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Besides your wife's weight, there's one other thing in life you should probably never joke about: Fantasy football.

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew found that out that hard way this week. During an interview on SiriusXM Radio, the subject of NFL players -- specifically MJD -- playing fantasy football during their actual games came up and Jones-Drew shared this story.

"Greg Jones -- see he's not on the team anymore -- perfect example: I was playing against him," MJD said. "And we have our equipment guys keep us up on [the fantasy scores] during games. You know who you have and you see when you're not on the field obviously, but … I think if Womens Michael Crabtree Jersey I scored, I was going to win."

Just to make sure we're all on the same page here: Jones-Drew was playing then-teammate Greg Jones in fantasy football and if MJD scored a touchdown in the real game, his fantasy team was going to beat Jones' fantasy team.

"We got onto the 1-yard line, and they were like, 'We better call this run play.' I'm like, 'Greg, don't do it.' And he looked at me and he winked. And I was like 'Greg. It's not time to play. This is bigger than that. Let's not do this.'"

Asked by the hosts what Jones' wink meant, Jones-Drew replied, "He wasn't going to block the guy."

MJD's insinuation here is that Jones was going to miss a block to win a fantasy football game. Less than 24 hours after the interview, Jones-Drew took to Twitter to insist that the story was a joke:

Jones-Drew was on Wednesday's SiriusXM show as part of a celebrity fantasy football draft, a draft where MJD was the No. 1 overall selection. Of course, we should probably point out that Jones-Drew had the No. 1 overall pick.

It was just six years ago when the NFL was immersed in one of its worst public relations nightmares ever.

Mike Vick pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges and would be banned from the sport for over a year. Also that year, Pacman Jones was suspended for a season after a strip club shooting. It was the first time in nearly half a century players were suspended for anything other than substance abuse.

The catalyst was Roger Goodell. The commissioner had constructed a new personal conduct policy for the NFL that resulted in harsher suspensions for players. It was a dramatic shift for the league as Goodell took actions that had rarely been done before.

Goodell was able to enact a harsher punishment model because of one indisputable fact: He had the moral authority to do so.

But now there's been a shift in how the NFL is handling problem players. It is leaving it up to the clubs.

A number of player arrests have again battered the image of the NFL with the most prominent being something potentially worse, it can be argued, than the actions of either Vick or Jones. The homicide accusations against former New Michael Crabtree Red Jersey England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez headline now what, in many ways, is a worse period -- at least in terms of image -- than it was in 2007.

Yet Goodell has been strangely quiet. As far as I can tell, there are no new initiatives being planned by the league. It's difficult to believe the league won't address this PR nightmare, but so far they have not as opposed to 2007, when Goodell took rapid and highly public action.

So where is Goodell?

His absence is purposeful and by design and represents a dramatic yet largely unnoticed shift by many outside of the sport.

It's become clear based on interviews with people across the NFL that Goodell has been silent because teams are increasingly the dispensers of discipline, not the league office.

This is something that Goodell has wanted and it might have been his vision all along. Six years ago, Goodell set up the punishment infrastructure, and was also the punisher. Six years later, with that infrastructure firmly in place, teams are now taking the punishment lead. Goodell can monitor instead of being the hall monitor.

Teams know what Goodell wants and they are now doing it themselves.

Teams have always been a part of the discipline process, obviously. But this is still a shift and a smart one. Discipline flows easier and more rapidly when teams are taking the lead.

The examples of this are everywhere. The Patriots released Hernandez without almost any league involvement. The same happened when two Denver Broncos executives were busted for driving drunk. The Broncos instituted punishment, not the NFL. In the past, Goodell would have been front and center.

What happens from here? This is likely to continue. Goodell will still be involved, but the NFL will continue to allow this newer process of having franchises take the lead while Goodell remains in the background.

Because this isn't 2007 anymore. This is the future.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said quarterback Cam Newton is a player he can build the franchise around.

But Gettleman is quick to add "but now it's time to win."

In www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Michael-Crabtree-Jersey Gettleman's view, Newton has had the best first two seasons of any QB in NFL history, but said that gets lost on people "because of the elephant in the room, which is his 13-19 record" as a starter.

