Coach Richard Dent needs no introduction, even if some of the players he's working with now were just youngsters when he was one of the NFL's great pass rushers.
His credentials are well-documented: Dent is fifth on the NFL's career quarterback sack list with 137 1/2, he holds the Bears' single-season record with 17 1/2 and he was the Most Valuable, Player of Chicago's only Super Bowl championship following the 1985 season.
Now, Dent is back on the practice fields at training camp with a different assignment as an assistant defensive line coach. His job is to convey his expertise to a younger generation.
Dent, hired in April, is working with players including young defensive ends Alex Brown, who is in his second season, and rookie first-round draft pick Michael Haynes.
Packers
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Green Bay Packers signed tight end Luther Broughton on Sunday.
Broughton, a six-year NFL veteran, has played in 62 games with eight starts.
He was drafted by Philadelphia in 1997 and also has played for Carolina. In 1999 with the Eagles, he had 26 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He was out of football during the 2002 season. The Packers also waived tight end Joey Knapp, who has a hamstring injury.
Texans
In Houston, Jabar Gaffney and the Texans believe a year of experience and a new role will allow the former University of Florida star to flourish.
Gaffney started 14 games in his rookie year last season and caught 41 passes for 483 yards and a touchdown last season. But he is projected as the slot receiver on passing downs with veteran Corey Bradford and rookie Andre Johnson starting as the primary wideouts. Coach Dom Capers believed the new role would have better suited Gaffney last year, but the depth-starved Texans needed him to start.
"Jabar's a better football player than he was at this time last year, and he should be with the experience," Capers said. "He has ability, he can run routes, he has good quickness, and he has a feel for open areas in zone [defenses].
Patriots
In Foxboro, Massachusetts, the New England Patriots wanted to put the tight end back in their offense when they made Daniel Graham their first-round draft pick in 2002.
But Graham never became the regular contributor he was expected to be during an injury-plagued rookie season in which he injured his right shoulder in September.
Now, in his second camp, Graham appears to be living up to his potential.
Seahawks
In Cheney, Washington, Seattle Seahawks free safety Damien Robinson will miss three-to-four weeks with a separated right shoulder.
Robinson, who played the last two seasons with the New York Jets, was injured during Saturday's scrimmage in Seattle when he made a low dive to break up a pass.
Rookie Ken Hamlin, who has been working with the starting defense at free safety and strong safety, will step in.
Reserve defensive tackle Norris McCleary will miss two-to-three weeks after elbow surgery.
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