FANTASY FOOTBALL

The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... As if the New York Giants and Victor Cruz weren't involved in enough of a stare down, Nicks sent the team a little message by not showing up for practice Wednesday. Pay day is coming soon for Nicks, too. That was the unstated goal of Nicks' not attending the Giants' organized team activity practice, a source indicated Wednesday. Reported by Yahoo! Sports

Diehards Line: As Yahoo's Jason Cole stressed, Nicks didn't violate any rules. OTAs are voluntary. Nonetheless, no-shows aren't appreciated. His absence left quarterback Eli Manning throwing passes to the likes of Jerrel Jernigan, Rueben Randle and Louis Murphy. HC Tom Coughlin didn't try to hide his irritation. Asked if he expected Nicks to be there, the coach replied: "Yeah, sure I did. I expect everybody to be here, trying to get our team better." Nicks, who was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2009, has one year remaining on his original contract. ... Stay tuned.

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The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... When news of Crabtree's Achilles tendon tear first surfaced Wednesday, the immediate suspicion was that the 49ers' top receiver would end up sitting out the entire 2013 NFL season. HC Jim Harbaugh refuted that notion, telling reporters Crabtree isn't expected to miss all 16 games. "We do not anticipate that it’ll be season ending for Michael," the coach said in confirming that Crabtree has undergone surgery for a complete tear of his right tendon. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Even as recently as a decade ago, a complete tear was a career-threatening injury, especially for an offensive skill-position player. Surgical techniques and accelerated rehab schedules have advanced Achilles recoveries in recent years, as evidenced by Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas' Pro-Bowl caliber play over the past year and a half. Thomas' mid-February surgery in 2011 gave him a three-month head-start on Crabtree. Thomas said he didn't feel 100 percent again until seven months after suffering the injury. He didn't become a significant factor again for the Broncos until close to the 10-month mark. A similar timetable for Crabtree would keep him out of game action until Thanksgiving, with the likelihood of returning in a minor role for the remainder of the regular season as well as the playoffs. ... Meanwhile, speculation as to how the Niners will replace Crabtree has included names like Brandon Lloyd and Randy Moss -- although Harbaugh shot down the notion of Moss and suggested the team's young wideouts, A.J. Jenkins and Quinton Patton, will have to step up until Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams are healthy. ... We'll be following up as needed.

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The Facts: The Steelers officially began practicing a reworked offense as they went through the first of 13 team practices Tuesday, and Roethlisberger said everyone involved likes this package better. The quarterback did not disclose the changes or even hint at them —“You'll have to wait until the first game,” he said — but it was obvious he seemed more comfortable with the offense than he did at any time last season.  Reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Diehards Line: In case you missed it, Roethlisberger didn't entirely like the offense, its nuances and terminology last season. Neither did some of the assistant coaches. Most of all, OC Todd Haley didn't totally like it, either. So, after the Steelers tumbled into the bottom third of the NFL in offensive production last season, Haley went about reworking the system he brought with him to Pittsburgh following nearly three seasons as the Chiefs' head coach.“There's been some changes this offseason in some of the offensive philosophies, playbook and some things that I think are good,” Roethlisberger said. “It's some compromise from all the different position coaches, the running back coaches, the line, and quarterback coaches. I think we've taken a little bit of everything and made it a lot better. ...” Good news if that's how it pans out. The fact that Roethlisberger, who appeared to be at odds with Haley at times last year, is on board will help.

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The Facts: Rex Ryan says the pressure is on Sanchez to hang on to the football. Sanchez threw three interceptions in Wednesday’s OTA practice, which Ryan called “unacceptable.” Reported by the New York Daily News

Diehards Line: “This is OTAs and things, but yeah, that’s going to be the pressure that we’re putting on him,” Ryan said. “He did a lot of great things. It’s not that you try to cover up the fact you had some bad plays -- no, no, no you flat tell him. We can’t have these and all that type of stuff. He knows. ...” According to Daily News staffer Seth Walder, one of Sanchez’ picks went to Damon Harrison, a defensive tackle, on a play where Rex said Sanchez should have thrown the ball away. Ryan described that play, and Sanchez’ three picks as a whole, as “disappointing. ...” You'd think the coach would be use to that after the last two seasons. Anyhow, the Sanchez-Geno Smith competition continues. We'll be following up as needed.

