Raiders rookie wide receiver Juron Criner put on a receiving show during Tuesday's OTA. On one play, he made an acrobatic grab between two defenders of a 50-yard pass from Carson Palmer. On another, he blew past a defensive back for a long catch from Palmer. It appeared that Palmer and Criner already had their rhythm down pat. "I think every day he gets a little bit better," coach Dennis Allen said. "I was pleased with the way he practiced today. It's not a whole lot different than what we saw on tape in college. That's what we expect from him."
3:04 PM - Murray cleared to practice
The Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray said Monday that the ankle injury that prematurely ended his standout rookie season has healed and he has been cleared by team doctors. “It's great,” Murray said during an interview on ESPN. “I've been officially cleared by our doctors, and I've been doing everything the past month or two without any limitations. I feel great.” Murray suffered a fractured right ankle and a high right ankle sprain in a Week 14 loss to the Giants. Murray had surgery in December, began rehab shortly after and started running in February. The third round pick finished the 2011 season with 897 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
2:51 PM - Bears will have 'Hester Package'
ESPN.com reports that Bears receiver coach Darryl Drake said the team has a plan on how to use receiver Devin Hester this season. Drake said the "Hester Package" will limit snaps but elevate targets to make more efficient use of Hester's time on offense. "The talent has always been there," Drake said. "It's just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice. Play him 15 [plays], let him touch it 13 [times.] In order for him to be effective, we don't need to have him out there playing that many plays. If he's out there, put the ball in his hands. We need to have that package, and Mike Tice -- I promise you -- he's going to do it."
2:34 PM - Mularkey: MJD wants new deal
The Florida Times-Union reports that Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey said Tuesday that the reason running back Maurice Jones-Drew is not with the team for OTA workouts is because he wants a new contract. "It's all voluntary," Mularkey said. "I wish he was here. He knows we wish he was here. ... He's talked about trying to get an extension for his contract."
2:06 PM - Williams ready to be good again
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs receiver Mike Williams knows he has to improve on his disappointing season in 2011. "It wasn't good enough," Williams said. "Everybody asks me how I assess myself from last year, it just wasn't good enough.'' Williams is coming off a horrible second season (771 yards, three touchdowns) after a big rookie year (964 yards, 11 touchdowns). He said the addition of Chargers free agent receiver Vincent Jackson will benefit him and the team. "Who can you double now?'' Williams asked.
3:14 PM - McFadden back to work
Raiders running back Darren McFadden participated fully in a minicamp practice on Tuesday, proving that he's over the right Lisfranc foot sprain that cost him nine games in 2011. The Contra Costa Times reported that he participated in every drill and ran, caught and made cuts. He reportedly also did some work in a previous minicamp that wasn't open to the media. McFadden rushed for 614 yards and caught 19 passes for 154 yards with five total touchdowns in seven starts last season. "He's out here running around, and it looks like he's running full speed," head coach Dennis Allen said after Tuesday's OTA. "I've been pleased with the way he's looked. We want him to be healthy, we want him to stay healthy and we're going to do everything we can to try to keep him that way."
1:59 PM - Blackmon back at practice
The Jaguars official team website reports that rookie receiver Justin Blackmon returned to practice Tuesday after dealing with a sore foot. Blackmon said his sore foot was caused by wearing new cleats at the rookie minicamp.
1:48 PM - Blount ready to prove himself
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday it's too early to know how the team will split carries between running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin, who was drafted in the first round. Blount said he is looking forward to the challenge. "Them drafting a running back might be what I needed to become an every down back," said Blount, who added he lost at least five pounds this offseason. Blount says he's proving more and more everyday he can play every down. "I've been showing I can be an every down back," he said. Blount says he still sees himself as the No. 1 back. "Yeah, until they take it away," he said. "But at the end of the day, we're both going to play. But don't nobody affect my carries but me. Not what he does. ... Nobody can affect my carries but me. They drafted (Martin) because we needed him. I can't carry the load by myself."
1:42 PM - Martin has hamstring strain
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs general manager said Tuesday that rookie running back Doug Martin has a slight hamstring strain. He did not practice with the team during OTA workouts.
4:14 PM - Welker signs one-year tender
According to a league source, wide receiver Wes Welker has signed his franchise tender. That means he'll play out the 2012 season under a one-year deal guaranteed at $9.5 million. Welker wants a long-term contract extension and hopes his signing is a show of good faith leads to one.
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