Tuesday, Aug. 21

Clark Takes Quieter Tone
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark has been one of the team’s more outspoken players in recent years, but this year he’s making an effort to take a lower profile. He has been turning down interview requests and staying quiet throughout training camp. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

WR Mitchell Takking Positive Approach
 Cleveland Browns third-year wide receiver Carlton Mitchell has struggled to stay on the field during his first  two years in the NFL, and now another injury has held him out of action this training camp. The big wideout is vying for a roster spot, and is trying to keep an upbeat approach despite the nagging injuries. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Lewis Keeps Twitter Ban
Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis banned his players from tweeting at the start of training camp, and he’s keeping the rule in effect now that open camp practices have concluded. “Lets focus on football and it’s been a good focus,” Lewis said. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Vick Injured Vs. Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick left Monday’s night’s preseason game against New England after taking a big hit in the first quarter. He suffered a rib injury, but the X-rays turned up negative. The expectation is that Vick will be able to play in the regular season opener. [SI.com]

Monday, Aug. 20

Steelers Top Colts 26-24
The Steelers have gone through an offensive transformation with the arrival of new coordinator Todd Haley, and the new-look offense showed bright spots in the Sunday night victory over Indianapolis. “We’re not playing as good as we could or should but we’re making progress,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

McCoy Says He’s Committed To Cleveland
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has been involved in a number of trade rumors since the team drafted Brandon Weeden in the first round of this year’s draft. Despite the speculation, McCoy said in a recent interview that he is committed to Cleveland and that there’s no place he’d rather be. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Kirkpatrick Takes Part In Practice
After missing all of training camp, Bengals first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick took part in his first practice since June minicamp. The cornerback suffered a knee injury during an early-July workout away from the team’s facility. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Giants Hazing Video Goes Viral
Video of New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul dumping second-year cornerback Prince Amukamara in a cold tub went viral over the weekend after punter Steve Weatherford posted it on his Twitter account. Weatherford later apologized on Twitter, saying that he should not have  posted the video. [SI.com]

Friday, Aug. 17

Comfort Level Improves For Heyward In Second Season
Second-year defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is more comfortable heading into the 2012 season, especially now that he didn’t have to wait through a labor dispute this summer to get on the practice field. Expectations are higher for him heading into his second season in Dick LeBeau’s defense.  [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Improved Weeden Leads Browns To 35-10 Win Over Packers
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden looked much improved in his second preseason start, and he helped lead the Browns to a 35-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Weeden completed 12 of 20 passes for 118 yards, and led the team on four scoring drives. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Take Down Atlanta
The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 2-0 in the preseason by taking down the Atlanta Falcons 24-19 at the Georgia Dome. Second-year quarterback Andy Dalton had a strong showing, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver A.J. Green in the second quarter. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Owens To Make Debut With Seattle
The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens this offseason, and the flashy wideout will make his debut this weekend. Head Coach Pete Carroll did not provide specifics on how many snaps Owens would play when the Seahawks will take on the Denver Broncos Saturday night. [NFL.com]

Thursday, Aug. 16

Harrison Has A Setback
The Steelers are preparing for the possibility that linebacker James Harrison will have to miss some of the regular season after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday. The surgery removed an impairment that has caused swelling since the spring. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Weeden Eager To Experience Lambeau Field
The Cleveland Browns have will face the Green Bay Packers tonight in the second preseason game of the year. It will be another opportunity for rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden to lead the Browns offense and take control of the group. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Secondary Under Scrutiny
The Cincinnati Bengals secondary is under scrutiny with less than a month before the regular season, and the group is looking to ease some concerns during the next two preseason games. Tonight that secondary will face Matt Ryan and the Falcons, which had success last week against the Ravens. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Witten Suffers Spleen Injury
Dallas  Cowboys tight end Jason Witten could miss the rest of the preseason after suffering a spleen injury and internal bleeding following a hit in the preseason opener. Tests showed that the spleen is not ruptured and he will not need surgery. [NFL.com]

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Haley Bringing Screen Pass Back Into Offense
New Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley is bringing back the screen pass, a lost element of the Steelers offense in recent years. Haley’s offense is getting the running backs more engaged in the passing game, rather than the spread formations that the Steelers have used in recent years. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Cribbs Out To Show He’s More Than Special Teamer
Josh Cribbs has been fighting the notion the last few years that he’s a special teamer who also happens to play receiver. Cribbs is listed as the third wide receiver on the depth chart, but said that he is not complacent with letting his reps get depleted by other players on the roster. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Adam Jones Getting Up To Speed
After missing time at the start of training camp with an undisclosed injury, cornerback Adam Jones is working his way back and plans to play in this week’s preseason game against Atlanta. Jones struggled at times in the preseason opener, and he is looking to earn a key role on this year’s team.  [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Referee Lockout Could Last Into Season
League executives said Monday that they could foresee the 2012 regular season starting with replacement officials, according to a report from ESPN. The NFL has been using replacement officials during the preseason games, and it appears that the two sides are not close in reaching a new labor agreement.  [ESPN.com]

