Even though he hasn't played in an NFL game since his release by the Atlanta Falcons last year, tailback Jamal Anderson has no immediate designs on retiring, and still hopes to be in some team's training camp in a few weeks.

"Two weeks into (camp) and something could happen," agent Jim Sims said. "He has been working out (in Atlanta), feels great, wants to play. There are a few teams that we have focused in on as possibilities. There have been some talks."

It is believed that one of the teams in which Anderson is interested, and which may have reciprocated because of the tenuous situation with the legal entanglements that are facing starting tailback Michael Pittman, is the Tampa Bay Bucs. The Bucs are expected to look at a few veterans players, like offensive tackle Jumbo Elliott, when they return from the Aug. 2 "American Bowl" in Tokyo.

Anderson, 30, told ESPN.com last month that he was planning a return for 2003. He was close last summer to signing with the New England Patriots, then backed off when he felt his surgically repaired knee was not fully rehabilitated. One of the game's premier backs when he was healthy, Anderson suffered severe knee injuries in both 1999 and 2001, and he played in a total of just five games those two seasons.

The Falcons released him last summer after signing Warrick Dunn as an unrestricted free agent and drafting T.J. Duckett in the first round.

For his career, Anderson, who has done some television work for ESPN, has rushed for 5,336 yards and 34 touchdowns on 1,329 carries. He helped lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 1998, establishing a league record with 410 rushes, and running for 1,846 yards. He has appeared in 88 games and started 64 of them.

Baltimore Ravens: With defensive end Michael McCrary showing no signs of making a retirement announcement that had been expected for much of the preseason, the Ravens on Wednesday terminated the contract of the 10-year veteran, making him a free agent, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported.

McCrary, 33, played in just five games in 2002, with two starts, and suffered a knee injury that landed him on the injured reserve list. In fact, injuries dogged him for the final two seasons of his tenure with the Ravens, and he played just 15 games in 2001-2002. The Ravens had made it clear they would not pay McCrary's scheduled base salary of $3 million in 2003 and, in recent weeks, indicated he would be back even if he accepted a salary reduction to the league minimum of $755,000.

Early in the offseason, it seemed McCrary was content to retire, but he has been telling confidants recently that he might still be able to play as a situational pass rusher.

At one point in his career, McCrary was, indeed, one of the NFL's premier speed rushers and he totaled 48 ½ sacks in a four-year span 1996-1999. McCrary played four seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (1993-96) before moving to the Ravens in 1997. For his career, he had 404 tackles and 71 sacks in 136 games.

Green Bay Packers: One player who is retiring is Green Bay right offensive tackle Earl Dotson, who formally announced he will not return for an 11th season.

At one point in his career, Dotson, 32, was one of the best strongside tackle in the league, a powerful run blocker who often played at a Pro Bowl level. But chronic back problems and subsequent surgeries, along with having to play in considerable pain, greatly eroded his skills.

Technically, Dotson was an unrestricted free agent, but he entertained no offers during the spring and summer. Had he returned, it would have been with the Packers most likely, but he decided it was more prudent not to test his back any further. He played in 12 games for the Packers last season, replacing Mark Tauscher as the starter, after the latter suffered a season-ending knee injury.

In all, Dotson started in 100 of his 135 career regular-season appearances.

Detroit Lions: Although the financial details were not immediately available, ESPN.com confirmed that linebacker Boss Bailey, the second-round draft pick of the Lions, has agreed to a five-year contract.

One of the top linebacker prospects in the draft, Bailey slipped into the second round when some teams became concerned about past knee injuries and a few others questioned his tackling ability. The former University of Georgia star will vie for a starting position in the "base" defense for the Lions and almost certainly will play in the "nickel" package.

Bailey, 23, started in 35 of 48 games at Georgia and finished his career with 266 tackles, 7½ sacks, 29 quarterback pressures and a pair of interceptions. His older brother, Champ Bailey, is a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Washington Redskins.

Chicago Bears: A judge has ruled that Chicago Bears defensive lineman Bryan Robinson will not have to serve jail time and can report on time to training camp. Robinson faced a 30-day sentence because of a DUI conviction, his second such incident in four months, last October.

Judge Patrick Lawler, however, gave Robinson credit for 17 days he spent as an in-patient at the Gateway Foundation alcohol treatment facility, where he had voluntarily admitted himself for help. The judge then suspended the remaining 13 days of the sentence.

Robinson, 29, must serve an 18-month probation and complete 360 hours of community service. He will appear in court again next Jan. 16 to report on his probation.

The seven-year veteran, who began camp last year with two broken wrists because of an incident in which he tripped over his dog, is a key to the Bears' defensive front. He was moved from left end to tackle last season and the Chicago coaches want him to remain an inside player. That will mean right tackle Phillip Daniels can switch to the left side and speed-rusher Alex Brown, a second-year veteran, can assume the starting right end spot.

LaFavor signed: Chicago agreed to terms Wednesday with fifth-round draft pick Tron LaFavor on a four-year contract.

LaFavor, a defensive tackle from Florida, started 13 games during his college career and had 112 tackles, three sacks and 13 tackles for losses. He also recovered three fumbles.

Buffalo Bills: Second-round draft pick Chris Kelsay was one of three rookies to sign with the Bills on Wednesday.

Selected 48th overall out of Nebraska, the defensive end signed a four-year deal that included a $1.37 million bonus.

Also signing Wednesday were linebacker Angelo Crowell, the third-round pick, and cornerback Terrence McGee, the first of two fourth-round selections.

The moves were announced the day rookies and select veterans reported for training camp, which opens Thursday in suburban Rochester.

Rookie running back Willis McGahee, Buffalo's first-round pick, has not signed. He is coming off major knee surgery and isn't expected to play until late in the season, at the earliest.

Houston Texans: The Texans have signed linebacker Antwan Peek, the team's third round pick in this year's NFL draft.

Peek is the seventh draft pick signed by the Texans, the team announced Wednesday.

The University of Cincinnati standout will make the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker for the Texans.

In his four years at Cincinnati, he rewrote the Bearcats' record books with 27.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and six blocked kicks.

In his senior year, Peek was named first-team All-Conference USA and had a career high 97 tackles, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and six-and-a-half sacks.

St. Louis Rams: Rookie offensive guard Scott Tercero, the team's sixth-round pick, will be sidelined an estimated six weeks because of a knee injury.

Tercero, injured in the first of two workouts Friday, will undergo surgery Saturday. Tercero first hurt his knee lifting weights last week, and tore cartilage when he slipped and fell during a non-contact drill.

Wide receiver Mike Furrey, an offseason pickup from Northern Iowa who has opened eyes early in camp, will be out perhaps two weeks due to a mild high ankle sprain.

"I really like this young man and I think he's got a future with us," coach Mike Martz said. "We've just got to make sure when he comes back he's ready."