That being said, Carter has an instinctual ability to get to the quarterback, and get there fast. Simply putting on a highlight film of Carter playing against Tulsa (one of the better midmajor D1A football teams) shows that he has the ability to compete against good talent. Although a year or two on the practice squad might be ahead for Carter, with some coaching and time in the weight room, his potential could be reached..

He always answered the bell every Sunday. Tough, smart, accountable, took a lot of pride in keeping me protected. It's a privilege to have played with him for so many years.''. A valet at Nakama Japanese Steakhouse across the street from CambodIcan said Mr. Adams left his keys with their service earlier in the night and did not return to pick them up before the service shut down at midnight. The valet said that once the service shuts down, keys cannot be retrieved until the restaurant opens the next day.

I think we can all agree that his initial proposal was far north of what he could have expected but as he pointed out that's the way it's done and he expressed a willingness to settle for less. The Bears responded with less. Far Authentic Dwayne Bowe Jersey less, and unlike Urlacher they weren't willing to budge from their initial response to him.

HeywardBey struggled from the outset and enjoyed moderate success before he was released in March.2008: The Raiders selected Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with the fourth pick. McFadden has missed 25 games due to injury in his five seasons. He rushed for 1,157 yards in 2010 but has failed to mature into the dominant back the Raiders hoped.2007: The Raiders selected Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the first pick.

The one transfer I do love is Carson Desrosiers. This kid is big, has experience, and can protect the rim. Desrosiers was already 4th all time in Wake Forest history in blocked shots after only 2 seasons! He will hopefully be someone that Brice Kofane can learn a thing or two from and help improve his game.

No one should have let Muhammad Ali step into the ring with Larry Holmes, but no one around him could accept the fact that the greatest fighter they had ever seen, and possibly of all time, was done. The signs were there in his slowed down hands and much worse in his slow speech, but accepting the reality that he was at the end of his Dwayne Bowe Jersey career was too much to handle. Now if you witnessed that fight live or you are like me and have watched the video of that fight, it is not something for the weak.

There some speculation that the fewerbutbigger Erie walleye trend is an inaccurate perception resulting from a shortterm weatherrelated phenomenon in which younger and older year classes are swimming in different water temperatures. When anglers hear anecdotal fishing reports of big walleye caught in shallower waters miles closer to shore reports such as Milavec they might forgo motoring to farther, deeper waters where more walleye may be found, subsequently catching fewer but bigger fish. Right or wrong, it social flotsam drifting out of Presque Isle no such study has been undertaken..

Maintaining this cool temperature is critical when fishing with them, too, Janitor said. Ice can be used, but should not be added directly to the water because it may have been made with chlorinated water. Instead, Janitor recommended placing ice cubes in a plastic bag before submerging them in the minnow bucket..

Retired Patriot Matt Light and a pack of pigskin pals including Zoltan Mesko, Rob Ninkovich and Logan Mankins raising some dough for his Light Foundation at a Cornhole tournament and hoedown at the Pats practice facility at Gillette Stadium. Patriots booboo boy Rob Gronkowski shopping at the Nike store at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. Fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez buying bling at Elie Jewelry at the Emerald Square Mall.

Collins could struggle holding the edge against the run (a must in the Patriots system). Collins most immediate impact will probably be as a pass rusher. He can definitely flash Eric Berry Authentic Jersey a great burst, but it comes and goes. Take LeBronoff the Cavs and they are still Authentic Eric Berry Jersey a formidable team although not great. Take Durant off the Thunder and expect them to be in the draft lottery every year. It is not opinion.

Anyway, I guess America happy too cause he dominated jersey sales for the holidays. As a matter of fact, out of the top ten highest selling jerseys, three of those were Vick (Green, White Black). Good to see America forgive. Ben Tate arguably had the best Combine numbers of any running back. At 218 pounds, he ran Eric Berry Jersey a 4.43, had a 40.5 inch vertical, and performed 26 reps on the bench press. Dallas is not in the market for a running back, but if either Choice or Barber leave, that would change..

Some problems remain, rats for instance, but the mayor is working on ways to the problem. The meantime, people are fudding, not fleeing the city. Hear that, Councilor Connolly. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Baltimore wins. But I'm going New England. The Ravens have made life hard on Tom Brady in the last three meetings (two touchdown passes, five interceptions), so I don't think he'll hang 40something on them but I do think the chemistry Brady's developed with his backs will neutralize the loss of Rob Gronkowski.

Russell credited minorleague pitching coordinator Jim Benedict with pushing hard for Ledezma after seeing him in the Venezuelan Winter League. Reliever Steven Jackson also was promoted, for the third time this season. This is expected to be another cameo, as he likely will be returned before a starter is needed Saturday in St.

Yes, his stats were better than Ryan Tannehill But most NFL people would allow that Tannehill has better upside potential. The Vikings do have things in their favor, no doubt. They play on turf and indoors. Tom Brady pulled a rare move tonight and did not address the media after the Patriots' preseason victory against the Buccaneers.It was supposed to be his first chance to answer questions since suffering the minor knee injury during Wednesday's practice. Obviously, by Brady's performance 11 of 12 for 107 yards and one touchdown there's absolutely no need to be concerned about the knee.Bill Belichick quickly brushed aside a question about his thoughts as he saw Brady crumble to the ground two days ago.Karen Guregian has been a member of the Boston Herald sports staff since 1984, performing a variety of jobs. A twotime Boston Magazine "Best of Boston" award winner in the outstanding sports reporter category, Karen has covered Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cups, NBA Finals, golf and tennis majors, and the Olympics during her Herald career..

The Bears extended their advantage to as many as 12 points beforetaking a 10point lead at halftime. The deficit grew at times in the second half, and Monessen got no closer than 10. Overall, it was the kind of performance that has given the Bears an optimistic view of their chances the rest of the season..

McLouth said he is fully healthy. He likely will break camp as the fourth outfielder, but the team has said he will get significant atbats. Both corner outfielders, Alex Presley and Jose Tabata, www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Stephen-Gostkowski-Jersey missed large chunks of games due to injury in so the chance for more playing time could present itself..

"It definitely bothers us. We a team in there. We support each other," Kunitz said. Hoke was more than a backup, one reason his teammates responded with such emotion when learning about the news. He was as popular as they come in their locker room and proudly noted his record as a starter with them was 171 in the regular season. The Steelers went 100 with him at nose tackle in 2004 after a knee injury ended Hampton season..

14. Coaches deal with it in all sports www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Rob-Ninkovich-Jersey at the college level. Players transfer for a variety of reasons, but the main one is playing time. The Steelers lost another running back when John Clay went down with a hip/groin injury in practice and did not return. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer already are out. "He went down in a lot of pain," Tomlin said of Clay.

