The Cleveland Browns intend to use a running back by committee approach this season.

Ben Tate was signed in free agency, while they also have Terrance West and Dion Lewis.

"I think in the AFC North, you have to be running back by committee," Pettine said. "You'd like to have a guy that can carry most of the load, but also be able to alternate guys ... you've got to be able to get fresh legs out there."

The Indianapolis Colts are counting on Trent Richardson to be a 3-down running back for them this season.

The Colts traded away their 2014 first round pick for Richardson last September, but he struggled during the remainder of the season.

Richardson is now believed to have a better grasp of Pep Hamilton's playbook, which will let him rely more on his instincts than over-thinking his responsibilities.

Tom Brady's private quarterback coach, Tom House, believes mechanics were an issue for some of his 2013 struggles.

Brady had a 60.5 completion percentage, 4,343 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while throwing to a limited set of targets.

“As he's getting a little older you lose a little strength, you lose a little flexibility,” House said, via the Boston Globe. “And what was happening was he was noticing that his accuracy and his long ball weren't what they were three or four years ago. So we ran him through the computer, compared him to the models we have created for movement efficiency, and there were really, really small things that were causing his issues."

Brady and the Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

“One of the things that we've learned about quarterbacking -- it's not the length of the stride, it's the timing of the stride. Tom is long and lanky,” House said. “If Tom has an issue, he gets a little long. ... That's one of the things that we focus on when we analyze Tom every year and we maintain during the season, is how quick does he get into the foot stride?"

Cam Newton is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery on his left ankle.

Newton participated in seven-on-seven drills on Thursday with the Carolina Panthers.

"Real sluggish,'' Newton said as the Panthers concluded a three-day minicamp, their final tune-up before training camp. "My mind was moving faster than my body, but that comes with time.

"Excited to get back out there. Not 100 percent yet, but any progress is good progress.''

The San Francisco 49ers will pass more frequently as Colin Kaepernick begins his second full season as their starting quarterback.

The 49ers have ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pass attempts in all three of Jim Harbaugh's years with the franchise.

“We kind of went through everything we’ve done and really kind of stripped it back down to its most element basic parts and [started] over at square one. I would say, I think it’s fair to make the statement that it’s a different offense, 2014,” Roman said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “Because we’ve got some new guys in, Brandon Lloyd has been out there everyday. He’s done a great job of taking advantage of his opportunities. Stevie Johnson’s another guy. So, we’ll see how it all goes.”

Kenny Britt has had moments of budding stardom in the NFL mixed with off-field issues and injuries.

Britt is receiving his second chance with the St. Louis Rams this season.

“My mind’s free,” Britt said. “I’m relaxed right now. I’m taking this year as a rookie year — just like I’m coming into the league. That’s my mindset right now. Starting from scratch.”

“He’s a very emotional kid,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s an emotional receiver. He looks the part, and he can make the plays. I was really happy to see him come on (board).

“Kept himself in really good shape during the free agency period. Came in and has done a great job. He’s had no setbacks, he feels great physically. So he can potentially return to where he was a very productive receiver.”

Jeff Tedford plans to 'alternate' running backs this season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Doug Martin had 1,454 yards rushing in 2012, but was injured in 2013.

"I think you have to alternate," Tedford said, via the Tampa Bay Times. "Even when we had two, 1,000-yard rushers [at California], J.J. Arrington was a 2,000-yard rusher and and we had a couple times guys had a thousand yards apiece. But I don't believe that one back can carry the load. It's just too physical. I think you probably need to have two to three guys to bring different things to the table."

Bobby Rainey and Mike James will share carries with Martin, along with 2014 third round pick Charlie Sims.

"I think you at least need to have two to be able to spell them here and there and keep them healthy and that type of thing," Tedford said. "That's the goal to try and create some depth right there where there's not a dropoff when one guy comes in and another guy goes out. There's no dropoff. We just keep going."

Andre Brown has been productive throughout his career, but has had difficulty staying on the field. Brown has been limited to just 22 games out of a possible 80 regular season contests since coming into the NFL in 2009.

Brown signed with the Houston Texans this offseason on a one-year, $645,000 deal.

"I've had my highs and my lows," said Brown. "Unfortunately, the injuries, that's been my little bug. So I have to shake that."

Brown is competing for the No. 2 running back job behind Arian Foster.

"The goal is to play 16 games," Brown said. "I feel like if I can go through 16 games with no hiccups, the sky's the limit."