Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says LT Levi Brown (triceps) was "very rusty" in minicamp, but that his "skills are still there."
That implies Brown's skills were there before he missed all of 2012 with a torn triceps, but we digress. Arians added that he was "extremely high" on second-year pro Nate Potter, so perhaps blindside duties won't be gifted to Brown after all. Brown hasn't been an effective player through his first 77 career games.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune considers Jason Smith a "sleeper" for the Saints' left tackle job.
We'll call him a deep sleeper. A deep, deep, deep one. Smith is "competing" with Charles Brown and third-rounder Terron Armstead, but is a distant third. Smith did get some first-team reps in OTAs, but he isn't even a lock for a roster spot. The Saints will be in trouble if they need Smith to start games this season.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots are "holding out hope" Rob Gronkowski (back surgery, arm surgery) will be ready for Week 1.
As to be expected. At this point, there's no reason to unilaterally assume Gronk won't be ready for Week 1 - two and a half months is a long time - but there's still far more reason to believe he won't be ready than will be ready. We're unlikely to get a good read on Gronk's regular season status before mid-August. All we know for now is that he'll start camp on the active/PUP list.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the "belief" inside Patriots headquarters is that Aaron Hernandez was "not involved" with the murder police are investigating in Attleboro, Mass.
The facts are changing quickly, but here's what we think we know: Hernandez is simply being questioned, and is not a suspect. 2. A car rented in Hernandez's name is a "key piece of evidence." 3. Hernandez's home is being searched Tuesday evening. The story will likely continue to evolve quickly, but for now there's no reason to assume anything other than Hernandez is having a bad Tuesday. The situation should be updated later this evening.

Sports Illustrated reports Aaron Hernandez has been questioned in a "possible homicide" in North Attleboro, Mass., but is "not believed to be a murder suspect."
However, SI reports "a vehicle rented in (Hernandez's) name has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation." The body of a 27-year-old Boston man was found less than a mile from Hernandez's home on Monday. Hernandez was questioned by Massachusetts State Police, who were reportedly at his residence on Tuesday. A source close to Hernandez confirmed he has spoken with police. His player rep has declined comment.