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Panthers | Moving away from zone-read option (Wed Jun 19, 01:19 PM) [jump to this story] Patriots | Rob Gronkowski to open camp on PUP (Wed Jun 19, 01:10 PM) [jump to this story] Cardinals | Bruce Arians backs Rashard Mendenhall (Wed Jun 19, 12:53 PM) [jump to this story] Titans | Jake Locker progressing (Wed Jun 19, 12:35 PM) [jump to this story] 49ers | Vernon Davis practiced with WRs (Wed Jun 19, 08:51 AM) [jump to this story] Jets | Geno Smith having trouble adjusting to new system (Mon Jun 17, 05:18 PM) [jump to this story] |
Steelers | Not interested in Steve Breaston Thu Jun 20, 08:12 AM
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer interested in free-agent WR Steve Breaston (Chiefs).
Link to storySteve Breaston player page
Patriots | More on Aaron Hernandez story Thu Jun 20, 08:11 AM
Updating previous reports, New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez is believed to have left a bar in Boston the night of the homicide with the deceased associate Odin Lloyd and two other men. Forensic evidence placed a vehicle driven by Hernandez at one of the crime scenes, and Lloyd was the only one that didn't return to Hernandez's home at the end of the night, according to a law enforcement official.
Link to storyAaron Hernandez player page
Vikings | Chris Kluwe release was performance-based Thu Jun 20, 02:07 AM
Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer said he felt 'very strongly' in his postseason evaluation of former PK Chris Kluwe that the team needed to move on from him in 2014. 'It was more consistency and productivity,' Priefer said in a response to a question about what factors, statistical or otherwise, contributed to the decision. Kluwe had a career best net average of 39.7 yards on 72 punts last year, but that ranked him only 17th in the league, and the team ranked 31st in punts inside the 20.
Link to story Patriots | Aaron Hernandez directly tied to homicide? Wed Jun 19, 11:50 PM
Updating a previous report, a law enforcement source said Wednesday, June 19, that New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez has not been ruled out as a suspect in the totality of the homicide investigation. The source said Hernandez appears to be directly tied to the homicide of a 27-year-old Boston man. Investigators believe the altercation and murder might be drug related, specifically marijuana.
Link to storyAaron Hernandez player page
Vikings | Cordarrelle Patterson working on returns Wed Jun 19, 10:00 PM
Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson continued to see the first rep on kick returns, ahead of WR Joe Webb and CBs A.J. Jefferson, Josh Robinson and Marcus Sherels. 'I think (Patterson is) more comfortable catching kickoffs right now than punts, like a lot of young guys,' special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said Wednesday, June 19. 'But we're making progress in both phases.' Priefer said if the season were starting right now, Sherels would be the team's punt returner.
Link to storyJoe Webb player page
A.J. Jefferson player page
Josh Robinson player page
Cordarrelle Patterson player page
Vikings | Multiple injured defenders rest Wed Jun 19, 10:00 PM
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), LB Chad Greenway (knee), CB Jacob Lacey (thumb), CB Greg McCoy (hamstring) and LB Nathan Williams (ankle) were absent from minicamp practice Wednesday, June 19, due to injury.
Link to storyJared Allen player page
Chad Greenway player page
Jacob Lacey player page
Vikings | John Sullivan sits out Wed Jun 19, 09:58 PM
Minnesota Vikings C John Sullivan (knee) did not participate in minicamp practice Wednesday, June 19.
Link to story Vikings | Greg Childs back on sidelines Wed Jun 19, 09:57 PM
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Childs (knees) did not take part in any portion of the minicamp practice Wednesday, June 19. He participated in drills Tuesday, June 18, but the team is taking it slow as he makes his way back from bilateral patellar tendon tears.
Link to storyGreg Childs player page
Vikings | Adrian Peterson's absence no concern Wed Jun 19, 09:57 PM
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (hernia) sat out during the minicamp practice Wednesday, June 19, but it was part of his regularly scheduled rest, and not related to his offseason sports hernia surgery.
