Boldin is a guy with an established reputation in the league

The sight of Anquan Boldin is bittersweet for San Francisco 49ers fans. On the one hand, he played a vital role in the first Super Bowl loss in the history of the franchise.

At the same time, however, none will complain if those same playmaking skills are displayed with his new team. Boldin is a guy with an established reputation in the league, his hands and physical style of play ranking among the elite.

With Michael Crabtree set to miss the majority of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, those same skills that Boldin is renowned for have become even more important to his team. He will now be asked to be the No. 1 option on a Super Bowl contending team.

Now, on the surface level, this is nothing new for him. It’s a role he is very familiar with, having functioned as that with both the Arizona Cardinals (before being bumped to No. 2 by Larry Fitzgerald) and the Baltimore Ravens. Here’s the thing, though. Boldin is no spring chicken anymore.

Now 32 years old and entering his 11th season in the league, Boldin has endured an incomprehensible amount of punishment over the course of his career. That is the price he must pay to maintain his reputation as the toughest, most physical receiver in the league.

The inevitable question must then be asked: How much longer can he continue to play his style of game before the rigors of the NFL finally takes its toll? Well, when looking at the numbers, the answer might be sooner than what 49er fans might want to hear.

While he was the No. 1 option with Baltimore by title, the numbers don’t quite add up to that billing. In his three years with the team, not once did he crack the 1,000-yard benchmark, 921 last season serving as his highest total.

The touchdowns have diminished over the years as well. While he caught a respectable seven in his first year with the team, 2010, the last two seasons have brought three and four, respectively. Not quite what you would expect from your No. 1 option.

Many would argue that the Ravens had a dominant running back, Ray Rice, taking the bulk of the offense. That was more myth than reality last season. Rice carried the football 257 times last season, leaving him tied with Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams (now the Atlanta Falcons) for 13th in the league.

In comparison, Joe Flacco, his former quarterback, threw the ball 531 times, 317 of which were completed. Those numbers left him at 14th and 15th, respectively, in the league. That’s about as balanced an offense as you can get.

So who is Anquan Boldin? What will his role on this 49ers team be? Is he still capable of being the focal point of a teams passing game?

While I will never claim to be Nostradamus, I will offer my insight as to what I think the 49ers and their fans will receive from Boldin.

While Crabtree now appears to be the Boldin of old reincarnated, Boldin himself is not who he used to be. It’s not like his magnificent skills are gone. I still expect him to catch anything that hits his hands and break a great many of tackles.

I also, however, don’t expect him to be as open as much as he used to. Age and wear and tear does that to a player.

Football is a young man's game, and Boldin is no longer a young man. He’s lost a step. A small step, but a step nonetheless. And for a player like Boldin, that small step is the difference between being great and simply being good.

What I’m saying is that expectations should be tempered. 49er fans are thrilled that they’re getting the Boldin that they remember on their team. But the Boldin that they remember might not be there anymore.

He will be a consistent, steadying force for the offense. But he also is no longer the indestructible force that he once was. The statistics speak for themselves.

The Boldin that Ravens fans were treated to is most likely whom the 49er fans will get as well. About 800-900 yards and five or six touchdowns seems like a safe benchmark at this point in his career.

And for a player who has gone through the most extreme of NFL gauntlets over the course of his career, not much more should be expected. The same qualities that made him a dominant receiver with the Cardinals are what has made him who he now is: a very good No. 2 receiver.

Fans were expecting big things out of Crabtree and for Boldin to be the perfect compliment to the great things he would do. When Crabtree went down, the expectations for what Boldin would bring went up as a result. At this point in his career, those expectations are just not fair, and honestly, not likely.

A 32-year-old Boldin is not a 25-year-old Crabtree. As similar as their games may be, one was hitting the pinnacle of his career and the other is in the twilight of his.

Boldin has taken far more punishment than your average 32-year-old receiver. Expect the stats to reflect that.

Fortunately for the 49ers, they don’t need him to be great. Arguably the most talented roster in the NFL, they simply need him to be good. And that is exactly what he will be. For a man who has given as much as he has to the NFL, that will be good enough.

-- This article from: bleacherreport.com

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The Vikings announced signing of Bishop to a one-year contract

The Minnesota Vikings emerged from the first phase of free agency and then the draft, still missing a starting linebacker.

Then the Green Bay Packers let Desmond Bishop go, and the solution seemed so obvious.

The Vikings announced Thursday the signing of Bishop to a one-year contract, three days after he agreed to terms on his deal. He's the latest to leave Green Bay for Minnesota, joining prominent players like wide receiver Greg Jennings, safety Darren Sharper, kicker Ryan Longwell and of course quarterback Brett Favre to recently switch states in the post-prime stage of their careers.

This back-and-forth has further spiced up the rivalry, particularly between the ardent followers of each team, with Vikings fans gloating about all the success Favre, Sharper and Longwell enjoyed in Minnesota and Packers backers criticizing the Vikings for pursuing so many of Green Bay's aging castoffs.

Even lesser-known guys like Robert Ferguson, Javon Walker and Mike Montgomery have put on purple after discarding their green-and-gold jerseys over the past decade. The Vikings also offered contracts to William Henderson and James Jones and in 2005 tried to sign restricted free agent Aaron Kampman, the best pass-rusher the Packers had at the time. Green Bay kept all of them.

Bishop became available when the Packers released him just two weeks ago. He thrived during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, playing one of the inside linebacker spots in Green Bay's 3-4 defense. In 2011, he had career highs in tackles (142) and sacks (five). But Bishop tore his right hamstring during an exhibition game and couldn't play at all in 2012.

The injury required more than six months of rehabilitation before he was able to run full speed again.

Now?

``One-hundred percent and ready to go,'' Bishop said.

The seventh-year veteran, however, said he's not worried about being rusty this season.

``After watching a guy by the name of Adrian Peterson come back from his torn ACL and how well he did, I have an extreme amount of confidence that I can do the same,'' Bishop said on a conference call with Minnesota reporters. He added: ``It's still a process. You have to still build on your strength and your endurance and all those kind of little things and you can never max out on that stuff, so I'm still to this day working on trying to get as strong as I can and I feel really good.''

Bishop said his motivation to join Minnesota was based on helping a 2012 playoff team try to go even further this season, not revenge on his ex-employer. After brushing off the significance of playing against Green Bay, the team that drafted him in the sixth round in 2007, Bishop eventually acknowledged the excitement of returning to Lambeau Field to face all those former teammates of his.

And to try to stop one of the NFL's most potent offenses.

``I'm just a very competitive person, and Aaron Rodgers is considered the best in my eyes at quarterback, so it'll be a good opportunity,'' Bishop said.

In addition to Bishop's health, the other yet-to-be-answered question is which position he'll actually play. The Vikings use a 4-3 alignment, so the middle linebacker spot isn't exactly the same as playing on the inside in the 3-4 scheme. Chad Greenway is the starter at the strong side, and Erin Henderson was the starter at the weak side spot the last two years. Henderson could stay there, with Bishop taking the middle, or they could flip-flop.

``I'm not really worried about that. Wherever they put me. Whatever the coaching staff sees me fit, that's where I'll play,'' Bishop said, adding: ``I've pretty much played all three positions at one time in my football career.''

To make room for Bishop on the 90-man roster they'll take to training camp, the Vikings released linebacker Stanford Keglar.

The Vikings also publicized Thursday their practice schedule for camp, which the Vikings report to on July 25. They'll have 15 days of open-to-the-public workouts at Minnesota State University in Mankato, with a walk-through in the morning and a full practice in the afternoon. The last day of on-field work there is Aug. 14.

-- This article from: thescore.com

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Mellette will be part of competition at wide receiver along with the other young

Aaron Mellette has mostly gone under the radar in the much-discussed wide receiver position battle.

Players like Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson, LaQuan Williams, David Reed and Tommy Streeter have attracted most of the attention during the offseason.

But where does the rookie out of Elon see himself fitting in when he returns for training camp next month?

“I know when training camp comes it’s going to be another mindset [from learning in the offseason], where I’m going to be out there looking to dominate every day and be more confident in what I’m doing,” Mellette said at the conclusion of rookie football school.

Mellette did dominate the small school level at Elon, a Football Championship Subdivision school. He reeled in 97 catches for 1,398 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns last year, and he had 30 receptions over the last two seasons. Mellette ranked second in the country with an average of 127 receiving yards per game.

Now it’s a big leap to the professional game, but the 6-foot-2 receiver has the size and potential to make that jump. And a strong start in training camp will go a long way to giving Mellette the opportunity to prove he deserves a chance to get on the field.

He will be part of competition at wide receiver along with the other young, unproven receivers who are also competing to earn playing time behind Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones.

“All of those guys are battling for that second, third and fourth spot, and it’s all real close,” Wide Receivers Coach Jim Hostler said.

Mellette’s focus since getting drafted in the seventh round has been to learn as much as possible from players like Smith and Jones. He’s been a sponge around his teammates, trying to pick up the playbook, the offense and make the overall adjustment to life in the NFL.

Now he’s intent on standing out from the pack.

The Ravens have had young receivers stand out and earn roster spots with impressive training camp performances each of the last two years. Thompson and Williams were both undrafted players who earned their way onto the team with strong camps, and Mellette hopes to put forth a similar showing.

Smith is the only player entrenched in the starting lineup, but a strong performance from any of the others during training camp and the preseason could move them up the depth chart. Mellette was working behind most of the other young receivers in the rotation during offseason practices, but he was still working to master the playbook.

“It’s going to be a transition, like anything,” Mellette said. “You’re going to be lined up against veteran DBs who know what you’re doing before you even do it, but you just got to do what you’ve been practicing. Hopefully I’ll adjust fast and quickly, and be able to transition and show bright spots."

