The Cincinnati Bengals and first-round pick Keith Rivers are still "far apart" in contract negotiations, a source told ESPN.com Sunday. Rivers, the No. 9 overall pick in April's NFL draft, has missed the entire first week of training camp with Cincinnati.

The two sides remain in constant negotiations. The source added that talks could improve dramatically at any time, but as of Sunday afternoon the team was not close to striking a deal with Rivers.

To alleviate the hassle, and avoid a Rivers-style holdout, which reached eight days on Sunday, Aug. 3, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell favors a rookie salary slotting system.

The trouble with a rookie salary slotting system is "it has to be collectively bargained," Goodell told the Dayton Daily News during his visit to Bengals' training camp this weekend. It's a big issue for the owners and players' union, but one that must be tackled and resolved.

"Something is wrong with the system and we have to address it," Goodell said. "I think it's better for the players, the teams and, most important, for the fans. It's a disservice when players aren't in camp."

from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Even as Favre flew into Green Bay on Sunday, conflicting reports appeared about Favre's status, ranging from his competing for the Packers starting quarterback job to him being offered to the Vikings in a trade.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reported earlier Sunday that Favre would be reinstated to the active roster today and that the Packers planned to hold an open quarterback competition involving Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

But the Journal Sentinel reported later Sunday that the Packers called the Vikings on Friday to inform them that Favre was available in a trade.

"Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back," Packers president Mark Murphy said in statement. "We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage." 

NFL commissioner Roger Goddell reinstated Brett Favre on Sunday, forcing the Packers to put him on the active roster. He will be at Packers' camp on Monday where he is expected to undergo a physical and could be practicing with the team as early as Tuesday.