The split screen was jarring. On one side, NFL Network showed Bill Belichicktalking in a way that we've never seen from him before. The New England Patriots coach was contrite, sad and a little embarrassed. He looked a little shaken.
On the other side of the screen, Belichick's former player, Aaron Hernandez, stood listening to lawyers speak at a scheduled probable cause hearing. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old Boston semi-professional football player whose body was found June 17 in an industrial park near Hernandez's home. Lloyd had been shot five times. Hernandez left the courtroom Wednesday after mouthing "I love you" to his girlfriend.
A lot of football news went down Wednesday, but it all felt secondary. That split screen contrasting a vulnerable Belichick and an impassive Hernandez is the image I'll remember years from now. This was unchartered territory, and Belichick knew it.
Here's what else we learned:
- Denver Broncos coach John Fox isn't going to say too much about linebacker Von Miller's potential four-game suspension.
"I think right now it's all speculation," Fox told NFL Network's Michelle Beisner. "Nothing's changed. It's a league matter, and with respect to that, we'll keep marching forward until we hear something different."
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that Miller's suspension appeal is expected to be heard in the middle of August. We'll find out then if the Broncos will be forced to start Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips to start the season. That's a far cry from Miller and Elvis Dumervil.
- Free-agent news: Braylon Edwards is headed back to the New York Jets. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, are talking to right tackle Eric Winston and defensive end John Abraham. That's a good example of the Cardinals waiting out the market.
- Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall is ready for the start of training camp after missing offseason work with hip surgery.
- The Kansas City Chiefs haven't practiced a single running play through two days of work. Welcome to the Andy Reid era!
- Robert Griffin III won't play in the Washington Redskins' preseason games "unless it's a necessity." So there's absolutely no chance he'll play.
- Another day, another discouraging injury development for the Dallas Cowboys' defensive line: Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is out at least a few weeks.
- One of the more surprising statements of the day: Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters that second-round draft pick Kawann Short is a more explosive pass rusher than first-rounder Star Lotulelei right now. And Rivera said Short is in better shape. The Panthers might go as their rookie defensive tackles go.
- Michael Vick made it clear in an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News that he would not ask for a trade if he fails to win the Eagles' starting quarterback job.
- Mike Williamssigned a long-term contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it wasn't quite as good for the wide receiver as first reported. He'll make $10 million over the next two years, a very fair price for the Bucs. They can cut bait after that if they want to.
- Reid told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that No. 1 overall draft pick Eric Fisher's contract will "get done." The Chiefs aren't worried that Fisher is missing a few days with his fellow rookies. It sounds like the team expects Fisher in place by the weekend.
Let's do this again Thursday, shall we?
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