Link to storyAdrian Peterson player page
Vikings | Stephen Burton likes progress of offense Wed Jun 19, 09:56 PM
Minnesota Vikings WR Stephen Burton has been impressed by the progress of the intermediate-to-deep passing game so far during spring workouts. 'It's coming along well,' Burton said Wednesday, June 19. 'We're improving every day. (QB Christian Ponder) is improving, continually doing his thing.'
Link to storyChristian Ponder player page
Stephen Burton player page
Vikings | Sharrif Floyd works with first team Wed Jun 19, 09:55 PM
Minnesota Vikings DL Sharrif Floyd saw reps with the first-team nickel defense during minicamp practice Wednesday, June 19. He was working next to NT Letroy Guion.
Link to storyLetroy Guion player page
Cardinals | Rob Housler likely to be used frequently Wed Jun 19, 09:54 PM
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians likes the pass-catching ability of TE Rob Housler, and his time on the field is likely to be dictated on how much his pass-blocking has improved. TEs Jeff King, Jim Dray and D.C. Jefferson are behind him on the depth chart.
Link to storyJeff King player page
Jim Dray player page
Rob Housler player page
D.C. Jefferson player page
Cardinals | Deal with Jonathan Cooper might take a bit Wed Jun 19, 09:54 PM
Arizona Cardinals OG Jonathan Cooper has yet to sign, and it is likely his deal comes close to the start of training camp with the front office mostly on vacation. Cooper is expected to serve as the team's starting left guard.
Link to story Cardinals | Daryn Colledge working on right side Wed Jun 19, 09:53 PM
Arizona Cardinals OG Daryn Colledge is believed to be the starting right offensive guard, and he is viewed as a good fit until rookie OG Earl Watford is considered ready.
Link to story Cardinals | RT job up for grabs Wed Jun 19, 09:50 PM
Arizona Cardinals OT Bobby Massie was working as the backup left tackle in the last week of minicamp, with OT Nate Potter taking first-team reps at right tackle. Head coach Bruce Arians has said he will move guys around to have them learn as many positions as possible, so the starting right tackle job is still up for grabs. If Potter loses out in the battle, he can also work as a guard.
Link to story
Bengals | Adam Jones moving on, coaching rookies at symposium Wed Jun 19, 08:25 PM
Cincinnati Bengals CB Adam Jones wants to move on from his past and feels he should be given the benefit of the doubt at this point, noting sometimes the past has to be in the past. Jones will speak at the NFL Rookie Symposium, which has led to some people questioning the decision in lieu of the recent allegations against him.
Link to storyAdam Jones player page
Cowboys | Hanna still ahead of rookie TE Escobar Wed Jun 19, 08:06 PM
Dallas Cowboys TE James Hanna is still ahead of rookie TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State) on the depth chart. Per the report Hanna has 'raised his level of play as camp went on.' Hanna has remained as the second-team TE throughout the Cowboys offseason workouts.
| Footballguys view: Escobar was a second-round pick and many thought he would slide right in as the primary backup behind Jason Witten. Entering training camp we could see Hanna at that spot. |
James Hanna player page
Gavin Escobar player page
Cowboys | Rookie WR Williams ahead of Harris? Wed Jun 19, 07:48 PM
Dallas Cowboys rookie WR Terrence Williams may be ahead of Dwayne Harris on the depth chart right now. Williams was lining up with the first-team when they were using three WR sets.
| Footballguys view: Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are locked in as the team's top two WRs. We'll see Harris battle Williams in training camp for the WR3 spot. We like Harris because of his run after the catch ability but Williams is a better vertical threat. |
Dwayne Harris player page
Terrance Williams player page
49ers | Justin Smith bench-pressing 400 lbs Wed Jun 19, 07:18 PM
San Francisco 49ers DE Justin Smith (triceps) has been bench-pressing more than 400 pounds.
