February 2013 4for4 Player News Articles

The most newsworthy of the Cowboys' restructured deals was that of wide receiver Miles Austin, who ensured his roster spot by converting his base salary to a bonus that saves $3 million in cap room.

Jermichael Finley told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Wednesday that he wouldn't be willing to accept a pay cut in order to stay with the Green Bay Packers.

The tight end is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 27 and there were rumblings during last season that the team was preparing to cut ties with him. If the Packers trade or release Finley, they would save $8.25 million.

"I'd have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn't take a pay cut," he told ESPN. "Maybe I'd restructure if it's a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I'm not the guy that's just going to sign anything and let anything pass. I'm not that guy."

The Chiefs have no accomplished wide receiver other than Dwayne Bowe, their top pass catcher in each of the past four seasons. That makes it likely the Chiefs would retain Bowe either with a long-term contract or by making him the franchise player for the second straight season.

Patriots WR Brandon Lloyd is widely assumed to be on his way out of town because the team is unlikely to pick up a $3 million option bonus it appears must be exercised by March 31. As of yesterday, agent Tom Condon hasn’t had any communication with the Patriots about Lloyd. And more damning is that, according to associates of Lloyd, he has had no communication with the man who strongly advocated bringing him to New England, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

What is most damning though is that the cost to retain Lloyd, at a time when every veteran Pats receiver besides Matthew Slater is slated to become a free agent, is minimal.

Titans HC Mike Munchak told Pro Football Talk that he wants to add a "downhill" to the backfield to take some of the load off of RB Chris Johnson. He said that Johnson would still "get as many touches, but would maybe do it in different ways," like catching the ball out of the backfield on dump-offs and screens.

Johnson has only scored 10 rushing TDs in the last two seasons, so don't expect a drop in short-yardage touches to drastically impact his fantasy value. If anything, his value is enhanced in PPR formats if the Titans follow through on their intention to involve him more heavily in the passing game.

The Chiefs have completed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Alex Smith, FOXSports.com has learned. Multiple reports cite that the 49ers will receive a second-round pick in the 2013 draft, which will be the second selection (No. 34 overall) in the round, and another conditional mid-round pick in 2014.

While the compensation is unclear, the Chiefs have made a significant commitment to Smith as their franchise quarterback.

The trade, which can't officially be made until March 12 when the new league year begins, is the first domino to fall in what is expected to be a very active NFL offseason market.

While this is a steep price to pay for a mediocre QB, it should be an upgrade for the Kansas City offense.

NFL.com's Steve Wyche asked Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Tuesday if WR Mike Wallace is a target in free agency.

"You're warm, but you know, what's going to be interesting is how things unfold once we get to March 12," Rivera said on "NFL AM" from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "There's a lot of things that are out there that we have to really take into consideration. You know, we'll see how things are going to affect us when we get to the 12th."

The Lions' interest in Reggie Bush is real.

Who knows what happens with Bush at the end of the day, but plenty of NFL people at the combine believe the Lions will make Bush a primary target in free agency.

It might take $5 million or so a year to land the speedy running back, and Bush's desired destination isn't known. But the Lions' M.O. in recent years has been to try to surround Matthew Stafford with as much talent as possible (drafting Jahvid Best, Titus Young, Mikel Leshoure, Riley Reiff and Ryan Broyles, etc.), and that's not about to change.

Redskins tight end Fred Davis was cleared Tuesday to ramp up his physical activity and resume running as he continues to work his way back from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

That person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel, expects the fifth-year pro to be completely healthy by the time the team begins organized team activities in May.

Odds are against Brandon Lloyd’s $3 million option bonus being picked up. There is still a lot of internal debate about what to do considering the Patriots literally couldn’t line up tomorrow at receiver. Lloyd’s erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome, according to a league and team source. If they cut Lloyd, that would save the Patriots $4.9 million against the cap this season, though there will be $2 million in dead money that can be spread out over two years. The team was smart to build in protection with Lloyd.

Rams running back Steven Jackson will void the final year of his contract March 12, league sources told the Post-Dispatch on Monday. That means Jackson, the Rams’ career rushing leader, will test the free-agent market.

It’s not a surprising development because all indications have pointed this way over the past several weeks. The Rams simply can’t afford to pay $7 million to a running back who turns 30 this coming summer, which is what Jackson was scheduled to make in 2013. In addition, the move saves the Rams the potential PR backlash of having to release Jackson.

For Jackson, he gets a chance to test the market for the first time in his career. Jackson’s heart may still be in St. Louis, where he has played his entire NFL career since being drafted in 2004. He still could end up with the Rams, but they must now compete for his services with the rest of the NFL.

It’s uncertain what the market will be for Jackson. But more than anything, Jackson wants to play for not only a playoff contender but a Super Bowl contender if possible. He has not played in a postseason game since his rookie season with the Rams.

One of the most likely suitors is Atlanta, which according to reports plans to release veteran back Michael Turner.

Jackson is still a solid fantasy RB2 if he lands in a good situation like Atlanta (or Green Bay).

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski underwent surgery last week for an infection in same forearm he re-broke against Houston.

Tom Brady took a huge step today to ensure he'll retire a Patriot, agreeing to a three-year contract extension that will keep him under center for New England through the 2017 season, when he will be 40 years old.

For the second time in his illustrious career, Brady is doing something players in this day and age simply do not do: As he did in 2005, Brady, a league source told SI.com, is signing a contract with New England that will pay him significantly less money than the market will bear, in large part to help the Patriots stay competitive for the next five seasons.

Amazingly, according to the source, the deal is for an eye-poppingly conservative $27 million, which is less than half his worth by any measure.

The Cowboys have not had to worry about WR Dez Bryant during the season, but his issues – major and minor – have all come in the offseason since joining the team in 2010.

However, knowing that nothing is guaranteed, owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he believes the off-field troubles, ranging from an arrest following an argument with his mother to a number of suits related to unpaid loans, are part of Bryant’s past.

“Dez is in a better place relative to anything that the Cowboys are interested in, which is most everything about him,” Jones said. “He’s in a better place and that’s a positive. ... He’s not around the kind of atmosphere or doesn’t have the kind of risks that are involved in his life on or off the field that he had seven, eight months ago.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters Dallas has no plans to release WR Miles Austin but indicated his contract could be renegotiated.

On Friday, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he didn't expect WR Mario Manningham, who suffered an ACL tear in late December, to be ready for the start of training camp. Kyle Williams also had a late-season ACL tear, and Randy Moss and Ted Ginn are unsigned.

It is universally understood that Lamar Miller will be given every opportunity to become the Dolphins' starting RB in 2013.

Robert Griffin III's ongoing recovery from knee surgery points to a possible disconnect between the star quarterback and the Washington Redskins.

Recent reports that Griffin is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, an Adidas advertising campaign indicating he will be back for the season opener and a couple of Twitter posts from him have combined to portray a somewhat conflicting picture of how he's progressing a little more than a month after having reconstructive surgery on his right knee. Griffin had both the anterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament repaired on Jan. 9.

As one person close to Griffin said Friday: "I don't understand why we're talking about how close he is to playing or not right now. Let him just get better; there's a long way to go."

The feeling from some of those close to Griffin is that both the team – which took great criticism for allowing Griffin to play through injury in the playoffs against Seattle – and others around Griffin will put undue pressure on him to return too quickly and risk reinjuring the knee.

Packers GM Ted Thompson and vice president Russ Ball are giving consideration to using the franchise-player tag on wide receiver Greg Jennings, which was reported Sunday by NFL.com.

