- Former Dolphins tailback Daniel Thomas signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Thomas, a former Kansas State standout drafted by the Dolphins in the second round in 2009, has rushed for 1,480 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in his four-year career.
The Dolphins decided not to re-sign Thomas this offseason because they are comfortable with a backfield that features Lamar Miller and Damien Williams as the top two backs. Mike Gillislee, Jay Ajayi and LaMichael James are all competing for a roster spot.
Williams, whom the Dolphins signed as an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma last year, unseated Thomas to become the third-down back in 2014. The Dolphins cut Thomas at the end of training camp but re-signed him in Week 3 after Knowshon Moreno suffered an elbow injury.
- Which [Dolphins] rookies play right away? We already know all about wide receiver DeVante Parker. He is the real deal and I’m certain we’ll continue to see that once he returns from a foot injury. But what about the remainder of the 2015 draft class? Two players in particular – running back Jay Ajayi and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips – peak my interest. Phillips, the second-round pick, has a chance to earn a spot in a loaded defensive tackle rotation. Ajayi, a fifth-round pick, could prove to be the steal of the Dolphins draft. Another intriguing player to watch? Cornerback Tony Lippett, who is trying to make the transition from receiver and had some strong OTA practices.
- Miami also went the route of drafting best player available at a position that is already strong. Can Jordan Phillips hit his full potential and be mentored by the handful of successful veteran defensive linemen on this roster? If so, he could be the future for this team and may someday meet legendary status as Ndamukong Suh's favorite wingman.
- The mood was decidedly lighter for the final day of [Steelers] minicamp. Ben Roethlisberger sported a baseball cap, while Antonio Brown donned a Steelers hardhat. The two-minute drill, successfully run by Landry Jones and the first team, basically fell apart in laughs over where the ball was being spotted. Also not participating were Harrison, QB Bruce Gradkowski, TEs Matt Spaeth and Rob Blanchflower.
- The Jaguars have a nice problem at cornerback.
The Jaguars got only two interceptions from the cornerback position last year — Alan Ball in Week 1 at Philadelphia and Dwayne Gratz in Week 17 at Houston (which he returned for a touchdown). Their response was signing Green Bay’s Davon House.
House is the sure-bet to be one of the starters, but that’s when things get interesting. The Jaguars feel confident in Demetrius McCray, Aaron Colvin and Gratz.
McCray started the final 12 games last year, Bradley and defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker feel Gratz has turned a positive corner and Colvin is the team’s top inside corner.
House’s addition and the experience gained last year by McCray, Colvin and Gratz should equal more interceptions.
- House probably will man one of the [Jags'] cornerback spots, leaving Demetrius McCray and Aaron Colvin to battle for the other.
- Injuries to [Broncos LBs] Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan forced Steven Johnson and Todd Davis into extensive work, and also bumped Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson up. All had their moments, but Davis was a revelation, building off his starting work late last season. His command in the defensive huddle grew as he relayed the calls and helped set the defense up play after play.
- The early projected [Chiefs OL] starters are Donald Stephenson and Eric Fisher (tackles), Ben Grubbs and Jeff Allen (guard), while Eric Kush took the majority of snaps at center but could face a battle from Missouri rookie Mitch Morse during camp.
- The Eagles are as healthy as a team can be coming out of the spring, with the obvious question of quarterback Sam Bradford and his next steps.
So let's begin there. Bradford is aiming for the "full-go" signal when Training Camp begins. He'll continue to rehab the knee in the six weeks ahead and then have another six weeks from August 2 when the on-field work begins in camp to get ready for the Atlanta Falcons and the regular season opener on September 14.
"I feel like I've made a lot of great progress, especially in the last few weeks and I'm looking forward to having that continue," Bradford said. "I'm encouraged and I'm going to keep pushing it and working hard to get ready. It's been a good offseason. It's been positive."
Mark Sanchez stepped in as the No. 1 quarterback during 11-on-11 work in the spring and had a strong offseason and is preparing himself to compete for the starting quarterback job.
