by Peter Schrager

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Of course, you'd also be missing out on some of the best human-interest stories in sports.

In all 32 NFL camps this month, there will be undrafted rookies trying to secure spots on their respective active rosters, journeymen looking to squeeze a backup role on special teams units, and star players in the last years of their contracts poised for their biggest seasons yet.

You'll also find heartache and devastation. Only 53 men can make an active NFL roster. And when "The Turk" taps you on the shoulder, it's time to gather your playbook and grab the first flight home. It's make or break for most of the men suiting up in camps across the country this month. Each player has a story to tell. Some are just more compelling than others.

Here are 10 of the more fascinating training camp stories you might not be aware of. They're the guys to root for this August. (It's worth noting that not a single one of them involves Wrangler jeans.)

Steve Hauschka, Baltimore Ravens, kicker: For the first time in franchise history, someone other than Matt Stover will be suiting up as the everyday kicker this fall. Though Stover is in the stable and on board if needed, the battle will most likely come down to Florida State rookie Graham Gano and second-year pro Steve Hauschka.

College football fans may be familiar with Cano's name. However, Hauschka's is likely a complete mystery. His story is fascinating.

After a well-decorated high school soccer career in Needham, Mass., Hauschka went to Middlebury College, a liberal arts school in Vermont best known for its academics, lacrosse program and overwhelming abundance of Phish fans in the student body, to play some futbol. After a year on the D-III school's soccer team, Hauschka tried out for the football squad. He made the team and was the kicker for the next three years, nabbing All-NESCAC honors and breaking the single-season and school record for field goals. All the while, he majored in neuroscience, graduated with a 3.54 GPA, and kept his eyes focused on a career in science or medicine.

When that time came, he looked into several options for grad school, eventually deciding on N.C. State, where he made the team as a rare fifth-year transfer. He won the kicking job, made all 25 extra-point attempts and connected on 16 of 18 field goals.

A future in medicine (his father, by the way, is a doctor) would have to wait. Undrafted in 2007, he signed with the Vikings and eventually found his way on to the Baltimore roster last year.

The kid genius may just be the next kid kicker for the Baltimore Ravens. And if all that fails? Well, there's always that whole being a doctor thing.

Connor Barwin went from All-Big East tight end as a junior to all-conference defensive end as a senior. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

Connor Barwin, Houston Texans, defensive end: A rookie out of Cincinnati, Barwin is expected to make an immediate impact on the Houston defense in '09. His road to the NFL is certainly a unique one.

Barwin was born deaf in both ears because of a debilitating tumor in his left ear. When he was 18 months old, the tumor was discovered during a routine trip to the doctor. Over the next 11 years, Barwin endured seven surgeries on the ear, before he was finally tumor-free. Barwin still has 30-40 percent hearing loss in his left ear. He's truly a survivor. He's also one of the more versatile players you'll ever see.

Barwin was an All-Big East tight end as a junior in 2007 then an All-Big East defensive end after switching positions in 2008. Yes, after three outstanding years at tight end in a major BCS Conference, Barwin was asked to switch from offense to defense and play an entirely new position during his senior year.

The Bearcats went on to win their first Big East conference title in '08, and Barwin led the way, terrorizing quarterbacks and notching a Big-East leading 11 sacks. He also blocked three kicks.

Barwin will primarily play defensive end in Houston, but he could end up seeing time at linebacker, tight end and on special teams. Looking for an inspiration this summer? The 46th overall pick may just be your guy.

Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals, running back: If you're looking for a guy working to make the most of a second chance at life, allow me to introduce Bengals rookie running back Bernard Scott.

Scott's past is as checkered as they come. The 5-10 back was kicked off his high school team in Vernon, Texas because of an off-campus fight after his junior season. After graduating from Wichita Falls High School in 2003, he secured an offer to play at Scottie Pippen's alma mater, Central Arkansas, where in the spring after winning Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year honors — he was kicked off the team ... for reportedly punching his coach in the face.

The list goes on. There have been traffic-related issues, and while attending Blinn College in 2006, Scott was charged with stealing an iPod, a misdemeanor offense. Charges were eventually dropped with his participation in a pretrial diversion program, but the cloud only darkened.

In all, Scott's been arrested five times. He's been kicked off multiple teams for off-the-field behavior and was given the dreaded "character issues" red flag on most NFL teams' draft boards in April.

