Mandatory minicamps in the NFL are over, and teams have taken their annual breaks for the summer until training camps in late July. Twenty-eight teams were on the practice field this week --the Bears, Dolphins, Patriots and Lions got a head start on the offseason last week -- though some canceled the final day of practice.
Here's some of the best stuff from around the league:
Tomlin expects Bell to be ready
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects Le'Veon Bell to be ready for 2018, can't wait till training camp.
Treats for the close of camp
It's become somewhat of an annual tradition in Tampa that on the last day of Bucs minicamp, Gerald McCoy orders a Kona Ice truck for everyone. He's done it the last four or five years.
Jets set QB order
Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the QB depth chart for the start of training camp. Hardly a surprise here, folks: Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Sam Darnold, in that order. But it's not etched in stone. Said Bowles: "The competition will heat up when we're in pads and when those things count."
Rams visit future home
No rush to make Mayfield starter
Baker Mayfield will have to wait his turn as the Browns' starting quarterback:
More from offensive coordinator Todd Haley on the Browns quarterbacks. "(Baker Mayfield's) got a long way to go. I would say it's clear Tyrod (Taylor) is the leader of this team, and that's a big component of that position also."
JuJu is ready for big things
Ravens rookie impressing
Baltimore players were "in awe" of Lamar Jackson at camp earlier this week, and he has had another good day on Thursday.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received nearly all the reps in team drills on the final practice of minicamp and he responded with his best day of throwing the ball. The first-round hit some deep passes and really excelled in the red zone, throwing a touchdown pass in between four defenders.
Next step for OBJ
Pat Shurmur said he expects all his players to be at training camp. He adds there is ‘no reason to believe' Odell Beckham won't be able to do everything at practices.
Davis opens up
Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis addressed his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on PEDs with the media for the first time. He said all he can do is "tell the truth" in that he was penalized for taking the same substance he has for years. Davis also said he's "very open" to playing beyond this season even though he said at the end of last year this would be his last season.
Wentz 'confident' with his progress
Top news
Deshaun Watson happy with recovery.
Zack Martin becomes NFL's top-paid guard.
David Johnson surprises by sitting out Cardinals camp.
Ingram: 'I'm not angry with my contract' after skinpping OTAs.
Eli Manning bolstered after Giants didn't draft a QB.
Josh Gordon upbeat about his future.
Falcons summer get together
Matt Ryan says the Falcons will get together for workouts in July and Julio Jones will be a part of it. Jones has skipped mandatory minicamp this week and voluntary workouts while dealing with a contract issue.
Wade weighs in
Here's what the Rams defensive coordinator had to say about Aaron Donald skipping mandatory minicamp:
Wade Phillips does not seem concerned about Aaron Donald's absence from the offseason program. Said in a classic deadpan: "We feel like it will happen sooner or later, hopefully sooner. He didn't come til later last year and did OK. I guess he fit in in a 3-4, everybody was worried about that."
Eye-raising inquiry
K.J. Wright was asked about outside expectations not being as high for the Seahawks this year because of all the key players no longer there. He raised his eyebrow and noted they're only that — outside expectations.
That's a no-no
Todd Bowles usually doesn't get angry, but he was fired up in practice today when DE Leonard Williams inadvertently hit QB Teddy Bridgewater in the arm during a team drill. That's a no-no, and the coach let everybody know it. Asked later if there's a fine line for defenders, Bowles said curtly, "There is no fine line. We don't touch the quarterback in shorts and T-shirts. Ever."
Dak gets some help
Dak Prescott is impressed by the Cowboys newest offensive weapon, Tavon Austin, who was picked up in a trade from the Los Angeles Rams during the draft. "He's a steal," Prescott said.
'You aren't listening'
Malcolm Jenkins' signs turned into t-shirts. "You aren't listening" gear hanging up at defensive backs stalls following Wednesday practice.
