Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson was critical of the way Jon Gruden used him last season, which Gruden didn't appreciate. It even got to the point where Gruden didn't want his picture taken with Johnson. Now, it appears Johnson and Gruden are on the same page. In offseason practices, Gruden moved Johnson around the field instead of playing him just as the weak-side split end. Johnson became so committed to learning Gruden's offense that he took red-eye flights on consecutive nights from Los Angeles to Tampa so he could attend Keyshawn Jr.'s kindergarten graduation without missing a voluntary workout.

Bitter rivals
After their battles last season, Vikings defensive tackle Chris Hovan vowed to spend every minute of the offseason thinking about Brett Favre. Vikings coach Mike Tice is just as single-minded. Before last season, Tice had his house painted in Packers yellow with green shutters to be reminded every day of his biggest rival. The Vikings open the season in Green Bay on Sept. 7.

Bennett still recovering
Vikings halfback Michael Bennett had a setback last week trying to come back from foot surgery and might not be ready for the start of camp. So, the Vikings will give more practice time to Doug Chapman and fourth-round choice Onterrio Smith of Oregon.

Speedy recovery for Kiel
Doctors in Houston tell Chargers rookie safety Terrence Kiel he should be able to return to football in three weeks after being shot in a carjacking attempt on July 4. A bullet remains in the soft tissue of Kiel's abdomen, so the Chargers will do their own examination later this week to determine if Kiel can play with a bullet in his body. He's projected to be the Chargers' starting strong safety.

Pucks and stuff
Falcons defensive end Travis Hall grew up in Alaska playing hockey, and that history might have saved his season. Hall missed five games last season with a groin injury in which the muscle was pulled from the bone. Hall's hockey background led him to a doctor who specializes in surgery that helps hockey goalies and forwards with this problem, and now Hall is optimistic he'll be healthy for training camp.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.