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Lions giving Stafford more pre-snap freedom

Matthew Stafford is expected to have more freedom to change plays pre-snap under new OC Joe Lombardi.

Lombardi comes from a New Orleans system in which Drew Brees is allowed to improvise freely at the line. Brees earned that right through his play, and new coach Jim Caldwell cautioned Stafford will earn more pre-snap responsibilities the longer he spends in the offense. More freedom at the line could bring more efficiency for Stafford, who has completed more than 60% of his passes only once in his five-year career, and should allow Stafford to put Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in better positions to make plays. It could also allow the Lions' offense to play faster snap to snap. Stafford is a clear-cut QB1 with top-3 upside.

Source: Detroit News

Jun 12 - 11:12 PM

Kelvin Benjamin day to day with bone bruise

Panthers first-round WR Kelvin Benjamin has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee, and is day to day.

According to coach Ron Rivera, there's no structural damage, but Benjamin's knee is "inflamed." The Panthers can breathe a sigh of relief, but Benjamin is still going to miss some all-important practice time as he attempts to get up to speed as the Panthers' de facto No. 1 receiver. He'll be a boom-or-bust option as a rookie. The Panthers' offense will be in dire straits if Benjamin doesn't "boom."

Source: Joseph Person on Twitter

Jul 28 - 3:37 PM

Report: Bills LT Glenn on track for Week 1

The Buffalo News reports Bills LT Cordy Glenn (illness, NFI) is expected to be ready for Week 1.

However, Glenn "isn't expected back soon." The Bills have released vanishingly-few details about Glenn's condition, but the Buffalo News' team source would be "shocked" if he wasn't ready for Week 1. Seventh-rounder Seantrel Henderson has been running with the first team in Glenn's absence.

Source: Buffalo News

Jul 28 - 3:31 PM

Lions tabling Suh extension talks until 2015

The Lions are tabling extension talks with walk-year DT Ndamukong Suh until after the season.

The word comes from team president Tom Lewand, who remains "optimistic" a deal will get done. It's quite a gamble from the Lions, who boast precious little leverage in talks with one of the league's very best players. Thanks to his insane salary-cap number this season, Suh would cost $26.7 million to franchise tag in 2015. That means it's not going to happen, and that Suh will reach the open market if the sides can't hammer out an extension before free agency.

Source: Tim Twentyman on Twitter

Jul 28 - 3:26 PM

Jeremy Hill continues to run ahead of BJGE

Second-round pick Jeremy Hill has continued to run ahead of BenJarvus Green-Ellis in Bengals camp.

Hill was inserted as the power complement to Gio Bernard at OTAs and hasn't looked back. Per ESPN Bengals reporter Coley Harvey, Green-Ellis "doesn't appear poised to emerge from their shadows any time soon" as he runs with the second- and third-stringers. The Law Firm is now thought to be competing with Rex Burkhead for one roster spot. Even if he sticks, it's clear Hill is the bigger, younger, better option. The LSU rookie is a great value at his current ninth-round ADP, as 200 carries and 7-10 touchdowns are well within reach.

Source: ESPN.com

Jul 28 - 12:30 PM

Mike Tolbert still the Panthers' goal-line RB

Coach Ron Rivera hinted that Mike Tolbert will remain the Panthers goal-line back.

Rivera alluded to the goal-line role when discussing the 13 pounds Tolbert lost this offseason. "We don't want him to lose that nose for the goal line that he has. A lot of times he's our fourth-down, go-to guy. He's our crunch-time guy," Rivera said. Tolbert had five rushing TDs on 101 carries last season while DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for three rushing scores on 249 attempts. Add in Cam Newton's goal-line leaping ability, and the scoring upside of Williams and Stewart is capped.

Source: Charlotte Observer

Jul 28 - 12:21 PM

Vikes extend Rudolph for 5 yrs, $36.5 million

Vikings signed TE Kyle Rudolph to a five-year, $36.5 million extension through 2019.

Tight end guru Norv Turner is signing off on Rudolph, who should be Teddy Bridgewater's safety valve for years to come. Rudolph missed half of last season with a fractured foot, but is 100 percent now and dropped 15 pounds in the offseason with an eye on a high-volume role in an offense that has produced career years out of Jay Novacek, Randy McMichael, Jordan Cameron, and Antonio Gates. Still only 24 years old, Rudolph has 15 touchdowns over his last 30 games. He's a mid-range to lower-end TE1 in Dynasty leagues, albeit with upside for more. We see Rudolph as a value pick at his late-eighth-round ADP in re-draft leagues. He's a candidate to lead Minnesota in catches and TDs.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

Jul 27 - 10:20 PM

49ers RB/KR James dislocates left elbow

49ers RB/KR LaMichael James is expected to miss at least a month with a dislocated left elbow.

The once-deep 49ers may have to sign a running back after losing James for all of camp and Kendall Hunter to an ACL tear. Jewel Hampton now looks like a decent bet to make the 53 behind Frank Gore and rookie Carlos Hyde. When healthy, James will return as San Francisco's primary kickoff and punt returner, and No. 3 tailback. Marcus Lattimore (hamstring, knee) still can't practice.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Jul 27 - 7:43 PM

Fins target Shady McCoy role for Lamar Miller

According to the Miami Herald, "there's a hope in Dolphins camp" that Lamar Miller "can play the role of LeSean 'Shady' McCoy" in new OC Bill Lazor's offense.

Lazor spent 2013 on Chip Kelly's staff as Philly led the NFL in rushing and yards per carry (5.1). Miller lacks McCoy's lateral explosiveness, but he is a speed back who's dangerous in space. Earlier in July, Miller met with McCoy to discuss "how to thrive in the system Lazor has brought from Philly to South Florida," and also watched Shady's game tape. Per beat writer Adam Beasley, Miller "has been clearly ahead" of Knowshon Moreno "every step of the way." "He looks good, he looks stronger than he’s ever been," said coach Joe Philbin of Miller, who gained 6-8 pounds of offseason muscle. "I don’t think he’s sacrificed any speed whatsoever." Miller is shaping up as a potential steal at his seventh-round ADP.

Source: Miami Herald

Jul 27 - 7:05 PM

Cassel, Bridgewater splitting 1st-team reps

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports rookie Teddy Bridgewater has already begun splitting first-team reps with Matt Cassel at Vikings camp.

Glazer reports there is "hugeeee optimism" about Bridgewater among team brass, and he's "definitely been more impressive than they expected." Cassel remains the slight favorite to start on Opening Day, but Bridgewater has quickly made it an interesting camp battle. Bridgewater's passing strengths are at the short and intermediate levels. He could be a great fit with Kyle Rudolph.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

Jul 27 - 2:23 PM

Jonathan Stewart expects to miss 2-4 weeks

Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) said he expects to miss 2-4 weeks.

The Panthers initially listed Stewart's timetable at 1-2 weeks. Stewart has avoided active/PUP, but is likely going to miss at least one preseason game. DeAngelo Williams will continue to handle all first-team carries until Stewart returns.

Source: Jonathan Jones on Twitter

Jul 26 - 2:50 PM

Cecil Shorts (hamstring) out 'several weeks'

Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts is expected to miss "several weeks" with a hamstring strain.

The injury forced Shorts from practice on Friday. Injuries have become a bugaboo for Shorts, who missed most of OTAs and all of minicamp with a hamstring injury and has been limited by injuries each of the last two seasons. Shorts should be ready for the start of the season, but it is hard to be confident he will play a full 16 in 2014.

Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter

Jul 26 - 12:43 PM