Great stuff, JB. Here are some advance tidbits from the upcoming Training Camp Reports:
Bal: Jameel McClain running with the 1s on opening day of camp next to Ray Ray, Dannell Ellerbe and Tavares Gooden also in the mix, but most expected Ellerbe to be in there. Tom Zbikowski filling in for Ed Reed, who could be out a while (PUP candidate for regular season). Kruger gained ~20 lbs and appears to be ready for more action at DE.
Den: Robert Ayers is out of the doghouse. He should start opposite Dumervil. Perrish Cox has pushed his way into the competition for the nickel job along with Nathan Jones and Alphonso Smith.
Hou: Amobi Okoye is in shape and perhaps the light has come on for him finally.
Ind: Pat Angerer is working as the backup at MLB, not competing iwth Philip Wheeler for SLB snaps. With Jerry Hughes, the Colts are looking to employe a "3-DE" system to utilize Hughes, Mathis and Freeney together to amplify their pass rush.
Jax: Terrence Knighton is overweight, coaches not happy. Larry Hart standing out early, Derrick Harvey trimmed down to get back to rushing the passer and regaining explosiveness he lacked last year. Kampman looking good already at ~80%.
KC: Demorrio Williams was not running with the 1s on opening days of camp, could be another Todd Haly mind game, who knows.
Mia: Randy Starks looking good at NT, although he's not expected to be a block-eating NT in the classic sense, but more like Jay Ratliff of the Cowboys; he'll look to penetrate and disrupt as much as occupy. Dansby the early star. Misi and Wake running with the 1s on the outside. Alama-Francis converted to LB and running with 2nd team so far as coaches want to see what he does.
NE: Spikes getting lots of snaps at ILB, team has big plans for him apparently. Chung - same thing. Tyrone McKenzie is back; he and Jermaine Cunningham could contribute this year (heck, the Patriots need all the help they can get at LB/DE0). Wilfork lining up at NE and DE, Warren playing NT while Wilford is at DE.
Oak - Lamarr Houston could be a very nice rookie find. he's lining up at DE with Seymour at DT. Known as a run stuffer, he along with McClain could solidify the Raiders front seven quickly. Wimbley and Scott running at OLB. Shaughnessy at DE opposite Houston.
SD - Darrell Stuckey getting every opportunity to win the job next to Eric Weddle. Cason locked in at corner. English remains the heir apparent to Merriman.
Ten - Morgan off to a rough start, don't overreact. Witherspoon with the 2s, likely to change.
Ari - Daryl Washington will have to earn his spot, running with the 3s, but subject to change. Trumaine McBride starting, for now, opposite DRC, but Greg Toler is competing for that spot, too. Beisel and Lenon are starting at ILB for now.. Watson and Branch reported to camp trimmer than previous years (light bulb come on finally? TBD)
Atl - Brian williams cleared medically for camp, but not ready to compete for a job yet.
Det - Amari Spievey could work his way into the starting mix at corner, but he'll at least be involved in sub-packages and special teams. Houston and Delmas the only ones with starting jobs in secondary at this point. Follett impressing early.
GB - Brad Jones annointed as starter at OLB opposite Matthews, but he has missed practices and Poppinga is filling in. Al Harris faces a steep hill before (if) he is able to return. Burnett is starting at SS, will likely win job unless Bigby gets healthy fast and impresses.
Min - E.J. Henderson is a miracle man. Not quite ready yet, but he's back to being the leader of the Vikings D. Only a matter of time. Griffin on PUP and may not be ready for Week 1. Sheppard filling in and practicing both sides (to be swing corner when Griffin returns); Asher Allen also getting some snaps; Chris Cook impressing early - 3 picks on Saturday (Rosenfels!!
)
NO - Possible committee at SLB - Evans, Ingram and Dunbar. Ingram a disappointment so far. Really? Shocker. Jenkins replacing Sharper for now, but Sharper not guaranteed spot when healthy.
NYG - Sintim starting at SLB. Goff at MLB, but Bulluck expected to emerge and start by Week 1.
Phi - Nate Allen is starting at FS..
Stl - Larry Grant running with starters at WLB, not Bobby Carpenter. Spags said both will practice, Grant slides over to SLB at times, too. Fletcher, King and Murphy competing for job opposite Bartell.
SF - Singletary singled out Brooks and Goldson as most improved/impressive during offseason. Clements regained starting spot. Lawson reported to camp in tremendous shape. Jean Francois filling in for Franklin at NT.
Sea - Hill demoted and rightfully so. Hawthorne at WLB, Herring top sub, Red Bryant starting at DE, Jackson to 2nd team. Milloy at SS, Thomas starting at FS from first practice after he signed.
TB - McCoy and Price starting at DTs, no surprise. Kyle Moore at DE.