NFL RUMORS AND NEWS

Rotoworld.com "ESPN's Ed Werder reported on SportsCenter Monday that the Patriots legitimately do not know when Rob Gronkowski will return from back surgery. "The fact is the Patriots really don't know when he's gonna come back," Werder stated. The Pats will have a better feel once Gronk's back operation is..." June 17

PackersNews.com "The Green Bay Packers have made the decision to move on without inside linebacker Desmond Bishop. Bishop, 28, spoke with Packers general manager Ted Thompson on Monday, who told him of the organization's intention to release him from the four-year, $19-million extension he signed in January..." June 17

CBS Miami "Former Miami Dolphin wide receiver Chad Johnson is a free man. On Monday, Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh said Johnson could be released from jail and would not have to finish out the 30 day sentence she gave him last week. McHugh handed down the sentence after Johnson, 35,..." June 17

CBSSports.com "Atlanta radio station 790 the Zone has fired the three radio hosts involved in an on-air skit mocking former Saints player Steve Gleason, who suffers from ALS. A swift Internet backlash led to angry calls flooding the station, and the trio was initially suspended indefinitely. Hours later, they..." June 17

Pro Football Talk "As we close in on the one-week anniversary of the unexpected news that the Patriots have signed Tim Tebow, everything to be said about the move has been said. And then some. Except one thing: The Jets will pay more for Tebow in 2013 than the Patriots will in 2013 and 2014..." June 17

CBSSports.com "The NFL might not be that far away from having its first full-time female official on the field. And when -- not if -- it happens, look to 2014 as the year and look to Sarah Thomas as the zebra breaking ground. Thomas, 39, became the first female to ever officiate an NCAA football game in 2007..." June 17

NFL.com "The Chicago Bears don't even allow Devin Hester to wear the same colored jersey as the other Bears wide receivers in practice. He's a return man, and a return man only. But is a he return man who's guaranteed to make the roster? CSNChicago.com's John Mullin wrote Sunday night that Hester is..." June 17

Foxsports.com "When Texans running back Arian Foster was carted off the team’s practice field last month, several fans gasped. The franchise running back told FOXSports.com on Friday that Houston fans need not worry, he’s on the right path to recovery. “Yeah, it’s going good man,” Foster told FOXSports.com in..." June 17

Charlotte Observer "This season will be Steve Smith’s 13th in the NFL and 13th with Carolina. The only other players on the Panther roster with more than 10 seasons of NFL experience are Jordan Gross and Drayton Florence (11) and Dwan Edwards and Ben Hartsock (10). How many more seasons will you play? “I would..." June 17

CBSSports.com "After a weekend of speculation, it's now official: the Bengals will be featured on HBO's 2013 version of "Hard Knocks," the network announced on Monday morning. The latest season will kick off on Tuesday, August 6 at 10 pm ET and continue each Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET until the series finale on..." June 17

Indianapolis Star "Chuck Pagano, whose ChuckStrong Indianapolis Colts rebounded from 2-14 to go 11-5 and reach the playoffs in his first year as coach, today was honored with the George Halas Award, presented annually by the Professional Football Writers Association to the NFL player, coach or staff member who..." June 17

Dallas Morning News "After an off-season full of uncertainty surrounding the Cowboys’ play caller, Jason Garrett finally acknowledged earlier this month that he’d be passing the duties on the Bill Callahan next season. The move will ostensibly free Garrett up to focus more on the team as a whole while also giving..." June 17

Miami Herald "It was supposed to be one simple play. A forgettable moment in a lifetime spent together as teammates on football fields from tiny Warren, Ark., to the mighty Southeastern Conference to the National Football League. It began simple enough near the end of a long intrasquad scrimmage a summer..." June 17

Baltimore Sun "A year has made a big difference for Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, dramatically improving his standing with the Super Bowl champions. Last year, McKinnie was taking up residency in coach John Harbaugh's doghouse. The former Pro Bowl blocker wasn't in good enough shape to participate in..." June 17