The Journal Sentinel also learned that the Packers remain torn about the future of polarizing tight end Jermichael Finley.

Sources indicated that Thompson and the coaching staff appear to favor keeping Finley, while other people within the organization, including members of the personnel department, favor his release.

The decisions on Jennings and Finley are being played out against the backdrop of the Packers' desire to extend the contracts of linebacker Clay Matthews and quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the next few months.

The San Francisco 49ers are involved in talks to trade quarterback Alex Smith and believe they're going to be able to make a deal, league sources say.

The earliest San Francisco can complete a trade of Smith is on March 12 after 4 p.m. ET, which is when the 2013 league year officially begins.

San Francisco has found a legitimate amount of interest, according to sources. The Kansas City Chiefs are interested and the Arizona Cardinals also are thought to be.

There is no deal in place right now, sources said.

The Panthers want to keep their highly-paid, backfield tandem intact.

Despite being about $10 million over the projected $122 million salary cap, the Panthers hope to keep both running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
Williams, 29, is due to make $5 million this year and a has a cap figure of $8.2 million.

The team believes it can retain Williams at his current numbers. But a restructuring is possible depending on the team's other moves prior to the March 12 start of the league year, the source said.

This is bad news for the fantasy community, as a potential Williams departure might free up both Williams and Stewart as possible fantasy RB2s. But if they are both in Carolina to start the 2013 season, it will be difficult to draft either player before the 5th round.

Listening to HC Mike McCarthy speak Friday afternoon at the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s almost impossible to imagine the Packers releasing Finley in an effort to save themselves from the $8.25 million they owe him in 2013. Finley is due a $3 million roster bonus next month, and while general manager Ted Thompson was typically coy – “I expect all of our guys to be on the team,” the GM said when asked about Finley – McCarthy spoke as if it’s a no-brainer that Finley will return.

“I thought Jermichael had probably the tale of two seasons,” McCarthy said, echoing his comments from immediately after the season ended. “I thought in the first half, he was kind of up and down, fought through the shoulder injury -- particularly played in the Houston game, which I didn’t think he had any chance to play in that game. Really in the second half, I thought things started clicking and he looked like his old self. I was very pleased with the way he finished the year.”

Finley caught a franchise tight end-record 61 passes and didn’t drop a single pass over the final six games (including playoffs) after dropping nine passes in his first 12.

Finley seems to have a tantalizing skill set, but drops have been a serious problem throughout his career and he tends to put the blame on some mysterious lack of chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. But over the last seven games, Finley averaged 4.6-57-.14, which equate to TE10 numbers over the course of a full season. HC Mike McCarthy said that Finley was a "different man" after the team's Week 10 bye, so Finley's strong finish may translate to 2013.

Jaguars WR Laurent Robinson (concussion) has been cleared per GM David Caldwell.

Given the mixed messages hovering around Robert Griffin III's recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, his progress will undoubtedly be one of the offseason's most closely monitored stories.

Here's the latest update from his famous physician.

"We have him well on his way," James Andrews told NFL Network on Friday.

"His recovery is way ahead of schedule so far. We don't have to do much but try to hold him back if you want to know the truth. Our whole mode for him though is to do what is best for his career, not necessarily what is best for the first game next season. So all of that has to be put on hold and let him get well."

It's early, but this is good news from Dr. Andrews. If Griffin is on track to play in Week 1, he'll only add to the incredible depth at QB in 2013.

Rams GM Les Snead says WR Brian Quick made big plays during the year, expects more from him in year two. Knew the transition (from a small college) would be an issue.

Snead went on to compare Quick to Vincent Jackson (out of Northern Colorado), who only caught three passes in his rookie season.

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks had a scope on the left knee he injured in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. Nicks suggested he may have suffered the injury, in part, because he was compensating for pain in the right foot he fractured last spring. Nicks missed three games with the foot and knee injuries, but was considerably slowed by both for the balance of the season.

Scopes (a.k.a. arthroscopic surgery) are relatively minor procedures when compared to full ligament tears. Recovery is about a month, so Nicks' summer shouldn't be much different than usual.

Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno has had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee since the end of the season. Broncos coach John Fox confirmed the surgery when asked Thursday morning at the NFL’s scouting combine.

Moreno underwent a treatment to insert stem cells harvested from bone marrow in his pelvis into his right knee. It is the same knee Moreno tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to end his 2011 season.

Moreno would be an interesting draft pick this summer if not for the injury. Willis McGahee may return and the team wants to use Ronnie Hillman more in 2013. This is shaping up to be a murky RBBC.

“[Ryan Williams] has to stay healthy,” Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said. “I actually ran the (Virginia Tech) Pro Day there when all those guys came out and he was a fantastic athlete. He has to get healthy and we’ll see how he fits. But as a running back, he’s got what it takes.”

GM Steve Keim said he has seen Williams rehabbing and sounded optimistic about what the Cards could have.

“He’s a guy that, watching film with Bruce, because he got injured early in the season, you forgot the type of run skills Ryan had,” Keim said. “We watched him against Philadelphia, we watched him against New England, his lateral quickness, his natural run skills, his avoidability is something he brings to the table. Plus he’s a three-down back. We’re expecting big things out of Ryan moving forward.”

Chargers HC Mike McCoy says Vincent Brown is a "great route runner" and "very discliplined" at what he does. Has high hopes for the third-year WR.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano made waves after the season when he suggested QB Josh Freeman would face competition under center next season. Asked at the time if he was "all-in" on Freeman, Schiano simply said, "I'm not side-stepping you, but I need to evaluate."

Two months later -- and with the game film reviewed -- Schiano was more definitive.

"Josh Freeman is our quarterback," Schiano told reporters Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "And I believe that Josh Freeman -- with Josh Freeman -- we'll be able to accomplish our goals."

Through Week 14, Freeman was averaging 1.9 touchdowns and just 0.6 interceptions, but he finished the season on a very sour note, throwing nine picks and only two TDs in his final three games. It's not like the closing schedule (NO, STL, ATL) was super difficult, either. It doesn't sound as if Schiano is worried about the disappointing finish.

Chargers HC Mike McCoy is keeping options open for what exactly his offense will look like in 2013, such as the frequency with which zone blocking will be used. Last month, he hired offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, who featured the blocking style in Buffalo.

McCoy was known in Denver for adjusting his scheme to fit his players.

He made clear that hasn't changed, calling personnel adjustment the "number one thing we have to do as coaches" when recently discussing his new staff.

"We all have a very strong opinion on what we need to do here and how we should do things," McCoy said. "But we're going to analyze through minicamps, OTAs and training camp. We'll figure out what our players do best, and then we'll define what kind of system we're going to have come the opener."

This would most immediately impact Ryan Mathews, who was not particularly good (3.8 YPC) in a power scheme in 2012.

Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who missed the last six games with a stress fracture in his left foot, says he's back running routes after being cleared in early February.

"It's great. It feels good. I've been working out and running," Sanu said this week during an interview about his experience at least year's NFL Scouting Combine. "I've been running routes for a while and it feels good."

Sanu caught four TDs in the three games before his injury and appeared to be locked in as the Bengals' WR2 opposite A.J. Green. He'll be a sleeper in 2013 coming off the foot injury.

Just in case anyone wasn’t sure about new coach Bruce Arians wanting to get the ball downfield if possible in the running game, Arians makes it pretty clear what he wants to see in his running backs.

He wants someone who can run, of course. And block. Beyond that? Let’s just say that fantasy football players in points-per-reception leagues aren’t going to look at the Cardinals first.