Monday, Aug. 13

Taylor, Brown Fight After Practice
Wide receiver Antonio Brown and cornerback Ike Taylor have been involved in two fights during training camp practice, and one on Sunday forced the team’s general manager to get involved.  Taylor and Brown started fighting in the middle of the field after practice on Sunday, after getting physical during some previous drills.  [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Turn Up Heat On Gordon
The Cleveland Browns have turned up the heat on rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon, who the team took the in second round of this year’s supplemental draft. Gordon is expected to start in this week’s preseason game, and Head Coach Pat Shurmur admitted that Gordon needs some prodding at times. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Dunlap Out At Least Four Weeks
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap will miss at least four weeks due to a sprained right knee. Dunlap was injured during Friday’s preseason opener when a player clips his knee. Dunlap was expected to start at defensive end this season, but now the start of his season is up in the air. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Dolphins Cut WR Johnson
The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Chad Johnson on Sunday, one day after he was arrested on domestic violence charges for allegedly head-butting his wife. Johnson was signed by the Dolphins this offseason, and was hoping to revive his career after a disappointing 2011 season with the Patriots. [SI.com]

Thursday, Aug. 9

Rookie Linemen To Start Preseason Opener
The future is now for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the offensive line, as they plan to start two rookie linemen during the preseason opener against Philadelphia. First-round pick David DeCastro will start at guard and second-round pick Mike Adams will start at tackle. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Get Bad News With Richardson, Haden
The Cleveland Browns got some bad news before their first preseason game, as rookie running back Trent Richardson will need to have a minor knee surgery and cornerback Joe Haden is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Burfict Off To Solid Start
Undrafted free agent linebacker Vontaze Burfict is off to a solid start during training camp, and he is expected to see a number of reps in the Bengals’ preseason opener on Friday. The Arizona State product was once considered a first-round pick, but ended up sliding all the way out of the draft. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Goodell:  More Fefmale Officials Possible
The NFL will have its first female official on the field this Thursday’s preseason game between Green Bay and San Diego. Shannon Eastin is part of the replacement officiating crew, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he could see the NFL using more female officials in the future.  [SI.com]

Wednesday, Aug. 8

Dealing Wallace Not In The Plans
The Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans to trade wide receiver Mike Wallace, despite his holdout from training camp. Wallace wants a long-term contract before this season, rather than playing on a one-year tender worth $2.7 million. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Richardson Misses Practice, Has MRI
Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson sat out Tuesday’s practice with a sore left knee and had an MRI to assess the injury. His status for Friday’s preseason opener in Detroit is up in the air, but Head Coach Pat Shurmur did not provide specifics about how serious it might be. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Dunlap Starts Strong
Defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap is looking to regain his form from his rookie season, where he notched 9.5 sacks. Dunlap struggled through injuries last season and had a disappointing year, but he is off to a good start training camp and is currently listed as a starter on the depth chart.  [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Football Community Mourns Reid’s Death
More than 900 people packed the church for the funeral service of Garrett Reid, son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid. John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome were two of those in attendance, in addition to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren. [SI.com]

Tuesday, Aug. 7

DeCastro Struggling Physically
Pittsburgh’s first-round pick David DeCastro has reportedly been struggling with the physical rigors of training camp. DeCastro has failed to win a starting job on the offensive line, despite being projected as one of the best guard prospects in years. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Weeden Officially Named Starting QB
Cleveland Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur officially named rookie Brandon Weeden the starting quarterback yesterday, which perturbed last-year’s backup Colt McCoy, who said he was never given a fair shot at winning the job. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Release First Depth Chart
The Cincinnati Bengals released their first depth chart yesterday, and there weren’t many surprises in the release. Fourth-year wide receiver Brandon Tate is listed as the No. 2 wide  receiver  opposite A.J. Green, while some expected that Armon Binns would get that job. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Owens Reaches Deal With Seahawks
Terrell Owens is coming back to the NFL. The 38-year-old wide receiver signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, hours after a tryout with the team. He hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2010 season, where he caught 72 passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. [SI.com]