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The Facts: Conversations about Dalton and being able to consistently throw it deep won’t subside any time soon. Dalton knows it and so does everyone else. That is why it has been a focal point during the offseason workouts. Reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer

Diehards Line: According to Enquirer staffer Joe Reedy, of balls in the air 20 yards or more last season, Dalton posted the fourth-lowest rating among AFC quarterbacks at 52.9. He was 19 of 73 for 633 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. During the past three weeks, when position coaches have been able to work with their players, quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese and Dalton have been working on the trajectory and accuracy. They have also been working on quickening up the time Dalton drops back in the pocket along with throwing the ball a little higher on different throws. Another thing that the Bengals hope will help Dalton this season is that he has more intermediate and deep targets. A.J. Green for the past two seasons has basically been the lone deep target but Marvin Jones has potential to stretch offenses and first-round pick Tyler Eifert excels on the intermediate stuff. Seems like a lot of energy going into coaching Dalton up this offseason.

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The Facts: OTA days don't directly translate to regular season success. Players that look brilliant in shorts sometimes fade in the padded violence of games. But OTA do speak to alignments and the vision of a coaching staff. They do serve to provide a glimpse of what may be coming in those areas. And that's why the Dolphins four-wide set during Tuesday OTA was intriguing. Mike Wallace. Brian Hartline. Brandon Gibson. Dustin Keller. "Yeah you know we’re still learning, but I’m excited about what I see from those guys," Tannehill said. "They’re all getting a grasp on the offense and we’re starting to get a lot of reps with each other, so (we’re going to) continue to work that to get better. I'm excited about what they bring to the team and what they showed today." Reported by the Miami Herald

Diehards Line: As Herald staffer Armando Salguero notes, we're talking about two speedy receivers who have both had 1,000-yard seasons. A proven big, physical receiver that can work the middle and occasionally get deep. And a seam-threat receiver who has a reputation for uncovering quickly and making himself available to his quarterback. Salguero added: "We've come a long way from Hartline, Anthony Armstrong, Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano. ..." No doubt. Given all this it's also hard to argue with Salguero's contention that if this group stays healthy, there is little reason to doubt that Miami, 26th in the NFL passing the ball in 2012, can become an efficient, effective and scary pass offense that threatens a defense in multiple ways. ... It certainly sounds intriguing. We'll be watching for more.

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The Facts: There is one veteran player not in attendance during OTAs this week — safety Louis Delmas (knee). There is another veteran player who wasn't expected to participate who is — receiver Nate Burleson. "I wasn't supposed to; I was told not to (practice)," said Burleson, who wasn't supposed to be back from leg surgery until July. "But it's like I always told you guys, if I can walk I can run, and if I can run I can play." Reported by the Detroit Free Press

Diehards Line: Burleson, 31, took part in all the drills, including 7-on-7s. "It's as healed up as it's going to get," he said. "The good thing about being out there is I am playing at a high level and I am not 100 percent. When it gets stronger and I get endurance back in it, I will be back to playing with extreme confidence. ..." Meanwhile, several other players were on the field but not participating on Wednesday, the second of three OTAs this week, including running back Mikel Leshoure. "He's battling some stuff," Schwartz said. "He can do some individual stuff but he's not ready to do any team work." QB Shaun Hill, who had a surgical procedure after the season, still has a boot on his left foot. Receiver Ryan Broyles (knee surgery) was also not participating on Wednesday. ... Stay tuned. More on all the above as developments warrant.

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The Facts: The Browns have waived quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, a league source told PFT’s Mike Florio on Wednesday. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: The 25-year-old Lewis started the 2012 season finale for Cleveland, completing 22-of-32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Lewis’ departure leaves Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer as the Browns’ quarterbacks.