“They are back there because they are runners and pass protectors,” Arians said. “Will we throw to the backs? Yeah. But the receivers are the ones paid to catch it. (Running backs) are helping but it’s doubtful our running back leads the team in receiving.”

The Kansas City Chiefs released WR Steve Breaston and TE Kevin Boss.

Packers WR James Jones is looking forward to more targets in 2013.

"It's exciting because it means more opportunities," Jones said. "As long as we can stay healthy, it means more opportunities for me, [Randall Cobb] and [Jordy Nelson]. When you lose playmakers like [Donald Driver] and if [Greg Jennings] doesn't sign back, that's two less guys we gotta give the ball to which means you're going to get a lot more action."

Could Jones register 100 catches in 2013?

"I think a 100-catch receiver is gone out of our offense just because Aaron (Rodgers) spreads the ball around so much," he said. "If anybody had a shot to get 100 catches, I'd probably say Randall because he's in the slot and he'll probably get a lot more targets.

"I can see me, Jordy and Randall getting about 80 catches a piece. I can see us all having over 1,000 yards."

Jones's ADP is going to be interesting to watch heading into 2013 drafts. He turns 29 in March, so he's still in his prime. He has finished in the top 5 in FP/target in each of the last two seasons and his TD rate (% of catches resulting in a TD) actually increased from 18.4% (3rd in league) in 2011 to 21.9% (1st) in 2012. Drops are no longer an issue and he's clearly a red zone favorite of Aaron Rodgers. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson will hold more value on draft day, but we would not be at all surprised if Jones led the Packer WRs in fantasy points again in 2013.

The only player that seems like the logical option that the Redskins would consider franchising would be tight end Fred Davis. But as of Tuesday, there was no indication of Washington’s intentions to tag Davis a second consecutive offseason.

Davis ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon and was lost for the final nine games of the season. He is ahead of schedule in his recovery, one source said, but Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen indicated last week that the team wouldn’t make a decision on Davis until later in the spring.

The Broncos have big plans for RB Ronnie Hillman because he's a young player who consistently showed explosiveness in his career at San Diego State. However, he also arrived in the NFL after just two years of college football.

He turned just 21 during his rookie season. Overall, Hillman has enormous big-play potential, but he needs another offseason in an NFL strength program. He also needs to accept what every young running back in the NFL needs to accept: that the time you had to look for an opening in college is no longer there.

Hillman needs to attack the line of scrimmage and understand where the hole is. And if he can get through the initial crease, he has the potential to do big things.

Hillman, at this point, should be the Broncos' back in their three-wide set. He was pushed into early-down work against the Ravens because McGahee was on injured reserve and Moreno had left the game with a knee injury.

Overall, Hillman played 18 percent of the team's offensive snaps this past season. That total should go up if he can show more decisiveness in his running in the team's offseason work and he can continue to put in the time in pass protection.

As Duce Staley transitions into his new role as the running backs coach under head coach Chip Kelly, one thing is for certain - the Eagles running backs should prepare to get the ball a lot.

"They should be licking their chops," Staley said.

In 2012, Oregon ranked fourth in the nation in total rushing yards (4,098), first in yards per carry (5.97), tied for first in rushing touchdowns (48) and third in rushing yards per game (315.2). Individually, three rushers gained over 700 yards on the ground. Running back Kenjon Barner was fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game (135.9).

And it's not as if the cupboard is bare when it comes to the talent at running back for the Eagles starting with All-Pro LeSean McCoy.

"He can be the best to play the game," Staley said.

In 2011, McCoy earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod as he gained 1,309 yards on the ground and scored a franchise record 20 total touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns. Last season, Bryce Brown notched the two highest single-game rushing totals by a rookie in franchise history.

The Jets will try to shop QB Tim Tebow at this week's scouting combine. The first day they can trade him is March 12, so they might keep him until then with the hope that they can swing a deal. Chances are, no one will bite, so they'll end up releasing him.

Steelers WR Antonio Brown said on SportsCenter today that Pittsburgh’s locker room was fractured in the 2012 season, in a way he hadn’t seen previously since being drafted by the Steelers in 2010.

“It was definitely different — guys weren’t really together,” Brown said.

Brown said Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was among the veterans who spoke out and tried to explain to the team that selfish behavior wouldn’t be tolerated. But that talk was apparently not enough.

“That’s when you know you’ve got issues and you’ve got to come together as a team. Because the reality of a team game is everyone on the same page, committed to the same thing, dedicated for one goal, and that’s winning,” Brown said.

Although he didn’t name any names, Brown said he thought he had teammates last year who cared more about their individual goals than about the team’s record. And he described going 8-8 as “a bitter taste” that he hopes will motivate all of his teammates to act differently in 2013.

This is a solid class of free agents in free agency, so it will be intriguing to see what TE Brandon Myers can fetch on the open market. He is one of Oakland’s priority free agents and the Raiders will likely try to keep him. Oakland doesn’t have any other proven tight ends and with a roster that is lacking in overall talent and has other needs, keeping Myers may be paramount.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Myers is a fit for Oakland’s new offense under coordinator Greg Olson, and that Myers simply wasn’t just a beneficiary of Greg Knapp’s West Coast offense.

“Myers certainly understands when to sit it down versus zone coverage and runs sharp enough routes to get open versus man as well,” Williamson said. “Oakland’s receivers have a lot of talent, but are just so erratic and inconsistent with their routes and responsibilities ... which makes Myers alluring for this passing game. Oakland should bring him back if possible.”

It seems unlikely that the Vikings, considering WR Percy Harvin's unreliability, will give him the kind of contract he's seeking. And if other teams try to lowball the Vikings in a trade, and the Vikings therefore are forced the keep him, it wouldn't be surprising if the enigmatic 24-year-old simply holds out most of next season.

Harvin, who is under contract for $2.9 million next season, could play out his five-year deal by agreeing to play in just the last six games after sitting out the first 10. The NFL requires that players be on a team for at least six games in a season to get credit for that year.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III had this to say about his recovery from injury (on Twitter): "Feel like I need to say this..Although my goal is to start Week 1, that doesn't mean I will compromise my career to do so."

The writing is on the wall. Although he's targeting Week 1, it's only February and he's also preparing his fans for a longer recovery.

Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon won’t need surgery to repair a plantar plate in his right foot, barring a setback, according to a league source. Garcon did not know after the season whether or not he’d need surgery, but the second toe on his right foot is healing and more rest is the prescription, the source said.

If the foot had been that bad, Garcon likely would have needed surgery during the season or shortly after it ended. But the Redskins and Garcon wanted to see how his foot and toe progressed in the offseason to see if surgery would be needed. Coach Mike Shanahan had said Garcon likely would see specialists in the offseason to determine the course of action. Garcon hasn’t been running on it, so the foot has finally had an extended period of rest to let it heal. The source said Garcon should be “100 percent” by next year.

Garcon had the #27 PPG average among WRs even though he struggled with a foot injury throughout the year. Not counting his abbreviated return in Week 4 and Week 5 (4-44 combined) or his first game "back" in Week 11, Garcon posted 5.1-66-0.5 in eight other games (including the playoffs). That equates to #19 WR numbers. One word of caution -- if Robert Griffin III isn't ready to start the season, it's going to limit Garcon's upside.

Tight end Jared Cook is the most likely player to be tagged, since the Titans don’t want to lose him, and reaching a long-term deal with him any time soon isn’t expected.

The franchise tag for tight ends is expected to be roughly $5.967 million.

