Rise ‘n Grind: Let NFL quarterbacks have nice things

BE NICE: Cam Newton absorbs a lot of snide commentary for someone who has been upstanding since entering the NFL. If Newton isn't sick of it yet, Panthers fans certainly are.

BE FUN: The NFL pulled the rug out from under Tony Romo's fantasy football convention, and from the kerfuffle that has ensued -- including accusations by Romo that the league was trying to strong-arm players so they wouldn't participate -- we've seen once again that the league has a terrible sense of fun, if not a troubling vindictive streak. But don't take our word for it. Here's the (since-deleted) troll tweet that the NFL sent after Romo's comments.

AYE AYE BRO: Rob Gronkowski upgraded the party bus to a party SHIP, and you can join him and his family on a round trip cruise from Miami to the Bahamas and back. You'll get to hang out with Gronk himself, grab his autograph, do a Q&A sessions with his family, and check out live DJs on SIX stages throughout the ship. It might just be the ultimate Gronk experience.

BEAST MODE: Marshawn Lynch will be a playable character in the newest Call of Duty game. He had way too much fun pretending to shoot people in the face while wearing a motion capture suit.

TAKE THE MONEY: Eagles offensive guard Evan Mathis reportedly declined a raise in 2014 and was told the offer no longer existed when he inquired about it this offseason. Things have been tense between Mathis and the Eagles. The friction could result in a split before the 2015 season begins. Eagles players may not miss him.

STILL GOT IT: Michael Vick still believes he can be an NFL starter. It's hard to be successful coming off a rough year, but worse quarterbacks have bounced back to have great seasons at his relatively advanced age in the past.

MO PROBLEMS: Muhammad Wilkerson returned to practice for the Jets, but he is still unhappy that he doesn't have a new contract with the team. It can't help that other defensive linemen around the league, like San Diego's Corey Liuget, have signed big-money extensions in recent weeks.

PEARS SHAPED: Erik Pears took the first snaps at right tackle in place of Anthony Davis for the 49ers. If he can thrive and allow the team to leave Alex Boone at right guard, it will go a long way towards the team's offensive success this season.

MALCOM, MAL-GO: Malcom Floyd announced that the 2015 season will be his last. The veteran wideout will have played 11 seasons in the NFL -- all with San Diego -- before retiring at 34 years old. Chargers fans already miss the hell out of him.

NOT AGAIN: Another young 49ers player said he has considered the end of his career due to concerns about head trauma. Unlike the situation with Chris Borland, safety Eric Reid has suffered documented concussions in the NFL. Reid will continue playing for the foreseeable future, but he serves as another example of a changing mindset among NFL players.

SILVERDOME: A BMX rider rode the Lions' decaying former home, and it looked awesome.

TRACK STAR: David Wilson's NFL career ended much sooner than anyone wanted, but the speedy former Giants running back has resurfaced as an Olympics hopeful. He'll compete in the triple jump and long jump at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York City this Saturday against some of the world's best track athletes.

TRIBUTE: Rookies normally have to give something up to take numbers away from veterans, but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie didn't hesitate to let Landon Collins have No. 21 in honor of Sean Taylor.

GRIT-PICKING: Pats Pulpit mulled over Julian Edelman vs. Wes Welker comparisons and wondered whether the former could ever match the production of one of the most prolific slot receivers of all time.

RECEIVER FACTORY: Behind the Steel Curtain examines the Steelers' burgeoning reputation as the best franchise in the NFL at identifying and crafting brilliant wide receivers.

HOMELESS: Rams defensive ends Williams Hayes and Chris Long recently spent 24 hours living on the streets with just four dollars to their names. Their story and Hayes' subsequent interview with Doug Farrar are well worth your time.

COIFFED: Buccaneers players got their heads shaved by cancer patients and survivors to raise $30,000 for cancer research. Jameis Winston did NOT look comfortable with a set of clippers near his head.

COACHING SHAKEUP: The Panthers made a new hire Tuesday. Six-year-old Braylon Beam, who is living with a brain tumor, was signed by the Panthers to a one-day contract to coach Cam Newton. His signing bonus? A giant basket of candy.