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Chris Givens had a nagging ankle injury in 2013
Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 1:14pm

Rams WR Chris Givens has taken a lot of steps to get his game back on track since the 2013 finale against Seattle when he didn’t have a single catch. He decided that he had to make changes in his life and make football his No. 1 priority.

“When I was young, I felt like I was trying to do too much, please too many people,” he said. “Saying ‘yes’ too much. Being afraid to let my light shine because of how it made someone else feel. So I humbled myself and made football my job. Made it a priority. And I just started writing goals and doing a lot of things.”

In Arizona he worked with longtime fitness and martial arts instructor Mack Newton. Givens described him as “this 68-year-old trainer. ... Old school. No weight-lifting. He works on building you up from the inside-out. Before every class, we’d sit down and talk for like an hour, just about spiritual things, and having the proper self-esteem.”

By now, Givens has put the frustration of last season behind him, a season that included a shoulder injury and an especially nagging ankle injury. Givens didn’t miss any games but said the ankle injury required a lot of maintenance and bothered him most of the year.

“My goals right now are to be really involved with the team, and to really embrace the whole concept of team,” Givens said. “And just to be a leader. Be a finisher. Be a catalyst. To do everything I need to do to put my body in the best position to start (training) camp.”

Mike Wallace likes Miami's new offense
Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10:27am

What Mike Wallace found in his return to Miami: A whole new offense, one that he believes is better suited to his strengths.

“My style: Big-play offense,” Wallace said, referring to first-year coordinator Bill Lazor’s new system. “I see [Ryan Tannehill is] excited about it. He’s called me about eight, nine times.

“I just want to make some plays for my team,” Wallace continued. “Go out and make some plays for my team and have a much better year than last year. We can't have the kind of year we had last year. We need to be on the same page.”

Wallace had a career-high 73 catches last year, his first in Miami, but believes he left 15 to 20 touchdowns on the field because he and Tannehill could never figure out the deep ball.

“It’s a process,” said Joe Philbin, also appearing on the team-run radio program. “We feel like we’re going to see greater dividends this year.”

Giants' new offense has West Coast principles
Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10:20am

Once the Giants receivers learn the new verbiage, Ben McAdoo's offense in general should be easier to execute. Gone are the complicated route-reads the wide receivers were tasked with under Kevin Gilbride. In are the defined routes of McAdoo and his West Coast-style offense.

“As far as my route-running was concerned in the slot position, a lot of my routes were determined by what the secondary was doing, what type of coverage they were in. That would dictate my route,” Victor Cruz said. “As far as this offense is concerned, it’s a lot more of your route is your route, and you can dictate that off your coverage and know what you have and [Eli Manning] can find you within those different holes. Now it’s a lot less dependent on what my body language is.”

That should help the Giants cut down on the mistakes. It should help Manning cut down on the interceptions.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 9:59pm

Dolphins HC Joe Philbin said he likes Knowshon Moreno’s “versatility and multiple skill set.”

Ravens happy with Ray Rice's conditioning
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 9:56pm

With his legal troubles having cast doubt on his playing future, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been committed to what he can control: losing weight and getting back to full strength after a hip injury derailed him last season.

Rice is attending the start of the Ravens' offseason conditioning program and has impressed team staff.

"He looks great," strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki told reporters Tuesday.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 5:21pm

Chargers WR Malcom Floyd participated in workouts today. Philip Rivers: "It was good to see him. He looks good. He has that smile he always does."

Eli Manning expects to be ready for training camp
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 5:21pm

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is using crutches to get around the team's facility this week, but he cast them aside before coming out in a walking boot to address assembled media Tuesday.

Manning's message, as he always tries to make it, is that there's nothing to worry about -- that the ankle surgery he had a couple of weeks ago was the right move at the right time and that it shouldn't affect the Giants' 2014 season.

"I think I'm safe to say I'll be 100 percent by the start of training camp," Manning said. "I would hope so."

Manning had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle April 10. At that time, he and the team said he expected to be cleared to start running again in six weeks. But cleared to run doesn't necessarily mean cleared to practice.

David Wilson expects to be ready for OTAs
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 4:09pm

For Giants RB David Wilson, the hardest part has always been accepting the unknown.

He doesn't feel any pain in his neck, and never has. The only thing keeping him off the field are "pictures," or X-Rays that will show whether or not his spinal chord has fused properly following surgery in January.

He's not sure when that clearance will come, but has appointments for future MRI exams set up.

Nonetheless, he expects to be ready for offseason training activities, which begin in less than a month.

"For sure," he said. "I expect to. I want to."

He added: "We're just playing it by ear," he said. "I had the longest break out of anyone in this locker room. I'm just looking forward to getting back out with my teammates and competing. I love to compete. I'll always have that in me."

Julio Jones to be limited in early workouts
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 4:06pm

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith said Julio Jones' participation in offseason workouts will be limited as the team continues to monitor the wide receiver's status coming off foot surgery.

"Julio is participating with our athletic performance department,'' Smith said Tuesday. "He will be able to get out on the field and do some walkthrough stuff with us when we start going. Our focus on Julio is one thing, and that's having him prepared for our opener. ... He's progressing well. We're not going to do anything to hinder his timeframe in terms of getting back to work with us."

Jones injured his foot in Week 5 of last season and missed the remainder of the 2013 campaign. Smith previously said Jones was ahead of schedule in his recovery, but the coach never put a timetable on when Jones would start running routes again.

E.J. Manuel (knee) full participant at offseason workouts
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 11:31am

The Buffalo Bills began their offseason program Tuesday morning, with quarterback EJ Manuel, wide receiver Stevie Johnson, and linebacker Brandon Spikes among those taking part in the voluntary workout.

After missing the final two games of last season with a sprained LCL in his left knee, Manuel underwent knee surgery in January. He took part in the entire portion of Tuesday's workout open to reporters.

Tight end Scott Chandler did not participate in the portion of the workout open to reporters. He worked on a stationary bike and did extra stretching with a member of the training staff.

Seahawks trade for Terrelle Pryor
Monday, April 21, 2014, 8:38pm

Raiders trade Terrelle Pryor to the Seahawks, per league source.

Monday, April 21, 2014, 6:12pm

Bears add depth at receiver and competition for third spot by signing veteran Josh Morgan to 1-yr contract.

Monday, April 21, 2014, 3:06pm

Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe said he hired a nutritionist and personal trainer for the first time in his career. He's been working with them for two months.

A.J. Green has gained 6-10 lbs to become more physical
Monday, April 21, 2014, 3:04pm

Bengals WR A.J. Green says he's 6-10 pounds heavier at the start of off-season work outs. Says he wanted a stronger upper body to be more physical.

Monday, April 21, 2014, 2:58pm

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (microfracture surgery) is progressing well and doing everything.