2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Lane Johnson - T - Eagles

Eagles RT Lane Johnson remains unsigned due to a disagreement over the inclusion of offset language in his contract.

Johnson has said he "doesn't want to hold out," and hopes the deal will get done in the next two weeks. Since the new CBA has been put into place, we've yet to see a rookie hold out. Once some of the other top draft picks sign, either Johnson or the Eagles will undoubtedly blink, and the deal should get done in time for the start of camp.
Source: Philly Mag

Jul 10 - 10:54 AM

 

[BINGO]

Geno Smith - QB - Jets Rookie

Geno Smith has not joined his teammates in California for the "Jets West" camp, which is annually held by Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez invites all the quarterbacks and receivers in an attempt to gain pre-camp cohesion. It was widely reported that Smith had been invited. Although it would have been a good opportunity for Smith to get a feel for his wide receivers, this won't inhibit his ability to win the starting job if he proves worthy in camp. As of now, Sanchez remains the favorite to start Week 1.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com

Jul 11 - 4:04 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jets may use Geno Smith as change-of-pace QB

ESPN New York reports the Jets are "toying with the idea" of using Geno Smith as a "change-of-pace quarterback" if he doesn't win the starting job.

This sounds like a leftover idea from the spit-ballin' Tony Sparano "era." Coach Rex Ryan first mentioned the idea last month. Per reporter Rich Cimini, Smith would have a package of "mainly" read-option plays that could "exploit his speed." Smith is a plus athlete, but stayed confined to the pocket at West Virginia. Learning the read-option as a rookie backup has "failure" written all over it. The possible experiment will become a moot point if Smith beats out Mark Sanchez in camp. Thus far, Cimini has deemed Smith's Jets showing as "lackluster."
Source: ESPN New York

Jul 15 - 9:38 AM

 

[BINGO]

Tyler Eifert - TE - Bengals

Bengals signed No. 21 overall pick TE Tyler Eifert to a four-year contract.

The preeminent tight end in the 2013 draft, Eifert reportedly made a "big impression" on coaches and teammates at OTAs, lining up "all over the field" as Cincinnati's new flex tight end. Jermaine Gresham will be more of an in-line blocker moving forward. Unfortunately in fantasy football, Eifert and Gresham may work against each other's statistical outputs. Eifert's upside would be as a mere low-end TE1, and he may struggle just to reach those heights.

Jul 15 - 2:16 PM

 

[BINGO]

Chance Warmack - G - Titans

Per the Nashville Tennessean, No. 10 overall pick OG Chance Warmack's contract has been delayed by the Titans' insistence on "offset language."

As is the case with many of the other top picks left unsigned. Many clubs insist on draft picks agreeing to offset language in the event they turn out to be busts, but those teams eventually cave in order to get the players in camp. The Titans will have their first day of full-squad field work next Thursday.
Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

Jul 18 - 11:23 AM

 

[NinerSickness]

Top Dolphins draft pick Dion Jordan misses 1st practice while recovering from shoulder surgery - The Washington Post

 

[BINGO]

Aaron Dobson - WR - Patriots

ESPN Boston expects second-round WR Aaron Dobson to be given "every chance to seize" the starting X receiver job.

Michael Jenkins ran with the starters throughout OTAs and minicamp, but there's a reason he's never caught more than 53 passes in any of his nine NFL seasons. Dobson offers significantly more upside and reportedly showed "flashes of excellence" during the offseason. If he can quickly grasp the playbook and earn Tom Brady's trust with consistency, he'll be pushing Jenkins. Dobson's progress is worth monitoring closely over the next month.
Source: ESPN Boston

Jul 23 - 11:29 AM

 

[BINGO]

Marcus Lattimore - RB - 49ers

Marcus Lattimore (knee surgeries) believes he's physically capable of practicing right now.

When Lattimore shredded his ACL, PCL and MCL nine months ago, some doctors said he wouldn't walk for a year. Now he's running steps and sprinting up hills. Lattimore will almost certainly start his rookie season on the reserve/PUP list and use 2013 as a redshirt season, but he's far ahead of schedule. Dynasty leaguers should take note.
Source: Yahoo Sports

Jul 23 - 10:40 AM

 

[BINGO]

Dion Jordan - DL - Dolphins

Dolphins first-round DE/OLB Dion Jordan (shoulder) is practicing on a limited basis Tuesday.

Jordan underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum prior to the draft. It's a great sign for the Dolphins that he's already in pads and taking some non-contact reps during the first week of training camp. Jordan isn't expected to be a starter come Week 1, but he'll get plenty of snaps as a versatile pass-rushing weapon. Source: Barry Jackson on Twitter

Jul 23 - 9:11 AM

 

[BINGO]

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Steelers

The Steelers expect second-round RB Le'Veon Bell to be capable of playing on third downs right away.