- Trent Williams: The Redskins' most irreplaceable player
Tolly Taylor - Jun 16, 3:02 AM
Williams might not be the player you expected. Maybe you thought it’d be Robert Griffin III, Ryan Kerrigan, Alfred Morris or someone else. Hey, he’s certainly not the flashiest player on the Redskins’ roster. But look closely, and you realize Williams deserves this recognition.
Nicknamed “Silverback,” the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft has lived up to expectations. He’s been voted to three Pro Bowls in a row, despite playing on a shaky offensive line that’s constantly in flux. He’s also been an offensive captain since his second year in the league, which shows his teammates view him as a leader. Perhaps most impressive of all, Williams continues to be equally good in the running game, blocking down field on screen passes and protecting the quarterback during passing plays. Without Williams as a rock on the offensive line, the Redskins never lead the league in rushing in 2012—that’s a fact.
- Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams has missed all offseason team activities so far with an ankle injury, but head coach Jay Gruden believes he'll be ready to go for training camp in late July, reports ESPN.com.
"I wish he would've gotten the work with coach Callahan," Gruden said.
"Trent is a very smart guy and he's been attentive in all the meetings. I just wish he would've got the reps, but it's not really a concern. If that's my only concern going in [to camp], it's very minor so that's good."
- It’s early, but it appears by the [Lions WR] rep chart (not the depth chart) that Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Jeremy Ross, Corey Fuller, Lance Moore and Ryan Broyles have a leg up on the rest of the receivers at this point. Again, it’s June, but those appear to be the top six at this point. We’ll find out in August if anyone else can crack the list and impress coaches.
- Fuller will need to come a long way from his 14-reception performance in 2014 to justify that confidence, especially with a hard-charging Ryan Broyles on his tail. The NCAA's former career leader in receptions has finally been healthy for an entire offseason and has "caught almost everything thrown his way," per Meinke. But the above tweet seems to hint that the coaching staff still doesn't place him above Fuller or Ross.
- Jeremy Ross, Golden Tate, Ameer Abdullah, Ryan Broyles and Lance Moore were all returning punts. Abdullah and Tate both dropped one. Tate was especially mad at himself afterward.
- The Vikings continued the general approach they took Tuesday for reps at the right guard spot with rookie Tyrus Thompson with the ones and classmate Austin Shepherd with the twos.
- Q: How will things change with Adrian Peterson in the backfield this season?
[Vikes HC Mike Zimmer] A: Well, with one of the greatest running backs in the history of the game, it probably should change a lot. I think that people will play us a little bit differently and I think that will help us in a lot of ways. We’re going to continue to do a lot of the things we do offensively, but we’re obviously going to use Adrian in ways that are productive for him, as well.
Q: When you have a workhouse like Adrian Peterson, how do you balance it out with the other running backs on roster?
A: Adrian will get most of it and Jerick will get some reps and (Matt) Asiata will get some reps, every week is different. We’re going continue to play with the best players.
Q: Is it almost a week-to-week basis depending on your opponent?
A: Yeah, I mean everything changes, situations in the game changes things. The game plan going in that week and things like that. Adrian, he is the guy, so he’s going to get the ball and those other two guys are going to have to fight for their reps.
- Why [Panthers RT] Daryl Williams could start: The Panthers liked what the rookie out of Oklahoma offers at right tackle so much that they sent three draft picks to Oakland to move up 22 spots in the fourth round to get him. Williams is huge at 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds. He's a powerful run-blocker, which the Panthers want on the right side to help establish their power running game. He has a nasty streak that the Panthers like. Mike Remmers will enter training camp as the starting right tackle, mainly because the team went 5-1 (including playoffs) when he became the starter at the end of last season. But Remmers is an undrafted rookie who has been with six teams (including Carolina). As well as he played, the Panthers look at Williams more as a long-term solution. The Panthers liked Williams more than Oklahoma left tackle Tyrus Thompson, who wasn't selected until the sixth round. General manager Dave Gettleman has a pretty good eye when it comes to offensive linemen, and he likes what he sees in Williams.