Link to storyJustin Smith player page
Titans | Justin Hunter does drills Wed Jun 19, 07:06 PM
Tennessee Titans WR Justin Hunter (hamstring) participated in individual drills Wednesday, June 19, the final day of the club's OTAs.
| Footballguys view: Hunter is a talented rookie (Tennessee) with the ability to get open with ease. This season he could be eased into the rotation as the fourth WR behind Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Kendall Wright. |
Justin Hunter player page
Patriots | More on Aaron Hernandez investigation Wed Jun 19, 06:59 PM
Updating this ongoing report, New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez is not believed to be a suspect in the murder of Odin Lloyd, a former Boston Bandits semipro linebacker and the boyfriend of his girlfriend's sister. Hernandez was questioned by police Monday, June 17, and had his house searched for more than two and a half hours Tuesday, June 18, by police investigators. Hernandez has been plagued by off-field issues dating from his days at the University of Florida, including marijuana use and participation in gang activities by some of his friends in Bristol, Conn.
Link to storyAaron Hernandez player page
Broncos | Team has numbers crunch at TE Wed Jun 19, 06:56 PM
The Denver Broncos may have a numbers crunch at the TE position this season. The position may be de-emphasized this year with the 3WR set being their base formation. If the Broncos keep only three TEs this year then Virgil Green could be the odd man out. Undrafted rookie Lucas Reed (New Mexico) could be bound for the practice squad.
| Footballguys view: The Broncos have given Julius Thomas a lot of reps with the first-team this offseason as Joel Dreesen recovers from a minor knee scope. Jacob Tamme should be the team's starter but we could see Thomas get a few snaps to create mismatches. Dreesen is the best blocker at the position and a quality red zone target. Green has improved his game as a pro but may be on the way out if the Broncos only keep three TEs. |
Joel Dreessen player page
Jacob Tamme player page
Virgil Green player page
Julius Thomas player page
Rams | Sam Bradford way ahead of last year Wed Jun 19, 06:55 PM
St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said QB Sam Bradford is 'a thousand years' ahead of where he was in 2012.
| Footballguys view: Great news for the Rams here. The team has seriously upgraded the weapons around Bradford this year. Rookie WRs like Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey plus free agent addition TE Jared Cook will make the team more dangerous through the air. Bradford could be a great value play in 2013. His current ADP is QB21 and he's coming off the board at 12.12 in 12 team fantasy leagues. |
Sam Bradford player page
Jets | Nick Mangold impressed with Mark Sanchez Wed Jun 19, 06:13 PM
New York Jets C Nick Mangold said he was impressed with how QB Mark Sanchez performed during offseason workouts. "He showed some good flashes in the spring, getting [offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's] system down and commanding the offense way that he should be. We'll see how training camp plays out, but either way, the competition will make him a better player,' Mangold said. Mangold said QB Geno Smith has to work on some things before he can be a starter.
| Footballguys view: A good sign for Sanchez here. He needs to maintain his confidence level if he wants to win the starting job. Sanchez is competing with rookie Geno Smith (West Virginia) in camp. |
Mark Sanchez player page
Geno Smith player page
Panthers | Dale Moss signs Wed Jun 19, 06:12 PM
The Carolina Panthers signed free-agent WR Dale Moss (Bears) to an undisclosed deal Wednesday, June 19.
| Footballguys view: Moss is a huge target who played college football at South Dakota State. He was an undrafted free agent in 2012 but failed to impress during his time with the Packers, Buccaneers, or Bears. Moss is athletic but incredibly raw and may be nothing more than a camp body for the Panthers. |
Vikings | Two players miss practice Wed Jun 19, 05:54 PM
Minnesota Vikings TE Rhett Ellison (calf) and FS Mistral Raymond (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, June 19.