You want to stay away from actions that could be deemed as humor at a UMass frat house. Vulgar verbals among your group that can only be heard by your group are entirely acceptable. As long as you leave it between your group, anything goes. The year before had seen the departure of Asante Samuel and Roosevelt Colvin. Another successfulreclamationproject, Rodney Harrison, retired. Belichick thought that in his defensive Tom Brady Jersey system he could plug and play his players as easily as his coaches.

He has his moments, but for the most part, this is the first year he has substantially improved. The last notable mention as a forward, is a man who needs no introduction, a man whose heart I never question, and who nose will never quite look straight on his face, Shawn Thornton. He fight, he score, and he play it clean.

Pitt hasn lost fewer than three games Rob Gronkowski Authentic Jersey in any season since 1981. There hasn been much buzz about the program for years. That changed a bit in February when the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitt new league, beginning next fall announced Pitt first conference game will be Labor Day night against Florida State at Heinz Field.

Entering his third year in Dallas, Jenkins was solid during his sophomore campaign, earning himself a trip to the 2010 Pro Bowl. A first round selection in 2008, Jenkins played 14 games as a rookie recording 19 tackles and 1 interception. Outplaying Orlando Scandrick early in the season, Jenkins finished the 2009 season with 49 tackles, 19 passes defended, and five interceptions.

I have done so all season, in fact, in situations where my mouth screams out contesting their mistakes, but my head remains scared and impatient. I have called for the Cup all season, staking claim that they will succeed on the skates and pads of the eventual VezinaTrophy winning goaltender. I praised their offseason and midseason lineup adjustments andmade it known that Julien structured defensive system, without a superstar goal scorer, would lead them to victory none the less, promoting a level of skill achievedonly byheart and resilience.

It could come from undrafted free agents. Whether or not they play a larger role this year, possibly. There are still street free agents that are available. Take it or leave it.It was just an interesting contrast to what went on the previous day when Pats owner Robert Kraft teed off on Wes Welker representatives.While Kraft couldn put a lid on his emotions and control his anger over how the Patriots were being portrayed, Belichick was dry, guarded and not nearly as combative as his boss.Belichick mantra is to do whatever is best for the team. And for him, it not in the best interest of the team to give great detail about players, contracts, injuries, strategies, etc.So when asked about Welker, Belichick didn provide much for the quote board. During the 50minute sitdown with reporters, Belichick was asked about Welker several different Nate Solder Jersey ways, and he really didn budge.are changes every year on every team, Belichick said, when asked initially if it will be odd not seeing Welker in the team offense.As a followup, the Pats coach was asked if the negotiation was tough.

The Cowboys entered the game as the 1 rush defense in the league, but the Eagles ran all over them going for 239 yards, including 185 yards and two TDs by Shady McCoy. That's a big reason why the Eagles gained a ridiculous 31 first downs on eight possessions. When the Eagles punted with nine minutes remaining in the Rob Gronkowski Jersey game, it was their first drive of the game that did not end in points.

Is this going to be another 453 drubbing? Not even close. However, I wouldn hate that because I did take the Patriots (10) and the over (45). I do see this being a little bit closer but the Pats offense need to continue to hold onto the ball and avoid any and all turnovers.

It soon be July, a month meant for barbecues, swimming pools and NFL predictions. Without Tom Brady Authentic Jersey much consideration, we used to simply writing in the Patriots as the upcoming season AFC East champions. For the first time in what feels like decades, there are Nate Solder Jersey several question marks surrounding the product Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick plan to trot onto the field this season..

They scored fewer goals in the regular season than any of the 16 playoff teams. Star center Jason Spezza played in Game 3 for the first time since back surgery in late January and isn the great player he was. Star defenseman Erik Karlsson isn the great player he was before his Achilles tendon injury in February.

The black and white this fall. Dunn injured his shoulder while working out for the USA under 18 squad,which resulted in him obviously not making the team. Ledo's academic struggles supposedly continue, therefore putting his eligibility status in question.

I have harped on the Bruins throughout the playoffs for their awful power play. But after tonight, the Bruins are one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Somewhere they haven been in nearly 20 years. Even more impressive is that Kiper is 52, which means that his bladder is shrinking rapidly. And even more impressive is that Kiper's hair do remained the same throughout the whole draft. What gel does this guy use? That is incredible..

His development will be critical to this group's success this season. Devin McCourty was the very unpopular first round pick from the Patriots in this years draft. He will compete for the Nickel position and may blossom into a starter, you never know at this position.

Has been widely reported in the media that the state police have searched the home of our client, Aaron Hernandez, as part of an ongoing investigation, it read. Of respect for that process, neither we nor Aaron will have any comment about the substance of that investigation until it has come to a conclusion. A lawenforcement official told FOX 25 that Hernandez left a Boston bar in a car with Lloyd and two other men in the hours that preceded the body discovery.

Quarterback Tom Savage takes the next step, and versatile receiver/runner/returner Mohamed Sanu joins him on the superstar level. The offensive line comes together, young guns help in the running game, and everything is rosy or scarlet. After dispatching Norfolk State and Florida International with ease, the Scarlet Knights www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Rob-Ninkovich-Jersey take down North Carolina, which has half its starters suspended.

He has not played well at all during the past week and while he and Doc Rivers keep saying there is no injury affecting him, his lines as of late would speak to the contrary. Hopefully Rondo can get himself figured out while the bench continues to learn how to play together. This team needs to hit their stride as they chase the No.

Goalies will adapt." . The Penguins devoted much of their hourlong practice to special teams. Winger Zach Boychuk found a long way back to where he started. He spent more than a month with the Penguins after being claimed from Carolina www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Stephen-Gostkowski-Jersey on waivers. When he didn work out as Malkin winger and then couldn get back into the lineup, he was waived and claimed by Nashville.

47 Tony Gonzalez, No. 73 Antonio Gates, No. 77 Aaron Hernandez, No. The Hart went to Anaheim Corey Perry. Crosby also missed the sevengame loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. The Penguins would have won that series if he had been able to play..

Francona is a player manager who would always cover up for his players when the going went tough. His methods worked for over six years and brought two world championships to Boston, while becoming the greatest Red Sox manager of all time. That being said, his methods had become stale and he was being tuned out in the clubhouse.

Dumb. Dumb. Ly. O has said the stories of walkons turned contributors will help in recruiting new ones. Penn State did have an inordinate number last season: Matt McGloin, Matt Lehman, Derek Day, Jake Fagnano, Jesse Della Valle and Emery Etter were current or former walkons who played significant roles. And Lehman and specialteams ace Ryan Keiser parlayed their success into scholarships for this upcoming year..

