On the first day of training camp practice yesterday, open competition at quarterback became a friendly two-man race for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers closed their spring workout sessions in late June declaring that there would be a three-way battle for the starting job this summer among incumbent Alex Smith, veteran Shaun Hill and newcomer J.T. O'Sullivan.

But now that camp has started, the newcomer apparently has been eliminated from the starting equation.

"I think it's fair to say that," coach Mike Nolan said. "The open quarterback competition (now) means that we're going to have two quarterbacks taking equal reps between now and the time that we make a decision as opposed to having a first guy and a second guy. There's no way of getting around that two guys are going to take more of the reps. And it's probably going to stay that way for a while."

The 49ers would like to make a decision sooner rather than later. But after the generally disappointing performance they received from the position last year, they're going to let the competition between Hill and Smith play out through the summer, with the team's August exhibition games expected to play a key factor in who ultimately prevails as the starter.

JETS

FAVRE BEHIND CENTER?

According to a published report yesterday morning, the New York Jets are asking for and receiving permission to talk to retired Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

However, later in the afternoon, Chad Pennington — who is battling Kellen Clemens for the Jets' starting job — said general manager Mike Tannenbaum told him it was the Packers who contacted the Jets, not the other way around.

Pennington later said: "I don't know all the logistics of it but I was told that a call was made to the Jets and that's it."

What "it" is in regard to the entire Favre situation was far from clear last night. ESPN reported that on Thursday, Favre told Packers GM Ted Thompson that he planned to report to the team's training camp by tomorrow. But to do that, Favre would have had to officially apply for reinstatement to the league, a step the quarterback had not yet taken as of last night. An option for Favre might be Tampa Bay, which, according to ESPN, has expressed interest.

Also yesterday, Vernon Gholston's holdout lasted one day and two practices.

The Jets signed the No. 6 overall pick to a multiyear deal, in time for the defensive end to be on the field with his teammates for the start of practice on the second day of training camp. Gholston's agent, Ben Dogra, told The Associated Press that the contract is worth $50 million, with $21 million guaranteed over five years.

ELSEWHERE

Bears: Devin Hester showed up at Chicago's training camp without a new contract. Whether the kick return star will practice without one remains to be seen. After missing the first two days, Hester reported yesterday because he saw some progress in negotiations. "It's looking good so I came back," he said. As for practicing: "No comment on that," he said.

Giants: Plaxico Burress missed New York's first two training camp practices yesterday with an ankle injury while his agent spoke with the Super Bowl champions about renegotiating his contract. "There is no connection," agent Drew Rosenhaus said in a telephone interview when asked if Burress was sitting out because of the contract problems. Burress, has three years remaining his six-year, $25 million deal. He will earn $3.25 million this year, $3.5 million in 2009 and $3.75 million in 2010.

Cowboys: First-round draft picks Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins signed deals late last night, putting all of Dallas' selections under contract. Jones, a running back from Arkansas, and Jenkins, a cornerback from South Florida, have the same agent and each missed the first day of practice. Terms of their deals were not released.

Also, the Cowboys said yesterday that they will waive veteran receiver Terry Glenn, who resisted signing an injury clause after missing most of last season with a right knee injury.

Rams: St. Louis running back Steven Jackson, entering the final year of his contract, was a no-show for the opening day of training camp yesterday. Coach Scott Linehan said Thursday after the team arrived at its new training site in suburban Milwaukee that Jackson had told him he would not be on the team charter flight from St. Louis. Linehan also said Thursday that getting a contract extension for Jackson was a "priority." The team has been in contact with Jackson's agent.

Saints: New Orleans signed second-round pick Tracy Porter to a four-year contract yesterday, then released veteran tight end Eric Johnson, whose starting job was in jeopardy after the Saints traded for Jeremy Shockey earlier in the week. Shortly after signing his first pro contract, Porter, a cornerback who was taken 40th overall in April's draft, took the field for the Saints' fourth practice of training camp.

Steelers: Pittsburgh signed running back Rashard Mendenhall yesterday, agreeing to a five-year contract with their first-round draft pick two days before training camp opens. Mendenhall's contract is reportedly worth nearly $12.6 million, with $7.125 million guaranteed.

Seahawks: Lawrence Jackson, Seattle's top draft choice, agreed to an $11.25 million, five-year contract yesterday. The contract includes a $6.1 million signing bonus,

Cardinals: Arizona agreed to a six-year contract with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, their top draft pick (16th overall). Terms were not disclosed.

Texans: Houston signed first-round draft pick Duane Brown, an offensive lineman from Virginia Tech who is expected to start this season. Terms were not released.

Eagles: Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews was a no-show at Philadelphia's training camp for a second day yesterday. Andrews is absent for personal reasons, and the team placed him on the reserve/did not report list.