Friday, May 24th, 2013
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Content provided by Rotoworld Player News - Friday, May 24th, 2013

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Jaws: Chip's offense won't translate to NFL 05-24-2013
LeSean McCoy RB PHI
After increased tape study, ESPN's Ron Jaworski predicts Eagles coach Chip Kelly's offense will not translate to the NFL.

Philly Mag: Birds 24/7 		Jaws is perhaps the most respected game-tape watcher in pro sports, so his opinion is notable. "I just don't see NFL passing concepts in this offense," Jaworski said. "It's a movement offense by the quarterback, off the run-action, off the read-action. A lot of short, quick passes, dart routes, bubble screens. Very few plays down the field with NFL passing concepts." Jaws said he "hopes" he's wrong, but this was his conclusion after extensive tape study. "It's easy to say, `Yeah, it worked in college,'" added Jaws. "But then I looked at a game like Stanford. Stanford, a good defensive football team, shut them down. I hope it works. I like the innovation, but I think it's going to be very difficult."
Bengals get S Shawn Williams signed 05-24-2013
Shawn Williams S CIN
Bengals signed No. 84 overall pick S Shawn Williams to a four-year contract. An in-the-box specialist, Williams has 4.46 speed, but lacks fluidity and ball skills. Competing with Taylor Mays and 2012 fifth-rounder George Iloka to start opposite Reggie Nelson, Williams has a strong chance of getting on the field as a rookie. The Bengals' mauling defensive line should make life easier on Williams in coverage as he learns the NFL game.
Goodson returning to Jets practice next week 05-24-2013
Mike Goodson RB NYJ
Mike Goodson - who is facing felony gun and drug charges - will return to Jets practice next week.

Rich Cimini on Twitter 		With Goodson claiming innocence on his gun charges - by far the most serious he's facing for last week's drunken arrest - the Jets will let the legal process play out before making a decision on his future with the team, as they should. Goodson is far from out of the woods, but the odds are increasing that he'll still be Chris Ivory's backup come Week 1.
Harper's 'extension' guarantees $4 million 05-24-2013
Roman Harper S NO
Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to an "extension" that pays him $4 million guaranteed this season.

Ian Rapoport on Twitter 		We've air quoted "extension" because it's actually a pay-cut. Harper had been set to make $5.25 million this season, with $2.6 million of it guaranteed. The extra year, 2015, allows the Saints to stretch out bonus money and cap hits. Harper has no guaranteed money beyond 2013. Considering Harper's nightmarish 2012 play, it's not a bad deal for the 30-year-old safety.
Pat White still inaccurate 05-24-2013
Pat White QB WAS
According to the Washington Examiner, QB Pat White's accuracy has been an issue in Redskins OTAs.

Washington Examiner 		There was a reason White fell out of the league so swiftly despite being a 2009 second-rounder. In theory, he fits Washington's offense as a read-option dynamo, but White's limitations as a passer are great. He's also undersized. White likely won't make it past first cuts in Redskins camp.
RGIII already putting more pressure on knee? 05-24-2013
Robert Griffin III QB WAS
According to the Washington Examiner, Robert Griffin III was putting more pressure on his surgically-repaired knee in Thursday's OTAs session than he was before going down in Washington's Wild Card loss to Seattle.

Washington Examiner 		It's a cruel reminder of how limited RGIII was even before his knee finally gave out on FedEx Field's embarrassing turf. As reported Thursday, Griffin expects to start "explosive sprinting" in just a matter of weeks. It's not fair to compare RGIII's recovery to Adrian Peterson's, but thus far it's mirroring it.
Casey Hayward to compete for starting job 05-24-2013
Casey Hayward CB GB
The Packers are "intent" on giving 2012 second-round pick Casey Hayward every opportunity to win a starting job.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 		Restricted free agent Sam Shields is staying away from OTAs, and Tramon Williams is on the spot after back-to-back inconsistent seasons. A revelation as a rookie, Hayward led Green Bay in pass breakups (21) and interceptions (6), operating mostly as the slot corner in nickel packages. He should be a starter this year.
Hillman dropped as low as 175 pounds in '12 05-24-2013
Ronnie Hillman RB DEN
Team sources tell the Denver Post Ronnie Hillman dropped as low as 175 pounds as a rookie.

Denver Post 		This, after Hillman weighed in at 200 pounds at the Combine. Hillman says he's bulked back up into the 190s this offseason, but adding weight in the offseason isn't hard. It's keeping it on during the grind of the season that will be a challenge. Ideally, Hillman will operate as the Broncos' third-down back this season, leaving Montee Ball to hammer away on first and second.
Tramon Williams' shoulder has finally healed 05-24-2013
Tramon Williams CB GB
The nerve damage in Packers CB Tramon Williams' shoulder has "dramatically healed" after an offseason of yoga, jump-rope, and weightlifting.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 		Williams' 2013 goal is to replace Charles Woodson in the secondary leadership role. To be taken seriously by teammates, he's going to have to keep his starting job -- a position the Packers opened to competition. Getting the shoulder right is a good first step. Williams has been a disappointment the past two years.
Chris Greenwood unlikely to start in 2013 05-24-2013
Chris Greenwood CB DET
MLive.com doesn't expect Lions CB Chris Greenwood to be in the mix for a starting job this season.