"And I do believe one of the challenges we have as men in sports is we don set our goals high enough. I wanted to remind our guys we needed to be as good as we can be. I not sure I know what that is. Al Woods might have had the best day of any defender on the field. Woods, playing defensive end, had a sack, two tackles for losses, a quarterback hurry and led the defense with six solo tackles and nine overall. It the kind of play the Steelers might expect from one of their firstround picks at defensive end..

Branden Albert, the No. 15 overall pick, signed a fiveyear contract in time to fly to training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. This year in Pennsylvania, about $20 million of the Game Commission nearly $100 million annual budget comes from PittmanRobertson. A little more than $14 million of Fish and Boat $55 million budget comes from DingellJohnson. In the sequester cuts, the Game Commission will lose a little more than $1 million.

"Pat Hentgen once said and [Roy] Halladay always reminds me, if I don go seven he text me expect to win if you don go seven, " Burnett said. "As a starter, a lot of guys look at the quality starts, six innings, this and that, that fine and dandy. But [you] want to go seven, eight.".

See. Coach talks about your role being what you make of it, Brady said Stevan Ridley Jersey after his oneliner to Burton. Are a lot of guys . "It is called the black because [the call] could go either way," Cole said. "I don know if they were strikes or Rob Ninkovich Authentic Jersey balls but they were quality pitches and that is all you can worry about, just trying to make a pitch. There were some times I put guys away.

Players have nothing to fear but a slap on the wrist, so why not continue to break the rules and the law, I can afford a small fine. Until they can fear the worst, there is no incentive to stop. It about time we stopped treating athletes as above the law and started punishing them under it.

"People miss out on big crappies because they thinking of them like they bass," he said. "What I saying to your readers is don always think shallows for the big, big crappie. If you catching crappies of average size, back off into deeper water. A 4game suspension derailed some of that success, however I think his performance last season warrants him making the team in 2013. Justin Francis went from being an undrafted free agent signing to top backup performer for the Pats in 2012 (10 tackles, 3 sacks). Jake Bequette only played in 3 games last year, however he was awarded practice player of the month in October of last season and is expected to make a bigger impact in 2013.

The team is, however, prepared for Dennard to be suspended by the NFL under the player conduct policy. As a reference point, Lions cornerback Aaron Berry was suspended for three games in 2012 after getting arrested twice in the offseason. An NFL spokesman said only that Dennard case is review.

But it didn used to be that way. As recently as the 1980s, hunters routinely took advantage of the state long menu of hunting opportunities. Before Stephen Gostkowski Authentic Jersey putting beginners in a deer stand, veteran hunters handed them a shotgun or rimfire rifle and took them in search of mourning doves, groundhogs and small game.

Carruth and Simpson were accused of committing crimes of passion, emotion and greed. They had motives. Hernandez is being described by police as simply violent, volatile and dangerous. Don't get me wrong, there were good times. FitzMagic sprung on the back of memorable last second win vs Oakland in 2011. The home win against New England to snap a dubious streak is the game Fitz should be remembered for in his time as a Bill.

At this www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Rob-Gronkowski-Jersey point, it was only an 85 Arizona lead. One second later, Jose Tabata was crossing the plate with Harrison on his heels and Marte flying around the bases as well. One second after that, Walker ball fell on the wrong side of the foul line, sending everyone back to their places..

He says he is that now and has shown it through the early days of training camp. He anxious to see what happening on the other side of the defense, where Jason Worilds and rookie Jarvis Jones are trying to replace Harrison. He hopes at least one can pick up the slack..

Few players have ever caused such divided opinions as Sean Avery. Well, that isn entirely true, as he appears to be despised by approximately 29 teams, but, as a New York Ranger, he still remains a cause of major polarity in fans. When the Rangers put Avery on waivers and sent him to the AHL before the start of the season, it brought the varied opinion of the alltime instigator to the forefront..

"If they out there pumping strikes, it hard to score runs when you keep taking pitches and you get down in the count," Jones said. "When a pitcher got good stuff, good strikeout stuff, it just makes it harder on the hitter to do some damage."Travis Snider had a sixgame hit streak going into Friday game, in which he was 8 for 21. He extended it to seven with a double in the first.

O'Brien, 42, steps in for Paterno, fired Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Not only is O'Brien replacing Division I's winningest coach, but he must also guide a program shrouded in uncertainty.

It too early for Tom Brady to freak out, but the Patriots quarterback has to wonder who will be on the receiving end of his deliveries next season.Today is the third day of the team offseason workout program, and Brady five most productive pass catchers from last season are either gone or nursing injuries. The most www.patriotsofficialonline.com/Authentic-Tom-Brady-Jersey recent hit involved tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is recovering after offseason shoulder surgery, according to the NFL Network.Hernandez will likely miss the duration of the Pats nineweek offseason workout program, but he should be ready in time for training camp in late July. It unclear when the injury occurred, as Hernandez never showed any signs of a shoulder ailment during a season in which he was consistently plagued by ankle issues.Naturally, injured players can recover in time for training camp and have perfectly productive seasons, and Hernandez told the Herald last week that his goal was to play all 16 games for the first time in his career.

Going to make mistakes at this time of the year, but that what this is for, is to try to get better and improve and learn from the things that we not doing well, and hopefully after 13 practices you more prepared to go to training camp. These guys have been really adamant about working hard, staying after, doing the extra work that we need to try to get better. Is likely neither McDaniels nor Brady was all too happy after Tuesday practice: the offense was not crisp, with a number of incompletions from all three quarterbacks, as well as drops from receivers and running backs..

Tebow told King he had been able in a postgame TV interview to say the name of Blake Appleton, a child with cancer. What I proud of today, Tebow noted, before concluding the interview: a good day, Mr. King. He didn get what he deserved nor what he earned. Now, after all that, the man who claims Welker was his first priority is saying, want another $6 Prove you worth it. Welker supposed to say? master? said Welker made one last desperate call to him, but it was late.

Buffalo Bills: Ah, the Bills, with a whole new coaching staff and approach from top to bottomand nothing has changed. So far in free agency it seems the Bills main priority and perhaps, only priority was to resign Leodis McKelvin? A former first round disappointment who can now count on an expanded role with the defense and $7.5 million guaranteedfor what? The Bills biggest name set to become a free agent was S Jairus Byrd. The team and Byrd's agent failed to come to an agreement, so the Bills tagged him as their franchise player.

"I not a fan of bringing guys to the big leagues just because we want to give them exposure or to hang around for a month," general manager Neal Huntington said. "The guys who come will be those who are prospects and have earned the right to play. There also will be guys to help fill JR needs, like in the bullpen.".