Toronto Star "The Manti Te’o story is changing, and that’s a good thing. A very good thing. The questions about the hoax and its aftermath are diminishing. With mini-camps wrapping up and training camp closer than you think, the narrative is shifting to a better place: the football field. Te’o, the San..." June 16

NFL.com "Did a 2012 injury factor into Willis McGahee's recent release by the Denver Broncos? Upon reporting to the Broncos' mandatory minicamp last week, the veteran running back insisted he was fully recovered from a torn medical collateral ligament and compression fracture in his leg. Offensive..." June 16

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "For years, it was the one guarantee of every Steelers season: They would talk about throwing to the tight end but wouldn't do it. They finally did so under offensive coordinator Todd Haley a year ago, when Heath Miller caught a team-high 71 passes — only the second time since 1966 a tight end..." June 16

Michigan Live "Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley displayed more confidence this offseason during workouts than most observers have seen since he has entered the NFL. Fairley was very vocal during every practice. He routinely challenged teammate Ndamukong Suh during individual drills at practice -..." June 16

Dallas Morning News "Coach Jason Garrett was roaming the halls of Cowboys team headquarters at Valley Ranch on Thursday after the final off-season practice when he crossed paths with first-round pick Travis Frederick. The center from Wisconsin spent the last month running with the first team in practices and has..." June 16

Foxsports.com "The woman whose false rape accusation sent NFL player Brian Banks to prison for five years has been ordered to pay a $2.6 million judgment. Wanetta Gibson accused Banks in 2002 when the two attended Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High, where Banks was a star prep prospect. Banks was convicted of..." June 16

San Jose Mercury News "Patrick Willis said he's in the best shape of his career as the 49ers' Pro Bowl linebacker enters his seventh NFL season. "I really feel mentally and physically, I'm in the best shape that I've been in since I was a rookie," said Willis, a Pro Bowler in each of his first six seasons. "I feel like..." June 16

Pro Football Talk "The subject is too frivolous to turn into World War III, but the war of words is escalating between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kraft said last week that in 2005, he visited Russia and left without his Super Bowl ring, as Putin admiringly said, “I can kill..." June 16

NFL.com "Freddie Kitchens is back on his feet. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach is walking around after undergoing emergency surgery to repair his aorta. The 38-year-old Kitchens was hospitalized last week after he fell ill at practice. A defect..." June 16

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Le'Veon Bell could be the best running back on the Steelers' roster, and the rookie has yet to take a snap with shoulder pads on, let alone one in an NFL game. So you would figure it would be only a matter of time before Bell races up the depth chart past lesser pedigree running backs..." June 16

Denver Post "Scan the Broncos' roster, their division brethren and their offseason moves, and there is a lot to like about what's to come when the team reconvenes for training camp next month. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, one of the Broncos' offseason acquisitions who signed a one-year contract, has said..." June 16

Newark Star-Ledger "By now, nothing surprises Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith. He deflects trouble with a faint smile and a nod. He takes solace in the relationships he’s building around the locker room, and he buries himself in a playbook binder and drill "dictionary" provided by quarterbacks coach David..." June 16

CSN Washington "Suspended safety Tanard Jackson has been out of sight around Redskins Park but he has not been out of mind among the coaches. Jackson was handed a one-year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy just before the start of the 2012 season. The Redskins had picked him up after..." June 16

New York Post "The Jets underwent a major overhaul this offseason with new general manager John Idzik tearing up the roster and beginning a rebuilding project. The biggest move was trading cornerback Darrelle Revis, the best player on the team, to the Buccaneers. But Idzik also let a bunch of the Jets own..." June 16

ESPN.com "Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will "shatter" his records. Once among the most beloved players in Packers franchise history, Favre retired after the 2007 season, only to unretire that offseason, in July..." June 15

Pro Football Talk "While it’s still possible that Giants receiver Victor Cruz will skip training camp and uncur daily fines of $30,000 despite signing his restricted free agency tender, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll hold out beyond August 6. Because Cruz is now under contract, failing to show up at least 30..." June 15

