Lot of teeth-gnashing over New York/New Jersey's successful Super Bowl XLVIII bid. If we're honest about it, this development was in the works long before ground broke on the billion dollar stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In fact, Gary Myers' article in the New York Daily News--the third link down--details how New York Jets owner Woody Johnson was promised a Super Bowl if he got a stadium built.

I saw a lot of fans, media, and officials from the NFL downplaying the weather concerns about playing a Super Bowl in North Jersey in early-to-mid February 2014 on Twitter yesterday afternoon. Well, if weather isn't an issue--and may enhance the game--why has the NFL include an average annual temperature requirement to bid on previous Super Bowls.

To me, that is what deserves outrage within this whole affair.

Rules were waived, and promises were made, if a new stadium got built in the New York area. Similar carrots were not dangled in other NFL cities, but those ownership groups--including heavy-hitters like Daniel Snyder and Robert Kraft--spent hundreds of millions of dollars, in both public and private funds, to build state-of-the-art stadiums, and are now well within their rights to press their fellow owners for Super Bowls in their neck of the woods.

NFL News and Notes

New England Patriots third-round wide receiver Taylor Price signed a four-year contract on Tuesday that included a $704,600 signing bonus.

Recovering from knee surgery, Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Demetrius Bell expects to be ready for training camp.

Bidding on a Super Bowl in New York/New Jersey was the idea of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's philosophies have members of the Dolphins excited, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

After passing a physical on Tuesday, guard Justin Smiley was officially traded by the Dolphins to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is trying to keep working with the first-team offense during the OTAs, writes Jordan Godwin of the Houston Chronicle.

Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher admits that there's an issue between the team and Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis is skipping the OTAs in protest of his contract.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was among several Baltimore Ravens to skip the team's voluntary passing camp on Tuesday, reports Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dennis Dixon believes he has the same opportunity to open the season as the team's starting quarterback as veteran Byron Leftwich does.

Despite the off-season acquisitions of cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns cornerback Eric Wright isn't worried about his playing time.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson has shown progress this off-season, reports Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley discusses what he tells his players about what not to say to the media.

Denver Broncos seventh-round linebacker Jammie Kirlew signed a four-year deal on Tuesday.

San Diego Chargers safety Kevin Ellison's arrest for possession of a controlled substance could jeopardize his roster spot, writes Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask said that if they get a new stadium built in Oakland, they'll want a Super Bowl, reports Bob Glauber of Newsday.

Several New York Giants and Jets react to the news that Super Bowl XLVIII will be played in New York (New Jersey).

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Joe Mays knows that special teams is his ticket to increased playing time, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder believes Washington, D.C. deserves a Super Bowl.

Cutting wide receiver Patrick Crayton wouldn't make sense for the Dallas Cowboys, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News.

Arizona Cardinals fifth-round quarterback John Skelton has already made "tremendous progress" this off-season, Cardinals quarterbacks coach Chris Miller said.

San Francisco 49ers second-round safety Taylor Mays needs to learn the defense and show the ability to play both safety positions before he gets on the field, writes Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington is eager to return from the broken leg that ended his 2009 season, writes Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Keith Null started the final month of the 2009 season, but finds himself third on the team's depth chart this off-season.

Wide receiver Joe Horn would like to retire as a member of the New Orleans Saints, who will induct him into the team's Hall of Fame this year.

After his group's bid to host Super Bowl XLVIII finished second to New York/New JerseyTampa Bay Buccaneers co-chairman Brian Glazer said that he doesn't expect northern cities to enter the regular rotation of Super Bowl cities.

Atlanta Falcons second-year safety William Moore, coming off an injury and held out of a recent mini-camp, was on the practice field yesterday, reports D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is not upset about his contract situation.

Detroit Lions first-round picks Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best returned to the team's OTA sessions this week.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams officially filed appeals in their case against the NFL on Tuesday.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings needs to improve his focus, writes Aaron Nagler.

Chicago Bears chairman Mike McCaskey supported the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl bid.

Today's NFL birthdays: Panthers center Steve Justice (26), Bears defensive end Mark Anderson (27), Raiders safety Jerome Boyd (24), Steelers fifth-round cornerback Crezdon Butler (23), Titans rookie guard John Malecki (22) and third-round wide receiver Damian Williams (22), free agent linebacker Beau Bell (24) and free agent wide receiver Martin Nance (27).