WR Kyle Williams was forced from 49ers’ player organized workouts on Thursday with a leg injury.
Williams termed it as a "leg pull," but says it is nothing serious. A rookie last season, Williams was active for just four games, reeling in one catch for eight yards while returning four kicks and three punts.
Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall reportedly owes over $24,000 in back property taxes on his home in Northampton County, Virginia.
He’s far enough behind that the county is in the process of seizing his home and selling it, though he reportedly still has time to stop the sale. Handsomely paid in 2010 and set to make a base salary of $4.5 million this season, Hall should have the money to get out of this mess.
Giants RG and player representative Chris Snee is telling his teammates to be ready for training camp by late July.
"I’ve been telling guys around July 27, anticipate that being our day to show up (for training camp)," Snee said at the conclusion of Giants’ player-organized workouts on Friday. It’s hopeful that Snee is still thinking late July for camp, but it’s probably just wishful thinking right now.
Raiders WR Nick Miller has been working out with Larry Fitzgerald and Greg Jennings this offseason.
"Every day, I learn something from them," Miller said. "It’s brought my game from A to Z already, in just the short time I have been with them. It’s so cool, because they answer all my questions – I am getting the best receiver education in the world free of charge." It’s a huge opportunity for Miller, but after being active just nine times in 2010, he remains unlikely to make an impact in 2011.
CB Nathan Vasher isn’t guaranteed a spot in Detroit’s 2011 secondary.
Vasher is currently set to be the Lions’ primary nickel back, but they have not ruled out bringing in some competition via free agency. Competent in the same role last season, Vasher has a decent shot at cracking Detroit’s 53-man roster this summer.
Frank Gore did not participate in 49ers’ player-organized workouts last week because he is still rehabbing his broken hip.
Interesting, since agent Drew Rosenhaus recently declared Gore "100 percent healthy and fully recovered" from his hip injury. Regardless, Gore’s injury was never considered a long-term concern, and he should be good to go for both training camp and Week 1.
In addition to the team’s playbook, 49ers coaches were able to "load" free agent Alex Smith up with teaching materials when the lockout briefly ended on April 29.
As a result, Smith was able to give "what amounted to an introductory course in coach Jim Harbaugh’s version of the West Coast offense" in 49ers’ player-organized workouts last week, according to the Sacramento Bee. Although it sounds like the Niners are ahead of many other teams this offseason, they are still in a very bad situation when it comes to prepping for 2011.
According to the SportsBusiness Journal’s Daniel Kaplan, a "framework agreement" could be reached in the NFL’s labor dispute in as little as two weeks.
The news coming out of the NFL and former NFLPA’s "secret" negotiations continues to be rosy, though it would be best for optimism to remain guarded. Still, the chances of a (mostly) normal training camp and preseason schedule appear to be growing by the day.
Titans WR Nate Washington had good things to say about first-round pick Jake Locker on Friday.
"(Locker) seems relaxed, and is comfortable being around us right now," Washington said. "He is joking, but also serious about his job. To see that kind of confidence in a young guy, it is good." Washington joins LG Leroy Harris and Chris Johnson as Titans to recently praise Locker, though he did add he isn’t sure if Locker will be ready to start as a rookie.
According to the Nashville Tennessean, "it would not be a surprise" if veteran free agent LB David Thornton retired this offseason.
Thornton was sidelined by a hip injury until Week 11 last season, and then never played for the Titans after being activated. He was productive in 11 games in 2009, notching 60 tackles and one sack, but it’s quite possible his playing days are indeed over at age 32.