Monday, Aug. 6

Wallace’s Absence Strains Depth
The absence of wide receiver Mike Wallace has cut into the depth of the Steelers receiving corps during training camp. Wallace’s holdout has no end in sight, but the Steelers have not replaced his spot on the roster because they are hoping  Wallace will report and they can work out a deal before the season starts. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Haden Certain He Can Increase Interceptions
Cornerback Joe Haden has become of the Cleveland Browns top defenders and an emerging defensive back in the NFL. While he’s developing a reputation as a talented cover corner, Haden didn’t come up with an interception in 2011, and he’s looking to change that this season.  [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Hold Mock Scrimmage
The Cincinnati Bengals held an intrasquad scrimmage over the weekend at Paul Brown Stadium. Quarterback Andy Dalton led his team to a 14-6 victory, as he was 14-of-16 with 190 yards and two touchdowns. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Reid’s Oldest Son Found Dead In Dorm Room
Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid, was found dead in a dorm room at the team’s training camp on Sunday. Garrett Reid was 29 years old. His surprising death was not suspicious, according to police, and the cause of the death is under investigation. [SI.com]

Friday, Aug. 3

Colon Moves To Left Guard
Offensive lineman Willie Colon has spent the last six years playing tackle, but now he has moved to guard during training camp. With recent offseason moves such as drafting left tackle Mike Adams, the Steelers are looking for Colon to play guard, which some have always considered his natural position.  [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Sold To Haslam
The Cleveland Browns have been sold to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Hasam III, who was previously a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haslam bought the team from Randy Lerner for $1 billion. Haslam’s purchase of the team puts the future of President Mike Holmgren in doubt. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Gresham Striving To Be Best
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham says right now he’s about the third-best tight end in his 2012 draft class, but that he’s striving to be the best of the bunch. “I have to step my game up to get where those guys are at, to even be considered with them,” he said. “Right now I’m not even close.” [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Jets Show Off Tebow In Wildcat
Since the New York Jets traded for Tim Tebow this offseason, there has been speculation about how he would fit in the offense. The Jets have been clear that Mark Sanchez is the starter, but that Tebow could be used in certain packages, and they showed that on Thursday with Tebow running the wildcat. [SI.com]

Thursday, Aug. 2

Brown Praises Haley’s Style
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown praised the style and personality of new offensive coordinator Todd Haley. The former Kansas City Chiefs coach took over this offseason for longtime coordinator Bruce Arians, and Brown said that the change has been good. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

McCoy Looks Much Improved
Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy looks much improved heading into his third NFL season. McCoy will likely be the backup heading into the season, after Cleveland drafted Brandon Weeden in the first round. The Browns could also trade him at some point during the preseason. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Peerman Vying For Larger Role
Running back Cedric Peerman was one of the Bengals top special teams contributors last season, but he also wants an expanded role on offense this season. He has an opportunity to earn more playing time, as the Bengals did not re-sign veteran Cedric Benson this offseason. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Goodell Comfortable With Replacement Refs
There is no end in sight for the labor dispute between the NFL and its officials, and Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that he is comfortable with using replacement referees in preseason games. The preseason begins next week. [SI.com]

Wednesday, Aug. 1

New Offense Showing Up At Camp
The Steelers have a new offensive coordinator in Todd Haley, and his new schemes are showing up during the team’s training camp practices. Haley has reintroduced the fullback to the offense and the idea that running the ball can be good for the passing game.  [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Heckert Acknowledges Uncertain Future
Browns General Manager Tom Heckert admitted Tuesday that the future is murky for the team and front office with the impending sale to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam III. “Until we sit down with the new owner, no one’s really sure what’s going to happen,” Heckert said.  [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Extend Lewis Through 2014
Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis was heading into the final year of his contract, but the team extended him through the 2014 season yesterday. “I’m glad that his is all behind now and we can move forward and coach,” Lewis said. Lewis is heading into his 10th season in Cincinnati.  [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Jones, Bryant Talk After Arrest
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and wide receiver Dez Bryant have finally spoken after Bryant’s recent arrest for allegedly assaulting his mother. Jones called it a great visit but did not elaborate on the details of the conversation. [SI.com]

Tuesday, July 31

Foote Has To Step Up For Steelers
The Steelers released longtime linebacker James Farrior this offseason, meaning that his former teammate, Larry Foote, will have to step into his spot. Farrior’s absence leaves big shoes for Foote to fill, both on the field and in terms of the leadership he brings. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Looking For Rucker To Shore Up Line
Cleveland’s main free-agent addition, defensive lineman Frostee Rucker, is expected to provide a boost along the defensive line. The Browns struggled to stop the run last year and they are looking for Rucker to help fix the problem. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Dalton Not Fazed By Slow Start
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is off to a slow start during training camp, but he’s not worried. “It hasn’t been perfect but that’s what camp is for, trying to find the mistakes and correct them,” Dalton said. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Titans WR Dies In Apparent Suicide
Tennessee Titans wide receiver O.J. Murdock was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a car in the parking lot of his old high school. Murdock, 25, was recovering from an injury that sidelined him all of last season. [SI.com]

