Miami Dolphins CB Jamar Taylor (hernia) said he is not sure if he will be able to participate in the team’s June minicamp but expects to be ready for the start of training camp.
Dolphins | Jamar Taylor expects to be ready for camp
Miami Dolphins WR Mike Wallace (personal) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 29, because of a family emergency.
Dolphins | Mike Wallace misses workout
Detroit Lions RB Mikel Leshoure (hamstring) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 29, because of a lingering hamstring injury. Head coach Jim Schwartz did not express a lot of concern about the injury but said the injury has taken longer to heal than the team expected.
Lions | Mikel Leshoure still sitting out
Kansas City Chiefs OT Branden Albert (illness) and CB Brandon Flowers (illness) were sent home Wednesday, May 29, because they were ill.
Chiefs | Two players sent home
Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (leg) left organized team activities early Wednesday, May 29, because of a leg cramp.
Our View: The team doesn’t think the injury is serious but want to be cautious with their superstar WR. Bowe has lofty goals for this season and will be the featured target in the new Andy Reid system. His current ADP is WR15 and he’s coming off the board at 4.09.
Chiefs | Dwayne Bowe leaves practice early
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone said TE Lee Smith (undisclosed) should be ready for training camp after suffering an undisclosed injury in the weight room this offseason. Smith did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 29, and was wearing a walking boot.
Our View: Smith is nothing more than a blocking TE and is currently buried on the depth chart. He could have a bigger role if Scott Chandler suffers a setback from his knee injury. Both TEs should be ready for the start of training camp.
Bills | Lee Smith likely will be ready for season
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton said he lost 12 pounds in the offseason, bringing him down from 255 pounds to 243. ‘It was just a personal goal that I set for myself. I’m not going to go into what it really meant because looking at my body from afar you really couldn’t tell,’ Newton said. ‘Being that I lost the weight, nobody really could tell, either.’
Our View: Newton could be a little more explosive with the lost weight. We’ll see if he can continue to progress as a passer and get the Panthers back on the right track. Newton was the 6th best fantasy QB last year. His current ADP is QB5 and he’s coming off the board at 5.03.
Panthers | Cam Newton sheds weight
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Markus Wheaton, the team’s third-round draft pick, might be the logical choice to replace WR Mike Wallace as the team’s deep receiving threat this year. Wheaton ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash before the draft, but he won’t be able to work out with the team until he graduates from Oregon State. Fellow rookie WR Justin Brown will compete with Wheaton for playing time this year.
Our View: Wheaton is a fantastic addition by the Steelers. When he gets up to speed with the pro game then he will be a dangerous weapon for Ben Roethlisberger. Wheaton has speed, concentration, and can track deep passes easily over his shoulder.
Steelers | Markus Wheaton could be deep threat
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant has been working on improving his route running this season and wants to use the same footwork on every snap. He wants to use the same intensity pace and footwork on every snap so he can have an advantage over the defender. ‘He’s improved so much. You can tell,’ CB Brandon Carr said. ‘He’s working on all the little things in practice. He’s focused on the details and he’s getting better and better. I’m glad I don’t have to cover him in games this season.’ Bryant has also altered his route running on deep passes in hopes of running past a defender.
Our View: It’s great to see Bryant’s commitment to be the best pro he can be. Last season he finally played up to his enormous potential and this year should be a top 5 fantasy WR again. Bryant has the ability to finish the season as the best WR in fantasy football.
Cowboys | Dez Bryant working on route running
San Francisco 49ers WR Anquan Boldin said he already feels comfortable in the offense after participating in organized team activities Tuesday, May 28. Boldin said he’s run many of the same routes and plays in the team’s complicated version of the West Coast offense, and he’s just working on the terminology now. QB Colin Kaepernick has already enjoyed throwing to Boldin and has made him his first read often. ‘I guess I’m looked at as being able to step in right now and make plays,’ Boldin said. ‘And that’s what I want to bring. I want Kaep to be comfortable. I want the other quarterbacks to be comfortable enough to, even if it doesn’t look like I’m open, just give me a chance. I’ll make a play for you.’
Our View: Good news for the 49ers here. Boldin needs to feel comfortable with the scheme and QB Colin Kaepernick. The team needs him now more than ever after the loss of Michael Crabtree (Achilles’). Boldin should be the team’s leading WR in 2013.
49ers | Anquan Boldin feels comfortable in offense