Denver Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman is confident that he can carry the load as the team’s featured back this season, despite his size. ‘You get that when you’re a smaller guy,’ Hillman said. ‘You can’t take the pounding, but I just brush it off. Of course you hear things. I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t hear what they say, but you just got to let it go.’ Hillman put on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason, but the team has told him they’d like him to play around 190 to 195 pounds.
Broncos | Ronnie Hillman thinks he can carry the load

The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent TE Colin Cloherty (Jaguars) to a two-year deal.
Falcons | Colin Cloherty signs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson said QB Josh Freeman has returned a far more comfortable and confident quarterback in the second year in offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan’s system.
Buccaneers | Vincent Jackson praises QB

Carolina Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert received plenty of repetitions in OTAs with RB Jonathan Stewart (ankles) on the mend.
Panthers | Two getting reps

Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen is showing great timing with QB Cam Newton during offseason workouts.
Panthers | Greg Olsen showing rapport with Cam Newton

New England Patriots QB Ryan Mallett continues to draw rave reviews at practice. ‘He’s got arm strength like I’ve never seen. Ever,’ RB Shane Vereen said. ‘He uses that really well. He’s got tremendous leadership ability. He just needs his opportunity, I think.’
Patriots | Ryan Mallett continuing to impress