The Facts:
Fitzgerald's immense talents were wasted last season. The receiver couldn't make up for the team's revolving door at quarterback during a campaign that flew off the rails in a hurry. "It was the most frustrating season, or time, I've ever had," Fitzgerald told Bruce Cooper of the Arizona Republic. "Professionally. ... Or even in college, I've never had a year like that. It was tough mentally, physically it was tough, but it builds resolve. I know I never want to go through a season like that personally, or as a team, and I'm going to do everything in my power to not ever repeat that." 

Diehards Line:
Fitzgerald quickly has warmed to new coach Bruce Arians. The team's new offensive-minded coach scattered Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Brian Hoyer to the wind, replacing that train wreck with veteran Carson Palmer and backup Drew Stanton. Fitzgerald sounds sold. "It's important, it's just stability," he said of Palmer. " From the first day he stepped in the huddle. ... He has a tempo, he has a mentality, a demeanor in the huddle that demands respect of his peers. When you look in his eyes, you know he's a leader. ... I'm excited to be playing receiver for him." Meanwhile, Arians, who found new ways to use Colts wideout Reggie Wayne last season and will do the same with the Cardinals. Fitzgerald was seen lining up in the slot and all over the formation during workouts this week, and as NFL.com's Marc Sessler suggests, Fitz is a strong candidate for a revival in 2013.

The Facts:
Vick is clearly tired of answering questions about how he’s not good enough at reading NFL defenses. The veteran QB was asked earlier this week to address critics who have pointed out that he doesn’t make quick enough reads and holds on to the football too long. “You don’t last 12 years in the NFL not being able to read the defense,” Vick said. “Those people who are talking and saying that are just ignorant, and they know nothing about football. Unless they turn on the film and watch my game and see what goes on, then they’ll replace those comments with the right comments.”  

Diehards Line:
As PhillyMag.com's Sheil Kapadia suggested, the easiest way to silence the critics will be to win the starting job and play well in 2013. The Eagles brought Vick back on a one-year deal, and he’s still considered the favorite to be the starter, although Chip Kelly has made it clear that the competition is open. Vick will likely be asked to get rid of the football quickly in Kelly’s offense. His propensity to hold on to the ball last year was partly due to the offensive system and partly due to Vick’s own inclination to want to keep every play alive. The other issue Vick will be asked about constantly between now and the start of the season is turnovers. He has fumbled 32 times in his last 35 games, 12 of them resulting in turnovers. Apparently Kelly is already addressing that issue. “Chip told me how to run with the football the other day,” Vick said. “He taught me how to run with the football and how to carry the football, and I think it’s something that you just have to work on. ...” And Vick is a player we'll continue to keep a close eye on as training camp draws near.

The Facts:
A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Giants and Cruz continue to talk, but that the process is “moving slowly.” Talks are expected to resume this week. 

Diehards Line:
As PFT's Mike Florio reminded readers, Cruz, who has not yet signed a one-year, $2.879 million restricted free agency tender, has been staying away from the team’s offseason workouts as he pursues a long-term deal. He reportedly wants more than $10 million per year; the Giants at last word were in the $7 million annual range. The next pressure point comes on June 17, when the Giants can rescind his tender offer and replace it with a 10-percent raise over his 2012 salary of $540,000, which equates to $594,000. Doing so would likely inflame the situation, however, ultimately making it more difficult to keep both Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. ... Stay tuned.

The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... Weeden admitted Friday he had no advance knowledge that the Browns were signing quarterback Brian Hoyer, but he's not worried about how it will impact the quarterback competition. "I was surprised, but that's the nature of the beast," Weeden said Friday. "It's part of this business and if you start worrying about it, that's too much to worry about. That's my mentality going forward." 

Diehards Line:
Weeden said he hasn't been told what the Browns have in mind for Hoyer, 27, and that it's not his concern. "I have no idea," Weeden said. "I'm worried about me." According to Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot, A source said that Hoyer, who signed his two-year deal on Friday, will come in as the third quarterback behind Weeden and second-teamer Jason Campbell -- but most likely ahead of current third-teamer Thad Lewis. He'll then have an opportunity to work his way up the depth chart. What makes Hoyer's signing intriguing is that GM Mike Lombardi expressed as recently as December of 2011 that Hoyer, signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State in 2009, had starting potential. Lombardi has remained close friends with Patriots coach Bill Belichick and has consulted with him on personnel over the years. Still, it sounds like Campbell is the guy Weeden should be worried about.

The Facts:
TE Clay Harbor and WR Jason Avant have both spent time at different positions during practice this week, examples of HC Chip Kelly's emphasis on versatility and perhaps a way to add value to two players who are not guaranteed to make the final roster. Harbor has worked with outside linebacker, while Avant tried defensive back. It should be noted that neither player is changing positions, but rather an occasional experiment to see what both players can do. 

