PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals reported “very good progress” Tuesdaynight in talks aimed at reaching a contract agreement with first-round draftpick Levi Brown.

The offensive tackle from Penn State, selected fifth overall, has missed thefirst three days of practice at Arizona’s training camp in Flagstaff.

“We don’t have a deal in place but I felt like we made very good progresstoday,” Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said. “We still have some work todo on a couple of issues but I certainly feel good about the way they progressedtoday.”

Brown’s agent, Joel Segal, did not return a message left on his cell phonelate Tuesday.

The players immediately ahead of and behind Brown have reached deals.

Defensive end Gaines Adams, the No. 4 pick, agreed to a six-year deal withTampa Bay reportedly worth up to $46 million, with $18.6 million guaranteed.Defensive back LaRon Landry, the No. 6 pick who also is represented by Segal,agreed Monday to a five-year, $41.5 million contract with Washington, with about$17.5 million guaranteed.

Landry’s agreement freed Segal to work full-time on negotiating with theCardinals.

The Cardinals chose the 6-foot-5, 323-pound Brown in an attempt to bolsterwhat has been a woeful offensive line. New Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt had usedBrown mostly at right tackle during minicamps and voluntary workouts.

Brown has played mostly at left tackle, but that spot is held by free agentacquisition Mike Gandy. Oliver Ross has worked with the first team at righttackle so far in camp. Ross played for Whisenhunt when the coach was offensivecoordinator at Pittsburgh, but lost his starting job with Arizona during lastseason.

Brown was the second offensive lineman chosen in the draft. Clevelandselected tackle Joe Thomas as the third pick overall. Thomas has signed asix-year deal reportedly worth $42.5 million, with $23 million guaranteed.