However, SI reports "a vehicle rented in (Hernandez's) name has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation." The body of a 27-year-old Boston man was found less than a mile from Hernandez's home on Monday. Hernandez was questioned by Massachusetts State Police, who were reportedly at his residence on Tuesday. A source close to Hernandez confirmed he has spoken with police. His player rep has declined comment.
Hernandez questioned in murder investigation
Aaron Hernandez | NE
(June 18, 2013 5:59 PM EDT)
Sports Illustrated reports Aaron Hernandez has been questioned in a "possible homicide" in North Attleboro, Mass., but is "not believed to be a murder suspect."
Source:
Sports Illustrated
Report: Gronkowski's back surgery a success
Rob Gronkowski | NE
(June 18, 2013 5:19 PM EDT)
Profootballtalk reports "it is believed" Rob Gronkowski's Tuesday back operation went well.
We wouldn't expect anything else, but it would be unwise to take anything related to Gronk's health for granted. Set to open camp on the active/PUP list, Gronk's Week 1 status is hazy, at best. It would be an upset if he didn't miss regular season games. He's not going to play in the preseason.
Source:
Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Armanti Edwards likely to keep roster spot?
Armanti Edwards | CAR
(June 18, 2013 5:14 PM EDT)
The Charlotte Observer believes Armanti Edwards is "beginning to look like an NFL receiver," and expects him to keep his roster spot.
Better late than never? Edwards has done absolutely nothing through his first three NFL seasons, but is apparently "running fluid routes and catching the ball in traffic." That's all good and well, but pad-less practices have always been when Edwards shines. We're highly skeptical he'll suddenly be a productive player in 2013, and don't consider his roster spot cinched up.
Source:
Charlotte Observer
WR Walter (back) not taking part in minicamp
Kevin Walter | TEN
(June 18, 2013 4:54 PM EDT)
Kevin Walter (back) will be sidelined until training camp.
Walter has barely practiced since signing in April, and is starting to hurt his roster chances. At this point, Walter might need Tennessee to renege on its promise of keeping Nate Washington to have a real shot at making the 53-man roster.
Source:
Jim Wyatt on Twitter
Titans coordinator praises tight end group
Delanie Walker | TEN
(June 18, 2013 4:45 PM EDT)
OC Dowell Loggains believes the Titans have their best tight end corps since "Alge (Crumpler) and Bo Scaife."
"I feel really good about having three guys that can do a lot of different things," Loggains said of Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens and Taylor Thompon. "Also all three of them can be in-line blockers, point-of-attack blockers, and all of them have good speed." Notice he didn't mention catch passes. None of Walker, Stevens or Thompson have ever cleared 30 catches in a season. The Titans seem to have forgotten the fact that they wanted to keep Jared Cook before realizing they may have to pay him as a receiver under the franchise tag. The Titans' tight end group isn't bad, but it's not as good as it would have been had Cook been re-signed and properly utilized.
Source:
Nashville Tennessean
Report: Falcons, Ryan in 'casual' talks
Matt Ryan | ATL
(June 18, 2013 4:31 PM EDT)
A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk the Falcons and Matt Ryan are engaged in "casual" extension talks, and that negotiations are expected to intensify after July 4.
There's no real urgency to get a deal done, though extending Ryan could theoretically free up the money to sign DT Richard Seymour. That would depend on the deal's structure, of course. Ryan's current cap number is $12 million. It's unknown how much Ryan is seeking, but there's every reason to believe he'll look to breach the $20 million annually barrier, and try to eclipse the $52 million guaranteed Joe Flacco took home.
Source:
Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Ponder may have shaky in-season job security
Christian Ponder | MIN
(June 18, 2013 4:24 PM EDT)
ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested on NFL Live that Christian Ponder will be in danger of losing his job this season if the Vikings begin to struggle.
"There are enough people around the league that believe Matt Cassel is good enough to challenge Ponder," stated Schefter, adding that Cassel "could unseat Ponder at some point this season." Although Schefter confirmed Ponder won't lose his job before Week 1, he called it a "situation that bears watching." Ponder endured a brutal nine-game stretch last season (Weeks 7-16) where he completed 140-of-245 passes (57.1 percent) for just 1,267 yards (5.17 YPA), and a 7:8 TD-to-INT ratio with two lost fumbles. Ponder was serviceable to solid (67.2 percent, 7.01 YPA, 11:4) in his other seven starts.
Cards' site projects CB Powers as starter
Jerraud Powers | ARZ
(June 18, 2013 4:22 PM EDT)
AzCardinals.com expects Jerraud Powers to start over Antoine Cason opposite Patrick Peterson.
Reporter Darren Urban "wouldn’t be shocked" if Cason beat out Powers in camp, however. Urban believes Powers' experience playing for Cardinals coach Bruce Arians last season gives him a leg up. Cason has been a starter each of the past three years, but played poorly in 2012. He's also making less than Powers. In other words, Powers is the better bet to start.
Source:
azcardinals.com
Gronkowski expected to open camp on PUP list
Rob Gronkowski | NE
(June 18, 2013 4:06 PM EDT)
ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed on NFL Live that Rob Gronkowski (back surgery) will open training camp on the active/PUP list.
"I think the one thing that does seem certain at this time is, he is expected to open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list," stated Schefter. Schefter added that the Patriots anticipated Gronk needing back surgery all offseason, but the procedure was repeatedly delayed due to his four forearm procedures. Because Gronkowski will open camp on PUP, he'll be a candidate to open the regular season on the reserve/PUP list, costing him six games.
'Spoon, Nicholas participating in minicamp
Sean Weatherspoon | ATL
(June 18, 2013 3:36 PM EDT)
Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (knee scope) and OLB Stephen Nicholas (sports-hernia surgery) are participating in minicamp.
It's unclear if they're taking part in team drills, but it's a sign both remain on track for training camp. Weatherspoon notched 95 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception despite appearing in just 13 games last season.
Source:
Falcons on Twitter