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The Facts: Nobody expected Victor Cruz to show up for the Giants' OTA workout on Wednesday. That Nicks also didn't show up, however, was a much larger surprise. HC Tom Coughlin had been expecting Nicks to attend. "I don't know," Coughlin said after the session. "He should be here." Reported by the New York Daily News

Diehards Line: Nicks, who was in Manhattan just a night earlier, was nowhere to be found at the Giants facility on Wednesday, a concerning absence. Cruz is embroiled in an ongoing contract dispute with the Giants, so few expected him to work with the team. Coughlin added that Nicks would have likely worked with some "limitations" to protect the knee he injured last season. None of that happened, however, because Nicks was not in attendance. ... Stay tuned. More to come.

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The Facts: Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery, a person informed of the injury told USA TODAY Sports. Reported by USA Today

Diehards Line: Crabtree, 25, is coming off a breakout season in which he had career-highs in receptions (85), yards (1,105) and touchdowns (nine). The injury to Crabtree comes at an unfortunate point in his career and for the 49ers, though the team has been working to build depth on offense. Perhaps the Niners would consider bringing back Randy Moss, who hasn't yet retired. In March, the Niners picked up receiver Anquan Boldin in a trade with the Ravens, sending Baltimore third- and fourth-round draft picks. ... As USA Today's Mike Garafolo notes, a torn Achilles' used to be an automatic season-ender but has since become one that can sometimes be rehabbed in a matter of months -- as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers did last year. Both players tore the tendon in the spring and returned to the field after starting the year on the physically unable to perform list. ... Stay tuned. More to come on this one.

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The Facts: One of the greatest Chicago Bears of all-time will not put on another team's uniform. Urlacher announced his retirement Wednesday on Twitter. "After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire," he wrote in a statement. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that that I could retire after a 13 year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Urlacher's foot speed rapidly diminished in 2012 because of a knee injury, and he struggled to find interested suitors in free agency this offseason after he couldn't come to terms on a new contract with the Bears. Urlacher was only one season removed from a resurgent 2011 campaign, but the end often comes quickly in the NFL, even for the eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Urlacher entered the league as an immediate star, racking up eight sacks as the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He won the 2005 AP Defensive Player of the Year, and was the key player during a dominant stretch for former Bears coach Lovie Smith's defense. Urlacher made four first-team All Pro teams, a sign of a player at the very top of the game. Urlacher helped redefine the game as the classic "Tampa 2" middle linebacker.

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The Facts: Welker averaged 112 catches per year during his six seasons with the New England Patriots. Don't expect that to happen with the Denver Broncos. "If I have to catch 112 balls, that probably means we're in trouble," Welker told the Denver Post on Monday after his first organized practice with Peyton Manning.  Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Welker has meshed into a receiver-rich Broncos offense. With Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker also on the roster, Welker won't be used the way he was with the Patriots. In fact, outside of Randy Moss, Welker rarely played alongside a legitimate deep threat with the Patriots. Thomas gives that to the Broncos, which should lead to plenty of one-on-one mismatches for everyone else. As NFL.com's Marc Sessler notes, the Broncos used three-receiver sets on 64 percent of their snaps last season. Look for that number to climb as the Broncos attack defenses with a maze of route combinations.

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The Facts: Wilson’s impressive performance throwing the ball was the main attraction during rookie mini-camp a year ago. And his continued development did not go unnoticed by HC Pete Carroll when OTAs opened Monday. “He’s threw a couple of balls today, things that we talked about over the offseason that he’d like to take a shot at, and he did it today just to see what would happen with full awareness of why he was doing it,” Carroll said. “We were talking about trying to throw the deep ball last year over guys’ outside shoulder; we’re just a million miles ahead of where we were. He’s the kind of player that will affect other guys – he affects everyone around him – and hopefully that will help everyone play better and faster.”  Reported by the Tacoma News Tribune

