NFL Player News

This is a big season coming up for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, reports ESPN.

The report says the "kid gloves are off and this a crucial third year for the former first-round pick. Is Tannehill a franchise building block or just another average quarterback? He's shown reasons to make a case for both sides. But the Dolphins are standing behind Tannehill for at least one more season to see if he can improve on his 15-17 career record."

This year Tannehill must prove he can lead the Dolphins to the playoffs. And he must do so while learning a new offense for the first time in his career. If he struggles, the team could look at finding a new quarterback for next season.

Jets receiver David Nelson told CBSSports Radio that the entire team views Geno Smith as the starting quarterback.

"For all of us, it’s Geno’s team," Nelson said. "And from what we’ve been told and what we’ve been working toward, it’s Geno’s team, and Mike Vick is coming in to kind of (fill) a supporting role. If anything happens to Geno, we have a proven starter and a proven winner backing him up. That’s the direction we’re moving."

The New York Daily News said the real question is what happens if Smith doesn't perform up to expectations in the preseason. Vick could still unseat him, the paper said.

Second-year pro Ryan Nassib is firmly entrenched as the Giants' backup quarterback, reports The Star-Ledger. Nassib has picked up the new offensive system quickly, the paper said.

"Really smart," Danny Langsdorf, the team's new quarterbacks coach, told the paper. "I think he’s done a great job, especially in our no-huddle periods of just being able to get guys lined up, whether we’re in a two-minute situation or whatever situation we’ve been in he’s done a great job of just getting us in a correct formation, getting us lined up.

"He’s just got to keep working on executing, whether it’s a throw or timing with the receivers, he’s just got to continue to work with those guys but he’s been very good to this point in terms of studying and learning."

Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin made one regular-season catch in 2013 as he missed most of the year with a hip injury. Quarterback Russell Wilson told NFL Network the duo is building chemistry quickly.

"We've connected so much, and he's so fired up," Wilson said. "He looks so good."

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer told CBS Cleveland there's "no doubt" he's 100 percent healthy and that he'll participate fully in all of training camp. Hoyer is coming back from a torn ACL that ended his 2013 season after three games.

Hoyer sat out some team drills during OTAs as coaches managed his knee, but he's not expected to be limited during camp. "Yeah, no doubt. No doubt," Hoyer said. "I’m ready to go so can’t wait for Day 1."

The Ravens drafted Keith Wenning in the sixth round to vie with Tyrod Taylor for the backup job behind quarterback Joe Flacco. But in minicamps, Wenning did not appear ready to challenge Taylor, reports the Baltimore Sun.

The paper expects Wenning to serve as the No. 3 quarterback this season while Taylor finishes out his rookie contract.

Though it sounds far-fetched, Packers coach Mike McCarthy wants his offense to run 75 plays per game, reports ESPN.com. The team averaged nearly 69 plays in the games quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished last season. Denver led the league with 72.1 plays per game.

Playing at a fast pace "seems to be the answer to some of the different things defenses are doing," Rodgers told the website.

McCarthy said earlier that he wants all his running backs to be three-down players so there's no need to substitute. "We play pretty fast, but you always want to play faster," McCarthy said. "With a guy like Aaron, he plays faster than anybody I've ever been around."

Bengals receiver A.J. Green told NFL Network he's hoping quarterback Andy Dalton receives a contract extension. "We came in together and that is the great thing for me and him," Green said. "I know he's my guy. I don't want any other quarterback throwing me the ball. I think he feels the same way about me."

Green said he's built chemistry with Dalton in their three years together.

"He feels confident that whether I'm double covered, triple covered, it don't matter I'm going to come down with the ball," Green said. "And I feel like we've grown over these last three years and I feel like this year is going to be another key year for us."

Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner had high praise for rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who's competing with Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder.

"Teddy's been really, really impressive and a lot further along than I expected him to be," Turner said, via the team's website. Turner also said Bridgewater "has his sights set on playing and playing well as soon as he can, so that’s what you want."

Jets quarterback Geno Smith said his team can play in the Super Bowl this season, reports ESPN.

"I feel good about our team making a Super Bowl run," Smith said via the NFL Network.

The report says the Jets, according to Las Vegas, are 66/1 odds to win Super Bowl XLIX, ahead of only the Bills (75/1), Raiders (100/1), Titans (100/1) and Jaguars (200/1).