-- This article from: baltimoreravens.com

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Bengals shouldn't have much issue putting pressure on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco

Much has been said this offseason about the demise of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens while the Cincinnati Bengals have enjoyed nothing but positive press as the team on the rise in the AFC North.

The downfall of the Ravens has been extremely over-exaggerated.

Baltimore lost Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. That's a valid thing to point out when analyzing the offseason for Baltimore. The problem is, Lewis was a liability on the field, and one opposing teams were quick to expose in the passing game.

The same goes for Reed, now a member of the Houston Texans. Reed was good for a big play every now and then but would oft times show his age in coverage and fragility in run support.

There's something to be said for the leadership qualities Reed and Lewis brought to the table, but many are acting as if great leaders such as Haloti Ngata and Ray Rice are gone as well.

Despite what many may lead you to believe, the Ravens had a great offseason. Reed has been replaced by Michael Huff and a first-round rookie in the form of Matt Elam. Expect the same quality of play from the safety position as last season, if not better.

The heart of the defense was neutered with the loss of Lewis and Dannelle Ellerbe, but a promising rookie in Arthur Brown will man the middle with a more athletic presence.

Much has also been said about the loss of outside linebacker Paul Kruger to the rival Cleveland Browns, but he played his best only when Terrelle Suggs was on the field. For whatever reason, the acquisition of one of the NFL's best pass-rushers in Elvis Dumervil has been getting swept under the rug as well.

Did we mention Lardarius Webb is set to return from injury? Webb gave Darrelle Revis a serious run for his money as the best corner in the league before going down with a season-ending injury last year.

If you couldn't tell, defense is why the Ravens won't skip a beat in 2013.

All of this equates to serious issues for the Bengals in the two matchups against Baltimore.

For one, the young Bengals have yet to prove they can get it done consistently in high-pressure games. Every game against Baltimore means something.

Two, the offense could struggle against the Baltimore defense, even if it doesn't have familiar faces. There won't be a slower middle linebacker to exploit anymore. No cornerback to exploit for Andy Dalton when he tosses it up to A.J. Green. Instead, Green will have to battle an elite corner in Webb.

Defensively the Bengals shouldn't have much issue putting pressure on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco. Running back Ray Rice is another story as he has always given Cincinnati issues. There are holes at both cornerback and strong safety the Bengals have to answer before going against Baltimore or Flacco could pick the defense apart. Can rookie Shawn Williams have an impact at safety? Can Dre Kirkpatrick stay healthy and perform under the pressure of being thrown at constantly in what essentially amounts to his rookie season?

These questions and more will dictate whether or not the Bengals can win against the Ravens in 2013.

It's unlikely the Bengals are taking the Ravens lightly, but it's worth detailing why fans and media should not. The media can tell plenty of stories as ridiculous as Tim Tebow being a starting quarterback.

Cincinnati may be the talk of the town in the AFC North after back-to-back playoff appearances and multiple exceptional drafts, but it's Baltimore that went out and won a Super Bowl.

The Bengals still have plenty to learn from the Ravens.

-- This article from: sports.yahoo.com

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Chip Kelly's Slap on Wrist from NCAA is No Concern for Eagles

Chip Kelly was found to be guilty of a failure to monitor the Oregon Ducks football program by the NCAA and has been slapped with an 18-month show-cause. Fortunately for the Eagles, and Kelly, all of this means practically nothing as far as the NFC East franchise is concerned.

The NCAA hit the University of Oregon with three years of probation and a loss of one scholarship for two years to bring an end to a drawn out investigation process in to recruiting violations, according to the university's public infractions report. Oregon failed to monitor their football program, a charge shared by Kelly as well as others, and allowed improper recruiting services and recruiters to help Oregon's football program recruit talent to their campus. Kelly admitted to his role in the investigation and accepted blame placed upon him during the process.

The show-cause penalty in college athletics ensures any coach who left a program before sanctions were issued will still pay repercussions in the event they attempt to return to coaching at the collegiate level. Any school that would hire a coach with a show-cause penalty would likely serve some form of sanctions comparable with the original sanctions on the coach's former school. This prevents coaches from skipping out on a university before sanctions are issued and immediately continuing coaching elsewhere at the collegiate level.

Instead, Kelly was hired by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and is basically free from penalty of the NCAA. Before Kelly joined the Eagles, Pete Carroll left USC for the Seattle Seahawks under similar circumstances and Jim Tressel had joined the Indianapolis Colts as Ohio State was being investigated (Tressel was fired by Ohio State). It is unlikely NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would feel a need to address the situation regarding Kelly any further.

The 18-month show-cause will expire in December of 2014, during which time Kelly will be the head coach in Philadelphia. This prevents any Bobby Petrino sort of situation, in which Kelly would attempt to return to the college game after the 2013 season. Petrino coached less than a full season with the Atlanta Falcons before returning to the college game to coach Arkansas. If the next two seasons fail to develop with Kelly in charge of the Eagles though, Kelly could hypothetically return to the college game after two years the way Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier had done previously.

Ultimately this means absolutely nothing for the Eagles for now. Kelly can continue to coach the Eagles without issue. Kelly and Oregon essentially get off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist moving forward. Win the day, indeed.

-- This article from: sports.yahoo.com

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Robinson doesn't seem like a guy with a big ego

At least one person was listening when Bengals cornerback Adam Jones spoke this week at the NFL's Rookie Symposium, and that person would be New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith said Jones' speech resonated with him because of Pacman's past run-ins with the law that include an early June arrest for assaulting a woman.

"He's using his past trials and tribulations to help us as rookies. You can see how those decisions will affect him," Smith said, via the News-Herald (Ohio). "It will affect all of us if we follow down that same path. It does resonate more because he's a guy who had a tremendous amount of talent and high expectations, but he let some bad decisions affect him on and off the field."

Jones' speech at the rookie symposium wasn't the first time Smith had heard Jones speak. Both players went to West Virginia, and the two have talked often.

"He's a West Virginia guy, so I've had many conversations with him," Smith said. "He's always been a guy who preached don't make the same mistakes he's done. He's made a lot of mistakes in his career, but he's still standing strong and working hard."

Jones was at the symposium to speak during a seminar entitled, "Are you bigger than the game?" Jones has become somewhat of a regular on the rookie symposium speaking circuit; he also gave a speech in 2012.

Before April's NFL Draft, former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was asked what position he wanted to play in the NFL.

"Whatever it takes to get on the field," Robinson said then. "I'm an offensive weapon."

Robinson apparently has convinced the Jaguars that he actually is an "offensive weapon" because that's his official position on the team roster. As you can see in the photo at the top of the page, Robinson's position isn't listed as QB, WR, or RB -- all positions that he played in college -- it's simply listed as OW. Offensive weapon.

Robinson doesn't seem like a guy with a big ego, but his ego has to at least be a little bit bigger after an NFL team just invented a position designation for him. Next thing you know, the Jaguars will be inventing numbers for him.

So, how does one earn the offensive weapon designation? By playing a lot of positions in college.

In 37 games at Michigan, Robinson started 35 at quarterback and two at running back, including a 42-17 November 2012 win over Iowa in which he rushed for 98 yards on 13 carries.

Robinson's 4,495 career rushing yards is an NCAA record for a quarterback and ninth most in Big Ten history for any player, including running backs. Robinson was also the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for more than 1,500 yards in a single season.

So, where will the Jaguar offensive weapon spend most of his time this season?

"I am in the running back meeting room, so that's where I'm going to continue to make my plays and just be an offensive weapon -- go to receiver, or go to quarterback, or go to running back and make plays happen," Robinson said.

So, basically, Robinson is going to be a go-to everything.

-- This article from: cbssports.com

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Helu Jr. said he is unconcerned with the depth chart

As a rookie in 2011, Roy Helu Jr. was the Redskins’ most productive running back, piling up 1,019 yards on 200 touches.

He had the vision to find the hole and the speed to break the big play. He tallied three-straight 100-yard games and tied the franchise record for receptions in a game (14) with the great Art Monk.

But the pressure of keying a lethargic offense brought on physical and psychological stress. When leg injuries were slow to heal heading into the 2012 season, Helu Jr. admits that he lost perspective on how to enjoy his craft.

“I was capable and able to have fun, but I didn’t,” he said. “Being on the outside looking in, I was tenser and it showed on the field.”

Helu Jr. was never fully healthy last year, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the Week 3 loss to Cincinnati, having appeared in just one game.

His tight leg muscles combined with the team’s success without him made him wonder if he would ever return to form on the football field.

“I absolutely had doubt, and I had to actively participate and not feel sorry for myself,” he said. “There were good days, bad days, over the nine month period [of rehab].”

Helu Jr. attributed his series of leg injuries in the NFL to tight muscles in his lower body.

Following a regimen known as dry needling, he was able to release some of the tension known as trigger points, which in turn relaxed and strengthened his muscles.

“I’ve seen great results from that,” he said. “I still have time to recover over these next few weeks. I still need more motion in the toe, but to be out there doing my job is fun.”

During OTAs and minicamp, Helu Jr. practiced with teammates for the first time since September and said that he felt physically and psychologically refreshed.

“I feel good. I feel I’ve gotten to the point that I can compete at a high level, and I’m thankful for that,” he said. “I’m out there running a lot of plays without pain. I guess that’s the best measurement.”

He also credited faith and family for helping him find perspective during the rehab process.

“It’s just a unique perspective of the cerebral part of the game and seeing what our coach wants,” he explained. “When I came back, God gave me a prospective. I just decided it’s time for me to give it a go, and have fun with it. It’s been a blast.

“I decided I’m just going to have fun with football, compete and become one with my teammates. It’s truly about going out there and competing and having fun.”

Roy Helu Jr. returns to a backfield competition that includes incumbent starter Alfred Morris, the franchise record-holder for yards in a season, fellow third-year back Evan Royster, and a pair of rookie running backs in Jawan Jamison and Chris Thompson.

