Bengals' Rivers to Sign Contract

The holdout of Cincinnati Bengals first-round linebacker Keith Rivers is about to come to an end.

Rivers, the 9th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, is reportedly on his way to Bengals training camp. He could sign a contract tonight and be on the practice field tomorrow, provided he passes his physical.

Rivers was a three-year starter at USC, earning All-American honors in 2007 after amassing 78 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Even with his prolonged holdout, he is expected to start immediately for the Bengals.

Three Players Still Holding Out

The seventh day of New Orleans Saints training camp gets underway today, and 1st round pick Sedrick Ellis is still not an official member of the team.

Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune suggests that Ellis' camp may be waiting for Derrick Harvey, picked one spot behind Ellis, to sign his contract so that they can improve their own negotiating position. However, there are no signs Harvey is closer to a contract, and his holdout is expected to continue through a 4th day.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers missed the first two practices, which head coach Marvin Lewis thinks is a shame. Rivers is reportedly close by and can be at camp once a deal is reached.

Looking at the contract sizes of the #6 and #10 picks of the first round, it's pretty clear why Ellis, Harvey and Rivers haven't signed.

6. NY Jets - DE, Vernon Gholston - 5 years, $50M ($21M guaranteed)
7. New Orleans - DT, Sedrick Ellis
8. Jacksonville - DE, Derrick Harvey
9. Cincinnati - LB, Keith Rivers
10. New England - LB, Jerod Mayo - 5 years, $18.9M ($13.8M guaranteed)

A $31.1 million dollar gap in "total contract value" leaves a lot of room for agents like Eugene Parker (Ellis), Ken Kremer (Harvey) and David Dunn (Rivers) to work with.

NFL News and Notes

Bill Belichick was a long-time proponent of putting a radio transmitter inside the helmet of the defender, and the New England Patriots were one of the 25 teams to vote for the new rule allowing it. Now that it's here, Belichick acknowledged that the team is still going to employ hand signals. The Patriots like the versatility of wide receiver Jabar Gaffney.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch won't be disciplined by the NFL for his hit-and-run arrest this off-season. The Bills are tailoring their defensive scheme to fit what made Marcus Stroud so successful in Jacksonville. Bills special teams coach Bobby April is putting his punt returners through an interesting drill.

Miami Dolphins linebackers Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele are vying for the same starting job. Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey won't get a new contract until after 2008. Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter practiced for the first time on Monday.

The New York Jets had an off-day yesterday. Jets head coach Eric Mangini calls defensive end Shaun Ellis the "E.F. Hutton of the locker room".

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom sprained his foot. Bengals running back Kenny Irons cleared waivers and was placed on the team's "Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform" list.

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis is running to accomplish the long-term goals he want to reach when he entered the league. Browns linebacker Andra Davis is trying to stick around for the good times in Cleveland.

At times, the Baltimore Ravens revamped offensive line "doesn't know where it's going", writes Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. The projected starters for the Ravens are:

LT - Jared Gaither
LG - Ben Grubbs
C - Jason Brown
RG - Marshal Yanda
RT - Adam Terry

Average age of this group: 23.8 years.

Ravens linebacker Bart Scott has gone from mad to furious.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has an injured hamstring. The key to the Steelers success this season will be Ben Roethlisberger. Veteran Steelers tackle Trai Essex was working at left guard with the first-team when camp opened.

Houston Texans running back Chris Brown is hoping to put his injury-plagued past behind him, though he did miss practice on Monday after cramping up. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said that starting quarterback Matt Schaub knows he's being pushed by Sage Rosenfels, who went 3-1 as a starter in 2007, every day.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and tight end Marcedes Lewis made an instant connection two years ago. Jaguars center Brad Meester will miss time with a biceps injury.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock hasn't reported to training camp. Colts quarterback Jim Sorgi is going to play a lot in the pre-season opener against Washington on Sunday.

There's a pretty good chance "Chris" will be retuning kicks for the Tennessee Titans this season. Titans safety Michael Griffin snared two interceptions in Monday's afternoon practice.