Cook, who has 1,717 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches over the past four seasons, is currently rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He’s expected to be ready for minicamps in June, however.

The Rams and WR Danny Amendola are far apart in terms of what it will take to re-sign him. And re-signing Brandon Gibson doesn’t appear likely because the Rams need to use their limited salary cap resources on other players. If both Amendola and Gibson leave, the Rams will have only three wideouts under contract that played for them last season: Austin Pettis, Chris Givens and Brian Quick.

“Not a concern whatsoever,” HC Jeff Fisher said. “There’s options out there. The free-agent market, there’s options out there, and it’s a great draft for a receiver this year.”

When asked if the Rams wanted Amendola back, Fisher replied: “Oh yes, we’ve got a number of unrestricted free agents on our roster that we want back, and Danny would be one of them."

The Indianapolis Colts will not renew wide receiver Austin Collie's contract, the Colts announced Saturday.

"Austin was a warrior and an inspiration for the franchise and Colts fans around the world,” said Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay. “He was a great player for us and a superstar for our community, and will always be a part of the Colts family."

The most logical landing spot for Collie would be to join Peyton Manning in Denver, possibly replacing Brandon Stokley as the Broncos' slot receiver. Collie averaged 6.4 catches for 72 yards and 0.88 TDs in nine games with Manning during the 2010 season.

Just nine days after being claimed on waivers from the Lions, the Rams released WR Titus Young.

"We will be waiving Titus today — this afternoon — so he will no longer be on the roster," coach Jeff Fisher said at a regularly-scheduled news conference. "His agent has been contacted that we’re gonna release him today."

Young had been at Rams Park much of this week — meeting team coaches and officials, taking a physical, etc. Apparently, that was enough for the Rams to decide it wasn’t going to work.

Fisher called it an "extended" interview. And by claiming Young instead of possibly competing with other teams for Young had he cleared waivers, Fisher said it allowed the Rams to have Young's undivided attention.

"We just felt like he was not the best option for us at that position," Fisher said. "We went into detail. We felt like we’ve got a good young group, and we feel like perhaps Titus is better suited for another organization."

The Green Bay Packers will release 2009's Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported.

"They're getting ready to release him. It's part of the business," agent Carl Poston said. "I just talked to him. He sounds like he has a lot of football left.

"He'd like to go play for a contender, win another Super Bowl."

Woodson was due $9 million in 2013 and would count $10 million against the cap. He's just not worth that any longer.

Woodson moved to safety last season as his cover skills declined. The Packers went with the cornerback trio of Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and rookie Casey Hayward. They have young talent in safeties Morgan Burnett, M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian.

The Rams announced Friday that Tim Walton has been hired to lead Jeff Fisher's defense in 2013. Walton replaces a phantom version Gregg Williams, who was hired but never coached a down after being suspended for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty program.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to add Coach Walton to our staff," Fisher said in a statement released by the team. "Tim is a talented coach and he's spent the last four years working in our system. He will be a huge asset to our staff and we are all looking forward to working with him."

Prior to joining the Rams, Walton coached the secondary of the Detroit Lions. His candidacy was no doubt helped by Fisher's close ties with Lions coach Jim Schwartz, who was Fisher's longtime defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

The truth sometimes hurts and Andre Brown admitted he was “sad’’ to learn he would no longer share the offensive backfield with Ahmad Bradshaw. It did not take long for that reality to set in and for Brown to set his sights on the No. 1 running back job.

“Oh yes, I’m going to prepare to be a starter,’’ Brown said. “That’s the dream job right there, to go out there and start and play for the New York Giants. I would love to do that. I’m going to put as much work as I need to put in to prepare for that role, if it happens to be me, put that faith in them that they can rely on me.’’

The Giants do not release key players without some tangible plan and, with Bradshaw purged from the roster, Brown and David Wilson are the obvious replacement parts. The two are completely disparate in their running styles; Wilson is a blur, Brown is a load.

Yet their totals from last season were similar. Brown had 73 rushing attempts, 385 yards (5.3-yard average) and a team-high eight rushing touchdowns. Wilson had 71 rushing attempts, 358 yards (5.0-yard average) and four TDs. Wilson as a first-round draft pick is a starter in waiting, but Brown was ahead of him on the depth chart before he broke his left fibula Nov. 25 in a rout of the Packers.

Redskins tight end Fred Davis appears headed for unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 12.

He is less than four months removed from surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon, and the recovery from such a procedure usually requires six to eight months. It seemingly would benefit Davis and the Redskins, then, to wait to commit to any contract.

Ian Rapoport reported Thursday night on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" that the Kansas City Chiefs are actively pursuing a new contract with WR Dwayne Bowe, according to sources close to the situation. Bowe's representatives have met with the Chiefs, and Rapoport expects conversations to continue in the coming weeks.

This is a bit of a surprise, but perhaps it shouldn't be. This is a brand new Chiefs regime that clearly could view Bowe in a different light than former general manager Scott Pioli, who didn't appear willing to give Bowe the long-term deal that he wanted. Rapoport reports that Andy Reid was very high on Bowe coming out of LSU.

The Rams have consistently said that they want RB Steven Jackson back in 2013. But his scheduled base salary of $7 million in 2013 (if he doesn’t void) would be tough to take for the cap-strapped Rams. They are currently a couple of million dollars over the projected salary cap ceiling for 2013. The most likely scenario is that Jackson voids the contract, tests the market, but the Rams continue to negotiate with him for a lower number than $7 million.

Jackson turns 30 this summer so teams will be careful about offering him a lucrative, long-term deal.

Giants WR Rueben Randle did finish his rookie year well, including a four-catch, two-touchdown performance in the season-ending victory over Philadelphia. He caught 19 passes in 16 games – 10 of them in 2 games (6 vs. Cleveland and 4 vs. Philadelphia). Clearly, he needs to provide more consistent production. But the Giants believe he will do that as an NFL sophomore. Right now, Randle is the heavy favorite to be the Giants’ third wideout in 2013, with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz as the starters. Assuming his stays healthy, I would be very surprised if Randle didn’t at least double his number of reception next season.

From DuJuan Harris's very first carry – an 11-yard run against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 9, on which he ran over safety Ricardo Silva – in a Packers’ uniform on Dec. 9 after a practice-squad call-up, he played bigger than his height. He finished the regular season with 34 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns, a 4.6-yard average that was the best of the Packers’ cadre of running backs. In the playoffs, when he was designated as the team’s lead back, he carried 28 times for 100 yards and two TDs. Whether or not he can serve as an every-down back, however, is up for debate. Running backs coach Alex Van Pelt did not rule out the possibility, however, while also suggesting that it’s not in the Packers’ plans to have one running back carry the load.

“I don’t see why he couldn’t. Do we need him to be one? I don’t think we do,” Van Pelt said. “It would be tough for him to see a body of work for the season, if he wore down later in the season. But he was great for us when we had him. He was fresh and was quite the change-up from what we have in the room. But would we need him for every down? I don’t think we would. If we had a [Cedric Benson] back, [James Starks] and DuJuan, I think you would have to give everybody some touches.”

With fellow receiver Mike Wallace about to enter free agency, Antonio Brown knows that he could be called upon to carry more of the load for the Steelers going into the 2013 season. He feels ready for whatever comes his way, and knows every extra bit of work he puts in this offseason will help to ensure that.

