ESPN.com presents NFL Nation http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation 60 en-us Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:10:01 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 One year ago, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski were unquestionably viewed as the most dangerous tight-end duo in the NFL. As cornerstones of the New England Patriots' 2010 draft class, they were expected to dominate the league for the foreseeable future and potentially win multiple Super Bowls together. With that in mind, New England signed both tight ends to long-term contracts worth a combined $93 million, including $32.5 million guaranteed.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78212/patriots-feeling-buyers-remorse-on-tes Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:40:28 EDT 78212 The San Francisco 49ers have announced a contract extension for one of their best players. Defensive lineman Justin Smith, who turns 34 on Sept. 30 and is coming off triceps surgery, is now signed through the 2015 season. His contract was previously set to expire following the 2013 season. 2011-12 DL Snaps Counting Playoffs It's not yet clear whether this contract extension means much in relation to how long Smith will factor along the defensive line.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78213/on-justin-smiths-new-contract-extension Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:17:17 EDT 78213 We started the conversation last month about the connection between the Green Bay Packers' sack totals and how long quarterback Aaron Rodgers holds the ball. As we noted in the chart reproduced below, Rodgers spent more time in the pocket last season than 34 NFL quarterbacks who made at least two starts and also had the division's highest rate of sacks per drop-back. At the time, I thought it was important to consider those figures part of a larger problem rather than its sole cause.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78211/aaron-rodgers-wants-to-halve-sack-total Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:19 EDT 78211 The Jacksonville Jaguars have picked their spots very carefully with outside veterans. Former Green Bay linebacker Desmond Bishop may be one of those spots. Per Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars are interested in Bishop. Bishop’s been an inside guy in the Packers. Over at the NFC North blog, Kevin Seifert considers how Bishop would fit in Minnesota, with the Vikings a primary suitor. "…[F]rom a football standpoint, I don't see how anyone could argue against making Bishop the Vikings' middle linebacker and using [Erin] Henderson and Chad Greenway as the outside linebackers.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78209/on-the-jaguars-interest-in-desmond-bishop Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:47:02 EDT 78209 The New England Patriots are arguably the most disciplined, well-coached team in the NFL. But one area where they struggled mightily last year was tackling in the secondary and preventing yards after the catch. New England was 27th in the NFL with 1,845 yards allowed after the catch last season, according to ESPN's Stats and Information. The Patriots struggled to cover. But once receivers made the catch, they were oftentimes able to run freely and/or break tackles from New England's secondary.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78174/patriots-defense-struggling-with-yac Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:00:38 EDT 78174 EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan didn't miss a play last season in what many considered a Pro Bowl-caliber performance. Yet offseason microfracture surgery on his left knee has cost him every snap of offseason workouts so far, and he is not expected to participate in the final two days of mandatory minicamp this week. The nature of Sullivan's surgery and his extended layoff makes it fair at least to ask if he will be ready for training camp.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78208/vikings-counting-on-john-sullivan-for-camp Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:30:25 EDT 78208 At this point of the offseason, salary-cap totals don’t mean nearly as much as they did three months ago. But I know there is always interest in cap numbers -- so, thanks to the invaluable John Clayton, I have gotten ahold of the latest figure for each AFC West team: DENVER BRONCOS Cap room: $10.6 million What does it mean? The Broncos can pretty much do what they want. They can easily sign their top draft pick, defensive lineman Sylvester Williams, and add a piece or two as the summer goes on.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78201/afc-west-salary-cap-checkpoint Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:08 EDT 78201   After the Atlanta Falcons came within a game of making it to the Super Bowl last season, the "NFL Live" crew takes a look at whether the team -- particularly with the addition of Steven Jackson -- is ready to play for a title.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78200/video-falcons-ready-for-super-sunday Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:11:52 EDT 78200 It's been a tough offseason for tight ends of the New England Patriots. The latest situation involves fourth-year player Aaron Hernandez, who was questioned by police Tuesday in relation to a homicide investigation, according to a report by Sports Illustrated. A source told Sports Illustrated that Hernandez is not a suspect. However, police are investigating a SUV rented in Hernandez’s name that might have a connection to the body found of a 27-year-old man earlier this week in North Attleboro, Mass.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78198/report-hernandez-questioned-by-police Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:35:19 EDT 78198 Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was talking last week about second-round draft pick David Amerson, specifically why his 2012 season wasn't as strong as his 2011 season at North Carolina State. Haslett said he thought it came down to one game. Per Rich Tandler: “He got surprised the first game of the year,” said Haslett. “Tennessee comes out with these two wideouts, one was a junior college transfer and he didn’t know who he was.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/78196/maturity-to-be-key-for-david-amerson Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:25:03 EDT 78196