MLive.com 		GM Martin Mayhew has called Greenwood a player with "starting potential," but the 2012 fifth-rounder missed his entire rookie season with an abdominal injury. The Lions are sorting through Greenwood, Darius Slay, Bill Bentley, Jonte Green and Ron Bartell opposite Chris Houston. No. 36 pick Slay is likely the Lions' preferred choice.
Rodgers: WR Boykin will get opportunities 05-24-2013
Jarrett Boykin WR GB
Aaron Rodgers expects Jarrett Boykin to "get some opportunities this year" as the Packers' fourth receiver.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 		This assumes Boykin beats out rookies Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey. Rodgers sounds confident he will. "Behind (Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones), I like what Jarrett Boykin brings," Rodgers said at OTAs. "He's a big, physical receiver who's going to get some opportunities." Packers "No. 4" receivers to open the year seemingly always pop on the fantasy radar in-season.
Joe Morgan trying to polish overall game 05-24-2013
Joseph Morgan WR NO
Saints WR Joe Morgan is trying to improve as a short-to-intermediate route runner.

New Orleans Times-Picayune 		The deep threat hauled in 10 catches for an eye-popping 379 yards last season. "You've seen the highlight plays, so that means all the other 31 teams have seen the highlight reel plays," Morgan said. "They're not going to keep letting me run up and down the field. Eventually guys are going to start playing softer coverage and play back me back a little bit." While stretching the field will remain Morgan's primary objective in 2013, it's possible his role will increase enough to garner WR4/5 consideration in fantasy leagues. He's a player to watch this summer.
Kruger, Sheard rotating sides in Browns OTAs 05-24-2013
Paul Kruger DE CLE
Browns OLBs Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard are alternating sides in OTAs.

Cleveland Plain Dealer 		It's a minor detail. "It gives us a chance to work them there in case you need to down the road and just see guys from different sides," coach Rob Chudzinski said. Whatever side he's rushing from, Kruger will be an every-down player as the strong-side linebacker. Sheard will have to fight for snaps with first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, and could be limited to sub-packages.
Roman Harper restructures contract 05-24-2013
Roman Harper S NO
Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to a restructured contract.

New Orleans Times-Picayune 		It's been a long-time coming, but it's unclear what the sides have done. $2.6 million of Harper's $5.25 million base salary became guaranteed by virtue of remaining on the roster through March. It's possible his salary has been slashed to only the guaranteed amount. Harper's play in 2012 would certainly dictate such a move. The full details of the restructure should soon emerge.
Chud: T-Rich's absence 'precautionary' 05-24-2013
Trent Richardson RB CLE
Coach Rob Chudzinski insists Trent Richardson's (leg) absence from OTAs - and likely minicamp - is "precautionary."

Cleveland Plain Dealer 		"We'll take it day-by-day," Chud said. We don't doubt that the Browns are being extra cautious with last year's No. 3 overall pick, but the problem is Richardson requiring so much caution to begin with. He's been banged up since the second his name was called in New York, and never really approached 100 percent health as a rookie. Richardson's upside remains sky high - there's a reason he was the No. 3 pick - but he must prove he can stay healthy as a sophomore. Constant nagging injuries won't cut it in the rugged AFC North.
Steelers mixing in ZBS concepts on offense 05-24-2013
Le'Veon Bell RB PIT
The Steelers plan to "supplement" their power-rushing attack with zone-blocking concepts in 2013.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 		It's one of the changes Ben Roethlisberger was hinting at. Per reporter Mark Kaboly, the Steelers are trying to take advantage of their "all-of-a-sudden big, nimble and young offensive line." The Steelers' rushing attack was ineffective under power plodders Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman last season, wheezing to 3.7 yards per carry and 96.1 yards per game. Pittsburgh has made no secret of its efforts to get more athletic up front, but new feature runner Le'Veon Bell is a better fit for a power offense on paper. That being said, Bell sometimes struggled to get more than what was blocked in college, so perhaps the ZBS will be an asset an outside runs.
Ashlee Palmer ready for increased duties 05-24-2013
Ashlee Palmer LB DET
Ashlee Palmer doesn't want to give up his role on special teams if he earns the Lions' starting left outside linebacker job.

Detroit Free Press 		Palmer played 65.4 percent of the Lions' snaps on special teams snaps last season, tied for most on the team. His play earned him a two-year extension. "I'm still a die-hard special-teams guy, but just a little more added to my plate and planning on taking on the challenge." Palmer is competing with Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis to replace Justin Durant.
Hargrove: Bountygate killed earning power 05-24-2013
Anthony Hargrove DT DAL
New Cowboys DL Anthony Hargrove believes his role in the Bountygate scandal "took (his) earning power away."

Fort Worth Star-Telegram 		Out of football last season, Hargrove's deal with the Cowboys is for the veteran's minimum. Hargrove was worried he'd never get another job. "I understand how this game works," Hargrove said. "And when you don't have a year of film, people are less inclined to bring you in, because they don't have enough film to evaluate you on." Hargrove's price and versatility are two points working in his favor as he looks to make the team.
Head coaching candidates were high on Hoyer 05-24-2013
Brian Hoyer QB CLE
ESPN Cleveland reports Bill O'Brien, Ken Whisenhunt and Ray Horton all told Browns CEO Joe Banner they'd bring Brian Hoyer to Cleveland when interviewing for the head-coaching vacancy.

ESPN Cleveland 		Per reporter Tony Grossi, each coach considered Hoyer a "viable competitor for a starting job, and a solid NFL backup at the very least." We know GM Mike Lombardi feels the same way, but it remains to be seen if Hoyer has the arm coach Rob Chudzinski is looking for. Both Chud and OC Norval Turner favor big-armed QBs. Hoyer's not a real threat to Brandon Weeden's starting status.