July 3
Titans eye receivers to rival Ravens

	After battling a shoulder infection this offseason, Steve McNair is healthy again.

Until recently, 2001 had been mostly miserable for the Tennessee Titans. They had to live with division rival Baltimore's Super Bowl title. They lost defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to Buffalo. Steve McNair had a bizarre shoulder infection. Eddie George had surgery on a toe.

George appears ahead of schedule and McNair is healthy with a new contract, but the Titans still have not addressed their greatest need -- wide receiver.

What gives? The Titans say they won't panic after being burned by their experience with Yancey Thigpen and Carl Pickens.

They're content with Derrick Mason and Chris Sanders as starters while Kevin Dyson recovers from last year's knee injury, and they'll wait until training-camp cuts to add depth.

Cards' Olson likes RB Pittman's power
The legal problems of Cardinals running back Michael Pittman's have opened the door for former No. 1 pick Thomas Jones, but Pittman was the team's leading rusher and receiver in 2000 (he had 73 catches).

Pittman also is a power runner, which fits the blueprint for new offensive coordinator Rich Olson, an ex-Redskins assistant who envisions Stephen Davis-like success for Pittman.

Acquittal saves Romanowski's streak
Bill Romanowski gambled and won last week when he turned down a misdemeanor plea before being acquitted of prescription drug fraud.

Any conviction or plea would have resulted in at least a two-game suspension and ended his streak of 208 consecutive games, including 108 straight starts. The diet drug in question, Phentermine, is not on the NFL's banned substance list, so mere evidence that Romo used it will not result in a suspension.

Vets applaud first-rate rookies
Early impressions from often-cynical veteran players on this year's first-rounders are very favorable for Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren, Rams defensive tackle Damione Lewis and Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, whom All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau is touting as a sure-fire impact rookie.