Although Helu Jr. was the starter before injury, he said he is unconcerned with the depth chart; only proving that he can help the Redskins win.

The ability to compete is reward enough at this point.

“I’m competing to make the team and competing to the best of my ability. That is more of my mindset rather than competing for a specific job,” he said. “I’ve been competing in football for so long, that you get used to the competitiveness.”

Even though the offense underwent a facelift last season, Helu Jr. said there is no change in his responsibilities as far as pass protection is concerned: just protect the quarterback at all costs.

There was a slight learning curve in picking up the rest of the playbook, but Helu Jr. is confident that it will be second nature by training camp.

“When I first got out there, I wasn’t as sharp. We were so close as a [running back] group that we could finish each other’s sentences, but now I’m behind.

“Some stuff I had to recall. It was a learning experience, being slow mentally. But I will be ready.”

Heading into the final month before training camp, Roy Helu Jr. said he is excited to fortify his mind and body, putting him in position for his best training camp yet.

To aid in this process, he intends to return to the University of Nebraska and work out with fellow Cornhuskers for the first time as a member of the Redskins.

“Last year I didn’t get a chance to do that and it will be nice to change scenery,” he said with a smile. “I can improve the flexibility in my toe and continue to train hard.

“This is a big moment going into the offseason and recovering.”

-- This article from: redskins.com

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It looks like the San Francisco 49ers' cornerback position will survive for another season

The cornerback position might just be the weakest position on the San Francisco 49ers' roster. Despite the unit as a whole probably exceeding expectations in each of the past two seasons, whether it be Carlos Rogers experiencing a career revival or Chris Culiver blanketing the odd superstar receiver here or there, it's been underwhelming in comparison to the rest of the roster.

It looks like the position will survive for another season, but we're at multiple crossroads. Culliver could go in either direction at this point, Perrish Cox isn't going to capture that pre-career-derailing controversy hype, Rogers may only have another season or two left in him and Tarell Brown just refuses to come into his own.

Enter Nnamdi Asomugha, the once great and recently-almost-forgotten cornerback who came to the 49ers as a free agent signee in April. Asomugha was absolutely the best cornerback in the league during his time with the Oakland Raiders, often securing an entire side of the field. The man's interception and passes defensed numbers plummeted because quarterbacks often refused to even throw to his entire half of the field.

Then he went to the Philadelphia Eagles, probably hung his head in shame when whats-his-face called them the "Dream Team," and proceeded to be used totally wrong. Whatever the reason, Asomugha had two-straight underwhelming seasons before hitting free agency to almost no fanfare.

Asomugha is 31 years old, and will turn 32 in less than a month. He's lost a step, regardless of how the Eagles did or did not use him over two years. But he's with the 49ers now and it's not a tough cornerback depth chart to climb up. Let's look at what we can expect out of him next season.

What to expect in 2013

Asomugha is competing for his spot on the roster and a starting role. He's started essentially his entire career, and if it's true that his down years had more to do with how poorly the Philadelphia Eagles used him and less about him losing a step, then expecting Asomugha to get one of the starting jobs is not all-that far-fetched.

What you can expect out of Asomugha is a very solid cover corner who will probably be kept away from the quick-twitch slot guys. When the 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks, he certainly wouldn't be covering Percy Harvin. But can he shut down Sidney Rice at this point in his career? I tend to think so.

If Asomugha's body allows him, he has the skillset to unseat either Rogers or Brown, though Culliver is likely safe as the nickel corner who sees spot treatment against certain receivers. You can expect Nnamdi's name to not be called for much of the season, and that's a good thing, but if recent play is any indication, we might see him beaten by speedier receivers a few times in 2013.

-- This article from: ninersnation.com

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Should David Wilson be the primary kickoff return man for the New York Giants in 2013

Should David Wilson be the primary kickoff return man for the New York Giants in 2013.

Wilson, the second-year running back, obviously wants to. "That’s the part of the game that I like the most ever since I started playing football. That was age eight," Wilson said during mini-camp.

He is obviously very good at it. He averaged 26.9 yards per return a season ago, and led the league with 57 returns and 1,533 yards.

Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn would like to see Wilson returning kickoffs despite the increased load he will carry as a running back this season with Ahmad Bradshaw now a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

"I don’t think it’s too much to do both, but I’m not making all the decisions," Quinn said. "I think it all depends on the game. There’s other guys that have done both, whether it was as a punt returner and a starter or a kickoff returner and a starter."

The guy making the decisions is head coach Tom Coughlin, and his history has been that he does not like to expose starting players to return duties. Bradshaw and another running back, Derrick Ward, each returned kickoffs early in their careers. Each, though, were relieved of that responsibility once they became more heavily involved in the offense.

Quinn said during mini-camp that "you'd have to" consider using Wilson's explosiveness on kickoffs as much as possible. Again, though, Quinn knows it's not up to him.

"We’ll see how that all plays out. Obviously, he would like to do it. He’s done it very well, but we’ll have to see how it all comes down with where he is on the depth chart and what he’s doing on offense," Quinn said. "It might be maybe for one or two or you don’t need him for one or two, but we’ve got other guys that we feel good about. There’s a bunch of guys that can do the job if it’s not David.

-- This article from: bigblueview.com

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Te'o is no joke among Chargers

 

No player at this year’s NFL Rookie Symposium is a bigger candidate for the locker-room hazing that awaits some incoming draft picks.

So far, Manti Te’o has done his part to prevent that from happening.

Having fun at Te’o’s expense would be easy for San Diego Chargers veterans. He went from being a star Notre Dame linebacker to national laughingstock last January when exposed for having fallen victim to a hoax involving what he thought was a real-life girlfriend who died of leukemia.

Te’o was portrayed in the media as everything from naive and gullible to dishonest for not publicly disavowing his “relationship” with the fictitious Lennay Kekua once Te’o knew she didn’t really exist. The “catfish” scandal also has left Te’o open for pranks and snide comments by his new Chargers teammates, especially considering the often cruel nature of jock culture.

But since reporting in May as a second-round pick, Te’o has received support rather than abuse by his new NFL family. Te’o said Tuesday that there are “no words to describe how happy I am” because of how he was embraced.

“I’ve heard the horror stories about locker rooms. I’ve heard how it was going to be,” Te’o told co-host Jim Miller and me on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“To be honest with you, I was kind of expecting the worst. I was careful where I went. I was careful with what I said. The first day (of offseason practice), guys are coming up to me and saying, ‘Just have fun. Be you.’ With that encouragement, I slowly started opening up a little more. I became myself — fast.”

Te’o then began garnering respect through his work ethic. Chargers fullback Le’Ron McClain recently said that Te’o has impressed San Diego’s veterans with the amount of time he spends in the weight room and studying film in preparation for the 2013 season.

“He’s a guy who came in and earned it,” Chargers rookie right tackle D.J. Fluker told FOX Sports on Tuesday. “That’s the main thing. He does all the little things right. That’s what you need.”

While attending an NFL Play 60 event with Fluker and other AFC rookies at Cleveland Browns headquarters, Te’o admitted he needed to rediscover himself after the fake-girlfriend hoax.

“What everybody is seeing in San Diego is who I am,” Te’o said. “What everybody is seeing is what everybody at Notre Dame has seen and what my parents have known me to be as.

“I just keep my head down and work hard. If that’s all they know me as, I hope they know me as that. I didn’t say much or talk much, but somebody who loves the game and keeps my family as the most important thing in my life. Someone who will work hard and overcome anything.”

Because of what he has experienced, some of the lessons being taught at the symposium about how to handle off-field challenges as an NFL player were already learned by Te’o during the spring.

“The best thing about my whole situation is that when they talk about overcoming adversity, I’ve been there and done that,” he said. “A lot of things (being stressed) are, ‘Don’t be afraid to reach out. Don’t be afraid to tell somebody if something is wrong.’ I’ve been in those dark places.

"I’ve held onto the things that matter the most to me. That’s my family and the man upstairs. Luckily for me, I had people around me, my best friends, who really pulled me through.

“For me to be in that situation where I can say, ‘I did this. Everybody knows my story. This is how I overcame it and continue to overcome it,’ is definitely a blessing in disguise.”

A Heisman Trophy finalist as a Notre Dame senior, Te’o is now projected as a starting inside linebacker in San Diego’s 3-4 defense. Te’o described defensive coordinator John Pagano’s scheme as “simple but very effective.”

“Coach Pagano does a tremendous job playing to his personnel’s strengths,” Te’o said. “We’re following him.”

Although his road to the NFL was bumpier than most of his peers, Te’o is still a rookie. He laughed when told about recent comments by Chargers teammate Dwight Freeney about wanting to get some hits on Denver quarterback Peyton Manning after the two played together in Indianapolis for 10 seasons.

“If I do get a hit on Peyton, I’m going to have to pinch myself,” a smiling Te’o said.

He then grew serious.

“For me to be here, I’ve done enough pinching,” Te’o continued. “When I first stepped out on an NFL field, I thought, ‘Man, I’m here.’ The more comfortable I get with it, the more it starts to settle in.

“Obviously, I haven’t played my first NFL game yet. When it happens, I’ll probably just take a deep breath and be like, ‘Wow. Now, let’s get to work.' ”

-- This article from: foxsports.com

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Keep in mind the Redskins could keep five safeties and four tight ends

Running Backs on Redskins 90-man roster: Alfred Morris, Roy Helu, Jr., Evan Royster, Chris Thompson, Jawan Jamison, Tristan Davis, Keiland Williams, Darrel Young, Eric Kettani.

Saying the Redskins backfield is crowded coming into training camp is an understatement to say the least, but once the season starts that number will likely dwindle further than many anticipate. Keep in mind the Redskins could keep five safeties and four tight ends due to uncertainty at those positions.

