Time is running out for Ray Rice and the Ravens to get a deal done, but the running back is confident his team will provide the long-term contract he’s seeking ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Ray Rice ‘optimistic’ about Baltimore Ravens deal
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick promised fans Friday, July 13, that he will do a better job of protecting himself this upcoming season. Vick has appeared in all 16 games only once in his career. ‘I want to make a promise to all my fans that I’m going to make a conscious effort, a cognitive effort, to make sure that I protect myself,’ Vick said. ‘And you know my motto has been this for the last six months, and I repeatedly said to myself: ‘Get the next yard on the next play.’ You know, whether I’m running the football or scrambling or trying to do something improvising. Get the next yard on the next play. That’s why you have second down and third down, and possibly fourth down. So you can give yourself opportunity. If you’re not on the field, then you don’t have that chance. So I just want to give myself ample opportunity.’
Eagles | Michael Vick to protect himself better
Tyvon Branch had agreed to sign his franchise tender, but the safety was able to net a four-year, $26.6 million deal with the Raiders before Monday’s deadline.
Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders reach four-year deal
The Dallas Cowboys are hoping TE John Phillips can bring a new element to the team’s offense as the No. 2 tight end behind TE Jason Witten. Phillips played in all 16 games a season ago and recorded 15 receptions for 101 yards, including a touchdown, but this year his role will expand.
Cowboys | John Phillips could have bigger role
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said a full offseason program, particularly in the weight room, should enable him to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2012. ‘It affected me big time,’ Bryant said. ‘I feel much quicker. I’m coming out of my breaks faster. I got in shape real quick. I know all the other guys have been going through the same workouts, so I’m sure they feel the same exact way. I feel like the team is just really ready to go. I’m not going to predict anything, but I know we’re ready to go.’
Cowboys | Offseason program helping Dez Bryant
Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten said he is glad QB Tony Romo has received praise from observers, particularly former NFL WR Amani Toomer, who said Romo is a better quarterback than New York Giants QB Eli Manning. ‘I think he’s an elite league quarterback,’ Witten said of Romo. ‘Many people have said that. I think that’s great that Amani said that, but at the end of the day, Eli is a Super Bowl champ. He’s won two out of the last five years. They’re doing a lot of good things right up there. They’re the poster boys of how you do it and not let adversity get in the way because of where they’re at.’
Cowboys | Jason Witten glad Tony Romo getting respect
Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck has been working out with WRs Reggie Wayne, Donnie Avery and Griff Whalen in Miami prior to the start of training camp.
Colts | Andrew Luck building chemistry with receivers
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning said he has nothing to prove to anyone as he comes back from injury after being replaced by QB Andrew Luck for the Indianapolis Colts. Manning said he is happy with his rehabilitation, to the point where he feels like an NFL quarterback again. ‘It has been exciting for me to be back on the field,’ Manning said. ‘When you’re injured, it’s not fun. You’re kind of quarantined. It’s nice to be able to kind of get the reins cut off, being able to participate in OTAs, minicamp.’ Manning added he still has more rehabilitation ahead and has ‘stopped giving percentages’ regarding how healthy he is, but his goal remains to participate fully in training camp, preseason and the regular season.
Broncos | Peyton Manning has nothing to prove
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees said he feels rejuvenated after agreeing to a $100 million deal with the team. ‘Here I am, I’m going into my 12th season, I’m 33 years old, and yet I feel like a kid,’ Brees said. ‘I feel like I could do this for another 20 years. And I always want to have that passion for the game and that emotion.’
Saints | Drew Brees feels like a kid again
The Dallas Cowboys will not sign franchise LB Anthony Spencer to a new deal before the Monday, July 16 deadline. The Cowboys had only brief talks with Spencer in the offseason about a long-term deal and have prepared him to count $8.8 million against the 2012 salary cap all along.
Cowboys | No new deal for Anthony Spencer before deadline