We’re all excited for the games to finally begin. Plenty of reasons to keep an eye on each offering.

Some lesser-known young players will be sought after as teams face the reality of having to make some tough cuts next month.

Not good news out of Baltimore camp, where veteran WR Derrick Mason left practice with a finger injury on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos were without WR Brandon Marshall and several other key veterans during a morning practice session on Monday, while Terrell Suggs, Jon Beason and others also missed training camp practices around the league.

A few thoughts and observations from Baltimore’s training camp.

Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs is sitting out the Baltimore Ravens’ morning practice after “tweaking” his ankle in Sunday’s practice, according to a team source.

Brett Favre told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he’s eyeing July 30 as a deadline to tell the Vikings whether or not he’ll play for them this coming season.

There is very little chance that the Panthers and DE Julius Peppers will beat today’s 4 p.m. deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term contracts, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

As Terrell Suggs and the Ravens try to agree a long-term contract before Wednesday’s NFL deadline, the Pro Bowl linebacker remains optimistic.

A quick tease at some of the topics we’ll be touching on.

The bar has been set with the recent success of the Cowboys, Patriots, Ravens, Chargers and Steelers’ 3-4 defenses, and now it has become vogue to run the scheme. As many as 15 teams are either making the switch or infusing elements of the 3-4 defense, but can they be successful? Here are five key ingredients that will make or break the transition.

Tonight’s plan for NFL Total Access is to touch on Mike Vick, T-Sizzle, Twitter and a potential fantasy football sleeper (at least for depth purposes).

With a later Super Bowl this season, the 2010 NFL Draft will likely take place in May.

Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik told the St. Petersburg Times that he wants rookie QB Josh Freeman eased into the starting role.

Ravens LB Terrell Suggs is hopeful to have a long-term contract by training camp and said, “I feel like we’re getting close.”