- [Panthers HC Ron] Rivera made it clear he's hoping a defensive end emerges as the full-time starter opposite Charles Johnson.
"We want one guy to take the position and make it his own and just rotate everybody else," Rivera said. "We don't have that (one guy) right now, so for now it's by committee."
The committee includes Frank Alexander, Wes Horton, Mario Addison and Ealy.
Alexander was performing well during organized team activities, but he and Johnson have not practiced during minicamp due to groin injuries. That's given Horton, Addison and Ealy increased reps, but no one has yet to grab hold of that top spot.
Fortunately for the Panthers, it's early, and no one has had the chance to practice in full pads. When that happens in training camp, Rivera will have a better picture of the situation.
"Out here (during OTAs and minicamp) we are not hitting, we're not finishing," Rivera said. "We want to see who is going to finish and who is going to be the finisher."
- [Bucs DT Gerald MCoy] (On who of the undrafted rookies has impressed him)
“Coach (Smith) showed a guy today and it was funny (laughs). He made an incredible catch. Josh Keyes, he made a play on film. Coach was like, ‘Does anyone know who Josh Keyes is? If you know who Josh Keyes is standup.” Guys stood up and we looked around like, ‘Who is Josh Keyes?’ He was like, ‘Hey Josh, stand up.’ He stood up. He’s in the room and no one even knows. Coach’s point was, you have to make plays to be known. He’s been making plays all offseason and nobody really knew, but yesterday he made such a spectacular interception that now every time I see him I’m like, ‘What’s up Josh?’ He’s actually been making plays all offseason.”
(On being a mentor to quarterback Jameis Winston)
“The thing I told him is to just be a rookie. Don’t try and come and turn the franchise around your first year. You are still a rookie. You are still young. You haven’t played a snap in the NFL. Being the first overall pick, a lot comes with that, but you can’t do it overnight. I mentioned Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning still has the rookie record for interceptions, but now he’s Peyton Manning. You just have to be patient and just be a rookie. Let the “rah rah guys” be the “rah rah guys.” That’s me, Clinton McDonald, Lavonte (David) doesn’t do much talking, but he talks with his play. Vincent Jackson, let those guys do that. You just play your role and he has done that. He has done that very well.”
(On the huge expectations of being a top draft pick)
“It’s definitely huge. I can speak from the worst of the worst. Getting hurt the first two years to being labeled a bust to people calling for your head to now people saying, ‘He’s always been good.’ Yeah, right. I can speak from both sides. That’s why I told him to just be a rookie. Enjoy the process. You just have to be patient. You have to be thick-skinned though. It’s the NFL, it’s a man’s game. Not because all these grown men are playing, but you have to react to things like a man. You can’t bring your feelings in the NFL. You are going to get attacked. It’s going to happen. You are the first overall pick. You have to be perfect, otherwise you’re not good enough. That’s how it works. You’ve got to be patient, stay focused and just do things the right way.”
- Again, the Cards have depth at safety. There will be times when Bucannon plays some linebacker in sub-packages and the Cards use Mathieu, Johnson and Tony Jefferson on the field at the same time. Arians has stressed the Cards want the best 11 on the field for each particular play. But a healthy, playmaking Mathieu is going to get a lot of snaps.
- The Seahawks have waived defensive end Ryan Robinson with an injury designation a week after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice. Seattle will likely look to place him on the injured reserve once he clears waivers.
Robinson had been making a little bit of noise of late because he was running with the first-team defensive unit in Seahawks' OTAs. With Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin skipping out on the voluntary activities, Robinson had stepped in and had apparently been impressing coaches. Pete Carroll even mentioned him at the Seahawks' town-hall meeting as a player to watch this year.
With Robinson out for the year, Seattle's defensive end depth takes a bit of a hit. Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark, Demarcus Dobbs, Greg Scruggs, David King, and Obum Gwacham still back up Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. The depth chart there will have to get worked out once the Seahawks take the field in the preseason.
- FB Trey Millard: He sat out his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL sustained during his final season at Oklahoma. He is healthy and took the first-team reps at fullback for most of the offseason when Bruce Miller was tending to a legal issue.
