NFL TRAINING CAMP NEWS

RB Larry Johnson and the team had been in contract talks for some times and both sides felt good about a deal getting done soon. Well, on Tuesday, both sides reached an agreement on a six-year deal. Johnson had been working out hard on his own for a long time and joined his teammates for practice. In other team news of note, starting OLT Damion McIntosh (knee) returned to limited practicing last weekend and has a chance to be ready to play by the first week of the regular season.....
In a surprising move, the Eagles have informed starting MLB Jeremiah Trotter that he will be released. Second-year LB Omar Gaither is expected to take over the starting job and had backing him up during training camp and Gaither also saw most of the practice reps in practice on Monday.Gaither played very well for the team last season playing on the weak side....
The Boston Globe reports that Patriots RB Laurence Maroney has been cleared for contact by team doctors. However, that doesn't mean that he's going to play in the team's next preseason game at Carolina. Maroney has been on the mend following offseason shoulder surgery. Coach Bill Belichick wouldn't commit to Maroney's playing status, but the paper thinks we'll see him before the start of the regular season. "I think in general, players need to practice and play to get ready to play," said Belichick. " ... There has to be some middle ground between working and getting the team to be able to execute to a certain level and at the same time you don't want them worn down by the time you get to the season.".....
After Matt Schaub hit TE Owen Daniels for 45 yards on three catches at Arizona, he told the Houston Chronicle that he's going to have an eye for Daniels this season. "I've always liked throwing to my tight ends," Schaub said. "They can be an incredible asset in the middle of the field. It keeps the safeties back and helps open up the running game."....
According to The Sports Xchange, Giants TE Michael Matthews of Georgia Tech (6-4, 270) vowed when signed as an undrafted rookie to make the team. "I'm a good tight end and I'm going to be on this final roster," he said. It is beginning to look as though he will make good on his boast. Matthews has been eye-catching with his blocking skills and, with the loss of Darcy Johnson (knee, IR) he should join fifth-round draft pick Kevin Boss as the two backups to starter Jeremy Shockey.