In two seasons Newton has thrown for 7,920 yards and 40 touchdowns with 29 interceptions. He's also run for 1,447 yards and 22 TDs.

He was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011.

Newton's contract runs through the 2014 season and Carolina has an option to pick up another year in 2015. The Panthers would also have the option to use the franchise tag on Newton in 2016 if they haven't reached a long-term agreement prior to that point.

Gettleman said the Panthers are in no hurry to extend Newton's contract right now.

"Technically you have rights to him for six years," Gettleman said. "... I'm a big believer in letting nature take its course. Things will happen naturally."

Newton has taken a good bit of criticism for his leadership ability during his first two seasons, but Gettleman doesn't seem concerned about that.

He believes Newton will mature into an outstanding quarterback and team leader.

"It will take time," Gettleman said. "I'm new and I've made some mistakes, too. I've had days here where I wanted to punch myself. (But) he is bright. He works his fanny off. There's no reason that he can't continue to ascend and I think he will."

On the field, Gettleman said he couldn't be more impressed with Newton, who has dropped about 12 pounds in preparation for this season.

Newton had a rough day on Tuesday, throwing a pair of interceptions during team drills but otherwise has been sharp since practice began last Friday.

Coach Ron Rivera said Newton was late on one throw to the sidelines that was intercepted and didn't make the right read quick enough on another downfield pass resulting in a pick.

"Those are things we need to get corrected," Rivera said.

Gettleman said people need to be patient with Newton and understand that he's only in his third year and it takes time to adjust to playing quarterback in the NFL.

"He's really physically gifted obviously," Gettleman said. "He's gotten better and he keeps improving. What you're looking for is ascension, and he consistently does it. He's had a good training camp. It's a maturation process."

Gettleman, who was hired away from the New York Giants in January, compares Newton to Eli Manning.

Manning was 12-11 in his first two seasons in New York, but didn't win a playoff game until his fourth season when he led the Giants all the way to a Super Bowl championship.

"It was Eli's fourth year and he really came on at playoff time and was a Pro Bowl quarterback," Gettleman said. "So it takes time."

Gettleman also knows that he needs to put the right pieces in place around Newton.

He said that has been a work in progress.

He inherited a team that was more than $16 million over the NFL salary cap. He asked several players with big deals to restructure their contracts and others to take outright pay cuts.

Gettleman said it wasn't an easy task asking established players to take home less money, but said it was something that needed to be done for the team to get where it needs to go.

"Presented properly and being honest, being direct and laying the cards on the table and letting everyone step away and think about it, I think that was the key," Gettleman said of his approach to asking players to reduce their pay. "I'm a very direct person. It's the way I'm built. And I think players appreciate that. I'm honest and direct."

Gettleman also had to make tough decisions to release starting cornerback Chris Gamble and linebacker James Anderson.

Among the players who restructured their deals or took outright pay cuts this offseason included running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, offensive lineman Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil, tight end Greg Olsen and linebacker Jon Beason.

"It tells me that guys understand the grass isn't always greener," Gettleman said. "This is a heck of an organization. Players are treated top shelf here."

NOTES: Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and linebacker Jon Beason (knee) continue to be held out of practice. ... The Panthers have Wednesday off.

The Miami Dolphins' 2012 finale dispelled any illusion they could compete with the AFC's best. Joe Philbin's first year as coach ended with a 28-0 loss at New England, an ugly exclamation point to Miami's fourth consecutive losing season.

Philbin, though, won mostly favorable reviews despite going 7-9, and rookie Ryan Tannehill's promising play was a plus, so for a change Miami went into the offseason with stability at coach and quarterback. But the need for significant shakeups elsewhere was clear, and general manager Jeff Ireland spent the offseason revamping the receiving, linebacker and cornerback corps.

As a result, the Dolphins could have 10 new starters this season. Their roster appears faster and deeper, and it's definitely younger.

"Everybody has the college mentality around here," said former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Wallace, the most heralded free-agent acquisition. "It's a lot different coming from where I come from with the older guys. I think everybody is hungry, everybody wants to get better, and everybody wants to be what we need to be to have a winning record."

Five things to watch as the Dolphins try to finish above .500 - and perhaps even win a playoff game for the first time since 2000.

