While Johnny Manzieljunkets in Nevada, our proud gang of Around The League scribes is on lockdown here in Culver City, banging out NFL news from dawn to dusk.
With 21 NFL teams set to dive into organized team activities on Tuesday, let's dump the notebook on a few morsels hanging out there as this Memorial Day creeps to a close:
Offseason Dates
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- According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, Shonn Greene won't be the only veteran fighting for his starting spot with the Titans. Michael Oher's status at right tackle is on thin ice after the team used its first-round draft pick on Michigan's Taylor Lewan. With Michael Roos expected to start on either the left or right side, it wouldn't surprise us if Oher begins the year on the bench. Of course, that will change if Roos is shopped before the season.
- The Chiefs raised eyebrows when they ignored the receiver position to use the No. 23 overall pick on pass rusher Dee Ford. With Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery projected as Kansas City's top two wideouts, general manager John Dorsey pointed to Travis Kelce as a candidate to "stretch the field as a tight end," per TheMMQB.com. After missing nearly his entire rookie season due to microfracture surgery, Kelce has a legitimate chance to jump in and contribute in Year 2.
- Kelce isn't K.C.'s only mystery man at tight end. Coach Andy Reid is thrilled with the progress of former basketball player Demetrius Harris. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound target from Wisconsin-Milwaukee was eligible for the team's rookie camp after failing to record a snap last season. "I thought he played exceptionally well," Reid said. "He's so big and he's worked so stinking hard in the weight room, he's been living in there with (strength and conditioning coach) Barry (Rubin) this offseason and you can tell. You can see he's gotten stronger."
- Thirty-six-year-old Tom Brady told TheMMQB.com's Peter King that he wasn't surprised to see New England use a second-round pick on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The Patriots are planning for the future, but their Uggs-wearing starter doesn't intend to step aside any time soon. Saying that he feels "better today than when I was 25," Brady waxed poetic on the aging process, telling King: "You know, you don't have to suck when you get older."
- Reggie Wayne is ahead of schedule in his return from last year's season-ending knee surgery, but Colts beat writer Mike Wells of ESPN.com doesn't expect the veteran wideout to participate in Indy's mandatory minicamp next month. Wayne should be full-go by training camp.
- Don't plan on seeing Henry Melton, either, when the Cowboys open OTAs on Tuesday. Coming off last year's ACL surgery, the defensive tackle is penciled in to make his debut at training camp in July, according to the team's official website. While the 3 technique is a no-go this week, Dallas does expect two of last year's walking wounded -- linebacker Sean Lee and running back Lance Dunbar -- to join in OTAs.
- With Cowboys starter Tony Romo still mending from back surgery and backup Kyle Ortonin standoff mode, look for a combination of Brandon Weeden, Caleb Hanie and Dustin Vaughan to share snaps under center. That's easily the most depressing sentence we've typed all week.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" predicts 2014 starting lineups and talks insider goodness with Bucky Brooks.