Monday, July 30

Steelers Sign WR Brown Long-Term
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed one of their wide receivers to a long-term deal over the weekend, but it wasn’t the one that most people expected. The team inked Antonio Brown to a five-year deal, while restricted free agent Mike Wallace continues to hold out of training camp. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Richardson Wows Fans At Camp Practice
First-round draft pick Trent Richardson impressed a record crowd at Browns training camp over the weekend. It was the first practice in full pads, and Richardson showed off a good burst out of the backfield. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Green-Ellis Glad To Put On Pads
Cincinnati Bengals free-agent pickup BenJarvus Green-Ellis was glad to put on the pads for the first time during Sunday’s training camp practice. The fifth-year running back is entering a new offense after spending his first four years in New England, and the Bengals are looking for a him to make a big impact. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Rams Sign DE Long To Extension
The St. Louis Rams signed defensive end Chris Long to a four-year contract extension over the weekend. Long has been one of the leaders of the Rams defense for the past few years and it was a priority to get the deal done before the start of the season. [SI.com]

Friday, July 27

Wallace Negotiations At A Standstill
The contract negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Mike Wallace have come to a standstill, General Manager Kevin Colbert confirmed on Thursday. Wallace has not reported to training camp and wants a long-term contract extension before doing so. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Shurmur In No Rush To Name QB
Cleveland Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur has not yet named a starting quarterback, and says that the wants to see how rookie Brandon Weeden performs during training camp before handing him the job. “I don’t think there’s any hurry to get rid of anybody right now,” Shurmur said. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Severity Of Kirkpatrick’s Injury Unclear
First-round draft pick Dre Kirkpatrick will likely miss all of training camp after sustaining a knee injury earlier this offseason. The team didn’t have any official updates on the cornerback yesterday, but Head Coach Marvin Lewis called the injury “a small thing.” [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Jones-Drew, Blackmon Hold Out Of Camp
The Jacksonville Jaguars reported to training camp yesterday with running Back Maurice Jones-Drew. The NFL’s leading rusher has two years left on his contract but he wants a new deal before this season. Also, Jaguars first-round pick Justin Blackmon also didn’t report for training camp as he remains unsigned. [SI.com]

Thursday, July 26

Wallace A No-Show For Training Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace was a no-show as the team opened training camp yesterday. The restricted-free agent has yet to sign his tender offer and is holding out for a contract extension. The Steelers, however, have suspended negotiations because of Wallace’s absence. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Gordon Comes  Clean About Drug  Use
Cleveland Brookes rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon came clean on Wednesday, admitting that he failed a third drug test at Utah last season. The second-round supplemental draft pick told reporters that he is a changed man and that marijuana use is in his past.  [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Kirtkpatrick  Out For Training Camp
First-round draft pick Dre Kirkpatrick will miss all of training camp after the cornerback fractured a bone in his knee during a pre-training camp workout. The Alabama product will likely be out about four-six weeks, which could cost him all of the preseason as well. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Patriots Add TE Shiancoe
The New England Patriots cut veteran running back Joseph Addai yesterday, making room for them to add tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. The veteran tight end was most recently with the Minnesota Vikings, and he’s added to a tight end group that is already one of the league’s best. [SI.com]

Wednesday, July 25

Tomlin Reaches Extension With Steelers
 The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Head Coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year extension, which puts him under contract through 2016. Tomlin has coached the Steelers since 2007 and taken the team to two Super Bowls during that time. He has a 55-25 record in six regular seasons. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Sign QB Weeden
The Cleveland Browns reached a four-year deal with first-round pick Brandon Weeden, the final draft pick that needed to be signed. The No. 22 overall selection signed a deal worth $20.5 million, including a $13.3 million signing bonus. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Brown Upbeat After Bengals Camp
Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown is upbeat at his team opens training camp this week. For the first time in six decades, the Bengals will hold training camp at Paul Brown Stadium.  “It’s going to be different,” Brown said. “I think I’ll manage well enough.” [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Tatupu To Miss Entire Season
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lofa Tatupu will miss the entire season after suffering a pectoral injury. Tatupu signed a two-year deal with the Falcon this offseason after making three Pro Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks. The Falcons report for training camp today. [SI.com]

Tuesday, July 24

DeCastro Signs Contract
The Steelers have signed their top draft pick, offensive lineman David DeCastro. Pittsburgh expects DeCastro to be in the starting lineup on opening day, and he has even drawn comparisons to Alan Faneca, the best guard in team history. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Reach Deal With RB Richardson
The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with first-round draft pick Trent Richardson on Monday. The four-year deal is worth about $20.5 million guaranteed, and it means that the running back will report to training camp Tuesday with the rest of the rookie class. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Dalton Not Worried About Young WRs
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton says he isn’t worried about the young receiving corps that the team has going into the season. He pointed out that he and receiver A.J. Green both had success last year as rookies, and the same could be true for this year’s rookie receivers like third-round pick Mohamed Sanu. [CincinnatiBengals.com]

