If you’re interested in the Dolphins (six wins in 2011), Bills (six), Browns (four), Jaguars (five), Colts (two), Redskins (five), Vikings (three), Panthers (six), Bucs (four) and Rams (two), there is historical precedence to hope for a 2012 turnaround.

Patriots WR Wes Welker officially signed the franchise tender Tuesday, calling it a “leap of faith.” I’ll call it something else — his best option.

Usually you hear teams, especially the bad ones, looking to build one player at a time. They talk about increasing depth across the board and getting talent everywhere. Well, the Rams might not consider themselves to be rebuilding, but they are definitely doing some renovations. Yet, as GM Les Snead told me in his office last week, they have an interesting way of thinking about it. Instead of looking to even out the roster and add skill at positions of need, he’s hoping to create dominant units first. Kind of like the Giants, how they keep re-stocking their already nasty defensive line. It’s why St. Louis added Michael Brockers to an already solid defensive line in the first round and […]

Reggie Bush wants to win the rushing title in 2012. I like the motivation, but he still has a lot to prove in fantasy land.

Well, check off another first. On Friday, I made my first visit to St. Louis and the Rams facility. Yesterday, the scene was Owings Mills, Md., where the Ravens practice. If you haven’t seen the castle, it’s a sight to behold. It would be tough for me to imagine a more scenic spot to hold a football practice. Also, they have a putting green out front. Awesome. Speaking of football, this is what I said on TV about the Ravens rookie mini-camp. And here is what I’ve written on the Ravens. Look for more later today. But what about all the other stuff about the trip to Baltimore? Glad you asked… Want some highlights? Overall impression: The Ravens aren’t newcomers […]

I arrived in Owings Mills, Md., with a simple goal for my impending story. Understand why the Ravens select the players they do in the draft. I came away with a lot more than that. After an insightful conversation with ultra-respected GM Ozzie Newsome, I think I get it. I think I understand why they are always competitive and why their players look like they’d play for free. The Ravens scout passion. As Newsome told me, while watching tape they take their eye off the ball and watch how players move when they are not involved in a play — and they learn whether a guy is going through the motions or just lives it. For those with supreme passion, […]

Kenny Britt has the tools to be a No. 1 fantasy wideout. But the possibility of having a second knee surgery is cause for some concern.

The Ravens just finished up a session of rookie mini-camp here in scenic Owings Mills, Md., and a big topic of conversation was Courtney Upshaw. The second-rounder from Alabama, the Ravens highest draft pick, will be expected to come in and compete. That was the deal anyway.

Before I jump in the car and drive to Owings Mills for Ravens rookie mini-camp, I just wanted to mention one thing that stuck in my mind from my trip to St. Louis on Friday. It was, by all accounts, a successful experience for the participants. But what does that mean? Basically, that they only began the methodical process of figuring stuff out. Seriously, I was reminded once again how far these rookies are from being ready. And it has nothing to do with talent, obviously. It’s just that being in the NFL, and thriving in the league, takes so much. Coach Jeff Fisher pointed this out when describing what he achieved following the first session. “We had a meet […]

Well, I’m flying into Baltimore as I write this, gearing up for a visit to the Ravens rookie minicamp on Sunday. That means my visit to St. Louis to check out the Rams rookies is over, though you can read about what I thought here. It was my first trip to see the Rams, and it was a good one.

So, as you probably saw on Twitter, I spent the day in St. Louis chillin’ at Rams rookie minicamp. First time there, actually, and it was a good time. I’ll have plenty more to say about this tomorrow and later in the week (look for an article on Tuesday) … Oh, and I said this about coach Jeff Fisher’s massive class of rookies on “Total Access.”

It’s been a long road but Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is relieved that the state legislature has finally approved a bill to build a new stadium and keep the team right where it is.

Randy Moss has a reputation for being a player who doesn’t go hard in practice. I’m not sure why this is. Maybe there were times when he didn’t finish drills, but I watched him for two training camps and that wasn’t the case. Teammates say he works. In particular, what the veteran receiver does is make catches. Some ridiculous catches. I remember when Moss posterized Jets CB Darrelle Revis in 2010 with the sickest catch I’ve ever seen in person — a one-handed touchdown. And Patriots coach Bill Belichick shrugged. “We’ve seen that play in practice probably a dozen times,” Belichick said two years ago. He’s right. In training camp (the practices open to the media), Moss impresses. I’ve seen […]

Happy ‘getaway’ Friday everybody! Or maybe it’s just me who is getting away for a week. Yes, please try to contain your excitement. Let’s get to the fantasy.

The Green Bay Packers agreed to a contract with second-round draft pick Jerel Worthy on Thursday night, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.