“I am always ready,” said Brown. “I am ready no matter who is here, no matter who goes. I am always working on getting better. I will be ready no matter what the situation is. Whoever stays in the room, we just have to know the importance of working hard and with the right attitude. We haven’t really won anything, we haven’t done anything, so we have to take the poor man approach that we don’t have anything and we are hungry to get everything and appreciate what we have. We have to work with that mentality and if we do that we will make less mistakes and mental errors and win more.”

New Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is about to begin working with Andrew Luck for the second time, having previously served as the offensive coordinator at Stanford during Luck’s final season there. But when Hamilton talked to reporters today about his plans for the Colts’ offense, he talked about a lot more than just using Luck as a pocket passer.

“We’ll do a great job of mixing in some power runs, mixing in the downfield passing game, maybe even mixing in some wildcat plays, mix in some read-option, pistol-type schemes. Just really try and present once again a lot of conflicts for our opponents,” Hamilton said, in comments distributed by the Colts’ PR staff.

Luck, who ran 62 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns last season, has the athletic talent to get outside the pocket and make plays with his feet, and Hamilton obviously knows that. But Hamilton also knows he doesn’t want Luck taking too many hits, which is why Hamilton also made a point of talking about the importance of the offensive line.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has fully recovered from the sprained left AC shoulder joint he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on Jan. 20.

After the game, Falcons coach Mike Smith said that Ryan’s recovery was expected to be three to four weeks and that Ryan would have played had the Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XLVII. No surgery was required.

“He’s started working out in the weight room,” Smith said on Wednesday. “He’s moved from the rehab part of it to working in the weight room, which is a good thing.”

Wide receiver Greg Jennings knows that his time in Green Bay is very likely coming to an end. He confirmed to NFL Network's Lindsay Rhodes that he put his house for sale recently, and he's ready for anything to happen in free agency.

That includes a reunion with Dolphins HC Joe Philbin in Miami.

"I wouldn't mind that at all," Jennings said. "The weather's definitely nice. They have an up and coming quarterback."

Jennings, like most NFL players, isn't going to rule out any options. He was asked if joining the rival Minnesota Vikings would be distasteful.

"It's one of those situations ... it's a business," Jennings said. And later: "All other 31 teams are an option."

The Panthers would take an immediate $7 million cap hit if they released Jonathan Stewart, who is scheduled to count $3.015 million against the 2013 cap. That’s largely because Stewart’s base salary is guaranteed for each of the next three seasons and only one year of his pro-rated money has been eaten up.

Releasing DeAngelo Williams, whose contract runs through 2015, might be the more practical way to go. Williams is carrying an $8.2 million cap figure for 2013. If the Panthers release him and designate him as a June 1 cut (and spread his hit out over this year and next) they immediately would clear $3.4 million in cap space for 2013.

DeAngelo Williams is a player we're watching closely this offseason. He finished with the 5th-highest FP/touch among RBs with at least 150 touches on the season. If Williams is out of the way, Stewart will likely go in the 4th or 5th round of fantasy drafts with Mike Tolbert vulturing goal line carries. The 29-year-old Williams could land elsewhere and be productive. He has a career 4.9 YPC and made some big plays in the passing game in 2012.

An area Marcel Reece was underutilized last season was as a third down, short yardage back. Greg Knapp miscast Darren McFadden in that role and the offense stalled constantly because of it. That is a role Reece should be playing and new OC Greg Olson intends to use him that way.

"It's nice to know especially from a quarterback standpoint to have somebody who is built like he's built and is also intelligent enough to be that third-down back who understands the blitz packages that other teams are doing and to have tremendous hands coming out of the backfield. I was really pleasantly surprised in that part of the game that he could go in and be a third-down back. Not just a plug-in type guy but not only did he do it but he did it well. I was excited to see that."

This obviously will impact McFadden's involvement in the passing game. We're expecting a better year from DMC due to the Raiders moving back to a power running game, but it sounds as if he won't be used as much on third down.

By definition, Lions WR Calvin Johnson did most of his damage in 2012 against pass-stacked defenses. With six or fewer defenders in the box, and thus five or more in coverage, Johnson caught 91 of his 122 passes for 1,428 of his 1,964 yards and all five of his touchdowns.

Falcons HC Mike Smith said that team does not have a timetable for tight end Tony Gonzalez to decide if he’s going to retire or return to the team.

The team plans to be mindful of Gonzalez’ situation and let him arrive at his conclusion without any additional pressure. The Falcons have been clear that they want the game’s most prolific pass-catching tight end to return.

“I don’t that there is anything concrete in terms of a timetable,” Smith said. “But I think that conversation will take place. I had a conversation with him the week after the season and we’ll probably have another here real soon.”

Smith, his staff and the team’s scouts head to Indianapolis next week for the NFL scouting combine. He said it’s not a problem if Gonzalez has not decided by then and that the team would have to scout the tight ends and other position groups either way.

If Gonzo returns he'll likely hold top 5 TE value in 2013.

Word circulating in league circles is (Vikings WR) Percy Harvin's agent, Joel Segal, is starting the bidding upwards of $10 million a season, which would make Harvin one of the NFL's 10 highest-paid receivers no matter what Mike Wallace, Greg Jennings and Dwayne Bowe command in free agency.

The real goal may be $12 million a year, if not higher -- more than any receiver except All-Pros Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. That kind of compensation is a bigger issue for teams that have discussed a deal for Harvin than the draft pick(s) it'd take to land him.

Ex-Bears WR Johnny Knox looks like he’s in game-shape when he appears in the dimly-lit entrance of a Chicago hotel restaurant Wednesday morning.

Except the always lean receiver walks with a limp, and he struggles to sit or stand comfortably, the lingering effects of a devastating hit he endured at Soldier Field 13 ½ months ago.

Yet Knox counts his blessings and not his challenges, even as he exclusively tells the Sun-Times that his football career is over.

“As an athlete, you don’t want to give up, you want to keep on fighting. That’s how I’ve always been,” Knox says. “But it’s been on my heart for a while. I know how my body feels, and I know I’m not going to be the same and perform at the ability that I used to.

“So I’m moving on and going forward.”

The schemes of new Raiders OC Greg Olson will endear him to Darren McFadden. A happy, productive McFadden seems to ignite the offense and excite the fan base.

"What we've decided to do, as a staff, is see what Darren McFadden is comfortable doing,'' Olson said Wednesday at the team facility. "Let's try and make it more comfortable for Darren, because he's one of our premier players.''

That means emphasizing much more of the power scheme within which McFadden flourished in 2011. It means more north and south running, fewer angles and horizontal attacks. And much less need to read blocks.

We knew Olson would likely ditch the zone blocking scheme that was mostly ineffective in 2011. Provided he can stay healthy, this should lead to a bounce back season for McFadden.

What was the reason behind Texans QB Matt Schaub’s struggles down the stretch in 2012? Is it possible that an undisclosed injury played a part? The Texans will say adamantly that wasn’t the case. Ditto for Schaub. But for a player as prickly about his injury-prone label as Schaub, coming off a fresh contract extension and with the biggest expectations of his career on his shoulders, it is possible, we hear, that Schaub didn’t want to reveal an injury that might have adversely affected his play, for fear that it would only increase his dubious reputation for always being nicked up. He never even appeared on the injury report last season, despite a number of big shots, including having part of his ear removed by Broncos LB Joe Mays. The one thing we know for sure is that Schaub’s accuracy and effectiveness waned in the final quarter of the season.

One scout told me the other day: "I am scared to death of [Kansas City wideout] Dwayne Bowe. Like him a lot, but not sure what we'd be buying if we signed him. Too much baggage."

