staffer Matthew Barrows reports the former Rams running back was treated more like a visiting coach than a reporter.

According to Barrows, several 49ers, including running back Frank Gore, drifted to Faulk's side during Tuesday morning's practice, and Faulk was not stingy about with advice for his former division rival.

"I don't call it tutoring," Faulk said of his relationship with Gore. "We just talk football. Frank's a polished athlete. We talk football, and I try to have conversations with him just about the game in general."

Gore's ability to learn to protect the quarterback in new coordinator Mike Martz' offense -- which sends many receivers downfield, leaving the quarterback exposed -- is the most critical factor for him, Faulk said.

Faulk also predicted Gore wouldn't be featured as prominently as a receiver as Faulk was when he joined the Rams in 1999. Faulk already had had plenty of experience in that role with his first team, the Indianapolis Colts.

"I know a lot of people, including myself, are wondering. ... How is that going to work? Because Frank seems like a one-dimensional back," Faulk said. "But I think he hasn't been used in that way, and Mike is going to bring him along slowly."

So does that open the door for DeShaun Foster to play a bigger role than expected?

"He's got soft hands," head coach Mike Nolan said of Foster on Tuesday. "I think he adds to the passing game as much as the running game."

And Foster believes he'll see some action.

"Coach Martz gets everybody involved," Foster said. "Frank's a good back, but you're going to need two backs in this league. ..."

With all due respect to Faulk and Foster, I believe Gore is more than capable of handling whatever receiving role Martz can dole out.

In fact, I'll remind you that Gore has led the 49ers in receptions the past two seasons and he tied for third in the league among running backs with 61 catches under Norv Turner in 2006. ...

And finally this week, in Cincinnati. ... Considerable speculation about his plans going forward came to an end when Chad Johnson reported for the Bengals' mandatory mini-camp on Thursday.

He spent the first day mostly watching -- due apparently to ankle and back injuries. Interestingly enough, both injuries seemed to fade over the three-day session as Johnson did increasingly more work on a daily basis.

On Saturday, Johnson worked in his usual spot with the first-team offense, the ankle and back apparently in much better shape. As he did throughout the mini-camp, Johnson was reluctant to talk to the media, other than to say "Vote for Obama" as he walked off the field -- apparently throwing his support behind Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

But Johnson did have an interesting conversation with head coach Marvin Lewis -- one that wasn't as private I suspect as either man believed -- on Thursday.

The conversation was caught on video by the Cincinnati Enquirer and can be viewed here.

In the short clip, Lewis asks the disgruntled wideout "When you going to give me some love?"

Johnson replies: "Ain't no love no more. ... It's business."

To which Lewis shoots back: "Good. Business is playing."

Interesting stuff, followed up by another comment in which Johnson apparently described his on-field approach this fall. Again, I recommend checking it out. ...

One last note here. ... Agent Drew Rosenhaus said that the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver will go to training camp in July. "Chad is going to do the honorable thing," Rosenhaus said in an ESPN interview. "He'll be at training camp."

Call me old fashioned, but the "honorable thing" would have been continuing to work under the six-year, $35.5 million extension he signed in April of 2006 without spending six months doing everything possible to irritate fans, alienate teammates and anger management in an attempt to talk his way out of Cincinnati -- at times in as obnoxious manner as possible. ...

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.