In Ft. Worth, Charean Williams reported the Cowboys have "drawn almost 6,500 fewer fans" to training camp than at this point last year, but team Owner Jerry Jones "insists he's unconcerned." Jones said, "I can see that (the crowds) look down from where we have had in the past, but they have been so impressive out here, not only in numbers on any given day but the numbers of days that there are numbers out here. ... This is one of the best times I know of in the NFL in terms of attendance for practicing." The Cowboys "drew 21,337 in the first six practices last season," but have had "only 14,868 fans watch their practices this season" (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 7/30).
BLACKBIRD SINGING: In Baltimore, Scharper & Marbella in a front-page piece write the Ravens have "struggled to handle the fallout" over the February arrest of RB Ray Rice, "one of several offseason incidents in which players have gotten in trouble with the law." Ravens Senior VP/Public & Community Relations Kevin Byrne yesterday acknowledged that there "are repercussions -- for Rice, and for the team that has stood behind the player." Byrne: "I'm sure there will be people who don't want to have anything to do with Ray Rice or the Ravens because of this" (Baltimore SUN, 7/31).
SAY CHEESEHEAD: ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky noted the Packers yesterday "locked up" GM Ted Thompson with a multiyear contract extension. Next up "should be" coach Mike McCarthy, whose current contract runs through the '15 season. Thompson said, "It's been the plan the whole time." Demovsky noted all indications are the "working environment on the football side of the offices at Lambeau Field is as harmonious as ever" (ESPN.com, 7/30).
MIAMI'S NEW MANTRA: In Ft. Lauderdale, Chris Perkins noted the Dolphins have "a new credo this season," and are wearing it "on the back of T-shirts they had printed." The credo reads in part, "If I see something -- I will say something -- I commit to call it as it is." Dolphins DT Jared Odrick said that players "developed the T-shirt during the offseason." The "If I see something" line could "lead one to believe it refers to last season's bullying scandal." But Odrick said that that is "not the case." He added, "When you see somebody doing something on the field that can be improved upon, say something" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/30).
