Training camp is here in full force. We've got you covered today with live coverage on NFL Network* until 11 p.m. ET. On NFL.com, we'll be featuring highlights from the television coverage and notes from our reporters in the field. Here are today's whispers.*
» Ian Rapoport has new details on ongoing contract negotiations involving Julio Jones and A.J Green, two receivers who Rapoport believes could be in line for record deals. First, re: Jones "Julio Jones stepped on the field Thursday and said that his agent Jimmy. Sexton has been talking to members of the Falcons' brass. Essentially negotiations are just beginning, very preliminary, but of course it is a no-brainer for the Falcons that they want to do a deal to lock Julio Jones up long term." Rapoport then said that Cincinnati has aggressively pursued a new deal with Green, making it "clear that he's their number one priority."
»Robert Griffin III is starting training camp off strong, according to NFL Media's Michael Robinson.
"RGIII has looked really, really good here in the early parts of practice. I don't think he's thrown an incomplete pass. He is letting the ball out a lot faster. His footwork looks a lot more crisp," Robinson said.
»Robinson also noted that rookie running back Matt Jones has been impressive.
» More contract news: Kimberly Jones reported on a potential extension for Eli Manning.
» In Nashville, the Titans are getting ready to practice tomorrow. They will do so, apparently, with an important spot on the depth chart sorted out. In the words of head coach Ken Whisenhunt:
» Even more contract news: NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported that there is a "growing sense of optimism" that a deal between the Seahawks and LB Bobby Wagner will get done.
» Mariota on himself: "My expectations will probably be higher (than the fans'). That's just who I am."
» Around The NFL's Conor Orr is visiting the Jets in Florham Park, and he noticed an immediate difference in practice setup. New GM Mike Maccagnan was on the field and hanging close to third-year QB Geno Smith, per Orr, who also noted a new offensive approach during the first practice.
Our Cowboys reporter Desmond Purnell reported Thursday from 'Boys camp in Oxnard. Two interesting bits: Tony Romo says base is stronger and he should be able to be a more regular attendee at practice this year, and Darren McFadden is starting camp on the PUP list.
» We spent most of the morning in Foxborough, where the Patriots entered camp with more quarterback intrigue than they've had in a decade. Clad in a red non-contact jersey, Tom Brady took the field around 9:20 ET to a standing ovation and chants of "BRADY! BRADY! BRADY!" NFL Network's Rhett Lewis, on location in Foxborough with Brian Baldinger, described the scene: "As far as training camp and fan receptions go, that's about as good as you'll get." Second-year man Jimmy Garoppolo, set to start the first four games of the season if Brady's suspension holds, was also greeted warmly.
» Before the team took the field, coach Bill Belichick briefly broke his code of coach-speak when a reporter suggested that Garoppolo didn't have significant experience in a drop-back offense during his time at Eastern Illinois. "Well, I wouldn't totally agree with that first statement," Belichick said. "He's made a lot of progress like really, most all players making their first year. Now we're into the second year and we'll see where that continues and where we're able to pick up the learning from last year and that goes for all our players."
» The duo began field work with positional drills, practicing drop-backs with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and gradually adding medium-range throws to the repetitions. The Patriots dressed only two quarterbacks Thursday for the three-hour practice: veteran backup Matt Flynn is on the non-football injury list. "I'm a little surprised that they only have two live arms out there," said NFL Network's Charley Casserly.
» * We interrupt Patriots play-by-play to bring you to Wisconsin's St. Norbert College, where Green Bay's QB1 appears in top form. *
» Back to Foxborough: Much has been made in the last two days about how the Patriots should divide practice reps between the suspended Brady and the green Garoppolo. Casserly argued that the real issue is game experience with the No. 1 offensive line, which Garoppolo will need to gain familiarity with during the preseason. "The biggest problem you have to me in dividing the reps is the game time, is the offensive line," he said. "Most of the time your offensive line only plays the first quarter ... do you want Brady exposed with the second offensive line? I don't think so."