A dark cloud is hanging over Denver Broncos training camp, and Roger Goodell can clear it up by making a decision on what to do with Brandon Marshall. CompleteColorado.com had some details of the incidents Marshall has been involved in. Broncos safety Hamza Abdullah is no longer on the special teams units. A trio of Broncos, D.J.Williams, Boss Bailey and Selvin Young, were late for practice after being administered steroid tests.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson will be expected to carry a heavy load this season. The only thing that will keep Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez from coming back next year is the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl this season.

San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie on his teammate, safety Eric Weddle: “He doesn't look like a football player. He belongs on '90210.' ” Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson could be poised for a breakout season.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry spent the off-season in the weight room. Raiders backup offensive lineman Mark Wilson broke his leg on Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys defensive linemen are young and unsung. The Cowboys aren't concerned with cornerback Terrence Newman's strained left groin. Adam Jones and Patrick Crayton played what sounds like an interesting game during punt drills. An impressive one, too.

New York Giants safety Sammy Knight is studying the team's media guide to learn more about his teammates. Giants tackle Shane Olivea is starting over.

Yesterday was the first of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid's "30-plus" practices, where players over 30 get the morning practice off every third day of training camp. Reid's idea gives older players a rest, and younger players more reps. One snag in the Eagles' contract renegotiations with Brian Westbrook is that they mutually agreed to convert a roster bonus to a signing bonus, thereby limiting how they can adjust his contract for a period of 12 months.

Injuries to rookie wide receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas will give veteran Burl Toler more playing time in Sunday's pre-season game against Indianapolis. Redskins backup quarterback Todd Collins is struggling to learn the West Coast offense.

Chicago Bears rookie left tackle Chris Williams isn't going to rush his return from a back injury. The Bears offense is using more two-tight end sets.

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Chuck Darby is reunited with Rod Marinelli, the coach who gave him his chance in the NFL. Marinelli likes what he sees from rookie defensive end Cliff Avril.

"I know I will be scrutinized a ton, but that's what comes with being a quarterback in this league." - Aaron Rodgers after his first day of training camp as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. One of the perceived strengths of the Packers defense is quickly deteriorating into one of its weaknesses. Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett has a strained hamstring and second-year man Justin Harrell admitted that he could have season-ending back surgery. With Johnny Jolly facing a suspension, and Corey Williams shipped off to Cleveland, the Packers could be very thin on their interior line.

The battle for the #3 quarterback job in Minnesota is downright gentlemanly. The Vikings put on pads for the first time on Monday and safety Madieu Williams jacked up Chester Taylor.

With Bobby Petrino safely in Arkansas, the Atlanta Falcons signed massive defensive tackle Grady Jackson to a one-year contract. Falcons cornerback Von Hutchins was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture on his foot. Falcons rookie wide receiver Harry Douglas took a swing at safety Lawyer Milloy during practice on Monday.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith wants to finish his career as one of the legendary wide receivers. Smith, D.J. Hackett, Nick Goings and Jonathan Stewart sat out Monday night's practice.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant has a lot weighing on his mind this summer. Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie is ahead of schedule in his rehab from surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia declared himself the team's starting quarterback. After spending 2007 on his couch, Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant is trying to revive his once promising career. Buccaneers defensive end Gaines Adams is much more comfortable in his second season.

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James thinks the "running backs fade when they turn 30" thing is a cliche. (He's right. Just ask Shaun Alexander.) The Cardinals have sold out their October 12th game against Dallas, which required fans seeking single-game tickets to also purchase tickets to the August 7th pre-season game against New Orleans.

Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones is no stranger to following successful running backs. Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times calls Seahawks rookie defensive end Lawrence Jackson "Socrates in shoulder pads".

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is reportedly seeking $20 million in guaranteed money as part of his contract extension. Jackson's holdout, which enters its fifth day today, is providing Brian Leonard and Antonio Pittman with an opportunity to get some reps with the first-team offense.

San Francisco 49ers running back Michael Robinson had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on Monday. Former Raiders and current 49ers tackle Barry Sims is happy to be on the other side of the bay.

Cincinnati Bengals Select Keith Rivers

After losing out on Sedrick Ellis, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Ellis' teammate from USC, linebacker Keith Rivers.

Rivers is the top-rated linebacker in the draft and will provide the leadership the Bengals desperately need on that side of the ball.

Great pick by the Bengals.