Seven former University of Delaware football players, ranging from veteran quarterback Rich Gannon to a quartet of rookies from the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team, were in National Football League training camps battling for roster spots this summer.

Gannon was in the Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa Valley, Calif., alongside two other Fightin' Blue Hens, defensive end Shawn Johnson and running back Keith Burnell.

Gannon, 38, entered camp hoping to bounce back from an injury and regain the form he showed in 2002, when he guided the Raiders to the Super Bowl and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. He was working under a new head coach, Norv Turner, and with a new backup, former New York Giants star Kerry Collins.

Johnson, a key member of UD's 2003 championship team, was a sixth-round draft choice of the Raiders, who were impressed with his athleticism, speed and skill level. As an Oakland defensive lineman, he had the opportunity to practice in training camp shoulder-to-shoulder with such NFL stars as Warren Sapp and Ted Washington.

Burnell joined the Raiders last year after a stint with the Green Bay Packers, where he was switched from running back, his position at UD, to defensive back. He returned to running back upon being signed by the Raiders.

Going to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles was quarterback Andy Hall, who was a sixth-round draft pick after guiding the Blue Hens to the national championship. The Eagles selected Hall, who was a candidate for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in NCAA Division I-AA, for his strong arm and his ability to throw on the run. Hall entered training camp as Philadelphia's fourth quarterback, behind starter Donovan McNabb and veteran backups Koy Detmer and Jeff Blake.

Also entering NFL training camps from the championship team were offensive lineman Jason Nerys, who signed with the New York Jets, and defensive back Mike Adams, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, both as undrafted free agents.

Former Blue Hen wide receiver Jamin Elliott went to training camp with the Chicago Bears this season. Elliott was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round in 2002 and then went to the New England Patriots, where he was a member of the Super Bowl championship team in 2004.

Also this year, former Blue Hen Bob Slowik assumed a new role on the coaching staff of the Green Bay Packers, having been named defensive coordinator by Head Coach Mike Sherman. Slowik is in his 13th season as an NFL coach and his fifth with the Packers.

"I have a lot of confidence in Bob Slowik and his abilities," Sherman says. "I've watched him over the last four years, and he's done a tremendous job in helping us grow as a football team and as a defense."

Slowik joined the Packers after serving as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and the Bears from 1993-98. The 50-year-old Slowik began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UD in 1977.