Bryant’s Mother Doesn’t Pursue Charges
The mother of Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant does not want to pursue charges against her son after argument allegedly turned violent. Bryant was arrested for the incident earlier this month, and prosecutors have not said whether they will continue to pursue the case. [SI.com]

Monday, July 23

Porter To Retire A Steeler
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter will end his 13-year NFL career as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 35-year-old Porter last played with the Steelers in 2006, but he has decided to close out his career with the team that originally drafted him in 1999. [CBSsports.com]

Browns Appear No Closer With Weeden, Richardson
The Cleveland Browns open training camp this week, but they still have to take care of signing their top two draft picks, running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden. There has apparently been no movement yet on the deals for either player. It’s unclear whether either player will hold out of camp.[Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Have Several Questions Heading Into Camp
In past seasons, the Bengals have had the bulk of their 53-man roster already in place heading into training camp, with only about five spots up for grabs. This year, however, the team has as many as 10 position spots up in the air, which could make it one of the most competitive camps for the Bengals in recent memory.[Cincinnati Enquirer]

Brees Files Affidavit Supporting Vilma
Saints quarterback Drew Brees defended his teammate Jonathan Vilma in a court document filed over the weekend, which supported Vilma’s fight against his season-long suspense. The affidavit says that Brees had “knowledge of a pay to injure program existing.” [SI.com]

Friday, July 20

Steelers Make Progress With Walllace
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace is hoping to get a new contract before the start of training camp, and the two sides are reportedly making progress in getting a deal done. If a deal isn’t  in place by training camp, then Wallace has said that he may consider holding out. [CBSsports.com]

Gordon Promises He Won’t Disappoint
The Cleveland Browns took wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round off this month’s supplemental draft, hoping that he can develop into a playmaking wide receiver the team badly needs. Gordon promised  during a recent interview that the Browns will not regret taking a chance on him. [NFL.com]

Bengals Nearing Sellouts
After struggling to sell tickets for home games last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are nearing sellouts already for the 2012 season. The single-game tickets have already been bought up for two of the home games, which is the earliest  since 2008 that the team has announce they are closing in on sellouts. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Luck Reaches Deal Before Camp
The Indianapolis Colts and top draft pick Andrew Luck reached a deal Thursday just before the start of training camp. The four-year deal includes $22.1 million guaranteed, and is similar to the contract signed by last year’s top draft pick, Cam Newton. [SI.com]

Wednesday, July 18

Steelers Bring Back LT Starks
The Steelers looked to bolster their offensive line by re-signing veteran tackle Max Starks to a one-year contract yesterday. Starks has been the team’s starting left tackle since 2008, and the expectation is that he’ll compete with rookie Mike Adams for the starting job in training camp. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Won’t Relax Blackout Policy
The NFL has relaxed the rules on the league’s TV blackout policy, allowing teams to only have to sell 85 percent of their tickets, compared to the previous 100 percent.  The Browns, however, decided not to change their own policy and are confident selling out games won’t be an issue. [Akron Beacon Journal]

Receiver A Strong Spot For Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals currently have 11 wide receivers on the roster, and the position is expected to be tightly contested during training camp to see who ends up making the active roster. Second-year receiver A.J. Green leads the group, but there are a number of other players looking to make an impact. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Mom’s Complaint Led To Bryant’s Arrest
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was arrested Monday and accused of attacking his mother during an argument. The wide receiver’s mother called police and accused him of hitting her arms and face. The Cowboys have made no comment on the issue. [SI.com]

Tuesday, July 17

Steelers Rank As 21st Most Valuable Franchise
In this year’s list of the most valuable sports franchises from Forbes Magazine, the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked as the 21st most valuable. The franchise was valued at $1.02 billion. All 32 NFL teams made the list of the 50 most valuable franchises, and the Ravens ranked 18th. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Sign Supplemental Draft Pick
The Cleveland Browns reached a four-year contract with supplemental draft pick Josh Gordon on Monday, signing him to a deal worth about $5.3 million. The wide receiver comes to Cleveland with high expectations, as the Browns hope he could materialize into the team’s top wideout. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

No Extension For Nugent
The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t able to work out a long-term deal with their franchise player Mike Nugent, meaning the veteran kicker will have to play this season under the franchise tag. He will earn $2.6 million under the tag this year. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Bryant Arrested On Family Violence Charge
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was arrested on a misdemeanor family violence charge on Monday. He turned himself into police and later posted $1,500 bond. Family violence is an attack or “threat” of imminent harm against a member of a family or household. [SI.com]

