I can understand the love affair between Rex Ryan and his players, but he is not affraid to work them hard.

There’s a school of thought that it’s truly do-or-die for coach Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears in 2010. Brian Urlacher told ‘NFL Total Access” the team knows changes will happen if the wins don’t.

We’ve been keeping tabs on the backfield situation in Houston, where Arian Foster, Steve Slaton and Ben Tate are expected to compete for the lead role.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick would neither confirm nor deny Wednesday that WR Wes Welker will see the field in the next day’s preseason opener against the Saints.

Slowly, Rams coach Steve Spagnulo is unveiling his plan for first overall draft choice Sam Bradford.

Andre Smith isn’t ready to play football, and Marvin Lewis isn’t happy.

Unofficially, the Eagles have a dress code for training camp. No, not the players. It seems it’s not allowed to wear the current jersey of the former franchise quarterback who was traded to a division rival during the offseason to practice.

A year ago at this time, the only thing you heard about the New York Giants was that they had no wide receivers. Now it’s the least of the worries for the Giants.

Pat Kirwan was at Falcons camp on Tuesday with an update for “Around the League,” taking a closer look at Matt Ryan, replacing Michael Jenkins and the rookies on defense.

Steve Wyche checked in from Titans camp on Around the League on Tuesday with some updates on Kenny Britt, Derrick Morgan and the battle at left cornerback.

Darren Sharper remains optimistic as he rehabs from offseason microfracture surgery, but admitted he has “no idea” when he’ll return to the practice field.

Much has been made of the offseason acquisitions by the Detroit Lions, and the addition of Tony Scheffler may be the most unheralded.

The leg injury to Browns CB Eric Wright may lead some to believe that rookie Eric Haden could crack the starting lineup in the team’s preseason opener on Saturday.

Wes Welker took another step in his recovery from offseason knee surgery on Tuesday when he took part in a joint practice session against the Saints.

Behind Mike Sims-Walker, the Jaguars have some questions at receiver. The latest reports suggest Mike Thomas is strengthening his hold on the No. 2 receiver job.