Based on the comments made during his farewell press conference in San Diego two weeks ago, it was unclear whether running back LaDainian Tomlinson would embrace anything other than the top position on a team's depth chart.

As it turns out, he will.

Asked by Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune whether he'd accept the role of third-down tailback in the Vikings' offense, Tomlinson said, "I don't [have a problem with it].  I know I can catch the ball really well out of the backfield, can run routes and that's something that I've always looked for as I got older in my career.  Being able to fall back on that.  Not having to carry the ball as much.  I think that's what was lost in San Diego because I was the only guy that could really carry the ball 20 times.  So my third-down role was reduced.  So now I'm looking for that.  It's something I can do and I can fit in well."

(It's unknown whether Tomlinson also welcomes a possible "twelfth man on the field" role.)

Tomlinson also pointed out that he had been a third-down back in San Diego every year but 2009, when Darren Sproles took over that role.

L.T.'s comments came after a Wednesday night dinner with coach Brad Childress, V.P. of player personnel Rick Spielman, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, running backs coach Eric Bieniermy, director of player personnel George Paton, and defensive tackle Pat Williams, whose gout likely did not keep him from having seconds.  Or thirds.

Tomlinson also is attracted by the possibility of winning a Super Bowl.  "That's the thing I love most because this is a team that's right there," Tomlinson said.  "It has the veterans and the young guys that fit in together.  It's a very talented team with a great coaching staff.  It's a very supportive [environment].  That's what you want."

He also pointed out that he views the opportunity to play with Brett Favre as "unbelievable, incredible."

But not so unbelievable or incredible to keep him from keeping his options open.  He acknowledged that he has another possibly visit lined up, but he declined to name the team.

Still, it sounds as if he won't be taking another trip.

""I think it's a feel that you have to have," Tomlinson said.  "It's not necessarily anything you're going to hear because I've heard what I like to hear.  I have a role on this team.  I think it's a feel that you have to have."

In other words, it's time to order the dark purple visor.

On Friday, Dolphins quarterback Pat White unexpectedly didn't show up for the first day of training camp.

On Saturday, White showed up, but not after at least one newspaper in South Florida declared that White would miss all of training camp and possibly the full season due to a "serious non-football" issue.

But then White showed up for practice on Saturday.  He later spoke to the media about the situation.  Though he answered some questions, many remain.

"I'm having personal issues, they've been handled," White told reporters.  "It is what it is, I'm happy to be back out here.  [I am] thankful that I have people around me that care about people in general and just thankful that my teammates are here and we're working and moving on to the next level."

White wouldn't talk about the nature of his personal issues.  "We can talk about football from here on out," he said.  "My personal issues is over it's done with.  And I'm back to football.  Excited to be out here, enthused, and enjoying the atmosphere."

The speculation seems to center on White possibly having a sudden bout of second thoughts regarding his NFL career.  He had a rough first year, punctuated with a nasty concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.  During the offseason, he said on Twitter that he'd be better off playing baseball than switching from quarterback to receiver.

Based on a stellar college career and a draft selection in the upper half of round two, White likely expected that his NFL career would be much easier.  He's learning the hard way that it isn't.  So unless he's willing and able to bust through the ceiling against which his football career is now bumping, returning to baseball could best mesh with his long-term interests.

The New York Jets were happy to see Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson slide down the draft board in round one.  So when Wilson remained available at No. 29, the AFC finalists pounced.

And now they've gotten him under contract.

Per a league source, Wilson has signed a five-year deal.

There's another cornerback on the team who'd like a five-year deal, or longer.  But, to date, no dice.

After the draft, coach Rex Ryan strongly hinted that his twin brother, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, preferred Wilson to cornerback Joe Haden, whom Cleveland took with the seventh overall pick.  Coincidentally, both players agreed to terms on the same day.  But with Wilson picked 22 spots lower than Haden, Wilson surely will be getting a lot less money than Haden.

One of the sillier talk radio/Around the Horn topics we've heard this year -- and that's saying a lot -- was the panicked discussion regarding the pace of NFL rookie signings.

The topic was born from summer news boredom and not fact.  As we noted last week, the pace of rookie signings was well ahead of 2009's pace.  We wrote then:

"The first and second-round signings continue to be slow moving, but that's not out of the norm.  If that slow pace falls well behind the norm a week from now -- then we have a story."

Eight days have passed and the pace has only picked up.  The NFL notes that first-round signings are up 70% compared to this day one year ago.  That number only includes deals that have been officially filed to the league, and five more contracts have been agreed to. 

A few long holdouts could happen -- C.J. Spiller seems like a popular pick -- but ultimately rookie business has proceeded as usual.

There couldn't possibly have been more weight-related red flags surrounding former Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith entering last year's draft, but the Bengals used the sixth overall pick on him anyway.  To the Bengals' credit, they inserted language into Smith's contract that would protect them against his lack of passion for conditioning.  The team is off the hook for half of Smith's weekly game check any time he reports heavier than 350 pounds.

When the Jets gave away Leon Washington to Seattle, they essentially bet that Washington wouldn't be the same guy for a long time, if ever.

The multi-talented back has a long way to go to prove them wrong, but he's returned to the field sooner than most people anticipated.  Washington participated in training camp on Saturday, avoiding the active/PUP list.

Mike Sando of ESPN notes that Washington didn't participate in team drills, but it's significant Washington can already pass a physical.

Here's a video of Washington talking about his impressive return from a compound leg fracture, courtesy of Danny O'Neil at the Seattle Times.

"I'm not satisfied.  I gotta get back to the old Leon," Washington said.  "My ultimate goal is to become a Pro Bowl player again. . . . It's all going the right way."

The majority of first-round picks continue to sign on the dotted line with little drama.

No. 16 overall pick Derrick Morgan agreed to terms with the Titans on a five-year contract on Saturday evening, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.  Morgan's deal comes quickly on the heels of No. 15 pick Jason Pierre-Paul, also a defensive end, signing with the Giants.

Only ten first-round picks remain unsigned, and we wouldn't be surprised if that number gets reduced before the end of the night.

Turns out, Jeff Fisher was right to be optimistic that the Titans would have No. 16 pick Derrick Morgan signed soon.

The Titans' recent "band-aid" upgrade of 2,000-yard tailback Chris Johnson's contract added a mere $1.25 million to his 2010 salary.  As Mike Florio pointed out just over a week ago, the "raise" wasn't really a raise at all.  Johnson was going to get the $1.25 million any way after hitting escalators in his rookie deal.

Vikings receiver/kickoff returner Percy Harvin's injury scare during Saturday morning's training camp practice has proven to be minor.  According to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Harvin returned to the practice field for Saturday's evening workout.

No. 16 overall pick Derrick Morgan was not on the field when the Titans opened training camp Saturday, as his agents continue to haggle with Tennessee G.M. Mike Reinfeldt about contract parameters.  Though No. 17 overall pick Mike Iupati has signed, the Titans' inability to get Morgan under contract has likely been impacted by the Seahawks and Giants' inability to do the same with Nos. 14 and 15 picks Earl Thomas and Jason Pierre-Paul.