Key Rookies at Big Disadvantage

One of the advantages of playing in the Pac-10 or the Big Ten is an increased opportunity at the national title because they don't play conference championship games that knock off contenders last in the season.

On the flip side, however, is that once players from many teams in those conferences reach the NFL, they start off behind the 8-ball. Because many Pac-10 and Big Ten schools are on the quarters system, their graduation dates aren't until June. And because rookies can't return to their teams until May 15 or following their school's spring semester concludes, many are missing out on key Organized Team Activities the next several weeks.

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis preempted the issue, taking classes last summer to complete his requirements early, so he is on-hand at St. Louis' workouts. But Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is missing critical on-field time because Southern California doesn't finish up classes until next month. In the meantime, Kellen Clemens is taking the majority of the reps in minicamp.

Cincinnati, a member of the Big East, is another school that has classes into June. That's holding back defensive end Connor Barwin. The Texans are excited about his potential, but Barwin is a very raw prospect who needs all the practice time he can get if he wants to contribute in 2009. He won't be back on the field until the Bengals' June 15-17 minicamp.

In Kansas City, new coach Todd Haley has opened up competition across the board, and there are plenty of opportunities for young players to jump on. But when the Chiefs start their OTAs on May 18, fourth-round cornerback Donald Washington (Ohio State) and linebacker Corey Smith (Cincinnati) won't be there.

"That's a disadvantage for them," said Haley. "They'll have to work very hard to catch up."

As Haley looks at it, it's another obstacle for rookies who are already 28 workouts behind the veterans they are competing against.

"Just to give themselves an equal chance to compete they can't waste a day," said Haley. "When they go back to school they have to be working out and once they get here they have to have to put the pedal to the metal. If they don't, they are not going to have an equal chance to compete because they are already behind. It is an important situation to understand."

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.

"Contenders" In Early Trouble

Nearly a third of the league is winless heading into Week 3, and many are hardly the usual suspects.

Philadelphia, New Orleans and both New York teams entered the season with high expectations for a run deep into January, but now find themselves in near must-win situations in September.

Their struggles aren't by coincidence -- all four have significant concerns that have contributed to their slow starts:

--Philadelphia: QB Donovan McNabb hasn't been sharp coming off knee surgery, and now RB Brian Westbrook, who has accounted for 47 percent of the team's offense, is battling a sore knee that could sideline him Sunday.
--New Orleans: RBs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are touching the ball on 39.3 percent of the snaps compared to 48.1 last season. The result is fewer passing lanes opening for QB Drew Brees. And then there's the secondary, which has allowed 11 pass plays of 20 yards or longer.
--N.Y. Giants: Injuries and a porous secondary threaten to derail the season before it starts. RB Derrick Ward has done a commendable job, but he doesn't bring the bruising presence of Brandon Jacobs. And the Giants have to run the ball and chew up the clock, because their secondary shows no promise of improving.
--N.Y. Jets: QB Chad Pennington returns from last week's game, but he's facing another dilemma with Jets fans pining for backup Kellen Clemens to take over after a solid performance last Sunday. The Jets have their own secondary issues as injuries have left the unit razor thin.