Link to storyMistral Raymond player page
Rhett Ellison player page
Jets | Nick Mangold thinks most want Mark Sanchez to start Wed Jun 19, 05:47 PM
New York Jets C Nick Mangold said he believes a majority of the locker room would like QB Mark Sanchez to be the starting quarterback this season.
| Footballguys view: What the players want isn't always what the players get. Sanchez is competing with rookie Geno Smith (West Virginia) to be the team's starter. Smith has been struggling to pick up the offense this offseason and may not be the starter when the season opens. However, many expect Smith to take over as the starter at some point this year. |
Mark Sanchez player page
Falcons | Asante Samuel appeared to suffer injury Wed Jun 19, 05:44 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Asante Samuel (ankle) appeared to suffer an ankle injury during practice Wednesday, June 19. Trainer Marty Lauzon was looking at Samuel's right ankle after the incident occurred.
Link to storyAsante Samuel player page
Vikings | Desmond Bishop has good workout Wed Jun 19, 05:39 PM
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Alan Williams said free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) had a good workout with the team Wednesday, June 19, but did not know if the team will sign Bishop.
| Footballguys view: Bishop can be a standout player and is one of the best free agents on the market at any position. His health will determine how much interest he gets and how quickly he signs. Bishop was knocked out all last season with a severe hamstring injury. |
Desmond Bishop player page
Giants | Hakeem Nicks focusing on this season Wed Jun 19, 05:34 PM
New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he is focusing on this season and does not know what his future with the team will be. 'I enjoy being a Giant right now. I'm going to take care of what I can take care of as long as I'm a Giant, but I do understand the business side of football, too,' Nicks said.
| Footballguys view: Nicks said he skipped OTAs because of concern about possible injuries and not because of an unhappiness with his contract situation. He apologized to head coach Tom Coughlin for skipping the workouts after telling Coughlin he would attend them. Nicks can be a top 15 fantasy WR if he stays healthy for the entire year. His current ADP is WR20 and he's coming off the board at 5.09 in 12 team PPR leagues. |
Hakeem Nicks player page
Vikings | Christian Ponder not crisp Wed Jun 19, 05:31 PM
Minnesota Vikings QB Christian Ponder didn't look good during practice Wednesday, June 19. 'Watching Christian Ponder out there, the footwork didn't look great,' Judd Zulgad, of 1500ESPN.com, said. 'The passes didn't look all that sharp.'
| Footballguys view: Bad news for Ponder here. He's going to be pushed for the starting job by Matt Cassel in training camp. Ponder is in a make or break season in 2013. He has to stay healthy and show development. The team selected him in the first-round of the 2011 NFL draft with the vision of Ponder becoming a franchise QB. That hasn't happened so far. |
Matt Cassel player page
Christian Ponder player page
Titans | Bernard Pollard thinks team can win it all Wed Jun 19, 05:17 PM
Tennessee Titans SS Bernard Pollard said the believes the Titans have the talent to win the Super Bowl and need to have aggressive attitude on defense. 'Our goal is the Super Bowl, and our mission is to kill,' Pollard said. And if someone doesn't like it, then who cares? I really couldn't care less. It is not our responsibility to make anyone else happy, to please you, to care about you. Our responsibility is to protect LP Field and our responsibility is to steal wins on the road. And our responsibility is to (beat you up) as a defense, and that's what we're going to do on every single play. You have to have that mentality because nobody cares about the Tennessee Titans. Nobody. So you have to take the respect. That's what we have to do.'
| Footballguys view: Don't bet your mortgage here. The Titans will go as far as young QB Jake Locker can take them. They're the third best team in their division and it would be difficult for them to even win a Wild Card spot. |
Bernard Pollard player page
Patriots | Aaron Hernandez will have rental car searched Wed Jun 19, 05:13 PM
Investigators in a homicide case plan to search a rental car registered to New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez Wednesday, June 19, two days after a man's body was found near the car roughly a mile from Hernandez's home. The investigation is expected to continue through this week, and Hernandez cooperated with police Tuesday, June 18. Odin Lloyd was shot in the head and his body was discovered not far from where the vehicle Hernandez rented, according to sources.