Striking a pose
Positive sight: Nice to see some of the #Giants rookies working with a yoga instructor. #ZenSzn. pic.twitter.com/jrCPPuK0Zp
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) June 13, 2018
Elsewhere at Giants camp, star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was cleared to practice this week, and here he is getting in some extra work with his quarterback:
Jon Gruden tells Shelley Smith how football has changed since the last time he coached and clears the air about his relationship with Derek Carr.
Tyrod Taylor's rebuttal
Browns receiver Josh Gordon made news Tuesday when he declared that his team had the "best receiving corps in the league." Well, here's what his quarterback said about it on Wednesday:
Adamantium, anyone?
Ravens corner Jimmy Smith made a surprise return to the team Tuesday for the first day of minicamp.
Eric Weddle attributes the quick return from an Achilles injury to certain mutant powers.
Eric Weddle thinks fast-healing Jimmy Smith is "half-Wolverine"
Cam Newton back to work
Panthers quarterbacks continue to work on high percentages passes on Day 2 of a mandatory three-day minicamp. This will be a big part of offensive coordinator Norv Turner's plan.
Texans' special guest
The #Texans hosted some very special visitors from @SFIndianAth yesterday during minicamp.#SantaFeStrong | #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/Jp2iRyEFb2
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 13, 2018
On May 18, 10 people were killed and 13 injured during a shooting at Santa Fe High School. The Texans hosted athletes from the high school and donated $100,000 to the school's memorial fund.
What you missed
Luck throws!
Exclamation points are warranted here. Andrew Luck, who has been recovering from a January 2017 shoulder surgery, was throwing at minicamp Tuesday. The last time he had thrown a ball was October 2017.
Andrew Luck threw about a dozen simple warmup passes....But hey, he is back and w the team!! @WTHRcom #WTHR pic.twitter.com/MFTUsulVW9
— dave calabro (@calabro13sports) June 12, 2018
Andrew Luck is throwing a football. #Colts pic.twitter.com/ZRhKnDDYG8
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) June 12, 2018
Who's not here?
The annual tradition of top players sitting out mandatory minicamps is here. So far, the list is headlined by a 1,200-yard rusher and the league' defensive player of the year.
Rams defensive linemen running through drills at mandatory minicamp. Aaron Donald not among them. pic.twitter.com/6MuqhAQxwO
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) June 12, 2018
Those not at minicamp:
Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell
Rams DT Aaron Donald
Cardinals RB David Johnson
Falcons WR Julio Jones
Titans OT Taylor Lewan
Raiders LB Khalil Mack
Seahawks S Earl Thomas
Cardinals RB David Johnson didn't show up for the first day of minicamp Tuesday and coach Steve Wilks didn't want to talk about it. He wanted to focus on the players who were here while QB Sam Bradford wasn't worried about Johnson missing any practices.
OBJ in action
Even with a possible contract showdown looming, Odell Beckham Jr. was out catching passes at minicamp.
Odell Beckham Jr. was at mandatory minicamp Tuesday and practiced, even if it wasn't in live drills.
Beckham is recovering from a broken leg and will not participate in team drills.
What's up with Jon Gruden & Co.?
Tempers flared during the Raiders' mandatory camp Tuesday as a 2-minute drill involving backup units devolved into a skirmish that seemed to be centered around Fadol Brown and Brandon Parker. There was briefly a pileup involving perhaps a dozen players. Coach Jon Gruden was not pleased. He sent both units to the sideline prematurely and used some choice words in doing so.
Jon Gruden has long admired Marshawn Lynch's ability to run routes. Lynch's receiving ability has been on display during camp today.
Sherman shows up
49ers CB Richard Sherman did indeed go through individual drills during the team's Tuesday minicamp practice. He's still aiming to be full go at the start of training camp. It's excitement any time you get back on the field, you get to compete. "Getting back for training camp will be a lot of fun," Sherman said. "I'm sure I'll be excited for like the first three practices, like out of my mind and then I'll get back into the rhythm of understanding it's one practice at a time but it's been fun. Obviously I'm excited to get back. My body is feeling like it has before so I'm happy about that."
