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05.14.13

Though Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) didn't practice as the Jags' organized team activities opened Monday, he noted that he ran 30 yards at three-quarters speed during the workout, Florida Times-Union reports. "That was exciting," Jones-Drew said. "Lately, it's been one day on, a day off, two days on, a day off - it's part of the process. I'm closer than I think. I just want to take my time and make sure we do it the right way."

Impact:
To that end, as Jones-Drew proceeds cautiously in his recovery from his foot injury, the running back is aiming to amp up his training in the month leading into the start of training camp, which begins the last week of July.

05.14.13

Though Michael Vick opened up with the Eagles' first-team offense at the first day of the team's organized team activities on Monday, Nick Foles took a significant number of snaps as well, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact:
Meanwhile, neither Matt Barkley nor Dennis Dixon took first-team snaps, with the snap distribution between Vick and Foles estimated at 50/50 by coach Chip Kelly. It would still be an upset if Foles were to win the Eagles' starting QB job over Vick, but as Kelly noted Monday, "it's May 13 and we've got a long ways to go before we ever set a depth chart or do anything like that."

05.14.13

Felix Jones has agreed to a one-year contract with Philadelphia, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Impact:
Jones enters training camp at least third on the depth chart behind LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown along with Chris Polk and Miguel Maysonet. However, we'll have to see how his role develops this summer.

05.13.13

Knile Davis spent all of his first rookie mini-camp focusing on ball security to try and correct the fumbling issues he experienced in his career at Arkansas, the Kansas City Star reports.

Impact:
Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy had Davis working with a heavy ball to make it second nature for the physically gifted rookie to keep the ball high and tight. Davis credits his fumbling problems in college to mental lapses in this form of protection, and he and coach Andy Reid both believe he can correct the issue by ingraining this technique into the young running back. Reid expressed some excitement in Davis' ability to play with both power and speed, but is clear in the matter of ball security that a lack of it on the rookie's part will not be tolerated. So for Davis to become the big back complement to Jamaal Charles that the Chiefs drafted him to be, he'd better get comfortable mentally and physically with the high-and-tight technique.

05.13.13

Jeron Mastrud signed with the Raiders on Monday.

Impact:
Despite being a fourth-year player, Mastrud will be eligible to participate in the Raiders' rookie minicamp thanks to a technicality. The 25-year-old tight end has tallied just one reception in 36 career games (six starts), so he seems unlikely to emerge as a threat in Oakland's passing game.

05.13.13

The Raiders claimed Andre Holmes off waivers from the Patriots on Monday.

Impact:
In 2012, Holmes caught two passes for 11 yards in seven games with the Cowboys. He's a tall, slender wideout (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), and it looks like Holmes will at least get to make a bid for a roster spot in training camp.

05.13.13

Kevin Minter signed with the Cardinals on Monday, Aaron Wilson of Scout.com reports.

Impact:
The Cardinals spent a second-round pick in April's draft on the linebacker, who tallied an impressive 130 tackles (75 solo) and 4.0 sacks in his junior year at LSU. He inked his deal Monday, so look for Minter to get to work on trying to lock down a starting job in Arizona's 3-4 defense.

05.13.13

Dion Jordan is expected to play defensive in the 4-3 defense that the Dolphins run, according to the Miami Herald.

Impact:
There are those who believe that Jordan's best position is OLB in a 3-4 defense so a switch to a 4-3 DE could take a little getting used to. His job won't change however, and that is to get to the quarterback.

05.13.13

Joseph Randle (thumb) has agreed to a four-year deal with Dallas that is slated to pay him slightly more than $2.29 million, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact:
Randle, who had surgery on his thumb last week, is expected to be in a cast for the next five-to-seven weeks, but once he's healthy, he's expected to emerge as the team's top backup to starter DeMarco Murray. In that capacity, he'd provide injury insurance for the Cowboys, as well as potentially seeing enough touches to help ease Murray's rushing load.

05.13.13

The Buccaneers have signed Smith to a contract, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact:
With Brian Leonard slated to work as a third-down back, James and Michael Smith are the primary candidates to emerge as Doug Martin's top backup. There's been talk that at this early stage, James might have the edge and if he secures the assignment, he'll have deep sleeper value in leagues large enough to stash backup RBs.

