NFL Player News

The Florida Times-Union reports that Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is on top of the depth chart heading into training camp ahead of Chad Henne for the starting job. The report says that "barring a horrific August, Gabbert will be the starter against Kansas City on Sept. 8."

Geno Smith had an excellent practice on Thursday, showing off his solid arm when he didn't telegraph where he was going with the ball. If the season started next week, Jets coach Rex Ryan said his rookie wouldn't be ready. But if he excels during training camp, then he might be. "His steps -- dropbacks -- his mechanics footwork wise weren't dialed in the way they'll have to be at this level," Ryan said according to the Newark Star-Ledger. "I think some of that is your five- and seven-step drops, it's all new to him. But sometimes you can't even notice it. Because when he's on, the guy is absolutely terrific. We knew that it's not an easy process but it's one that I have confidence that when we get to Cortland, I think when the thing goes I think you're going to see the guy keep improving and improving and improving."

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson told ESPN that if push came to shove he'd be willing to run, but it's not why he is where he is. Wilson believes he'll struggle to stay healthy if he runs amok even though he practices a conservative approach when running to get out of bounds and avoid big hits. "To be honest with you, I don’t really like running," Wilson said. "I’d rather throw the ball to guys and let the true playmakers make the plays. When I have to run to get a first down, I’ll do that. If something extra happens, that is always good, too."

Former Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey told SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday that if he were still in Jacksonville he'd go with Chad Henne over Blaine Gabbert at quarterback. The two passers are battling for the starting job this summer, with Gabbert believed to have the edge. "I think the jury is still out on Blaine. He's got a lot of growing up to do. He's still a young player mature-wise," Mularkey said. " ... I know the number of starts that [Henne's] had and I know how our guys responded when he came in against Houston last year and we should have beat Houston. Lost to them in overtime at their place. And I know that, at the time, players were drawn to him by his leadership ability. He reminds me a lot of Matt Ryan, being with Matt for four years, of walking in that huddle and calling a play and guys believing the play's going to work. That's what Chad's got going for him right now."

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said this offseason he feels more prepared because he's getting all the first-team reps. As a rookie last season, Wilson was sharing those snaps with Matt Flynn before Wilson won the job. “Well, it helps a lot, getting all the first-team reps just because I get to go against the ones every day first of all," he said. "Our defense is very, very talented. So to go against them every play is an awesome experience for me. And then just getting the groove – the offensive line getting the groove with the receivers, tight ends and running backs. Last year I was splitting a third of the reps all the way up through August pretty much. So that definitely helps a lot."

ESPN reports Tuesday that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez worked exclusively with the starters at minicamp practice while Geno Smith worked with the backups. The report says this has been the "usual" routine for all offseason practices so far as Sanchez and Smith compete for the starting job. The report says both quarterbacks "weren't great, but they weren't terrible." The good news was neither quarterback committed a turnover during practice.

ESPN reports Tuesday that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez worked exclusively with the starters at minicamp practice while Geno Smith worked with the backups. The report says this has been the "usual" routine for all offseason practices so far as Sanchez and Smith compete for the starting job. The report says both quarterbacks "weren't great, but they weren't terrible." The good news was neither quarterback committed a turnover during practice.

ESPN reports Tuesday that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez worked exclusively with the starters at minicamp practice while Geno Smith worked with the backups. The report says this has been the "usual" routine for all offseason practices so far as Sanchez and Smith compete for the starting job. The report says both quarterbacks "weren't great, but they weren't terrible." The good news was neither quarterback committed a turnover during practice.

ESPN reports that the Jets might be forced to start Mark Sanchez at quarterback to open the season because "Geno Smith hasn't blown anybody away" during offseason practices. The report says "it's still early and things could change, but the way this is headed, it'll be Sanchez vs. the Bucs in Week 1. Unless Smith is lights-out in the preseason, the Jets should open with Sanchez."

Things are changing for Rams quarterback Sam Bradford this season. He has new targets in Jared Cook, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, and workhorse running back Steven Jackson is gone. That means adjustments, and Bradford is open to the changes. On the new receivers, Bradford said, “A lot of it is just timing. Everyone has different steps, different speeds. They see things and anticipate things differently. I think the biggest thing is just getting on the same page – how they see the route and how they want to run the route. Then also myself having some input on how I believe it should be run and where the ball should be caught. It’s just getting all that timing and steps down.” And on the changes in offense, he said, "I think if you look at the speed we have now compared to the speed we’ve had in past years, we have significantly more speed this year. Obviously with Steven gone, we don’t have a big, physical running back. I don’t know if it means if we’re going to throw the ball more. I’d be fine with that. I would definitely think we’d probably move more to the one back world, spread people out. I think that’s probably the direction we’re going.”