Moss

Imagine a faster Randy Moss. That's what the Vikings believe they'll get from their star receiver, who is two weeks into an extensive eight-week training program at his Explosive Speed Academy in Fort Lauderdale, a facility he created last year for elite athletes. Instead of playing in a pro summer basketball league as he did the last two years, Moss has concentrated on pulling 90-pound sleds on a beach and running hard in the sand to build up his lower body. He's added more than five pounds, bringing his weight to 209 pounds, and has more definition in his upper body.

Bettis ahead of schedule
Jerome Bettis says last year's mid-season knee surgery gave him a one-month jump on his training for this season. Normally, Bettis says he's so banged up after a season he can't train until early March. Bettis started training in late January, reshaped his upper body through weightlifting and has earned two $10,000 bonuses for weighing in twice at 255 pounds or less. Bettis' training, combined with his successful minicamp, has lifted him from being a potential June first salary-cap casualty to a return to his role as the Steelers' featured back.

Davis eyeing shot with Denver
It's still unclear whether Terrell Davis will survive the Broncos' June first cuts, but his extensive training this offseason has helped him make a case to coach Mike Shanahan that he deserves one last shot at training camp in July. Coming off microfracture knee surgery, Davis still won't be ready to make carries at the June minicamp.

Raiders catch a break?
Unless Paul Tagliabue reinstates defensive tackle Darrell Russell from drug suspension this week -- and that's considered unlikely -- the Raiders will get a $2 million cap break. Coach Bill Callahan says Russell will be cut as soon as he's reinstated. Because of that, the Raiders budgeted a $2 million cap hit. But if Russell stays suspended past June 1, the Raiders can delay the cap hit until next year, leaving them with $3.7 million of cap space, enough to sign all their draft choices. More important, it means the Raiders survived being $50 million over the cap by losing just three core players -- defensive tackle Sam Adams, cornerback Tory James and defensive end Regan Upshaw

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.