I'm looking forward to the start of football season, but must go on record saying that pre-season games are blah. Pre-season games have significant importance in terms of evaluating rookie talent but lacks a bit of star power. Who wants to get hurt during a pre season game and potentially be out for a considerable amount of time come regular season? Obviously this is an issue, however with new pick ups and teams re-formulated it would be kind of GREAT to see a pulled together team at play during pre-season. I think the "seasoned pros/high profile players" need to man up! Is it football you're playing or tiddly winks? Go hard and go long!

I think exhibition/pre season games are important in determining a team's potential. However when key players opt to not play, then what's the bleeping point?

Now on to Steelers updates and other NFL news:

# The Pittsburgh Steelers finished an injury-filled opening week of training camp Saturday with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley both sidelined with sore groins.

Woodley sat out the second of the team's two practices, while Roethlisberger took part in some 7-on-7 passing drills but skipped the rest of the 2-hour workout.

The sideline was lined with starters at various times all week, including safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring), punter Daniel Sepulveda (knee), guard Chris Kemoeatu (triceps), linebacker James Farrior (hip flexor), Roethlisberger and Woodley.

Meanwhile, rookie center Doug Legursky re-signed with the Steelers on Saturday, while rookie kicker Julian Rauch was released to create a roster spot for him.

# With rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen lost for the foreseeable future, the Buffalo Bills quickly signed free agent linebacker Donnie Spragan on Saturday.

Spragan, a seven-year veteran, will give the Bills some needed depth after Bowen suffered a serious right knee injury Friday. Coack Dick Jauron didn't have any update on Bowen's condition, but repeated the bleak assessment of an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament given a day earlier.

Spragan spent the past three seasons with Miami. He had 38 tackles last season.

# Receiver Steve Smith was suspended two games by the Carolina Panthers after a training camp fight with cornerback Ken Lucas.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will continue to practice when training camp resumes Monday and will be allowed to participate in preseason games, coach John Fox said Saturday.

Lucas has a broken nose, Fox said. Smith was kicked out of practice and sent back to Charlotte. The melee came after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight.

The suspension will cost Smith more than $205,000, a fraction of his base salary.

Lucas, who was not suspended, did not practice Saturday at Fan Fest and is listed as day-to-day.

# Running back Ryan Grant scored a major victory in his negotiations with the Green Bay Packers, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract loaded with incentives and escalators that could earn him $30 million, said his agent, Alan Herman

Grant will fly to Green Bay today, sign the contract and undergo a physical. Grant will earn $4.25 million in 2008. Over two years, his take will be $8 million.

# Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker reportedly told the team he wanted to retire and offered to return his $11 million signing bonus before being talked out of it by owner Al Davis.

ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported Saturday that Walker told the team Thursday of his intentions to retire. Walker has been at practice the past two days and apparently has had a change of heart.

# Kansas City top draft pick Glenn Dorsey sprained his left knee during practice Saturday.

The team said Dorsey will undergo an MRI to determine how bad the injury is. The injury happened when the defensive tackle collided with another lineman during practice.

Meanwhile, Chiefs rookie left tackle Branden Albert might miss the rest of training camp with what the team is calling a sprained foot.

-- from wire reports

# Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap limped off the field Saturday morning with a right calf injury.

His calf was wrapped as he left the field during the final minutes of practice. The injury did not initially appear to be serious.

# The New England Patriots have signed offensive lineman Barry Stokes and placed Anthony Clement on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.

Terms of the agreement with Stokes were not disclosed Saturday.

Stokes, 34, has played in 83 career games with 44 starts for the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions.

# Score this round of the Jets' quarterback competition in favor of Chad Pennington - barely.

Locked in a tight contest with Kellen Clemens for the starting job, Pennington left Hofstra's Shuart Stadium a winner in the team's green-white scrimmage Saturday. Pennington's green team beat Clemens' white squad 10-7. Each threw a touchdown pass and had no turnovers in the annual event that is essentially a practice run in gamelike conditions.

(www.goerie.com)