| Footballguys view: Hernandez is not believed to be a murder suspect. His role in this incident is unclear at this time. We'll see the police get to the bottom of this in the near future. |
Aaron Hernandez player page
Bills | Not much progress in talks with Jairus Byrd Wed Jun 19, 05:06 PM
The Buffalo Bills have not made much progress in contract talks with franchise free-agent FS Jairus Byrd.
| Footballguys view: Deals get done at deadlines in the NFL. Every franchise player has until July 15th to get a new long-term deal done. We'll see if the Bills can get closer with Byrd as we get into next month. |
Jairus Byrd player page
49ers | Anquan Boldin works mostly in slot Wed Jun 19, 04:57 PM
San Francisco 49ers WR Anquan Boldin worked mostly in the slot during team drills when the team had their minicamp last week.
| Footballguys view: That makes the most sense given Boldin's age and current skill set. He struggles to get off the line of scrimmage cleanly but as a slot WR he can move in motion and get a clean release. |
Anquan Boldin player page
49ers | Justin Smith almost fully healthy Wed Jun 19, 04:54 PM
San Francisco 49ers DT Justin Smith (triceps) said he's 'almost 100 percent' healthy after having surgery on a partially torn left triceps muscle.
| Footballguys view: Smith was slowed down by the triceps injury towards the end of last season. At full strength we'll see him dominate at the position once again. A healthy Smith also makes OLB Aldon Smith more effective. |
Justin Smith player page
Cowboys | J.J. Wilcox signed Wed Jun 19, 04:53 PM
The Dallas Cowboys have signed third-round draft choice FS J.J. Wilcox (Georgia Southern). Terms of contract were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Wilcox only played one season on the defensive side of the ball in college. The converted WR has good ball skills in addition to an understanding of the route tree. Wilcox is an aggressive player who isn't afraid to play close to the line of scrimmage and stuff the run. His limited playing experience is a concern but we like his upside if he continues to develop. In 2013 Wilcox will primarily be a special teams player. |
Vikings | Erin Henderson expects to start Wed Jun 19, 04:41 PM
Minnesota Vikings LB Erin Henderson said he expects to start at middle linebacker this season and that the team has not approached him about the possibility of bringing someone else in to take the job.
Link to storyErin Henderson player page
Vikings | Joe Webb helping out rookie WR Wed Jun 19, 04:37 PM
Minnesota Vikings WR Joe Webb said he has been helping out WR Cordarrelle Patterson during practices with different things. 'I've been helping Cordarrelle out a lot, especially with the offense,' Webb said. 'Keeping him updated on what defenses like to do against certain routes.'
| Footballguys view: Webb is trying to make the conversion from QB to WR. He's big, fast, and incredibly athletic but may lack the ball skills to make an impact as a pass catcher. Webb tried to make the switch at the Senior Bowl when he came out of college and struggled mightily during the week of practice. |
Joe Webb player page
Cordarrelle Patterson player page
Vikings | Chad Greenway expects to be ready for camp Wed Jun 19, 04:35 PM
Minnesota Vikings LB Chad Greenway (knee) said he expects to be ready for the start of training camp. Greenway underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week.
Link to storyChad Greenway player page
Vikings | Two injured players take part in drills Wed Jun 19, 04:34 PM
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Childs (knees) and LB Michael Mauti (knee) were able to participate individual drills during practice Tuesday, June 18. Neither player has a timetable for their return and could start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Link to storyGreg Childs player page
Michael Mauti player page
Titans | Blidi Wreh-Wilson agrees to terms Wed Jun 19, 04:21 PM
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with third-round draft choice CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UCONN) on a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Wreh-Wilson has a good size/speed/athleticism combination. He could be a starting CB in the NFL if he stays healthy and plays up to his potential. Durability is a concern after a knee injury in 2011 and nagging hamstring problem in 2012. Wreh-Wilson has good instincts for the position and finds the ball quickly in the air. |
Titans | Barry Richardson agrees to terms Wed Jun 19, 04:08 PM
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with free-agent OT Barry Richardson (Rams). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to story Cardinals | Michael Floyd impresses coaches Wed Jun 19, 03:57 PM
The Arizona Cardinals coaches were impressed with how WR Michael Floyd performed during offseason workouts.