» Casserly joined Baldinger and Lewis to discuss what a Garoppolo-led offense will look like. "Garoppolo's strength physically is his quick release," Casserly said. "You can probably run a lot of the concepts you ran with Brady with Garoppolo, emphasizing the ball underneath ... This offense is going to be based on underneath, inside the hashes." Casserly and Baldinger highlighted the signing of TE Scott Chandler to go along with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman as accessible mid-range targets for Garoppolo.
» Training camp wouldn't be training camp without hyper-scrutiny of every practice throw. Here it is: Garoppolo threw the day's only interception (in a red zone 7-7 drill), which he called "a terrible decision," but he said afterwards that his comfort level with the McDaniels offense "is night and day compared to last year." Beat writer Erik Frenz of Bleacher Report had Garoppolo at 28-of-36 passing with the interception and Brady at a sharp 27-of-30. Brady "took most or all of the first team reps," per Rapoport, who added that the Patriots believe "somehow, someway (Brady) will be on the field Week 1." After practice Garoppolo met the media and was asked if he felt ready to start the opener. "We're not really looking that far ahead," he said. "I don't think anyone is." (Jimmy, we can assure you that's not true).
» A final New England note: The Patriots have depersonalized the running back position in recent years, but LeGarrette Blount was a key cog in last season's Super Bowl run. Per the Boston Globe, Blount has failed his conditioning test, forcing him onto the non-football injury list. "This isn't a huge deal, but it's a reminder that Blount has struggled with motivation and various off-field issues since he entered the league," writes Around The NFL Editor Gregg Rosenthal
» Albert Breer is in Richmond, Va. with the Redskins, where the big news of the day might not concern Robert Griffin III. As Breer reported last night, former Saints LB Junior Galette, who was cut last week after off-the-field issues soured the Saints, will visit with Washington Thursday. Breer added some insight: "[The Redskins] just paid Ryan Kerrigan. Not a mistake that that's the guy they paid first: very level, very consistent, and a leader. They think Kerrigan could wind up being a good match with Galette. Now if they are able to get something done with Galette Thursday, look for it to be a one year, prove-it type of deal, but they want to get a good read on who he is as a person."
» The Giants report in East Rutherford Thursday before taking the field for an opening practice tomorrow. On location in New Jersey, Kimberly Jones reported that DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who had his right index finger amputated after a July 4 fireworks accident, is not expected Thursday and has not yet spoken with coach Tom Coughlin. "I can tell you JPP has responded to texts saying he is feeling much better, that he is doing great, that he expects to be here soon ... but it doesn't appear that he will be here Thursday," Jones reported.
» Jones added that Paul is one of multiple question marks -- safety among them after the departure of Antrel Rolle -- for the defense and said that players describe Steve Spagnuolo's unit as "an attaking defense. It's a defense that dictates to an offense." Spagnuolo won the 2007 Super Bowl as the Giants' defensive coordinator and is back in his old job after bouncing around the league.
» NFL Network is also carrying a feed from Dolphins practice in Davie, Fl. Baldinger on Ryan Tannehill: "Obviously they're trying to improve the core around him... but eventually, Rhett, the QB has to make everybody else around him better if you truly are a franchise quarterback." Baldinger said that Tannehill has to show more in late-game situations. Ndamukong Suh was also on the field in Davie.
» At Lake Forrest's Halas Hall, the Bears are already talking about injuries: 1st-round pick Kevin White is still working his way back from a shin injury. "We're not even going to use the term rehbilitation. This guy's been resting, he's been off his feet," Stacey Dales reported about White. "They're not going to take any risks ... I've got the udnerstanding that they're extremely optimistic about his return...it's something that I believe he'll come back from sooner rather than later."
» Also on the list of camp arrivals are the controversial, talkative Super Bowl runners up. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is still set to play under the final year of his rookie contract, meaning he'll make the same $1.5 M as backup Tarvaris Jackson. Wilson wants a new deal, but NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that "there is some pessimism that a long-term deal with Russell Wilson will get done." Stay tuned.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Tom Brady's four-game suspension and Eric Berry's comeback.