Jim Zorn is unusually forthcoming for an NFL coach. He’ll tell you as much, likely in a very thorough and well-thought-out way. When asked about what he learned during his first season as a head coach, Zorn offered this:

“One thing I’ve learned is that I’ve probably said too much in interviews with you guys,” Zorn quipped. “But that’s the way I am. I need to speak in shorter snippets.”

Wyoming RB Devin Moore wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, so he had to find another way to get his foot in the door. Not only did he get in, but he had the first official workout in front of NFL team officials in Indianapolis.

A common theme among many of the top prospects here at the combine is that they trained against elite teammates in college. Several players credited facing such high-quality competition daily at practice with their development.

If it felt like franchise tags were flying at an unprecedented pace this year, it’s because they were. In the 17 years of free agency, the most players ever to be franchised in one offseason was 11, which happened in 2005 and 2008. But this year, a whopping 14 teams used their franchise tag — and that number might have been higher had some last-minute, long-term deals not been worked out.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers have placed their franchise tag on OT Max Starks. The paper also said the Steelers are seeking a long-term deal with Starks.

While tags are flying around in record numbers, the Dolphins will not be using their franchise tag. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Thursday his team will not designate offensive tackle Vernon Carey, safety Yeremiah Bell nor linebacker Channing Crowder as Miami’s franchise player.

Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith goes by the nickname “J. Smooth” for a reason — his lively press conference was possibly the most entertaining of the day at the combine.

The single wing, or Wildcat formation, became all the rage in Week 3 last season in New England, when the Dolphins and head coach Tony Sparano unveiled the latest version of the old-school formation on the NFL level. The formation had been tried in the past, but not to the success that the Dolphins had with it against the Patriots in a 38-13 victory. Other teams soon followed Miami’s lead, but is the formation here to stay?

Anquan Boldin‘s agent Drew Rosenhaus told Cardinals general manager Rod Graves that, while his client remains receptive to a trade, he is willing to sign a long-term deal with Arizona. Previously, Boldin had said he never would re-sign with the Cardinals, but now, after some time away from the team and the game, he has softened his stance.

The Seattle Seahawks designated linebacker Leroy Hill their franchise player, it was announced by the team today.

It’s not all that often that a punter makes headlines, but the news that Atlanta was franchising punter Michael Koenen certainly got some attention.

He was just the second punter to ever receive the franchise tag and the first since Todd Sauerbrun in 1999.

Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha signed a three-year deal that is worth a minimum of $45 million and could reach $50 million, a league source said. It’s a complex contract that the NFL had to sift through and approve, and it has.

Well, that didn’t take long. Moments after completing a deal for offensive tackle Jordan Gross, the Carolina Panthers designated Julius Peppers as their franchise player, a league source confirmed Thursday.

With one signing, Carolina retained offensive tackle Jordan Gross and kept control of defensive end Julius Peppers.

Carolina and Gross reached agreement Thursday on a record six-year contract that will pay out $30.5 million in the first three years of the deal, a league source said.

Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith, projected as a potential top-five pick, hasn’t yet decided if he will work out this weekend at the combine. He said he will make his decision Friday.