Diehards Line:
"I'm a tight end, for emergency situations, versatility purposes, for me, I'm learning something," Harbor said "You have 53 guys on the roster, you have [46] guys that dress. ..." Harbor then stressed again, "I'm still a tight end -- I'm not switching positions. ..." Avant, 30, has played seven seasons and been a fixture in the Eagles’ offense. He did not view being asked to do something out of the ordinary as an indication of an uncertain future. "It's one of those things I work hard, and whatever that may be, and whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do it," Avant said. "Whatever that is, special teams, offense, whatever it may bring. I'm going to do it the best I can. I don't necessarily think it's a clouded future. I think it's an honor, in any way, for any coach to think you can do other things. ..." Unless it's actually a sign the thing you used to do is no longer going to be the thing you do going forward. ... Stay tuned.

The Facts:
Griffin has been throwing a football since late April, his father told USA TODAY Sports on Friday. It is another positive sign that the second-year QB's reconstructed right knee is getting stronger and his mobility is returning four months and eight days removed from Jan. 9 surgery to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments suffered late in a wild-card playoff loss to Seattle. "Robert is doing extremely well as far as the timetable,' Robert Griffin II said. "He's been doing a lot over time, he never stops.  

Diehards Line:
The elder Griffin added: "He was throwing some prior to the draft. Everything seems to be on cue. Everybody in the organization is targeting that season opener.' Griffin's father said his son is ahead of schedule by comparison to his prior rehabilitation from a torn ACL of his right knee suffered while playing for Baylor University four years ago. HC Mike Shanahan told USA TODAY's Jim Corbett, that while Griffin is indeed ahead of schedule, the team's doctors and training staff are being careful not to let him do too much, too soon and that he won't jeopardize RGIII's career just to have him start Week 1. "What you don't want is to do something too quick,' Shanahan said. "The muscles around the ligaments feel very good. But you don't want to do something to set it back. ... We're just trying not to push him too hard.' RGIII wrote himself on his Twitter account that his throwing regimen included "a couple roll out throws…But some take Friday off. ..." Stay tuned. The interest -- and the info -- will only ramp up as camp draws nearer.

The Facts:
A mere possibility quickly has become a probability. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Gronkowski "probably" will need back surgery. He currently is waiting for a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins.  

Diehards Line:
As previously noted, the back surgery, if it occurs, is expected to happen within three-to-four weeks after the upcoming surgery on his forearm, which currently is set for Monday. As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio explained, the timetable could hinge on whether the infection is indeed gone from Gronkowski's forearm. If it is, he'll need only one more surgery (the fourth) on his arm, and then the back surgery would be able to proceed. If the surgery is still there (doctors currently believe it isn't), a fifth surgery on the arm may be needed. Which could delay the back surgery. ... We will, of course, continue following this one closely.

The Facts:
Late last season, we thought Vick's career with the Eagles was over. Fast forward five months, and he's been given an incredible opportunity to turn his career around in an offensive system that might just suit his skill set. Vick seems to know what a great chance this is, too. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Vick's "motivation" this year can't be overstated. "(Vick's) noticeably bigger and enthused about the offense," Berman writes. 

Diehards Line:
As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal reminded readers, Vick has made it clear he ran less last season by design. Now, he's in an offense that should play to his strengths (mobility) with an improved, healthier offensive line. He took the first snaps of organized team activities, and remains the heavy favorite to start for the Eagles in Week 1 because of his experience and his contract. That said, there are still those who aren't sure Vick has the accuracy to thrive under Chip Kelly. Turnovers and decision-making -- especially in the red zone -- will also be factors. And so will Nick Foles. ... Stay tuned.

The Facts:
Bush is already comfortable in the Lions offense. The dynamic running back said on Friday morning that the comfort with his new team stems from the familiarity to his first NFL offense. "As far as from an offensive perspective it's a lot like what we did in New Orleans," Bush said of the team he won a Super Bowl with in 2009. "It's a lot of spread-open passing. Obviously we can attack downfield, and with the running game, a lot of screens, draws and stuff like that. Basically what I did in New Orleans, so running this offensive system has been pretty easy for me." 

Diehards Line:
Bush said the proliferation of wide-open offenses in the NFL fits right into his game. "I've always enjoyed being in the position that I am and doing what I do, being able to split out wide and catch balls so it's great that offenses are going toward that direction," Bush said. As NFL.com's Kevin Patra suggests, Bush will add the dynamic element to the Lions and leave the 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust plays to Mikel Leshoure. It's also a good thing Bush likes catching passes. With questions in the Lions' receiving corps, he might have to do even more outside of the backfield than he did with the Saints.

The Facts:
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that Manning made a minor alteration in his contract that was indeed submitted to the league. There was no pay cut or extension, but it was procedural. Manning and the Broncos altered language that involves his insurance. Rapoport notes it was the team protecting itself in case of injury, and Manning signed off on the change. 

Diehards Line:
Any time a contract is altered in any way, it must be submitted to the league. It will have no effect on salary cap or any of the important aspects of his deal that runs through 2016. According to Profootballtalk.com, the Broncos will get $10 million if Manning suffers an injury (other than to his neck) in 2013 that prevents him from playing in 2014. If it's an injury to the neck, Manning's $20 million guarantee in 2014 evaporates, making the insurance unnecessary. Basically, then, Manning will get the full $20 million for any non-neck injury in 2013 that prevents him from playing in 2014. The Broncos, in turn, will get half of it back via insurance.