The slow pace of Buffalo Bills rookie defensive end Aaron Maybin's contract talks are partly the result of another unsigned first-round pick: San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington, Maybin's publicist and friend, told The Associated Press yesterday that Crabtree's stalled negotiations are the reason Maybin has missed the first two weeks of training camp and the Bills preseason opener against Tennessee last weekend.

Crabtree was drafted 10th overall, one pick ahead of Maybin, who, like Arrington, played college football at Penn State. With Crabtree unsigned, it makes it difficult to determine Maybin's value. Rookie contracts are traditionally slotted in descending order of where the player was drafted.

Suspended Cleveland wide receiver Donte' Stallworth will be allowed to leave home confinement to train with a strength and conditioning coach, a judge in Dade County (Fla.) ruled yesterday.

St. Louis starting quarterback Marc Bulger expects plenty of playing time, perhaps as much as three quarters, when the Rams visit the New York Jets Friday night.

Indianapolis lineman Tony Ugoh has lost his starting job at offensive left tackle to Charlie Johnson as the Colts seek improvement in their running game.

Philadelphia defensive end Juqua Parker has waived his preliminary hearing in a marijuana-possession charge. No court date has been set for the Aug. 5 incident near the team's Bethlehem, Pa., training base.

Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Bryant had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee yesterday.