Q. Congrats, www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Darrelle-Revis-Jersey Louisville men and women. The women, especially. The Pirates weren ready to win the division before the trades for Ludwick and Lee. They still aren ready. They won be ready after Alex Presley, Ryan Doumit, Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf and Evan Meek return from the disabled list..

Grammatical and factual mistakes aside, McNabb makes a good point. In seven seasons as the starting quarterback in Big D, Romo boasts a 13 postseason record with a playoff QB rating of just 80.8. Romo's counter to McNabbshould he opt to employ onecould be that his one playoff win came against McNabb's Eagles during the www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Doug-Martin-Jersey 2010 wildcard round..

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Bill Belichick is a wheelerdealer during the NFL Draft. In each of the last two years he made seven trades while it was going on.

Expect more of the same.

The coach of the New England Patriots has six of the top 92 picks in the threeday draft two in each of the first three rounds plenty of attractive pieces to move up to get a player he covets or down to add an extra choice or two.

definitely seems to be a lot of interest in our draft picks. As you know, we not afraid to trade them, Belichick said in an interview with Sirius/XM radio this month. do what best for the team. We evaluate those opportunities if they come up on draft day and take it from there.

In the first round, the Patriots have the 17th pick acquired from Oakland for defensive end Richard Seymour just before the 2009 season, and their own 28th. In the second round, they have the first pick, the 33rd overall, as a result of a trade that sent their thirdround pick last year to Carolina, and their own 60th.

In the third round, last year trade of Randy Moss brought them the 74th pick from Minnesota to go with their 92nd pick.

Having both the 28th and 33rd choices could be a big bargaining chip.

kind of have two picks there, pretty close to each other, and sometimes that has some dynamics, Belichick said. one of two spots somebody can move into, instead of just one. One way or another, if teams want to deal, I think we be one of the teams that they might want to talk to.

Two firstround trades worked out for the Patriots last year. They traded their own 22nd pick for Denver 24th and a fourthrounder that they used on tight end Aaron Hernandez. Then they shuffled that 24th pick to Dallas in a trade that brought the 27th. They held on to that and selected cornerback Devin McCourty, who made the Pro Bowl.

New England biggest needs this year are pass rushers and offensive linemen.

The Patriots 36 sacks were tied for 14th in the NFL last year. Rookie linebackers Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham had decent seasons playing with star middle linebacker Jerod Mayo, but are still developing. The www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Mike-Williams-Jersey offensive line needs youth with the retirement of guard Stephen Neal, the free agency of tackle Matt Light and the bad feelings between the Patriots and guard Logan Mankins, who sat out the first seven games in a contract dispute and was designated their franchise player after the season.

If the Patriots want to get linebacker Von Miller of Texas A they probably have to move into one of the first five spots. Linebacker Robert Quinn of North Carolina should go lower, but still before the Patriots No. 17 pick. Watt of Wisconsin or Cameron Jordan of Cal.

think when we look back on it in a couple of years, and evaluate it, it will probably come down to which teams are able to evaluate those front7 (defensive) positions the best, Belichick said. are going to be a lot of those players taken high, whether they (are) defensive linemen or defensive ends/outside linebackers.

Firstround offensive line possibilities include Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin. Danny Watkins of Baylor could be available at No. 28.

One position where the Patriots don need help is tight end. Hernandez was their third leading receiver last year with 45 catches, six for touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski, www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Adrian-Clayborn-Jersey a secondround pick, caught 42 passes with 10 touchdowns.

They helped the Patriots to the NFL best record (142), and were major contributors to the team leaguehigh 32.4 points per game. But the Patriots lost in the AFC divisional round, 2821, to the New York Jets. It was the second straight season New England lost a home playoff game prior to championship weekend.

Despite all the scouting and analysis done for the draft, director of player personnel Nick Caserio said sometimes teams must decide whether to gamble on a player.

the end, you sort of have to, I don want to say go with a gut instinct, (but) maybe there an example of a player in previous years who was in a similar situation, he said.

So, he might compare the potential draftee to how a current pro was viewed when he was entering the draft. But this year is different with the current NFL lockout of players, although that hasn changed the way the Patriots get ready for the draft.

approach this year is no different than it been in years past, Caserio said. evaluating the player for his skill set based on the information that we gathered. And then, we move forward from there.

Nearly 10 months removed from the call that brought him into the national spotlight while serving as a replacement official for a Monday night game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Lance Easley was back in the Seattle area on Sunday as he served as an umpire for Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s celebrity softball game.

Easley infamously called a touchdown 0n a last-second Hail Mary from Russell Wilson to Golden Tate to hand the Seahawks a 14-12 win over the Packers when it appeared as though Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings had intercepted the ball.

Easley posed for pictures with Tate and made a few questionable calls on the base paths that led to www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Josh-Freeman-Jersey arguments from both teams at Sherman’s softball game Sunday. Wilson stormed out to first base to confront Easley after a close play at first and subsequently picked up first base and took it with him (following in the footsteps of former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon).

It was a light-hearted moment for the ref who is praised in Seattle and loathed in Green Bay for his call to end the Monday night game. The “Fail Mary” is one of the lasting images from last season and served as the final straw to bring a resolution between the league and the referee’s union putting an end to the replacement officials. Despite being thrust into the limelight, Easley remains steadfast that his call was the right one and says he wouldn’t change anything about the game or the ensuing fallout.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Easley said. “I can’t. The NFL upheld it. I’ve looked at plenty of video. I’ve talked to my replay guys, and there was nothing that could turn it over.

“It was just one of those calls that will live in NFL history.”

Easley said the scrutiny of the replacement officials in the media was something they were aware of and that it affected his decision-making process on the play.

“If I regret anything I probably would have talked it over a little bit with my partner,” Easley said. “I thought he saw the same thing but because of the media and the way they were getting after us every week and the pressure, I thought to myself ‘OK, I know what I have. If we talk about it the media is going to crucify us like look at those idiots, they don’t know what they’re doing.’”

“When they both went up and started to come down I said ‘oh no, this is happening in front of 18 million people on TV on Monday night. Everybody’s watching this,’” Easley said.

Easley still believes he made the correct call. He probably didn’t. However, one thing Easley said is correct. The play was incredibly rare. Two players coming down simultaneously with a pass in the end zone on the last play of a game is an incredibly unique play for any referee to handle.

“I knew how bizarre the play was. I’d never seen it. I was confirmed by www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Gerald-Mccoy-Jersey that by calling the NFL office the next morning and saying ‘have you seen this play before? No.’ Everybody, head coaches – I have not met anybody that’s said ‘oh yeah, I saw that play the other day’ or ‘I saw it in 1965, Bears vs. Vikings.’ Nobody has seen it. It’s not on TV, not on film, otherwise you would see it. Players, coaches, all of us fans, we know it’s never happened before so I just happened to be stuck in the middle of it,” Easley said.

