Rookie linebacker John Mobley is impressing everyone in Denver's training camp.
"He's everything you look for in a linebacker: He's very sharp. He's very aware. He's got speed. He's got strength," said Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. "Now he's got to adjust to the pro scheme of things."The Broncos may have found quite a catch in Mobley, an All-American from Division II Kutztown (Penn.) University who was the 15th pick in the April draft. In his senior year, he made 112 tackles - including four sacks - recovered four fumbles, forced four others and intercepted five passes.
Vikings
The Vikings, badly in need of help at outside linebacker, agreed to a five-year, $5.75 million contract with first-round pick Duane Clemons on Thursday.
The Vikings also signed 13-year veteran Darryl Talley to help fill the void created at outside linebacker when Eddie McDaniel went down with a knee injury this week.
"Duane adds a great dimension of size and speed and great athletic ability," Vikings vice president Jeff Diamond said. "One of the things that impressed me is that Duane has been here since right after the draft. Three or four days out of training camp are not going to be that detrimental, although he's got some catching up to do."
Dolphins
The Dolphins kicked off two days of combined practices with the Redskins that will conclude with a scrimmage Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale.
"This is a good situation for both teams," Redskins coach Norv Turner said. "Both of us have similar practice styles, and our (practice) schedules mesh well."
Turner coached under Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson in Dallas, and the two remain good friends.
"Norv and I spent a lot of time in the off-season getting things organized," Johnson said.
Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are preparing to hit the road for two out-of-town practices, followed by an intra-squad home game on Saturday.
The Bucs are scheduled to travel to Jacksonville on Friday for workouts with the Jaguars.
"We're trying to look at the mental toughness of our team," Tampa Bay head coach Tony Dungy said Thursday. "It's not the ideal way to go, but we want to work on tough road trips and going places where the other team has an advantage."
Cardinals
Marcus Dowdell, who was getting a long look as a punt returner for the Cardinals, hurt his abdomen Thursday and was carted from the practice field. The team had no immediate information on the nature of the injury. Dowdell, a fourth-year wide receiver, was taken to Flagstaff Regional Medical Center for diagnosis.
Packers
The Packers signed guard Joe Staysniak on Thursday as an insurance addition for an offensive line that may have to operate without veteran left tackle Ken Ruettgers.
Staysniak is an unrestricted free agent from Indianapolis beginning his sixth season in the NFL. He played his last four seasons with the Colts.
Ruettgers is out indefinitely, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery in March.
Jaguars
The Jaguars suffered their first casualty of training camp Thursday when rookie free agent Omari Mangrum left the team. Mangrum, a 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive tackle from Indiana State, failed to report for the afternoon practice.
"He left," coach Tom Coughlin said when asked for comment.
The Jaguars are giving Mangrum five days to return to camp before they release him, spokesman Dan Edwards said.
Lions
Neither member of last year's top NFL receiving tandem has begun practicing with the Lions.
Herman Moore has gone home because of back spasms. And Brett Perriman, who reported to camp late because of a contract dispute, has yet to practice as he continues rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in last season's playoff loss to Philadelphia.
Also, No. 2 quarterback Don Majkowski is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery and is limited to sideline throwing. He hopes to return in time to play in at least the last two exhibition games.
49ers
San Francisco center Jesse Sapolu fractured a bone in his right hand during Thursday's team practice.
The all-pro veteran was scheduled for surgery today to have a pin inserted in the metacarpal bone. He will wear a cast for a week and then practice with a taped hand.
"I should be out there in a couple of weeks," Sapolu said. "I always try to look at the positive side of things. I'll get this fixed."
Sapolu, 35, will be replaced by fourth-year offensive lineman Chris Dalman. He broke the bone during a pass-blocking drill while pushing defensive end Roy Barker.