ALL ACCESS: LONG CAN DO IT ALL

Hot Topics From Around The League.

RONNIE BROWN UPDATE
Less than eight months after sustaining a season-ending knee injury, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown took part in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time this week, a sign that points to a full return by next month's training camp. "It's a big step,'' said Brown after Thursday's practice, the final organized team activity session until the start of training camp in late July. "A step closer to getting ready for the season and getting ready for training camp.

CEDRIC BENSON UPDATE
The rest of the NFL confirmed Thursday what the Bears finally acknowledged Monday: Cedric Benson, their highest draft pick in 28 years, also ranks as the biggest bust in team history. Benson cleared waivers, three days after the Bears released him because of two alcohol-related arrests in five weeks. The No. 4 overall selection in 2005 is now a free agent and can sign with any team.

FOSTER SERVES AS INSURANCE
Running back DeShaun Foster is impressing San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's got soft hands," said Nolan "I think he adds to the passing game as much as the running game. His main role would be to take the No. 1 job if the unmentionable happens. He gives us another starter if something happens to Frank Gore."

STEELERS SEARCH FOR FANECA REPLACEMENT
With Alan Faneca gone, the Steelers are in need of leadership and, at the very least, quality production from the left guard position, one of the most important in the NFL. The Steelers believe former sixth-round draft pick Chris Kemoeatu is the man for the job, according to the Beaver County Times.

CHIRS LONG UPDATE
Pro Football Weekly writes a glowing article regarding St. Louis Rams first round draft pick Chris Long . “He can do a lot of different things for you,” Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “He’s a better fit for teams like us, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. Teams that do a lot of different things than just a straight 4-3 where you’re going to sit there and rush him all day." Haslett still runs a lot of 3-4 fronts in passing situations, which should be a natural for Long who garnered 14 sacks playing in the 3-4 at Virginia. Haslett went on to boast of Long's additional attributes. “I think he’s very good in run defense. He does a great job in hand placement and getting off blocks. He looks like his father from that standpoint. You can tell his dad coached him when he was young because he’s got the Howie moves.” Long also dropped into coverage occasionally at Virginia and may do so for the Rams.

ODOM HITS WEIGHT ROOM
Defensive end Antwan Odom has improved his upper-body strength, and now he's concentrating on weight gain so he can become a more physical pass rusher and run stopper at the point of attack. Odom is a sleek, slender end with the reputation of being a speed rusher, but he wants to enhance his image by being more rugged. He currently weighs 253, but promises to be at least 265 when he arrives for the Cincinnati Bengals training camp, according to the Sporting News.

KIWANUKA TO BE MOVED AROUND
The New York Giants will utilize linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive end on obvious pass rush downs, according to the New York Post. "We're going to have to evaluate all of those things," coach Tom Coughlin said. "We know what we want to do on obvious pass rush downs [Kiwanuka moves in as a defensive end], but on first down we're still, at least I am, in a position that Mathias is a linebacker until we or I decide otherwise."

BILLS SUBPOENAED
The Associated Press reports Buffalo Bills WR James Hardy, WR Steve Johnson and OL Christian Gaddis was subpoenaed Thursday, June 12, to testify before a grand jury looking into a hit-and-run accident involving RB Marshawn Lynch's SUV, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. Investigators believe the three players have information regarding the case. The grand jury is scheduled to convene June 20.

GIANTS DEAL WITH SUPER DISTRACTIONS
If Osi Umenyiora, Chris Snee and Brandon Jacobs want new contracts, they will have to get in line with Plaxico Burress. But if it is any consolation to general manager Jerry Reese, Burress's announcement yesterday that he was not on the field for "business reasons" moved him ahead of Jeremy Shockey in the growing line of distractions for the Super Bowl champions. From the moment Tom Coughlin mounted the stand to address a double-the-normal-sized media turnout for a first day of mandatory mini-camp, a more immediate preoccupation than Shockey was something the Giants clearly could use.

TRIO OF PLAYERS SUSPENDED
Multiple media outlets are reporting that the NFL today handed down one-year suspensions to three players. According to the reports, former Tennessee Titans linebacker Rob Reynolds, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Lionel Gates and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Chris Terry were all suspended for a year. All were free agents not under contract to any team.