“It probably will never happen again, just like the Immaculate Reception.”

On Tuesday, limited snippets of an affidavit filed in a Florida court emerged, via the Associated Press. And while the information published by the AP was accurate, it was hardly complete.

Albert Breer of NFL Network has passed along the entire affidavit, and it paints a much more comprehensive picture of what Carlos Ortiz said, and when and where he said it.

Basically, Ortiz said everything he knows.

As of Tuesday, June 25, Ortiz was on probation. He showed up that day for a previously-scheduled meeting with his probation officer. When Ortiz got there, he www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Dashon-Goldson-Jersey learned that there was another purpose for that day’s meeting.

Investigators provided Ortiz with the so-called Miranda warnings (“you have the right to remain silent . . .”), and Ortiz nevertheless agreed to speak. Both the video and audio were recorded.

Ortiz said that he and Wallace arrived at Hernandez’s home in North Attleboro just after midnight on June 17, 2013. Hernandez and Shayanna Jenkins weren’t home; a babysitter let Wallace and Ortiz into the home.

Ortiz saw “a small and large handgun” in the home, and when Hernandez returned with Jenkins, Ortiz saw Hernandez “carrying a handgun.”

The three men — Hernandez, Ortiz, and Wallace — left the home at 1:09 a.m., stopping once for gas and then picking up Odin Lloyd and traveling back to North Attleboro.

Ortiz told police that, on the drive back, “he overheard Mr. Hernandez state directly to Mr. Lloyd that he was ‘chilling’ with people that [Hernandez] had problems with.” Ortiz said that Hernandez and Lloyd “made up by ‘shaking hands’ and added that ‘it’ was squashed.”

Ortiz then fell asleep. He woke up when the vehicle stopped, and Ortiz saw the other three men — Hernandez, Wallace, and Lloyd — get out of the car “to urinate.”

Ortiz then heard gunshots.

Hernandez and Wallace got back in to the car “without Mr. Lloyd,” and the vehicle “fled” the scene.

Because he had been asleep and stayed in the car, Ortiz didn’t know who had www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Connor-Barth-Jersey fired the shots, which makes Monday’s report that Wallace told Ortiz that Hernandez fired the shots now more sensible.

When the vehicle returned to Hernandez’s house, Wallace asked Ortiz to get a small gun located under the rear of the driver’s seat. Ortiz got the gun, carried it inside, and gave it to Hernandez.

Ortiz said that he then went back to sleep.

The affidavit confirms that it was Ortiz who told police about the things Hernandez said to Lloyd in the car, but Ortiz’s version as explained in the affidavit differs from the representations made in court by prosecutor Bill McCauley during Hernandez’s arraignment. For example, McCauley mentioned that Hernandez spoke about not being able to trust anyone, and that Hernandez wasn’t upset about Lloyd “chilling” with people Hernandez had issues with but that Lloyd had actually said something to them that called his trustworthiness in to question. Also, McCauley said nothing about Hernandez and Lloyd making up.

Still, if Ortiz repeats his story in court, it will be very hard to overcome the clear and complete picture it paints. While Hernandez’s lawyers surely will try to paint Ortiz as a liar, the reality is that Hernandez specifically asked Ortiz and Wallace to come to Massachusetts from Connecticut. As a practical matter, Hernandez is pretty much stuck with whatever Ortiz says happened, unless Hernandez and Wallace plan to offer an alternative explanation on the witness stand at trial.

The Bengals are an elite team.

Come on. Say it with me.

The Bengals are an elite team.

How elite? How about No. 6?

Largely ignored and overlooked due to a lingering presumption of mediocrity (at best), an unwillingness to spend money, and a propensity to bring bad guys to town, the Bengals quietly have put together under coach Marvin Lewis one of the most balanced rosters in the entire league.

With a high dose of continuity fueled by a surprising lack of interest in their assistant coaches and their LaMichael James Jersey free agents, the Bengals have a chance to do something they haven’t done since Eric Reid 49ers Jersey the week before they ended Bo Jackson’s football career in January 1991. Win a playoff game.

We suspect that more than a few of you will disagree. But go ahead and vote anyway on whether they’re too high (i.e., we’re Kendall Hunter Womens Jersey high), too low, or just right.

But at least hear us out before doubting their preseason position.

When the Lions www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Lamichael-James-Jersey go to the place that cornerback Darius Slay thought was a car, Slay could be firmly entrenched in the driver’s seat.

Slay, a second-round www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Joe-Montana-Jersey rookie who was picked despite a knee problem, has vaulted into the starting lineup for the Lions. Via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Slay spent the weekend practicing as the first-team corner, across from Chris Houston.

Coach Jim Schwartz praised Slay to reporters on Sunday, explaining that Slay has been impressive in man-to-man coverage and “patient” with the press technique.

“We really don’t have depth charts right now, but we do have rotations,” Schwartz said, per Seifert. ”He’s getting some good reps and that’s because of his play in the preseason games. The greatest reward is the opportunity to do more.”

Slay will get a chance to do more against a team that can do plenty in the passing game. The Patriots are next up on the preseason docket for the Lions.

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As Vikings defensive end Jared Allen enters his contract year, the perennial Pro Bowl has a problem. Unless he doesn’t.

Per multiple reports, Allen suffered an ankle injury during practice on Tuesday. He left the practice field limping, with the ankle wrapped.

“We’ll look it over and determine whether or not we need to do an MRI,” coach Leslie Frazier said, via Dan Wiederer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Allen, who we just realized looks a little like the guy who plays Wilfred in Wilfred, wasn’t going to play in the preseason opener against the Texans even if he were healthy.

The Vikings have every reason to protect Allen. He www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Kendall-Hunter-Jersey carries a cap number of more than $17 million, with 2013 compensation in excess of $14 million.

The team has shown no inclination to extend Allen’s contract, which could dramatically reduce his current-year cap charge.

Add St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Patrick-Willis-Jersey Pead to the list of recent NFC West draft choices suspended to open the 2013 NFL season.

Pead, a second-round choice in 2012, will serve a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy for substance abuse. He joins 2012 Rams fifth-round pick Rokevious Watkins, 2012 Seattle Seahawks first-round pick Bruce Irvin, and 2010 Arizona Cardinals second-rounder Daryl Washington on the list of NFC West players suspended to open the season.

Pead and Watkins will serve one-game suspensions under the substance-abuse policy. Washington will serve a four-game ban under the same policy. Irvin will serve a four-game ban under the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

All four players remain eligible to practice with their teams and participate in offseason programs.

