--RB Tim Hightower, the team's fifth-round pick, figures to get a lot of work in preseason games. Coaches want to find out if he's capable or spelling Edgerrin James or if he's another year or two away.

--Offensive coordinator Todd Haley is spending a considerable amount of time with the quarterbacks in camp. The players are being put through more drills and there is far less down time as Haley and quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge work with them.

--WR Larry Fitzgerald is under more scrutiny by coaches, who are demanding more since Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million deal this off-season. They want Fitzgerald to run better routes and become better at running after the catch. Haley reviewed video and thinks Fitzgerald could have scored three or four more touchdowns and gained 300 or so more yards if he was just average at running after a reception.

--WR Anquan Boldin hopes to return to practice soon after missing nearly a week of work with a hamstring strain. Cynics might say that Boldin isn't pushing himself because of his contract dispute, but that would be out of character for the Pro Bowl receiver.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Bertrand Berry is holding off Travis LaBoy for the starting weak outside linebacker spot. The position, called "Predator" in the team's scheme, is more of a rush lineman. Berry took a pay cut this off-season, from $4 million to $1 million, after finishing the previous three seasons on the injured list. LaBoy, a free agent from the Titans, is pushing Berry hard, however, and both will play.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Right guard Deuce Lutui made too many "bonehead" errors last year, said coach Ken Whisenhunt. That's one reason why Lutui is being seriously pushed by Elton Brown for a starting job. So far, Lutui is holding on to the job.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Receiver Lance Long, a rookie free agent, is making eye-opening catches almost daily. He's only 5-11 and 186 pounds. But he's quick in and out of cuts and looks like he could be effective as a slot receiver. He won't contribute much this year, but it's going to be hard to keep him off the practice squad, at the very least.

ROOKIE REPORT: OT Brandon Keith, a seventh-round pick, is having an impressive camp. He lost 25 pounds before camp started and he has displayed excellent quickness and technique. The club is working him as a backup right tackle but eventually would like to look at him at left tackle and possibly guard. ... WR Early Doucet, the third-round pick, had two great days of practice last week. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring strain at end of one practice and is going to miss some time. ... DE Kenny Iwebema, a fourth-round pick, could figure into the rotation on first and second downs. Iwebema is strong, according to the team's offensive linemen, and hard to move out of position.

INJURY REPORT: C Al Johnson recently underwent knee surgery and could miss a month or so. The club is hoping he can return in time for the opener or at least by the second game. Lyle Sendlein will start in his place. ... C Scott Peters suffered a severe knee injury and it out of the year. ... WR Anquan Boldin has slight strain in his right hamstring but should be able to return to practice soon. ... NT Gabe Watson probably will miss all of training camp while recovering from a fractured kneecap in the off-season. Watson is progressing well, but the medical team wants him to build the muscles around the knee. Watson has kept his weight down. He weights 323, the least amount he's weighed since high school. ... LB Monty Beisel is recovering from back surgery and hopes to begin practice soon. ... WR Early Doucet has a hamstring strain and will miss some time. ... LB Clark Haggans has a groin strain but shouldn't miss much more time.

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