Updated Player News

While starting QB Alex Smith became the first 49ers quarterback to take every offensive snap in a season last year, Trent Dilfer didn't play at all, and the team's veteran backup says he hopes to play more in upcoming exhibitions to help ensure his readiness this season. "I'm just going to express that I would like to play a little more in the preseason, just to make sure I'm sharp. In my opinion, it's in the best interest of the football team that I'm on my 'A' game come opening day and something were to happen to Alex", Dilfer said. Stay away from Dilfer come draft day.

For the next six months or so, quarterback Bucs QB Jeff Garcia and coach Jon Gruden will be inseparable. If you think another player has a chance to win a starting job under center in training camp, which begins July 26, think again. "I love Garcia," Gruden said recently. "I like what he's doing a lot. I just think he's got some traits we haven't had around here - his mobility, his experience." Garcia is not a top fantasy QB but he is worthy of being your backup.

QB Tony Romo is in the final year of a two-year, $3.9 million deal. The Cowboys made a strong commitment to him by bypassing Brady Quinn with a first-round draft pick in April. Jones said Romo has the marketability and skills necessary to lead the Cowboys, and signing him long-term will probably happen. Romo has had mixed reviews this preseason, but I would advise that he can win fantasy games for you as the QB1.

The clock is ticking on Patriots DB Asante Samuel. The cornerback is not yet technically a holdout, since he remains a free agent. A source close to Samuel yesterday said he wouldn???t be surprised if the corner held out into the season, but thought a more likely scenario would be for Samuel to end his holdout early in training camp so he has enough time to get into game shape and decrease the risk of injury that would come with just jumping into the action halfway through. If he does come back, draft him as your DB2 because he should get plenty of INTs.

Updated Player News
Rams players are to report for training camp two weeks from today. Will quarterback Marc Bulger be among them? In an interview Tuesday on Sirius NFL Radio, Bulger hinted that if he doesn't have a new contract in place before camp, he might consider a holdout. This isn't great news, but I wouldn't let it effect his draft status.

With Tiki Barber gone into retirement, Tom Coughlin has laid the mantle of leadership at the feet of Giants QB Eli Manning, who can either kick it aside or reach down and embrace it the way all Giants fans desperately want him to do. Manning says he's ready to accept the challenge. Manning is a good QB2, but don't ask him to lead you to the fantasy Super Bowl.

TMJ's Lance Allen reports that a league source told him that the Green Bay Packers are "keeping a close eye" on the contract situation of Kansas City Chiefs RB Larry Johnson. It is all a big rumor, I say he will be starting for the Chiefs in week 1.

Broncos WR Rod Smith is letting his surgically repaired hip tell him when he's ready to return to the field. Right now, it's saying it's not even close. The 37-year-old receiver, who had an operation on the hip in February, sat out the Broncos' two-day minicamp. He's yet to run post-surgery except briefly in a pool. Smith is done being a productive fantasy player.