Mike Shanahan gets a bad rap for his "Shanahanigans," a title associated with being fickle about which running back will be his bell cow. There's no denying his history of being choosy, although, when he finds a back he's happy with, he sticks with him. Alfred Morris is certainly someone Shanahan is content with, as he carried the ball over 300 times in 2012 and should see a similar workload in 2013. As of now, I can't envision a scenario aside from injury that would discontinue this trend, but I suppose stranger things have happened. But Morris has proved reliable, and because he's done nothing to dispel his coaches' faith in him so far, there aren't many reasons for them to carry more than three running backs and one fullback, especially with the extra spaces needed for positions like safety and tight end.

That essentially leaves two spots that seven more backs are vying for. Barring injury, Darrel Young is a lock to remain at fullback and that takes Eric Kettani and Dorson Boyce out of the equation. The coaching staff knows what they have in Tristan Davis and Keiland Williams, who aren't likely anything more than camp bodies.

Roy Helu, Jr. is an early front runner to take third-down duties, as early reports indicate he is returning to the form he had prior to his 2012 foot injury. Keep in mind that it's not just Helu's ability to catch passes that will help his cause, but also his ability in pass protection. People tend to forget that Helu was one of the better pass-protectors in 2011. Per Pro Football Focus, Helu stayed in to pass block on 78 pass attempts in his last healthy season and gave up a total of two pressures, a frequency that only Michael Turner and Fred Jackson bested that season. If Helu continues to demonstrate his ability in this area, it will undoubtedly go a long way in securing his roster spot.

Still, that doesn't mean he'll lock it down, as rookies Chris Thompson and Jawan Jamison will also have every chance to prove themselves this summer.

Thomspon's biggest obstacle, aside from health, is that he is practice-squad eligible. That also goes for Jamison, who was also a late-round pick. Unless they pull an Alfred Morris and jump out on tape this preseason, the practice squad is the likely destination for at least one of them.

For my money, and take it as what you will, one of these late-round picks will make the final 53 and beat out Evan Royster, who is amid the biggest roster battle in his career thus far. Royster is no longer practice squad eligible, and unless the third-year back shows something he hasn't this summer, he will be looking for a new team. As of now, Royster can offer a deeper understanding of the offense, but it's not like he could boast that advantage for long. A strong camp by either Thompson or Jamison will probably mark the end of Royster's days in D.C.

-- This article from:hogshaven.com

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Bryant says NFL symposium will help him stay sober

Browns rookie defensive end Armonty Bryant admitted Tuesday to a substance abuse problem. But with the help of fellow rookie Barkevious Mingo, team support and some powerful messages at this week's NFL rookie symposium, he's working at staying sober.

"I would say yes,'' Bryant said after the rookies' Play 60 youth event at the Browns facility when asked if drugs and alcohol had been a problem. "Because I thought at times I was above the game, and that's one thing they’ve been teaching us at the symposium -- don’t be above the game.

"It's a blessing that I’m even here playing this game and living out a dream of mine. So don't take advantage of this, and I feel that’s exactly what I did.''

Bryant, arrested on a drunk-driving charge less than a week after being a seventh-round pick by Cleveland from East Central (Okla.) University, saw himself in former NBA player Chris Herren, who delivered an emotional speech this week about losing everything to heroin, crack cocaine, crystal meth and any other drug he could get his hands on. In addition to the DUI, Bryant was arrested on campus in October, 2012 for twice selling $20 worth of marijuana to undercover cops.

"(Herren's) message was real powerful," said Bryant. "He was talking about his substance abuse, and he was just really strung out on drugs, real bad. He was able to get help over and over and still make the same mistakes.

"I feel like it kind of reminds me of myself, just getting help and then making the same mistakes. Hearing about the whole 17 years of just being strung out on drugs, who knows? ... It could happen to anyone. I really took his message and it really stuck with me that you’re going to have to get over this and just know that later on, whatever the future may hold, this could better you.''

Since the DUI arrest, Bryant has sworn off drugs and alcohol, played lots of X-Box and has been hanging with Mingo.

"He's just been keeping me focused and just really helping me out through my situation and everything. We go out, go watch a movie, go out to dinner, just get my mind of stuff like that.''

Mingo, the team's first-round pick, has embraced the opportunity to help Bryant.

"I guess it works both ways," he said. "He's obviously trying to make amends for the mistakes he's made in his past. He's trying to stop doing stuff that caused him problems. Me not doing that and him being with me, we kind of just have common interests I guess. We're doing the same things, so it kind of worked out for the both of us."

He's convinced Bryant is determined to stay straight.

"I've talked with him a lot. ... He's trying to make up for that. Those guys that we just saw (in the symposium), he doesn't want that to happen to him.''

Bryant, who started using as a senior in high school, has paid attention to receiver Josh Gordon's two-game suspension for a positive codeine test. Like Bryant, Gordon was arrested on a marijuana charge in college that hurt his career.

"He's my teammate now and I have to have his back and everything, but me going through the same type of situation, making mistakes in college, it's something I can learn from," Bryant said. "I'll just try to keep my eyes forward and stay on that narrow path."

Bryant listened to former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett's cautionary tale of ruining his NFL career before it began. A third-round pick of the Broncos in 2005, Clarett never played an NFL down, had drug problems, was arrested for armed robbery and spent three years in prison on a gun charge. He's currently playing rugby in Columbus and doing speaking engagements.

"That really opened my eyes,'' said Bryant. "It just goes to show that as fast as it can be given, it can be taken away.''

His takeaway from Clarett was to surround himself with the right people.

"He said 'show me your friends, I'll show you your future,'" said Bryant. "I've been thinking about that a lot. If your friends are doing the wrong things, you could be going down that same path they are."

Bryant called his drug use "a weekend-type thing."

"When you go out on the weekends, you just want to loosen up a little bit from a long week," he said. "Now how I loosen up is just talk to friends and family. Just hearing people's voices at home and them telling me, 'Oh man, you're so lucky to be there.'

"Making another mistake like that would just be like a slap in the face to them, so I've been working really hard on not doing it."

In addition to the support from Mingo and others, Bryant takes measures to stay sober. He's also likely in the NFL's substance abuse program following the DUI.

"I talk to a psychologist here who works with the team every week," Bryant said. "We talk about it, all the urges that I might have and stuff like that, and what I do to overcome them. It's really helped me out a lot."

After the symposium, Bryant will return home to Texas until training camp begins July 25. He's not worried that without Mingo he'll get in trouble again.

"My mom, she's everything for me and she just keeps me positive," he said. "She's like 'son, don't be doing anything stupid, just stay home.' She's really hard on me and she knows what I have at stake, what I can really be and stuff like that, so she really has my back on everything."

Thanks to his support system, Bryant has been finding it easier to change his lifestyle.

"Deep down inside I know that it’s what I really need to do," he said. "Just being here, I just feel like I don’t want to do it anymore. I just want to give that up."

-- This article from: cleveland.com

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How will the NFL Network's final 10 of 'Top 100 Players' shake out?

The NFL Network's yearly Top 100 Players list has, per usual, generated plenty of buzz. Players vote on their peers, run their mouths when they don't like their ranking and, because it's football and a list of people, folks get all worked up about it. And now they're down to the final 10, announcing the names of the players on the list, though not the order they're in yet.

Alphabetically, the top 10 NFL players from 2012 (as voted on by their peers) are: Tom Brady, Arian Foster, Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning, Von Miller, Adrian Peterson, Aaron Rodgers, Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt and Patrick Willis.

It's quite a stout list, and predicting the exact order won't be easy, but I'll try anyway. Here's a shot at predicting how I think they'll play out (not how I would rank them; if I was ranking them, my top 10 would look a lot closer to Pete Prisco's than what's below) when the network airs the top 10 on Thursday night.

10. Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers -- Is there anyone more consistently dominant than Willis? The Niners backer posted another All-Pro season with a pair of interceptions, half a sack, nine pass deflections and 88 solo tackles. It was reminiscent of when he finished 10th overall a year ago. Willis, despite being one of the best linebackers in the game, doesn't necessarily accumulate a bunch of "sexy stats" like sacks. So I'm not sold on him being that high on this list, even though just being on it is impressive enough. Seeing a repeat of his placement from last year wouldn't be surprising at all.

9. Arian Foster, RB, Texans -- Foster had another huge season rushing for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns. He paced the Texans offense, particularly with Matt Schaub struggling some and Ben Tate being hurt. He's a studly runner, and even if there's concern about his wear and tear heading into 2013 with his 351-carry total from last season lingering, he'll still be rewarded on the list. But he's still a running back, and he wasn't even one the best ones from last season, so No. 9 is as high as he goes. Not too shabby after finishing 25th last year, though.

8. Aldon Smith, OLB, 49ers -- In his second year, Smith posted 19.5 sacks, made a decent run at Michael Strahan's record and generally dominated. But Smith's play fell off a bit after Justin Smith suffered a triceps injury, he didn't close out strong and wasn't on this list last season. I also have to assume that offensive players will always score better on this list. (DeMarcus Ware and Ed Reed were the only two defensive players from No. 11 to No. 20.) Smith's going to No. 8 because he piles up sacks.

7. Von Miller, LB, Broncos -- If I'm making this list, Miller's top five. But I'm not, so whatever. He had 18.5 sacks, a pick, six forced fumbles and 55 solo tackles? That's freaking sick. He's one of the two best defensive players in the game, and No. 7 almost seems unfair given his talents.

6. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers -- Speaking of unfair, this just feels ... weird. Rodgers isn't the sixth-best player in the NFL. Obviously. But I think he'll dip a bit on this list after finishing No. 1 last year as a result of the Packers falling off a little bit. They "only" won 11 games last year (versus 15 in 2011). Rodgers, while he completed 67.2 percent of his passes, "only" threw for 4,295 yards and "only" 39 touchdowns. I think his peers will dock him a bit for the dip.

