This is pretty interesting.  Caleb Campbell, a West Point grad, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of this year's draft.  The Army had a rule in place that soldiers could be excused from their 2 years of minimum duty if they signed a professional sports contract.  Campbell was all set to begin Lions training camp until he received word last night that the DOD had changed their interpretation of the rule.  He is now on his way back to West Point for his orders.

There had been a lot of media coverage of the whole thing, and a lot of talk about whether or not it was fair for Campbell to have that option.  The Air Force and Navy do not allow their soldiers to sign professional contracts (see David Robinson) before completing their obligation. 

Campbell was on The Dan Patrick Show earlier today, and he said the ruling came from somewhere higher than West Point.  The plot thickens.  Campbell is a class act who did not complian once during the interview.  If I were him I would be really mad because the ruling didn't come out until the night before camp was opening.

The Tennessean has out their fan's guide to training camp.  It includes directions and the autograph schedule for each day.  I cannot tell you how excited I am that camp opens tomorrow.  That means the season is just around the corner.

Here are my 2 questions leading into camp tomorrow:

1.  Will Chris Johnson be signed in time for the first practice?

This shouldn't be anything that cannot get done.  Slotting the #24 pick is pretty easy.  Johnson is going to do a lot of things for this Titans' offense so it is crucially important that he does not miss any time. 

2.  Will Albert Haynesworth report on time?

Jim Wyatt is reporting this morning that the Fat Albert's people and the Titans are still in negotiations.  This tells me that there isn't any ill will between the camps.  They were just unable to hammer out numbers that were sufficient for both sides.  Albert needs to do his part and show he is committed by signing his tender and being on the field tomorrow.

As gotitans27 mentioned, the Titans have agreed to a 4 year contract with 2nd round pick DE Jason Jones.  The deal includes $1.505 million in guaranteed money and rookie minimum salaries of $295,000 in 2008, $360,000 in 2009, $440,000 2010 and $550,000 in 2011.

This just leaves 1st rounder Chris Johnson that is yet to be signed.  This is the 2nd signing in 2 days, so hopefully that means that Johnson will be signed tomorrow so he will be ready for the first day of camp on Friday.

Also, are you reading this Matt Miller, the Titans released Bryce Fisher to make room on the roster for Jones.   

So reports are coming out today that Brett Favre used a cell phone that was issued to him by the Green Bay Packers to call Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.  Last week the Packers filed tampering charges against the Vikings, but both Favre and the Vikings has swept that under the rug because Favre and Bevell are friends. 

How dumb does Favre have to be to make those calls from the phone the Packers gave him?  You would think he has enough money to go out and buy himself a phone.  He could even get one of those disposable phones and throw it away when he is done like drug dealers do. 

It is time for Favre to go away.  I think Goodell should ban Favre from football for life so we don't have to hear these stories anymore.

As Hook em' mentioned, the Titans agreed to terms with their third-round pick, TE Craig Stevens of California, on Tuesday.  The terms of the contract were not announced.  This leaves just first-round pick Chris Johnson and second-round pick Jason Jones left to be signed.  Hopefully the Titans will be able to get both of them under contract before camp opens on Friday.

Climer's column yesterday on Norm Chow is an excellent read.  He seems to be really happy back in the college game and on the west coast.  There is no doubt in my mind that he will have that UCLA offense marching up and down the field in the next couple of years.  It seemed that he was just overmatched on the NFL field.

It is obvious to anyone with a brain that Chow was fired because of the regression we saw in Vince Young last season.  We will probably never really know how much of VY's failures last season were a product of Chow, but he was the obvious and easy scapegoat (they aren't going to cut VY). 

The question now is what will VY do?  There aren't any excuses left.  Chow stifled his style of play.  Chow is gone.  The Titans brought in a guy that has plenty of experience with a VY type QB so it is on VY.  If he puts up numbers in 2008 that resemble his 2007 numbers, there will be no where left to look for him but in the mirror. 

As you can tell from my projections on VY's 2008 numbers, for which I was ripped here and other places on the internet, my opinion is that VY will take the step forward this year that we were all hoping for last season.  2008 is going to be a great year to be a Titans fan.  What do you think about that Joy Kat??

The official webisite has posted a fan's guide for training camp.  The only thing that isn't on there is the autograph schedule which will probably be posted later in the week.  Here is the schedule for the 23 practices that are open to the public:

Friday, July 25
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 26
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 27
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Monday, July 28
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29
Practice: 8:30 a.m.
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 30
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 31
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 1
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 2
Practice: 11:30 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 4
Practice: 8:30 a.m.
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 5
Practice: 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6
Practice: 8:30 a.m. (with Rams)
Practice: 3:30 p.m. (with Rams)

Thursday, Aug. 7
Special Teams Practice: 8:30 a.m. (with Rams)
Practice: 3:30 p.m. (with Rams

Saturday, Aug. 9
Titans vs. Rams, 7 p.m., LP Field

Monday, Aug. 11
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 12
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 13
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 15
Titans vs. Raiders, 7 p.m., LP Field

Monday, Aug. 18
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 19
Practice: 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 20
Practice: 3:30 p.m. (final training camp practice)

Anyone planning on attending any of these practices?

The Titans agreed to terms today with 4th round draft pick William Hayes.  Hayes's contract is for the minimum salary over the next 4 years and a $500,000 bonus according to ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky.  Hayes is the 4th of 7 draft picks to sign leaving just the first three picks (Chris Johnson, Jason Jones, and Craig Stevens) unsigned.  Camp opens Friday afternoon, so hopefully those guys will be inked before then. 

The New York Giants and New Orleans Saints finally hammered out a deal that sends TE Jeremy Shockey to the Saints for a 2nd and 5th round pick in next year's draft.  The Saints already had a ridiculous offense, and this just makes it even better.  It will be interesting to see if he will behave in NO or not.

Clayton is probably the goofiest looking NFL reporter ever.  I enjoy his reports though, and he always has good information.