Bills G.M. Buddy Nix on what he expects to see in training camp: “You’d like to see how the wide receivers shake out, how the backup quarterback shakes out. I think our left tackle - that battle will be something to watch also. I feel good about our secondary.”
Says Dolphins RB Reggie Bush of the team’s quarterback competition, “I know Matt Moore is maybe the leader right now, because he’s the returning starting quarterback from last year.”
Dan Connolly and Dan Koppen are set for a head-to-head competition for the Patriots’ starting center position.
Holley Mangold, the weightlifter sister of Jets C Nick Mangold, is getting ready for what she calls, “My Super Bowl.”
Says Ravens C Matt Birk of RB Ray Rice getting a new contract, “I think to a man, everybody’s happy for him.”
Bengals owner Mike Brown is feeling upbeat heading into training camp.
Says Browns OT Joe Thomas of new teammate Mitchell Schwartz, “He’s in the meeting room already making calls and answering questions that, frankly, as a rookie, I’m kind of surprised he knows the answers to.”
Things will feel different at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College with a number of veterans gone, including Hines Ward, James Farrior, Aaron Smith, Chris Hoke, Bryant McFadden, William Gay and Daniel Sepulveda.
Texans S Glover Quin’s ability to play the run and cover wide receivers gives Houston a great deal of versatility at the safety position.
Former Titans S Lance Schulters has been cleared of domestic abuse charges.
The Colts’ 90-man roster includes 26 rookies, 54 players in their first season with the Colts and 37 players who have never appeared in a regular-season game.
One Jacksonville writer thinks the team may need to trade RB Maurice Jones-Drew.
Says Broncos G Chris Kuper of his recovery from an ankle injury, “I’m going to go, but we’re going to be conservative. I’ll be able to do all the individual [drills], and maybe some team stuff, but I’m not sure how many reps.”
The Chiefs expect RB Jamaal Charles, S Eric Berry and TE Tony Moeaki to participate in the first day of practice Friday.
The Raiders are still working to get their draft picks signed.
Former Chargers QB Dan Fouts will handle play-by-play for the team’s preseason broadcasts.
While many Penn State alumni are lashing out at the Freeh Report and the NCAA, Cowboys LB Sean Lee sees things differently: “The facts have shown they didn’t report Sandusky and what happened and because of it more kids got hurt,” Lee said. “That’s what the facts show and I don’t agree with that at all. This should’ve been reported right away. There should’ve been procedures in place where this is what we do, investigation and go from there and more kids wouldn’t have been hurt. I actually think the Freeh Report was a good thing because it shows where Penn State can go, how they can improve on some things so something as horrible as it did will never happen again.”
Giants WR Jerrel Jernigan says he has to be more productive than he was as a rookie, when he didn’t have any catches: “I’m not used to that, not having a catch in a year.”
Said Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn of Mike Patterson missing training camp, “It’s hard to stomach a loss like that. Hopefully, he’ll be back sooner than later.”
The Redskins announced that they signed free agent CB David Jones and waived/injured CB Chase Minnifield.
Said Bears RB Matt Forte of his new contract, “We got the deal done, basically, so both sides accomplished the main goal. So it was good.”
Lions DE Ronnell Lewis is starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with an undisclosed injury.
Packers G.M. Ted Thompson made clear in his speech at the team’s annual shareholders meeting that the shareholders are really not shareholders at all, by telling them, “you won’t find a whole lot of proprietary information because I don’t say a lot.”
Says Vikings DE Jared Allen, “Our ultimate goal is to win a championship, otherwise there’s no point in playing the game.”
Keeping RB Michael Turner fresh is a high priority for the Falcons.
The Panthers haven’t ruled out bringing back TE Jeremy Shockey.
Said Saints QB Drew Brees, “I’m excited about the unknown because in a lot of ways, we don’t necessarily know what to expect. With all this stuff swirling around us, in the end, all we can worry about is what we can control and focus on the process and the result will take care of itself.”
Bucs DE Da’Quan Bowers (Achilles) and DT Amobi Okoye (knee) are starting camp on the PUP list.
Here’s a look at the Cardinals’ special teams.
Here’s a look at the life of Travis Tripucka, a free agent signing of the Rams.
Says 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick of competing with Josh Johnson for the No. 2 spot, “Josh is a great guy, and I’m good friends with him. At the same time, we know it’s a competition when we step on the field.”
After signing DE Chris Clemons to a contract extension, G.M. John Schneider said he’s “very pleased to reward a player that has been a consistent difference maker since we acquired him.”