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Thursday, May 30, 2013, 9:52am

Judging from the comments coming out of Cleveland -- from the owner down to the wide receivers -- the first impression of OC Norv Turner's offense is the aggressiveness of it.

“Everything is downfield, and you get taught pretty quickly that you have to be well conditioned to play fast and play at a high level,” wide receiver Greg Little said. “I just like the way Norv thinks. He calls more post and go routes than I’ve ever run before."

Said wide receiver Josh Gordon: "Defenses will be shocked to say the least with how much we're running downfield."

Thursday, May 30, 2013, 9:26am

Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos' top two receivers a year ago, both say that they notice that Peyton Manning has a stronger arm now than he did last year, as he continues to progress from the neck injury that cost him the entire 2011 season.

“We worked out at Duke in March or April and I definitely felt like he had more zip on the ball,” Decker said. “I think he’s come back stronger. . . . I think some of those throws that he fits in the holes, you feel a little more zip on it and he is getting it to you quicker.”

Bills won't pull C.J. Spiller at goal line
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 7:02pm

Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone indicated after today's voluntary workout C.J. Spiller will not be pulled from games in short-yardage, third-down or red-zone situations because of size or skill set.

"My philosophy's always been if someone starts off and they're running well, keep feeding them the ball," Marrone said.

Asked if he has any reservations about using Spiller in certain spots, Marrone shook his head.

"I've really seen him as well as Fred work on the things that make them both complete backs," Marrone said. "Our goal, when we put a back back there, is to make sure they're complete backs."

Arian Foster (calf) out until training camp
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 4:46pm

Running back Arian Foster will miss the rest of the Houston Texans' organized team activities and the team's minicamp due to his strained right calf, coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday.

Kubiak said Foster was on crutches Wednesday, one day after he suffered the injury on the first play of team drills during Tuesday's voluntary practice.

"He'll stay on crutches a couple of days, rehab, and we'll have him back for camp. He's going to be fine," Kubiak told reporters on Wednesday.

Rob Gronkowski's back surgery scheduled for mid-June
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 4:42pm

Rob Gronkowski is set to return to the operating table, but it doesn't involve his troublesome forearm.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Wednesday that the New England Patriots tight end will need back surgery, according to a source briefed on his status. Surgery tentatively is set for mid-June and will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins, according to Breer.

It's expected that Gronkowski will miss at least part of Patriots training camp.

The possibility of back surgery previously was known, though the team had held out hope it could be avoided. Gronkowski has had back issues going back to his days at Arizona. He underwent a previous back surgery in Sept. 2009, which also was performed by Dr. Watkins.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:57am

Mike Goodson practiced Tuesday, as expected, per source. The running back’s attorney said last week that the Jets and NFL had held him out of practice following his arrest on weapons and gun charges. However, because the practices were voluntary no permission was required. Tony Fusco, Jr., the attorney, had said he believed it would be possible for Goodson to return to practice before the legal process was complete. Fusco said the entire ordeal could drag on for months.

Goodson pled not guilty in front of a municipal court judge last week to five charges: unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of a hollow-point bullet, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anquan Boldin "top target" in 49ers' OTAs
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:56am

49ers WR Anquan Boldin caught several passes from Colin Kaepernick, including one during a two-minute drill at the end of practice. He also was the top target for the team's other three quarterbacks - Colt McCoy, Scott Tolzien and rookie B.J. Daniels. In all, Boldin caught eight passes, one of them a touchdown snag between two defenders on a pass from Daniels.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:50am

Frank Gore's absence at 49ers practice attributed to "working through a little something" per HC Jim Harbaugh.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:46am

The Bills have been waiting to see Steve Johnson as a part of the team practice setting. After being limited to just individual position drills in his initial return to practice last week, Johnson’s workload was expanded to team work as he got some plays in Tuesday.

Johnson after going through individual position drills as he had last week, was rotated in for some team work during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. The best catch of the day by the Bills wideout was the twisting grab he made during red zone work over the middle despite tight coverage from Bryan Scott.

It appears as though Johnson is recovered from his back injury that kept him sidelined as he was not shy about turning and contorting his body to adjust to passes.

Arian Foster (calf) leaves practice
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:38am

Texans RB Arian Foster left practice today with an injury. HC Gary Kubiak said it's a strained calf.

Saints WR Joe Morgan arrested for DWI
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:33am

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Morgan was arrested in Jefferson Parish early Saturday morning for allegedly driving while intoxicated. State Police booked Morgan, 25, with DWI and driving with no license, according to arrest reports.

A trooper happened upon Morgan sometime around midnight Saturday, asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle on the Earhart Expressway near Causeway Boulevard in Jefferson, the arrest report said.

Matt Flynn getting outplayed by another Wilson
Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10:27am

Interesting hearing people out here talk about QB Tyler Wilson looking better than Matt Flynn. Have to agree so far.

Maurice Jones-Drew not charged with battery
Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 1:58pm

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has been charged with battery after allegedly KO'ing a security guard at the Conch House in St. Augustine, FL.

According to the police report obtained by TMZ, MJD is accused of striking the security guard with a closed fist on the guard's left cheek, knocking him out.

Update: Adam Schefter writes, "Maurice Jones-Drew’s agent, Adisa Bakari, said St. Augstine police about to issue new release saying no charges filed against MJD."

Via ESPN: "Maurice was there and was not involved. As soon as an altercation broke out, Maurice exited the premises. He was not questioned by police immediately after, nor later that day," Bakari said Tuesday.

Hakeem Nicks not worried about contract (yet)
Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 9:27am

While Victor Cruz is in talks with Giants, WR Hakeem Nicks is in no hurry to ramp up talks. He'd be OK waiting until after the season.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 9:23am

Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum seems confident kicker Mason Crosby will bounce back from a sub-par season in 2012.

“He had some technical issues that he worked through," Slocum said. "I thought he started to improve at the end of the season. He’s had a good offseason to this point. We want to get to the production we had at the end of 2010 through 2011. That’s what’s important for us to get to.”

The Packers brought in competition for Crosby in the form of Giorgio Tavecchio in the offseason.