Thursday, July 12

Steelers In Ireland?
Steelers Owner Dan Rooney, who is also the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, wants his team to play one game in his foreign country. Rooney has discussed the possibility with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. [Pittsburgh Tribune]

Browns Should Be Motivated By Snub
Despite drafting a big-time quarterback and running back in the first round of this year’s draft, ProFootballTalk still ranked the Cleveland Browns at 32nd in it’s preseason power rankings. That shows the team has a long way to go to restore faith. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Will Get Hot Start?
Clark Judge ranked the Bengals as one of three teams that should get a fast start this year. Cincinnati starts in Baltimore, but then faces Cleveland twice, Washington, Jacksonville and Miami in its next five games. [CBSSports.com]

NFL’s Second Draft Kicks Off Today
The supplemental draft is this afternoon, and there are eight players eligable. Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon leads the pack. Teams will submit bids this afternoon before finding out who had the highest offer for a particular prospect. [NFL.com]

Wednesday, July 11

Dwyer Intent On Losing Weight, Increasing Role
Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer is set to be the backup at the start of the season, and he’s focused on slimming down heading into training camp. He was 30 pounds overweight at the start of training camp last year, and he vowed not to let that happen again. [Pittsburgh Tribune]

Gordon Impresses During Pro Day
Former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon had an impressive workout Tuesday in front of NFL scouts, and he is expected to draw plenty of interest in Thursday’s supplemental draft. The Browns are one of the teams showing interest in Gordon, who had 21 teams watch him work out on Tuesday. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals Single-Game Tickets To Go On Sale
The Bengals will begin selling single-game tickets on Saturday at 10 a.m. Cincinnati struggled to sell out several of their home games last year and plenty of tickets are expected to be available when they go on sale. The Ravens make the trip to Cincinnati in the season-finale on Dec. 30. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Packers Post $42.7 Million In Profits
The Green Bay Packers announced yesterday that the team brought in 42.7 million in net income in 2011-12. The record profits were spurned by the team’s Super Bowl victory and starting last season 13-0. As the NFL’s only publicly-owned franchise, the Packers are the only team required to reveal financial data. [SI.com]

Tuesday, July 10

WR Brown Calls OC Haley Friendly Guy
When the Steelers first hired Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley, reports suggested that the coach was difficult to work with. Wide receiver Antonio Brown hasn’t seen that side of Haley this offseason, and said that his new coach seems like a “real friendly guy.” [NFL.com]

Browns Considering Former Baylor WR Gordon
The Browns are considering former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon in Thursday’s supplemental draft. Cleveland didn’t take a receiver until the fourth round of this year’s draft and they’re looking to upgrade at the position, which could make the 6-foot-4 Gordon an attractive prospect. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bengals To Charge $10 For Pep Rally
The Cincinnati Bengals are taking heat for asking season ticket holders buy a $10 ticket to attend a pep rally, concert and fireworks to open the team’s training camp. Critics have argued that hosting a pep rally for season-ticket holders should be a free event, rather than charging them admission. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Harbaugh Calls Moss Team’s Top WR
The San Francisco 49ers made a splash this offseason by signing free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss, after he spent a year away from the game. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has been impressed by the veteran wideout and recently said that Moss is the team’s best receiver right now. [SI.com]

Monday, July 9

No Progress With WR Wallace
The Steelers have reportedly made no progress in contract negotiations with wide receiver Mike Wallace. The fourth-year wideout was given a first-round tender this offseason, but he has yet to sign the offer sheet and is hoping for a long-term contract. [ESPN.com]

Tripp Expects Charges To Be Dropped
Cleveland Browns backup defensive tackle Kiante Tripp was recently arrested on burglary and firearm possession charges, but his agent believes the charges will be dropped. The Browns have not commented about the arrest and his standing with the team in unclear at this time. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Back-to-Back Playoffs Appearances Next Step
The Bengals surprised some people last season by making the playoffs, and now the next step for the franchise is to make back-to-back playoff trips for the first time in 30 years. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

RB Peterson Arrested In Houston
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was arrested over the weekend in Houston after reportedly getting into a scuffle with some police officers at a club. The star running back was charged with resisting arrest, although the details about the incident are still limited. [Pro Fotball Talk]

Friday, July 6

WR Brown Sends Jersey To Hall Of Fame
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and kick returner Antonio Brown has sent his jersey that he wore in last year’s regular season finale to the Hall of Fame. Brown became the first player in NFL history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 return yards in a season. [Mlive.com]

McCoy Wants To Stay In Cleveland
When the Browns drafted quarterback Brandon Weeded in the first round of this year’s draft, it looked like the end of Colt McCoy’s time in Cleveland. But the team has yet to move him, and the third-year quarterback said recently that he would like to remain in Cleveland. [Abilene Reporter-News]

