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.

Problems are blown out proportion as disharmony grows between NFL, players' association
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:39:33 PDT)
Issues are getting worse before they get better as the two sides refuse to play nice.

NFL union files suit against league over 2010 cap (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:05:35 PDT)
The players union claimed Wednesday that the NFL imposed a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players at least $1 billion.

San Francisco 49ers Sign Punter Andy Lee to Contract Extension: Fan’s Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 14:07:00 PDT)
With so much emphasis placed on special teams by head coach Jim Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers locked up one of their biggest and best weapons in the field position battle by agreeing to a six-year contract extension with punter Andy Lee as first reported by Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Now signed through the 2018 season, Lee is expected to earn around $4 million a year, a sizeable upgrade from the last extension he signed back in March 2007 that paid him an average of $1.18 million annually.

NFL players' union charges owners with collusion
(Wed, 23 May 2012 10:22:11 PDT)
The National Football League Players Association charged the league, its clubs and team owners with collusion during the 2010 season in a complaint filed on Wednesday.

NFLPA files collusion claim against NFL, claiming salary cap arrangement in uncapped year (Shutdown Corner)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 10:05:06 PDT)
The question we were asking all along when it came to the "spirit of the salary cap" penalties handed down to the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints was, of course, "How on earth can teams be in violation of salary cap rules when there is no salary cap in place?" Turns out, the NFL Players Association was asking the same question, and now, they will do so in court. On Wednesday morning, the NFLPA released this statement in part: The Class Counsel under the Reggie White settlement agreement and the NFL Players Association today filed a complaint, on behalf of the NFL players, charging the NFL, its clubs and their owners of collusion during the 2010 NFL season. The complaint details a conspiracy to violate the anti-collusion and anti-circumvention provisions in the White Settlement Agreement (SSA) by "imposing a secret $123 million per-Club salary cap for that uncapped 2010 season." The written claim is filed with the United States District Court of Minnesota, which oversees the SSA and alleges that the league and owners acted illegally and "solely by self-interest, unconstrained by their clear and unambiguous SSA obligations." The claim was filed just one day after Special Master Stephen Burbank dismissed the appeal filed by the Redskins and Cowboys. Clearly, the NFLPA had this one on a tripwire. The Cowboys and Redskins were the hardest-hit by the league; the Redskins were docked $36 million in salary cap room over two seasons, and the Cowboys $10 million, for the offloading of onerous player contracts during the uncapped year of 2011. At that time, there was no official rule regarding just how much salary and other player income a team could dump during that time, but as it turned out, the NFL had verbally warned all teams that any nebulous violation of the rules that could be perceived during a capped year would be dealt with severely. Of course, the uncapped year occurred during the lockout, after the old collective bargaining agreement ran out, and the salary cap with it. Until a new agreement could be struck, the NFL could not possibly send out written instructions for teams to avoid either offsetting or "overpaying" its players without providing the NFLPA with a boilerplate collusion case.  According the NFLPA, the penalties handed down, and the language used by the league and the Management Council, is enough to warrant the complaint. "When the rules are broken in a way that hurts the game, we have an obligation to act. We cannot stand by when we now know that the owners conspired to collude," said NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith. "Our union recently learned that there was a secret salary cap agreement in an uncapped year. The complaint today is our effort to fulfill our duty to every NFL player. They deserve to know, above all, the facts and the truth about this conspiracy," added NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth. ''The claims have absolutely no merit and we fully expect them to be dismissed,'' the NFL said in a statement. ''On multiple occasions, the players and their representatives specifically dismissed all claims, known or unknown, whether pending or not, regarding alleged violations of the 2006 CBA and the related settlement agreement. We continue to look forward to focusing on the future of the game rather than grievances of a prior era that have already been resolved.'' The complaint centers around one very damning quote from New York Giants owner John Mara, who also serves as the Chair of the NFL Management Council Executive Committee. When the penalties were handed down in March, Mara was asked about the reasoning. "What they did was in violation of the spirit of the salary cap," Mara said. "They attempted to take advantage of a one-year loophole … full well knowing there would be consequences."

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.

Some new faces for Packers (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 02:11:21 PDT)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Practicing together for the first time since being upset in the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers agreed on one thing: It was nice to be back on a football field.