ESPN.com "Cornerback Brandon Browner added some more fuel to the fire in the budding rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. In an interview with Sports Radio KJR, Browner took exception to recent comments by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh about Seahawks suspensions stemming from players..." June 15

SI.com "Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will play at least two more seasons in the NFL, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Responding to a question on Twitter, Mortensen said that Manning will play "at least two more years, maybe more." At this time last season, many were still doubting..." June 15

NFL.com "New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has made the rounds this week, dishing on Tim Tebow's "spirituality," and telling tales about his encounters with powerful men of the east. You might recall that Kraft in 2005 joined a cadre of businessmen to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in..." June 15

USA Today "Cameron Wake seems like the forgotten anchor of the Miami Dolphins' revamped defense. No-name defense? Wake plays with a chip on his shoulder as the self-described "no-name'' defensive end of the NFL. No defender in the league, arguably, feels more underappreciated than Wake, a former..." June 15

Russell Street Report "Prior to the 2001 season I recall feeling that on the heels of a Super Bowl XXXV Championship, the next season arrived too fast. I wanted to bask in the glow of a city of champions just a little longer. Starting the season meant that the title of “Defending World Champions” would only last..." June 15

Courier-Post "Matt Barkley signed a four-year contract with the Eagles Thursday, earning as much as $10 million less than he would have if he had left Southern Cal after his junior season. That leaves first-round pick Lane Johnson, who was taken fourth overall, as the only unsigned Eagles draft..." June 15

Detroit Free Press "He had to scrap and claw his way onto five NFL teams and three practice squads before getting his first real look last year with the Detroit Lions, so being the forgotten man in a crowded backfield is nothing new for Joique Bell. But while Bell has flown under most people’s radars this..." June 15

New York Post "Kellen Winslow is officially a member of the Jets. Gang Green signed the tight end to a deal Friday, the team announced. Winslow, who used to be one of the elite players at his position in the NFL, put together solid performances at OTAs and in mini camp. The contract is a one-year..." June 15

Boston Herald "Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has definitively known for two weeks that he would need back surgery this summer. Now, he can begin preparing himself for his latest trip to the operating room. Gronkowski will undergo back surgery Tuesday, according to reports. Dr. Robert Watkins will conduct..." June 15

New York Daily News "Victor Cruz still doesn't have his long-term deal with the Giants, but he is signing up for at least one more year. The restricted free agent was enroute to the Meadowlands on Friday morning where he is expected to sign his one-year, $2.879 million tender, an NFL source confirmed. By doing so,..." June 14

ESPN.com "San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews says he's been the target of cruel messages on Twitter, according to a report by the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I've had people say they hope me and my mom get AIDS and die," Mathews told the newspaper, offering an example of the multitude of hateful..." June 14

CBSSports.com "Since 2011, five Seahawks players have been suspended for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy as it relates to performance-enhancing drugs. It's led to nicknames (meet the the Seadderall Seahawks, everyone) as well as righteous commentary from 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, whose rivalry with..." June 14

CBSSports.com "It's been two years since LaMarr Woodley offered this answer when asked if quarterback Joe Flacco could lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl. "No, not at all, because they have to go through one team -- that's the Pittsburgh Steelers in that AFC Championship," the Steelers linebacker said at the time...." June 14

Indianapolis Star "Status quo isn’t part of the vocabulary of Colts general manager Ryan Grigson. Despite an 11-5 record and an AFC wild-card playoff berth, Grigson has overhauled the team. As the Colts’ offseason work concluded Thursday in their indoor facility, Grigson addressed what remains a work in..." June 14

Detroit Free Press "He didn’t stumble upon any magic elixirs or go to the Adrian Peterson school of miraculous rehabs, but Lions receiver Ryan Broyles did learn a secret from his first torn ACL that has made recovering from his second much easier — patience. Broyles was a full participant in all three days of..." June 14

North Jersey "Mike Goodson returned to practice Thursday, one day after the Jets' running back missed a minicamp session after attending a pretrial hearing in his pending court case. But Goodson, who still faces multiple charges of drug and weapons possession, didn't speak to reporters, and hasn't since his..." June 14