Holdouts hurting Rams and Jags

What do Steven Jackson and Derrick Harvey have in common? The Rams' star running back and the Jaguars' first-round draft pick are the lone remaining holdouts in the NFL.
And they're both gaining more leverage by the day.
News regarding Jackson's situation has been hard to come by, with few reports of talks between the sides. Coach Scott Linehan did say “There have been some talks and they are moving along.” But there has been no sign that Jackson is close to getting a new deal or reporting to the team.
Meanwhile, the first-string offense has failed to produce a touchdown through two preseason games without Jackson. In fact, the Rams' only touchdown in either game was engineered by a third-string quarterback. Marc Bulger threw a pair of interceptions before being pulled from Saturday's game against San Diego following a big hit.
The Jaguars took their own hit in negotiations with Harvey when their defensive ends combined for just four tackles against Miami. They didn't register a single sack and applied only very occasional pressure.
Quentin Groves, drafted a round after Harvey, got his first start against the Dolphins. But you wouldn't know it by looking at the box score, because he didn't show up in a single statistical category. Neither did the man he replaced, Kenny Pettway.
Jacksonville has veteran Paul Spicer at one end, but the position has been further thinned by Reggie Hayward missing the first two games with a sore hamstring and reserve James Wyche landing on season-ending injured reserve.
Harvey is now the longest rookie holdout in franchise history, passing the 19 days of quarterback Byron Leftwich.
According to published reports, the Jaguars are offering Harvey a $16.885 million guaranteed package with a base package of $21.140 million. Sedric Ellis, drafted seventh overall by New Orleans, received $19.5 million guaranteed and $32 million base, while Keith Rivers, selected ninth by Cincinnati, got a reported $15.445 guaranteed, $20.125 base package.
Ken Kremer, Harvey’s agent, is looking for a deal closer to what Ellis received. As a result, the two sides are at an impasse. The Jaguars have made two offers to Harvey, the first on July 1 and the most recent on July 28. The two sides spoke twice early last week but remain in a stalemate.

Engram's injury leaves Seahawks vulnerable

The Seahawks have been the class of a woeful NFC West for the past several years, but Seattle's hopes of another division title took a big hit with the loss of WR Bobby Engram for 6-8 weeks with a fractured shoulder.

Engram set a franchise record with 94 receptions last year, and was slated to start opposite Nate Burleson with Deion Branch still recovering from knee surgery. The team has held out hope that Branch will be available by the season opener, but sometime in October is a more realistic timetable.

Youngsters Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent and Logan Payne were already competing for significant snaps. Now it appears one will be starting on the outside in Week 1 with another working in the slot. That's a significant amount of inexperience on an offense that relies so heavily on its passing game.

Don't be surprised if pass-happy coach Mike Holmgren leans much more on RBs Julius Jones and Mo Morris to try to get the Seahawks through the first month of the season.

Hanging Chad

Brett Favre's arrival to New York means Chad Pennington's departure from the Jets. GM Mike Tannenbaum said Pennington will be the odd-man out, so where could the soft-armed and oft-injured veteran land?

He isn't likely to be brought in as anyone's immediate starter, especially not at this point in training camp. But there are several teams who could bring him in at least as quality backup:

Carolina: An insurance policy behind Jake Delhomme certainly wouldn't be a bad idea after the team flopped hard in Delhomme's absence in '07.

Dallas: The Cowboys have been tied to rumors with Tampa Bay's Chris Simms. They're concerned - or should be - with Brad Johnson turning 40 in September.

Detroit: Drew Stanton or Dan Orlovsky aren't enticing options should Jon Kitna go down.

Kansas City: Coach Herm Edwards had Pennington in New York, and Brodie Croyle could use a better push than Damon Huard can provide.

Miami: One of the few places Pennington could compete for the starting job. Veteran Josh McCown, second-year man John Beck and rookie Chad Henne haven't blown anyone's socks off.

Or, if we really want to throw another grenade on the drama, let's envision him swapping spots with Favre in Green Bay and looking over Aaron Rodgers' shoulder.

Marshall suspension big problem for Broncos

The Broncos' are a chic pick to be a surprise contender in the deep AFC. They have an emerging rocket-armed quarterback in Jay Cutler, a deep stable of running backs and a strong pass defense.

But they must get off to a strong start with six of their first eight games at home, and that will be jeopardized with WR Brandon Marshall facing at least a two-game suspension.

Marshall will be suspended three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, stemming from a string of off-field incidents since he was drafted in 2006, including three arrests. That suspension will be limited to two games as long as he undergoes counseling.

Still, that means Marshall would miss the critical Week 2 home game against San Diego. The Chargers are the clear class of the division, and a home win could set the table for the Broncos' entire season. A loss, and Denver begins the season as just one of the pack.

Upsetting the Chargers without Marshall is a daunting task. That means Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson would both be in the starting lineup. Neither possesses Marshall's deep speed or big-play ability, which the Broncos' offense needs to help keep safeties from attacking the running game with abandon.

Panthers' Smith brawls with another teammate

For the second time in his career, Panthers WR Steve Smith has gotten into an altercation that left a teammate injured. Smith was kicked out of practice Friday after a fight with CB Ken Lucas that finished with Smith being dragged off the cornerback and Lucas leaving the practice field on a cart with an ice bag on his head.

Smith's intensity is part of what makes the mighty-might receiver one of the best in the game. And for the past several years he appeared to have channeled his aggression into his play on the field. But the latest incident has to be a major red flag for a Panthers team that brought in D.J. Hackett during the offseason and appears poised to make noise in the weak NFC South.

Smith was suspended for a game in 2002 after a fight with WR Anthony Bright that landed Bright in the hospital with a broken nose.