The No Fun League reared its unfortunate head at these meetings with the expected passage of a rule outlawing celebrations like Carolina receiver Steve Smith falling in the end zone and doing a snow angel to please one of his daughters. No more sliding down the goal post, either, like a firemen.

No more putt-putt golf for Chad Johnson.

 Fans in Cincinnati can forget looking forward to what clever celebration routine receiver Chad Johnson plans for that weekend's touchdown dance, even though Johnson's "Riverdance" high-stepping Irish jig was a season highlight.

Now, the Lambeau Leap is still allowed, a celebration that could actually lead to an injury if done incorrectly or if the front-row fans don't grab the player securely before he falls backwards.

But Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, co-chairman of the Competition Committee, says that the NFL Players Association wants these celebrations barred and the league is in favor, believing some celebrations are a form of taunting.

Then, again, if defensive backs were so upset with Smith and Johnson's touchdown celebrations maybe they should simply do a better job of playing defense.

No love for Lovie 

The Bears have decided not to reward Coach of the Year Lovie Smith with a new contract because he has two years remaining on his original deal. It means that Smith, now that Jacksonville has reworked Jack Del Rio's contract, is the lowest paid head coach in the NFL at $1.3 million this season.

To show how out-of-whack the Bears are on this, all of the first-year head coaches hired for this season are earning more than Smith. Also, three assistant coaches, from Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay to Greg Williams in Washington, will be paid more this season than Smith. Williams actually earns $2.66 million.

Culpepper doing well . . . but not that well

Miami coach Nick Saban never said that new quarterback Daunte Culpepper will be ready for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he hinted that the former Minnesota quarterback is doing well in his rehab from three torn knee ligaments. Saban said Tuesday that Culpepper is now running in a straight line and that he has full range of motion, plus simulated a drop-back routine recently. Saban also said that Culpepper probably won't need as many training-camp repetitions in the Miami offense because much of what the Dolphins do is similar to what Culpepper ran in Minnesota.

Missing the Bills

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells never showed for these meetings and then New England coach Bill Belichick left early, thus missing Tuesday morning's breakfast with television and newspaper reporters.