49ers QB Alex Smith facing higher expectations (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 18:24:17 PDT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Alex Smith looked one way, then another, finding open receivers with such ease that the toughest part might've been deciding whose turn it was in the rotation.

Steelers RB Redman ready to carry heavy load (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:39:56 PDT)
PITTSBURGH (AP) They don't celebrate NFL backups in southern New Jersey. Trust Isaac Redman on this.

Thomas, Decker building rapport with Manning (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:37:50 PDT)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Peyton Manning's two biggest targets are a pair of promising young receivers who have already made their mark in the NFL despite spending lots of time on the sideline.

NFL roundup: Players union files suit, accuses owners of collusion (The SportsXchange)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:30:14 PDT)
The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit on Wednesday that accused NFL owners and the league of collusion during the 2010 NFL season.

Broncos acquire Chris Gronkowski from Colts (The SportsXchange)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 12:48:42 PDT)
Denver acquired fullback Chris Gronkowski from the Indianapolis Colts for cornerback Cassius Vaughn, the Broncos announced.

Colts swap linebackers as part of defensive change (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 12:12:35 PDT)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have signed outside linebacker Jerry Browns and waived outside linebacker Brandon Peguese.

Colts acquire Vaughn in exchange for Gronkowski (National Football Post)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 12:06:02 PDT)
Cornerback heads to Indy in exchange for fullback.

Indianapolis Colts Trade FB Chris Gronkowski to Denver Broncos for DB Cassius Vaughn: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 11:35:00 PDT)
The Indianapolis Colts have traded fullback Chris Gronkowski to the Denver Broncos in exchange for defensive back Cassius Vaughn. As a longtime fan of the Colts, I really like this move.

Broncos trade for Chris Gronkowski (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 10:25:27 PDT)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos have traded defensive back Cassius Vaughn to the Indianapolis Colts for fullback Chris Gronkowski.

Broncos acquire FB Gronkowski from Colts (Pro Football Weekly)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 10:07:27 PDT)
The Broncos acquired FB Chris Gronkowski from the Colts for CB Cassius Vaughn.

NFL making thigh and knee pads mandatory in '13 (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 03:09:07 PDT)
ATLANTA (AP) The NFL's move to make thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for the 2013 season already has drawn criticism from the guys who will have to wear them.

A quick playbook session on the NFL 'boot' game (National Football Post)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 02:36:11 PDT)
Chalkboard breakdown, coaching points, keys, etc.

Broncos' restocked secondary gets high marks (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 17:27:45 PDT)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Peyton Manning and Champ Bailey are giving the Denver Broncos' restocked secondary two thumbs up.

Steelers open OTAs without WR Mike Wallace (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 14:35:29 PDT)
PITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Wallace has one of offensive coordinator Todd Haley's playbooks. What the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver doesn't have is a new long-term contract.

AFC West players in the crosshairs (Pro Football Weekly)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 13:19:01 PDT)
As training camp approaches, we take a look at the players on each team who will be most heavily scrutinized. The list contains a fair number of quarterbacks — no stunner there — but we tried to highlight as many non-QBs as we could. The players highlighted range from rookies to veterans with 10 or more years of experience.

NFL to mandate knee and thigh pads for players (Shutdown Corner)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 12:30:53 PDT)
If the NFL has its way, players will be forced to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013. The NFL might not get its way. The competition committee will discuss the impending rule with the NFL Players Association and there is some expected backlash from players who may believe the additional padding will affect their mobility. The pad rule wouldn't go into effect until 2013 so equipment manufacturers can refine the design for speed and comfort. [Related: Tom Brady's dad would think twice about letting son play in concussion era ] Rich McKay, the Atlanta Falcons president who chairs the NFL's competition committee, explained the rule change at an owners meeting: "There's no downside, they have to add some sort of protection," he said. "In our football system, everyone wears them up to our game. Common sense tells you it has to be safer for (protection against) thigh injuries and knee bruises. If players have worn it in Pop Warner, high school and college ... from a safety standpoint it is time to put it back in." There are valid arguments for the adoption of new leg padding. McKay hits on none of them. Instead, he cites "common sense" instead of actual data and breaks out the "but high schools and colleges do it" argument, as if the NFL is usually in the habit of following the lead of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. McKay also suggests there's no downside, a claim that's both wrong and frivolous. Of course there's a downside; they can make players run slower. The benefits may outweigh the drawbacks, the same way wearing a seatbelt and being slightly uncomfortable is better than not wearing a seatbelt and going through your windshield. But "no downside"? That's Rich. Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Troy Vincent, now an NFL vice president, was equally confusing in his support of the new rule. "It's psychological," he said, according to the Associated Press. "Less pads you are faster, skinnier, that's just the way I was introduced to the game. It's a culture shift. They will adjust." So it is psychological or do less pads make you faster? More NFL news from the Yahoo! Sports Minute: Other popular content on the Yahoo! network: • Peyton Manning shows some zip in first OTA with Denver Broncos • Company gets death threats over Oklahoma City Thunder T-shirts • omg!: Bruce Jenner named 'Father of the Year'

Tom Brady's father would be 'very hesitant' to let his son take up football in concussion era
(Tue, 22 May 2012 09:50:48 PDT)
Tom Sr. waited until his only boy was 14 to let him play football, and he would be more reluctant now.

Monday's Sports in Brief (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 03:27:04 PDT)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy on Monday and agreed to part ways with general manager Otis Smith, severing ties to two of the architects of one of the most successful runs in franchise history.

Broncos sign their top pick, Derek Wolfe (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:34:19 PDT)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos have signed their top draft pick, defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, to a four-year, $5.2 million contract with $3.2 million in guarantees.

Broncos' Williams has DUI case end in mistrial (National Football Post)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 18:21:05 PDT)
New trial scheduled for Aug. 15.

Mistrial declared in DJ Williams' DUI case (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 16:26:40 PDT)
DENVER (AP) Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' trial on driving under the influence and traffic charges ended in a mistrial just hours after it began Monday after his lawyer objected to how jurors were selected.

Saints upbeat despite Brees' absence (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 16:13:01 PDT)
METAIRIE, La. (AP) With no sign of a contract breakthrough for Drew Brees on the eve of the Saints' first offseason practice, safety Roman Harper tried to look on the bright side.

NFL roundup: Manning feels good in first practice (The SportsXchange)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 16:01:12 PDT)
Peyton Manning was back on the field Monday and looked like his old self.