The Dolphins decided not to re-sign Thomas this offseason because they are comfortable with a backfield that features Lamar Miller and Damien Williams as the top two backs. Mike Gillislee, Jay Ajayi and LaMichael James are all competing for a roster spot.
Williams, whom the Dolphins signed as an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma last year, unseated Thomas to become the third-down back in 2014. The Dolphins cut Thomas at the end of training camp but re-signed him in Week 3 after Knowshon Moreno suffered an elbow injury.
- Which [Dolphins] rookies play right away? We already know all about wide receiver DeVante Parker. He is the real deal and I’m certain we’ll continue to see that once he returns from a foot injury. But what about the remainder of the 2015 draft class? Two players in particular – running back Jay Ajayi and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips – peak my interest. Phillips, the second-round pick, has a chance to earn a spot in a loaded defensive tackle rotation. Ajayi, a fifth-round pick, could prove to be the steal of the Dolphins draft. Another intriguing player to watch? Cornerback Tony Lippett, who is trying to make the transition from receiver and had some strong OTA practices.
- Miami also went the route of drafting best player available at a position that is already strong. Can Jordan Phillips hit his full potential and be mentored by the handful of successful veteran defensive linemen on this roster? If so, he could be the future for this team and may someday meet legendary status as Ndamukong Suh's favorite wingman.
- The mood was decidedly lighter for the final day of [Steelers] minicamp. Ben Roethlisberger sported a baseball cap, while Antonio Brown donned a Steelers hardhat. The two-minute drill, successfully run by Landry Jones and the first team, basically fell apart in laughs over where the ball was being spotted. Also not participating were Harrison, QB Bruce Gradkowski, TEs Matt Spaeth and Rob Blanchflower.
- The Jaguars have a nice problem at cornerback.
The Jaguars got only two interceptions from the cornerback position last year — Alan Ball in Week 1 at Philadelphia and Dwayne Gratz in Week 17 at Houston (which he returned for a touchdown). Their response was signing Green Bay’s Davon House.
House is the sure-bet to be one of the starters, but that’s when things get interesting. The Jaguars feel confident in Demetrius McCray, Aaron Colvin and Gratz.
McCray started the final 12 games last year, Bradley and defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker feel Gratz has turned a positive corner and Colvin is the team’s top inside corner.
House’s addition and the experience gained last year by McCray, Colvin and Gratz should equal more interceptions.
- House probably will man one of the [Jags'] cornerback spots, leaving Demetrius McCray and Aaron Colvin to battle for the other.
- Injuries to [Broncos LBs] Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan forced Steven Johnson and Todd Davis into extensive work, and also bumped Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson up. All had their moments, but Davis was a revelation, building off his starting work late last season. His command in the defensive huddle grew as he relayed the calls and helped set the defense up play after play.
- The early projected [Chiefs OL] starters are Donald Stephenson and Eric Fisher (tackles), Ben Grubbs and Jeff Allen (guard), while Eric Kush took the majority of snaps at center but could face a battle from Missouri rookie Mitch Morse during camp.
- The Eagles are as healthy as a team can be coming out of the spring, with the obvious question of quarterback Sam Bradford and his next steps.
So let's begin there. Bradford is aiming for the "full-go" signal when Training Camp begins. He'll continue to rehab the knee in the six weeks ahead and then have another six weeks from August 2 when the on-field work begins in camp to get ready for the Atlanta Falcons and the regular season opener on September 14.
"I feel like I've made a lot of great progress, especially in the last few weeks and I'm looking forward to having that continue," Bradford said. "I'm encouraged and I'm going to keep pushing it and working hard to get ready. It's been a good offseason. It's been positive."
Mark Sanchez stepped in as the No. 1 quarterback during 11-on-11 work in the spring and had a strong offseason and is preparing himself to compete for the starting quarterback job.