Diehards Line: Instead of splitting reps three ways in a three-man competition for the starting job, Wilson begins 2013 as the unquestioned starter. ... Wilson said the passing camp he held in Los Angeles a few days before the season started, in which most of the offensive skill position players attended, helped get a head start on offseason training. He also said he gained a few pounds in his lower body to help better endure the wear and tear of a long NFL season. Wilson weighed 209 pounds in his rookie season, but now carries 215 pounds on his 5-11 frame. Wilson said the execution of Seattle’s offense was solid on the first day of OTAs. “Compared to where we were last year," he said, "compared to where we were last week, I think we’re miles and miles ahead. ...” And that should be music to the ears of fantasy owners.

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The Facts: OC Norv Turner quelled a little of the Brian Hoyer-mania on Monday night and sounded as if he's counting on Weeden to be his guy in 2013. "Brandon is a one-year player in the NFL who did a lot more good things than people give him credit for," Turner said. "I like his composure, the way he competes, he's worked awfully hard. He's got to be one of the hardest-working guys on our team. So you look and say, 'Hey, you hope there's a big upside.'" Reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Diehards Line: Turner stressed that Weeden's woes and 5-10 record as a starter last season can be attributed to being a rookie surrounded by rookies. "What happened to Brandon, Brandon was in here with a very young group of guys," Turner said. "So when you have a lot of young guys and they're trying to feel their way together, it's hard. All those guys having a year together, including Brandon, will help him a great deal." According to Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot, Turner also threw a little water on the notion that Hoyer is being brought in to potentially challenge for a starting role. Hoyer, 27, signed his two-year deal on Friday and will be on the field Tuesday for the second week of organized team activities. "He was released," Turner said. "He was available. ... He's played very little football, but I do think we like his skill set." Turner stressed it's difficult to assess the quarterbacks after only three days of OTAs, but he likes the group. And it's hard to imagine him saying anything else at this point, right?

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The Facts: As Jets fans brace for a quarterback competition that threatens to burn deep into August, New York's offensive coordinator is open to ending the drama much sooner. Marty Mornhinweg told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he'd rather it be over by mid-June, after the Jets wrap OTAs. As for the public perception that Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith will remain a news topic until the end of days, he isn't buying it. "We don't care what the prevailing thought is," Mornhinweg said. "We only care about our competition here. ... Common sense tells you that you hope it's quick, but this is going to be a full blown competition. Period." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Mornhinweg emphasized that if Smith or Sanchez clearly owns the day through OTAs, New York is prepared to name their starter prior to training camp. "Oh, absolutely," Mornhinweg said. "Sure. Absolutely. ..." As NFL.com's Marc Sessler suggests, it won't be easy for the Jets to make a quick choice. No matter what the team says about "competition," New York desperately need a fresh start under center. Sessler added: "This isn't Sanchez's job to lose, it's Smith's to win, but the rookie is unlikely to separate himself from a fifth-year veteran -- even this fifth-year veteran -- in a string of practices against his own teammates." Hard to argue the point.

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The Facts: The Patriots are without their two best-known tight ends during drills at this week’s set of organized team activities, but they do have one long-absent member of the position group back at work. Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com reports that Ballard was on the field with his teammates during Tuesday’s practice, the first time he’s been on the practice field with media in attendance since the Patriots claimed him off of waivers from the Giants last June.  Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Ballard tore his ACL and suffered extensive other damage to his knee in the second half of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI victory over the Pats. Per Yates, Ballard spent some time doing resistance running with a strength coach but was able to “participate in the majority of practice reps” during the session. The Patriots expect Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez back for training camp and the season, but Ballard will give them good insurance should one or both miss time.

