You know the news cycle is slowing down when I feel it necessary to include an NFL Europa update in the morning news. The time of year is one reason why I've always thought the upcoming supplemental draft is a great deal for the players in it.

If Georgia CB Paul Oliver came out for the April draft, he'd just be another guy. Now I'm reading a feature-length column about him every day. Same thing happened with Ahmad Brooks, Manny Wright, Tony Hollings, and all the other recent supplemental picks.

The Boston Herald thinks the Patriots could be a fit because they have an extra third-round pick. I agree. New England only used one first-day pick this year and are not afraid to develop a guy. They don't usually go for big cornerbacks like Oliver, but someone will in the first three rounds. Oliver runs his forty today and practically every NFL team will be watching.

* The most interesting article from a fantasy football perspective today was the Kansas City Star article on Brodie Croyle. I wrote in our magazine that it's only a matter of time until Broyle takes over. It looks like the time will start in training camp.

As someone who thought Damon Huard was headed for the Pro Bowl last year, it's hard to accept that Croyle is a better choice to win games in the short-term. But Herm Edwards is clearly thinking about the future with a suddenly young roster. I've written about the subject quite a bit this offseason. Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez owners can't be excited about this development.

No more handoffs for Huard?

I still wouldn't assume Croyle will be the guy just yet. He has to look competent in the preseason. It's hard to forget his ugly performances during game action last year. He was 6-of-18 for 59 yards and a pick in the preseason. He was 3-of-7 with two interceptions in his brief regular season effort. Huard threw eleven touchdowns and one interception in eight starts.

How can the Chiefs feel completely comfortable with Croyle taking over until he shows something when the bullets are live? He's one of the key players to watch in August.

* Training camp reporting dates are rolling in. July 27th is roughly when my wife will start disliking my job this year.

* I always thought the complaints about Dan Henning's predictability were over-the-top. Perhaps the fans were right on this one. Or perhaps everyone is just bitching about the old coach when the new coach shows up, as usual.

* Sobering days for dynasty league owners like myself who have hung on to Chris Simms. He's behind Bruce Gradkowski now. I suspect Simms will get at least one more chance to win a starting job in his career, but it probably won't be in Tampa.

* His teammate Barrett Ruud is someone to target in shallow IDP leagues. Middle linebacker in a Monte Kiffin defense is a nice place to be.

* The British irrationally root for David Martin as much as Rotoworld does.