Two reasons the Steelers were so high on Bell were his ability to pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield at 6'1/230. When Steelers camp opens on Friday, he'll be trying to prove that those skills he showed at Michigan State translate to the NFL. The Steelers want Bell to run away with the every-down job, leaving Isaac Redman as a backup and putting Jonathan Dwyer's roster spot in jeopardy. It would be a surprise if he doesn't do just that.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Jul 23 - 8:47 AM

 

[BINGO]

Terrance Williams - WR - Cowboys

Third-round WR Terrance Williams has reportedly struggled through the first two practices of Cowboys camp.

Williams is off on the wrong foot as he tries to beat out Dwayne Harris for the No. 3 wideout job. After dropping a pass in the open field Monday, Jason Witten yelled, "Damn it, 83! Come on!" During minicamps, receivers coach Derek Dooley said Williams has "still got a long way to go."
Source: Dallas Morning News

Jul 23 - 8:15 AM

 

[BINGO]

Johnathan Cyprien - DB - Jaguars

Jaguars placed SS Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) on the active/PUP list.

Cyprien strained his hamstring while working out in Miami last week. The No. 33 overall pick in this year's draft is expected to begin his first training camp sometime next week. Cyprien remains penciled in as the Jags' starting strong safety after starring during OTAs and minicamp.

Jul 23 - 12:11 PM

 

[BINGO]

Matt Barkley says he is part of race for Philadelphia Eagles QB job - ESPN

 

[BINGO]

Kyle Long - G - Bears

The Bears believe Kyle Long has more potential at guard rather than tackle.

Long is athletic enough to play tackle, but he has relatively short arms (33 3/8"). The Bears drafted him to play right guard, which is where he'll compete with James Brown as part of an overhauled offensive line. Long may push to play tackle at some point in part so he can maximize his earning potential.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Jul 23 - 10:12 AM

 

[BINGO]

Sick / Pozz:

Kawann Short - DL - Panthers

Coach Ron Rivera said second-round DT Kawann Short is a more explosive pass rusher than No. 14 overall pick Star Lotulelei right now.

"He has slither about him," Rivera said of Short. "He can get into the crease and turn his body, drop his shoulder and come off a blocker very smooth-like." The coach added that while Lotulelei reported to camp in good physical condition, Short showed up in better shape. With Star projecting as an impact run-stuffer right away and Short pushing the pocket, the Panthers' front seven is finally looking up.
Source: Charlotte Observer

Jul 24 - 11:54 AM

 

[BINGO]

Matt Barkley - QB - Eagles

Eagles coach Chip Kelly confirmed that Matt Barkley will be given an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job.

"Everybody's got a chance," Kelly said. "Everybody that's in camp is going to get an opportunity. If someone continues to make plays and another guy continues not to make plays then he's going to move up. There's nothing set in stone."
Source: philadelphiaeagles.com

Jul 23 - 8:53 PM

 

[BINGO]

Arthur Brown - LB - Ravens

Ravens rookie ILB Arthur Brown is full-go at training camp after missing some offseason work following sports hernia surgery.

Brown did get in some individual drill work at OTAs. Described as a "sudden" athlete with "striking ability" by NFL Films' Greg Cosell, Brown will immediately add thump to the interior of Baltimore's defense, where he'll help replace Ray Lewis. Those are big shoes to fill, but Brown's on-field playing personality is highly composed and professional. We believe he'll prove up to the task.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

Jul 23 - 5:23 PM

 

[BINGO]

Chiefs rookie CB Commings breaks collarbone

Fifth-round CB Sanders Commings is out indefinitely after fracturing his left clavicle on the first day of Chiefs camp.

It's not an injury from which Commings can't come back to be a 2013 contributor, but the Chiefs may ultimately wind up sending him to injured reserve. It'll depend on his recovery. Commings (6'0/216) is a big cornerback who could probably also play safety. He was the 134th overall pick in April's draft.

Jul 23 - 6:47 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jamar Taylor - DB - Dolphins

Dolphins rookie CB Jamar Taylor has missed three days of training camp due to recurring issues related to his May sports hernia surgery.

A projected first-rounder in some circles, Taylor fell to the 54th pick in the draft due to medical concerns. While sports hernia surgeries typically don't require long-term recovery periods, we've noticed that patients of this operation seem highly susceptible to setbacks. Taylor only seems day to day at this point.
Source: Palm Beach Post

Jul 24 - 1:12 PM

 

[BINGO]

Justin Hunter - WR - Titans

Rookie WR Justin Hunter (hamstring) will be a full-go when the Titans open training camp.

After missing all of OTAs, Hunter returned for the end of minicamp and has been healthy since. Vying for targets behind Kenny Britt and Kendall Wright, Hunter is a major long shot for year-one fantasy football impact in Tennessee's already low-percentage pass offense quarterbacked by erratic Jake Locker.
Source: Nashville Tennessean

Jul 24 - 2:43 PM