- Trent Williams: The Redskins' most irreplaceable player
Tolly Taylor - Jun 16, 3:02 AM
Williams might not be the player you expected. Maybe you thought it’d be Robert Griffin III, Ryan Kerrigan, Alfred Morris or someone else. Hey, he’s certainly not the flashiest player on the Redskins’ roster. But look closely, and you realize Williams deserves this recognition.
Nicknamed “Silverback,” the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft has lived up to expectations. He’s been voted to three Pro Bowls in a row, despite playing on a shaky offensive line that’s constantly in flux. He’s also been an offensive captain since his second year in the league, which shows his teammates view him as a leader. Perhaps most impressive of all, Williams continues to be equally good in the running game, blocking down field on screen passes and protecting the quarterback during passing plays. Without Williams as a rock on the offensive line, the Redskins never lead the league in rushing in 2012—that’s a fact.
- Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams has missed all offseason team activities so far with an ankle injury, but head coach Jay Gruden believes he'll be ready to go for training camp in late July, reports ESPN.com.
"I wish he would've gotten the work with coach Callahan," Gruden said.
"Trent is a very smart guy and he's been attentive in all the meetings. I just wish he would've got the reps, but it's not really a concern. If that's my only concern going in [to camp], it's very minor so that's good."
- It’s early, but it appears by the [Lions WR] rep chart (not the depth chart) that Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Jeremy Ross, Corey Fuller, Lance Moore and Ryan Broyles have a leg up on the rest of the receivers at this point. Again, it’s June, but those appear to be the top six at this point. We’ll find out in August if anyone else can crack the list and impress coaches.
- Fuller will need to come a long way from his 14-reception performance in 2014 to justify that confidence, especially with a hard-charging Ryan Broyles on his tail. The NCAA's former career leader in receptions has finally been healthy for an entire offseason and has "caught almost everything thrown his way," per Meinke. But the above tweet seems to hint that the coaching staff still doesn't place him above Fuller or Ross.
- Jeremy Ross, Golden Tate, Ameer Abdullah, Ryan Broyles and Lance Moore were all returning punts. Abdullah and Tate both dropped one. Tate was especially mad at himself afterward.
- The Vikings continued the general approach they took Tuesday for reps at the right guard spot with rookie Tyrus Thompson with the ones and classmate Austin Shepherd with the twos.
- Q: How will things change with Adrian Peterson in the backfield this season?
[Vikes HC Mike Zimmer] A: Well, with one of the greatest running backs in the history of the game, it probably should change a lot. I think that people will play us a little bit differently and I think that will help us in a lot of ways. We’re going to continue to do a lot of the things we do offensively, but we’re obviously going to use Adrian in ways that are productive for him, as well.
Q: When you have a workhouse like Adrian Peterson, how do you balance it out with the other running backs on roster?
A: Adrian will get most of it and Jerick will get some reps and (Matt) Asiata will get some reps, every week is different. We’re going continue to play with the best players.
Q: Is it almost a week-to-week basis depending on your opponent?
A: Yeah, I mean everything changes, situations in the game changes things. The game plan going in that week and things like that. Adrian, he is the guy, so he’s going to get the ball and those other two guys are going to have to fight for their reps.
- Why [Panthers RT] Daryl Williams could start: The Panthers liked what the rookie out of Oklahoma offers at right tackle so much that they sent three draft picks to Oakland to move up 22 spots in the fourth round to get him. Williams is huge at 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds. He's a powerful run-blocker, which the Panthers want on the right side to help establish their power running game. He has a nasty streak that the Panthers like. Mike Remmers will enter training camp as the starting right tackle, mainly because the team went 5-1 (including playoffs) when he became the starter at the end of last season. But Remmers is an undrafted rookie who has been with six teams (including Carolina). As well as he played, the Panthers look at Williams more as a long-term solution. The Panthers liked Williams more than Oklahoma left tackle Tyrus Thompson, who wasn't selected until the sixth round. General manager Dave Gettleman has a pretty good eye when it comes to offensive linemen, and he likes what he sees in Williams.
- [Panthers HC Ron] Rivera made it clear he's hoping a defensive end emerges as the full-time starter opposite Charles Johnson.