05.13.13

The Chiefs signed Knile Davis on Monday, the Kansas City Star reports.

Impact:
The Chiefs are hoping to use the 227-pound back as a complement to the speedier Jamaal Charles next year, as long as Davis can stay healthy and limit his fumbles.

05.13.13

With veteran Scott Chandler coming off of ACL surgery, Chris Gragg, the team's seventh-round pick in April, is expected to see increased reps throughout the offseason, BuffaloBills.com reports.

Impact:
The Bills don't have much in the way of pass catchers behind Chandler on the TE depth chart, so they may be looking for Gragg to fill that role. If he can catch on to the pro game quickly and display the good hands he had at times at Arkansas, he could land a spot on the Week 1 roster.

05.13.13

Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) is making progress, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.

Impact:
Jones-Drew is not expected to be back to full health for a couple more weeks, but was able to run at three-quarter speed for a bit Monday, so he appears to be on track to return at least by the beginning of June.

05.13.13

Nick Foles believes that he's getting a fair shot to win the Eagles' starting QB job, CSN's Geoff Mosher reports.

Impact:
Foles also noted that he wouldn't be shocked if coach Chip Kelly didn't name a starting QB until shortly before Week 1. Still, despite Foles' comments, the consensus remains that veteran Michael Vick has the early advantage in the competition over both Foles and draftee Matt Barkley.

05.13.13

Brian Hoyer was released by Arizona on Monday, Sirius Radio's Adam Caplan reports.

Impact:
Carson Palmer's acquisition during the offseason left Hoyer's status in some doubt. The Cardinals were actively attempting to trade Hoyer leading up to the draft, but those inquiries apparently led nowhere. Consequently, Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley will remain the two reserve QBs on the Cardinals, with Hoyer searching for yet another opportunity.

05.13.13

Ryan Williams (shoulder) is sure that he will be an effective back in 2013, despite the presence of Rashard Mendenhall and two recent RB draft picks, the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact:
Arizona selected two durable backs, Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington, during April's NFL Draft. Both will presumably challenge Mendenhall and Williams for carries, after both were hampered by their own respective injuries last season. Williams' season ended prematurely due to shoulder surgery, after an early bout with a knee injury, thereby limiting him to 58 carries for 164 yards (2.8 YPC) and seven receptions for 44 yards. He hopes that all the work he's put in since his October procedure will lead to a decent workload in the Cardinals' running back picture.

05.13.13

The Chargers expect Manti Te'o to start at strongside inside linebacker and be an every down player, Sports Illustrated's Peter King reports.

Impact:
The Bolts clearly have big plans for Te'o and the early reviews have been positive, but it's obviously very early in camp. Right now, Te'o is just running around in pads with the other rookies. We will have to wait and see how he handles the hazing he is likely to get from the veterans when they show up, but all indications are that the rookie knows what he needs to do and is eager to prove himself to his teammates. The truth is that Te'o has landed in the perfect spot and could be in line for a big rookie season.

05.13.13

Luke Willson "jumped out" in Seattle's weekend minicamp, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Impact:
Aside from the funky spelling of his last name, Willson also stood out for some good tight-end play. He actually has a chance at making the roster. The Seahawks likely will keep three tight ends this season.

05.13.13

Tyler Wilson has impressed thus far in the early going of Raiders' rookie minicamp, according to Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times. "Obviously, picking up a new system, there's a little bit of rust there," Raiders coach Dennis Allen said about Wilson. "But throwing the ball, he's done a nice job. I don't have any question about his arm strength and his accuracy."

Impact:
Wilson has reportedly shown a nice zip to his throws, to the point where several balls went through or off his intended receivers' hands. It's obviously very early, and Matt Flynn is set to begin OTAs with the first-team offense, but Wilson seems to be making good with the coaching staff.

05.13.13

Daniel Thomas (knee) is in line to compete with fellow backs Lamar Miller, Mike Gillislee, Marcus Thigpen and Jonas Gray in the coming months, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

Impact:
While Lamar Miller may have more fantasy buzz attached to his name at this time, the physical Thomas will still have an opportunity to carve out a significant role in the Dolphins' post-Reggie Bush backfield. To that end, Thomas must both re-establish his health, as well as demonstrate an improved ability to hold on to the football as the Dolphins' OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the exhibition season progress.

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