Bowe's level of "baggage" (PED suspension, the occasional clash with coaches) is not atypical for his position. His 2010 season (72-1162-15, #2 fantasy WR) proved he could be a top tier fantasy WR when he gets decent QB play. Given his bad luck at QB (Matt Cassel, Damon Huard, Tyler Thigpen), Bowe should be a solid WR2 if he lands in a better situation.

I believe Josh Gordon is the Browns’ No. 1 receiver. I believe Greg Little is a No. 2 or No. 3, depending on whether they finally acquire a veteran. I think more speed (Mike Wallace?) on the outside would relegate Little to the slot, which would make a more formidable threesome.

The Browns have about $30 million in space and will be big spenders under new owner Jimmy Haslam and team president Joe Banner. Many in the Steelers organization believe WR Mike Wallace will end up with their division rivals in Cleveland (Haslam was a former minority owner of the Steelers). Should Michael Vick become available, he too could be in play -- this new regime badly wants to upgrade from former first-round pick Brandon Weeden -- otherwise Alex Smith might make sense, among others.

Pat Shurmur, Chip Kelly’s new offensive coordinator, said Monday that he plans to give both Eagles RBs LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown a generous number of carries moving forward and said he thinks in general, offenses are more effective with two running backs in the mix.

“I think it’s important that you use more than one running back,” Shurmur said. “It’s a long season, and a guy can run out of gas quickly.

“If you have guys who are different, you can use them in different ways, and you try to play to their strengths. I think that’s important.

“I’ve always believed there’s a place on the roster for two good running backs. You have your starter, but the other guy needs to play so they can all get through the season.”

McCoy could still see his usual workload (~21 touches per game), but this news certainly doesn't support the notion that he's going to be the workhorse back in Kelly's offense. Brown looks like the clear handcuff and should be available fairly cheaply on draft day.

Per a league source, Vikings WR Percy Harvin currently is expected to stay away from offseason workouts and training camp absent a new deal.

He’s due to make $2.9 million in 2013. It’s unclear what he wants, but high-end wideouts earn at or about eight figures annually.

And while it’s also unclear whether Harvin wants to stay in Minnesota, whether the Vikings will pay him what he wants surely has a lot to do with whether he’ll want to stay.

Because Harvin has four years of service, he could stay away from training camp and skip up to 10 weeks of the regular season while still getting credit toward the final year of his contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent next year. Though he would face significant fines and the loss of multiple game checks, a holdout is likely unless he signs a new contract.

In trying to play to QB Jake Locker's strengths, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains admits that the Titans will look at the things Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III had success as rookies and will keep an open mind toward incorporating an element or two of that into their own system. Not that the Titans are headed toward running the read option, but Loggains said those quarterbacks' success will be studied by him this off-season.

“We’re going to do just like every team in the league and look at clubs like Seattle and Washington. We’re still very early in the process of building this offense, but we’re definitely gonna look at all that stuff, just like every team in the NFL is gonna do,” Loggains said via TitanInsider.

One of Locker's best strengths is rolling out and throwing on the run or taking off when the play breaks down. The Titans would be wise to add some emphasis to the types of plays that can help Locker make a big step forward - provided they don't put him in harm's way as Locker missed five games last year with a separated shoulder.

FOXSports.com has learned that the Philadelphia Eagles are not parting ways with QB Michael Vick despite months of rumors to the contrary. The team and Vick worked out a restructured contract on Monday.

Vick, 32, fits HC Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense. He was guaranteed $3 million next season as part of his $15.5 million base salary before agreeing to a restructured contract.

This probably makes Vick the frontrunner to run Kelly's offense in 2013, making him an intriguing, high-upside QB2.

DeAngelo Williams has a lot of pro-rated money – $9.6 million, all of which would count against the Panthers’ cap if they traded him. Jonathan Stewart’s ankle issues last season showed the value of having two running backs, although there are younger and cheaper alternatives. The Panthers could designate Williams as a June 1 cut, allowing them to split the $9.6 million cap hit over the next two years.

The team may be ready to part ways with Williams, who finished with the 5th-highest FP/touch among RBs with at least 150 touches on the season. If Williams is out of the way, Jonathan Stewart will likely go in the 4th or 5th round of fantasy drafts with Mike Tolbert vulturing goal line carries. The 29-year-old Williams could land elsewhere and be productive. He has a career 4.9 YPC and made some big plays in the passing game in 2012.

Saints coach Sean Payton has chosen Rob Ryan as his new defensive coordinator, hoping New Orleans can overhaul a unit that was historically bad last season.

Ryan, the brother of New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, spent the past two seasons as Dallas' defensive coordinator. He was fired after last season, when his defense ranked 19th.

Just days after returning from his season-long suspension in connection with the NFL's investigation of the Saints' cash-for-hits bounty program, Payton fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and said he would switch New Orleans' defensive scheme from a 4-3 alignment (four down linemen, three linebackers) to a 3-4. The Saints yielded 7,042 yards last season, the worst single-season total in NFL history.

Ryan has run 3-4 schemes for years.

Rob Ryan's defenses in the last 9 seasons (points allowed rank): 24, 16, 13, 22, 24, 26, 18, 25, 31 (yards allowed): 19, 14, 22, 31, 27, 22, 3, 27, 30. Ryan's actual production doesn't live up to his reputation.

The Falcons look to be in the running back market this offseason, according to those who know. Chances are the team will cut ties with 30-year old Michael Turner and look for a younger runner. Turner provides toughness, a solid locker room presence and power on downhill runs, but scouts say his ability to bounce and cut isn’t what it was.

Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling would form a serviceable committee, but the Falcons are more likely to pursue a RB in free agency or the draft.

Sources tell WCCO’s Mike Max that the No. 1 reason Percy Harvin left the team this season was not his injury, but it was motivated by a blowup he had with Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier.

Multiple sources tell Max that Harvin had an embarrassing tirade directed toward Frasier, disrespecting the coach during the season when Harvin was sidelined with an injured ankle.

The Vikings will try to trade him, Max reports, as Harvin does have market value.

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell seems content to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert more time to establish himself.
“We’ve got the second-youngest quarterback in the NFL,’’ he said.

Of Gabbert’s struggles last season before he got hurt, Caldwell said, “That was his second year. What were they saying about other quarterbacks after their second year? We’re looking for improvement [in his third year]. We need to build around him. We’ll upgrade whenever we can upgrade.’’

Head coach Gus Bradley said he has visited with Gabbert and said, “He’s been very impressive so far in our conversations.’’

Gabbert averaged 182 yards, 1.0 TDs and 0.7 INTs in his first nine starts in 2012. He completed 58% of his passes. After Gabbert went down, Chad Henne averaged 268 yards, 1.4 TDs and 1.4 INTs in seven games. He completed only 54% of his passes. At first glance, it looks as if Caldwell's decision to stick with Gabbert will hurt the Jacksonville passing game as a whole, and that means we'll have to downgrade WRs Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon.

Bills WR Donald Jones is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, but he will not be tendered by the Bills and will not be re-signed by Buffalo.

That according to Bills GM Buddy Nix: "We have made the decision not to re-sign Donald,” said Nix. “We’re going in a different direction and this move today gives Donald the opportunity to catch on with another team early on in the process. We thank him for his years with our organization and wish him the best in the future.”

The Minnesota Vikings announced Thursday that 2012 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Adrian Peterson underwent surgery to repair an abdominal core muscle injury, otherwise known as a sports hernia. The team expects a speedy recovery with no long-term concerns.

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew will be running behind a new blocking scheme this year.

Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch plans to install the zone blocking scheme that was popularized by Alex Gibbs when he was the Denver offensive line coach under Shanahan. Fisch learned it when he worked for the Broncos for a year.

The scheme originally featured smaller, quicker linemen, but Fisch said bigger linemen can adjust to it and he believes the Jaguars’ personnel can make the transition to it.

MJD has never played in this scheme, so this is just another red flag for a guy coming off of foot surgery.

Chip Kelly might be close to adding another key piece to his coaching staff.

Cleveland Browns linebackers coach Billy Davis will be hired as the new defensive coordinator of the Eagles, a source informed of the move told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport on Thursday.

Davis spent the past two seasons with the Browns after serving as defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2009 to 2010 and the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2006. Cleveland operated out of a 4-3 scheme under Dick Jauron last season, but Davis has experience in the 3-4 alignment the Eagles will run in 2013.

The New York Giants continued their roster purge after missing the playoffs, cutting halfback Ahmad Bradshaw.

The Giants' leading rusher the past three seasons, Bradshaw has been bothered by foot and ankle problems for years.

He was set to earn $4.25 million and became expendable with the play of rookie David Wilson.

The Giants will turn to David Wilson and likely Andre Brown in a two-man RBBC with Brown handling most of the short yardage duties.

49ers WR A.J. Jenkins today said that wants to return next season as "a totally different player" and that he planned to work out with buddy Colin Kaepernick in Atlanta where he trained before the draft.

"Obviously, I want to contribute a lot more than I have been," Jenkins said. "So I'm going to make that happen and come back bigger, faster, stronger. "

The Rams were the only team to put in a claim for WR Titus Young.

Young, 23, is small in stature at 5-11, 174. Although Young played inside and outside for the Lions, those are normally the dimensions for a slot receiver.

In St. Louis, the slot receiver — when healthy — for the past several years has been Danny Amendola. So it’s fair to question how this move might affect Amendola, who’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency and is engaged in contract discussions with the Rams.

“I don’t think it affects Danny one bit,” Amendola’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, said Tuesday. “Titus Young isn’t anywhere in the same ZIP code as Danny as far as a player goes. I’m sure Young may disagree with that because he thinks he’s better than Calvin Johnson.”

Don't be surprised if the Jets try to get WR Santonio Holmes to take a pay cut on his $11 million base salary -- an exhorbitant amount for a No. 2-quality receiver coming off a serious injury. Problem is, $7.5 million of the salary is guaranteed. If they cut him, they'd take an $11.25 million cap hit and they'd also have to pay him the $7.5 million.

However, unlike Mark Sanchez' guarantee, Holmes has an offset clause, meaning he can't double dip if he's released. In other words, his maxes out at $7.5 million in 2013 earnings if he's cut and signs elsewhere. Maybe, with financial motivation to stay a Jet, he'd be receptive to a restructured deal. New GM John Idzik is supposed to be a skilled negotiator; let's see if he can get Holmes to take a haircut.

The Rams claimed WR Titus Young off waivers from the Lions.

St. Louis is bringing along young receivers in 2012 draft choices Chris Givens and Brian Quick. Adding a volatile young talent to the mix would seem to carry some risks. But the Rams can always release Young if the situation appears headed in the wrong direction. They're in the business of adding talent at receiver by any means necessary. They have a strong head coach, Jeff Fisher, who hasn't been afraid to draw a hard line with players, including when he benched Jenkins and Givens for a big game at San Francisco.

Some teams can't be picky about adding talent at WR, and the Rams are one of those teams.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski -- who signed a $54 million six-year contract extension in June -- broke his forearm last season, then injured it again during the Pats' first playoff game against the Texans.

But that didn't stop him from executing a Stone Cold Stunner-esque move on a friend during a playful dance battle at XS nightclub last night.

As Gronkowski was throwing his friend to the ground, the tight end -- who was wearing a protective sleeve on his busted wing -- also crashed to the ground and smacked his damaged arm on the stage in the process.

Not smart.

With WR Titus Young gone, the Lions could give Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles more work at receiver next year, or add to the position in the draft. Burleson is rehabbing from a broken leg, but expects to be ready for the start of the off-season program. Broyles is coming off a torn ACL but probably won't be ready until training camp.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez has rented a place in Manhattan Beach, Calif., so he can take part in workouts with Tom Brady this offseason.

HC Leslie Frazier confirms WR Percy Harvin had exit physical: "It went well. He’s fine. He’s cleared. All the medical was good."

The player GM Jeff Ireland singled out the most was running back Lamar Miller, who had 51 carries for 250 yards (4.9 average) and one touchdown in a limited role. He is expected to have a much larger presence in the offense next year, and could even replace Reggie Bush as the primary back.

“Lamar really showed some great signs of really some explosive play opportunity,” Ireland said. “He kind of shoots out of the cannon when he hits the hole. He’s got very good hands. I thought he did a very good job in his pass protection, which keeps him on the field all three downs.”

Jets RB Shonn Greene is as good as gone. Despite his limitations, he'll draw moderate to heavy interest in a mediocre free-agent class. Plus, he's not a fit in Marty Mornhinweg's West-Coast system. The Jets need a versatile back with outside speed and pass-catching ability. Free agent Reggie Bush would be ideal for the Jets, but there's little chance they'd be able to afford him. They probably will rely on the draft to find a No. 1 or No. 1a back that can be paired with Powell. Eddie Lacy (Alabama) and Montee Ball (Wisconsin) will be intriguing in the second round.

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have released WR Titus Young.

In two seasons with the Lions, Young played in 26 games (17 starts) and registered 81 receptions for 990 yards while recording 10 receiving touchdowns. Young was drafted by the Lions in the second round (44th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Boise State.

Young clearly burned all bridges with the Lions and they have had enough. He has an intriguing skill set but is clearly a head case. Still, some WR-needy team will give him a shot.

49ers Inactives
Jewel Hampton RB
Tony Jerod-Eddie DE
Cam Johnson LB
Joe Looney G
Trenton Robinson FS
Scott Tolzien QB
Ian Williams NT

Ravens Inactives
Omar Brown DB
Bryan Hall DT
Adrian Hamilton LB
Ramon Harewood G
Asa Jackson CB
Chris Johnson DB
Deonte Thompson WR

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw is recovering from a surgery he believes he should have had a year ago.

Bradshaw is at the Super Bowl wearing a protective boot and maneuvering through crowds on a scooter after having a three-year-old screw removed from his right foot and a new screw inserted to help support two fractures.

The second fracture occurred in the 2011 season, but instead of surgery, Bradshaw tried a treatment of injecting stem cells into the area to promote bone growth last March.

"I just went through too much this year," Bradshaw said after signing autographs for fans at the NFL Experience for more than an hour. "The stem cell [treatment] wore off last year and I was able to fight through it all year and get the screw out."

Bradshaw's touches are under pressure from David Wilson, who is expected to see a larger workload in 2013. Andre Brown is also a capable RB that the Giants have used in goal line situations.

Texans RB Arian Foster: "I have not nor do I plan, anytime in the near future, to have conversations with my doctors about any surgery. I am feeling well."

The San Francisco 49ers seem to think a lot more of Rams quarterback Sam Bradford than many Rams fans do.

“He’s good now, and he has a chance to be a top quarterback,” 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith said. “Put some more (talent) around him, and watch out.”

Although Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall remains on crutches following arthroscopic hip surgery, he said he plans to mentor second-year wideout Alshon Jeffery this offseason and will begin training with him on Monday in South Florida.