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But that was the past. Scott's turning it all around. Or, better yet, he already has turned it around.

During the pre-draft interviews, he stepped up to the plate and addressed his past with any NFL executive who asked. He said he'd made mistakes; he said he regretted many of the things he had done. In regards to the punching of his coach, though, Scott contends it never happened. On Draft Day he explained, "That's a rumor, but it's not true. I got into it with one of my teammates at practice. A big fight broke out. Somebody grabbed me from behind and I reacted by pushing that person away. I didn't hit anyone and I didn't strike anyone at all."

Drama-free for close to three years now, the 2008 Harlon Hill Trophy winner has made a great impression in Bengals camp this offseason. Humble, determined and committed — he is in the running to out-do Kenny Watson, Brian Leonard and DeDe Dorsey for the No. 2 tailback job behind Cedric Benson. At the very least, he'll make the squad as a third-down specialist.

Scott explained in April, "My expectation is to prove it to myself and to the Bengals that they made the right choice. The mistakes that I have made are in my past. I am ready to get up there to Cincinnati. Work hard and compete for a position."

He's doing all that and more.

When Scott was drafted by the Bengals in April, the pundits and talking heads rolled their eyes. "Here we go again." The blogs made their usual round of "Bungles" jokes.

What Cincinnati may have gotten in Scott was a changed man.

They also got themselves a damn good running back.

The surgery Paul Kruger underwent after being stabbed last year required nearly 50 staples to close the incisions. (Ned Dishman / Getty Images)

Paul Kruger, Baltimore Ravens, defensive end/linebacker: It's not every day you come across a 23-year-old rookie. It's an even rarer situation to find a 23-year-old rookie with just two years of college football experience. Such is the case for Kruger. While at Utah, Kruger went on a two-year mission. When he returned from the mission, he went on to dominate the Mountain West Conference. After a junior season that saw him net 7.5 sacks for the undefeated Sugar Bowl champion Utes, Kruger was the 57th pick in April's draft.

Of course, there have been some minor setbacks along the way.

When he was a child, Kruger lost a kidney in a near-tragic car accident. When he was just 13, a Jeep Wrangler rolled over on him. He was in critical condition, suffering from internal bleeding for nearly a month. He eventually recovered and found success on the football field.

Fast forward 10 years to 2008. Last spring, Kruger was the victim of a stabbing as he left a party. The brawl that ensued left Kruger with life-threatening injuries that required nearly 50 staples to close the incisions made during surgery. The incident left Kruger with a gallery of scars that zigzag across his torso.

Like his previous setbacks, Kruger bounced back and conquered on the football field.

He's lived quite the life for a 23-year-old man. Signed this week to a four-year deal, he'll be in camp and ready to make an immediate impact for the Ravens in '09.

D.J. Boldin, Vikings and Nick Moore, Lions, wide receivers: Ask Billy Baldwin, Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton or Billy Ripken about being the "other" brother.

Boldin and Moore could probably tell you a thing about that, too. They are the younger siblings of NFL starters Anquan Boldin and Lance Moore. Whereas their older brothers star on the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, respectively, D.J. and Nick enter training camp as undrafted rookie free agents just looking for roster spots. Nick Moore, who starred at Toledo, is with the Vikings this summer. D.J. Boldin, a No. 1 option at Wake Forest, is in camp with the Lions.

Their older brothers combined for 168 catches last season.

D.J. and Nick would be more than happy just surviving training camp with jobs at the end of August.

For all the younger brothers out there let's keep an eye on how they do in the trenches this month.

Vaughn Martin, San Diego Chargers, defensive tackle: In what was of the more bizarre factoids from April's NFL Draft, Canada's Western Ontario University saw a player selected prior to powerhouse programs Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA, Miami and Colorado. That player was Vaughn Martin, a 6-foot-3, 330-pound beast out of Toronto via Jamaica.

Though 15 Canadian-born players appeared on NFL rosters at some point in the 2008 season, Martin is the first Canadian collegiate player ever drafted as an underclassman. The defensive leader of a team that won two straight Yates Cups (I, admittedly, have zero idea what a Yates Cup is), Martin is no stranger to the Canadian football-viewing public. He's a complete mystery to those in America.

