Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum may have been the driving force behind the acquisition of QB Tim Tebow; however, Tebow was not forced on owner Woody Johnson, according to a league source with direct knowledge of the trade. ‘He owns the team,’ the source said. ‘All he had to do was say ‘no.’ Nothing is ever forced on Woody.’ The source said once Tannenbaum came up with the idea, several members of the Jets organization tried to talk him out of the trade, saying Tebow was not an accurate passer; however, Tannenbaum was not swayed.
Jets | Tim Tebow not forced on owner

Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o said in a television interview that he briefly lied about his online girlfriend after discovering she didn’t exist. Te’o said he didn’t lie about the hoax until December, believing Lennay Kekua had died of cancer. Te’o received a phone call in December from a woman saying she was Kekua, whom he believed had died in September. ‘Now I get a phone call on Dec. 6, saying that she’s alive and then I’m going be put on national TV two days later. And to ask me about the same question. You know, what would you do?’ Te’o said. The linebacker maintained that he had no part in creating the hoax.
NFL | Manti Te’o acknowledges lying about girlfriend

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, contrary to an earlier report, did not ask the team to rework his rookie contract. ‘I speak for myself. I never demanded or asked for a restructured contract,’ Wilson said.
Seahawks | Russell Wilson did not ask to renegotiate

Updating a previous item, the Seattle Seahawks have told QB Matt Flynn they are willing to trade him; however, finding a trade partner will be problematic because several teams expect Flynn will be cut.
Seahawks | Matt Flynn on the way out?

The NFL hopes to decide the fate of the Pro Bowl by the time it releases the 2013 schedule in April. The fate of the league’s all-star game largely will depend on how much effort this year’s participants put into the game. ‘Our hope is that the players will give the same effort and energy that allowed them to become roster members of this Pro Bowl,’ said executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson.
NFL | Players to determine fate of Pro Bowl

Free-agent QB JaMarcus Russell (Raiders) believes he can make a return to the NFL, despite currently weighing 308 pounds. Russell has been working out for the last six weeks in an attempt to get back in shape and return to the field. ‘It’s going to feel good to go back out there again. I will make this happen,’ Russell said.
NFL | JaMarcus Russell wants to return