Truth & Rumors > NFL

07:02 AM ET 05.21 | Even if Miami had locked up a stadium renovation deal, the landscape for Super Bowl bids would be thinning under its feet. [The league's willingness to step outside the box] has created a surge in the number of cities that now believe themselves capable of hosting the big game. That belief has led to major efforts to improve other venues for consideration. While the NFL says the development of new stadiums is nothing more than an organic byproduct (not a strategic incentive) of the Super Bowl hosting process, the formula is working. It just doesn't seem to be working very well for Miami. ... [The bottom line for Miami] is that it will have fewer opportunities to host the big game.

NFL.com

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07:00 AM ET 05.21 | Mario Williams had his chance to talk Monday, and he let out a sigh when he stepped to the lectern in Buffalo. [He] then answered every question asked about an unbecoming feud with his ex-fiancee. Williams didn't deny he sent texts her lawyer made public Friday, but insisted he never has had suicidal thoughts and takes only medications prescribed by and dispensed by the Buffalo Bills. "It's blown out of proportion," Williams said. "It's completely out of context." Erin Marzouki's attorney, Tony Buzbee, released a series of texts allegedly from Williams to Marzouki. In the texts, Williams told her he was taking narcotics without anyone's knowledge and suggested he was having suicidal thoughts.

The Buffalo News

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07:22 PM ET 05.20 | With the addition of cornerback Xavier Rhodes, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to have a more physical defense. Cornerback Chris Cook, in a interview on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, hints the team will have a different look schematically on defense. "I definitely know we're going to play a lot more press coverage, because we have two big guys on the outside now," Cook said. "Coach (Leslie) Frazier likes those type of guys on the outside. Everybody seems to like bigger guys on the outside now, and it's because of the big receivers now." With Cook, 6-2, and Rhodes, 6-1, the Vikings will have a pair of outside corners that are big and physical. The Vikings' defense is primarily labeled as a Tampa-2 defense, but began mixing up a lot of man and press coverage last season.

Sporting Sota

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07:22 PM ET 05.20 | The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off of an embarrassing season that saw them start with promise but nose dive into a top-15 draft pick. However, the year was an improvement on the season they had in 2011 which means Tampa Bay seems to be on the rise and could fight hard this season. But while the regular season is still months away, the Buccaneers are getting a head start on the fighting and are just brawling with each other. On the first snap of the Bucs' OTAs, a fight broke out between rookie defensive tackle Akeem Spence and offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah. According to Spence, the fight resulted from how hard he came off the snap as he was unaware of how the first snap of OTAs should go. Despite not knowing the rules, Zuttah took exception to a rookie showing him up and gave him a piece of his mind.

Fansided

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07:22 PM ET 05.20 | Teams are beginning to sign their top draft picks and the Buffalo Bills are joining that party. According to James Walker of ESPN, the Bills have agreed to a four-year contract with second-round draft pick Robert Woods. Woods, formerly of USC, is poised to be the No. 2 receiver alongside Stevie Johnson. Woods struggled a bit to stay relevant in his final year with the Trojans as Marqise Lee surpassed him in popularity on the team and with fans. But despite this, Woods' talent is undeniable and the Bills recognized that when they picked him. Buffalo is entering a new era for their team and the offense has a brand new look starting with rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel. But Woods is looking to be a big part of the change and the success Buffalo hopes to have, and he'll have at least four years to make his mark and earn his keep with the Bills.

Fansided

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