1. DOLPHINS WILL IMPROVE IF TANNEHILL DOES: The first-round draft choice became the Dolphins' 17th starting quarterback since 2000, then became their first rookie QB to start all 16 games. His passer rating was 27th in the NFL, and touchdowns were tough to come by. But he threw for 3,294 yards - more than fellow rookies Robert Griffin III or Russell Wilson - and the Dolphins believe a better supporting cast will allow Tannehill to improve dramatically in 2013.

2. JEFF IRELAND NEEDS GOOD SEASON: The general manager has been much-maligned due to their 27-37 record over the past four years, and may need a breakthrough by the team in 2013 to keep his job. A stockpile of draft picks and considerable salary cap space allowed Ireland to be aggressive during the offseason, and in free agency he signed Wallace, the top available receiver, and six other likely starters. He also traded up nine spots in the draft to select linebacker-end Dion Jordan of Oregon with the No. 3 overall choice. Dolphins fans, including team owner Stephen Ross, are certain to grade Ireland on how the newcomers perform.

3. BIG PLAYS MAY BE ONLY A SNAP AWAY: The Dolphins ranked 27th in yards last season, when the wideouts totaled three touchdowns, and Philbin lost his biggest playmaker via free agency when Reggie Bush signed with Detroit. But the coach believes speedy second-year pro Lamar Miller will provide a breakaway threat to rival Bush, and a revamped receiving corps might be Miami's best group of pass catchers in 20 years. Wallace gives Tannehill the deep threat he lacked last year, and Ireland also acquired tight end Dustin Keller and slot receiver Brandon Gibson to team with Brian Hartline, who had a career-high 74 catches in 2012 and will now benefit from single coverage.

4. BALL-HAWKING A PRIORITY: Miami forced only 10 interceptions and recovered just six opposing fumbles last year to tie for fourth worst in the NFL in takeaways. That was the biggest deficiency in an otherwise solid defense, and to address the problem Ireland went shopping. Jordan is expected to help as a pass rusher to complement veteran Cameron Wake. Karlos Dansby and Kevin www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Frank-Gore-Jersey Burnett, the team's top tacklers, have been replaced by two younger, faster free agent acquisitions, Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler. Miami also signed veteran cornerback Brent Grimes, who won raves in offseason practices, and added cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Will Davis in the second and third rounds of the draft.

5. DOLPHINS CHASE LEBRON: From the Don Shula Expressway to Dan Marino Boulevard, Miami has always been a football town in a football state. But LeBron James and the two-time NBA champion Miami Heat gave South Florida a serious case of hoops fever. Now it's the Heat who are the talk of the town, even in July, while the Dolphins have lately played home games in a half-empty stadium. Everyone agrees about what would bring fans back to the Dolphins: winning.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree will go on the active physically-unable-to-perform list on Wednesday when the veterans are scheduled to report to training camp, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Crabtree will continue to count against the team's roster limit until the final cuts when the club then could transfer him to reserve PUP, which means he could return anywhere from Week 7 to Week 13.

Crabtree sustained a right Achilles tear on May 21 during an offseason workout and underwent surgery the following day. The 49ers believe Crabtree has a strong chance to be available late in the regular season.

"Talking to the doctor, and talking to Michael, (I) feel very good about where he is right now," Harbaugh said on Monday. (I) wouldn't categorize it as 'ahead of schedule' because he's just starting now to start moving on it. It's been just healing so far. But it looks great. That's the words of the doctors.

"We're optimistic there. Michael did a tremendous job, post-surgery. He stayed in town and did not leave and did not travel. He did everything he was being asked to do. They say it looks great."

A.J. Jenkins, Quinton Patton and Ricardo Lockette will line up at split end to compete for Crabtree's starting job. Harbaugh also mentioned Marlon Moore, who played caught six passes for the Miami Dolphins in 14 games last season, as a player who is "doing an outstanding job."

The 49ers do not appear ready to look for help from any veteran free agent.

"I feel like they're making a lot of progress," Harbaugh said "I www.49ersfootballprostore.com/Authentic-Michael-Crabtree-Jersey feel good about where that stands right now. Continued competition will continue to be good for our team and those youngsters."