| Footballguys view: Floyd should be the starter opposite WR Larry Fitzgerald this season. We love his upside because he's a big, physical receiver who can dominate smaller defenders. His current ADP is WR52 and he's coming off the board at 13.06 in 12 team PPR leagues. |
Michael Floyd player page
Lions | Reggie Bush will have role as returner Wed Jun 19, 03:46 PM
Detroit Lions special teams coordinator John Bonamego said RB Reggie Bush will have a role as a punt returner but likely will be used as a situational returner.
| Footballguys view: The move makes sense. If the Lions need a big return in a key situation then they could put Bush back there. He's their lead RB and should get a sizable workload as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. |
Reggie Bush player page
Broncos | Manuel Ramirez could enter camp as starter Wed Jun 19, 03:40 PM
Denver Broncos C Manuel Ramirez could enter training camp as the starting center because C J.D. Walton (ankle) will be recovering from ankle surgery.
| Footballguys view: Ramirez has been the first-team Center throughout this offseason. He struggled last year as a fill in Guard and the team could look to add a free agent like Dan Koppen. |
Broncos | Would be 'catastrophic' if Ramirez starts at Center Wed Jun 19, 03:29 PM
Denver Broncos Ring of Famer Tom Nalen (Center) believes it would be 'catastrophic' if Manny Ramirez starts at Center for the Broncos in 2013. Ramirez has been working with the first-team this offseason at OTAs and minicamp.
| Footballguys view: Ramirez lined up at Guard last year and struggled filling in for an injured Chris Kuper. He's a backup caliber player and it would be risky for the Broncos to start him at Center while in a Super Bowl window. Don't be surprised if the team added free agent Dan Koppen back to the roster. |
Peyton Manning player page
49ers | A healthy Smith makes a big difference Wed Jun 19, 03:24 PM
San Francisco 49ers DL Justin Smith makes a huge difference when he's on the field. In the 49ers first 13.5 games of 2012, they allowed 3.02 points per quarter. After Justin Smith was injured (5.5 games): 7.0 points per quarter.
| Footballguys view: The 49ers signed Smith to an extension on Wednesday. The new contract likely lessens the 2013 cap hit for Smith and locks him up for the team's Super Bowl window. |
Justin Smith player page
Aldon Smith player page
Falcons | Tony Gonzalez explains decision to return Wed Jun 19, 03:08 PM
Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez said he decided to return because his son told him he owed it to himself to take another shot at winning a championship. 'But really it came down to what my little 12-year-old boy said. He said, 'You know what, Dad, you got a great football team, you guys got a chance to go get a Super Bowl,' and he knows that's the only reason I'm playing at this point. So he said go back and try it one more time. So that's why I'm here, that's why I'm going to be coming back,' he said. Gonzalez said he was leaning toward retirement because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons are in a Super Bowl window and Gonzalez is still playing at a high level so his return makes sense. This is likely his final season, even if the Falcons don't win it all. |
Tony Gonzalez player page
Broncos | Walton has additional surgery Wed Jun 19, 03:00 PM
Denver Broncos starting Center J.D. Walton has undergone another ankle surgery and may be out for the season. Team officials are hopeful he can return somewhere around the midway point of the season if his recovery goes well.
| Footballguys view: A blow to the Broncos O-Line here. Manny Ramirez has been practicing with the first-team at Center but the team may not choose to start him in the regular season. Second-year Center Philip Blake missed his rookie season with a thumb injury but the Broncos may not trust an inexperienced player while in a Super Bowl window. |
Peyton Manning player page
Draft Dominator for Mac - Henderson (6/13)
