The 2011 NFL campaign kicks off in just 12 days, a number that recalls one of the more unusual statistics from last season.

The Cam Newton show heads to Miami tonight as the Carolina Panthers tackle the Dolphins. Kevin Kolb and the Arizona Cardinals visit Green Bay and the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore on a night featuring six preseason games.

Football is only a day away. That’s right, the first five games of the 2011 NFL preseason will kick off Thursday, and that means NFL training camps are full of import and intrigue.

With his future in Philadelphia in question, CB Asante Samuel will report to the Eagles’ training camp Monday, according to a league source.

The Arizona Cardinals made a splash this week by trading for QB Kevin Kolb, and now they’re close to adding to their defense — pulling again from the Eagles roster.

Kevin Kolb’s value rises as a member of the Cardinals, but it’s Larry Fitzgerald who should benefit the most.

Everyone remembers their first day of summer camp, right? Well. Today’s the day for nine lucky teams, and the rest of the 32 NFL teams open training camp in the next few days. With so much to do in so little time, every camp should have some interesting storylines to follow.

It appears increasingly unlikely that Matt Hasselbeck will be back in Seattle.

Reports of an imminent labor deal between NFL owners and players might have been exaggerated. Or maybe not. The players — or, more accurately, the NFLPA’s executive committee — are in Washington, where they could vote on a proposed labor deal Thursday. The owners are meeting in Atlanta, examining the deal on their end. Keeping it all straight for you are NFL Network reporter Albert Breer and NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The Saints might have two Heisman Trophy winners in their backfield this season … or they might not. By the time they sign first-round draft pick Mark Ingram, they could already have cut ties with Reggie Bush – who is still under contract but might be asked to take a paycut or be released.

If the Cardinals acquire Kevin Kolb, the fantasy appeal of Larry Fitzgerald will quickly rise.

NFL Network’s Fran Charles had the chance Monday to sit down with Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King for some insight on prominent players who will be on the free-agent/trade market after the lockout, as well as what lies ahead for Colts QB Peyton Manning and Steelers LB James Harrison.

None of the four NFC West teams ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in yards per attempt last season, and the division as a whole fared even worse in offensive points per game.

Sure, we all know that there’s very little fantasy stock to be taken when an NFL player discusses his own fantasy value. What’s he gonna say? He can be humble or ultra-positive, but he’s not offering any in-depth analysis –- and he’s certainly not giving you any points of comparison.

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks got some feathers rattled recently in a column he wrote suggesting that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t be crowned among the league’s elite quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady) yet. Some of those emotions might get stirred up again as we broached the subject in the Cover Two podcast with Brooks and NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche.