In May, NFL owners are expected to vote on adding a 5-to-7 day window prior to the start of free agency during which teams would be allowed to negotiate with prospective free agents. They wouldn't be able to have contact with the player, only his agent. "It would allow the home team to know who is talking to their player, who is interested in their player," Falcons president Rich McKay said. "We think it would create a more level playing field for the home team knowing who's out there [that's interested in the player] and give them a chance to re-sign that player before free agency actually opens."

Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton says that the team no longer has any excuses with Terrell Owens playing elsewhere. "All of that is in the past," Crayton said. "As a group, there are no more excuses, no more scapegoats to put the blame on. It's all on us that are here to get the job done. There is nobody here to point the finger at. You understand the business. They made it more [offensive coordinator] Jason Garrett and [quarterback] Tony Romo friendly. Again, no more excuses."

Running back Edgerrin James is still looking to be released by the Cardinals, and isn't likely to attend the team's voluntary workouts. James has always preferred to work out on his own anyway, and that isn't going to change with his disagreements he has had with Arizona.

Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown doesn't believe that the new 'Brady Rule' will change how players approach the game. "You're just going to see a lot more fines because of this [rule]," said Brown. "Nobody is going to take the time to get up off the ground to hit a quarterback. So you'll have guys make the play, pay the fines, write it off on their taxes and move on. Whoever made that rule is crazy."

Jets running back Thomas Jones, who is looking for a more lucrative contract, is again absent from the team's offseason workouts this week. Jones has yet to report to the team this spring. Offseason workouts are optional, but there is a mandatory minicamp in June.

A rematch of Super Bowl XLIII will open Monday Night Football's preseason schedule in August when the Steelers host the Cardinals. The game will take place on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN's Mike Tirico and analysts Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser will call four preseason games during August.

The Falcons have reportedly reached a settlement with Michael Vick on their breach-of-contract claim that is still awaiting an appeals court decision on a grievance case. Under the settlement, Vick has agreed to pay Atlanta $7.5 million if the team wins an appeal in the Eighth Circuit Court and $6.5 million if the court upholds U.S. District Judge David Doty's decision that Vick is only liable for $3.75 million.

Disgruntled quarterback Jay Cutler has forfeited his $100,000 workout bonus because he already missed more than 10 percent of Denver's sessions. Assuming he reports to training camp, he'll still earn a $1.035 million salary for the 2009 season.

The Lions plan to have a finalized contract, or at least an agreement, in place with whomever they select with the first overall pick. Only the team with the first pick can negotiate with prospects before the draft. Oakland botched their negotiations with JaMarcus Russell two years ago and he held out, which caused him to join the team late. "We saw how much that set back [Russell] a couple years ago," new coach Jim Schwartz said. "That's a tool we have in drafting No. 1. We need to take advantage of every advantage that we have."

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer isn't worried about receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, who hasn't attended the team's recent workouts. "I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the guys we have here," said Palmer. "The guys that want to be here and want to work now are the guys in the locker room and here today and here this offseason. I'm not going to worry about anyone else."