The NFL are in the dog days of the off-season. Stuck between the NFL draft and training camp, fans are stuck waiting to hear about their players in reports from (mostly) behind closed-doors practices, and second-hand sources. However, the league are looking to change all that -- turning professional football into a year-long talking point.
NFL news roundup: Draft could move to May, Chargers protect Te’o
Here’s all the news worth reading from Monday in the NFL.
Kent Horner
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Moving the NFL draft to May is currently being discussed by the NFL and NFLPA. Under the designed plan, the start of the league year would begin prior to the scouting combine, ending any lull between the Super Bowl, and the beginning of the draft season. In turn, the draft itself would likely take place mid-May, which would put the NFL in direct competition with the late rounds of the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Manti Te'o was one of the most scrutinized players prior to the 2013 draft, and the San Diego Chargers are trying to limit his media exposure as a result. The rookie linebacker will not be available to the media for a month, as the team tries to shield him from attention. It remains to be seen whether the organization's plan will pay off. The media blackout will likely only intensify interest in him, as it separates him from the average NFL rookie.
Rob Gronkowski has struggled with his injured forearm, and those issues continued Monday as the Patriots tight end underwent his fourth surgery on the arm in an attempt to finally clear up the long-standing injury. This procedure was the replacement of a plate in the forearm, hopefully avoiding a similar infection to the one he sustained following his second surgery.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a somewhat-risky trade when they acquired a still-recovering Darrelle Revis via trade, but all signs point to the cornerback being ready for Week 1. Head coach Greg Schiano is confident in the team's projected recovery schedule -- one that puts Revis on a collision course with his former team -- as the Bucs meet the New York Jets in the opening week.
Outspoken wide receiver Chad Johnson remained in headlines Monday, but it wasn't for any of his on-field exploits -- the receiver was arrested on parole violation charges. The former All-Pro wideout was released by the Miami Dolphins last year after being arrested for domestic violence against his wife Evelyn Lozada.
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