Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs won't convene for their first training camp practice until Saturday morning, but the anticipated battle for the backup quarterback spot behind Brad Johnson, expected to be a heated competition, may have already been decided by default.

Barring miraculous progress over the next few days, veteran quarterback Jim Miller, who recently experienced a setback in his rehabilitation from January shoulder surgery, will not be able to throw at the outset of camp. There is a good chance that Miller, the former Chicago Bears starter, will be placed on the physically unable to perform list.

That would leave four-year veteran Shaun King, who re-signed with the Bucs this spring after an unproductive stint in the unrestricted free-agent market, as the primary backup. And if Miller does begin the season on the PUP list, which by definition means he would miss the first six games of the year, it would open up a roster spot for third-round draft choice Chris Simms of the University of Texas.

"He won't be throwing the ball right out of the gate," coach Jon Gruden said of Miller, who signed a one-year, $675,000 contract after the Bears released him. "He won't be quite ready. That's where we are mentally right now."

Miller, 32, has been working out diligently since signing with the Bucs, and has been a regular at the team's complex, virtually the entire offseason. About two months ago, his shoulder had progressed to the point where he could throw short passes without much velocity on them, but the joint then developed swelling and soreness. Miller allowed that he may have become "a little overzealous" in his quest to be fully recovered by camp.

The nine-year veteran, who also underwent ankle surgery this offseason, remains hopeful his shoulder will improve during the preseason. He has the security of knowing the Bucs likely will not release him, because Gruden admires his competitiveness and knowledge of the game, and probably will retain Miller if there is a chance of him being able to play at any juncture of the season.

Said Gruden: "It's a matter of physically getting him ready to go and not being stupid, not rushing this guy into the physical aspects of football, when he's not ready for it."

King, 26, saw limited playing time in 2002 and spent most of the year No. 3 on the depth chart, behind Brad Johnson and Rob Johnson. He signed a one-year deal this spring when it became apparent he would not have an opportunity to vie for a starting job elsewhere. Gruden has always been a supporter of King and indicated the former Tulane star will receive plenty of work in the preseason.

In 2000, King started all 16 games for the Bucs and led the team to a wild card playoff spot and a berth in the NFC championship game.
-- Len Pasquarelli

Bucs to add Walls?: In another personnel matter, the Bucs are discussing the possibility of adding veteran tight end Wesley Walls to the roster. Walls, 37, auditioned for team officials and coaches early this week and appeared to be recovered from nagging injuries that slowed him in 2002.

The 14-year veteran was released by the Carolina Panthers early in the offseason and last month was cleared by orthopedic specialists to participate fully in training camp drills. He has appeared in 176 games and his career statistics include 430 receptions for 5,069 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Tampa Bay already is deep at the position, with veterans Ken Dilger and Rickey Dudley on the roster, but the Bucs used plenty of two-tight end formations and Walls could be a good fit for some of the things they do offensively.
-- Len Pasquarelli

New York Jets: With the clock ticking toward the rookie reporting date for the Jets training camp this weekend, ESPN.com has learned the agent for first-round draft pick Dewayne Robertson traveled to New York on Wednesday, and plans to meet with team officials Thursday.

But even a third face-to-face meeting is not expected to produce a contract agreement for the former Kentucky defensive tackle, the fourth player chosen overall in the 2003 draft.

Agent Hadley Engelhard would not comment on the pace of negotiations or on where the two sides stood. But the Jets essentially made their first formal contract proposal Tuesday and it is said to be far short of Robertson's expectations. Engelhard had previously made two proposals and both were rejected by the club.

The indefinite suspension of defensive tackle Josh Evans, and the fact the newly-signed Chester McGlockton isn't expected to practice for at least two or three weeks, might still result in an agreement. But the two sides have not been close on numbers and it would take a major move in negotiating stances to come to an accord in time to get Robertson into camp on time.

McGlockton, signed on Tuesday to a one-year, $780,000 contract, is rumored to be in poor physical condition. His weight is believed to be in the 375-pound range and he will not accompany the team to Tokyo late this month for the Aug. 2 "American Bowl" game against the Bucs. Instead, the 11-year veteran will remain at the team's complex and try to get his weight down and his stamina up before putting on pads.

The Jets have signed seventh-round choice Dave Yovanovits, an offensive lineman from Temple, to a four-year contract. The contract includes a signing bonus of $38,100 and salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 (2004), $380,000 (2005) and $460,000 (2006). There is an escalator that could increase the 2006 base salary if Yovanovits reaches predetermined playing time benchmarks.

New York also signed undrafted free-agent center Louie Fuata, who played at the University of Hawaii, and was considered a likely middle-round draft choice before he suffered a serious knee injury. It is not certain if Fuata will be fully rehabilitated at the beginning of training camp.
-- Len Pasquarelli

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders continued their offseason successful in retaining most of last season's roster by reaching a one-year, $655,000 contract with safety Anthony Dorsett.

Dorsett was one of six players released in late February when the Raiders were $50 million over the salary cap. Dorsett's released saved the Raiders $2.8 million. He recorded 36 tackles and no interceptions in 16 games last season (seven as a starter).

