The longest of long shots to make an NFL team out of training camp are the rookie free agents. Many sign with teams, but few get the shot to stick around. With rookie free agent class, that's no different. But there may be a few gems in there who have a shot to stick around.

Anthony Aldridge, RB, Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan can turn runners into productive backs, and Aldridge may be the next. He is only 170 pounds, so he won't be an every down back, but with the way the Broncos use multiple backs, that shouldn't be a problem. Aldridge was the third leading rusher in Conference USA, and the twelfth leading rusher in the nation. Only Matt Forte (Tulsa) and Kevin Smith (Central Florida), second and third round picks, respectively, had more yards than Aldridge's 1,597. He also averaged more yards per carry than both of those players, running for over 6 yards a pop while scoring 14 rushing TD's. Aldridge can catch the ball as well, snaring 42 receptions for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Titus Brown, LB, Miami Dolphins: Brown was rated high enough to be mentioned as a possible fourth round pick by some, but he would up not getting selected out of Mississippi State. Going to Miami may be the best thing for him anyway, as he'll have a chance to stick around as a 3-4 rush linebacker. What Brown does best is get behind the line of scrimmage, as he led the Bulldogs and was eighth in the SEC with 8 sacks. And of his 43 total tackles, 13.5 were tackles for a loss, which ranked tenth in the conference.

Vince Hall, LB, St. Louis Rams: Hall, out of Virginia Tech, signed with the Rams when he was passed over in the draft. A middle linebacker, Hall's lack of speed probably hurt him the most, but the Rams are in need of a back-up at the position, which bodes well for him. Hall was productive in college and always around the football, finishing his senior year with 100 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and an interception.

D.J. Hall, WR, New York Giants: Highly productive out of Alabama, Hall has good height at about 6-foot-2, and runs well. More than likely, he was not drafted due to concerns about his character. Still, Hall was fourth in the SEC with 1,005 yards receiving while catching 6 TD passes. He had some huge games, going for 172 yards and 2 TD's against Arkansas, 140 yards on 11 catches vs. Mississippi, and 185 yards and 2 TD's on 13 catches against Tennessee.

Ali Highsmith, LB, Arizona Cardinals: Everyone thought Highsmith would be drafted after his career at LSU ended. For one reason or another, probably his size, it didn't happen. But he has a chance to make the squad in Arizona. He was twelfth in the SEC and first on the Tigers with 101 tackles, and he also had 9 tackles for loss, 8 defended passes, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles for a national championship team.

A look around to see what people are saying about all things football.

- An excellent look using cold, hard data at wide receivers who may have very big years, including Roy Williams, D.J. Hackett and Vincent Jackson. (The Fantasy Sports Forum)

- Former highest paid safety ever Adam Archuleta was cut by the Washington Redskins. It will be interesting to see if his career is over. (Turf Show Times)

- Further proof that the NFL draft is a complete freaking crapshoot. (The Legend of Cecilio Guante)

- Is former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander a fit in Chicago? (The Sports Muffin)

- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are (one of many teams, presumably) who are not interested in former Bengal Chris Henry joining their squad. (Pro Football Talk)

- In the most disturbing story you'll probably hear in a while, former Viking defensive end Darrion Scott was arrested and charged with felony assault after allegedly holding a plastic bag over his 2-year-old son's head. (ESPN)

- Praise for the Buffalo Bills' selection of WR James Hardy in the draft, considering the free agent market at that position. (Buffalo Rumblings)

Gambling is a dirty word in sports. It evokes cautionary tales of the 1919 Black Sox and Pete Rose. Betting is often frowned upon by the powers-that-be in public, and while some may truly despise gambling's place among sports, it certainly belongs. Especially in the NFL. Or did you think there was some other reason for the injury report to be released and then updated throughout the week?

That said, there are some very interesting bets to be had. Such as betting on NFL player arrests. BetUS.com listed odds on which team will have the next player arrested. And it probably will not shock you in the least that the favorite is the Cincinnati Bengals, who come in at 5-1 odds. Right behind the Bengals are the Atlanta Falcons at 8-1, and they just had linebacker Michael Boley arrested. In third come the Miami Dolphins, with 10-1 odds. At 15-1, Dallas, Philadelphia and Indianapolis are tied, and the Detroit Lions are at 18-1. All other teams are at least 20-1.