Violators of the substance-abuse policy who have not yet reached Stage Three of the program can remain eligible at their teams' discretion to participate in team meetings and other functions during the season, but they cannot participate in games or practices.

Substance-abuse suspensions generally span four games. One-game suspensions suggest the player entered the program without incurring positive tests, perhaps voluntarily. Players arrested www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Mike-Iupati-Jersey on drug-related charges can also incur one-game suspensions, although there is no evidence that is the case with Pead.

The NFL and its teams do not disclose particulars, citing confidentiality rules, so it's difficult to know for sure what happened in specific cases.

Pead is competing for playing time at running back as the Rams move forward without Steven Jackson. Rookie Zac Stacy and second-year running back Daryl Richardson are also among those competing. The team figures to take more of a committee approach than rely upon one runner. A one-game setback isn't going to crush Pead's chances for the long term, but it's a strike against him following a rookie season in which he ranked fourth on the team in carries with 10, trailing even quarterback Sam Bradford.

Last week, when starting San Diego receiver Danario Alexander was lost for the season with a torn ACL in his knee, both general manager Tom Telesco and coach Mike McCoy said the Chargers had enough depth at the position not to worry about finding a veteran receiver.

They have to re-evaluate that plan even after it appears the team dodged a huge problem. Initially, the Chargers thought the team’s other starting receiver, Malcom Floyd, suffered a torn ACL on Monday. However, the team says initial results showed he has a knee strain. Floyd will be further examined.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that Floyd will send the MRI results to other specialists, including Dr. James Andrews, to confirm the initial diagnosis of a strained knee. Even if the initial diagnosis is accurate, it is expected that Floyd will not return until the regular-season opener and possibly not until Week 2.

This scare should be a lesson to the Chargers’ brass. They must go find a veteran.

Going into training camp, the Chargers’ receiving crew was considered fairly deep. But the potential www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Kendall-Hunter-Jersey problem was nearly every player in the group had big injury histories, including Alexander and Floyd. The other four receivers in the rotation, Vincent Brown (who missed all of last season with an ankle injury), rookie Keenan Allen, Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem have all been considered fragile in the past.

Thus with these issues www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Carlos-Rogers-Jersey already popping, San Diego needs to go find some insurance.

One of the reasons the Chargers didn’t sign a receiver when Alexander was hurt was the team wasn’t thrilled with the available class of veterans. Now, with the need growing, the Chargers may not have the luxury of being choosy. Two veterans initially come to mind -- Brandon Lloyd and Laurent Robinson. Lloyd played for McCoy in Denver and Robinson was in the Chargers’ camp two years ago and has worked with quarterback Philip Rivers.

Neither one of these players would come in as top-of-the-rotation players, but they would add depth to a position that is becoming increasingly vulnerable in San Diego.

One aspect of the game that was an absolute train wreck for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their loss to the New York Giants, was that of special teams. www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Mike-Iupati-Jersey Special teams is something that can easily make or break an important game. It’s a part of the game that should never be overshadowed by offense or defense, but oftentimes it is.

It was evident that special teams was a huge issue in the www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Patrick-Willis-Jersey Steelers’ first preseason game. Even last season the special teams didn’t look to be playing at a high level. This is something that desperately needs to change or the Steelers are going to come up short in close games, just like they did last season.

Ever heard the phrase, “football’s a game of inches?” It’s true. That’s where kickoffs and punting come into play. Kickoffs aren’t a huge issue these days because more times than not a kicker is booting the ball out of the back of the end zone, preventing stupid penalties on kickoff returns or coverage and having guys take a knee in the end zone rather than trying to be the All-Star return man are definitely things that should be addressed. However, I see the major problems with the punting unit.

During the first quarter, Drew Butler had a punt blocked by the Giant’s defensive end Damontre Moore. DaMon Cromartie-Smith of the Steelers completely whiffed when trying to block Moore, allowing him to leap in front of Butler to block the punt. The blocked punt led to a field goal for the Giants. What makes this even worse is that this punt was a redo. The initial punt that pinned the Giants deep, was called off due to Marshall McFadden being an ineligible man downfield.

David Gilreath really did himself in with his performance in the preseason game. Gilreath made two errors as the return man for punts. The first, he fielded a punt at his own 3-yard line and tried to return it only to swallowed up by the Giant’s special teams coverage. Even though he was able to return it 4 yards, that was nullified by yet another penalty. This time the penalty came from wide receiver, Justin Brown who was flagged for an illegal block in the back. The other mistake came when Gilreath fielded a punt but let it hit off his chest causing him to fumble. The fumble was recovered by the Giants. That’s 3 more gaffes to add to the special teams and 2 of the blunders really hurt Gilreath’s chances of earning a roster spot.

As far as the field goal unit is concerned, I really do have a lot of confidence in Shaun Suisham. Suisham last season missed a few important kicks but for the most part is very consistent. I don’t expect him to be perfect this season but I believe he’ll get the job done when called upon.

Special teams is not something the Steelers want to take lightly. Penalites are common in the preseason because everything hasn’t come together yet but they cannot become a long-term issue for the Steelers. Penalities will come back to bite you, just like McFadden’s did with the blocked punt. Hopefully having experienced players returning punts will negate mistakes like Gilreath’s but if not it’ll be a long season for the return game. I may be coming down hard for it only being the first preseason game but it scares to me to see special teams perform badly. If the Steelers special teams doesn’t improve there’s no doubt that the team will be on the short end of the stick in every close game they play this upcoming season.

Ray Lewis, the best middle linebacker of our generation, is retiring following the 2012 NFL Mike Iupati Jersey season.

The Aldon Smith Jersey report (via the Ravens' Twitter account) quoted Lewis as saying, "This will be my last ride," meaning that Lewis will be done whenever the Ravens' playoff run is over—whether this weekend, after the Super Bowl or anywhere in between.

Lewis' NFL-playing legacy is already well-established. In grading Lewis against the elite linebackers in NFL history, Chris Strauss of USA Today called Lewis "even" with Mike Singletary and better than Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke and Junior Seau.

If Strauss is right, that puts Lewis in rather hallowed company.

2013 Minnesota Vikings Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions, Info and Analysis

The above is the enduring image of the Minnesota Vikings' 2012 season: superstar tailback Adrian Peterson rushing for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns by force of pure will and talent.

Peterson cemented his place in history with a historic season; he cemented his place in football legend less than www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Vernon-Davis-Jersey a year removed from blowing out his ACL.

Though Peterson blasted through opposing defensive lines, shook would-be tacklers and sprinted past secondaries, the photo captures something else: how ineffective his passing-game teammates were in support.