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The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Goodson could face up to 10 years in prison for the charges he was arrested for on Friday, but his lawyer is confident he will be able to show the Jets running back wasn't in possession of the gun. Goodson's lawyer, Tony Fusco, said Goodson will plead not guilty to all charges. The Daily News learned that Goodson has informed the Jets the gun wasn't his. "Mike’s charged with possession of that gun, but we’re confident we’re going to be able to show (the gun wasn’t his)," Fusco said.  Reported by the New York Daily News

Diehards Line: The most serious charge against Goodson is the second-degree unlawful possession of handgun, and would call for a 10-year maximum sentence and three-year minimum prison sentence. However, both Fusco and Garant Evans' lawyer, Joe Afflito, felt the prosecution would have difficulty proving the second-degree charge. The third-degree crime, possession of a loaded handgun, is much simpler to prove and only requires proof that the defendants had the gun and it was loaded. That conviction would come with a recommended sentence of 3-5 years, according to Afflito. If neither Goodson nor Evans, the driver of the car, step up to claim ownership of the gun, they both could be convicted of possession. The marijuana and paraphernalia charges were minor, Afflito said. Fusco said the marijuana also wasn't Goodson's. ... Meanwhile, the key date in the process comes on June 12, when Goodson will have a pre-trial hearing. As pointed out by Mehta, that falls in the middle of the team’s mandatory mini-camp. If Goodson misses practice to attend the hearing, the Jets could penalize Goodson, at a minimum with a fine. ... Stay tuned.

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The Facts: Murray didn’t practice on Tuesday, which HC Garrett said was a result of a “hamstring tweak.” Garrett said that, as with any injured player, it’s important to take a conservative approach and remember that it’s May 21.  Reported by DallasCowobys.com

Diehards Line: As Profootballtalk.com's Josh Alper suggests, it's even more important for players who have histories that make any physical setback reason for concern. Murray has missed nine games over his first two seasons, including six last season with a foot problem, and had his fair share of injuries in college as well. So going easy on him now -- and giving Philip Tanner, Lance Dunbar and rookie Joseph Randle extra snaps -- can't hurt. We'll follow up on Murray as needed.

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The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... For the first time in voluntary offseason workouts, Johnson was on the field. He had been forced to watch previous practices because of a lower back injury. "It definitely feels good to just be out there on the field, even through the little pains I have," Johnson said. "It's getting better every week. They gave me a six- to eight-week thing to even get on the field, and it's only been about three, so I feel good."  Reported by the Buffalo News

Diehards Line: OC Nathaniel Hackett was delighted to see him running routes in individual drills. "It was great to see him," Hackett said. "He looks great in a uni. It was great to see him run some routes instead of being on the side. We've just got to work him back in." As News staffer Tim Graham notes, having a three-time 1,000-yard receiver on the practice field also helps Buffalo's young receivers witness what it takes to excel in the NFL. "The good thing is Stevie's done a great job being out there and supporting everybody because he's obviously had to have some growing pains in the new system," Hackett said. "So he's been able to really get a lot of mental reps, and I think being out there, helping those guys has been critical for all of them. ..." Again, Johnson seems to spend a lot of time dealing with nagging injuries like the back issue. But he also tends to play through them once the games begin. We'll follow up as needed, but assume the best for now.

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The Facts: GM Bruce Allen said Monday it’s “too early to tell right now” if Griffin will be ready to practice when the Washington Redskins open training camp in late July. “It’s great to hear the building is on schedule, ahead of schedule, and I’ve heard all those same phrases for our quarterback,” Allen said. “It’s too early to tell right now. He is doing everything that the doctors want him to do. He’s a great worker. I think that’s why there’s so much optimism that he’ll be ready at the beginning. But it’s really too premature to speculate on where his medical condition is until we give him a physical when training camp starts July 25.” Reported by the Washington Post

Diehards Line: Wow. Really? Who knew? In case you've been hibernating, Griffin continues to work his way back from knee surgery in January. All indications are the rehab is going quite well, but Allen's comments couldn't be more accurate. It's just too early to know if he'll be ready for the start of training camp, let alone ready to start Week 1. ... Nonetheless, we'll continue to provide all the latest updates. Even when they don't really move the story forward at all.

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