5. J.J. Watt, DE, Texans -- For the third straight year, a defensive player makes the top five on this list, and there's little doubt that Watt's deserving. (You could actually make the case he should be higher.) A year after being not ranked on this list, Watt put up MVP numbers from a 3-4 defensive end position (which is, frankly, unfathomable), collecting 20.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and 69 solo tackles. Only a bias towards offensive players and the importance on quarterbacks keeps him from being higher.

4. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots -- Brady's counting stats separate him from Rodgers in my placement here -- I don't think Brady will get dinged for hitting on 63 percent of his passes, and his 4,827 passing yards, 34 touchdowns (to eight interceptions) show as much. Dealing with injuries to Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez only gives more credit to Brady putting up monster stats year in and year out, even if his numbers took a dip after Gronk went down against the Colts.

3. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions -- If you're going to beat a quarterback in the top 10, you'd better have a damn good season. Megatron did that -- and more -- in 2012, when he shattered Jerry Rice's single-season record for receiving yards and even managed to flirt with 2,000 yards, an unheard of number for a wideout. His five touchdowns are disappointing, sure, but 122 catches and 1,964 yards? Ridiculous. This is, by the way, the same spot that Megatron landed in last year. Only superhuman efforts by two guys overcoming medical odds trumps his season.

2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings -- Very, very, very tempted to put AP at the top spot here, but I know what people think about quarterbacks (and I agree). Instead, he gets the No. 2 spot after a season quite similar to Johnson's -- AP rushed for 2,097 yards, 12 touchdowns and a straight-up bananas 131.1 yards per game. Down the stretch, no one was better than AP, who almost literally put the Vikes onto his back and drug them into the playoffs. Oh, yeah: and he did this despite having reconstructive knee surgery less than a year before. NBD, you guys.

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos -- Another year, another quarterback up top. Manning was No. 2 on this list in 2011 before falling to No. 52 when he missed all of 2011 with neck injuries. He left the Colts and landed with Denver where, at the age of 36, he might've had the most prolific season of an incredibly prolific career. Manning completed 68.6 percent of his passes (the second-highest rate in his career), threw for 4,659 yards (also second-highest) and threw 37 touchdowns (again, second-highest). Manning's recovery wasn't completely perfect, but it was pretty darn close. And that's why his peers will plop him above everyone else when all is said and done.

-- This article from:cbssports.com

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The Detroit Lions have signed safety Chris Hope

Colts receiver LaVon Brazill has been suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Neither the Colts nor the league said what Brzill tested positive for. He will be eligible to return to the active roster following Indy's game Sept. 29 against Jacksonville, though he will be eligible to practice at training camp and will be able to play in all four preseason games.

A team spokesman said the team would not comment on the suspension.

As a rookie last season, Brazill had 11 receptions for 186 yards and one touchdown.

He was expected to compete with Nathan Palmer and Griff Whalen for the No. 4 receiver spot behind Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne, second-year receiver T.Y. Hilton and free agent signee Darrius Heyward-Bey.

The Detroit Lions have signed safety Chris Hope.

The team announced the move Monday along with the release of wide receiver Brian Robiskie.

Hope started 113 of 163 games and had 20 career interceptions over 11 seasons with Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Atlanta. He started in four games last season for the Falcons and played in both of their playoff games.

The Lions likely added Hope, a Pro Bowl player in 2008, because they're not sure safety Louis Delmas can stay healthy enough to be counted on next season.

Robiskie had four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown in six games with the Lions last season. He caught 39 passes for 441 yards with three touchdowns from 2009 through 2011 in Cleveland.

Fullback Vonta Leach says the New York Giants have expressed an interest in him.

During a radio interview on Monday with SiriusXM NFL Radio, Leach said the Giants called his agents the day he was released by the Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens.

The Giants' plans at fullback took a hit when Henry Hynoski suffered a knee injury this spring and needed surgery.

Leach, who failed to agree on a restructured contract with Baltimore, earned Pro Bowl honors the past two seasons with the Ravens. He had 21 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown . He also had 36 catches for 212 yards.

The 31-year-old has played with the Packers, Saints and Texans.

``Everything is picking up here a little more,'' Leach said. ``We'll see how this week goes.'

' -- This article from:thescore.com

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Packers are instead counting on the development of several young players

Rather than make major personnel changes on defense after last season's 579-yard playoff debacle against the San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers are instead counting on the development of several young players whose efforts in 2012 were incomplete at best. Atop that list is linebacker Nick Perry, who was a part-time player in the first six games of his rookie season before missing the rest because of knee and wrist injuries.

As a result, Perry was on my list of players to inquire about earlier this month at Packers minicamp. The bad news was that he was still wearing a brace on his left wrist, which he had surgery on last November. But he was participating throughout minicamp and coach Mike McCarthy said he is expected to be at full strength by the start of training camp.

Outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, who last year detailed for us the long road Perry had in front of him as he transitioned from defensive end, rained effusive praise when asked about his development.

"He looks different," Greene said. "He moves different to me. He moves with more sense of urgency and purpose. His eyes are different. His gaze is different. I can just look at his face and look at in his eyes and know he's not happy with what transpired last year and he's determined not to let that happen again this year."

Perry played only 198 snaps in six games before his injuries, a modest average of about 33 (or roughly half) per game. But in looking back to that relatively short stint, Greene said he felt confident Perry had made progress -- most notably in the unfamiliar realm of pass coverage.

Greene pointed to the Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts as evidence. Perry, of course, had one sack in that game and lost another due to penalty. But what caught Greene's eye was an effort in pass defense against Colts receiver Reggie Wayne.

"He carried Reggie Wayne vertical up the field in a Cover 2 concept and it was as good as I can coach it," Greene said. "He carries an All-Pro vertical up the seam in a hip-trail position. That tells me: You know what, he can do everything coverage-wise. He progressed during his time last year as a player."

Proficiency in pass coverage will keep Perry on the field in 2013. But his pass rush and speed on the edge are why the Packers drafted him last season and how he can best help them address the issues that surfaced in the playoffs. Greene sees them as all part of a larger picture.

"This position takes a little time to settle into," he said. "It's hard to come out of the gate at this position because there's so much involved with the eyes. Nick is going to get better with more time on the job. That's the bottom line. He's got to be in the cleats. Smelling the grass. Having fun. Opening his eyes. Making good plays. Building confidence. And that's just the natural progression of a player."

-- This article from:espn.go.com

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McCalebb,as an undrafted rookie he gets no invite to listen to the past

He is the other side of the coin, the rest of the story, the postscript, the sidebar, and anything else that gets lost in the snap, crackle and pop of life.

Not everybody coming out of the NFL Draft gets hugged by Roger Goodell. Or even gets to hear the do's and don'ts of being an NFL player at the league's annual rookie symposium.

Bengals cornerback Onterio McCalebb is like the 200 or so players gathering in greater Cleveland this symposium week. He is a rookie, too, and like them has just finished six weeks of intensive scrutiny in the three phases of rookie camp, voluntary field practices (OTAs), and mandatory minicamps.

But as an undrafted rookie he gets no invite to listen to the past and present that have made the most of their shots, like Brian Dawkins, and those that haven't, such as Cincinnati's Adam Jones. And yet this obscurest of rookies has a story worth telling this week in front of them all.

"I know everybody has stories," McCalebb says. "Everybody comes from different backgrounds. I just want everybody to know I'm not here to mess around. I'm here to win. I love the game so much. If I didn’t love the game, I would have just quit and been back on the streets like everybody else in my hometown doing nothing with their life. I just love the game and the stuff I went through when I was little, this is the way I can (put) it out of my mind and not think about it by playing ball."

When McCalebb left the final Bengals workout for rookies last Friday, he had no place to stay for the first time in five years. Since he left his hometown of Fort Meade, Fla., to attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., the prep school that got him ready for Auburn.

"I was taken from mom when I was little," McCalebb says. "My mom was on drugs and I bounced around from house to house."

Sometimes it was a teammate's family. Maybe a cousin. But never his own. Unlike the Tyler Eiferts and Giovani Bernards of the world, he wasn't sure where his next bed would be this week after staying in the team hotel at the Millennium in downtown Cincinnati.

For most of the stretch between now and the July 25 start of training camp, McCalebb figures he can stay with his girlfriend's parents while working out in Atlanta. But before he does that, he has an appointment this week with Ken Riley in the former Bengals great's hometown of Bartow, Fla., right next door to Fort Meade.

Riley is planning to teach McCalebb the finer points of cornerback, a venture that has had a rocky start after the Bengals signed him following the draft. But no surprise there since the last time the 5-10, 171-pound McCalebb played corner was at Hargrave.

It's a longshot all the way and now after six weeks of being a fish out of water, he's looking for anything to get back his sea legs.

"(Riley) was an All Pro at it. I know he can teach me how to be comfortable in backpedaling and technique," says McCalebb, a pass-catching, productive back at Auburn. "I know the route concepts. I'm quick enough. I can get past the DB. It was easy on offense, now it's reversed. It's hard when you've been an offensive guy to run backward and he's running forward. (Riley can help) how to play against the routes.

"I love playing offense. That's my specialty. (But) I'm going to work my tail off to do whatever I can to make the team. I just want to go out there and help us win on the defensive side of the ball. Just go out there and help us win. If the team wins, everybody has one goal here and Coach (Marvin) Lewis talks about it every day. Every time we have a team meeting, our one goal is to win the Super Bowl."

After the Bengals paid for his plane flight back to Atlanta, McCalebb planned to get a lift to Florida from his girlfriend's father, driving down on business. From there he wasn't sure where he was going to stay. The last resort is just that.

