Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Jets) is an exceptional wide receiver; however, Smith would rather the team focus on giving the younger receivers on the team a chance instead of signing Burress. ‘We’ve filled our chairs in the receivers room with already a lot of guys – young and older guys. To bring in Plax (and) to let one of those guys go it wouldn’t be the coach Rivera way,’ Smith said. ‘The guys that are in there, they earned those chairs for right now and allowed them to go through training camp.’
Panthers | Steve Smith does not want Plaxico Burress

Retired NFL QB Brett Favre said he would choose Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III over Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck if he were starting a team. ‘Griffin, he’s smaller, but if I was starting a team, I’d probably of went with RG3 just because, if they can’t protect you, you got to protect yourself,’ Favre said.
Redskins | Brett Favre a fan of Robert Griffin

Philadelphia Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha said that few of the league’s wide receivers scare him. ‘I guess if you’re going to sit up there and play man against a guy, then that’s a different story. If that was the case, there aren’t guys that stand out in my mind in that way,’ Asomugha said. ‘There are a handful of guys that are really good at what they’re doing from the receiver position, which is the easiest position in the NFL. There are a handful of guys that are good at it. There’s not one particular guy that would concern me when I’m going into a game, but there are guys that you have to take notice of in the league.’
Eagles | Nnamdi Asomugha not afraid of any WR

San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said TE Antonio Gates had one of his best offseasons in years and expects him to have a big 2012 campaign. “Gates has had the best offseason that he has had in three or four years,” Turner said.
Chargers | Antonio Gates had strong offseason

Tennessee Titans WR Marc Mariani impressed during offseason practices, particularly on deep routes. Mariani may be competing with WR Michael Preston for the final receiver spot on the roster. ‘He’s one of those guys when the ball went up, it seems like he came down with it,’ head coach Mike Munchak said. ‘He found a way to get open; his routes were sharper.’
Titans | Marc Mariani could crack final roster

Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin’s role in the offense may not increase, according to head coach Leslie Frazier. Harvin may see more snaps but not necessarily receive more touches. ‘Touches, I don’t know about that,’ Frazier said. ‘We want to keep him on the field more, but his style – he’s a reckless guy and doesn’t hold anything back. It’s always 100 miles an hour. So you have to be careful about not overusing him.’
Vikings | Percy Harvin’s touches may not increase

Baltimore Ravens LB Terrell Suggs (Achilles’) continues to back away from his original prediction of a November return. However, he said he is certain to return in 2012. ‘I’m very optimistic (but) I’m not going to give no timetable (like) I’m going to be ready by this point (or) I’m going to be ready by that point (or) I’m going to be ready to play in this game,’ Suggs said. ‘No, I’m not going to say that. But I will tell you that I will be playing in 2012.’
Ravens | Terrell Suggs back off November return date

Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck and the team are clashing over contract details that have nothing to do with guaranteed money. Luck’s camp is balking at language in the contract dealing with Luck’s marketing endeavors. A source with knowledge of the situation suggested that Luck would have to clear marketing proposals with the club.
Colts | Endorsements sticking point in Andrew Luck deal

Oakland Raiders TEs Brandon Myers, David Ausberry and Richard Gordon have combined for 35 career receptions. Myers is the most experienced of the three players and could start in 2012.
Raiders | Will need more production from TEs