"I'm excited because this kid has the potential to be an All-Pro one year," Marshall said of Jeffery Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN Chicago 1000. "If he just changes some little things, the way he approaches the game as far as physically and mentally, he's going to be a beast. Because he has that dog in him, he has that in him, that you want in a receiver ... a guy who is going to make plays for you.

"For me, I always started training the week after the Super Bowl, and he's going into his second year so it shouldn't be a problem for him. As I'm getting a little older, I have to change the way I attack it. Starting off, our routines will be a little different, but just getting him with the right people, nutritionists, trainer, chiropractors and all that stuff. (It's about) showing him the other side of the business, showing him it's not just about coming to work and going on the field. There is so much more to the game that will allow you to be successful if you just do it. I'm excited to have this position."

Jeffery's PPG (6.1) equates to the #45 WR, so he had WR4 value on a per game basis. He has some upside in 2013 given the changes in Chicago and Marshall's investment in him.

There was a time not so long ago when Victor Cruz had a fairy tale with the Giants, when the wideout promised never to hold out against his hometown team as he battled for a lucrative contract extension.

But now, all bets are off. And on Friday, the Giants’ Pro Bowl wideout refused to rule out the threat of a holdout if his already contentious contract talks continue to get ugly.

“I have no answer to that,” Cruz told the News when asked if he would consider a holdout.

Cruz’s ominous non-answer opens the door for things to get even uglier in contract talks that have made little progress in recent months, and it came just hours after Giants owner John Mara made it clear that the team will not break the bank to sign its star. Mara stressed that the Giants have “a limit with any player,” even a Pro Bowl wideout coming off a second straight 1,000-yard season.

This is not much of a concern at this point given the time remaining until camp, but owners should file it away nonetheless.

The coaching staff nearly complete, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell and HC Gus Bradley have started looking at the Jaguars’ 2012 game video. Caldwell has watched all 16 games and individual cut-ups of players who entered the starting lineup late in the year.

“I’m actually encouraged by what I’ve seen so far,” Caldwell said. “I kind of went in without any preconceived ideas of the team and just graded each player individually and how they’re going to fit into our schemes. … On defense, they played hard, aggressive and physical. On offense, there is some talent there. Obviously, not having [Maurice Jones-Drew] hurt the team but Marcedes Lewis is a very good tight end and the offensive line has a chance to be solid.”

The biggest question the Jaguars need to address is QB. The offense was respectable once Chad Henne took over, but the team has invested a lot on Blaine Gabbert. The new regime has no ties with Gabbert, so now is a good time to make a clean break.

It sure sounds from an interview that Jaguars receiver Laurent Robinson and his wife, Kat, did recently with NFL Network correspondent Andrea Kremer at their Jacksonville home that he's still having serious obstacles in his recovery from four concussions suffered last season. And he might call it quits at the first sign of the problem surfacing again.

"I said to him, 'One more concussion, and you need to be done [playing],' " Kat told Kremer. While Kat said she understood Laurent's desire to keep playing, she's worried about her husband having dementia and Alzheimer's down the road.

Laurent, who was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 21 and has four years remaining on a $32 million contract, says he continues to suffer from severe headaches. It's so bad that he prefers not to go out in daylight. He told Kremer he also distances himself from his infant daughter if she's making noise. "I want to continue to play [football], but I still want to live until 80 or 90 years old," Laurent told Kremer.

If Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley watched that interview, they should have serious concern on how much Robinson can be counted on for the 2013 season.

Hopefully, Robinson can return to full health, but at this point, we are not counting on Robinson making much of a fantasy impact in 2013.

Giants co-owner John Mara made clear that there is a limit with any player, including WR Victor Cruz, because of the salary cap and needs elsewhere on the roster. But it sounds like there is a financial disconnect between the sides, even though during the season Cruz was open about the ongoing negotiations and said there was a "structure" in place for a new contract.

Asked if Cruz's asking price is unreasonable, Mara said, "Well, right now, but that’s his agent. But that’s what agents do, and we’ve got a lot of time to work something out, and hopefully we’ll be able to come together."

Mara said "we have a year to get that worked out." Cruz has played three NFL seasons and is a restricted free agent, so the Giants could tender him to hold onto him in the short term while they continue to work on a long-term deal.

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson said that new HC Chip Kelly gave him an idea of how he plans to utilize him in his offense when they spoke a few weeks ago.

“Kind of similar to what DeAnthony Thomas was doing at Oregon. He’s like a little brother to me. I actually talked to him," Jackson said of Thomas. "He was passing on information to me, like I’m going to be pumped up and psyched to be in that offense. It just keeps defenses off guard any time you go in motion, fake play-action, go down the field. There’s just so many things you can do.”

Thomas is listed as a running back, but the Ducks junior-to-be is too versatile to be defined by one position. With Kelly as his coach for two seasons, he did it all – rushing, receiving, and returning, and already has 2,235 all-purpose yards.

Jackson and Thomas have much in common. They’re both fast, they’re both small (Jackson is listed 5-foot-10, 175 pounds; Thomas is a thicker 5-9, 173) and they’re both from Los Angeles. Jackson said Kelly told him to be prepared to have the ball in his hands more than usual, but other than that provided little detail.

Thomas gained more yardage in the running game (701) than he did in the passing game (445), but that's to be expected for a RB. It's doubtful that Jackson will carry the ball 5-10 times a game, but it sounds as if he's going to see more targets/touches under Kelly.

Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young said Friday that he hopes Bears QB Jay Cutler realizes the opportunity he has to succeed under new coach Marc Trestman.

Young was one of the biggest proponents of the Chicago Bears hiring Trestman to replace Lovie Smith. Trestman was the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator for 1995 and '96 with Young at quarterback.

"I'm excited about it," Young said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I'm excited for Marc. And I stand by everything I said before. He's ready to do this.

"Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, player or coach, but I'm hopeful that Jay Cutler decides that this is a great opportunity for him and will put the time in and the effort. I think he will. I think he has in the past but he'll really get the fruits of it if he does the boring things for the next three or four months. And he'll emerge as a much more disciplined quarterback. He's already good, and he'll be great. I hope that's the biggest change you'll see."

Two NFL sources said Vikings DE Jared Allen had the torn labrum in his left shoulder repaired. He is expected to be ready for training camp, sources said.

Ravens WR David Reed (thigh, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

49ers TE Garrett Celek (foot, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

Ravens WR Tandon Doss (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

Ravens RB Bernard Pierce (knee, thigh, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

49ers RB Bruce Miller (shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

49ers RB Frank Gore (shoulder, ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl. Gore should be in for a big workload against the Ravens.

49ers RB LaMichael James (finger, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl.

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta (thigh, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for the Super Bowl. Pitta was iffy earlier in the week, but he looks to be good to go for the Super Bowl.

Texans running back Arian Foster tells me he'll likely undergo a heart procedure in about a month. The Pro-bowler is considering a heart ablation to fix the problem that forced him to leave the Texans week 16 match-up against the Vikings because of an irregular heartbeat. Foster has been aware of the issue with his heart since he was around 12 years old and says over the years he's had around 8 incidents where his heart has raced irregularly. This last one though, was the first time it had ever happened during a game.

Arian says the biggest side effect for him is shortness of breath. After experiencing that problem this season in a game he started discussing his options for fixing it with trainers and doctors. That's when he says he learned Hakeem Olajuon suffered the same condition.  The basketball player's doctors were able to determine that Olajuon's trigger was drinking cold water. Arian has been searching for his trigger and tells me he's now thinking it might be releated to stress.