Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt sounds as if he’s expecting disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin to be with the team for opening day, pointing out that he has two years left on his contract.

It’s pretty clear that Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable thinks that his quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, still has plenty of work to do to live up to his status as a No. 1 overall draft pick.

Despite the fact the Detroit Lions have made it public that they are seeking to negotiate a contract with the yet-to-be-unidentified player they would make the No. 1 overall pick of next month’s draft, general manager Martin Mayhew told me today that he is open to trading the choice if he could land the right difference-maker from another team.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes to talk about the fact that there is no real manual for those in his profession to follow.

Growing up in Swampscott, Mass., Dick Jauron was a fan of the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. The team’s logo, with “Pat Patriot” snapping a football, was the symbol of an allegiance upon which Jauron reflects with great fondness to this day.

To no one’s surprise, the largest crowd of reporters at the AFC coaches-media breakfast at the league meetings this morning is gathered around the table of new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.

Make no mistake. The Bills are thrilled to appear on Monday Night Football for the third consecutive season and are especially happy to be part of the first act for the MNF season-opening doubleheader on Sept. 14.

Falcons coach Mike Smith has dropped some weight as he readies for the 2009 season.

It’s not just a bunch of talking suits at the NFL annual owners meeting. That was made very clear in the hotel fitness center at 6 a.m. this morning.

The NFL is still sorting through potential opponents to face the Buffalo Bills in Toronto this season. A source at the league meetings says the list includes at least one team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that isn’t nearly as sexy as the one I had reported last week was a leading candidate — the Indianapolis Colts.

NFL team owners and executive are beginning to gather for the league meetings in Dana Point, Calif. Vic Carucci sets the scene in SoCal.