-- This article from:bengals.com

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Von Miller plans to return in early July to work out at team headquarters

Denver Broncos LB Von Miller said he plans to return to the team's headquarters in early July to work out, and he expects many of his teammates to join him. "It's just a choice. It's all part of trying to be the best linebacker I can be and making plays for the defense," Miller said.

When the Broncos reassemble next month for training camp, they will arrive at team headquarters as Super Bowl contenders, one of the NFL haves on the inside track for a shot at the trophy.

That expectation will follow them through every practice, every game, of the 2013 season.

"If you're good, I mean really good, you deal with that," said Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. "One of the best things our second Super Bowl (championship) team did (in the 1998 season), we knew we were the best team, knew it from the time we stepped on the field in training camp, and we still did the work, we still put in the time, we still did things like we hadn't won a thing.

"Now, that's special. That team was talented, worked hard and just went out and stuck to business every single week. Nobody got caught up in the things that don't matter. Everybody understood exactly what kind of opportunity we had."

The late Mike Heimerdinger, the wide receivers coach of the 1998 Broncos, once called that team "ruthless and grounded, in how we were good. That team was so confident, but was humble when it went to work. They just worked harder every day than teams that weren't a tenth as good."

In this era of unprecedented fan interest and media coverage in the NFL, the wire-to-wire trip as a preseason favorite to the confetti drop after the Super Bowl has become more grueling than ever.

More than one team has been distracted by the lure of marketing baubles and happy talk. What does that mean to the Broncos now?

"Just do things the right way," coach John Fox said. "It ain't complicated. If you won't do things the right way in this game, at the top of this profession, then you aren't interested in success. We want people interested in doing things the right way, who are interested in success and will invest in it. Invest themselves in it."

When he said goodbye to his players on the final day of Broncos minicamp, Fox did so with the usual suggestions and warnings about staying out of the headlines for off-the-field transgressions. He also gave them some offseason food for thought, covering topics such as staying in shape, studying the playbook and staying in position to succeed this year.

"Basically, I said, just don't mess up anything we might have already accomplished," Fox said.

Von Miller, hoping to improve on his 18½-sack season in 2012, said he plans to return in early July to work out at team headquarters and expects many of his teammates to join him.

Denver players are scheduled to report to training camp July 24, with the first practice set for July 25.

"It's just a choice," Miller said. "It's all part of trying to be the best linebacker I can be and making plays for the defense. Everybody wants to win the Super Bowl, and I always think you should believe you can win (the Super Bowl), that's just how I am. I'm always going to say I believe my team can win the Super Bowl. We know we definitely have a good team, we just have to go out there and show it every time we play."

John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president of football operations, said his team has to learn how to win in the postseason. His formula to consistently put the Broncos in the title hunt is building through the draft, but having veterans hungry for a Super Bowl run. Those veterans, such as Peyton Manning and Champ Bailey, also will be asked to help keep the team grounded.

Shaun Phillips, entering his 10th pro season, turned down what he said were more lucrative offers elsewhere to sign a one-year contract with the Broncos.

"That's why I came here, to be in this situation, to be with a team that is right there in the mix," Phillips said. "I want a chance at the whole thing, and that means you're with a team that believes it, and you're with a team that will do the work.

"This team will put in the work. A lot of teams say they're good, but the ones that really go after it, that's what you want to be around, that's what you want to be about."

Fox said the Broncos won't run from expectations.

"We talk about those things a lot, and we'll talk about it a lot," he said. "But everybody has to understand, whatever happens, happens right there between those lines. I don't give a rat's, you know what, what people say about us, or how we're ranked or whatever. They rank you at the end of the year when they hand out the trophy.

How Similar Will The New Backup Running Back Be To Felix Jones?

Felix Jones was drafted in 2008 to be a complement to Marion Barber, who was the primary back.

It’s been noted many times the Cowboys passed on a bevy of other backs, including Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice to make their pick.

After Jones left in free agency this year, the Cowboys wanted to bring in a backup running back built to handle a full load as an every-down back if need be. They selected Joseph Randle in the fifth round hoping to get another player with a style similar to Murray’s, rather than one that’s markedly different.

Randle hasn’t been able to play thus far while dealing with a thumb injury, but he’s expected to get going fully during training camp. How he’ll be used during the season, though, remains to be seen, with Murray as the workhorse back as long as he’s healthy.

Randle has tremendous expectations for a fifth-round pick. Even though Jones was a first-round selection, Randle will probably need to surpass Jones’ production to be viewed as a success. Jones racked up 2,728 rushing yards during his time with the Cowboys in five seasons, hitting the 800-yard mark once.

How the Cowboys decide out to use Randle may determine how successful he’ll be. For the first time since 2008, the Cowboys have a new primary backup in the backfield.

So with the season opener now just 11 weeks away, you still have concerns about these Dallas Cowboys. Seem to hear about them all the time.
But take solace. There likely isn’t a perfect team in the National Football League this time of year. They all have something to worry about.

Think the New England Patriots aren’t worried about their tight end position, what with Gronk having back surgery this week to repair a herniated disk and Aaron Hernandez being accused of destroying his cell phone and home surveillance equipment, along with having his house totally cleaned, in the midst of a murder investigation of an acquaintance found in a field not far from his house?

Think the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t worried about going to training camp with five quarterbacks on their roster but not knowing just who the starter is going to be?

Think the Redskins aren’t worried Robert Griffin III won’t be ready for the start of the season after having surgery to repair his torn ACL?

Think the San Francisco 49ers aren’t worried about the loss of wide receiver Michael Crabtree for probably the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon?

Think the Giants aren’t worried that wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks missed nearly their entire offseason workouts over contractual concerns and that even though Cruz finally signed his restricted tender he might not report on time for training camp if a long-term deal is not consummated with a club reportedly having only $3.3 million of cap space available and still needing to sign its first-round pick?

Want me to continue?

Like just maybe the Green Bay Packers are worried at running back, not knowing if last year’s eventual starter by season’s end, DuJuan Harris, will be ready for camp after having a grapefruit-sized noncancerous cyst removed from his lung of all places?

Think the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t worried they, too, are heading into training camp not knowing who their starting quarterback will be?

Or gosh forbid, what if this had been your Dallas Cowboys, admitting as the Minnesota Vikings have recently that their first-round pick Shariff Floyd – you remember him, don’t you? – likely will not be a starter at defensive tackle this season, projecting him as a rotation player?

Almost all make the Cowboys’ concerns as this offseason is about to bleed into vacation season before the July 19 start to training camp seem, well, pfffft, right?

The Cowboys aren’t perfect by any means. But at least they don’t appear to have a front-line player already out for the season with an injury or with one that will linger beyond the season opener. They don’t have a projected starter bellyaching over a contract, and goodness knows Anthony Spencer certainly could be. Not only do they know who their starting quarterback will be, but also who the backup is, although will keep an eye out for a minimally-experienced third guy if one that suits their liking comes available.

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Sam Huff is retiring from the team’s broadcasts

The Washington Redskins have a vocal and passionate fanbase, which has had plenty to talk about in the past 30 years. Between Super Bowls, rivalries, free-agent and draft busts, the what-ifs, could-have-beens and headlines made by their team, 'Skins fans have no shortage of fodder.

Even though sports have a way of dividing everyone's allegiances, Redskins fans will find an ear and talk it off.

Of course, with the ability to talk to just about anyone about anything Redskins related, there are some common themes, almost catchphrases, that fans have a way of bringing up more often than they may care to admit.

Sam Huff, an NFL Hall of Famer who spent 38 years as a Redskins radio analyst, is retiring from the team’s broadcasts.

Huff, 78, cut back his work as a color analyst last season, working only home games and the Redskins’ road games against the Giants and Cowboys.

This season, he will step aside entirely from game coverage, but will be heard on the pregame show before some home games, said Chuck Sapienza, vice president of programming for Red Zebra Broadcasting,the Redskins’ flagship station in Washington.

“He’s had a very long run,” said Sapienza, who described Huff’s decision to retire as Huff’s own. “People don’t understand the strain and rigor of a long broadcast season. He’s ready. He’s tired.”

Huff has been part of the Redskins since joining them as a player in 1964 after starting his career with New York Giants. He won’t be replaced as the second analyst on games, leaving a two-man booth. Larry Michael will continue as the team’s play-by-play man and Sonny Jurgensen will remain as a single analyst. Rick “Doc” Walker, a former Redskin, will continue as a sideline analyst.

“I’ve enjoyed every game that I played, coached and provided color commentary over the last 50 years with the Washington Redskins. I look forward to joining Larry, Sonny and Doc on the pre-game show a few times this season,” Huff said in a statement released by ESPN980.

Huff’s retirement leaves Jurgensen as the sole remaining member of a broadcast team that stretches back generations and spans the team’s glory years of the 1980s and 1990s. Jurgensen, Huff and Frank Herzog — “Sonny, Sam and Frank” — formed an on-air trio that was almost as beloved as the Super Bowl-winning teams they broadcast.

Herzog was forced out as the team’s play-by-play announcer after 25 years before the 2004 season to make way for Michael.

Red Zebra, which is owned by Redskins owner Dan Snyder, has used former Redskins such as Brian Mitchell as halftime commentators. Sapienza said that practice will continue, but details are still being finalized.

“We’ve talked to a lot of former players about being part of the broadcast,” he said, declining to discuss reports that Chris Cooley, a popular former player, was in line to join the broadcasts.

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J.J. Jansen finds himself as the leader of the Carolina Panthers’ special teams

J.J. Jansen signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and was supposed to be the team’s long-term, long snapper. He won the starting job and was the only snapper on roster for the last five weeks of camp, but he hurt his knee covering a punt on the last play of the preseason and was placed on injured reserve.