Christian Ponder, Percy Harvin and company mustered just 2,751 yards as a unit and ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yardage. Ponder did an adequate job of dumping off passes to his hot reads and checkdowns but made very few plays.

olin Kaepernick's Race, Tattoos Don't Define Him; His Ability Does

NFL quarterbacks of color carry a heavy burden.

Not long ago, coaches thought African-American men weren't smart enough to play quarterback, as the late, legendary Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson once said. Not long ago, players who overcame that prejudice played "black quarterback"—a separate and unequal position, according to the mouths of fans and pens www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Justin-Smith-Jersey of the media.

Today, we'd like to think things have changed. In some ways, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's story proves we live in a different time. In others, our society hasn't progressed as much as we pretend.

To even make it to the NFL, a kid who isn't white has to be given the chance to play quarterback in grade school, chosen to start at quarterback in high school, be recruited to play quarterback at a college where he'll be taught the passing game and then excel at the college level, all in a system set up to steer them away from doing any of those things.

Oh my: 49ers acquire CB linked to Adderall

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh made headlines recently for commenting on five Seattle Seahawks suspensions linked to performance-enhancing drugs. He specifically questioned whether players linked to Adderall were using that psycholstimulant as cover for taking substances more directly related to performance.

Five weeks later, the 49ers have acquired a cornerback suspended last season and linked to Adderall use. Eric Wright, 27, comes to the 49ers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a conditional 2014 late-round draft choice, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson. He also has ties to 49ers assistant coaches Eric Mangini and Brad Seely, who were with Wright when all three worked for the Cleveland Browns.

Wright's PED history will be of particular interest in the NFC West.

"Play by the rules," Harbaugh said five weeks ago. "You want to be above reproach, especially when you’re good, because you don’t want people to come back and say, 'They're winning because they’re cheating.' That’s always going to be a knee-jerk reaction in my experience, since I was a little kid.

"We Justin Smith Jersey want to be a above reproach in everything and do everything by the rules. If you don’t, if you cheat to win, then you've already lost, according to Bo Schembechler. And Bo Schembechler Michael Crabtree Red Jersey is about next to the word of God. It’s not the word of God, but it’s close."

Wright entered the NFL with Cleveland in 2007. Mangini became the Browns' coach in 2009. The 49ers previously signed veteran special-teams player Ray Ventrone, who also has ties to Mangini and Seely.

Wright gives the 49ers another veteran corner to compete in the secondary.

The Denver Broncos are considering reuniting Peyton Manning and offensive lineman Ryan Lilja.

Fox Sports reported Tuesday night that the Broncos are talking to Lilja, 31, about ending his retirement. Lilja, who has seen time at guard and center, played with the Chiefs from 2010-12 after his stint with Manning in Indianapolis from 2004-09.

Denver is looking for help at center now that Dan Koppen out for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Starter J.D. Walton is out until at least November with an ankle injury. Right now, the starting center would be Manny Ramirez.

I can see why Denver is interested in Lilja. He is a veteran with experience at center -- and he has a rapport with Manning. In an emergency situation, Denver could do worse than Lilja.

In other AFC West notes:

The Chargers signed rookie safety Tony Burnett out of USC. They also cut rookie quarterback Mike Hermann www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Justin-Smith-Jersey and gave rookie cornerback Kenny Okoro the waived-injured designation, meaning that the team could keep him, on the reserve-injured list, if he clears waivers.

The Chiefs cut defensive back Buddy Jackson.

It's national franchise tag day, which means lots of action by the 4 p.m. ET deadline. Or not much? We've seen one deal (Ryan Clady and the Broncos), learned of one that won't happen (Pat McAfee and the Colts) and now have a second player who will fall in the latter scenario: Henry Melton of the Bears.

Melton, who was tagged by Chicago at the beginning of March, is just 26 and has 13 sacks in the last two seasons since becoming a starter. He made the Pro Bowl last season. But he told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune that he won't be working out a long-term deal with the Bears:

Henry Melton just confirmed to me that he won't get a new contract and will play under the one-year franchise tag this www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Aldon-Smith-Jersey season.

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) July 15, 2013

That tag will pay Melton $8.9 million for 2013 in the form of a one-year, fully guaranteed deal. Reports have targeted his desire for a hefty long-term deal: purportedly, Melton wanted something along the lines of a five-year contract with between $18 million and $20 million guaranteed.

That explains why CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora wrote recently that "there hasn't been that sense of urgency" when it comes to the Bears and Melton working out a deal; Chicago understands his value but clearly is balking at the large sum of cash Melton wants."

But if they're balking now, wait til they see how much the defensive tackle will command on the open market in his prime. If he plays as well the second time around in a contract year as he did in 2012, he'll be staring at a huge payday. Barring a second franchise tag (which could be problematic with Jay Cutler also entering a contract year in 2013), it stands to reason that this could be Melton's final season in Chicago.

Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Donald Jones announced his retirement www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Aldon-Smith-Jersey on Wednesday. Jones, only 25, is retiring because of kidney disease.

Jones made the retirement announcement on Twitter with this statement.

"As some of you may know, I have been suffering from a kidney disease throughout my entire life," Jones wrote. "As a result of recent advances in my disease, I am no longer able to pursue my career in the National Football League. Playing in the NFL was a lifelong dream of mine, and though I have the opportunity to continue my career, stepping away from the game is absolute best decision for my family and for my health. While it will be difficult, I am comforted by the love and support of my family, friends and doctors."

The 25-year-old became a free agent after the 2012 season and ended up signing with the Patriots in March. New England cut Jones in July and it was during a tryout after that where Jones realized how serious his condition was.

During a stress test with the Colts that involved running on a treadmill, Jones' blood pressure reached 250 over 110, according to FoxSports.com. To put that in perspective, the high-end of a normal blood pressure would be 120 over 80, according to Heart.org.

Jones originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Bills in 2010 and spent three seasons with the team. Over that three-year span, Jones caught 82 passes for 887 yards and six touchdowns. Jones' 443 receiving yards in 2012 ranked fourth on the team.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez isn't the only NFL Michael Crabtree Womens Jersey player that's eaten a hot dog during a game. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has done it, too.

Witten didn't get caught on camera eating the hot dog -- like Sanchez did -- but Witten did get caught by his coach, which might actually be worse, especially since that coach was Bill Parcells.

Witten's hot dog incident happened during a preseason game in 2006 and he shared the story this week while giving a speech at an Independence Bowl luncheon.

