GIVING HIS COLLEGE AN EDGE: Last season, Indianapolis Colts running back EDGERRIN JAMES set an NFL rookie record with 10 100-yard rushing games. On April 7, he set a record of a different kind -- making a $250,000 donation to upgrade the University of Miami’s student-athlete facilities. It is the largest contribution ever from a former Hurricane football player.

"I am extremely proud to be a Miami Hurricane and I know many other former players are as well," said James. "I want to make sure the student-athletes that follow me will have the same opportunities I received. I hope that others will follow my lead in giving back to the program."

Said Hurricanes head coach BUTCH DAVIS: "Knowing his love for our program, this gift does not come as a surprise. Edgerrin was always a leader for our team and his leadership always came from setting an example. He now has set a tremendous example with this gift."

WILSON SOLD ON DRAFT: Buffalo Bills President RALPH WILSON, who founded the club in 1960, has an appreciation for the importance of the NFL Draft, which is conducted this Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16, in New York City. "All seven of our draftees last year made the team, and either were solid contributors or will be coming on this year," says Wilson. "ANTOINE WINFIELD was one of the best-looking cornerbacks in the draft and we got him with the 23rd pick. I see a big future for (wide receiver) PEERLESS PRICE. We are counting on (third-round running back) SHAWN BRYSON. And BOBBY COLLINS might be one of the best tight-end prospects of the past 10 years."

FATHER KNOWS BEST: The 1999 Indianapolis Colts won 13 games – an NFL-record 10-win improvement over the previous season (3-13 in 1998) – with much of the credit going to an offense which ranked fourth in the NFL, up from 12th in 1998. One reason for that improvement was last spring’s workouts led by quarterback PEYTON MANNING. Peyton and his pals are duplicating the practice this year.

"March, April, May and June are the months that are going to win games for you," says Manning, the AFC’s starting quarterback in the 2000 Pro Bowl. "We didn't have (workouts) my rookie year. Sometimes you'll hear guys say they've been out throwing. Throwing to a lot of guys literally means playing pitch and catch, just stretching your arm out. If you come and watch us, what we do is pretty organized. As a result, we were much more efficient with the passing game last season."

Where did Manning get the idea for more formal offseason work?

"My father has taught me a lot of things," Peyton says of his father, ARCHIE, who passed for 23,911 yards in 13 NFL seasons with New Orleans, Houston and Minnesota. "One thing he emphasized was working out in the offseason."

Wide receiver CHAD PLUMMER, a 6-3, 220-pounder who was converted from quarterback in his senior season at the University of Cincinnati and played in one Colts game in 1999, has been taking part…and learning the part. "This is the time for me because I'm still pretty much new to the position," Plummer says. "I know I can contribute. It's just a matter of me keying in on it. I can tell a difference already from being out here this short time with Peyton. He's been there. He knows what he's doing."

OFFSEASON TRAINING – OLYMPIC STYLE: Despite career highs of 68 catches for 1,022 yards last season, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver DARNAY SCOTT has stepped up his training regimen this offseason to improve further. Scott moved back to his native St. Louis to work out with Olympic gold medallist JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE and her husband-coach BOB KERSEE.

"Bob has me doing some grass drills and some shuttle drills, and then I run some 100s and 200s," says Scott.

Says Bengals receivers coach STEVE MOOSHAGIAN, "Darnay has put on 20 pounds since he got drafted (in 1994) and he has not gotten any slower. If anything, he may be faster after a program like this."

But is he Olympic-caliber? "Sometimes I get on the track with Jackie," Scott said. "But I haven’t raced her."

IN A RUSH: Seattle Seahawks linebacker CHAD BROWN had 5.5 sacks in 1999 after recording 27 over the previous three seasons. With defensive coordinator STEVE SIDWELL coming to the Seahawks this year after six seasons with the New England Patriots, Brown seeks to improve his total.

"When we’re in regular personnel formations, Chad will be playing more of a traditional linebacker role," Sidwell says. "In passing situations, he’ll get his shots at the quarterback. He’s a good rusher, and we plan to use him as such."

"I definitely like what I’ve seen and I like how it is being taught," says Brown.