Browns' Fujita again denies NFL's bounty claim (Pro Football Weekly)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 19:26:11 PDT)
Browns LB Scott Fujita, facing a three-game suspension with the NFL alleging he was part of the Saints’ pay-for-performance scandal, once again denied his involvement Tuesday.

49ers' Williams motivated by NFC title game gaffes (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 18:08:14 PDT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Kyle Williams walked out of San Francisco 49ers headquarters Tuesday ready to talk about - and move past - the most miserable moment of his career.

49ers' WR, RB battles kick off with OTAs (The SportsXchange)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 18:00:21 PDT)
Four months after botching a pair of punt returns in January's NFC Championship Game loss to the Giants, Kyle Williams opened the 49ers' first organized team practice for veterans on Tuesday in a battle for a roster spot.

Goodell speaks briefly about Vilma lawsuit (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 15:58:28 PDT)
ATLANTA (AP) After three decades in the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell knows he won't please a lot of people with tough decisions.

NFL roundup: Cap penalties against Cowboys, Redskins upheld (The SportsXchange)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 15:50:15 PDT)
The special master who heard the appeal of the Cowboys and Redskins granted the NFL's motion to dismiss a grievance, upholding two-year penalties structured to dissolve $36 million of cap space for Washington with Dallas losing $10 million.

NFL passes new pad rules for players (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 15:49:01 PDT)
ATLANTA (AP) The NFL made thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for the 2013 season, something the players' union was not pleased with.

Goodell discusses Pro Bowl, bounties and health (Pro Football Weekly)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 15:27:42 PDT)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to reporters on Tuesday following the NFL’s owners meeting in Atlanta, discussing several topics, including the Saints' bounty scandal and the future of the Pro Bowl.

Browns' Fujita says bounty charges "not true" (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 14:01:52 PDT)
BEREA, Ohio (AP) Forced to fight for his name in a ''public trial'' against the NFL, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita vowed he did not participate in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program.

Ex-Saint Fujita proclaims innocence in bounty scandal (The SportsXchange)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 13:21:10 PDT)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said he's innocent in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, according to multiple reports.

Nate Burleson: Lions need less emotion sometimes (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 12:49:22 PDT)
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Nate Burleson says he didn't see what fellow Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young did to get himself dismissed from team workouts this week.

Report: Pro Bowl could land in New Orleans this year (National Football Post)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 10:26:05 PDT)
City is hosting Super Bowl

Sadly, the Pro Bowl may continue to exist and be held in New Orleans (Shutdown Corner)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 09:55:42 PDT)
Despite having once teased us with promises of a merciful killing of the Pro Bowl , the league is talking now about keeping it alive. According to this report at nola.com , New Orleans, also the host of the 2013 Super Bowl, is a likely destination for the NFL's next three-hour tribute to apathy. Here's a snippet from Nakia Hogan's report: [NFL spokesman Greg] Aiello also said the league "does not have a venue for the game at this time. No decision has been made yet on whether to play the game this season. We have been discussing the future of the Pro Bowl with the union." But league sources have said if a game is played, then New Orleans is a leading candidate to host the event. The idea of New Orleans double hosting the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl began floating around following last season's Super Bowl. The people of New Orleans must be on pins and needles over the decision, as surely the Pro Bowl would be the most fun thing to ever happen in that city. Don't do anyone any favors, commish. What is this, an apology to the people of New Orleans for suspending Sean Payton and Jonathan Vilma? "Hey, sorry for wrecking your 2012 season guys. Here, how about a nice Pro Bowl? Now we're even."

Around Fantasyland: Quarterback updates (Pro Football Weekly)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 09:31:06 PDT)
It's time to gear up for the upcoming NFL season. Sure it's only May, but once we reach mid-June, the fantasy juices begin to flow. Let’s start the week off and catch up with the offseason quarterback news in this edition of Fantasyland — specifically focusing on the upcoming battles and where they stand.

Player safety on owners' agenda (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 18:04:00 PDT)
With the Saints bounty case moving to grievance hearings and court, NFL owners will talk about player safety when they meet on Tuesday.

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.