"It was raining, and I had played most of the first half, catching a touchdown pass, and we were beating the Saints pretty good," Witten said, via USA Today. "I figured I was finished at halftime, because starters usually didn't play that much in preseason games. I walked under the stadium and saw the most beautiful hot dog you've ever seen. I dressed it all up with mustard, and ketchup and relish -- then I was in mid-bite when coach Parcells walked in."

Going into the 2006 season, Witten had only played three years in Dallas and when he got caught with the beautiful hot dog, he thought three years might be all he ever played.

"I didn't figure I'd play another game as a Cowboy," Witten said.

The 31-year-old tight end didn't get cut, though, and now he's going into his 11th season with the Cowboys. The moral of the story: don't eat hot dogs during games.

Since becoming the regular starter at tight end in 2004, most of Witten's statistical lows came in the hot dog year of 2006. Witten finished with 64 catches for 754 yards and one touchdown. All three are the lowest totals Witten has put up in one season over the past nine years.

It remains to be seen whether Jairus Byrd, whether he's demanded it or not, will be the highest-paid safety during his contract, but here's one thing to think about: it doesn't look like the relationship between the Bills and one of its biggest stars is on its healthiest terms.

NFL.com reports that Byrd won't report to Buffalo's training camp and that the two sides actually haven't talked about his contract in nearly a month.

The Bills placed the franchise tag on him in March, meaning he would make $6.9 million for 2013 if he'd sign Frank Gore Womens Jersey the tender. Not a bad payday.

But here's what Byrd likely is thinking: he only cost Buffalo $1.2 million against the salary cap in 2012, and considering he's one of the best safeties in the game, he deserves to get paid at that level for a long period of time.

We imagine that's what he's thinking, anyway, because the two sides haven't spoken to one another in quite a while.

The good news for Byrd is that the Bills can't fine him for missing camp, because he's not actually under contract at the moment. The bad news for Byrd is that the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals has passed, meaning he will have to sign his tag if he wants to get paid to play this season.

Odds are that he'll do exactly that at some point in the next six weeks. He just might not be 100 percent happy about it.

This is the eighth in a 13-part series examining key questions as team training camps open. Today’s camp question: Do the Washington Redskins have bigger worries than RG3’s health? Tomorrow’s question: How will Tom Brady get along with his new weapons?

It’s strange to say, but the much scrutinized health of Robert Griffin III is the least of the Redskins’ worries in training camp. Griffin looks on track to be the Week 1 starter after he received medical clearance in his long recovery from reconstructive knee surgery.

The offense will have its dynamic runner and ballhandler, and given RG3 problems with staying healthy last season, the focus will be more on him thriving as an athletic, accurate passer. When you consider the offensive line and the powerful, straight-ahead style of running back Alfred Morris, the Redskins will still have one of the league’s hardest-to-read offenses.

But this is the NFC East, where there is constant change and intense competition. The Redskins (10-6), who won the division championship last year by a game over the New York Giants and by two over the Dallas Cowboys, look a lot like their 2012 version while the Giants and Cowboys make significant personnel and scheme changes.

The fourth-place Philadelphia Eagles had the most sweeping overhaul, with new coach Chip Kelly and a bevy of new defensive starters. And in the league’s most competitive division, they can’t even be ruled out.

The vulnerable Redskins secondary, led by veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall, may force the offense into shootout mode. (AP Photo)

The Giants and Cowboys made a lot of small adjustments to help their passing games, two of the league’s best with Eli Manning and Tony Romo. In response to that, the Redskins did not improve their pass defense enough.

The return of top pass rusher Brian Orakpo will help, but the secondary remains a big question mark. The Redskins ranked No. 30 in the league in passing yards allowed last season, and they had to get creative with the 3-4 to create any kind of pass rush.

There is better defensive backfield depth with former Buccaneer E.J. Biggers and rookies Phillip Thomas and David Amerson. But it’s the first team of the backline, led by DeAngelo Hall, that leaves the team vulnerable on the outside.

It’s a good thing Griffin appears to be healthy because the Redskins will have to outscore opponents in what shapes up as a season of shootouts. In addition to facing Eli Manning and Romo twice each, the Redskins have Peyton Manning’s Broncos, Colin Kaepernick’s 49ers and Matt Ryan’s Falcons on the schedule.

There was never www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Michael-Crabtree-Jersey really any concern about Mike Shanahan’s offense, whether it's led by a healthy RG3 or his capable, more traditional passing backup, Kirk Cousins. But the Redskins' defensive holes look bigger, especially when they failed to make any big impact moves.

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers have added depth to their new-look receiving group, signing wideout Marlon Moore to a one-year contract.

The NFC champion Niners made the announcement Tuesday. Last week, San Francisco acquired Anquan Boldin in a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the 49ers 34-31 in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in New Orleans.

The 25-year-old Moore, a Northern www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Frank-Gore-Jersey California native from Sacramento, played the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins after joining them as an undrafted free agent in April 2010. He has 12 career catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games.

Mario Manningham is working his way back from reconstructive left knee surgery and Randy Moss isn't expected to return after one season, so Boldin and Michael Crabtree will lead the 49ers unit.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The St. Louis Rams are putting on the pads for their Saturday scrimmage in the Edward Jones Dome. This will be the second time during training www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Frank-Gore-Jersey camp the Rams have worn not only shoulder pads but also the hip, knee, thigh and tail pads mandated for games under a new NFL rule, a change coach Jeff Fisher called no big deal.

"We've had them on once and it was no big deal with anybody," Fisher said, "so we'll have them on [Saturday] and then we'll have them on the third time for the real deal -- the preseason game."

While putting on pads would seem like a logical move in a contact sport, some players are rolling their eyes. San Francisco 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin is one of them. I caught up with him at training camp recently and he said he's never worn leg pads in 10 NFL seasons.

"If guys want to wear pads, fine, but I don’t think it should be mandatory," Boldin said. "I think the NFL is doing it just to cover their butts. It is what it is."

An officiating crew led by umpire Garth DeFelice has been monitoring the 49ers' practices and providing tips on rules. However, game officials won't be the ones inspecting uniforms. They won't say anything if they see a player without pads. Instead, a league-hired inspector assigned to each stadium will monitor players and report violations to the officiating crew.

"Let's say the Rams come here to play," DeFelice said. "[The inspector] is going to look and say, 'No. 27 doesn't have knee pads. Make him put them in.' So, we're going to go to 27 and say, 'Get out, you have no knee pads.' That's all we're going to do."

If the player returns to the game without pads and the inspector informs officials of the violation, the crew will assess a 5-yard penalty. Another violation in the same game would lead to a player ejection.

Note: I'll be traveling home Saturday, processing interviews and working on the "Camp Confidential" file for the 49ers, currently set for Sunday. Have a great day.