Truth & Rumors > NFL

06:57 AM ET 05.17 | For Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, his young NFL career has become a case of more money creating more problems. For the first time, in an hour-long interview with The Dallas Morning News, [Smith] opened up to share his cautionary tale about how money changes people and how greed can run rampant around NFL players who become instant millionaires. ... Last October, John Schorsch -- Smith's Dallas-based attorney at the time -- said Smith's "mom and/or the stepdad threatened the physical well-being of Tyron and the life of his girlfriend." Smith filed a protective order against his parents last summer. ... He said he's open to reconciling with his family when the timing is right. "If all the incidents stop," Smith said.

The Dallas Morning News

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06:56 AM ET 05.17 | The days of Joe Webb taking heat as a Minnesota quarterback are over. [The] former Alabama-Birmingham standout has become a full-time wide receiver for the Vikings. Coach Leslie Frazier said the decision to shift Webb to receiver was made after the draft, when the team selected receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round and also because the Vikings had signed free agent quarterback Matt Cassel. ... Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Webb has done a good job catching the ball, and there's a belief that because of his speed the coaches figure they can use Webb as a member of special teams and in other ways on offense. ... [Webb] played his entire sophomore season in college at the position.

Star Tribune

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06:56 AM ET 05.17 | It appears Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will soon be going under the knife yet again.[Gronkowski] is "likely" to have that fourth surgery on his left forearm performed at some point next week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. As we reported last week, this surgery was going to take place no matter what. The exact date, however, has not yet been determined. To this point, according to the source, there have been no signs of the pesky infection that's plagued Gronkowski's recovery process in blood exams taken. ... If there are still signs of infection, that sets Gronkowski back, and puts him at jeopardy for missing the start of the season, and perhaps more with a fifth surgery likely after that.

Boston Herald

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06:55 AM ET 05.17 | At least for Thursday in front of the media, the job was Brandon Weeden's, as he took reps with the first-team offense during OTAs. Weeden, though, isn't taking anything for granted. He's confident he can retain his starting job, but he knows the new regime signed Jason Campbell to push him. Weeden said he has spent a "crazy" amount of time studying the new playbook with help from his wife, Melanie. He hopes coach Rob Chudzinski and his staff notice all the hard work and view him as the starter. ... "This means a lot to me. This is my job. I take it seriously. I want to be the guy. I want to build off of last year. I think we're going to be a better football team in a lot of ways, and I want to be a part of it."

Akron Beacon Journal

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06:54 AM ET 05.17 | On Thursday, Rolando McClain told the world about a desire to clean up his personal life before thinking about playing football again. McClain released a statement to PFT and other media outlets on Thursday explaining why he told the Ravens he was retiring. ... The Ravens placed McClain on the Reserve/Retired list, so they will hold onto his rights while the linebacker takes care of his personal life. Should he resolve the legal cases still pending against him and avoid any further additions to his rap sheet, it seems like a pretty good bet that the 23-year-old will turn back to the game he says he loves at some point in the future.

Pro Football Talk

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