Adrian Peterson '50-50' for start of Vikings' camp

Adrian Peterson has shown resilience in battling back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his left knee last December. The Minnesota Vikings running back is gunning to take the field Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but cast doubt Thursday about his status for the start of training camp.

"To be honest with you I feel like 50-50," Peterson told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I feel like honestly, sitting here telling you the truth, I'll be able to participate doing certain things. I think I'll be able to participate. I'm going to be all the way honest with you. I feel like I will be able to get out there and you call a run play or whatever, I'll be able to go through practice. That's how I feel. That's my mind-set; but I'm going to follow the protocol. Whatever the Vikings and their staff want me to do, then I'm gonna do that; but I'm not going to hinder myself. I'm going to let those guys know how I feel, so if I'm able to get out there and get a couple of reps or whatever, then I'm going to participate in that way. But I'm sure they've got my best interests in hand, so we'll work it out."

Coach Leslie Frazier first reported in April that his All-Pro back has been running wind sprints inside the team's field house, but Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman won't make any promises. "I love Adrian," Sugarman said this month. "But let's make this clear: I'm still not going to be quoted as saying he's going to play in the first game. That's not fair. I don't know that." The Vikings feel good about the progress of Toby Gerhart, who will carry the load if Peterson is sidelined for longer than expected. Peterson's absence would strip Minnesota of its most devastating weapon and workhorse. Even when the All-Pro returns, Peterson's play will be judged to determine if he's the same back he was before the injury.

source: Around The League on NFL.com
author: Marc Sessler

Jets' Revis: Tebow 'born leader'

Wednesday is officially the day to discuss Tim Tebow's eating habits at the New York Jets' OTAs. First, running back Joe McKnight compared his McDonald's diet to Tebow's more disciplined approach. Now, cornerback Darrelle Revis is giving Tebow's nutritional habits some love, with respect to Tebow's leadership abilities.

"It's the passion within ... of him wanting to be a leader, wanting to win. You see it in him all the time ... eating lunch," Revis said. Tebow's leadership knows no bounds. He can inspire in the salad bar line and everywhere else. "He's a born leader," Revis said via the New York Daily News. "He really is. Very few athletes have the gift that he has. He tries to lead by example all the time and he tries to be positive, which is awesome. I think that results (in) his success on the field. He came in with Denver and did unbelievable. And now he's with us. We're happy. We're excited for him. We're happy (that) he'll bring his leadership qualities to this team."

Guard Matt Slauson noted that Tebow works really hard and meshes well with the rest of the team. Yes, the Jets have caught Tebowmania. "Some people have it. Some guys don't," Revis said. "He's very positive. He has passion for what he does and you could see it. You can see it on him when you have a conversation with him. He's just a leader." Revis later said Tebow had the "it" factor. It's hard not to wonder if Revis also believes whether Mark Sanchez has "it."

source: Around The League on NFL.com
author: Gregg Rosenthal
photo:  AP Photo Mel Evans

Jay Cutler admits he's concerned with offensive line

Jay Cutler is a lot like Bears fans out there. He's worried about the team's offensive line. “You know, the offensive line is definitely going to be a concern and seeing where those guys are going to fit in and seeing what five we go with,” Cutler said via the Chicago Sun-Times when asked about the upcoming season. “If Gabe [Carimi] comes back, if J’Marcus [Webb] pans out. Where are we going to put Chris Williams? There are some question marks there. Until we really get that resolved and get our front five settled in, we’ve got some work to do on offense." Cutler's honesty won't win him any points in Chicago, but we love it. He's essentially questioning the team's strategy to not draft offensive linemen. We questioned that strategy as well after the draft, and heard from a few angry Bears fans that said we were making too much out of nothing. The fans say that getting rid of offensive coordinator Mike Martz solves everything. Cutler disagrees. "It helps some, but it’s not a cure all by any means," Cutler said. "They’re still going to be asked to protect. There are going to be times it’s third-and-eight, third-and-10 and we’re going to have to take seven-step drops and we’re going to have the longer route and they’re going to have to protect." I'm an unabashed Cutler supporter, but it's hard to imagine Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady making these comments. Then again, it's hard to imagine the Packers or Patriots failing to address the offensive line year after year.

source: Around The League on NFL.com
author: Gregg Rosenthal

Jags' Maurice Jones-Drew, Scobee not expected at OTAs

Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew and franchised kicker Josh Scobee are not expected to be present for the start of the team's organized team activities on Tuesday, Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union reports. Neither player has participated in the voluntary workout program, so their absence for the OTAs should not come as a surprise. Jones-Drew has always preferred to work out on his own in his native California and his conditioning has never been a problem. Ganguli notes that the Jaguars thought Jones-Drew returned from the lockout in the best shape of his career after undergoing major knee surgery in the offseason.
 Coming off a season where he led the NFL in rushing attempts and yards, Jones-Drew may be avoiding the OTAs in attempt to get the Jaguars to adjust the two years and $9.5 million remaining on his current contract. Last season, Jones-Drew watched Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, Tennessee's Chris Johnson, Carolina's DeAngelo Williams and Houston's Arian Foster sign multi-year contracts passing his deal in terms of APY (Average Per Year) rankings at the running back position Scobee's absence is strictly contract-related. The 29-year-old kicker has yet to sign his one-year, $2.88 million franchise tender.
Until he does so, he is not obligated to report to any workout, voluntary or involuntary. The two sides have reportedly made little progress in talks toward a long-term extension. In order to have a kicker for the OTAs, the Jaguars have signed Brandon Coutu, a 2008 seventh round pick out of Georgia by the Seattle Seahawks who spent a week on the Jaguars practice squad last season. Coutu, 27, made his NFL debut when he handled the kicking duties for the Buffalo Bills in 2011 regular season finale, missing his lone field goal attempt.

source: Around The League on NFL.com
author: Brian McIntyre