The NFL prides itself on its unique ability to maintain balance in the league through the guiding hand of the salary cap.  Looking ahead to 2006, a case could be made for the majority of teams to make a run for the 12 playoff berths awarded each season.  Clearly the oddsmakers in Vegas see it that way because there is no prohibitive favorite to win Super Bowl XLI.

For the moment the favorite is Indianapolis at 13:2 followed closely by New England at 15:2.  Over in the NFC the co-favorites are Super Bowl XL loser Seattle and T.O.’s new team the Cowboys, both at 10:1.

The Tennessee Titans are playing a little cat and mouse with Steve McNair in a style reminiscent of a couple entering the early stages of divorce.  Having failed his exit physical with the Titans last year, McNair must now pass a physical to begin workouts at Baptist Sports Park .  But here’s the rub – apparently there was no doctor at home yesterday to administer the turn to the left and cough procedure.  Titans’ GM Floyd Reese vows to make the rubber glove treatment happen but the question is, “When?”

"Sometimes you can do it the same day, sometimes you can do it within an hour or two, sometimes it make take a day or two," Reese said. "It's all dependent on doctors' schedules and whatnot."

Those whatnots have Ravens’ fans hopeful of an Owings Mills McNair sighting a bit edgy these days.

According to NFL rules, rookies whose classes have yet to graduate are not allowed to participate in team work outs.  That will affect Haloti Ngata and Demetrius Williams whose Oregon class graduates on June 16.  The USA Today is reporting that the Ravens are expected to send out coaches to keep both up to speed.

The Falcons are said to be very pleased with rookie RB Jerious Norwood whose performances in OTA’s are consistent with his combine workouts.  In other words, he’s fast!  According to Pro Football Weekly, some observers have likened Norwood to a young Eric Dickerson.  If these impressive workouts continue, don’t be surprised to see the Falcons deal T.J. Duckett and an ideal location could be Pittsburgh .  The Steelers are looking to fill the void left by Jerome Bettis and Duckett certainly fits the between-the-tackles need at RB for Cowher’s troops.

And if that doesn’t work out for the Steelers, maybe they take on a new M.O. and go vertical via the no huddle.  "Hopefully ... having enough confidence in myself, and coach (Bill Cowher) having it also, to go no-huddle, to be able to call no-huddle plays," opined Ben Roethlisberger at a recent workout.  "If we can get to that point, where we're able to do the stuff that Cincinnati does, then we can be pretty effective."

That could add to the Steelers reputation for gadgetry.  According to NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan:  "The Steelers are often perceived as a very conservative, 'old-fashioned' offense, but coordinator Ken Whisenhunt stresses opponents with personnel as well as any coach in the league. Pittsburgh used 11 offensive packages last season to mix-and-match and find ways to create advantages."

The Ravens kick off their mandatory mini-camp today and we’ll have coverage of the events later this afternoon.  Most are hopeful that the Ravens are spirited and looking to begin the exorcism of two consecutive underachieving seasons.  "We're working to get the taste of last year out of our mouths”, said Kelly Gregg.

I second that emotion!  Let’s have at it fellas!