"We want one guy to take the position and make it his own and just rotate everybody else," Rivera said. "We don't have that (one guy) right now, so for now it's by committee."
The committee includes Frank Alexander, Wes Horton, Mario Addison and Ealy.
Alexander was performing well during organized team activities, but he and Johnson have not practiced during minicamp due to groin injuries. That's given Horton, Addison and Ealy increased reps, but no one has yet to grab hold of that top spot.
Fortunately for the Panthers, it's early, and no one has had the chance to practice in full pads. When that happens in training camp, Rivera will have a better picture of the situation.
"Out here (during OTAs and minicamp) we are not hitting, we're not finishing," Rivera said. "We want to see who is going to finish and who is going to be the finisher."
- [Bucs DT Gerald MCoy] (On who of the undrafted rookies has impressed him)
“Coach (Smith) showed a guy today and it was funny (laughs). He made an incredible catch. Josh Keyes, he made a play on film. Coach was like, ‘Does anyone know who Josh Keyes is? If you know who Josh Keyes is standup.” Guys stood up and we looked around like, ‘Who is Josh Keyes?’ He was like, ‘Hey Josh, stand up.’ He stood up. He’s in the room and no one even knows. Coach’s point was, you have to make plays to be known. He’s been making plays all offseason and nobody really knew, but yesterday he made such a spectacular interception that now every time I see him I’m like, ‘What’s up Josh?’ He’s actually been making plays all offseason.”
(On being a mentor to quarterback Jameis Winston)
“The thing I told him is to just be a rookie. Don’t try and come and turn the franchise around your first year. You are still a rookie. You are still young. You haven’t played a snap in the NFL. Being the first overall pick, a lot comes with that, but you can’t do it overnight. I mentioned Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning still has the rookie record for interceptions, but now he’s Peyton Manning. You just have to be patient and just be a rookie. Let the “rah rah guys” be the “rah rah guys.” That’s me, Clinton McDonald, Lavonte (David) doesn’t do much talking, but he talks with his play. Vincent Jackson, let those guys do that. You just play your role and he has done that. He has done that very well.”
(On the huge expectations of being a top draft pick)
“It’s definitely huge. I can speak from the worst of the worst. Getting hurt the first two years to being labeled a bust to people calling for your head to now people saying, ‘He’s always been good.’ Yeah, right. I can speak from both sides. That’s why I told him to just be a rookie. Enjoy the process. You just have to be patient. You have to be thick-skinned though. It’s the NFL, it’s a man’s game. Not because all these grown men are playing, but you have to react to things like a man. You can’t bring your feelings in the NFL. You are going to get attacked. It’s going to happen. You are the first overall pick. You have to be perfect, otherwise you’re not good enough. That’s how it works. You’ve got to be patient, stay focused and just do things the right way.”
- Again, the Cards have depth at safety. There will be times when Bucannon plays some linebacker in sub-packages and the Cards use Mathieu, Johnson and Tony Jefferson on the field at the same time. Arians has stressed the Cards want the best 11 on the field for each particular play. But a healthy, playmaking Mathieu is going to get a lot of snaps.
- The Seahawks have waived defensive end Ryan Robinson with an injury designation a week after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice. Seattle will likely look to place him on the injured reserve once he clears waivers.
Robinson had been making a little bit of noise of late because he was running with the first-team defensive unit in Seahawks' OTAs. With Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin skipping out on the voluntary activities, Robinson had stepped in and had apparently been impressing coaches. Pete Carroll even mentioned him at the Seahawks' town-hall meeting as a player to watch this year.
With Robinson out for the year, Seattle's defensive end depth takes a bit of a hit. Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark, Demarcus Dobbs, Greg Scruggs, David King, and Obum Gwacham still back up Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. The depth chart there will have to get worked out once the Seahawks take the field in the preseason.
- FB Trey Millard: He sat out his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL sustained during his final season at Oklahoma. He is healthy and took the first-team reps at fullback for most of the offseason when Bruce Miller was tending to a legal issue.
