Truth & Rumors > NFL

Chicago has a new leader on D

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07:05 AM ET 05.22 | With Brian Urlacher gone, Lance Briggs has embraced change, even if he's not terribly fond of it. The weak-side linebacker has become the signal caller of the defense, a chore generally reserved for middle linebackers. But Briggs, preparing for his 11th season, took notice of the leadership void [Urlacher's] departure created and volunteered for the duty as the Bears overhaul the position while keeping most everything else intact on a unit that finished fifth in total defense in 2012. "I miss everybody, you guys," Briggs said after Tuesday's organized team activities practice at Halas Hall, the first time he has talked with reporters this offseason. "I miss everybody."

Chicago Tribune

Lance Briggs, Getty Images Lance Briggs, Getty Images

Jerry takes the heat off Garrett

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07:04 AM ET 05.22 | Play-calling duties may no longer be part of Jason Garrett's job description, but he still has a job. [Many] wondered if his title would be next. But team owner Jerry Jones says Garrett -- coming off back-to-back 8-8 seasons -- isn't coaching for his job in 2013. "No, no he's not," Jones told NFL.com's Albert Breer on Tuesday. "No. What we're doing is taking the assets that we have and Jason being right at the top -- certainly our premiere asset -- and we're using him to the best of our ability." The Cowboys have yet to clarify exactly who will call plays after Bill Callahan was named offensive coordinator in January. They don't expect to make that decision until after the first preseason game. That makes zero sense."

NFL.com

Jason Garrett, Icon Sports Jason Garrett, Icon Sports

Why Vick's still No. 1 (for now)

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07:04 AM ET 05.22 | Among the NFL's most interesting storylines this offseason is who Chip Kelly will start with under center in 2013. Michael Vick, of course. The Eagles have paid him $3.5 million. Why else cure Vick's fumbling problem, which has dogged him for a decade? ... Further, Kelly's mere presence has somehow convinced Vick that he has been able to read defenses for a dozen years. This same Vick acknowledged a few years ago that, as a Falcon, he often declined to study video coaches made for him of the opposition. Finally, Matt Barkley's cotton-candy passes, all soft and sweet, are not NFL-ready. And, while Nick Foles might "feel confident with" the zone-read scheme, the key to any option attack is, well, the options. Foles runs a 5.14-second 40-yard dash.

Philadelphia Daily News

Michael Vick, Icon Sports Michael Vick, Icon Sports

Broncos asking for more from Miller

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07:01 AM ET 05.22 | So productive, so talented -- and there's more. Von Miller has played only two seasons for the Broncos, but he already has carved out a tidy slice of the team's record book. The outside linebacker has the franchise record for sacks in a season (18 1/2) and most sacks in his first two seasons (30), and he tied a team record for most forced fumbles in a season (six). Still, Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said there is more to come -- which is bad news for opposing offenses. "He can get better," Del Rio said. "Yeah, he can get more consistent. Certainly he had a tremendous number of impact plays -- tackles for loss, sacks, quarterback hits. ... [But] we want to find a way to be more consistent, make less errors."

The Denver Post

Von Miller, Icon Sports Von Miller, Icon Sports

NFL owners prioritizing stadium upgrades over player safety

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03:12 PM ET 05.21 | The NFL owners will meet on Tuesday in Boston to go over changes they'd like made to the league in order to preserve the future of their sport. But while player safety is a hot button issue and is no doubt on the docket, it's being superseded by a much bigger need -- the almighty dollar sign. According to USA Today, the NFL owners are making stadium innovations at least an equally important priority as improving player safety. Stephan Jones, the son of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and current executive vice president of operations, said that while player safety is nice, it's no use to protect the livelihood of players that play the game if no one comes and watches. Don't look at the grown men destroying their brains, the NFL is apparently saying -- well unless you can do it while feeling the hit in your remote controlled chair while you watch the collision in slow-motion replay on your iPhone while half naked women dance on an 80-yard high definition screen.

Fansided

NFL, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer NFL, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

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