“It was challenging,” said Jansen after wrapping up Panthers minicamp last week. “It was psychologically very tough because I had been playing football, going back seven or eight years, and this was the first time I was sitting out, and it was the first time dealing with an injury.”

The Packers informed Jansen on a Tuesday the following spring they would be releasing him at the end of the day if they didn’t work out a trade. Tuesday came and went, and Jansen was still on the roster. It was two more weeks until then-Panthers general manager Marty Hurney called, giving Jansen the news that Carolina had traded a conditional draft pick for him.

“I still remember that call like it was yesterday because it was a second chance,” said Jansen. “We had to figure out where Carolina was; we didn’t know it was in Charlotte. But I was here by the next day starting with the offseason workouts.”

Since coming to the Panthers, Jansen has found his niche. He’s quiet on the field and says he takes more pride in the success of his kickers and punters than his own job.

Much of his success, he says, can be attributed to two of his former Panthers teammates and closest friends: Panthers kicking legend John Kasay and punter Jason Baker.

“I don’t think I’m still playing in the NFL if I hadn’t been put with those two guys at that time,” said Jansen. “They took skills that I had and turned me into a professional, and I always will be indebted to them.”

That close connection presented a bit of a challenge for Jansen last year, the first season both mentors were not on the team. But he made the most of it.

With them gone, Jansen became the most veteran member of the special teams in training camp. He was working with then-rookie punter Brad Nortman and first-year kicker Justin Medlock.

“It was an opportunity for me to see what I could do,” Jansen said. “I kind of stepped out of my apprenticeship. In some ways, I was a leader within our group, and I had a lot of fun because I felt their words and their actions speaking through me.”

Carolina rewarded Jansen’s consistency and skill last season with a four-year extension worth $3.6 million, giving him more job security than most snappers in the league. As a comparison, Dolphins Pro Bowler John Denney is only on a four-year $3 million deal.

Jansen, now in his fifth year with the Panthers, can call Charlotte home. He and his wife have settled in with their newborn baby boy, and his new contract should keep him in town through the 2015 season.

His strong work ethic isn’t lost on coaches either, and they laud his approach to the low-profile job.

“He comes to work every day with the right attitude,” said special teams coordinator Richard Rodgers. “He believes that his job is the most important job on the field, and he takes that attitude from the time he walks through the gates to when he leaves.

“I think that his teammates really respect the fact that he takes his job seriously.”

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Cruz still has his head on straight and fully intends on being a top contributor to the teams offense

Despite signing star wide receiver Victor Cruz last week, the New York Giants still need to sign Victor Cruz. It sounds confusing, but without a long-term deal in place, the Giants are in danger of allowing their salsa dancing sensation to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason, when a team with more salary cap flexibility could swoop in and sign Cruz to an offer the Giants are unable to match. The team has already offered a deal upwards of $8 million per year, but even that has not enticed No. 80 to put ink to paper and secure his financial security for the rest of his life.

Regardless, even through his extremely public contract dispute with the Giants, Ralph Vacchiano writes that Cruz has stayed in football shape by mirroring Big Blue's offseason workout program with New York Islanders director of sports performance Sean Donellan.

One way or another, Cruz is going to play for the Giants in 2013. He did not attend the team's voluntary offseason workout program, nor did he make it to mandatory mini-camp. Neither of those absences came as a surprise, but it's still imperative to know that Cruz has maintained an elite level of fitness during the offseason so when he finally does report, his production remains at a Pro Bowl level.

Although Cruz has significantly increased his media presence since he hit stardom, Donellan says that the star wideout has not lost focus on what got him to where he is today.

Victor Cruz and the Giants should have come to a long-term contract agreement months ago. It's a shame this soap opera is likely going to drag into training camp, but it's refreshing to hear somebody say that Cruz still has his head on straight and fully intends on being a top contributor to the teams offense next season.

A little less than two weeks ago, the New York Giants were going to make a run at former Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach as they had inquired about his services following his release from the Baltimore Ravens back on June 11.

With about $3.3 million left in cap space and the team still needing money to sign their last two draft picks, plus Victor Cruz, it looks like the Giants will not be pursuing Leach after all. And, at least at the moment, the likely front runners to win the veterans services will be the Miami Dolphins.

Following his release from Baltimore after failing to restructure his contract in 2013, teams like the Giants and Dolphins all showed interest, but as it was earlier reported, it always seemed like a long shot that the Giants would ultimately be the ones to land him because of their salary cap situation and Leach's unlikeliness to accept a veteran minimum deal to come to New York.

The Giants interest in Leach made sense because of Henry Hynoski suffering a knee injury in the Giants' OTA's and is not expected back until at least September, but that is if everything goes right with his rehab and no major setbacks happen. In the meantime, the team had shifted tight end Bear Pascoe over to the fullback spot, something he has done before in the past when needed.

With the Dolphins looking to close a deal with Leach by the end of this weekend, the Giants focus will likely turn to middle linebacker Desmond Bishop, who was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday and the team has interest in him on their defense.

Back in 2007, the Giants had signed Leach to an offer sheet, but it got matched by the Houston Texans. In 2011, the Giants and Leach were interested again, but the Ravens signed him to a three-year deal. From the looks of things, the third time won't be the charm between both sides.

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Family seeks answers in death near Hernandez home

Facing what he drolly called a ``complicated international problem,'' Vladimir Putin says he's ready to give the New England Patriots' owner custom jewelry to compensate for the Super Bowl ring that some imply the Russian president pocketed.

The Super Bowl ring changed hands in 2005 when Robert Kraft was visiting Putin with a business delegation. At the time, he said he gave it as a gift, but last week he was quoted by the New York Post as saying Putin just took it.

Putin said at an economic forum Friday he didn't remember Kraft or the ring. But ``if it is so valuable to him,'' Putin would order a piece of jewelry of precious metal and stones be made for Kraft.

At least one company yanked an endorsement deal from New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Friday as puzzled family members of a friend found slain a mile from Hernandez's home sought answers about how he died.

Police have searched in and around Hernandez's sprawling home in North Attleborough, not far from where the Patriots practice, but a court clerk said that as of Friday afternoon no arrest warrants had been issued in the case. The Bristol County district attorney has not released any information, other than saying the death of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd was being treated as a homicide.

A jogger found Lloyd's body in an industrial park Monday. Family members said Friday that Lloyd had been dating Hernandez's fiancee's sister for about two years. They said the two men were friends who were together the night Lloyd died.

Police in nearby Providence, R.I., said they had assisted Massachusetts state police and North Attleborough police with activity related to the Hernandez investigation at a strip club named Club Desire. It was unclear if they believed Lloyd and Hernandez might have been at the club in the days before Lloyd died. A reporter was escorted out of the club Friday afternoon before she could speak with employees or patrons.

Family members have said Lloyd, 27, was never in trouble.

``I want the person that killed my son to be brought to justice,'' said Lloyd's mother, Ursula Ward. ``That's my first-born child, my only boy child, and they took him away from me. ... I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. And if money could bring him back I would give this house up to bring my son back. Nothing can bring my son back.''

Family members said they had heard from Lloyd's girlfriend but not from Hernandez after Lloyd's death. They are anxiously awaiting an arrest in the case.

``We're just hoping for justice,'' cousin Marsha Martin said. ``We don't want Odin to have died in vain.''

Hernandez's attorney Michael Fee has acknowledged media reports about the state police search of his Hernandez's home but said he wouldn't have any comment on it.

Attleboro District Court clerk magistrate Mark E. Sturdy said three search warrants were issued in the investigation earlier in the week but have not been returned, meaning they're not public. He said no arrest warrants had been filed in state courts by the time court closed at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Hernandez was gone from his home for most of the day Friday, including when two state police officers knocked on his door. He returned home with his attorney around 5 p.m.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James has said the team does not anticipate commenting publicly during the police investigation. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was waiting for the legal process to take its course.

CytoSport, a Benicia, Calif.-based company that makes Muscle Milk and other supplements for athletes, said Friday it was ending Hernandez's endorsement contract, effective immediately, because of the investigation.

The Patriots drafted Hernandez out of Florida in 2010. Since then, he has combined with Rob Gronkowski to form one of the top tight end duos in the NFL. He missed 10 games last season with an ankle injury and had shoulder surgery in April but is expected to be ready for training camp. Last summer, the Patriots gave him a five-year contract worth $40 million.

Hernandez said after he was drafted that he had failed a drug test while with the Gators and had been upfront with NFL teams about the issue.

Earlier this week, a man filed a lawsuit in South Florida claiming Hernandez shot him in the face after they argued at a strip club there.

Alexander Bradley's lawsuit accuses Hernandez of negligence, among other things, suggesting that the shooting may have been accidental. Bradley said he lost his right eye and suffers many other lingering effects from the shooting.

A spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County sheriff's office said Friday that investigators would need to speak with Bradley to move forward with a criminal investigation and cannot rely on the claims he made in his lawsuit. The spokeswoman, Teri Barbera, said Bradley repeatedly refused to cooperate in the criminal probe after he was shot in February, telling detectives he didn't know who shot him.

Hernandez's attorney did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

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Three reasons Dre Kirkpatrick has to be the starter for Cincinnati in 2013

Let's break down three reasons Dre Kirkpatrick has to be the starter for Cincinnati in 2013.

Paper-Thin Depth

Outside of Hall the Bengals don't have a lot of starter-caliber players. Kirkpatrick has the potential, but behind him it's a bit of a mess.

Cincinnati does have Adam Jones, a man who stepped up in Hall's absence a few years ago when he tore his Achilles, but with his recent legal troubles once again and nagging injuries it's hard to figure out if and how long he'll be able to contribute.

