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Date: Team: Pos:

Steve Smith - WR - Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera observed at OTAs that Steve Smith "looks like he's 25 again."

The coaching staff isn't wild about Smith's penchant for diving for passes at Organized Team Activities, but they don't discourage competitiveness. As the clear-cut No. 1 pass-game option in new OC Mike Shula's offense, expect Smith to turn in a third straight 1,000-plus-yard season despite having turned 34 in May.

Source: Charlotte Observer

May 24 - 2:45 PM

Steve Smith - WR - Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera observed at OTAs that Steve Smith "looks like he's 25 again."

Source: Charlotte Observer

May 24 - 2:45 PM

Derek Newton - T - Texans

Texans RT Derek Newton weighed in at 330 pounds at the outset of OTAs.

To be fair, Newton is recovering from patellar tendon surgery. 330 is still too heavy for a zone-blocking lineman in Houston's scheme, and Newton will have to shed weight before camp if he's to keep his starting job. Newton got pushed around in 2012, particularly in the run game. But it's not more weight that he needs.

Source: Houston Chronicle

May 24 - 2:39 PM

Andre Branch - DL - Jaguars

Jaguars 2012 second-round pick Andre Branch is working as the backup "Leo" to Jason Babin at OTAs.

"Leo" is the primary pass-rushing position in new coach Gus Bradley's defense. It's a weak-side edge rusher who can play in either a two- or three-point stance. Branch was a colossal bust as a rookie, managing one sack across 13 games.

Source: Florida Times Union

May 24 - 2:26 PM

Jeremy Mincey - DL - Jaguars

Jaguars DE Jeremy Mincey attributes his disappointing 2012 production to playing too many snaps and consequently wearing down.

Jacksonville had zero depth. "When you’re playing 80 snaps, no man to man [defense], can’t score any points, that’s what happens," said Mincey, whose sack total fell from eight in 2011 to three. "I think [the new staff] went back and watched the film, and you can’t blame it all on me. I did what I could. I played hard." Mincey may still not return as a starter in 2013.

Source: Florida Times Union

May 24 - 2:23 PM

Dennis Dixon - QB - Eagles

Eagles QB Dennis Dixon is working as a fourth-teamer at OTAs.

Nick Foles and Michael Vick are rotating first-team reps, and rookie Matt Barkley has already leapfrogged Dixon. The Eagles will likely bring four QBs to camp, but won't keep that many on their 53. Dixon is facing an uphill battle.

Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7

May 24 - 2:13 PM

Brent Grimes - DB - Dolphins

Dolphins CB Brent Grimes (Achilles' surgery) is working with the first-team defense at OTAs.

Per the Miami Herald, Grimes is "looking fully recovered," despite getting beat on a deep bomb by Armon Binns. He's manning left corner with Richard Marshall stationed on the right. Rookie Jamar Taylor will compete for nickel duties once he's recovered from sports hernia surgery. The Dolphins will have more talent in their secondary this year, but the group is littered with question marks.

Source: Miami Herald

May 24 - 2:07 PM

Nick Perry - LB - Packers

Packers OLB Nick Perry (wrist) has been fully cleared.

The 2012 first-rounder has been running opposite Clay Matthews in OTAs. Perry is blaming his lost rookie season on his wrist injury. "We strike and we do everything with our hands," Perry said. "Without hands you don’t have any grip to keep force and do all the things you’re supposed to do with both hands. Makes you a little handicapped out there." Perry also says he's lost a little weight after playing at 265 last season. "I want to feel more comfortable where I’m at."

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

May 24 - 2:05 PM

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

Redskins RB Roy Helu (Achilles', toe) is sitting out OTAs.

He's doing rehab work on the side. Helu is in danger of losing his roster spot just two years after being a fourth-round pick. As a rookie, he rushed for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games late in the season. Ever since, Helu has been unable to say healthy, and Alfred Morris has seized the starting job.

Source: Washington Post

May 24 - 1:57 PM

Adam Carriker - DL - Redskins

Redskins DE Adam Carriker is unable to practice at OTAs due to continued recovery from last year's torn quadriceps muscle.

Carriker suffered the injury in Week 2, then encountered an offseason setback. His status for training camp is uncertain. With Stephen Bowen entrenched as the Redskins' right end, Jarvis Jenkins has the early leg up to start on the left side. Carriker figures to be the swing end if he's healthy for Week 1.

Source: Washington Post

May 24 - 1:55 PM

Mike Gillislee - RB - Dolphins

The Miami Herald "(keeps) hearing" rookie RB Mike Gillislee's name from Dolphins sources.

Per reporter Armando Salguero, there is great "internal excitement" about the No. 164 pick. A "longtime NFC scout" told the Herald earlier this month that Gillislee has the look of a career backup, but that's still more than can be said for Daniel Thomas. "Internal excitement" for Gillislee or not, Lamar Miller is the heavy favorite for feature-back duties in South Beach.

Source: Miami Herald

May 24 - 1:44 PM

Aaron Dobson - WR - Patriots

NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Patriots second-round pick Aaron Dobson is similar to Larry Fitzgerald in terms of size and hands.

Dobson didn't drop a single pass as a senior at Marshall. "This is going to sound crazy, but I thought that his size/hand combination, at times, reminded me of Larry Fitzgerald," Cosell said. "He’s not Larry Fitzgerald, obviously, but he’s a big kid who can move very well with really good hands. ... Overall an excellent combination of size, fluid movement and hands."

Source: Boston Globe

May 24 - 1:43 PM

Garrett Gilkey - T - Browns

Browns signed seventh-round T/G Garrett Gilkey to a four-year contract.

A 34-game starter at Chadron State, Gilkey is short armed with some athleticism and projects as a potential let guard in time. He's got a long way to go, though, and it would be stretching to expect him to make the 53 as a rookie.

May 24 - 1:17 PM

London Fletcher - LB - Redskins

Redskins ILB London Fletcher admits he never seriously considered retirement.

"I’m still playing at a high level, the team still wanted me to play," he said. "So, a lot of those things come into play." Despite Fletcher's assertion, his play has slipped in recent seasons. The Skins seem to value his leadership above all else. There's a good chance 2013 will be the 38-year-old's final season.

Source: Washington Post

May 24 - 1:12 PM

Josh Boyce - WR - Patriots

Patriots signed fourth-round WR Josh Boyce to a four-year contract.

A vertical stretcher who averaged 15.7 YPR on 161 career catches at TCU, Boyce blazed a 4.38 forty at the Combine despite fracturing a bone in his foot. He's been a full participant in OTAs. Boyce projects as a sub-package receiver in the NFL, testing defenses down the field. We don't expect big rookie stats.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 24 - 1:06 PM