Lions WR Titus Young barred from practice after starting fight with teammate (Shutdown Corner)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 12:39:42 PDT)
If things like this keep happening, I'm going to start believing all the people who tell me that football is a violent game. When the Detroit Lions took the field for their OTAs on Monday, receiver Titus Young was conspicuous by his absence. Turned out that Young, the second-year player taken in the second round out of Boise State, had a "confrontation" with veteran safety Louis Delmas during last week's voluntary workouts. What kind of "confrontation"? According to Anwar Richardson of MLive.com , Young punched Delmas when the safety wasn't looking after the two players got into a little barking. After that fracas, the Lions punished Young by barring him from OTAs and minicamps until further notice. Delmas was on hand Monday and practiced, which tells you who the coaches are most likely blaming in this case. "This is the voluntary part of our offseason program," head coach Jim Schwartz said after practice. "There is no need to comment. It sort of entails that it is not voluntary. I'm not going to comment on any other thing." As our buddy Ian Rapoport of NFL.com pointed out , it's a good thing teammates pulled Young away, because Delmas has a well-deserved reputation as a guy you wouldn't want to mess with. [Related: Matt Stafford spends $15K on auction, donates prize to fan's family ] Young caught 48 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, and that touchdown total was the fourth-highest in franchise history for any first-year player. But concerns about Young's attitude have dogged him since his college days. As the Associated Press put it in 2010,"Titus Young was once so deep in [Boise State head coach] Chris Petersen's doghouse that just seeing the football field again was going to be an accomplishment." He was benched for most of the 2008 season, but fought his way back (in a figurative sense) and excelled through his last two collegiate seasons. It's clear that Young has the talent to make the NFL work for him, but will he learn that you have to keep your head straight? In a game against the New Orleans Saints last season, he incurred a personal foul penalty that had teammate Dominic Raiola getting in the rookie's face and telling him to grow up -- with several stronger words mixed in. "I'll take a setback as a setup for a comeback," Young told the AP in 2010. "I learned from my mistakes and it's unfortunate I wasn't on the field for that time, but I still have the opportunity to play right now and I'm looking forward to the future. That was the past, just keep on building, keep on playing, keep on practicing."

Winslow move could be a costly one for Bucs in the short term (Shutdown Corner)
(Mon, 21 May 2012 10:38:00 PDT)
The Monday morning news came straight from the mouth of Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow when he told Ross Tucker of SIRIUS NFL Radio that his current team was looking to trade him -- and if that didn't work out, a release could be imminent. "It's kind of shocking, but that's what it is," Winslow said. "He [referring to head coach Greg Schiano] said he was upset that I wasn't working out with the team in the offseason, and then, the first week of OTAs. But, look -- I've been there the last three years, and I've had a successful career so far, and you just don't get rid of one of your best players because of that. That's just what I was told, but I have nothing bad to say about coach Schiano -- it was just a disagreement on why I'm not there yet. I was training in San Diego, and I was going to start [in OTAs with the team] today, but I got the call on Saturday that they're looking for somebody else." Winslow was especially surprised, given his claim that he has participated in a team event before in this preseason. "There was a previous minicamp -- I went to that. It was a three-day minicamp and then, I came back down to San Diego to train, and I was going to start [back with the team] today." According to Winslow, he flew cross-country from San Diego to Tampa to hear that he was going to be gone. "They tried to catch me before I left, but that didn't work out." So, there it is. The Bucs were apparently trying to swing a trade with the Bears involving Winslow a while back, but that never came to fruition. We know that Schiano has said a great many things about creating a new culture of accountability and responsibility for the Bucs (how he does that with a straight face after the circumstances surrounding the Butch Davis hire is another matter), but the plan to just jettison Winslow is a curious one, at best. Winslow regressed in 2011, but he did so along with the rest of the Buccaneers' offense, and he played often despite a balky right knee weakened from six different surgeries through his career. In October, he leaped over New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer in a move that showed that he still has at least enough athleticism to help any team that's weak at the tight end position ... like the Buccaneers after Saturday night. Luke Stocker and Chase Coffman are now the relatively unproven incumbents. "Honestly, I don't even know where that came from," Winslow said after a 26-20 Bucs win in which he caught five passes . "I didn't know I could do that anymore. I'm on one leg out there, but it's all about helping your team out there. You can hurt later." Does that sound like a malingerer to you? Look -- Winslow has clearly gone through his share of off-field issues, and he's been tagged as a "character risk" as a result. But it isn't as if he's been "lollygagging around the field," to paraphrase the skipper in " Bull Durham."