The re-signing of Dorsett gives the Raiders plenty of depth at safety. Dorsett started seven games last year. He'll compete against Derrick Gibson, who is entering his third NFL season, for the strong safety job.

Dorsett, 29, enters his fourth season as a Raider. He played four seasons with the Titans.
-- John Clayton

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts, who entered the Wednesday with only $188,000 of cap room, cleared $1.626 million of cap room by restructuring the contract of halfback Edgerrin James.

James received a $2.48 million bonus and a base salary of $530,000 to lower his cap number from $5.357 million to $3.73 million. He can also make another $2.375 million of incentives based on his performance.

James' contract runs through 2005, but it can void after the 2004 season.

The Colts targeted James as the player to give them the needed cap room and worked out the deal Wednesday with his agent, Jeff Moorad.
-- John Clayton

Houston Texans: On the day that various media reports indicated veteran offensive tackle Tony Boselli will announce his retirement after two years of battling shoulder injuries, the Houston Texans signed a rookie who might eventually take over at the critical blindside protection spot.

The Texans on Wednesday signed offensive tackle Seth Wand of Northwest Missouri State, the middle of their three choices in the third round of the 2003 draft, to a three-year contract. The $1.425 million contract includes a $515,000 signing bonus and standard rookie minimum base salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 (2004) and $380,000 (2005).

Wand has great size (6-feet-7 and 315 pounds), a huge wingspan and excellent athletic ability. He was one of the fastest risers, among offensive linemen, in the weeks leading up to the draft. While he probably won't challenge for substantial playing time as a rookie, Wand has the tools to become an excellent pass protector.

Houston also signed tailback Domanick Davis of LSU, a fourth-round choice, to a three-year, $1.244 million contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $334,000, along with the minimum base salaries.

Davis rushed for 2,056 yards in four seasons, has great speed, and is expected to be used on kickoff returns in 2003. The Texans have now signed five of their 10 selections. -- Len Pasquarelli

Detroit Lions: Fourth-round tailback Artose Pinner, a runner whose draft stock did not reflect his overall productivity in college, Wednesday signed his first professional contract with the Detroit Lions. The three-year contract is worth $1.246 million and includes a $336,250 signing bonus and minimum base salaries.

Regarded by some observers as the best tailback in the SEC in 2002, Pinner's dropped in the draft because of a broken foot suffered at the Senior Bowl game. Most observers feel he was one of the best "value" picks in the entire draft and will eventually become the Lions' starting tailback.

The former Kentucky standout rushed for 1,414 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. He finished his college career with 2,105 yards.
-- Len Pasquarelli

Buffalo Bills: The Buffalo Bills have pared their roster as training camp nears, releasing five players, the most notable of whom was two-year veteran cornerback Jason Bostic.

Bostic, 27, struggled to recover from December knee surgery and he was unable to pass the team's physical exam. The former Georgia Tech defensive back appeared in 14 games for the Bills in 2002, and had 10 tackles and one pass defensed.

The other players released were offensive lineman Joey Hollenbeck, cornerback Kenny Hilliard, and defensive linemen Mercedes Perry and Andy Bowers.
-- Len Pasquarelli

Tennessee Titans: The club agreed to terms on multiyear contracts with Outland Trophy winner Rien Long and safety Donnie Nickey.

The Titans drafted Long in the fourth round with the 126th pick overall in April and chose Nickey in the fifth with the 154th selection.

"We're obviously happy to have contracts with half of our draft picks," Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "We'll now continue to work on the remaining three players and hope to have everyone in by the start of training camp."

The Titans report to camp July 24. Last year, first-round pick Albert Haynesworth missed the first week of camp during contract negotiations.

The 6-foot-6 Long was a two-year starter for Washington State and won the Outland Trophy before entering the draft after his junior season. He had 13 sacks and 21.5 tackles for losses last season.

Nickey was a four-year starter for national champion Ohio State.
-- Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks: Sixth-round draft choice Rashard Moore was signed to a multiyear contract.

Moore, a defensive tackle from Tennessee, was the 183rd player taken in this year's draft. He made 95 tackles for the Volunteers, including 41 his senior season.

He was the third draft pick signed by the Seahawks.
-- Associated Press

St. Louis Rams: Sixth-round draft pick Scott Tercero was signed to a three-year contract.

Tercero, an offensive guard, was the first of this year's draft picks to sign with the Rams.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Tercero was the 184th overall selection in the April draft. Tercero, an all-Pac-10 second-team selection for California, started all but two of his 42 college games.
-- Associated Press

Green Bay Packers: Wide receiver Carl Ford, the third of the club's four seventh-round picks, was signed.

A four-year letterman at Toledo, the 6-foot, 179-pound Ford finished his college career with 154 receptions for 2,039 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 24 kickoff returns for 455 yards.

The Packers have signed five of their nine draft picks.
-- Associated Press

New England Patriots: Defensive lineman Brad Harris and offensive lineman Corey Mitchell were signed, and wide receiver Rob Milanese was released.

Harris and Mitchell played in NFL Europe this season. Harris had 23 tackles and 1{ sacks for the Rhein Fire. The 6-3, 290-pound defensive tackle was an all-conference player at Pittsburg (Kan.) State. Mitchell started at right guard for the Frankfurt Galaxy this spring.
-- Associated Press