Player Notes

Hakeem Nicks claims his absence from OTAs wasn't contract related.
Advice: "I really don't talk about my contract in the media and stuff like that," Nicks said. "But contract wasn't related." Even though players of Nicks' status skip OTAs all the time, it's a hard-to-believe claim, especially since the coaching staff expressed open irritation at his absence. Regardless, it's a dead issue with Nicks pledging he won't hold out of training camp going into the final year of his rookie contract.
More: ESPN New York

Coach Jim Schwartz said K Havard Rugland impressed at Lions OTAs and minicamp.
Advice: Rugland's claim to fame is a Youtube trick-kick video that went viral and landed him a chance with the Lions. He was the primary kicker this offseason as David Akers nursed a hip injury. Akers is fully expected to be back for training camp and win the job.
More: Detroit Free Press

Jake Locker has not missed a single offseason practice.
Advice: Shoulder problems have plagued Locker during his two-year NFL career, but that won't be an excuse anymore. He's 100 percent healthy, is locked in as the starter, is out of former OC Chris Palmer's ineffective scheme and will play behind a vastly improved offensive line. He will also have a healthy Kenny Britt along with Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter as weapons. Locker's accuracy is a major concern, but his running ability does give him some upside as a QB2.
More: Nashville Tennessean

Jets C Nick Mangold believes Mark Sanchez should remain the starting quarterback this season, and says the rest of the locker room feels the same way.
Advice: "Whoever gives us the best chance to (win), we want out there - and at this point, Mark gives us that best chance," Mangold insisted. Mangold and his teammates must not have watched much of Sanchez's 2012 film. Whoever gives a rebuilding team the technical "best chance to win" isn't the point - it's that Sanchez has emphatically proven he's not an NFL-caliber starter, and the Jets need to find out if Smith is one after investing the No. 39 overall pick in him. At least for now, the Jets are stuck in neutral at their most important position.
More: New York Post

Vikings TE John Carlson admitted that his 2012 season was a "debacle."
Advice: Carlson signed a five-year, $25 million contract last offseason. He sustained a knee injury in camp and never got going, catching eight balls in 14 games. Now he's accepted a pay cut and is healthy. Carlson will enter camp as the clear No. 2 tight end behind Kyle Rudolph.
More: St. Paul Pioneer Press

Rams OC Brian Schottenheimer believes Sam Bradford is "a thousand years" ahead of where he was a year ago.
Advice: "The day Sam walked back into the building (this offseason) we started making adjustments," Schottenheimer said. 2013 marks the first time in Bradford's four-year career that he's had the same coordinator as the previous season. A lack of continuity has been just one of the reasons for Bradford's slow progression, but we believe he could eclipse 4,000 yards after coming up 298 yards short last season. Coming off a hot finish to 2012, the Rams have upgraded Bradford's line while surrounding him with more explosive weapons.
More: ESPN.com

Anquan Boldin lined up in the slot during the majority of team drills at 49ers minicamp.
Advice: Entering his age-33 season, Boldin doesn't get open by separating from corners out wide. He wins by dominating them physically and shedding tackles with power. That skill set works best in the slot, and that's where he'll do his work in San Francisco. It's a low-upside position in a run-heavy scheme. Fantasy owners drafting off Boldin's playoff run will be disappointed.
More: Santa Rosa Press Democrat

ESPN Dallas suggests Lance Dunbar could still win the No. 2 running back job.
Advice: Fifth-round rookie and presumed backup Joseph Randle (thumb surgery) missed all of OTAs and minicamp. Meanwhile, Dunbar reportedly had a "terrific" offseason and has the trust of Tony Romo. It's something to keep an eye on given DeMarco Murray's checkered injury history.
More: ESPN Dallas

Panthers signed WR Dale Moss.
More: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

Coach Bruce Arians said there's "no doubt" Rashard Mendenhall is the Cardinals' No. 1 running back.
Advice: During OTAs and minicamp, Mendenhall ran as the clear feature back. Arians appears to have zero interest in giving Ryan Williams, Stepfan Taylor or Andre Ellington a legit chance to compete. "He took me personally to a Super Bowl, and I know what he can bring to the table as a runner and a pass protector and also a receiver," Arians said of his former first-round pick in Pittsburgh. "He's an every-down player. And I think he's looking forward to having an outstanding season."
More: NFL.com

Julio Jones has cut out beef and pork in an effort to improve his nutrition.
Advice: Jones has been influenced by the diet and work ethic of new teammate Steven Jackson. "I feel l much better," he said. "Especially playing football, I feel that stuff sits on you." Still just 24 years old, Jones has already established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. If he didn't have to share targets with Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Jackson, he'd push Calvin Johnson for the title of top fantasy wideout. Last year, Julio ranked 20th in targets but was 11th in yards (1198) and tied for seventh in touchdowns (10).
More: FOX Sports

Redskins third-round TE Jordan Reed (thigh) ended up missing all of OTAs and minicamp.
Advice: Reed's injury was more severe than a standard muscle pull. "I had a [thigh] contusion in college and that caused my quad to shutdown and stop working, which caused my kneecap to start moving around and banging into my bone, and that caused a bone bruise," he said. "As long as I get that quad back firing right, my kneecap will stay in place and I'll be normal again." The Redskins are expecting Reed to be behind in training camp.
More: Real Redskins

Vernon Davis practiced exclusively with the wide receivers during 49ers minicamp.
Advice: With Michael Crabtree (Achilles') out until at least Week 12, Anquan Boldin only capable of playing the slot, and a host of question marks battling at X receiver, we knew Davis was going to have a big pass-game role. By learning to play wideout, he'll have more scheme versatility on Sundays. Davis can line up as an in-line tight end, move tight end, in the slot and out wide. The 49ers' dominant line frees him from too many blocking responsibilities. They'll remain a run-first team, but when they pass expect Davis to be featured.
More: Santa Rosa Press Democrat

DetroitLions.com expects Reggie Bush to be a "situational" punt returner this season.
Advice: "Reggie will have a role," ST coordinator John Bonamego said. "Reggie (can return punts) and is willing to do it. That's more situational - we need one, let's put him back there and let's see if he can make something happen." For the sake of Bush's health, we'd prefer he didn't play special teams, but the idea of "situational" returning is understandable. Bush could be a game-breaker in critical situations.
More: detroitlions.com

AzCardinals.com projects Michael Floyd as the Cardinals' No. 2 receiver, and believes he's "primed for a leap in year two."
Advice: In-house reporter Darren Urban has been leading the Floyd hype train all spring, but has plenty of company from less-biased observers. Floyd made big strides late in 2012 despite the Cardinals' farcical quarterback situation, and should start living up to his first-round pedigree under Carson Palmer.
More: azcardinals.com