The Fins have taken a look at LB Raonall Smith, a free agent who spent 2007 with the Rams.

The Pats, who have the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, put Ohio State LB Vernon Gholston through a private workout on Wednesday.

USC Pete Carroll is talking up his guys.

Lions RB Tatum Bell thinks he can rush for 1,300 yards this year.  (So do we, if they expand the schedule to 30 games.)

CB Benny Sapp, formerly of the Chiefs, has visited the Browns.

LB Clark Haggan has changed his tune about returning to the Steelers.

The Packers will retire Brett Favre’s number during the 2008 season.

The Vikings have extended the contract of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier through the 2009 season, and they’ve given him the title of assistant head coach.

The Saints have signed OL Matt Lehr, previously of the Bucs.  (A prior version of this said the Broncos.  We were wr-wr-wr-wr-mistaken.)

LB Brandon Chillar would have stayed with the Rams if the money had been similar to what the Packers offered.

But Chillar’s first choice was the Cardinals, who didn’t have the cap room to sign him because they still haven’t finalized WR Larry Fitzgerald’s deal.  (Is it a coincidence that this franchise has won only one postseason game since the Truman administration?)