Gresham A Different Man
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham went to the Pro Bowl for the first time last year and Head Coach Marvin Lewis believes that experience has made Gresham a different man. “Jermaine going to the Pro Bowl last year was the best teaching, coaching experience we could ever have with him for him to mature,” Lewis said. [ESPN.com]

Tebow Explores MMA Training
Football players have been exploring unique workout routines in the offseasons, and Jets quarterback Tim Tebow is the latest to go the route of MMA training. He has reportedly been training with UFC fighters to get ready for the upcoming season, his first with the Jets. [SI.com]

Thursday, July 5

Steelers Announce Training Camp Schedule
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their training camp schedule, which begins later this month. The Steelers hold their training camp at St. Vincent’s College.
[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Fujita Loses Appeal, To Miss Three Games
Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita lost his appeal to the NFL to have his Bountygate suspensions reduced from three games. Fujita said that he’s no surprised by the league’s verdict and he is planning to meet with the players association to pursue possible litigation.  [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Lewis Makes Ochocinco Tear Up
Chad Ochocinco married his longtime girlfriend Evelyn Lozada on Wednesday, and he said that a text message from Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis brought tears to his eyes. Ochocinco is currently playing for the Miami Dolphins and he told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he wants to play until he’s 40. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Bucs CB Wright Arrested On Felony DUI Charge
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright was arrested in Los Angeles earlier this week for allegedly driving under the influence. Wright rear-ended a pickup truck near the Staples Center and refused sobriety tests. He was booked on a felony DUI charge and had bail set at $100,000. [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Wednesday, June 27

Steelers Prepare For Training Camp At St. Vincent
Last year’s NFL lockout limited what teams could do during training camp, but this year the Steelers are planning to return to their training camp home of St. Vincent College. More than 100,000 fans typically come out to the college to watch camp practices open to the public. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Taylor Gives No Timetable For Return
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor gave no indication as to when he might return to the field from a torn pectoral muscle that occurred this offseason. He is hoping to make it back this season, but simply said, “When I know it’s time for me to be out there, I’ll be out there.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Jones Delivers Strong Message To Rookies
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones delivered a strong message to the rookie class during this year’s NFL rookie symposium in Canton, Ohio. Jones has been in and out of trouble throughout his NFL career, but he urged the rookies to avoid making the same mistakes as him.  [NFL.com]

Brees Still Hopeful For Long-Term Deal
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees says that he’s confident he and the Saints will agree on a long-term contract. Brees has been franchised by the Saints and the two sides have until July 16 to work on a new deal for this season. “I’m confident, and always have been, that we’ll get a long-term deal accomplished,” Brees said.[SI.com/ Associated Press]

Tuesday, June 26

Steelers Cut QB Smith
Former Ravens quarterback Troy Smith’s bid to get back into the NFL was cut short yesterday when the Steelers released the Heisman Trophy winner. Smith was competing with veterans Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch for a chance to backup starter Ben Roethlisberger. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Haden Poised For Breakout Season
Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden has been one of the team’s top defenders during the last two seasons, but NFL.com thinks that he could be set up to jump on a bigger stage this year. The website tabbed Haden as a player who could be poised for a Pro Bowl season. [NFL.com]

Bengals’ Hidden Treasure: Defensive Line
The Bengals had one of the league’s top defensive lines last season and the group has potential to be even better this year, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. A big factor for the Bengals is that Carlos Dunlap is expected to step into a larger role and could become a dominant rusher if he stays healthy. [ESPN.com]

Concussions A Focus At Rookie Symposium
Rookies will flock to Canton, Ohio this week for the NFL’s annual rookie symposium, and part of the four-day retreat will focus on concussion awareness. Rookies are getting information about the importance of health and safety, specifically the long-term effects of head trauma. [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Monday, June 25

Tayler Expects Wallace At Training Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor expects that wide receiver Mike Wallace will be in attendance when the team opens training camp next month. Despite an ongoing contact dispute between Wallace and the organization, a number of players have expressed confidence that Wallace will be ready to play. [NFL.com]

No Need To Rush McCoy’s Departure
The Browns are reportedly interested in trading quarterback Colt McCoy, but a move may not come as early as some expect. The team opens camp on July 28, and it’s quite possible that the third-year quarterback could be on the roster at that time, allowing the Browns to see if his value appreciates with player injuries.  [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Dalton Ranked 19th By ESPN
ESPN is ranking the top-30 quarterbacks in the NFL according to NFL analyst Ron Jaworski, and Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton came in at No. 19. “The more I evaluated Dalton, the more I liked him. He does have some arm strength limitations, but he compensates very well with his anticipation and his accuracy,” Jaworksi said. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

