Truth & Rumors > NFL

07:04 AM ET 06.19 | In some ways, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft has become a sleeper pick. We won't be able to tell if Jason Smith has a realistic shot at the Saints' starting left tackle job until we see him going full speed in full pads in the preseason. But Smith did get another audition with the first-string offense during OTAs last week, and Coach Sean Payton reiterated that the competition is "absolutely" still wide open between front-runner Charles Brown, Smith and rookie Terron Armstead. ... For his first three and a half years with the St. Louis Rams, Smith played under the glare of high expectations and sometimes harsh criticism -- a draft "bust" because of inconsistent performance and a series of concussions.

The Times-Picayune

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07:03 AM ET 06.19 | While it has been speculated that the NFL might want to land a team in London, one of the U.K.'s most popular exports could have been headed to the NFL. Retired footballer David Beckham was offered a trial as a kicker for an American Football side. An NFL franchise scout contacted the star to see if he would be interested in trying out as a star kicker. The offer came in as Becks contemplated his future at the L.A. Galaxy and before he enjoyed his swansong with Paris Saint Germain. Becks' accurate long range kicks with a round ball gave the American the idea of trying him out with the rugby-shaped ball. Their idea is not as ridiculous as it sounds because Beckham's skill at bending in long range free kicks can be perfectly adapted to scoring field goals.

Daily Mirror

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08:03 AM ET 06.18 | Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin has had injury problems throughout the past couple of years in the league. Most recently it was a hamstring injury that slowed down the receiver and now the team is doing what they can to make sure he will be ready for the end of the season. According to reports, Austin has been given days off during the team OTAs and minicamps in an effort to give him all of the rest he needs in order to be there when the team needs him most down the stretch.

FanSided.com

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04:54 PM ET 06.18 | Free agent DE Cliff Avril missed OTAs and most of minicamp with a plantar fascia injury, but returned for the final practice. Carroll said he should be ready for camp.

Seattle Times

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04:49 PM ET 06.18 | Ronnie Hillman knows the scouting report. He's not big enough. He can't take a pounding between the tackles. He's best-suited as a change-of-pace back. "You get that when you're a smaller guy," the Denver Broncos running back told Around The League on Monday from the NFL Media newsroom. "You can't take the pounding, but I just brush it off. Of course you hear things. I'm not going to sit hear and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go.

NFL.com

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