Coach Janky Spanky

Todd Archer, from the Dallas Morning News, reports Jason Witten caught 94 passes last year for 1,030 yards and went to another Pro Bowl. But if there's a number the Cowboys want to see increase it is touchdown catches. Red zone production has been a big part of the Cowboys' off-season emphasis. They were not as productive in the red zone as they have been in the past and some of that was because Witten was not a big part of it. Coach Wade Phillips said the approach will be a bit different in the red zone offensively this year. "I think Witten comes to mind more than anybody," Phillips said. "We had been getting it to him in the red zone and we didn't do it as quite as much as last year. We shouldn't have gotten away from that."

More positive reports coming out about DHB. Heyward-Bey is big and fast, but had trouble with drops and route running last year when he was a rookie. Now it looks as though he's developing into an up and coming weapon for the Raiders. His chemistry with Jason Campbell is reportedly very good, and he could be a value play in fantasy leagues when you need wide receiver depth.

Unrestricted free-agent QB Daunte Culpepper (Lions) has signed with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League, reports Aaron Wilson, of NationalFootballPost.com. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

John DeShazier, from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports now that Mike Bell's gone there's an opening for a late-game sledgehammer. Someone to pound away at defenses in the fourth quarter as the Saints look to bleed dry the game clock while protecting their lead. Lynell Hamilton (6 feet, 235 pounds) doesn't need to submit a resume. The Saints already know his work and seem satisfied with his job performance. Granted, it was a brief audition -- 35 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season, and six carries for 22 yards and a score in the playoffs. But no one should know better what Hamilton can do, and is capable of, than the Saints. "We've seen him now for two seasons, and we've seen him in preseason games and in some critical spots a year ago -- at Buffalo (during the regular season, when he ran five times for 24 yards and a touchdown). Throughout the year, he's handled the ball, and we've really not hesitated putting him in short-yardage or putting him in goal-line, and we do have a confidence level in what he can do, " Saints Coach Sean Payton said.

Tom Kowalski, from MLive.com, reports rookie RB Jahvid Best is going to be Detroit's starting running back on opening day, there's no debate about that. What has yet to be determined, though, is how long he's going to be staying in the games. While his 5-foot-10, 200-pound frame would suggest that he'll need to be in some sort of rotation to stay fresh, head coach Jim Schwartz isn't going into this with any preconceived notions. Actually, that's not true. Schwartz does have an idea of what he's looking for - what Chris Johnson has given the Titans over the last couple of years. When Johnson was drafted -- and Schwartz was in Tennessee at the time -- it was believed the 185-pound Johnson couldn't handle a large workload. That has proven to be false and Schwartz hopes Best can prove the same thing in Detroit.

I FUCKING TOLD YOU: “Oakland Raiders QB Jason Campbell has quickly picked up the team's offensive scheme, according to the Contra Costa Times. 'It just goes to show you the type of guy he is and the type of hard worker and studier he is,' OT Mario Henderson said.”

CBSSports.com reports Texans WR Kevin Walter has dazzled the coaching staff with his downfield speed during their most recent OTAs. After passing on signing with the Ravens this offseason, Walter re-signed with the Texans and finds himself in a battle this offseason with speedster Jacoby Jones for the starting job opposite Andre Johnson. "I don't know how, but he has," wide receivers coach Larry Kirksey said when asked about how Walter has improved his speed. "He's playing fast -- that's Kevin though. He's going to work on anything to get an advantage on a defender."

Detroit Lions TE Tony Scheffler (knee) participated in practice this week, and head coach Jim Schwartz said Scheffler has looked very sharp during drills, reports Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com.

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Scheffler will play a Dallas Clark-esque role in this offseason, so he is very underrated in fantasy leagues right now. We know he has the good hands and athleticism to be a great threat in the passing game, now he'll get a chance to show it after a 2009 season that saw him spend a lot of time on the sidelines.

Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini said he is open to the possibility of starting FS T.J. Ward and FS Larry Asante at safety this season, reports Aaron Wilson, of NationalFootballPost.com. “AHAHAHAHAHA START EVERYONE AGAINST THEM”

Chris Brown, from BuffaloBills.com, reports C.J. Spiller got some of his first offensive reps split wide instead of in the offensive backfield. He had one reception as a receiver in Wednesday's practice when he was matched up on a linebacker.

THE JANITOR: Rich Tandler, from CSNWashington.com, notes as Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker are likely to get minimal work in the preseason, Ryan Torain will get a lot of chances to show what he can do. Rookie free agent Keiland Williams should also get a decent workload during camp and in the preseason. He gained 1,699 yards and scored 17 touchdowns as a reserve running back at LSU.

Rich Tandler, from CSNWashington.com, notes that to a few observers at minicamp it looked like Willie Parker did not have much burst in his game. He probably looks a lot like he did the last two years in Pittsburgh when he averaged 3.8 yards a carry. Since Parker is not a power runner by any means, and since he doesn't play special teams, it's difficult to envision him sticking around unless he, literally, gets back up to speed.

Washington Redskins TE Chris Cooley has lined up on the outside at times during offseason workouts, reports Rick Maese, of The Washington Post.