Brandon Ghee continues to impress in practices, but that's been the story the last few years before he succumbs to injury. Second-year player Shaun Prater has some nice qualities but is going to need more time to develop. Veteran Terence Newman is slowing down thanks to his age as we have seen over the past few years with his coverage issues.

This is why Kirkpatrick's contributions in 2013 are so important. The depth simply isn't there. It looks much better than it is on paper but the experience and injury reliability is an issue.

Critical Game Experience

Kirkpatrick has to see the field in order to gain serious experience as there is only so much that can be accomplished in practice and drills.

There is plenty veterans like Hall and Newman can teach Kirkpatrick but until he gets out there on his own and is isolated with a top-tier NFL receiver he is going to be at a disadvantage.

Yes, the preseason will allow Kirkpatrick to do some of this. Also, he did play in the closest thing to the pros in the SEC while at Alabama, but until he experiences NFL speed at full blast his adjustment period will continue to move at a snail's pace.

Affordable Risk

It's no secret year in and out the Bengals have an elite defensive unit overall thanks to the mastermind that is Zimmer.

With that in mind it's a safe bet Zimmer will schematically find a way to protect Kirkpatrick if he is struggling to adapt. Zimmer is the guy who over the years has taken scrap-heap players and meshed them into an elite caliber unit.

We know the defensive line will be fine. Linebacker seems to be in good hands with James Harrison and Vontaze Burfict assumingly protecting Rey Maualuga in the middle. Corner is fine with Hall on the outside and Jones in the slot. Safety has an elite player in Reggie Nelson and either an effective rookie in Shawn Williams or potentially a seasoned vet in Newman.

If Kirkpatrick is the only weak link on the unit while he adapts and hones his skills the unit overall will be just fine. You can do much worse than a first-round talent out of Alabama who is struggling with his transition but who can still thrive on his exceptional athleticism.

There's really no reason for Kirkpatrick to not start in 2013. He's been soaking up as much knowledge as possible from veterans while recovering from injuries.

It's time for Kirkpatrick to assume his starting role.

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Taylor has produced his camp for so long that on Friday

Pittsburgh Steeler Ike Taylor wanted to give back to the community that raised him for so many years, and for the past decade, he's been doing just that.

Friday marked the 10th year the Steeler cornerback teamed together with Gretna's Arden Cahill Academy to host his Face Me Ike Youth Football Camp for the school's Camp Corral campers.

Two hundred children ages 6 to 14 spent the afternoon with Taylor and a few of his Steeler teammates, as well as local football coaches in what Taylor described as the opportunity to make memories with real NFL athletes.

"10 years is a long time," Taylor said. "The first year we didn't really know what to expect and year after year it gets better, the crowd gets bigger, the kids have more fun. The expectation between Mr. and Mrs. Cahill and I, we have high expectations. As long as the kids have fun it really doesn't matter."

Taylor has produced his camp for so long that on Friday, the State of Louisiana House of Representatives made a proclamation in Taylor's name thanking him for all the work he's done for the New Orleans community.

"When you talk about hospitality, when you talk about soulful people when you talk about people who care about people, you're talking about New Orleans," Taylor said.

The goal of the camp is to give local youths the opportunity to spend time with their athletic role models much in the same way Taylor did when he was a young athlete growing up in the New Orleans area.

Taylor referenced several players he was able to work with in camps while attending Marion Abramson High School in New Orleans East and the impression they left on his life.

The two-time Super Bowl champion brought with him several Steeler defensive backs to his camp. Fellow cornerbacks Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen both attended the camp for the first time while William Gay is in his fifth year as a guest coach, despite having no prior connection to the city of New Orleans.

"It doesn't matter where it's at," Gay said. "We're just out here serving the kids and letting them be around some guys they see on Sundays who they can listen to and talk to and touch. It's pretty important to us. All you want to do is put a smile on a kids face. It's an amazing feeling."

Gay, who is returning to Pittsburgh this season after spending the 2012 season in Arizona, said Taylor's camp is setting the standard for youth football camps after his 10 years of service to the community.

The former University of Louisiana-Lafayette standout also stressed the importance of the fact that everything the campers are doing are the same drills the Steelers do in their training -- only slightly tailored to accommodate those middle schoolers who aren't quite NFL-ready just yet.

Children received the opportunity to run cone drills, ladder drills and even sprint with training parachutes.

Taylor, who has 14 interceptions and 449 tackles in his career, said he is preparing for an eventual retirement. The ten-year veteran said he hopes to continue the camp once he retires and make it into something bigger, hopefully through multiple days and expanded to include more young Louisiana athletes from around the state.

But for now, Taylor is fully focused on his own talents and the future of the Steelers organization. "I look at it as, year-in and year-out, they're trying to draft a corner to take my place. Going into the offseason I'm remembering that," Taylor said.

Pittsburgh watched division rival Baltimore hoist the Lombardi Trophy last season while the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009, but Taylor said his team will be ready to play come next season.

When asked about New Orleans acquiring cornerback Keenan Lewis during the offseason and if Taylor would have been competing with him for the starting job in Pittsburgh if Lewis were still there, Taylor expressed complete confidence in his starting role with the Steeler defense despite missing the end of last season with an injury.

"I wasn't battling with anybody," Taylor said. "[Lewis] would've been battling with Curtis and Cortez."

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Morgan makes difficult catches in traffic and deftly blocking for teammates downfield

 

Joshua Morgan is the consummate professional on the field, running crisp routes, making difficult catches in traffic and deftly blocking for teammates downfield.

When he signed with the Redskins, he was still in the process of recovering from a broken ankle that prematurely ended his 2011 season with the San Francisco 49ers.

After accelerating his rehab to be ready for the regular season, Morgan played in ever game, starting 15 games. He led the team in starts (15) and receptions (48), with a plate and seven screws in his ankle.

He also nursed along torn ligaments in both hands during the team’s championship season, playing through the pain for his teammates.

“This was my first year playing wide receiver that my hands and both my feet were hurting,” he said. “It was a rough year but it was worth it.”

Morgan, a native of Southeast D.C., credits his upbringing for giving him thick skin during difficult times, but said he never considered not suiting up on Sunday.

“It’s going to hurt regardless,” he said with a shrug. “It’s either going to hurt when I’m sitting still, sitting at home, it’s going to hurt going out there doing what you’ve got to do to help your team win.

“By any means necessary; that was my mentality.”

His injuries necessitated that he spend more time preparing his body to play, which meant starting earlier and ending later than most of his teammates.

“You’ve got to warm up for longer, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got the right cleats, make sure you take some Aleve. You have to do a lot of different things,” he explained. “Towards the end of the year they started taping my hands. You know how boxers get their hands all the way each knuckle, that’s how they started taping my hands.

“They even put little pads where the torn ligaments were. Then I would put my gloves on.”

Morgan has always worn gloves, but said the added padding made it feel like he was catching passes with someone else’s hands.

“It was weird. It just makes you concentrate that much more when the ball initially hits your hands; you’ve got to fingertip squeeze it,” he explained. “It took me back to my boxing days. You don’t want to have your hands taped liked a boxer playing receiver, but it helped with the pain.

“It was the only thing we could do.”

In 16 games last season, Morgan finished with 48 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns. Despite developing into a major part of the team's offensive attack, his production was not up to the goals he set for himself in training camp.

“It was not up to my standards at all, but I still ended up setting one of my goals and that was having the most catches [on the team],” he said. “All-in-all, they tried to give me the moral victory because I played hurt all year, but I really don’t like making excuses.

“They said that why my other foot started hurting because I was compensating so much, doing this and doing that. And I never thought I had torn ligaments in both my hands.”

Morgan said he hurt his hands in separate weeks, with the left hand coming in the first game of the season against New Orleans.

In Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III threw an interception, turning Morgan into a defender. In an effort to make a play, he was caught awkwardly and hyperextended his right hand, tearing more tendons.

Morgan did not sit out either of the next two games, falling back on his mantra: win by any means necessary.

“We won games, but we just came up short in the end,” he said. “We didn’t get to where we wanted to get.”

Rather than playing in the Super Bowl, a goal that Morgan had at the beginning of the season, he got to watch his former teammates on the San Francisco 49ers represent the NFC for the title.

But rather than sulking at home, Morgan embraced the situation and set his heights higher for 2013.

Getting to know the 2013 Washington Redskins: Jawan Jamison

Jawan Jamison. 5’7", 203 lb

Rutgers, Running Back

Rookie

Key Career Stats

1,972 Rushing yards, 13 Rushing Touchdowns, 36 Receptions, 385 Receiving yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns (2011-2012)

2012 Stats: 1,075 Rushing yards, 4 Rushing Touchdowns, 28 receptions, 323 Receiving yards, 2 Receiving touchdowns

2012 Highlight: Jawan Jamison was a very productive running back at Rutgers. Based on what I have seen of him, he has great hands and is a very good runner. Jamison makes choice cuts in the open field and had an impressive 11.5 average receiving yards last season. His 1,075 rushing yard total last season is nothing to ignore either. His running production at Rutgers is likely tied to his great cuts and timely jukes, which helped him break away from defenders. Below is his college highlight reel so you can get a sneak peak at this new Redskin.

What is coming in 2013: The running back competition behind Alfred Morris is wide open at this point. Jamison will be competing with Chris Thompson, Roy Helu, and Evan Royster for the 3rd down back job. I believe Jamison has the upper hand at the current moment. Thompson and Helu may both be sidelined due to injury and Royster is in question to be on the team this season after his unimpressive 2012 campaign as the third down back. Jamison does remind me of Alfred Morris as a runner because of his choice cuts, but his smaller frame leads to some concern for injuries. I believe the bigger concern is his reliance on jukes to get big yards after the catch. I have seen many runners evade college level linebackers with ease but Jamison may not be so elusive on the NFL level. If he is not elusive enough at the NFL level, he will not be an effective 3rd down running back.

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