NFL Player News

There were issues between Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill and receiver Mike Wallace connecting on long passes last season. In 2013 Wallace had just five catches good for 40-plus yards, four of them legitimate deep lobs (and all of those four slightly underthrown). A big issue for Miami this offseason is to fix the deep ball for Tannehill and have him connect more often with the blazing-fast Wallace. 

According to ESPN, there's no visual evidence of an improvement. Over seven practices open to the media including the team's recent three-day minicamp, Tannehill has failed to connect with Wallace. He's tried but misfired. 

The team, including the receiver involved, insists that it's a non-issue. 

"(You) haven't been here. ... We hit those, about three or four of them so far," Wallace said. "Me and him haven't personally thrown that many. If we've thrown like six, we've hit on like four."

ESPN also notes that Wallace "appears determined" to have a big year. He's put in extra time after practice to work on his hands and received praise from his head coach, Joe Philbin, who said he's "doing the little things that can make the difference when the season comes around."

The Browns are trying to give quarterback Brian Hoyer a contract extension, sources tell ESPN. But according to Hoyer's agent, the negotiations will be difficult. 

Agent Joe Linta told NFL Network that "it will be a very difficult deal to do" because Hoyer is content to "wait and see what happens down the road."

Hoyer is entering a contract year as well as a well-publicized camp battle with Johnny Manziel. 

Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said he plans to use video games to help him prepare for this season, reports ESPN.

Bridgewater said last week he's imported the Vikings' playbook into his Madden NFL football game, which allows him to take "virtual reps" by practicing with the Vikings' offense against defenses he'd see in an actual game. He did the same thing in college, adding the Louisville Cardinals' playbook to a NCAA football video game for his Xbox, and he'll continue the practice in the NFL.

"It helps because you get one more rep than you had in practice, actual practice," he said. "Any chance you get to take an extra rep or go the extra step, extra mile, it's going to be very beneficial transferring it to the field."

Bridgewater says it works for him.

"I try to take as many reps as I can, whether it's on a video game, playing EA Madden Football or in the playbook, just drawing it or just visualizing it in my head," Bridgewater said. "I try to just maximize every rep I can get and every opportunity that I can take."

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is considered a player on the rise, reports ESPN.

The report says the Dolphins are asking a lot of Tannehill in his third season, which includes making it to the playoffs, becoming a leader on the team and mastering a new offense under first-year coordinator Bill Lazor.

Tannehill had some ups and downs this offseason, per the report, but he is showing growth, especially in the leadership department.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sees great things ahead for the defending Super Bowl champions, reports ESPN.

"Right now I definitely believe we're way further ahead," Wilson said. "It's exciting. You have an itch because you know how to do it at a very high level. And the best part about it is we can continue to do it better."

The Seahawks changed some things at receiver with Golden Tate gone, Percy Harvin healthy and new additions with rookies Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood. 

"There's a lot more ways we can be better," Wilson said. "And there's a lot more ways that I can get better. That’s the great part about it. I continue to try to stay focused on what I can control and continue to grow in every way possible."

Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner has been surprised by rookie Teddy Bridgewater's deep throws this summer, reports Fox Sports North.

"One of the things that has been the most impressive to me is, I knew he'd be very accurate, I knew he'd make great decisions, quick decisions, but he's been outstanding throwing the ball deep, which some people thought that was going to be an issue," Turner said.

"I think in the six or eight weeks we've had him on the field, I think he's been put in a position where he's had to make most of the throws he would have to make and I think he can make all the throws he needs to make."

Bridgewater is competing with Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder for the starting job. The rookie appears to have more velocity on his throws than the two veterans, the report said.

"It's just been all footwork, laying it and playing," Bridgewater said. "I've been able to watch Matt (Cassel), watch Christian (Ponder), and watch how those guys have had great success throwing the deep ball and try to apply some of the things that they're doing to my game also."

New Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is committed to "taking the load off Andy Dalton," reports the team's website. The report said Dalton's pass attempts will drop from last year's 586 and come closer to 407, the number of passes thrown by Seattle's Russell Wilson.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford said his surgically-repaired knee feels "really good" following OTA workouts. Bradford is coming off last year's torn ACL.

"I think part of it is building up the endurance in my legs," Bradford said. "I can kind of feel a little bit of fatigue today, but I think that's normal just not having been out here practicing like that. That's really what I'm going to work on during this five-week break."

Coach Jeff Fisher was glad to see Bradford able to participate in OTAs.

"We had a plan throughout," Fisher said. "We allowed him to do some things in the skill development, and he did. We got him on the field in the first couple OTAs. Just in the passing fashion he was good. Then today and obviously on Tuesday, he participated in team periods - that was encouraging. He's got a plan for the summer. He's going to get away for a little bit. He needs to get away. He's been here every day, and he'll come back ready to go."

Fisher still believes in Bradford as a franchise quarterback.

"Yeah, there’s no doubt," Fisher said. "He's got the vision, the decision making ability, the arm strength and mobility to put up great numbers."

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill continues to make progress with the new offense, reports the Miami Herald. 

"A lot better today," Tannehill saud Thursday. "Still not perfect. We had a lot less mental errors. It’s exciting to see the progression."

Tannehill also expressed his appreciation for new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

"He's very precise," Tannehill said. "He wants everything exactly like he talked about. That gives me comfort. ... That accountability is raised."

Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr has moved into the No. 2 role behind Matt Schaub and ahead of Matt McGloin, reports ESPN.

"We're trying to expedite his progression, and I've liked a lot of things I've seen out of Derek," coach Dennis Allen said. "He's still got a long way to go and I like the direction he's headed."