--Coach Scott Linehan said there will be some rotation of practice snaps in camp for some of the team's veterans.

"We'll rotate some of the older guys as far as reps," he said. "Not so much today (the first day), but every third practice, we'll switch off him (tackle Orlando Pace) and (Todd) Steussie and do the same thing with some of the defensive guys like (La'Roi) Glover and Leonard (Little) and then Andy (McCollum) is another guy. Then our two receivers (Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce). I think there's a cut-off, like if you're 32 years old you get special treatment."

Said Glover, "Whenever a veteran player can hear news like that, it brings a little bit of a smile to his face. Whenever you give a veteran a bone, we really appreciate it."

McCollum wasn't sure whether to believe reporters that told him what Linehan said.

"You have that documented?" McCollum wondered. "I haven't got that memo, and I doubt I will. That's OK."

--When training camp opened, coach Scott Linehan couldn't help comparing his feelings to what they were last year when he stepped on the practice field for the first time as a head coach.

"I was laughing with a couple of the coaches with where all of us are at from a year ago at this time and it is much different. We weren't easier on them. It was very much the same practice format that we have used and will continue to use, but there was much more attention to the important things -- when it comes to what I say is important -- which are the details of what they are doing out there on the field.

"I think our retention is great, not just because of our off-season, but because we have a lot of carry-over from a year ago. It's a new year and we will see. We aren't where we need to be to do much damage yet but we've made a good first step."

--For the second year, the club has used the slogan "I Believe" in its advertising efforts. Running back Steven Jackson arrived for camp with an "I Believe" T-shirt.

Said Jackson, "I thought it was appropriate to wear it today because it's a new season, a new start."

As for training camp, Jackson said, "I hate camp, but I know it's needed for the variety of guys to get to know each other, get the team all on the same page. I've had a couple of veterans say that it helps you harden your body for the abuse that you are going to take during the season. But me myself, I hate it.

"Two practices a day, that's the hard part. Once you get one practice out of the way, you're fine. Then after you take a nap between practice, you don't feel like getting up and doing the same thing over again."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He knows I'm not a big yeller and screamer, but I looked at him like, 'I didn't sleep last night; you owe me.' Not financially, but for all the heartache you gave me last night. But I trusted him. I don't think anyone doubted for a minute, to be really honest with you, that he would be here. Marc wants to help this team win a championship, and he knows that to do that, he's got to be out here." -- Coach Scott Linehan on what he told Marc Bulger after the quarterback missed a team meeting the day before signing a new contract.

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