49ers Lost $30 Million In Stadium Funds
Santa Clara County has surprised the 49ers by pulling $30 million in tax funds from the new 49ers stadium. County officials said that they would rather spend the money on teachers than help the NFL franchise build a $1.2 billion stadium. [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Thursday, June 21

Rooney Wants Steelers To Play In Ireland
Pittsburgh Steelers President Dan Rooney expressed interest this week in bringing an NFL regular-season game in Ireland. Rooney is a U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, and he expressed interest in having the Steelers play on the Emerald Isle. [Pittsburgh Tribune]

Hughes Looking To Prove People Wrong
Browns third-round draft pick John Hughes, a defensive tackle out of Cincinnati, is looking to prove people wrong after the team was criticized for drafting him. “I know my capabilities and I can’t wait to go out there and show them,” Hughes said. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Tate A Surprise Of Camp
This time of the offseason is a time for undrafted free agents and overlooked players to make a name for themselves during OTAs and minicamps. One of the standouts for Cincinnati was receiver Brandon Tate, and Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden called him the “one of the best surprises of camp.” [CincinnatiBengals.com]

Atogwe Signs Deal With Eagles
Safety O.J. Atogwe has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The firmer third-round pick spent last season with the Redskins after playing his first six years in St. Louis. The veteran safety could compete for a starting spot during training camp. [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Wednesday, June 20

Steelers Still Eyeing Long-Term Deal For Wallace
 Wide receiver Mike Wallace has yet to participate in offseason workouts, as he’s holding out for a long-term contract, rather than signing a first-round restricted free-agent tender. “All I can say is we’re in negotiations, and our goal has always been to do a long-term deal,” General Manager Kevin Colbert said. [Pittsburgh Tribune]

Cribbs Says He’s Ready For 2012
Cleveland Browns receiver/returner Josh Cribbs says that spending a full offseason learning Pat Shurmur’s West Coast offense will pay dividends for the 2012 season. Cribbs also said that some of the additions to the roster have made for increased competition. [ClevelandBrowns.com]

Bengals Waive RB Stewart
The Bengals have waived rookie running back Rodney Stewart in an injury settlement. The undrafted free agent joined the team on May 2 and tore his ACL during the team’s rookie minicamp. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Ochocinco Excited About Fresh Start
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco made his debut with the Miami Dolphins this week, and said that he’s looking forward to a “fresh start” in Miami. He spoke with the media for the first time since joining the team, and finished the interview by telling reporters, “I love you. Enjoy the show.” [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Tuesday, June 19

Mendenhall, Hampton Likely To Open Season on PUP List
The Steelers will likely open the 2012 season without running back Rashard Mendenhall and nose tackle Casey Hampton, who both are coming back from torn ACLs that occurred near the end of last season. General Manager Kevin Colbert recently said he expects them to be placed on the PUP list to start the year. [Pittsburgh Tribune]

Fujita Calls NFL’s Bounty Investigation A ‘Smear Campaign’
Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita has been suspended by the NFL for three games for his role in the bounty scandal when he played for the New Orleans Saints. Yesterday Fujita said that the NFL is conducting a “smear campaign” against the players accused of participating in the bounty program. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Burfict Impressing Bengals?
The Bengals signed linebacker Vontaze Burfict as an undrafted free agent this offseason and he appears to be drawing some attention after OTAs and minicamp. Burfict was once regarded as a first-round pick, and the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy believes he is an undrafted player that has a shot at making the roster.  [Cincinnati Enquirer]

NFL Releases Evidence In Bounty Case
The NFL released evidence to the media and Saints players yesterday that the league said proves guilt in the bounty scandal. As part of the evidence, the league revealed that the Saints allegedly had a $35,000 prize for knocking Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the NFC championship game in January 2010. [SI.com/ Associated Press]

Monday, June 18

Receivers Looking To Fill Void Left By Ward
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through an offseason without wide receiver Hines Ward for the first time in 14 years. With Ward gone, some of the younger receivers like Antonio Brown are now working to fill that leadership void. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Browns Looking To Deal McCoy
The Browns are reportedly looking to trade Colt McCoy after rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden appears to have a hold on the starting job. In dealing McCoy, the Browns are reportedly looking for minimal compensation and hope to avoid releasing the third-year signal caller. [ProFootballTalk.com]

Pacman To Speak To NFL Rookies
Cincinnati cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones has been invited to speak to this year’s rookies at this year’s NFL Rookie Symposium. Jones is hoping to convince the rookies to avoid making the same mistakes that he made earlier in his career. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Tomlinson To Retire As A Charger
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s NFL career will officially come to a close on Monday, as he is scheduled to announce his retirement as a member of the San Diego Chargers. The fifth-leading rusher in league history played 11 NFL seasons, nine with the Chargers and the last two with the Jets.  [SI.com]