You can even bet on the crime that the next player will be arrested for. Drug possession is the leader at 2-1, followed by DUI at 3-1, and at 4-1 is either assault or firearm possession. If you're feeling really lucky, go ahead and put some coin down on tax evasion, which stands at 25-1.

And there are other bets that have to do with what happens off the field. For example, Bodog.com is taking a number of Cedric Benson-related wagers right now, such as if he will be cut by the Bears, if he will be suspended by the NFL and what the outcome of the case will be. Just so you know, you can make the most money by betting "No Punishment" at 6-1 odds.

Fred Davis has a lot going for him as a football player. He played ball collegiately at USC. He won the John Mackey Award given to the college game's best tight end last season. He was drafted in the second round by the Washington Redskins to play in new head coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense, which should utilize the tight end quite a bit. So things were looking nice and rosy for Fred. Until he got to mini-camp. Or rather, didn't get there.

One thing they probably teach you at USC is not to show up late. Not that Davis got to the third day of the Redskins mini-camp late. He just didn't get there at all. Team security was told about Davis' absence, and he was subsequently found - turns out he simply overslept. So that's probably a bad start to things in his career. The Washington Post did an interview with Davis' brother, Kedran, who gave this glowing endorsement: "Knowing Frederick the way I do, he was probably just out late and he overslept, he probably just didn't hear the alarm."

That's great. First ever NFL mini-camp, and you oversleep because you were out too late. This is the guy's brother who said this, and someone should tell him he wasn't doing Fred any favors by saying it. Needless to say, Zorn was not pleased, and the Post reported he had a "lengthy discussion" with Davis later in the afternoon, presumably when he awoke.

With the NFL Draft over, the focus can return to action on the field. Many teams have mini-camps right around this time, in preparation for training camp to start in just under three months. Obviously, players get hurt in football. Let's take a look at some players and see how they are progressing.

QB Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals: Leinart suffered a broken collarbone after a vicious hit by Rams MLB Will Witherspoon and was lost for the year. Apparently, he is doing well, and almost fully recovered, which seemed pretty obvious when he was holding up that beer bong.

S Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers: Arguably the most important player on the Steelers' defense had knee surgery to fix a torn PCL, and he is not yet on the practice field, and it is uncertain if he will be totally ready for training camp.

QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers: After undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, Delhomme is throwing again, and told Panthers.com that his elbow, "Feels great right now. So, I'm happy in that respect."

WR Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks: Branch had knee surgery, but almost certainly will not be ready for week 1.

DE Patrick Kerney, Seattle Seahawks: The big defensive end isn't participating in mini-camp, but all signs are that he will be good to go soon.

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: Recovering from a torn ACL, Rivers is practicing and will be under center in training camp barring something else happening.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers: His status is apparently still up in the air, as the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that, "Gates will be recovered anywhere from before training camp to September."

QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers: The former #1 overall pick is trying to avoid the dreaded "bust" label and seems to be just fine after shoulder surgery to repair a separation.

RB Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins: Brown is recovering from a torn ACL, which was unfortunate after he was just beginning to have a breakout year last season when he hurt it. He is still recovering, but should be ready to go when the season starts.

WR Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos: Marshall, of the infamous, "I fell on a McDonald's bag" fib, may or may not be ready to play come training camp. His injuries are still healing, and it will be at least July before anybody knows whether or not he will be able to play.

Around blogfrica we go.

- An outstanding take on that whole fire-breathing Buzz Bissinger, "blogs are the anti-Christ" fiasco on HBO that, as (former) fans of both Bissinger and Costas, was more sad than anything else. (Fire Joe Morgan)

- Lots of interesting bets concerning NFL rookies have been released by the boys in Vegas. (Deuce of Davenport)

- Some thoughts on Titans draft pick William Hayes, the player Tennessee took in the fourth round that the NFL didn't consider enough to list him among draft-worthy players, and who Mel Kiper said was his 66th-rated defensive end. (Music City Miracles)

- Big Tuna Parcells continues to make his mark in the Dolphins offices, as he has gotten around to firing scouts. (Pro Football Talk)

- The Rams drafted linebacker David Vobora with the final pick in the draft, making him, "Mr. Irrelevant," but he has a good shot at making the squad. (Hashmarks)

- Laurence Maroney really likes jewelry, which is pretty obvious when you take one look at the jewelry he's rocking in this picture. (Awful Announcing)