His path to the league is an interesting one, too. While starring at South Secondary School in Canada, he signed a letter of intent with Michigan State. Yet, when a glitch in his transcript (something about not getting credits for a ninth-grade class he passed) ruled that option out, he attended Milford Academy for a year before enrolling at Western Ontario.

During pre-draft interviews, the thoughtful and inquisitive Martina admitted that the competition level he was up against in school was the equivalent to Division II competition in the States. He asked all the right questions. He answered properly, too. He then rocked the 40-yard-dash in personal workouts and notched a 38 out of 40 on his Wonderlic test.

The Chargers signed Martin to a four-year deal on Thursday. The fourth-round pick should make the team and get action in '09. Just another step on what's been a long, strange trip to the bigs.

Larry Foote, linebacker, and Jon Jansen, offensive tackle, Detroit Lions: They say there's nothing quite like going home. Have "they" been to Detroit?

Larry Foote and Jon Jansen have, and the two return voluntarily this season to help revitalize and recharge a team that's been entrenched in the ashes for far too many years.

Foote, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, requested a departure out of Pittsburgh and signed on with the Lions in the offseason. A former Michigan star, he comes to Detroit with two rings, three conference championship-game appearances, and a hunger to bring success back to his native state.

The same can be said for Jansen, a 2005 All-Pro. Also a Michigan native and former Wolverines star, the former Redskin signed with the Lions the very same day Washington released him in May.

Together, Foote and Jansen will strive to bring veteran leadership, consistent play, and a sense of pride to their hometown team.

And who knows, perhaps even a few wins.

Joey Harrington, New Orleans Saints, quarterback: Speaking of the Lions, how about the Motor City's former whipping boy, Joey Harrington?

Joey Harrington is on his fourth team in five seasons. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

If you're a fan of redemption stories, you might want to check out what he's up to down in New Orleans this August. Harrington, known as "Joey Blue Skies" in Detroit, is currently with the Saints — his fourth team in five NFL seasons. Bounced on and off the New Orleans roster in '08, the Lions former No. 3 overall pick is now in a tight race for the Saints backup job with fellow veteran gunslinger Mark Brunell. Harrington, whose face once famously graced a New York City billboard back in his Oregon days, has been throwing the ball well this offseason. Signed to a one-year deal in NOLA, this could be his last shot in the NFL.

Drew Brees is the starter in New Orleans, but there's a shot Harrington outdoes Brunell and gets the nod as the Saints No. 2. Taunted by Detroit fans for years, stuck on horrendous Lions, Dolphins and Falcons squads, and owner of a career losing record that would make Jamal Crawford and Archie Manning blush — perhaps it's time to root for Joey Harrington. Older, wiser and on the outer edges of NFL relevancy, a career revival would be one to rally around.

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts, receiver: When Marvin Harrison was released by the Colts, Reggie Wayne officially assumed the No. 1 wide receiver role. Anthony Gonzalez promptly took over for Wayne in that relied-upon 1-A spot. The third receiver in the Colts offense? The one Gonzalez and Brandon Stokley before him mastered for so many years? Well, that one's anybody's guess. But as of late July, it looks as though the front-runner is Division III Mount Union graduate Pierre Garcon.

Who? Yes, Pierre Garcon. He plays football for the Colts. Who knew?

Though he recorded just four receptions in his rookie season, the fleet-footed Garcon has made quite the impression on the Colts coaches over the past two years. He'll battle Ohio State second-year player Roy Hall and BYU rookie Austin Collie for the coveted third receiver role in Indy's "Kings" formation this August.

If Garcon excels in camp, be sure to snag him in your fantasy football drafts later this month. Check out Stokley and Gonzalez's numbers over the years. It's no secret that Peyton Manning loves his No. 3 receiver options. Division III to one of Peyton Manning's go-to guys in the matter of two years? Talk about unconventional roads to the top.

Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, Shawn Springs, New England Patriots: Taylor, Galloway, and Springs have a combined 50 seasons of NFL experience. Together, they're 104 years of age. They've also combined for zero career Super Bowl appearances.

To New England they go, where each player sacrificed more money elsewhere to get a shot at playing — and perhaps winning — the big one. Galloway's rocking a hint of grey in his beard, Taylor's playing with a chip on his shoulder, and Springs is competing for a starting job against a bunch of rookies and second-year guys 10 years his junior.

They're likely on their last stops on the NFL carousel. Keep an eye on their progress this offseason. All three are expected to be real difference-makers in New England this season.