Sports: Around the NFC

Around the NFC

Compiled from Times wires

CARDINALS: Four days into training camp, there is no sign of progress in contract talks with absent first-round draft pick Wendell Bryant, a 6-foot, 4-inch, 308-pound defensive tackle from Wisconsin.

COWBOYS: Running back Emmitt Smith is 540 yards from breaking Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards (16,726), but backup Troy Hambrick, who played at Pasco High, doesn't appear impressed. "I can be the heir apparent (to Smith) if they just let me play ball and let go of the political side of it all," Hambrick told the Dallas Morning News. "I'm here, trimmed down, looking good, running hard and loving the game of football." When asked about Hambrick's attitude, offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet smiled and said, "We're working on it." ... Also, linebacker Scott Zimmerman was moved to fullback after rookie Jamar Martin, the team's fourth-round pick, tore right knee ligaments and was lost for the season.

FALCONS: Running back T.J. Duckett missed his eighth and ninth training camp practices because of a contract dispute. The team talked with his agent, Joel Segal, but did not reach agreement with their first-round draft pick. "There's no question his value is diminished with each practice he misses," coach Dan Reeves said. "It's a very difficult situation."

LIONS: Starting left tackle Jeff Backus injured his left knee in practice and was scheduled for an MRI exam. Backus, a first-round pick last year from Michigan, had to be helped off the field by the team's medical staff. "We will wait on the MRI before we (say) anything definitive," coach Marty Mornhinweg said.

PACKERS: Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was fourth in the NFL with 131/2 sacks last season, but developed a reputation for not paying attention to instruction. No problem so far this season, however, coach Mike Sherman said. "Last year, he didn't just get it all," he said. "I think he's at a point now where I think he knows concepts and techniques and he's able to apply them. I think it's a bit of a process. I don't think he didn't take to coaching, I think it was his lack of experience."

RAMS: Now that Marshall Faulk is in the fold, St. Louis turns its attention to the guy opening the holes for him. All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace is entering the final year of the six-year, $18-million contract he signed as a rookie, and figures to be the next priority for the team. "Hopefully, we can get something worked out," he said. "Hopefully, we can get some things worked out and we can continue this thing we've got going here."

REDSKINS: Second-year quarterback Sage Rosenfels, the lone holdover at the position from last season's roster, will start Washington's first preseason game Saturday in Japan against the 49ers, coach Steve Spurrier said. "It's exciting," Rosenfels said. "It'll be my first action playing with the first-string in a preseason game. It'll be fun." Spurrier said Rosenfels will play the first half and Danny Wuerffel the second half. Shane Matthews will start and play at least three quarters the following week at Carolina. The fourth quarterback, first-round draft pick Patrick Ramsey, remains unsigned. ... The team also signed defensive tackle Daryl Gardener, who was released by the Dolphins on July 19. "He wants a chance," defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis said. "He has something to prove. When you put enough people in the huddle with something to prove, and they can get on the same page and the same beat, you have a chance to be pretty good."

SEAHAWKS: The team signed top draft pick Jerramy Stevens to a five-year contract worth about $6.2-million, the Associated Press reported.

VIKINGS: Rookie tackle Bryant McKinnie's contract holdout entered its fifth day, so the team decided not to hold a spot for him. "Obviously the anointing of him as a starter is over," coach Mike Tice said. "Right now, Everett Lindsay is our starting left tackle, and we have to go with the guys we have."